Multimedia Reporting (Adler-Noland)

“The world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only a page,” St. Augustine said long before travel became so accessible. Lawrence citizens are taking St. Augustine’s advice as they prepare for spring and summer excursions. Families are looking forward to meeting Mickey Mouse, retirees are planning European get-aways, and the college scene is preparing to party in Cabo.

The difficult task is the planning. Today travelers have two alternatives. They can book a trip by using a travel agency, or they can plan their own trip online, through popular websites like Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia. The convenience of travel websites has forced local agencies to focus on their most important advantage: the relationship with the customer.

“To say we haven’t been affected by the online business would be a lie,” John Novotny, owner of Traveller’s Inc. said. “Our agency is certainly not struggling though. We have lost certain areas, but still actively compete in others.” Novotny has noticed over the last ten years “point to point” airline travel has steadily decreased. He believes the time and money conscious prefer using the Internet for an uncomplicated airline trip.

Traveller’s Inc., located on Massachusetts St., has been in Lawrence since 1951. It has a loyal clientele, but has shifted its focus to compete with online travel sites.
“The Internet can do some things better than us, “ Novotny said. “We can only find published flights, meaning the number of seats available and flight time is made public. Online sites can often find unpublished flights at the last minute that will be less expensive.”

The advantage of a travel agency was confirmed for Novotny this winter during the Denver snowstorm. “I was swamped with phone calls all day from Denver,” Novotny said. “People planned the trip online, but then couldn’t get a hold of anyone. They wanted to talk to a real person that could get them home.”
Jim Hanni, Executive Vice President of the Kansas AAA Allied Group, agrees customers see the importance of professional help. “I believe we compete very well.” Hanni said. “I always remind customers what they would do if something went wrong. We can be their middle-man.”

The Lawrence branch of AAA Travel Agency has felt the pressure of online business but has continued to find business in specific areas of travel. “We book a lot of cruises and group tours,” Hanni said. The agency has focused on large group trips and tours that are only available through the agency. This specialization gave the branch a 25 percent increase in 2006 from 2005. “We had to concentrate on trips that customers believed they couldn’t handle themselves,” Hanni said.

University of Kansas freshman Trey Greenleaf, fell into that category. Greenleaf is going to Cancun with ten of his friends for spring break. He first looked online, but decided to arrange the trip with an agency. “It seemed to get more complicated and expensive with that big of group,” Greenleaf said. “We let someone else take care of it so we could have fun.”

Dorothy Pogge, travel consultant at Carlson Wagonlit Travel, has found the Internet influenced her student customers. Her regular clients are upper class, middle-aged couples or families. “I haven’t seen the Internet affect that group, but students have really disappeared,” Pogge said.

Pogge explained students want inexpensive, uncomplicated trips. “I’m usually dealing on a different page. I handle larger trips like groups going to Europe,” Pogge said. She explained a typical trip she books costs about $1,200. A student isn’t interested in spending that on spring break. It is more economical to book through a website for $699. “That part of our business has faded in the last five years with the convenience of planning online, “ Pogge said. “But really, websites haven’t hurt us yet because we deal with larger scale trips.”

Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity are the main websites that have dominated online travel. They claim they can get the best deal, while customers conveniently book the trip from their own home. Forbes magazine reported in March 2006 online travel was the largest e-commerce. In 2005, Travelocity had revenue of $830 million on bookings of $7.4 billion.

University of Kansas sophomore, Erica Linenberger recently booked her spring break trip to Matzatlan, Mexico through Orbitz. “I didn’t even think about a travel agency,” Linenberger said. “It was so fast to look up prices online. Orbitz came up with the lowest price, and I went with it.”

John Novotny, Traveller’s Inc., admits he looks at online site prices, but would never entirely depend on them. “I believe that agents are critical,” Novotny said. “If you’re going to spend that much on a trip, you just as well make sure someone is taking care of the details and possible problems for you.”

Developer John McGrew had a plan. McGrew wanted to construct a 60-acre development consisting of luxury town homes, apartments and single-family homes in the ever-expanding northwest side of Lawrence.

The city had a need. It wanted a new public park. The cost of the park, however, was a concern for city commissioners.

At a city commission meeting on February 27, 2007, McGrew and the city made a compromise. The city approved the development with the addition of a “benefit district” park.

“Lawrence has never received a park like this before,” said Sheila Stogsdill, Director of Interim Planning. “It’s a smooth, innovative way of thinking.”

