Annual United Way benefit Rock Chalk Revue opens

Greek organizations at Kansas University participating in this year’s Rock Chalk Revue are hoping to break last year’s record of $50,000 raised for the United Way of Douglas County.

The 53rd annual variety show, whose theme is “Look Both Ways,” got under way Thursday night at the Lied Center and will continue at 7 p.m. today and Saturday.

The performance consists of five shows, each 20 to 30 minutes long, prepared by sororities and fraternities that competed for spots in the revue.

For the first time this year, an all-female production, “Doin’ Time,” will be staged by Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi sororities. Other groups performing are Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity; Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity; Delta Gamma sorority and Beta Theta Pi fraternity; and Chi Omega sorority and Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Tickets to tonight’s performance are $15. To check ticket availability, call the KU Student Union Activities office at 864-7469. Saturday’s performance is sold out.

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Greetings: KU to send birthday cards to 21-year-old students

Kansas University students celebrating their 21st birthdays will begin receiving birthday cards from the university this month.

The cards include information on safe drinking. They also include “21 things you should have done by the time you turn 21,” ranging from “learned to appreciate mac and cheese” to “been a designated driver.” They also include a free ticket to a Student Union Activities movie.

The cards are a part of KU’s Social Norms Media Campaign, which is funded by the Kansas Health Foundation. They are based on similar projects at other universities.

Organizers say more than 300 KU students turn 21 each month.

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March madness: Cordley, CJHS students observe luncheon milestone

The 10th anniversary of a tradition between Cordley School and Central Junior High School was celebrated Thursday.

Students in Bev Hyde’s second-grade class have been making paper Jayhawks to decorate Central Junior High’s cafeteria since 1993, when food-service workers Dixie Workman and Debbie Nall were trying to increase interest in the school’s breakfast program. The March Madness lunch has been a tradition ever since.

Hyde’s classes have made more then 200 Jayhawks for the cafeteria. The Central Junior High workers invite Hyde’s students for lunch with junior high students.

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Business: Congressman, Kansans join to ask for worker-relief aid

U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore and three Kansans who were laid off from their jobs will call for final passage of a worker-relief package during an appearance today.

The request will come during a 10:45 a.m. news conference at the Best Western Conference Center, 501 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Kan. Moore also will be holding his Small Business Resource Conference there.

Moore repeatedly has called on Congress to pass a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance and COBRA health insurance for workers unable to find jobs. On Thursday, the House passed an extension of unemployment benefits as part of a stimulus package that now goes to the Senate.

Joining Moore to tell his story will be Lyle Rohlmer, Lawrence, who worked for Farmland Industries for 27 years until he was laid off last year. Rachel Flener, Lenexa, and Rob Baker, Overland Park, also will speak.