U of A Today

• The Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium presents "The Comets are Coming," an exploration into the nature and origin of comets at 7:30 p.m. For ticket prices call 621-STAR.

• The American Red Cross will be on the UA Mall collection blood donations from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

• The Poetry Center presents the winners of the Fifth Annual Hearst Undergraduate Poetry Contest in the DuVal Auditorium of the University Medical Center at 4 p.m.

  Winners of the competition will be announced and their poems recited.

• The Building Academic Community speaker series presents Janet L. Sturman, assistant professor in the College of Music and Dance, to speak on "Postures and Polkas - Music as Movement In Southwestern Social Dance Tradition" in the Memorial Students Union's Gallagher Theatre at 12:15 p.m.

• The Center for Mineral Resources presents J. Laurence Kulp, of the University of Washington, to speak on "Are Earth's Resources Limited?" in the Franklin Building Room 201 at 3:30 p.m. Refreshments are served at 3 p.m.

  The lecture discuses primary sources of energy and the decrease and increase of certain minerals and metals used for energy.

• A farewell reception for Martha Gilliland is being held in the Marriott University Park, 880 E. Second Street from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

  Gilliland is leaving her position as academic vice president for information and human resources to join Tulane University as their new provost.

Sir Benjamin Thompson Count Rumpford, who was born on this day in 1753, was the inventor of drip-method coffeepot, the indoor stove and the double broiler.

Source: Saveur Magazine.