Oregon Trail Park will be unique from other Lawrence parks by the way it is financed. The city of Lawrence has designated it a benefit district project, funded 100% by future residents, 0% by the city. Benefit districts are a popular tool to finance large city projects such as roads and sewers, but the new park is a first of its kind. Future homeowners in the subdivision will finance the public park completely. A fee will be included in their assessments the same way sidewalks and streets are paid for. The estimated cost of the project is $811,000, but at no cost to the general taxpayer.

“We had a need for a park, and they had a plan,” said Fred DeVictor, Lawrence Director of Parks and Recreation. “However, without a benefit district the city couldn’t finance this. That option definitely helped get this project moving.”

Oregon Trail Addition will be located on George Williams Way, north of Stoneridge Drive in northwest Lawrence. The new development will be a 60-acre subdivision that includes town homes, single-family home and apartments surrounding the 4.3-acre public park. The park will feature a recreation path, playground area and a pond that can serve as storm water detention.

The development was proposed in 2004, but didn’t receive city approval until September 2006, and the park was added February 27, 2007.

“Getting approval for the project took much longer than we anticipated,” said Nancy Breithaupt, Coldwell Banker McGrew Real Estate. Coldwell Banker McGrew Real Estate owns Oregon Trail Holdings, LC.

Developer John McGrew has long been a supporter of city projects. McGrew considered this an exciting project from the beginning. The location was northwest Lawrence, an area that is rapidly growing. The area also provided access to the south Lawrence traffic way for commuting. The land was expansive, scenic and most importantly it was available. However, getting city approval was not an easy task.

“I have dealt with developer and city partnerships on numerous projects, “ McGrew said. “Everything seemed according to the rules, but the city had many concerns.”

Difficulties included access to the property, street and median concerns, neighborhood regulations, but primarily how to pay for a much-needed public park.

“ I have always been interested in having a park in any residential project,” McGrew said. “Lawrence needs more parks and green space.”

McGrew’s appreciation for parks encouraged him to keep working with the city, until the benefit district was approved.

“It was worth it,” McGrew said. “It’s a nice area. It will be such an improvement to Lawrence’s westward expansion.”

Christopher Storm, an engineer for Landplan Engineering, has been working on the project and is pleased with the initial planning. Storm believes the developers and the city came up with the best proposal.

“It’s an extremely efficient area,” Storm said. “We can collocate everything we need; the detention pond, a flat area for the park, and space for the surrounding homes.”

Construction of Oregon Trail Addition is scheduled to begin this summer. Lots have been estimated at $60,000- $80,000, depending on whether it is a town home, single family home or apartment. McGrew explained the market is continually changing, so the subdivision’s lots haven’t been publicly advertised. McGrew and city officials are confident in its success.

“Having a park will immediately add value to this project,” Fred DeVictor said.

City commissioners are eager to see the reaction to the first benefit district park. If it is successful it may bring a new trend in city projects.

“I would love to see this change the way we go about future city projects,” Sheila Stogsdill said. “It allows us to give the developers and the city what they want and need so much faster.”

Rep. Clay Aurand, R-Courtland, bounces into the committee meeting as if he has had the best night’s sleep of his life. A legislator comments that two hours of sleep seems to benefit Aurand, while other tired committee members saw away with plastic knives at their cinnamon buns. Aurand laughs and continues to greet each committee member with his Cary Grant grin. Two men enter the back of the room and catch Aurand’s eye, Kansas Speaker of the House Melvin Neufeld, and House Majority Leader Ray Merrick. Aurand visibly takes a deep breath, straightens his favorite pale yellow tie and nods at the two Kansas House leaders. Rep. Aurand doesn’t hold grudges.

A grudge is the last thing Rep. Aurand needs right now. On Thursday, March 29, 2007 the Kansas Legislature passed a historic bill to increase expanded gaming. The bill will create four casinos and thousands of slot machines at racetracks across the state. Gaming has been a timeless issue and has created a large divide between the conservative and moderate Republicans of the well-known “three-party” system in Kansas. Rep. Clay Aurand organized the legislation in hopes of fixing the problem of deferred maintenance of Regent schools. Leading the bill hasn’t been easy though; Aurand has faced personal attacks on his values from within his own party.

“If anyone could handle the emotional issues that come along with this legislation it would be Clay,” Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park said. “Clay doesn’t let things get under his skin, and really, you can’t get mad at the guy.”

Rep. Aurand and Rep. Yoder were asked by Gov. Sebelius in January to lead a coalition to work on the gaming bill. The Kansas lottery bill had to be renewed this year and Gov. Sebelius saw an opportunity to work on expanded gaming. Rep. Aurand has been a longtime gaming proponent and didn’t have any leadership responsibilities this session.

