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            As the sun sets on a hot summer's night, Jim Sack gets into his pickup and heads for the bar. Though he'd love to sit down and enjoy fresh made beer from the local brewery, Sack is preoccupied with gathering the pub's waste product: spent grain.

            He's got cows to feed.

            "Whenever they call, I'm ready to come pick up," Sack says. "The grain is valuable feed for our cattle."

            Sack is one of thousands of American farmers who partner with microbreweries to receive used brewer's grain for farming commodities. The partnership benefits farms and breweries alike by saving costs and providing valuable services for both sides. The resource sharing is especially important today for local dairy farmers who are suffering in a down-turned economy.  With the upcoming expansion of Lawrence's Free State Brewing Company, local farmers hope to tap more valuable resources for years to come.

            Jim and Nancy Sack, Baldwin, pick up spent grain from Free State Brewing Company, 636 Massachusetts St., two nights every week. The spent grain is a waste product of the brewing process and needs disposal after each brew. The Sacks pick up an average of 30,000 pounds per week to use as feed for their dairy farm.

            The pickup is no easy feat.

            "A barrel of brewer's grain weighs about 300 pounds," Jim Sack said. "We can get as many as 10 barrels in a single load. It adds up."

             A livestock nutritionist analyzes and and rations the grain into the cattle's daily feed. The grain from Free State makes up between 20 and 25 percent of their cattle's daily feed. They have more than 60 dairy cows that eat twice a day.

            The brewer's grain amounts to a large portion of the daily feed.

            "Grain is the most expensive of the ingredients in the cattle feed," Nancy Sack said. "Obviously this is a major cost saver."

            But farmers aren't the only benefactors. Brewers grain pickups save on transportation and disposal costs for breweries. Thousands of pounds of spent grain are produced after each brew. The grain must be removed from the brewery before the next batch is brewed.

            Other local breweries also realize the economic appeal of the farmer-brewer agreement. 23rd Street Brewery, 3512 Clinton Pkwy, gives weekly spent grain to local farmers for free.

            "We really have a win-win relationship with local farmers," said Matt Lllewellyn, owner of 23^rd Street Brewery, 3512 Clinton Pkwy. "We have huge disposal savings and they get free resources."

            The win-win relationship became increasingly important for local dairy farmers this year. According to the USDA, the average retail price for milk in Kansas City for July is $3.29, down from $3.84 in January. A national dairy surplus caused the dramatic drops in costs. This month the National Milk Producers Federation reported that 102,898 cows nationwide had been committed for slaughtering to combat the surplus.

            The brewer's grain helps to cut costs during such difficult times.

            "We'll use whatever cost saving methods we can," Nancy Sack said. "Reducing the costs of cattle feed is extremely important."

            The partnership is not unique to Lawrence. Kansas City's Boulevard Brewing Co. produces an average of 75,000 pounds of spent grain each week. The spent grain is sold to local farmers for $8 per ton, or approximately $1,200 per month. In 2002, the Property and Environment Research Center reported that Anheuser-Busch sold 1.7 million tons of spent grain to farmers.

            But in Lawrence, local brewers are content with dispersing their spent grain for free.

            "We help them and they help us," said Chuck Magerl, owner of Free State Brewing Co. "We save money and they do too. That's enough for me."

            Despite a gloomy economic horizon, local dairy farmers look forward to the upcoming expansion of Free State's brewing capabilities. Free State's new warehouse will produce nearly 10 times more beer each year. If the bottling takes off, the brewery is capable of brewing even more.

            Magerl said he plans to continue giving the spent grain for free.

            "We'll have more spent grain than ever before," Magerl said. "I am perfectly happy with the way we are doing business with local farmers now."

            The night is young for Jim Sack as he picks up Thursday night's load of spent grain from Free State. As the crowd inside of the restaurant consumes the day's concoction, Sack heads home to please another crowd with the fresh brew. 

            The herd awaits.

            Thom Alexander grins as he picks up the microphone during the Kill Kenny Music Festival in South Park. He already performed this afternoon. This can be considered his encore.

   The crowd is all ears.

            "We've almost sold two kegs," Alexander tells the crowd. "And don't worry, we've got more on the way."

