Barbecue to benefit speech, hearing programs

The Lawrence Sertoma Club’s fifth annual 48 Bar-BQ Cook-Off will be May 9-10 at Broken Arrow Park. Teams will compete for $4,800. The grand champion will compete in the American Royal Cook-Off.

The cook-off starts at 7 a.m. May 10 with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast until 9 a.m. The public can sample barbecue from the 48 participating teams from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and vote for the People’s Choice winner. An after-hours event, featuring food sponsored by local businesses, will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 9.

Food tickets are $5, and proceeds will go to speech and hearing programs, and other local projects. Companies who would like to compete in the corporate cook-off May 9 or teams registered by the Kansas City Barbecue Society can call Clint Bradley at 749-5444.

At a previous barbecue, above, Kelly and Billy Bauer, left, and Brian Landry taste ribs before their entry in the cook-off.

State: Kansas gets $4 million in securities settlement

Kansas should receive more than $4 million in a settlement between securities regulators and Wall Street firms, according to Kansas Securities Commissioner David Brant.

The settlement is a result of joint investigations by state and federal regulators into whether brokerage analysts deceived investors with stock market research tainted by investment banking conflicts of interest. The settlement was announced Monday in Washington, D.C.

Ten firms have agreed to the settlement and will collectively pay the penalties, Brant said.

Education: Journal-World seeks history of closing schools

For three Lawrence schools, May 23 won’t just mark the end of the academic year. East Heights, Centennial and Riverside schools are closing their doors forever.

The Journal-World wants to mark the occasion with a look back at the students, teachers and events that gave the buildings life.

We’re looking for old and new photographs, yearbooks, past and present students, teachers, staff and parents.

What made these schools special? What will you remember most about them?

We’re also interested in any parties, receptions or commemorative events being planned.

Please send information to Journal-World arts editor Mindie Paget by May 7 at mpaget@ljworld.com or 645 N.H., Lawrence 66044. You can also fax information to her attention at 843-4512 or call her at 832-7187.

Kansas University: Reception to celebrate Kansas Union renovation

It has taken seven years, but the $6.3 million renovation of the Kansas Union is finished.

There will be a construction tape-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. today in the Hawk’s Nest on Level 1 of the Union. The event is open to the public.

Those planning to make remarks include Chancellor Robert Hemenway, Union Director David Mucci, Student Body President Andy Knopp, Interim Vice Provost for Student Support Mary Lee Hummert and Memorial Corp. President Kate Harding. A reception will follow.

The result is nearly twice as much space for student offices. The main stairs are now centrally located in the building. Dubbed the “traditions tower,” the stairwell features floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of campus, student leadership plaques and faculty and staff awards.

Another completed renovation is the covered bridge that connects the Union to the Mississippi Street Parking Garage.