WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Purdue University entomologist will speak Thursday (Sept. 20) about research efforts to breed hardier, parasite-resistant honeybees in North America and Europe at the next Science on Tap.

Honeybee specialist Greg Hunt, a professor of behavioral genetics and author, will speak at 6:00pm in the upstairs of the Lafayette Brewing Company, 622 Main St., Lafayette. His talk is titled “What’s Bugging our Bees? Bee Health, Parasitic Mites and Breeding for Hardy, Resistant Bees.”

The event is free and open to those 21 and older. Sponsors for the talk are the Purdue Department of Entomology, the College of Agriculture and Discovery Park.

“There has been a lot of talk in recent years about ‘colony collapse disorder’ killing beehives. Researchers and beekeepers are still unsure what caused this and how big a problem it may be,” Hunt said. “Recent surveys indicate that parasitic Varroa mites are the biggest single factor associated with the death of bee colonies in both North America and Europe.”

Hunt and his fellow Purdue researchers are investigating how to breed bees that are more mite-resistant. The research team is collaborating with Indiana beekeepers in a breeding program to select for “mite-biting” bees and the team has been investigating the genetics behind this trait.

“We identified one chromosomal region influencing this grooming behavior,” he said. “One gene that might be involved has been linked to specific neurological diseases in humans.”

According to Hunt, the United States is losing about one-third of its honeybee hives each year. No one factor is to blame, but Hunt said scientists think others such as mites and insecticides are working against the bees, which are important for pollinating food crops and wild plants.

The official bee population in Indiana is well over 10,000 hives and each hive holds anywhere from 30,000 to 60,000 bees, he said.

Hunt, who has been on the Purdue faculty since 2002, received his bachelor’s degree in biology from John Carroll University in 1979, a master’s degree in plant pathology from Pennsylvania State University and a doctorate degree in entomology from the University of California, Davis, in 1994.

The Science on Tap lecture series, led by Purdue graduate students Patrick Dolan, Shaili Sharma and Becca Scott, provides Purdue faculty and collaborating researchers the opportunity to share research activities in an informal setting, with presentations that are designed to appeal to a more general audience.

Attendance at the monthly event has averaged 80 during the program’s first two years.

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• Science on Tap asks “Can We Play Football Safely?”
• Science on Tap to highlight global differences of how we age
• Next “Science on Tap” features prof researching oil spill-cleanup technology

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Overwhelming response to a trial collaboration between the Purdue Philharmonic and Lafayette Ballet in 2011 has resulted in two nights of “Postcards” concerts in the Lafayette Ballet Ballroom on Saturday (Sept. 22) and Sunday (Sept. 23).

Admission is free to the one-hour concert, but due to limited seating, reservations are advised. Call 765-423-1633.

Four short, well-known classical works will be brought to life with a touch of humor through the dynamic collaboration of young musicians and dancers. The Purdue Philharmonic is conducted by Andrew King; the Lafayette Ballet is headed by Sandra Peticolas.

Peticolas describes Prokofiev’s “Classical Symphony” as “the ultimate tutu vehicle,” Chabrier’s “Habanera” as “a reluctant bull at the arena,” Sibelius’s “Valse Triste” as “a tribute to the lost young men of World War II” and Mozart’s “Overture to the Marriage of Figaro” as “ballerina verses flash mob.”

The Saturday concert is at 8:00pm; the concert Sunday is at 4:00pm. The ballroom is located on the third floor of an historic downtown Lafayette building. The structure does not have an elevator.

The Lafayette Ballet Ballroom is at 226 N. Sixth St., Lafayette, Indiana.

In Related News:

• Purdue Bands to perform in 4 weekend concerts
• Rock Out for Autism: Cornerstone Fall Festival, Sept 29
• Luke Bryan to perform at Purdue during Homecoming weekend
• Purdue Memorial Union’s summer concert series runs July 6-27
• Greater Lafayette Stars & Stripes celebration and fireworks final plans

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

LAFAYETTE, Ind. -– A free workshop will be offered for youth workers to identify human trafficking in Indiana, and how to report it once it has been identified. Human Trafficking is a $32 Billion industry and the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world. The average age children are pulled into these commercial sex acts is 12-14 and 83% of underage sex trafficking involves United States citizens.

The workshop is presented by Tamara Weaver of the Indiana Attorney General’s office. Anyone who works with youth (volunteer or staff youth worker) is invited and encouraged to attend.

Youth Workers Cafe is a quarterly networking and professional development opportunity for anyone who works with young people, and is offered by the Indiana Youth Institute in conjunction with a variety of community partners.