            Thom Alexander is the executive director of the Americana Music Academy, 1419 Massachusetts St. Since first arriving in Lawrence and founding the academy, Alexander dedicates his life to keeping American roots music alive. Alexander's mission includes lessons, performances and workshops for community members, in addition to musical therapy for the mentally challenged. This summer the academy hosted the first ever Kill Kenny Music Festival to keep the academy afloat during tough economic times.

            Alexander arrived in Lawrence more than 15 years ago to receive the city's well-respected autism services for his son. While experiencing the local music scene, an idea began to sprout.

          Lawrence needed a music academy.

            "For all the wide-range of music that's here, there needed to be a clearinghouse," Alexander said. "That's what I want this school to provide."

            In late 2001 Alexander founded the Americana Music Academy.  He gathered regional musicians to teach anything from mandolin to harmonica, or what he calls "true roots instruments." Alexander began a mission to keep roots music alive.

            His successes can easily be seen.

            "We've seen hundreds of students," Alexander said. "We offer services that are otherwise unavailable."

            Alexander ensures that the non-profit academy is not limited in its instruction. When students come to the academy, they tell Alexander what they'd like to learn. He then places the student with an instructor that is capable of the lessons.

            If he doesn't have that type of instructor, he searches.

            "We try to teach anything someone wants," Alexander said. "I've only had trouble finding bagpipe and classical harp teachers. Otherwise we are extremely flexible."

             But Alexander's mission touches more than musically inclined students.

            Music therapy for the mentally disabled is a major part of the academy. The academy offers lessons and performances to treat this part of the community. A handful of the academy's instructors are trained music therapists from the University of Kansas.

            Alexander's experiences with his own son inspired this focus for the academy.

            "Dealing with my son's autism taught me how beneficial music therapy really is," Alexander said. "KU has one of the best music therapy programs in the country and it's produced some of my finest instructors."

            Despite such successes, Alexander sees regular challenges with the academy, especially in the current recession. Committed to being a non-profit organization, Alexander balances low costs with keeping the academy and its programs afloat. In tough economic times, Alexander is unable to lean on the city's support.

            Instead revenue comes from lesson fees and fund-raising.

            "We'd love to give free lessons to all students," Alexander says. "But right now this income is necessary to keep us alive."

            The academy lost a huge annual fund-raiser when the Wakarusa Music Festival left Lawrence this year. Previously, the academy hosted a beer tent at the festival and used profits to pay a large most of its yearly bills.

            When Wakarusa moved, Alexander took matters into his own hands.

            "The move leaves us without a major source of income," Alexander said. "I figured, 'what the hell?' I'll throw my own festival down the street at South Park."

            Alexander pitched the Kill Kenny Music Festival to City Hall in early 2009. The city approved. Alexander then petitioned to break city code and sell alcohol in the public park to generate income from the otherwise free event. Once again, the city approved.

            The event marked the first time an event sold alcohol in the city's central park.

            "I had no idea that we were making history when I put in the request," Alexander said. "Had I known, I'd have been a bit more nervous about making the request."

            Kill Kenny proved to be a massive success for the academy. Crowds gathered on July 18^th to celebrate local music and the academy's work in the community. The festival hosted 16 bands throughout the day.

            Community members and performers alike enjoyed the festival.

            "This whole thing is really inspirational," said Peter Longofono, a performer who played at the festival. "The academy is bringing the community together around something truly beautiful and positive: roots music."

            As the sun set on the festival, Thom Alexander glowed. Not only did the beer and t-shirt sales make up for the loss of Wakarusa, it showcased the academy's work for the community to enjoy.

            "This will be an annual event," Alexander said. "I'm so thankful to everyone who came out."

            But for now Thom is ready to sit back and enjoy some good old roots music. 

            There's no spraying of champagne as Traci Florez and her softball team clinch the championship title of their summer softball division. Instead Florez walks casually to the parking lot for a modest celebratory beer with her teammates. Florez insists that even if her team lost she'd still celebrate.

            Florez and her team the Walk of Shames don't seem overly excited about their top seed standing. They're just enjoying a night with each other at the park.

            "I like getting dirty," Florez said with a smile. "This whole thing is about having fun with your friends. It's what the summer was made for."

