Area dancers claim national championship

A team of area dancers is a national champion.

The Spirit of Kansas All-Star Danz Team, made up of dancers from Lawrence and Tonganoxie in the sixth grade and lower, from Dance City studio won first place in Pom and second in Jazz at the National Danz Alliance competition March 12-14 in Orlando, Fla. The team, under the direction of Lori Tochtrop, also won the innovative choreography award.

More than 100 squads from across the country, plus a team from Tokyo, attended the competition, in which age divisions ranged from third grade to college level.

Highlights from the competition are set to air from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today on Fox Sports Midwest, Sunflower Broadband Channel 51.

Team members are Megan Anderson, Bailey Bussinger, Catie Griffin, Emily Griffin, Gabi Griffin, Apryl Hedges, Sara King, Katie Lomshek, Mackenzie Lomshek, Jaclyn Long, Jordan McColm, Alexis Miller, Korie Reed, Jackie Soelter, Kaylee Wiggins and Berkleigh Wright, all of Lawrence, and Baylie Kiefer, Tonganoxie.

Media

Discussion to center on local news reporting

If you watch 6News, read the Journal-World and use their Web sites, we want to hear from you.

The World Company and Associated Press Managing Editors are conducting a roundtable discussion April 12 to find out whether you think cooperation among the television station, newspaper and online is effectively offering the news and information you want, the way you want to receive it.

The discussion is set for 7 p.m. at the East Lawrence Center, 1245 E. 15th St. If you are interested in participating or want more information, contact 6News Director Cody Howard at 832-6321 or by e-mail to choward@sunflowerbroadband.com.

Literary event

Fantasy novel writer to speak at library

Kij Johnson, author of “The Fox Woman” and “Fudoki” will speak and sign her books at 7 p.m. today at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt.

Johnson writes fantasy novels based on Japanese myth. In her latest book, “Fudoki,” a cat who survived a fire that killed her whole family searches for a place for herself and her fudoki, which are stories of the female cats in her clan. The narrator, Princess Harueme, faces a similar search as she is sent off to a convent to die.

Johnson teaches creative writing at Kansas University and is editor of several publications. She has published dozens of works and won the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts’ Crawford Award for best new fantasy novelist of 2001.

Johnson’s books will be available for purchase at the event, which is free and open to the public.

Kansas University

Event studies oppression

The Tunnel of Oppression will return to Kansas University from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday in Hashinger Hall, 1632 Engel Road.

The tunnel is an interactive, multimedia experience that deals with issues such as racism, sexism and homophobia. Exit provisions are made for those who do not wish to go all the way through the tunnel. Participants will have a group discussion with a university counselor after going through the tunnel.

The event is a campuswide program co-sponsored by several university offices and student organizations.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence-area gasoline price as low as $1.67 at Site Service Station, 946 E. 23rd St., and Zarco 66, Citgo and BP, all at Ninth and Iowa streets. If you find a lower price, report it to the Pump Patrol at 832-7154.