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November 13, 1998 JOURNALISTS: Here are some story ideas and selected Purdue events during the next three weeks. Christmas retail outlook cheery for Indiana Despite political and economic uncertainties, Hoosier shoppers, like their national peers, anticipate spending more on Christmas gifts this year. The Purdue Retail Institute estimates that sales in Indiana might go up as much as 8 percent, compared to an increase of about 4 percent in each of the past three years. Popular gifts will be items for the home, health and travel, plus video games and videocassettes, says Richard Feinberg, professor of consumer sciences and retailing. CONTACT: Feinberg, (765) 494-8301; xdj1@purdue.edu Purdue Extension director to announce retirement Purdue Cooperative Extension Service Director Hank Wadsworth will announce his retirement at the annual Extension conference banquet Tuesday, Nov. 17. Wadsworth began his career at Purdue in 1962 in the agricultural economics department when it was headed by Lowell Hardin and when Earl Butz was dean of the School of Agriculture. He has served 16 years as head of Indiana's agricultural, environment, family and youth education agency. The banquet starts at 6 p.m. at the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms. Journalists can contact Chris Sigurdson at Agricultural Communications, (765) 494-8415, for banquet tickets. CONTACT: Wadsworth, (765) 494-8489 It's not too late to 'winterize' your home The furnace has been fired up and the storm windows are installed -- now homeowners are bracing for the winter heating bills. Scott Condreay, assistant professor of building construction and contracting in the School of Technology, has tips on how to keep your home comfortable and fuel-efficient through the winter. CONTACT: Condreay, (765) 494-2463; escondreay@tech.purdue.edu Students sponsor hair-raising campaign Purdue students with 10 inches of hair to spare can donate it Tuesday, Nov. 17, to the Florida- based Locks of Love organization, which provides wigs made of real hair to children who have lost their hair because of cancer chemotherapy and other reasons. Residents of Earhart Hall have arranged free haircuts to be provided by The Hairman from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. that day at the west recreation lounge on Earhart's second floor. Students with shorter hair can get their hair cut for a $15 donation to Locks of Love. CONTACT: Elizabeth Mahan, Earhart Hall manager, (765) 494-2410; e-mail, EAMahan@hfs.purdue.edu Events Tuesday-Wednesday, Nov. 17-18. Child's Play Touring Theatre will conduct three "Writing Is ... Child's Play" workshops as a part of the Purdue Convocations' Arts Education program. The schedule: 1 p.m. Tuesday (11/17) at Pine Village Elementary School; 9 a.m. Wednesday (11/18) at Otterbein Elementary School; and 2 p.m. Wednesday (11/18) at Hershey School. Students are introduced to the basics of the writing process, and actors perform outstanding examples of children's writing in a presentation that demonstrates the limitless subject matter available to young authors. (The company will return Feb. 10 for a 10 a.m. performance at Long Center.) TV cameras, photographers and reporters are welcome. To arrange coverage in advance, contact Sue Stevens, Purdue Convocations publicist, at (765)494-5045; e-mail, snstevens@convos.purdue.edu. Friday, Nov. 20. Krannert Graduate School of Management fall business "wargaming" exercise. Teams of students compete in a computer simulation of the global telecommunications industry. Briefing at 8:30 a.m. in the Krannert Auditorium. The competition begins at 10 a.m. in the seventh-floor computer labs in Krannert. An after-action review and the awarding of cash and other prizes will begin at 2 p.m. in the Krannert Auditorium. CONTACT: Shailendra Mehta, Krannert director of entrepreneurship and small business outreach, (765) 494-5703; e-mail, mehta@mgmt.purdue.edu Friday, Nov. 20. Board of Trustees meeting. 1:30 p.m. Room 304 (Anniversary Drawing Room), Purdue Memorial Union. CONTACTS: Jeanne V. Norberg, director, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2084; e-mail, jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu, or Joseph L. Bennett, vice president for University Relations, (765) 494-2082; e-mail, joe_bennett@purdue.edu Tuesday, Nov. 24. Fred Lytle, professor of chemistry and the 1996 Indiana Professor of the Year, conducts a "Conversation About Teaching" at 3:30 p.m. in the East and West Faculty Lounges, Purdue Memorial Union. This presentation is sponsored by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs as part of the Focus on Teaching Lecture Series so that award-winning Purdue faculty can share their creative approaches to teaching. CONTACT: George Van Scoyoc, associate executive vice president for academic affairs, (765) 494-0608, e-mail, gevanscoyoc@evpaa.purdue.edu Thursday, Dec. 3. Raising of the Great Hall tree. 11:30 a.m. Great Hall, Memorial Union. Purdue physical facilities staff will erect a donated tree, which is traditionally the largest indoor, natural tree in Indiana. The tree-raising is the first of a series of holiday-related events sponsored by the Memorial Union and the Purdue Student Union Board. CONTACT: Debbie Anderson, assistant director for program services at the union and PSUB adviser, (765) 494-8909. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page