            Florez is one of hundreds of adults causing skyrocketing enrollment numbers in Lawrence recreation programs this summer. Better marketing, more alternatives and the economy have caused an increase in adult enrollment for the first time in about a decade. Despite the positive enrollment, the increase in participation comes at a time when budget cuts threaten the future existence of these services.

            Ten years ago adult participation in the city's adult sports programs began a sharp decline. Fewer adults played sports and younger people were not filling the void.

            Bob Stanclift, adult sports supervisor of Lawrence Parks and Recreation, witnessed this decline throughout the past decade in Lawrence.

            "Older people dropped out and younger people weren't participating," Stanclift said. "Fewer people came out each year."

            Until 2008, that is.

            Last year adult sports participation grew for the first time in nearly 10 years. In fact every adult sports league grew in participation. Participation in softball alone grew by about 300 members in 2009.

            Stanclift and other Parks and Recreation officials offered unique hypotheses on the surprising growth: better marketing, new sports, and the national health movement. But all agreed that the economy is a likely culprit.

            "When the economy is down, people look local," said Roger Steinbrock, marketing director of Parks and Recreation. "People are looking for affordable entertainment in their backyards."

            Adult sports certainly have an affordable appeal. For a summer softball team, playing 10 games costs about $22 per person; a mere $2 per game. Games last around an hour, though most players allow themselves plenty of time before and after games to hang out with each other. 

            Players often forget about the competitive aspect.

            "I'm not sure if we won tonight," Rachel Wagner jokes after her Tuesday night game. "I'm ready to tailgate."

           But the economy can't tell the entire story. Officials from Parks and Recreation have worked hard to make adult sports  appealing to a larger audience. In recent years the city has offered new, less traditional sports such as kickball and dodgeball to attract a wider audience.

             These newer programs allow for a wide-range of people to play together.

           "It doesn't take a lot of skill and experience to pick up kickball," Stanclift said. "These newer programs offer a fun way to stay active and involved without much practice."

            The most noted increase is college students. Despite being a huge proportion of the city population, college students typically stick to University recreation programs like intramural or club sports. But this summer Stanclift said he's seen more college students sign up than ever before.

            Once again the economy is a probable suspect.

            "It's cheaper for students to stay here than leave for the summer," Steinbrock said. "If more students are here, the demand for city services goes up."

            The optimistic increase in participation comes at a troubling time for recreation services. Not only is City Hall debating a 5 percent budget reduction for every city department, the Kansas Legislature is considering withholding the Special Alcohol Fund, which gives money recreational facilities and programming. The fund accounts for around $575,000, or nearly 15 percent of the recreation budget.

            If the state withholds the fund, Lawrence Parks and Recreation will be hit hard.

            "This would have a tremendous impact on the department," Stanclift said. "We've come to a realization that this might be on the horizon."

           The department already faced this scenario once this year. Ernie Shaw, interim director of Parks and Recreation, testified before the State House on May 1 to lobby against the withholding.  The House decided to not withhold the fund, but the option will be reconsidered in late August.

            The 2010 Lawrence city commissioner's recommended budget mentions this scenario.

            "The state legislature has continued to discuss the idea of reducing or eliminating this sharing of liquor tax revenue in light of the state's budget woes," the commission wrote.

            Even if the state decides not to withhold, Parks and Recreation expects to receive less than average from the fund. The commission explains that though alcohol tax revenue historically rise each year, alcohol sales are expected to reduce below 2008 levels in 2010.

            Parks and Recreation officials are bracing for the worst. The department already implemented changes to increase revenue outside of tax increases. These changes include entrance fees at the nature center, increased fees for the public golf course and entrance fees for the city's wading pool.

            Next on the chopping block are personnel.

            "We've sliced most of the fat," Stanclift said. "We're close to the bone."

            Adult sports will be affected in a variety of ways. Potential changes include fewer officials at games, no first place awards and increased fees. 

            However, officials agree that cutting entire programs will be avoided by all means.

            "Programs like adult sports will continue," Stanclift said. "We will try to provide the same amount of programs no matter what happens."

            For now Parks and Recreation services like adult sports are thriving. Steinbrock said he expects the department to see a 5 percent growth in revenue for the year. But with a looming threat of the state's withholding of major funding, nothing is certain.

