photo by: Kathy Hanks

Beth McKenzie, Kansas Audio-Reader Network's development director, prices musical instruments at the 2018 For Your Ears Only fundraiser. The 2019 sale begins Friday, Sept. 13.

An electric violin, autoharps and Caribbean drums are among the wide selection of instruments that will be on available at the Kansas Audio-Reader Network’s annual For Your Ears Only sale.

“This is the most musical instruments we have had,” said Beth McKenzie, Audio-Reader’s development director. “Some are beginner models, and some have been really well cared for, never taken out of the case.”

Shoppers will also be able to browse a selection of audio equipment, CDs, DVDs and vinyl records, all priced well below market value.

The annual sale is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Audio-Reader service, which reads daily newspapers, magazines and books to visually impaired people. McKenzie said last year’s sale raised more than $40,000. The sale is even more critical for Audio-Reader now, she said, because the University of Kansas announced last year it was phasing out its financial support for the program.

“This year, KU is contributing half of what they used to, and only for this year and next, so the sale is essential for us,” McKenzie said.

The sale will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Tickets are required to enter the sale on Friday night. They can be purchased in advance for $10 at Audio-Reader’s office, 1120 W. 11th St., or at the door for $15. McKenzie said shoppers can also purchase an express ticket for $25, which allows them to enter the sale without waiting in a line. Admission is free on Saturday, and much of the merchandise will be discounted at noon.

Rev It Up Street Festival

Hot rods will be out in full force Saturday during the Rev It Up Street Festival at South Park.

The annual car show is a benefit for the Ballard Center, which provides early childhood education programs and basic life assistance for families and individuals in need.

photo by: John Young

In this file photo from Sept. 26, 2015, Emmanuel Carter, left, of Topeka, and Jim McMurray, of Linwood, look over a car during the Rev It Up Street Festival car show at South Park.

Organizers Michelle and Steve Chronister have been coordinating the event for the past 11 years.

“We want to bring people out and build community awareness about the Ballard Community Center,” Michelle Chronister said.

The show is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to bring nonperishable food items to donate to the Ballard Center.

Lawrence Electric Vehicle Showcase

For those who want a quieter, more high-tech car show, the Lawrence Electric Vehicle Showcase will also be taking place Saturday in the parking lot of the Clinton Parkway Hy-Vee.

Along with a variety of electric cars, the show will include electric bicycles and scooters. Organizer Michael Almon said the show, which is sponsored by the Sustainability Action Network and the Kansas Sierra Club Wakarusa Group, is scheduled to coincide with National Drive Electric Week, which starts Saturday.

“Electric vehicles are smooth and quiet, with high torque and instant acceleration,” Almon said. “Driving on electricity is about five times cheaper than fueling with gasoline, and maintenance is cheaper too.”

The show runs from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. in front of the Hy-Vee store, 3504 Clinton Parkway. For more information, visit: driveelectricweek.org/events.php

photo by: Kathy Hanks

In this file photo, Michael Almon, one of the organizers of this year’s Lawrence Electric Vehicle Showcase, sits in the driver’s seat of his Nissan Leaf. The car show is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at the Clinton Parkway Hy-Vee.