“Clay felt he had the time to take a leadership role.” Yoder said. “He was chair of education this year, but I don’t think it was enough of a challenge for him. Clay likes to be busy.”

Aurand has had an interest in government for as long as he can remember. Growing up in rural Courtland, Kan., 100 yards from where he lives today, Aurand knew he wanted to be an elected official someday. Aurand helped his parents with the farming operation, but truly enjoyed getting caught up in history books and his favorite magazine, Newsweek.

“My fondest memories growing up were political discussions with my grandfather,” Aurand said. “I knew I wanted to help make decisions that would affect the public.”

Clay attended two years at nearby Cloud County Community College and majored in agriculture. He then attended Kansas State University for two and a half years to earn a political science degree.

“If I could do it over again, it would be philosophy,” Aurand said. “Political science is about the structure, but I love the ideas and knowing what man is about.”

Aurand’s wife of 13 years, Gina Aurand, agrees her husband has always been very thoughtful, but believes it was his kindness that won her over. Gina had moved to Courtland for a job and Aurand was on the board that interviewed and hired her.

“I couldn’t be objective,” Aurand said. “She was gorgeous and nailed the interview.”

Gina had a boyfriend at the time, but became fast friends with the outgoing farmer who helped her get to know the area.

“He took me to the Pizza Hut one night and we had a huge political discussion,” Gina said. “I had the best time and realized how much I looked forward to seeing him.”

Clay and Gina Aurand were married almost a year to the day of the Pizza Hut rendezvous. Four months later Aurand ran in his first primary for the Kansas House of Representatives.

“I think the first few years were harder for me than Clay,” Gina said. “I hated hearing negative things about my husband.”

The 2007 session has been full of unflattering comments about Aurand. When Aurand carried the gaming bill in the House, the majority of his caucus was not pleased. Major opponents of the bill were House leaders: Speaker Melvin Neufeld, Majority Leader Ray Merrick and Speaker Pro-Tem Don Dahl.
“This bill was formed out of greed and didn’t form out of a normal legislative process,” Speaker Pro-Tem Dahl said. “I opposed this bill because of the social issues, but also because it was done in an underhanded way.”

During the Republican caucus, conservative members of Aurand’s party attacked him with personal questions about the effects of casinos and family values. Aurand exhibited poise and answered the questions to the best of his ability.

“They kept asking, ‘what about your children, Clay?’” Yoder said. “ ‘Don’t you care about them?’”
Aurand stayed confident as the bill made its way to the Senate. The Senate rejected a casino bill in the 2006 session.

“Clay looks at the world through rose-colored glasses,” Chief of Staff Michelle Butler said. Michelle works for Speaker of the House Melvin Neufeld and has witnessed the high emotions in this debate.
“There are Republicans who didn’t support the bill, but still respect Clay for the way he handled the situation.”

The bill was presented to the Senate Wednesday, March 28. Aurand knew the bill needed 21 votes to pass. He walked in the Senate chamber knowing there were 19 votes, but the final two would take a while to get. After twelve long hours of filibuster and debate Aurand got the votes.

“It got eerily quiet,” Aurand said. “Then I heard the twenty-first vote and I smacked my hand on the railing and just felt good. I turned and saw the press running towards me.”

Aurand estimates state revenue will increase more than $200 million a year. The bill will now go to Gov. Sebelius to be signed into law.

“I wish those that accused him of not being a family man knew him as I do,” Secretary Janet Henning said. “I have a deep respect for the way he treats his family.”

Aurand looks forward to returning to his wife, daughters; Lexia, 12; Lanessa, nine; Lassandra, six; and son, Blake, three. Summer will be filled with solitary days on the tractor “where he can think,” checking on the cattle, softball games and sending Lexia off to space camp. Others may disagree, but Aurand considers his family the number one priority.

“My biggest fault? I don’t visit my constituents like I should,” Aurand said. “I’m a homebody. When noon comes I make a sandwich and stay in my kitchen.”

Aurand leans back in his office chair with his arms behind his head. The wall behind him is covered with professional photos of his children.

“When I get home, I just realize life is pretty darn good.”

“To the girl who just ran into the light post on Wescoe Beach: you thought no one saw you, but I did.”

A “Free For All” comment from the April 4, 2007 University Daily Kansan may highlight an existing problem on campus quite well. The unfortunate girl on Wescoe may have been lost in a realm of text messages or a cellular phone conversation. Scientists say students are distracted more than ever by the abundance of technology.

