Briefs
by John Temple Ligon

Science and the law

Nobel Prize- winning scientist Eric Kandel will discuss the mechanics of memory and the science of the mind in this year's Charles W. Knowlton Lecture, February 20 at 5 pm in the Law School Auditorium. Kandel's lecture, "We Are What We Remember: Memory and the Biological Basis of Individuality," will touch on his decades- long research into the biological foundations of memory and cognition. The lecture is open to the public.

SCDOT

In 47 other states, the department of transportation is accountable directly to the executive branch with South Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi being the exception. A proposal under consideration in the Senate and another being formulated in the House would create a SCDOT with a board and a director appointed by the governor.

Milliken & Co.

Spartanburg- based Milliken & Co. was named by Fortune Magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For." With 9,500 employees total in the U.S., Milliken has 1,500 in Spartanburg and another 700 in Union and 1,600 abroad.

Paid up, finally

Last month, Britain paid off WWII loans it had with the U.S. By 1945, Britain had borrowed $4.3 billion from the U.S. at an interest rate of 2%.

Hemingway drank here

Hemingway Ltd. owns all trademark rights to the late author's name. Hemingway's, a restaurant on Hilton Head Island, had to change its name after recently receiving a letter from Hemingway Ltd. What was earlier called The Little Bar at the Paris Ritz, where Hemingway drank, changed its name to Hemingway's after the author's death. Hemingway Ltd. has not sent a letter to the Paris Ritz, presumably.

Columbia is not West Columbia

In The Greenville News last week, the headline read, "Columbia councilman accused of DUI." The article, however, described the alleged drunkenness of a member of the West Columbia City Council.

From Japan to South Carolina

According to the Financial Times, Boeing's main Japanese industrial partners on the new 787 Dreamliner are struggling to meet deadlines. Japanese parts were shipped in January to South Carolina incomplete, and the assembly plant next to the Charleston airport had to pick up the slack. Boeing still plans to meet its first delivery deadline of May 2008 for All Nippon Airways.

Down for the count

Last year, according to Reporters Without Borders, 81 journalists were killed worldwide, and more than 140 are behind bars.

1,000 no more

State Farm plans to drop about 1,000 insurance policies along the South Carolina coast. That's about one- half of 1% of State Farm's policies statewide.

Competition still alive at local airport

US Airways withdrew its $10.2 billion offer for Delta after it failed to win the support of Delta's creditors. USC graduate and United Airlines CEO Glenn Tilton said US Airways' dropped hostile bid for Delta didn't dim prospects for other airline mergers. U.S. airlines lost $35 billion and laid off 150,000 workers after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in NYC, and consolidation in the industry is still expected.

Robert Mills's Treasury Building restored

The 500,000 square feet of the Treasury Building next door to the White House recently finished a 10- year renovation at a cost of $247 million, or $490 a square foot. Tours are allowed on Saturdays, but they must be arranged through the offices of Congressional representatives.

Pay gap

According to the State Human Affairs Commission, in the executive levels white state employees were paid an average of about $6,700 more than black employees in the same levels.

You know we know radio and politics, too

Successful comedian and struggling national radio talk show host Al Franken has found a dignified means of escape from his radio struggle. He's running in Minnesota for the U.S. Senate.

Following Columbia's lead

The City of Charleston has banned indoor smoking in all businesses.

A gift from the Petersons

One Wood Farm, a 26- acre Syrup Mill Road property suitable for the USC equestrian team, was bought by USC's development foundation for $700,000 instead of the appraised value of $1 million. The sellers, Scott and Katie Peterson, allowed the $300,000 discount, which was the Petersons' gift to the university.