Recently by Jenny Terrell

"It's like having a member of the paparazzi follow you around on your wedding day--it's a lot of fun," said Amelia McCormick, a September bride who used a candid wedding photographer. McCormick said that when she was searching for a wedding photographer, she wanted someone who was willing to be there to capture all the moments--especially the ones that are not normally documented.
    "I don't want to forget anything," McCormick said.
    Tara Mitchell, Wichita graduate student and recently engaged, said that she is considering a photographer that has an attractive portfolio of both the candid and the posed shots.
    "I just think that if people only take the traditional pictures they are truly missing the actual feelings of the wedding," Mitchell said.
    Mitchell said that she wants the photographer to be there as her and her bridesmaids are getting ready and during all the "in-between" moments, so she can look back and see the excitement of the day.
This has become a trend all over the country as wedding photojournalism has developed over the past decade. The objective is to get photos of what actually happens during the wedding, not just poses that the photographer stages.

Photographers in the Lawrence area have adjusted to the requests for candid wedding shots. Local photographer and Overland Park junior, Cate Crandell said that because of this trend, younger photographers are hired for weddings because they are more updated on the styles of today's bride.
The term "candid" implies that the subject is unaware of the camera. This gives it more of a photojournalistic approach. Matt Needham, a photographer in Lawrence, said people want to see photos that tell the story of the day rather than people just standing at the altar.  He gets the most comments on the candid photos.
"I think that's because the expressions on the peoples' faces are real and full of emotion," Needham said.
Needham also said that most brides lately want to keep the posed photo sessions short, but still take them for mom. Out of the 450 to 500 photos he ends up delivering to the bride, usually fewer than 50 of them are posed.
Bridal magazine ads are full of candid shots, which could be a reason for this trend. Jason Dailey, photographer, said that people see the pictures in the ads and it gives them the idea of what makes a "good" photograph.  Dailey also said that the only reason traditional style photos have been requested is for the grandparents.
Not every photographer is experiencing a great difference in the business. Stu Nowlin, a Lawrence photographer, said that the majority of his customers still want the formal pictures with the family. He said that if the couple requests only candid shots, he asks them to think of their families and what the family would like.
"People want the people that are important to them in the pictures with them," Nowlin said. "But with digital you can give them everything. Digital is the real answer here."

There are some challenges to capturing candid photos that satisfy the customer. Crandell said that it is hard to make sure you take pictures of everyone the couple wanted.
"That's part of the reason we still take the posed pictures." Crandell said.
She said the candid shots are a lot more fun for the photographer as well as the couple, and that their expressions are better than the posed pictures.
    While the wedding party still poses for a few pictures to satisfy family members, capturing candid photos of the entire wedding day is a trend that couples all over the country are using to remember the best moments of their lives. McCormick said she prefers the candid shots because anyone can take a posed shot and they do not capture anything that wouldn't otherwise be remembered.
    "They are just static--they're expected," McCormick said.

Currently, when a company has a chemical spill, the company will use a pumping system in attempt to remove the chemical out of the ground so that it will not contaminate the ground water. Michael Ball, owner of Kansas WATER Training, said that it is nearly impossible to pump out all the contaminants and it is an expensive method.

            However, Dr. J.F. Devlin, a geology professor and hydrologist at the University of Kansas is researching the new method of removing these chemicals, Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB). Permeable Reactive Barriers use iron to as a reactant to remove harmful chemicals from the ground water as it flows through a trench.

            Devlin's research includes trying to get a direct measure of how fast the water moves in the ground along with the study of granular iron and how it reacts with different pollutants in groundwater. Working with Devlin in his research is Dr. George Tsoflias, also a geology professor at the University. Tsoflias uses ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to test how the water and its contaminants are moving throughout the subsurface. Tsofias said that the traditional method for measurement is to use wells, but that only gives you the velocity of the ground water at that particular point and it is not possible to predict what is happening away from the well. His non-invasive method of the GPR allows him to see how the water moves and the flow pattern of the contaminants, which is how it helps Devlin.

            "It's sort of like a cat scan like doctors use on the human body, it gives us a three-dimensional view of the sub-surface," Tsofias said.

            Devlin's students are helping him with the other half of his research. The students in his Special Studies in Geology class are setting up experiments in preparation for testing different types of contaminants and how they react to iron. Garrett Johnson, Fredonia senior, said that he is setting up two gems (beakers) with 100 percent carbonate solution with a magnetic rod inserted that includes the iron. These beakers will set and let the iron age for about three days. When the experiment begins, Garrett will be taking samples every five minutes. After he is completed with the carbonate solution, he will do the same thing with a solution of perchlorate and analyze the samples.