University of Kansas psychologists have tested the effects cellular phones have on the most basic tasks, specifically driving and conversation. The results are far from anything that would make one want to multitask.

“All of the results from the experiments are very negative,” Professor Paul Atchley said. “Your ability to focus and perform well declines dramatically.”

Atchley, associate professor and director of the cognitive psychology program, has performed “functional field of view” tests for the past year. A recent Vanderbilt University study on the negative effects of cellular phone distractions made public this spring correlated with Atchley’s work. Both experiments indicate consequences to multitasking.

“We have found that someone driving and talking on the cell phone at the same time has the brain capacity of a mentally impaired adult,” Atchley said. “Our scores have shown the accident risk can be from 200 percent to 700 percent with a cell phone.”

Experiments were done on University undergraduate students to determine the effects of cellular phone distractions while driving. Tests included visual tasks displayed on a computer screen of moving targets along with conversational tasks that required the participant to respond with a word. The experiment monitored a student’s functional field of view and the level of distraction the student was receiving.

“The functional field of view is when someone sees what’s around them, but isn’t fully aware,” Jeffery Dressel said. “Students’ senses aren’t attuned to complete awareness.”

Dressel, a psychology graduate teaching assistant, helped Professor Atchley create and perform many of the tests last spring. They have been compiling data this year. He said the two main findings were an increase in accident risk and a decrease in quality of conversation.

Students were given three visual tests of moving targets on a computer screen. With each test distractions were increased. Conversational tests were added to each test in the second round. When the visual and conversational tests were combined results were dramatically altered.

“Cognitively, your brain isn’t made to focus on multiple tasks all at once,” Atchely said. “It can switch quickly, but it increases errors and accident risk.”

Detection thresholds were measured in milliseconds of how much time was needed for students to make the correct response. Results showed the main task became more demanding as distractions were added. Participants had much higher thresholds when the conversational task was added. The experiment results with no conversation were: 16, 17.6 and 51.37 milliseconds. When conversation was added student thresholds increased to 56.60, 159.07 and 202.13 milliseconds.
Increased accident risk is one consequence of cellular phone distractions, but Atchley has also studied how it affects people socially.

“We talk more slowly, our language becomes more simple,” Atchley said. “Our brains have to do things in serial.”

Atchely said he hates to see students lessen the quality of their social interactions and conversations simply because of cellular phones and text messaging. He said relationships become less clear and less deep when distractions such as a cellular phone are factored in.

“I see kids out at restaurants text messaging during a meal with someone else,” Atchely said. “I think, why are these people even out together?”

Allyn Denning, Ellsworth junior, also feels students on campus are accident prone and socially impaired by their cellular phones. Denning had a friend rear end her car last year when he was distracted by text message.

“I watch everyone with their cell phones and Ipods on and some can’t even walk straight,” Denning said. “It’s frustrating. Sometimes if you’re on campus walking you should just put your phone and Ipod away.”

Robyn McKay, M.A. Counseling and Psychological Services in Watkins Health Center agrees cellular phone use has risen to unhealthy levels.

“On this campus we take for granted the very basic activities,” McKay said. “Many of us really aren’t able to fully attend to the present and be in a state of consciousness.”

McKay studies mindfulness and often gives her patients advice about their cellular phone use if they are feeling unfocused or unproductive. She recommends setting aside certain times to make phone calls and making a conscious choice not to answer at times when one is focused on another task.
Some Universtiy students may find that a hard habit to break.

“I check my phone like every ten minutes,” Ashley Conrad, Houston freshman said. “I’ll be texting in class and look up an not know anything that’s going on. It’s sad, but true.”

Professor Atchley continues to study cellular phones distractions on daily activities. His results have alerted him to the range and severity of the outcomes.

“It can simply be less focus, running into things, a less engaging conversation,” Atchley said. “But it’s not just our communication skills, it is most definitely our own safety.”

Source: Dept of Psychology, 1415 Jayhawk Blvd., University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045

It happens once in a lifetime for graduating Jayhawks. Black graduation gowns cover the emerald green hill extending from the Campanile. About 5,000 seniors take the traditional walk down the hill to Memorial Stadium each year to celebrate their years of hard work and good memories at the University.

Commencement weekend is just as significant for Lawrence businesses. Every May hotels fill rooms, bakeries decorate cakes and restaurants serve impressive feasts. Businesses have prepared a year in advance for their busiest, most profitable weekend.

