Society Goes Out on Limb in Search for National Tree

--It took 75 years and 70 bills before the rose was adopted as the national flower in 1986. And while the bald eagle was chosen the national bird back in 1782, lots of people think the turkey would have been more appropriate. Now the International Society of Arboriculture has begun the search for a tree lofty enough to represent the entire nation. Harry J. Banker, chairman of the society’s national tree committee, says it would have to be one that is found around the country--such as an oak--to gain national acceptance. But added that he expects a lot of lobbying for such regional favorites as the New England sugar maple and the California redwood.

--Apparently, a number of freshmen at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo aren’t quite sure how to behave once they get there, so the school is offering a course in the basics of higher education. Appropriately titled University 101, it teaches students such skills as studying, taking tests and behaving in class, and also offers emotional support. Dropout rates have declined from about 30% to 21% since the course was introduced four years ago, said Susan B. Hannah, assistant vice president for academic affairs. She concedes that many incoming freshmen are ill-prepared for life without mom. “I’m not proud of it, but that’s life--and we have to deal with the customers who walk across our campus.”

--The rich and famous folks of Palm Beach, Fla., take their partying very seriously--so seriously, in fact, that the Town Council has taken a preliminary vote to ban movie-making on the island from Nov. 15 to April 15 to cut down on traffic jams and other bourgeois inconveniences. During that five-month span the international jet set is in residence for at least 100 balls and luncheons. “The season is our busiest time of the year,” Councilman Bernard Heeke said. “We don’t want any unnecessary disruption.” The ban could affect the filming of the new TV show, “B.L. Stryker,” according to producer Alan Barnette. The ABC series stars Burt Reynolds as a burned-out New Orleans policeman who retires to Florida. The character’s ex-wife, who lives on the island, and the Palm Beach police chief figure prominently in the show.