            "We are hoping that one solution will speed up the reaction with iron and one will slow it down, but we don't know which one."  Johnson said.

            Devlin said that these permeable reactive barriers apply to people's everyday lives.

            "It takes decades to get things out of the ground and this is a system that doesn't require pumping or maintenance." Devlin said. He said that even though pouring one of these trenches and filling it with iron is very expensive, it will be more economic in the long run--unlike the pumping method. Devlin said that there are 100-200 PRBs in the ground now and most of them are performing well.

            One PRB is located at the U.S. Department of Energy's Kansas City Plant in Kansas City, Mo. It was installed in April of 1998. Devlin said that the Kansas City PRB is interesting because it is a split from the river and the river changed course, making the trench not quite accurate. However, it is still successful with only a ten percent leak.

            Other PRB locations include Sunnyvale, CA, Colorado, New York, Florida, as well as Europe and the Far East.

            Although the installation of a PRB is more expensive to begin than the traditional pumping method, Devlin believes that it will be cheaper in the long run and is necessary during this economic downfall.

            "It's a huge cost out-front, but it has little or no maintenance costs," Devlin said. 

"It'll be about five minutes." Jim Carroll said to the three girls arriving at his "induction" station at GSP dining hall to receive their Thai chicken wraps for lunch on Wednesday. Sweat slides down from Jim's hairnet, which covers his round head, and continues over his face that is red from the heat rising from the burner.

This is right where Carroll loves to be. He is the induction cook at GSP dining hall, meaning that he cooks using pans that are heated by magnets and cooks each guest's meal to order. Interacting with the residents and guests in the GSP-Corbin hall is what Carroll enjoys most about his job.

"I like to find out where they are from, what's going on in their lives, and if they like my food," Carroll said.

At 52, Carroll enjoys his life and has a great passion for cooking. He cooks at work, and when he goes home, he cooks more.

"He's had a love for cooking all his life," said Ima Carroll, his mother.

Carroll was first inspired to cook as a child, when he would visit his grandmother who prepared three meals a day at a school in Kansas City. He would stand in the kitchen and watch her cook, and she would make him help. One of his favorite memories is making huge cinnamon rolls with his grandmother during Christmas time. They were two inches high and four inches wide.

From his grandmother's kitchen, Carroll continued to cook. After high school he attended Atchison Vo-Tech School for two years and has since cooked for hospitals, restaurants, and private parties before coming to dining services at the University of Kansas.

Carroll puts in 40-50 hours a week at GSP and prefers working at GSP dining hall rather than Mrs. E's.

Jim Carroll serves food in GSP Dining.

"Mrs. E's is just too busy--They herd 'em in, and herd 'em out," Carroll said. Carroll worked in Mrs. E's for seven years and transferred to GSP dining hall when he injured his knee and needed a slower paced job.

Barb Wilson, manager of GSP dining hall, said that Carroll's interaction with the residents helps give the impression that the dining hall staff is like your second family, always there to serve your meal and to talk with as well.

"Jim tries to be friends with everybody, he's very outgoing," said David Carroll, his father.

This is Carroll's third year in the GSP dining hall and Jenny Geide, Ellsworth senior, has worked in the GSP dining hall with him all three years. She really enjoys his sense of humor and encouraging attitude.

"You can tell he really loves his job," Geide said.

Carroll said that he is motivated by the "thank yous" he receives from the recipients of his food and also by his strong Christian faith. He is a regular attendee at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Lawrence.

"When there are a lot of people waiting and I want to go faster but can't rush, I just remember that the Lord is on my side." Carroll said.

When Carroll is not standing at the "induction" station whipping up special dinners in GSP, he enjoys cooking for fun and loves to visit his parents, David and Ima, who have retired in Lawrence. Although he is the only family member to have made a career out of cooking, everyone cooks his or her own dishes when there is a gathering, and his mother Ima is quite protective of her kitchen. He remembers a particular Mother's Day when she was sick.

"She allowed me into her kitchen and told me how to cook."

Cooking is Carroll's spice of life. He wipes the sweat rolling down his cheek with his white shirtsleeve as he uses the other arm to flip the custom omelet sizzling in the skillet.  

"I enjoy cooking everything but liver," Carroll said. 

    Because the housing market is down, so is the number of trees. The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department is in charge of planting trees in the city under the Master Street Tree Plan, which plants trees in new housing developments in Lawrence.
    Since the start of the program in the fall of 2002, the average number of trees planted per year is approximately 400. This year it's about 190. 

