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February 19, 1999 JOURNALISTS: Here's a story idea and some Purdue events during the next two weeks. Forget the groundhog -- potholes say spring is near In many areas, the first sign of a returning spring is the appearance of potholes. Potholes are a result of aging pavement and seasonal weather changes. Kumares C. Sinha, the Olson Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering and director of Purdue's Joint Transportation Research program, says the numerous freezing and thawing cycles this year have created an abundance of potholes, even on freeways and interstates. He notes that potholes aren't a small problem in any sense of the word, with repairs costing more than $6 billion each year in the United States. He says that using preventative measures to reinforce roads to help prevent potholes is more economical and safer for motorists. CONTACT: Sinha, (765) 494-2211; e-mail, sinha@ecn.purdue.edu Events Monday, Feb. 22. Media availability by Robert T. Bakker, known as "Dr. Bob, the Dinosaur Guy," during a reception for him at 4 p.m. at the Imagination Station museum, 600 N. Fourth St., Lafayette. Bakker, adjunct dinosaur curator of the Tate Geological Museum at Casper College in Wyoming, was a special consultant to the films "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World." Purdue Convocations is bringing him to town to make a free presentation especially for children featuring the drawing of dinosaurs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, in Elliott Hall of Music, followed by a free lecture for all ages at 7:30 p.m. Bakker also will have a book signing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Von's Book Shop, 317 W. State St. CONTACTS: Sue Stevens, Convocations publicist, (765) 494-5045; e-mail, snstevens@convos.purdue.edu, or Barb Pipher-Doran, Imagination Station coordinator, (765) 420-7780; e-mail: bpdoran@odos.purdue.edu Wednesday, Feb. 24. Robert L. Ringel, Purdue executive vice president for academic affairs, the Donald S. Powers Distinguished University Administrator, and professor of audiology, talks about "A Reminiscence of My Family's Polish Heritage" at the Jewish Studies Noon Lecture and Discussion Series at 12:30 p.m. in the Anniversary Drawing Room, Purdue Memorial Union. CONTACTS: Sandor Goodhart, director of Jewish Studies, (765) 494-3720, e-mail, goodhart@purdue.edu, or Marilyn Fleeter, administrative assistant, (765) 494-7965; e-mail, mfleeter@sla.purdue.edu Friday, Feb. 26. John E. Vaughn, president, Global Sales and Services, Tellabs Operations Inc., Lisle, Ill., talks about "Going Global a Competitive Imperative" at the Krannert Executive Forum at 11:30 a.m. in the Krannert Building Auditorium. Reporters are asked to refrain from asking questions, videotaping or taking photographs during the lecture, but all are allowed during the student question-and-answer sessions. CONTACT: Tamyra Gibson, director of public relations, School of Management, (765) 494-4392; e-mail, gibson@mgmt.purdue.edu Saturday, Feb. 27. Purdue Regional Science Olympiad. Students from 19 Indiana schools will compete in 28 events from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and an awards presentation will be held at 3:30 p.m. in Room 200 of the Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry. The winners advance to the statewide competition March 20 at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Participants will come from Attica, Brownsburg, Carmel, Hammond, Highland, Indianapolis, Kentland, Lafayette, LaPorte, Mishawaka, Munster, Rochester, Whiting and Winamac. Scheduled competitions include a bottle rocket contest and Mission Possible -- students are challenged to design and build a Rube Goldberg-type device that uses up to five energy forms to accomplish a specific task. CONTACT: Isodore Julien, Department of Biological Sciences outreach coordinator, (765) 494-4983; e-mail, ijulien@bilbo.bio.purdue.edu Tuesday, March 2. Author Robert Fulghum will be available to answer questions from journalists during a book signing from 12:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. at Little Professor Book Center, 500 Sagamore Parkway W., West Lafayette. He is the author of such best sellers as "All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten," "Uh Oh," "Maybe (Maybe Not)," and "True Love." Purdue Convocations is bringing Fulghum to Greater Lafayette to deliver the Mitchell Inspirational Lecture at 8 p.m. the same day in Elliott Hall of Music. CONTACT: Sue Stevens, Convocations publicist, (765) 494-5045; e-mail, snstevens@convos.purdue.edu. Tuesday-Wednesday, March 2-3. Faculty demonstrate the ways in which technology enhances learning for their students at the second annual Teaching, Learning and Technology Showcase on the third floor of Stewart Center. The showcase is sponsored by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs as part of the Focus on Teaching Lecture Series. CONTACT: George Van Scoyoc, associate executive vice president for academic affairs, (765) 494-0608, e-mail, gevanscoyoc@evpaa.purdue.edu Saturday, March 6. The 12th annual Burton D. Morgan Entrepreneurial Competition, with $30,000 in prizes for students, will be from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Krannert Building Auditorium. This annual business plan competition features new products and technologies created and presented by Purdue students. First-place carries a cash prize of $20,000. The five finalists will present their business plans and product prototypes to a panel of judges including entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from Boston, Chicago and Arizona. Prizes will be awarded at an evening banquet. The competition is sponsored by the Krannert School of Management and the Schools of Engineering. CONTACT: Kate Walker, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2073; e-mail, kate_walker@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page