Purdue Best Bets

November 19, 1999 JOURNALISTS: Here are some story ideas and a list of selected Purdue events during the next three weeks. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Best Bets next week. Maintaining a beautiful tree through the holidays Christmas trees are going up in homes earlier than in years past, and some families even make putting up the tree a Thanksgiving event. Daniel Cassens, Purdue professor of forestry and owner of a choose-and-cut Christmas tree business, notes that selection and care are essential in maintaining a beautiful tree throughout the holidays. He advises against the spruce, because it dries out more quickly and drops needles earlier than other varieties. Cassens' recommended choices include the most common variety, the scotch pine with its heavy branches and lasting needles. He also suggests that consumers select a location in their homes that is away from heat registers and fireplaces but that allows easy access for frequent watering. CONTACT: Cassens, (765) 494-3644 PMU to raise state's largest indoor tree The Purdue Memorial Union continues its 75th anniversary celebration with Holidays at the Union, Dec. 2 -11. Keeping with tradition, the largest indoor, natural tree in Indiana will be manhandled through the double doors and placed in the Great Hall of the Union at noon Thursday, Dec. 2. This year's tree is being donated by Phyllis and Bob Gambill, West Lafayette. The tree, which will be decorated by Union staff, will remain in the Great Hall until Dec. 17. CONTACT: Sara Solloway, program director, (765) 494-8907. Events • Tuesday, Nov. 30.  Commercial poinsettia growers and Cooperative Extension Service educators will gather at Purdue for Poinsettia Day. The program will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the horticultural greenhouses and will include a review of poinsettia research and a display of new cultivars. CONTACT: Allen Hammer, professor of horticulture, (765) 494-1335, pah@hort.purdue.edu • Thursday, Dec. 2.  David Roet, deputy consul general, Israeli Consulate, Chicago, will conduct a question-and-answer session about "The History and Current Status of Israeli/Palestinian Peace Accords" at 1 p.m. at the Hillel Foundation, 912 W. State St. Sponsored by the Jewish Studies Program. CONTACTS: Sandor Goodhart, director of Jewish Studies, (765) 494-3720, goodhart@purdue.edu, or Alice Wenger, (765) 494-965, awenger@sla.purdue.edu • Friday, Dec. 3.  Kenneth Stuff, president and chief executive officer, Syndicate Systems Inc., Middlebury, Ind., will talk about "A Common Sense Approach to Aid Your Career Advancement" 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, gibson@mgmt.purdue.edu • Wednesday, Dec. 8.  Dan Berkovitz, deputy assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, will talk about "The Environmental Legacy of the Cold War: The Challenge of Cleaning up the Department of Energy's Nuclear Weapons Complex." The 4:30 p.m. lecture in Room 1252, Civil Engineering Building, is part of the Monsanto Colloquium series about remediation engineering and science. CONTACT: Suresh Rao, the Lee A. Rieth Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering, (765) 496-6554, pscr@ecn.purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page