    "We are on a decline right now due to the housing market being so low, not many houses are being built," said Crystal Miles, Horticulture Manager of the City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department.  
    Miles said tree planting usually begins at the start of November, after a killing freeze or leaf drop in the fall, and continues through winter when the ground is not frozen and the temperature is above freezing. Planting is generally finished in mid April.
    These trees are paid for by a fee of $245 collected with the application for a building permit. Miles said the city prefers to purchase trees that are grown within a radius of 100 miles of Lawrence and the labor force is hired by the tree vendor. To determine which type of tree should be planted, the National Forest Service provides a list of trees specifically for northeast Kansas. Miles said that since purpose of these trees in the residential neighborhoods is shade, larger trees such as maples, oaks, and honey locusts are most often used because they will grow to be at least 45 feet tall.
    Before this program began, the home builders put in the trees themselves. However people complained because the wrong sizes of trees were planted or the trees were planted in the wrong place. So the Lawrence Home Builders Association proposed that the builders pay a fee for the tress and the city plant them to ensure that everything was done correctly. Bobbie Flory, Executive Director of the Lawrence Home Builders Association, said that they believed that if the city was buying thousands of trees, then everything could be done right and more efficiently.
    "Did it work? Not really. The city turned it into a cumbersome project. That's what government does," Flory said. Now that it is a city project, the city has to come out and inspect everything, making the process less efficient.  But it did take the responsibility off of the builders.
    "There are definite problems with it," said Flory. She said that builders complain that they could plant the trees themselves for less than the city charges and there is a lower survival rate for the trees planted by the city than other trees.
    Although the decline in the housing market has the Master Street Tree planting program at one of its lowest points, the program will continue as long as houses are being built in Lawrence.
    "Unless it is repealed or revised we will continue to accomplish the mission of planting trees," said Miles.

Whether in the business of selling gear and supplements or sponsoring road races, the hobby of running has become commercial.
    Garry Gribble's Running Sports opened its newest store in Lawrence this summer and is experiencing the busyness of its first running season.
    "With the start of cross country season and cooler weather, we definitely have an influx in people eager to hit the road again," said Tyson Wiloughby, a Garry Gribble's employee.
    People are also out running training for road races varying in distances from one mile to full marathons. These runners do not just shop for shoes and clothing; energy goo and gels have become a popular way to replenish electrolytes.
    "They provide the electrolytes and carbohydrates needed to refuel," said John Winslow, Garry Gribble's employee.
    Nicole Simms, an employee at Sunflower Outdoor Bike in Lawrence, said that the store is not effected too much by marathoners and the running season, but runners do come in for the energy providers such as Jelly Belly's Sport Beans, Cluf Bars, and Clif Shot Blocks. These energy providers work like the Energy Goo and help replenish the body with what it needs before, during and after a long run.
    Simms is a marathon runner as well. Each year she runs two full marathons and two or three half marathons.
    "I buy new shoes about every month and a half and spend about $100 there," Simms said. Clothes last longer than shoes, so she is able to keep wearing her running attire and not spend extra money on clothing.
    "Other than shoes I just have to buy my socks and sports beans," Simms said.
   

    Michelle Maxwell, a half-marathon runner, also spends less on clothing because it lasts longer.
    "I do spend about $120 on each pair of shoes though," Maxwell said. She runs seven or eight races per year and she spends approximately $400 each year on her hobby of running.
    While the runners are buying their running gear in preparation for the race, race hosts are spending money as well. Josh Todd, recreation manager at the Ottawa Recreation Commission, is preparing for the Race for the Taste event on Oct. 4. Race for the Taste is just one of seven races taking place in northeast Kansas that weekend, one of those being the Sandrat Trail Run in Lawrence on Oct. 5. Todd said that the cost of hosting this event is fairly inexpensive because the only costs were renting the timing system, the T-shirts, and the awards. The timing system was the most expensive at about $200.  Through the entrance fee, which every participant pays, the t-shirts and awards are paid for. The entry fee for this race is $25. Todd said this is the second year of this event and last year the event had 27 participants.
    "We hope for more this year, but there is a lot of competition this time of year--with two or three races happening every weekend," Todd said. Event hosts also get local businesses to sponsor the race. Todd has eight sponsors and is still following up with restaurants and asking them to participate.
    Fall weather and running clubs are brining out the runners in the Lawrence area. Garry Gribble's is enjoying the customers of its first running season in Lawrence.
    "Lawrence has a nice little running community," Winslow said.

  

See the versatile drive behind running in Lawrence