Chamber offers luncheons to meet the candidates

A series of luncheons to meet and hear from candidates in the Nov. 5 election will start next month.

The “Meet the Candidates” luncheons will be from noon to 1:15 p.m. at The Eldridge Hotel, 701 Mass.

Democrat Dan Lykins, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, will appear Oct. 8. Ryun will be the guest speaker on Oct. 24.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Shallenburger will be on hand Oct. 16; Democratic opponent Kathleen Sebelius, Oct. 18.

Republican Adam Taff, who faces U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, will appear Oct. 17; Moore will speak Oct. 23.

The luncheons are coordinated by the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

Advance registration must be received by 5 p.m. the day before the event. Cost to attend each luncheon is $12 for chamber members and $15 for nonmembers. To register, call the chamber at 865-4411 or register online at www.lawrencechamber.com.

Green space

Conservation easements to create wilderness park

Officials from the city and the Kansas Land Trust on Thursday dedicated conservation easements that will form part of a wilderness park in northwest Lawrence.

The land, north of Free State High School, was donated by Bob and Betty Lichtwardt and Francis Kelly and Cheri Varvil, all of Lawrence. The conservation easements, which mean the land can never be developed, permanently protect 51 acres of the planned 97-acre park. No date has been set for creating the park.

Officials said donations to the land trust, and the subsequent transfers of land to the city, mark the first instances in Kansas of conservation easements held by a nonprofit organization on public land.

“The Lichtwardt and the Kelly/Varvil easements represent an important step for Kansas Land Trust,” Donna Lackey, the trust’s president, said. “This is the first opportunity we have had to develop a joint project with local government. By working with the city of Lawrence and its Parks and Recreation Department, we hope to demonstrate how public-private partnerships can successfully protect our natural heritage.”

Community

Three events to benefit city’s Humane Society

The Lawrence Humane Society’s eighth annual Pawsible Dream Auction will be tonight at Liberty Hall.

Proceeds will benefit the shelter. Participants will have the chance to bid on original art, collectibles, pet items, clothing, jewelry, meals at local restaurants, gift certificates, furniture, sports memorabilia and more.

Doors open at 6 p.m. A silent auction will run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the live auction beginning at 8 p.m. Admission is $15 per person, $25 per couple. The event also will include a buffet, cash bar and entertainment.

On Saturday, proceeds from a disc golf tournament will go to the Humane Society. Registration will be from 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., with tee-off at 10:30 p.m. at the Centennial Park disc golf course.

From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, sponsor Mojo’s will donate 10 percent of its profits to the shelter.

Vinland fourth-grader Matt Griffin, 9, above, and other Vinland students collected donations for the shelter and delivered them Thursday.