City briefs

KU, Haskell pledge to continue partnership

About 70 people gathered Wednesday at the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum for a morning ceremony commemorating exchange programs between Kansas University and Haskell Indian Nations University.

The two universities have shared many programs aimed at giving Haskell students access to KU curricula and vice versa.

The ceremony included KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Haskell President Karen Swisher signing a new memo of understanding between the two institutions.

“This agreement will benefit all of our students, while enhancing our research, fostering a greater understanding of diversity, and opening the doors to further joint ventures,” Hemenway said.

Afterward, Swisher said Haskell and KU had long enjoyed a “good relationship that keeps getting better.”

The ceremony preceded a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Lawrence class.

Community

Foundation to offer information on grants

The Douglas County Community Foundation will offer two information sessions Tuesday for nonprofit organizations interested in applying for 2005 grants.

The first session will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in room A at the United Way Human Services Center, 2518 Ridge Court. The second will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lawrence Public Library.

Foundation staff will present a brief overview of the upcoming grant cycle and will answer questions. Grant applications will be available at the sessions and online at www.dccfoundation.org. The deadline for requesting funding is Dec. 1.

The foundation encourages the support of local charitable causes. In the past five years, it has distributed more than $500,000 in support of health, youth, education, arts and culture and human services in Douglas County.

Learning

Children invited to KU’s Carnival of Chemistry

“Celebrating Health and Wellness” will be the theme of the ninth annual Carnival of Chemistry scheduled Sunday at Kansas University.

The carnival will run from noon to 4 p.m. at Malott Hall in conjunction with National Chemistry Week. It is sponsored by KU and the American Chemical Society.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is geared toward elementary school children and will feature demonstrations, prizes and face painting.

For more information, visit www.frozenflamesuniversity.com.

Halloween

Pumpkin class planned Saturday at Watkins

Call it the great pumpkin — class.

Children ages 3 to 5 will be treated to pumpkin facts, figures and fascinating lore during a “Fun with Pumpkins” course from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Mass.

Through stories and activities, children will learn about the prominent member of the squash family and about the transformation of pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns during the Halloween season. Each child also will decorate a pumpkin to take home.

There is a fee for the class, and each child must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact the museum at 841-4109, or go to www.watkinsmuseum.org.