Journal-World looking for Hummers, hybrid cars

The Journal-World is looking to hear from Lawrence and area residents who drive Hummer sports utility vehicles or hybrid cars powered by both gas and electric motors, such as the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius.

The hulking SUVs and the sprightly, conservation-friendly hybrids — positioned at opposite ends of the automotive universe — are increasingly easy to spot around town.

We’d like to find out why the folks who drive these vehicles were attracted to them.

Are Hummers and hybrids a reflection of their owners’ personalities, ideals and principles?

What’s more important to these drivers: the “cool factor” appeal of certain vehicles, or their economy and miles-per-gallon rating?

In short: What’s driving people — pun intended — to go out and buy these vastly different automobiles?

We’d like to know. We’ll use some of your experiences for an upcoming Arts & Living feature.

To share the stories of your Hummers and hybrids, contact Journal-World feature writer Jim Baker at 832-7173 or by e-mail at jbaker@ljworld.com.

Watkins museum to have fund-raiser

The Watkins Community Museum of History will have its annual summer fund-raiser at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The event will feature a concert, including songs such as “The Bird on Nellie’s Hat” and “Everyone Works But Father.”

The concert’s theme is Popular Songs of a Century Ago. The concert will feature soprano Jennifer Lyles-Magsood, with accompanist Mark Bureman on piano. Bureman also will present a short introduction before each song on the piece’s cultural significance.

Tickets for the event are $15 per person and $25 for a couple. They can be obtained by calling the museum at 841-4109.