           But for now, Florez and the Walk of Shames are completely oblivious to these dire possibilities.

            "I can't wait for next week's game," Florez said. "It's the last one and we're going to have an awesome tailgate."

           After all, game nights aren't about worrying.

    Paul Davis looked surprised when he was told that bicycle sales are at record lows. He's heard rumors, but he's not convinced. He hasn't had much time to worry about a downturn in the national bicycle market. He's been too busy selling them.

    Davis, general manager of Sunflower Outdoor & Bike, 802 Massachusetts, hasn't had many reasons to worry recently.
 
    "Bike sales follow a unique trend," Davis said. "That trend seems to be favoring stores like us right now."

    During the first quarter of 2009, national bicycle sales plummeted 30.8 percent below last year's level. Despite this dramatic drop, Sunflower Outdoor and other local bicycle shops are doing well. These local shops are riding an economic wave that is favoring sales of quality bicycles from independent retailers rather than price-oriented products from mass merchant suppliers.

    According to a report from Gluskin Townley Group, American bicycle imports are at their lowest point in 11 years. More than a million less bikes were sold in the first three months this year than in 2008.

    The National Bicycle Dealers Association reports that an average of 18 million bicycle units are sold annually in the United States. Therefore one million less bicycle sales in the first three months is no drop in the bucket. But independent retailers like those in Lawrence seem at ease when reading the grim headlines.

     "Box-stores really inflate these numbers," Davis said. "This probably means that less cheap bikes are being sold, which we do not sell. It's a different product."
    
     According the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) 2008 report, mass merchants sold 10 million more bicycles than independent retailers. Despite this whopping lead, independent retailers made more than 50 percent of total dollars sold.

    Mass merchants sell different brands at lower prices. While the average price for a bike from an independent retailer is $500, mass merchants sell bikes at an average of $80. Some local bike shops refuse to work on the low quality of mass merchant bikes.

    "We try to avoid the 'Wal-Mart brand' bikes," said Jon Selisker, sales manager of the Lawrence Re-Cyclery, 731 New Hampshire. "They usually aren't worth repairing."

    Though the American bicycle market appears to be tanking, a look at the numbers gives a different outlook for independent retailers. According to the Gluskin Townley report, total dollars slipped by only 5 percent, despite the 30.8 percent drop in the number bikes sold. These figures suggest that mass merchants are selling fewer cheap products, causing the dramatic fall in total sales, while independent retailers are selling more and making up most of the lost revenue.

    Local bicycle dealers have all experienced this trend.

    "This is looking to be one of our best years in business," said Nick Gardner, manager of Cycle Works, 2121 Kasold. "The economy has been kind of a non-issue for us."

    It seems that independent retailers have increased their role in the American bicycle market. Seeing that the average value of bikes sold up by 37.2 percent, Americans are buying fewer bikes but are investing more when they do. And when looking for a good investment, people are turning to their local dealers.

   "With less money going around, people are seeing bikes as an economical method of transportation," Gardner said. "Customers are very concerned with making sound investments."

    Sunflower Outdoor reported seeing strong sales in entry-level bikes. Davis said that these bikes ranged from $200 to $650 and were often sought by new riders looking for reliable bikes to get around on.

    "We've seen a steady flow of new customers," Davis said. "Where we've really been hit is in our professional level bikes. Our experienced customers seem more hesitant to drop several thousands of dollars on personalized, specialty bikes."    

    As the summer continues, local dealers expect their sales to continue to rise. When gas topped $4 per gallon last summer, a Bikes Belong national survey reported 75 percent of retailers selling more bikes. 95 percent cited gas prices as the reason.

    As gas prices rise again this summer, local shops are preparing for another bicycle boom.

    "Even if gas prices don't hit the extremes of 2008, we'll probably see a rush once they go past $2.50," said Jon Selisker, sales manager of the Lawrence Re-Cyclery, 731 New Hampshire. "Last summer's gas fiasco is fresh in our minds. Even a little reminder will send people back to the shops."

    As summer heats up, local bicycle dealers are optimistic. Gas prices are creeping, people are riding and the numbers suggest a trend favoring these shops' specialty product.

    "We thrive off the summer," Davis said. "We don't expect this summer to be any different, recession or not."