In Related News:

• Social Media Marketing workshop targeted to artists offered on July 20
• Tippecanoe Arts Federation to host Arts Grant Workshops
• Workshop teaches parent-child teams about computer science
• United Way to host Purdue Extension poverty simulation
• Technical Assistance Program to offer energy workshops

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

Cornerstone Fall Festival: Rock Out for Autism

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Cornerstone Autism Foundation is hosting “Rock Out for Autism” on September 29th, 2012 at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Lafayette, Indiana. This concert event will celebrate the lives touched by autism, and the money raised will benefit children and families affected by autism in Indiana. “Rock Out for Autism” is part of the Foundation’s fall festival weekend. Festivities also include a Ride for Autism and Family Fun for Autism.

The concert begins at 7:00p and is schedule to end at midnight. Tickets are $35 for Preferred Seating, $30 General Admission, and $25 with Student ID.

Performances By:

Clayton Miller Band

Clayton Miller Band (Lafayette, IN)
The Clayton Miller Band, an American blues group, consists of bassist and father Larry Miller, sons Clayton Miller on guitar/vocals, Cole Miller on drums/vocals, and LD Miller on harmonica/vocals. They are best known for appearing on the first season of the NBC talent show, America’s Got
Talent, and finishing as a runner-up
behind Bianca Ryan.

Roman Candle (Chapel Hill, NC)
With enthusiastic praise from Rolling Stone, The Boston Globe, and Harp Magazine to name a few, Indie Rock trio Roman Candle has developed an solid fanbase at every venue they play. Roman Candle is comprised of Skip Matheny, and Logan & Timshel Matheny.

Keegan Dewitt and the Wild Cub

Keegan Dewitt and the Wild Cub (Nashville, TN)
Led by singer/songwriter/film score composer Keegan DeWitt and Nashville music mainstay Jeremy Bullock. Officially formed last November, this young band has already impressed their hometown publication the Nashville Cream.

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• Luke Bryan to perform at Purdue during Homecoming weekend
• Purdue Memorial Union’s summer concert series runs July 6-27
• Purdue Memorial Union’s summer concert series to start July 7
• Traveler’s Dream Holiday Concert, CD Release Party
• Purdue Memorial Union Summer Concert Series to include dinner, variety of musical acts

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue Women’s Club will “Visit Main Street, Block by Block” and tour Downtown Lafayette and visit local merchants on Friday, September 21st. The event is offered in conjunction with Ladies Lunch Out and is open to the public.

Linda Elmore will demonstrate a process called lampworking. This is a type of glasswork that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements.

Linda Elmore, owner of Something Special, will demonstrate a process called lampworking. This is a type of glasswork that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. Twenty five female fiber artists of Tippecanoe County will have their creations on display to enjoy and purchase.

RSVP to Maureen Zaspal, t.zaspal@comcast.net, by Tuesday, September 18th. For more information go to www.purduewomensclub.org.

The Purdue Women’s Club (PWC) is a 90-year old social and philanthropic organization with approximately 500 members. Membership is open to all women interested in Purdue and the Greater Lafayette Community.

In Related News:

• “Making it in Crafts” at Art Museum of Greater Lafayette
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• Dancing in the Streets 2011 to fill Downtown Lafayette with music, classic cars
• Greater Lafayette Stars & Stripes celebration and fireworks final plans
• Drawings by Frank Big Bear coming to Purdue Galleries

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

Barret Myers will entertain diners at Adelino’s Old Word Kitchen on Monday, Sept 17 from 6:30p-9:00p

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Adelino’s Old World Kitchen, 112 North 3rd Street in Downtown Lafayette, will be featuring original folk tunes and classic covers by local artist Barrett Myers on Monday, September 17th from 6:30p until 9:00p.  Adelino’s bar hosts live music on the first and third Monday of each month.

Patrons can enjoy catchy melodies with lyrical depth in Barrett’s ballads about love and the journey of life, along with light and fun compositions drawn from the stories of good friends. From Frank Sinatra to James Taylor to Jack Johnson, Barrett lends his own style to familiar favorites and is always happy to take requests.

For more information about Barrett Myers, visit him online at http://www.barrettmyers.com

In Related News:

• Rock Out for Autism: Cornerstone Fall Festival, Sept 29
• Luke Bryan to perform at Purdue during Homecoming weekend
• Taste of Tippecanoe now accepting press kits for 2012 fest
• Purdue Memorial Union’s summer concert series runs July 6-27
• WBAA to feature performance art collaboration

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A panel discussion on how and why the nation and world have changed since 9/11 will be presented on September 13 at Purdue University.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is at 7:30pm in Wetherill Hall, Room 172.

The panelists are:

• Berenice Carroll, professor emerita of political science and former director of Women’s Studies.
• Harry Targ, panel coordinator and professor of political science
• Jacob Hernandez, president of Amnesty International at Purdue.
• Justin Mueller, a doctoral student in political theory, will moderate the panel discussion.

The event will begin with a short video prepared by the September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, an organization of family members of those killed on 9/11 that oppose wars of retribution and advocates nonviolent options.

