FLOWER FOLLIES: Media relations rep Sandra Hines was more than a little surprised when a bouquet of flowers arrived on her desk last week. The card read, “Hope there are no weeds in these.” It was signed “Ed Hume.” Ed Hume is the name of a local garden guru who has a seed company named after him, a company that produces packets of wildflower seeds like those Hines had written about in a recent UWeek story (April 18) and press release. The story told about research by a Center for Urban Horticulture student that showed seed packets like those from Ed Hume often contain seeds for weeds as well as flowers. Needless to say, the seed companies mentioned were less than thrilled. Hines at first blamed her colleagues for the prank, but later that day she got a call from her husband, who confessed that he did it. Now there’s a new reason for sending your wife flowers.

BEST BOOKS: Two UW Press books have been the recipients of awards recently. The Society of Architectural Historians bestowed its Alice Davis Hitchcock Award (for the year’s most distinguished work of scholarship in the history of architecture) on Nation-Building: Turkish Architectural Culture in the Early Republic. The book, by non-UW author Sibel Bozdogan, is part of a series, Studies in Modernity and National Identity, edited by Resat Kasaba, acting director of the Jackson School of International Studies. Meanwhile, Manchus and Han, by Edward Rhoads, received the Joseph Levinson Prize given by the Association for Asian Studies for the best book on modern Chinese history. This book was part of another series, “Minority Peoples of China,” edited by Stevan Harrell, curator of Asian ethnology at the Burke Museum.

LUX SIT: The UW’s renovation of Kane classrooms has won both local and regional awards for lighting. Specifically, the classrooms captured the Illumination Design Award given by the Puget Sound section of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. “Regional” in this case means the West Coast, including British Columbia and Alaska but excluding California.

UWTV TRIUMPHS: Several UWTV-produced videos won big at the Communicator Awards, an international awards program founded by communications professionals to recognize excellence in the communications field. “Student Voices: Kimberly Gustafson” won two Crystal Awards of Excellence — one in the PSA category and one in the Educational Institutions, College or University category. Sponsored by University Relations, the video was produced and directed by Christopher Redner. Also winning a Crystal Award in the Creativity — Other category was “The Convergence Zone” sponsored by the Research Channel. It was produced by Timothy Lorang and directed by Carol Geertsema. “Contextual Teaching and Learning: Washington State Consortium,” sponsored by CSTARS and the College of Education, won an Award of Distinction in the Educational Institutions — College or University category. It was produced and directed by Redner. “Student Voices: Johnny Grady” won two honorable mentions, one in the PSA category and one in the Educational Institutions — College or University category. Sponsored by University Relations, the video was produced and directed by Redner. Finally, “Style Guidelines: The TV Wasteland Zone, ” sponsored by the ResearchChannel, won an honorable mention in the Creativity — Other category. It was produced by Lorang and directed by Geertsema.

AMAZING ARCHITECT: Architecture Professor Michael Pyatok’s firm, Pyatok Associates, will receive the “top firm” award from Residential Architect magazine in the publication’s annual leadership awards. Architects are selected on the basis of their distinguished achievement, and their having become, or having the potential to become, important leaders in their practice area.

ED. ALUMNI KICKOFF: The College of Education is introducing its new alumni society with an open house on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. in Miller Hall. Alumni and friends of the college are invited to the event, which will feature faculty presentations on their latest work and research. Dean Pat Wasley and 2002 Washington State Teacher of the Year David McKay will also speak at the event.

Do you know someone who deserves kudos for an outstanding achievement, award, appointment or book publication? If so, send that person’s name, title and achievement to uweek@u.washington.edu.