GO TO BED (AND BREAKFAST)
Western’s B&B program begins May 8 and runs to Aug. 29. Elgin Residence on University Drive provides air-conditioned suite-style accommodations and parking is available. Rates are available with or without breakfast, and weekly and monthly rates are available for longer stays. For more information visit www.stayatwestern.ca. Many Canadian universities provide B&B accommodation, partially as a means of providing employment for students. Travellers on a budget or seeking alternative accommodations may find dorms an attractive option. Services typically vary.
SANCTON IN RUNNING FOR DONNER PRIZE
A book on the autonomy of city-regions by political science professor Andrew Sancton has been shortlisted for the Donner Prize. The award recognizes excellence and innovation in Canadian public policy writing. Sancton, author of four books, is respected for his research and writings on municipal government and is frequently called by media for analysis of local governance issues. The Limits of Boundaries examines the increasingly important role of city-regions but questions the likelihood this will lead to greater self-governance. Sancton will join other nominees at a Toronto celebration on April 30 where the winner will be announced. The prize carries an award of $35,000, and authors of all shortlisted titles receive $5,000. www.donnerbookprize.com.
GOLF LEAGUE SIGNING MEMBERS
The UWO Employee Golf League is accepting memberships. There will be a gathering for new and old members on May 6 at 4:30 p.m. at the Grad Club, Middlesex College. The co-ed league includes skill levels from fairly new golfers to scratch players. Nine
holes get played every Wednesday after work with tee off times between 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. from May 13th to mid-September at Llyndinshire Golf & Country Club, just north of the city. There’s a one-time $30 membership fee and discounted green fees are $21 for nine holes. Membership includes an end of year party and prizes. Check out https://uwogolfleague.uwo.ca or contact John Fracasso, Room 261 North Campus Building x88492. MAUN LECTURE APRIL 22
The Dr. M. Anwar Maun Memorial Lecture will be delivered April 22 by Michael Barbour, Professor in the Environmental Horticulture Department, University of California, Davis. The presentation will take place 3-4:30 p.m. in NCB 113. The event recognizes the life and contributions of Maun, an ecologist in the Department of Biology and founder of the Environmental Science Graduate Program. Maun was widely known for helping to develop resource management programs in Pinery and Ipperwash provincial parks and in particular for work with dunes and dune grasses. Maun’s book, The Biology of Coastal Sand Dunes, was recently published by Oxford University Press. A LONG COMMUTE
With the academic year wrapping up, a number of students have organized cross-country bicycle trips to support charitable causes.
Chris Greig is a fourth-year student who is biking solo and unaided from Vancouver to St. John’s beginning next month to raise money for childhood cancer. His goal is collecting $50,000 for the Hospital for Sick Children. More information about the project is at www.bikeformike.ca.
Sarah Kristolaitis is one of 33 riders participating in the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride in June from Vancouver to Halifax. Each member will be cycling about 3,000 kilometres in 12 days. Kristolaitis hoped to raise $30,000 for childhood cancer. Check out event and personal information at www.nationalkidscancerride.com
CYTOGNOMIX RECEIVES AWARD
The Western Research Park-based Stiller Centre for Technology Commercialization and the Ontario Genomics Institute have presented the first Stiller Centre Prize to London biotechnology company Cytognomix. The start-up firm, run by husband and wife Western professors recently recruited from the United States – chemist Peter Rogan and pathologist Joan Knoll – has been honored and awarded a grant for creating new DNA probes that more accurately detect genetic mutations. The probes could make it easier for doctors to decide on individualized treatments for diseases such as cancer, and what chemotherapy will be most effective. PHYSICISTS HONOUR LENNARD
The American Institute of Physics has dedicated the 20th International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry held in Fort Worth, Texas to five leaders in accelerator innovation, development and applications including William Lennard, a senior Physics & Astronomy researcher at Western. Lennard is recognized worldwide as an experimental innovator in ion beam physics.
EARTH HOUR RESULTS
Earth Hour is an annual large-scale demonstration project designed to encourage people worldwide to turn off their electricity for an hour. The March 28 event resulted in a substantial improvement on campus over last year – a six-per-cent drop in power use, according to Physical Plant. The reduction was in line with the Ontario average. The campus cutback reduced consumption by about 700kW.