Some of the topics that will be discussed by the panel will include how 9/11 has affected the economy, workers, women, civil liberties, human rights, foreign policy, and war and peace. Audience members also are encouraged to participate in the discussion.

The event is organized by Purdue’s Committee on Peace Studies, and co-sponsored by Lafayette Area Peace Coalition, the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church in West Lafayette, the Lafayette Friends Meeting, and Amnesty International at Purdue.

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• Purdue summer commencement to be shown live on TV, Internet
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• ‘Get On Board’ with College of Technology at Lafayette
• Purdue earns 10-year accreditation from Higher Learning Commission

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

Sports Illustrated says Purdue kicker Carson Wiggs might have the strongest leg in the country. (Photo: Chuck Rydlewski/Icon SMI)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue kicker Carson Wiggs has been named a first team preseason All-American by SportsIllustrated.com. The senior from Grand Prairie, Texas, owns the four longest field goals in school history (59, 55, 53 and 52 yards), has the highest career field goal percentage ever at Purdue (.715, 37 for 51) and has converted 80 percent of his attempts inside 50 yards.

At Purdue’s annual Black and Gold spring game last April, Wiggs hit a 67-yard field goal which would have tied the Football Bowl Subdivision record shared by Russell Erxleben of Texas (vs. Rice, 1977), Steve Little of Arkansas (vs. Texas, 1977) and Joe Williams of Wichita State (vs. Southern Illinois, 1978).

Wiggs and the Boilermakers open the 2011 college football season this Saturday when Middle Tennessee visits Ross-Ade Stadium. Kick-off is set for noon and the game will be shown live on the Big Ten Network.

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• Purdue Football: Werner granted sixth year of NCAA eligibility
• 39 Boilermakers earn fall academic All-Big Ten honors
• Twenty-seven Purdue athletes named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Although general public tickets for the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game are sold out, each conference school will receive 150 tickets (100 priced at $125 and 50 priced at $175) to sell.

The Purdue Athletic Ticket Office is taking requests from interested John Purdue Club members through November 1, 2011 and tickets will be allocated based on JPC priority points.

In addition, a limited number of premium packages are available for $1,000 from the Indiana Sports Corp.

The packages include:

• Game Ticket (best seats)
• Ticket to the Big Ten Conference Awards Gala
• Ticket to the Big Ten/FOX Sports Fan Festival
• Ticket to the VIP Pregame Hospitality in the Indiana Convention Center
• VIP access to Lucas Oil Stadium from the Convention Center
• Commemorative Gift
• VIP Parking (one pass for every four VIP tickets purchased)

Fans interested in the premium packages should email the Indiana Sports Corp.

The 20,000 general public tickets were sold within two hours when they went on the sale July 30. The remaining tickets for the game are being allocated as follows: 30,000 to the participating teams (15,000 apiece) and 18,000 for the Big Ten, sponsors and Indianapolis Colts season-ticket holders.

The Big Ten Football Championship Game will be played Saturday, December 3, 2011 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Kickoff is set for 8:17pm Eastern Time.

In Related News:

• Purdue kicker Wiggs named SI.com Preseason All-American
• Women’s Swimming, Diving: #22 Purdue to host Big Ten Championships
• Boilermaker Fan HQ to set up in downtown Indy during Big Ten Tournaments
• Purdue falls to Notre Dame in season opener, 23-12
• Purdue Women’s Swimming: Twelve qualified for finals at Big Ten Championships

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

The award honors Jane L. Shuck, who lost her battle with lung cancer in 2009.  She was a founding member of the Greater Lafayette Senior Fair and a long-time employee at Rosewalk Commons in Lafayette.  She had an amazing zest for life and people, and took her caring, fun-loving spirit out into the community to advocate and plan many great activities for the senior population.

The winner will receive a plaque and $50 restaurant gift certificate…to celebrate the honor just as Jane would have done… she loved to eat out! 

The Greater Lafayette Senior Fair Committee is looking for an individual who meets the following criteria:

• Age 55 by October 1, 2011
• Passionate about life and people
• Always interested in others well-being; looking for ways to help family, friends & neighbors
• Positive attitude – ability to bring joy to others
• Volunteer-oriented (Community Involvement)

The deadline for nominations is September 16, 2011.

One-page summary nominations highlighting the criteria above should be mailed to:

Greater Lafayette Senior Fair
P.O. Box 4533
Lafayette, IN 47903-4533  

For more information, contact Anita Bowen at Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Programs at (765)447-7683/(800)382-7556 or info@areaivagency.org.

In Related News:

• “Goin’ Like 60″ goes behind the scenes at Loeb House Inn
• Area IV Agency announces dates for 2011 Senior Games
• Wacky Wednesday Senior Movie Days return March 9
• IU Health Plans offers a “Making Life and Health Decisions” seminar in Monticello, Lafayette
• Nominations sought for Inspiring Families, Communities Award

News via Lafayette Indiana Online