KU professor attending academic meeting in Iraq

A Kansas University assistant professor of social welfare is among 35 U.S. professors in Iraq this week to meet with professors at Baghdad University.

The group, organized by James Jennings, president of the Atlanta-based humanitarian aid organization Conscience International, left Saturday and will return Friday to the United States.

Scott Harding and other group members are meeting with university officials in Baghdad to discuss humanitarian efforts, sanctions and ways to avoid military action against Iraq. The professors are among 30,000 people who signed a “No Attack Iraq” petition.

Harding has been active with the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice, which has staged weekly vigils opposing war in Iraq.

“I see the purpose of this trip as an opportunity to meet Iraqi academics at a crucial time in relations between the U.S. and Iraq,” he said in a statement before leaving.

Health

Downtown restaurants fined for KDHE violations

Two downtown restaurants violated standards for safe handling of meat, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported.

Shalor’s, 701 Mass., was fined $1,000 for not properly separating raw meat from ready-to-eat food. India Palace, 129 E. 10th St., was fined $500 for storing meat and eggs improperly.

Genarro Moten, executive chef at Shalor’s, said the restaurant planned to appeal.

A Sept. 18 inspection at Shalor’s revealed raw beef steaks stored on top of a tray of mashed potatoes in a refrigerator, according to KDHE. A Nov. 1 visit revealed raw beef and chicken stored above deli meats in a refrigerator. Moten said the violations happened under a different executive chef when the restaurant was busy.

Balhar Choong, the chef and part owner of India Palace, 129 E. 10th St., plans to pay the $500 fine his restaurant received after a state inspector found raw and cooked meat being stored at too high a temperature during two October visits.

Gift

Doctor leaves $300,000 to KU college, med school

A pediatric neurologist and Kansas University alumnus has bequeathed $300,000 to the university, KU Endowment Association officials announced Wednesday.

The gift from C.B. “Buzz” Francisco will be divided between the School of Medicine and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He did not place restrictions on the money.

Francisco received a liberal arts degree in 1949 and a medical degree in 1954.

Francisco was a pediatric neurologist who helped establish the neurology department at Children’s Mercy Hospital in 1970. He also completed a residency at the KU Medical Center.

He retired in 1994 and died in May 2002.

Francisco was the uncle of Marci Francisco, a former Lawrence mayor and current KU employee.