eInside Events

Professional Women of Kent State Seeking Holiday Help for Peace Basket Project

Withthe holiday season quickly approaching, the Professional Women of Kent State University are seeking volunteers to help others in need through the King-Kennedy Center in Ravenna. The King-Kennedy Center was created and partially funded by Kent State students to help meet the needs of the underprivileged in Portage County.

Prior to this event, the group welcomes donations for the following:

• Santa's Shoppers- Donate items to be used to fill baskets, such as toiletries, personal grooming products, stuffed animals, small toys, books and other children's items, kitchen items and school supplies. For men, donations of cologne, socks, caps, hats, games for teenagers and other young men's items are sought. Shoe boxes wrapped with holiday paper and other items can be taken to the drop off points listed below.
• As a Holiday Knitter- Professional Women of Kent State is again accepting hand knitted or crocheted scarves and caps for kids.
• As an Absentee Angel- Donate a $10 Holiday Helper Fee to be used for purchases of shrink wrap, gift bags, ribbons and bow.

The group encourages that the items collected/made be taken directly to a drop-off point from Nov. 29 until noon on Dec. 3.

The drop-off points include:

• Michael Schwartz Center, Room 123,(Elf Coordinator: Michelle Casto, 330-672-4432)
• Kent Student Center, Room 250, (Elf Coordinator: Barb Boltz, 330-672-1306)

On Friday, Dec. 3, help is needed to prepare for basket assembly day. Those interested are invited to participate in the project at the King Kennedy Center from noon to 3 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 4, there will be two opportunities for volunteers to help assemble gift baskets. The shifts are 9 -11 a.m., and 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. at the King-Kennedy Center. Breakfast and decorating materials will be provided.

Annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Event Includes Book Signing

Regina Brett

The Kent State University Bookstore invites faculty and staff to the annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Event on Dec. 2 and 3. Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 3.

Highlights of the two-day event include:

Dec. 2 from 5 - 8 p.m., Apple iPad in Education Event, featuring a presentation on learning strategies using the iPad.

Dec. 3 from noon - 2 p.m., author and Kent State alumna Regina Brett will sign and personalize copies of her book, God Never Blinks.

Dec. 3 from 2:15 - 3:05 pm, The Kent State University Men's Chorus will perform.

Buy a New Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro, or iMac and get a free printer, (limited time offer, while supplies last).

Refreshments will be served and faculty and staff will received a 25 percent total discount on select, in-store merchandise with a valid university ID during the event.

For more information, contact the bookstore at 330-672-2762.

Mail Services Presents Final Opportunity to Lunch and Learn

Mail Services has hosted a series of lunchtime seminars this fall about the use of mail and best practices through the United States Postal Service. The one-hour sessions will explore the sometimes confusing postal regulations for sending mail through Kent State in order to obtain the best postage rates and delivery times.

The final Lunch and Learn informational event will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 1, in Room 309 of the Kent Student Center, from noon to 1 p.m. Bring a sack lunch and learn how to correctly prepare and handle automated, business reply and presorted mail. Experts from Mail Service will also share tips on how to ensure that mail gets opened and read.

The seminar is open to all faculty and staff.

To RSVP, go to this link. For additional information, contact Steve Finley at sfinley7@kent.edu.

Wide Variety of World AIDS Day Events on the Agenda at Kent State University at Stark

Leslie Heaphy

A week of diverse events will commemorate World AIDS Day, which takes place each Dec. 1. In addition to the list of events, AIDS Memorial Quilt Panels will be on display in the Campus Center from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3. Each panel memorializes the life of a person lost to AIDS.

Beautiful "Bead for Life" jewelry items will be for sale during the entire week in the Campus Center. Sale of the beads benefits HIV positive or displaced Ugandan women.

