Ottawa Democrat files for Senate seat

Cal Lantis, a Democratic businessman and community leader from Ottawa, has filed to run for the 12th Senate District seat.

“Taxpayers want strong schools, good jobs, safe highways and affordable health,” Lantis said. “Most importantly, they want honest, fiscally responsible elected officials who aren’t afraid to make tough decisions.”

Lantis owns Coldwell Banker Lantis and Associates, a real estate company, and is president-elect of the Kansas Association of Realtors.

He is chairman of the Ottawa Planning Commission, and served as director of community development and business development in the administration of Gov. Joan Finney. He has also served on the Ottawa City Commission, as mayor of Ottawa and on the school board.

The 12th Senate District includes Linn County and parts of Anderson, Franklin and Miami counties. The current senator, Robert Tyson, a Republican, has said he would not seek re-election.

Abortion rights group camping out at KU

Members of Kansas University’s chapter of Choice USA are camping out in front of Wescoe Beach this week to raise money for an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C.

The group plans to camp out through Friday. They are collecting money for a bus trip to the Women’s March on Washington, to be conducted the weekend of April 23. The chapter is hoping to take 300 students to the rally.

They will be collecting money through Friday. A donation of $75 would pay for one person to go on the trip.

Ex-Jayhawk to teach basketball to children

Jeff Boschee will be the star of a youth basketball clinic put on this month by the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. Boys and girls in fourth through eighth grades can learn the basics of basketball at Holcom Park Recreation Center, 2700 W. 27th St.

Clinics are March 27 for fourth- through sixth-graders, and March 28 for seventh- and eighth-graders. Sessions both days are from noon to 2 p.m. for girls and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for boys.

The program costs $30 per participant, which includes a clinic T-shirt. Participants can enroll online at www.lprd.org or by visiting a Parks and Recreation facility. For more information, call AJ Jones at 832-7950.

KU expands program for gifted students

Kansas University is expanding its Duke University Talent Identification Program to include two weekend courses in April.

The program will give 100 Kansas students in grades eight through 12 a chance to attend courses taught by KU faculty and graduate instructors.

The Scholar Weekends are open to any Kansas student who has been identified as gifted by local school districts or who has previously participated in Duke’s TIP.

Students can choose from several courses: introduction to psychology, aerospace engineering or mathematics through the ages, all April 17-18; or film criticism and analysis, architecture or working across cultures, all April 24-25.

Cost is $350 with overnight lodging or $300 without lodging. For more information, call 864-5823, or visit www.kuce.org/programs/dtip.