Area briefs

GlobalFlyer scheduled to take off Monday

Officials from the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer project announced Saturday that on Monday they would attempt the world’s first solo round-the-globe flight without stopping or refueling.

Steve Fossett, the wealthy adventurer who will pilot the flight, is scheduled to take off from Salina Municipal Airport in the GlobalFlyer plane at 3:20 p.m. The flight, if successful, would take an estimated 66 hours.

Fossett will appear at a press conference with Richard Branson, the Virgin Atlantic chief who has sponsored the project, at 6 p.m. today in Salina.

Science education hearings

Subcommittee to have open conference call

The Kansas State Board of Education’s Science Hearing Subcommittee will meet by conference call Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

They will talk about the process for conducting hearings before the subcommittee.

The public may listen to the to the conference call from the Kansas State Department of Education, 120 S.E. 10th St., Topeka.

Schools Foundation awards

Deadline nears to nominate educators

Fridayis the deadline for nominating Lawrence public schools educators for a $1,000 award.

The Lawrence Schools Foundation is seeking nominees for its 2005 Educator of the Year Award.

Nominations may come from any school district parent, employee or student. Forms are available at the Lawrence Schools Foundation office at 110 McDonald Drive, or by calling Susan Esau at 832-5008 ext. 108.

The award will be presented in April during Foundation Follies, a fund-raising variety show for the foundation.

Denise Hobbs, a teacher at Broken Arrow School, won the award last year.

High schoolers invited to ‘Hawk Talk’ events

Kansas University has scheduled a series of Hawk Talk receptions across the state to distribute information to prospective students.

The events will include representatives from KU’s schools and offices to answer questions and give information about the university. Alumni and recruitment staff also will be on hand. Refreshments and door prizes will be provided.

Most receptions are open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors except for events in Johnson County, Wichita and Douglas County. Those are open only to sophomores and juniors.

The spring schedule is 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, KU Edwards Campus, Overland Park; 7 p.m. March 7, Holiday Inn Express in Dodge City; 7 p.m. March 8, Education Center in Scott City; 7 p.m. March 8, Holiday Inn Express in Pittsburg; 6 p.m. March 8, Koch Industries in Wichita; 7 p.m. March 9, Holiday Inn in Manhattan; 7 p.m. March 15, Holiday Inn Express in Hutchinson; 7 p.m. March 15, Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence; 7 p.m. March 16, Great Bend High School; 7 p.m. March 29, Hoxie High School; 7 p.m. March 30, Ingleboro Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Smith Center.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP at www.admissions.ku.edu/receptions.