Local blues CD sales to aid Toys for Tots

Several Lawrence-area blues musicians are featured on “Boogie Children,” a CD collection of songs recorded live during Douglas County Toys for Tots’ 11th Annual Blues Revue, which was Nov. 6 at Liberty Hall.

The nine-track CD is available for $10 at Kief’s Downtown Music, 823 Mass., and Hastings Books, Music and Video, 1900 W. 23rd St. Sale proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots.

Featured musicians include Lee McBee, Billy Ebeling, Levee Town, Import Ants and Fast Johnny Ricker.

Toys for Tots expects to provide Christmas gifts for almost 1,000 children in Douglas County this year.

City Commission

Funding sought for homeless services

Advocates for homeless services are set to ask Lawrence city commissioners tonight for $41,330 in funding to keep open a makeshift 24-hour shelter service.

Steve Ozark, co-chairman of the Lawrence Coalition on Homeless Concerns, said the money would provide salaries of the employees needed to run the program through 2005. The funding would be used by three organizations — the Salvation Army, Lawrence Open Shelter and Community Drop-In Center — to provide service during the afternoon when they have historically not been open.

City commissioners granted an emergency funding request of $11,000 to fund the program from September through the end of the year. Ozark said the city’s Task Force on Homeless Services agreed that the service needed to continue, especially through the winter.

Commissioners meet at 6:35 tonight at City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.

Courts

Trial to start today for robbery at KU

Trial is scheduled to begin this morning for a man charged with robbing a Kansas University freshman at gunpoint in the parking garage of an all-female residence hall.

Jesse A. Plaster, 23, Tonganoxie, is charged in Douglas County District Court with aggravated robbery and fleeing to elude police in connection with the Sept. 27 robbery in the Gertrude Sellards Pearson-Corbin garage.

Attorneys selected jury members Monday morning.

Gasoline Prices

Patrol seeks fuel deals

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.66 a gallon at several locations around Lawrence.

If you find a lower price, please call 832-7154.