Scheduled events are as follows:

Tuesday, Nov. 30:

• Dr. Leslie Heaphy will present The History of HIV/AIDS, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Library Conference Room
• Bob Meeker of the Red Ribbon Connection will present HIV Timeline, 4-5 p.m., Library Conference Room
• HIV/AIDS Panel Discussion: 6-8 p.m., Main Hall Auditorium
• Confidential HIV Testing: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Library second floor, free and open to community; results provided in 20 minutes; counseling available on site

Wednesday, Dec. 1:

• Bob Meeker of the Red Ribbon Connection will present HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction, noon-1 p.m., Library Conference Room
• Shawn Decker and Gwen Barringer will present A Boy, A Girl, A Virus, 4-5 p.m., Main Hall Auditorium, Reception will precede the talk at 3:30 p.m. in the Main Hall Auditorium lobby
• Confidential HIV Testing: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Library second floor, free and open to community; results provided in 20 minutes; counseling available on site

Thursday, Dec. 2:

• Dr. Kim Finer will present HIV/AIDS, Global Update, 3-4 p.m., Library Conference Room
• Red Party: 6 p.m., Campus Center, free admission, conversation, music, food and a chance to win gift cards

Friday, Dec. 3:

Stagelights Hair Studio is offering a New York blowout, haircut and hand massage with polish change for $10 each from 2-7 p.m. at 3732 Cleveland Avenue NW, in Canton. All proceeds benefit the programs and services of The Red Ribbon Connection. Appointments are preferred, and can be made by calling 330-493-5000.

For additional information about the events, contact Cynthia Williams at Kent State Stark at cdwillia@kent.edu.

Instructional Resources Center Book Fair Offers Fun and Educational Items For Sale This Week

The Instructional Resources Center in the College of Education, Health and Human Services will hold a book fair Nov. 29-Dec. 3. The event will take place at the Instructional Resources Center, located in Room 221 of White Hall from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

The book fair will feature recent releases, popular works and materials to supplement lesson plans. Enter all week for a chance win a new book . Stop by to pick up gifts or indulge yourself with a cookbook, mystery novel, or maybe your favorite book from your childhood.

Payment can be made with cash, check or credit card. Twenty-five percent of all proceeds will fund the purchase of curriculum materials for the Instructional Resources Center library.

For additional information, contact Julee Henry in the Instructional Resources Center at jahenry2@kent.edu or 330-672-2277.

Final Wick Poetry Presentation of Semester Features Mark Brazaitis

Mark Brazaitis

On Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 pm in Room 306 of the Kent State Student Center, poet Mark Brazaitis will share his award-winning writing with the Kent State University community.

Brazaitis is the author of numerous books including The Other Language: Poems, The River of Lost Voices: Stories from Guatemala, and Steal My Heart. His merits include winning the 2008 ABZ Poetry Prize, the 2001 Maria Thomas Fiction Award, and the 1998 Iowa Short Fiction Award.

Brazaitis served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 1990 to 1993, as well as a Peace Corps technical trainer from 1995 to 1996.

Currently, Brazaitis directs the Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program at West Virginia University.

For more information regarding Mark Brazaitis reading, contact the Wick Poetry Center at http://dept.kent.edu/wick.

Festival Lights up Downtown Kent This Weekend

Kent's annual Festival of Lights will take place Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. at the Home Savings Bank Plaza. Music will be provided by the Kent Roosevelt Ace's Choir, and free hot chocolate and doughnuts will be available.

Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. to light up the town and visit with the children. Families are encouraged to bring their cameras for photos with Santa. Families who cannot stay can stop at a letter writing station so their child can write to Santa.

The Kent Chamber of Commerce and the downtown merchants will provide horse- drawn carriage rides. Many local merchants will also extend their business hours for this event.

For more information call 330-673-9855.

By Allison Brookes

Kent State's First Feature Film Premieres This Week

Breaking News, Kent State's first feature film, will be introduced to the public at a red carpet premiere Wednesday, Dec. 1 at the Kent Stage. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the movie starts at 8 p.m. A panel discussion with members of the cast and crew will take place after the film.

Breaking News will also be shown at the Kent Student Center Kiva on Friday, Dec. 3. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film will be shown at 8 p.m.

Tickets to either screening are $5. To order tickets, contact Traci E. Williams at 330-672-2356 or e-mail at teasley1@kent.edu.