“It is no doubt our biggest weekend,” said Nancy Longhurst, general manager of The Eldridge hotel. “We benefit because it covers every aspect; food, drink and lodging.”
Families and friends travel across the nation and the world to attend graduation. Waiting until the last-minute to make reservations can place visitors out of town. Lawrence hotels advise families to reserve a room as early as they can.

“My mom made a reservation last year at this time and we were lucky she did,” said Lexy Sigg, Iola senior. “A friend of mine waited too long, and his family is staying in DeSoto which was the closest.”

The Eldridge has had guests call two years ahead of their graduation, but the hotel takes reservations only one year in advance. Springhill Suites by Marriott also uses a one-year in advance plan. To control the chaos, the hotel designates a specific date for graduation guests to call in on one of six phone lines set up for the day.

“Last year we told people to call on June 30,” said Rosa Perez, associate manager of Springhill Suites. “Within one hour on that day all 105 rooms were sold out.”

During graduation weekend, hotels become stricter on cancellations, payment and how many reservations guests can make. Springhill Suites allows cancellations a few months before graduation, because it can depend on the waiting list or last-minute callers. The Eldridge requires guests to prepay and doesn’t allow any cancellations.

“If you cancel, you’re still going to have to pay,” Longhurst said. “We’re always full on regular weekends, but there is such a high demand for rooms at this time.”

Time and room limits also apply. The Eldridge allows guests to stay a maximum of three days. Springhill Suites doesn’t allow families to reserve more than five rooms.

“We have a special $159 graduation rate for all rooms,” Perez said. “But we can’t just block out the whole hotel for one family.”

Businesses depend on large family gatherings for a profitable weekend. During the weekend, families enjoy dining, going to parties and shopping in downtown Lawrence.

Maceli’s catering is booked solid during April and May. The business caters to large groups and is involved with University events. Maceli’s has served for the Student Alumni Association, scholarship halls, department and school ceremonies, and athletic banquets in the week leading up to commencement.

“This time of year is great for us. Weddings are spaced out, but this is all at once,” said Suzanne Cotrel Doyle of Maceli’s. “It’s the one time the University grants us special permission to cater on campus.”

KU Dining Services has exclusive rights for all University events, but during the busy graduation season Maceli’s helps cater on campus. Maceli’s also caters for family parties of more than 25 people. Because of its diverse customers, Maceli’s is event specific; meaning the customer decides on the food, price and location of the event.

“We serve different types of groups, especially this time of year,” Doyle said. “They pick what’s most important to them, but most importantly what’s in their budget.”

Doyle has five family parties lined up for graduation weekend, all with different price ranges.

“I can tell you each party is unique,” Doyle said. “One customer is spending $42 per guest. Another is spending $17 per guest.”

Doyle believes families are willing to spend the money on a catered party. The expense is worth the time to visit with family and friends and enjoy while someone else cooks.

Vermont Street BBQ, also a catering business, sees an increase by 150 percent during May. A typical week has three catered events, but on graduation weekend the restaurant caters about 18 parties a day.

“Catering is huge for us,” Jordan Shelton, owner of Vermont Street BBQ said. “We bring in a lot of money because of the size of the parties, but they’re easy to do. We just drop off the food and leave.”

Bakeries have a huge increase in orders for graduation. Customers call months in advance at local Dillons and Hy-Vee stores to order a personalized cake.

“Graduation week alone brings in $ 2,000-3,000,” said Kerry Chalmers a cake decorator at Hy-Vee.

To keep the week running smoothly, bakeries follow an organized process. Two weeks in advance, ingredients for graduation are ordered to complete about 150 cakes. On a normal week, one or two cake decorators are in the bakery. Because of the number of cakes and the time frame, Hy-Vee brings in five or six extra workers during graduation week. Most of the customers call months or a few weeks early, but some customers call within a few days or the night before.

“We don’t turn people down even if it is the night before,” said Jacqulyn Padilla, a cake decorator at Dillons. “We did have to come up with a way to deal with late orders though.”

During the week of graduation, cakes are made all day and picked up from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. To guarantee last-minute orders, Dillons started an overnight shift. A cake decorator comes in and works from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. right before graduation.

“You are guaranteed a cake,” Padilla said. “If it is just too close we have about 100 pre-iced cakes ready to go.”

Both hotels and food service employees realize the importance of accommodating their guests at such an exciting time. They profit by making the weekend more enjoyable and less stressful for their customers.

“My whole family is coming into town for my party,” Lexy Sigg said. “We are going to spend as much time as possible together.”