Research gathering honors KU professor’s retirement

About 100 human development professors have gathered in Lawrence to honor a retiring Kansas University faculty member.

Don Baer, distinguished professor of human development, has been at KU since 1965. He will retire in June. In the photo above, KU graduate student Masaki Takeda, Japan, left, asks Baer to autograph a text book that Baer edited.

Former students organized a conference in Baer’s honor, which began Friday and continues today at KU’s Dole Center. Participants are presenting research findings and discussing Baer’s influence on his field. His research has focused on using classroom settings for modifying problem behavior in young children, environmental influences on language development and analyzing behavior of mentally retarded people.

Disaster relief: City receives FEMA funds

The city received a $105,732 check from the federal government Friday for costs from January’s crippling ice storm that knocked out power to much of Douglas County and northeast Kansas.

Assistant City Manager Debbie Van Saun said the city had requested $132,060 reimbursement for vehicle, equipment and overtime costs from the storm. Still, she said she was satisfied with what the Federal Emergency Management Agency decided to pay.

Schools: Deerfield carnival features luau beach party theme

It’s not Hawaii, but the warm spring weather will be a fitting backdrop for a Luau Beach Party from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Deerfield School, 101 Lawrence Ave.

The carnival will feature Luau Party Shots, where those attending can get their pictures taken in the jaws of a shark; a Honolulu Hula Hooping contest; and the Hy-Vee “Hoorang a Bottle” Ring Toss. Among the inflatable beach party rides will be the Big Tsunami Slide, Willie the Killer Whale and a Royal Hawaiian moonwalk.

Children will be able to get islander face painting and tropical tattoos, while adults browse the Makahiki Marketplace silent auction and bid on items such as a basketball signed by Roy Williams, a 5-foot-high inflatable palm tree and dinner for six prepared at the buyer’s home.

Fund-raiser: Raintree Run to disrupt foot, vehicle traffic Sunday

The South Lawrence Trafficway Hike/Bike Trail will be closed to the public Sunday morning for the Raintree Run.

Vehicle traffic in the south and western portions of Lawrence also may be disrupted briefly as participants cross city streets.

The annual event, a fund-raiser to benefit Raintree Montessori School, features a 1-mile run/walk, 5K and half marathon. It will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday at the school, 4601 Clinton Parkway, and follow the trafficway’s hike/bike path.

This year’s run is dedicated to the memory of Jack Stineman, a Raintree student killed in a June 2001 automobile accident, and celebrates the rebuilding of the school, burned in a July 2000 fire.

Registration for walkers and runners continues from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at the school and the morning of the race. Registration fees are $20 for the half marathon, $18 for the 5K and $10 for the 1-mile run/walk. For more information, contact Steve and Marcia Riley at 842-4351 or SRMriley@cs.com.

Gasoline prices: Pump Patrol seeks best deal

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence-area gasoline price as low as $1.32 at the Conoco at Sixth Street and Crestline Drive and the Citgo stations at Ninth and Iowa streets and at 920 N. Second St.

If you find a lower price, please call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name and address of the business and the price. Or go to www.ljworld.com/section/gasoline to join our Pump Patrol board.