TUESDAY 11/29/11

Published for faculty and staff by the Luther College Public Information office • Copy deadline: Friday, 3 p.m., 75-word limit • Phone: (563) 387-1865 • Email: <tuesday>

Note: All campus telephone numbers are in the 563 area code, all campus email addresses end in @luther.edu • ©2011

COLLEGE OPERATIONS

Special event parking notice

In order to accommodate the large number of visitors expected for Christmas at Luther we need to make adjustments in our parking area designations.  While we realize these adjustments will create some inconvenience for our personnel and students they are necessary for logistical reasons.

Notice to faculty and staff: The Valders parking lot will be converted to a handicapped only lot from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 until 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Alternative parking includes the Library lot, Farwell lot, Regents and the roadway from Valders out to College Drive. The lots adjacent the CFL will also be designated as handicapped only for the performances but will be available for normal usage during the day until 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Notice to students: Student vehicles must be removed from the Library, Jenson and City Pool lots by 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec.1 until after 5 p.m. Sunday Dec. 4. Alternative parking areas for these days include Regents lot, Farwell lot and the Dike Road.

Exception: Commuter students, with the proper permit, may park in the commuter designated area in the Library lot from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday,
Dec. 1-2.

Students may not park in faculty, staff or visitor areas.

Regular parking regulations will go back into effect at 7:30 AM on Monday, Dec. 5.

Any vehicle not in compliance with this directive is subject to a $25 fine under the Luther College Parking Regulations. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Campus programming reminder

Tuesday-Sunday, Dec. 6-11 is considered Finals Prep Week and is intended to provide additional space for students to prepare for tests, papers and finals. These six days are set aside for academic preparation for finals and Luther does not schedule public events during this time. Exceptions include only athletic events, social gatherings, Christmas in the Union and Kwanzaa. 

LIS finalist on campus this week

Scott Silverman, candidate for the position of executive director of LIS, will give a presentation to campus Thursday, Dec. 1, 9:40 a.m., in Olin 102. Until recently Silverman served as library director and coordinator of Information Services at Earlham College.  His resume can be found on Katie in the President's Office "course" under the "Candidate Searches" folder. A video of his Dec. 1 presentation will be posted on the Katie site. Feedback on his candidacy will be due no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5. Written comments can be sent to the President's Office or emailed to search chair David Ranum, <ranumdav>. 

Campus Mail delivery time changes

As you may be aware, the U.S. Postal Service has made operational changes. Luther is currently expecting about an hour delay in receiving the mail, which will mean an hour delay in delivery on campus. Once changes have been implemented a the USPS, we will adjust delivery times and update the community. Please contact Kim Bohr, 387-1013, with questions and concerns

Flexible benefit plan form due Dec. 16

The 2012 flexible benefit plan enrollment forms are in campus mail. Employees must re-enroll each year during the open enrollment period. All employees who work 20 or more hours a week must advise the Office of Human Resources if they want to be enrolled in the Luther College Health Care Reimbursement Plan and/or the Dependent/Child Care Reimbursement Plan for 2012 by Friday, Dec. 16.

Employees may change their health care premium option, add or drop dental insurance during the open enrollment period. Call Marsha, 387-1415 for assistance.

Christmas at Luther dinner

The Catering Department is adding another dinner during Christmas at Luther - there will now be two dinners on Friday, Dec. 2, one dinner prior to each performance. Check the Luther College Box Office for tickets and more information or email <catering>.

Book Shop Advent calendars for sale

The Book Shop is selling Advent calendars with chocolate behind every window. Hurry, priced at $2.79 they will go fast.

LIS Summer Faculty Workshop Brown Bag Sessions

There will be two opportunities for informal conversation with the technology and information literacy workshop participants representing the art, economics, education, music, nursing, social work and theatre/dance departments, and members of LIS.

Bring a lunch and join us in the Mott Room Monday, Dec. 5 from noon-1:30 p.m., or Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. These will be open sessions, so please come and go as your schedule allows. Questions? Contact Andi Beckendorf <beckenan>.

Christmas Cheer sponsors

Collection Day is Tuesday, Dec. 6, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in Marty's. Bring all gifts wrapped and clearly labeled with family number and age and gender of recipient (Ex: Family 77, Boy age 12). After you've dropped off your gifts, please join us for cookies and hot cocoa. Thank you in advance for your generosity this holiday season.

EVENTS

Chapel this week

Wednesday, Nov. 30: David Faldet, Advent series
Thursday, Dec. 1:  Morning prayer, Andrew Whitfield, Peter Lingen, CRH
Friday, Dec. 2:  David Vasquez
Monday, Dec. 5:  Colleen Foote, senior chapel, Brass Quintet

IImpactNOW 'Feast to end drought' at T-Bock's

Show your support and lend a hand in helping end drought permanently in East Africa. Come to T-Bock's and "Feast to end drought." A portion of the proceeds from the evening, along with your donation, will be contributed towards establishing an irrigation based farmers' cooperative in Datu, Ethiopia, which will unite more than 50 farmers. There will be live music, awesome food, presentations on the East Africa food crisis and more. Contact Kiflu Tesfaye with questions, <aregki01> or 379-7029. View the website at:
www.i-impactnow.org.

SAAC faculty/staff appreciation night

Luther College Student-Athlete Advisory Council will host a Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night on Wednesday, Nov. 30 in conjunction with the women's and men's basketball games vs. Wartburg.

The women's game begins at 6 p.m., and the men's game begins at 8 p.m.

Stop by the SAAC Faculty/Staff-Appreciation table in the South Lobby of the Regents Center when you arrive, or any time during the games.

Religion forum Dec. 1

Luther will hold a religion forum Thursday, Dec. 1. Elizabeth A. Golovatski will present "Between science and faith" at 4 p.m. in Olin 102. The event is open to the public with no charge for admission.

Gilbertson book signing Dec. 3

"From a Distance, Dancing," Carol Gilbertson's chapbook of poems, has just been published by Kentucky's Finishing Line Press, where it was a finalist in their annual chapbook contest. One reviewer calls the poems “smart, witty, honest and passionately intelligent.” Another reviewer writes that one of the poems is “the most perfect description of rural life I have ever read."

Carol will sign books in two places on Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Luther bookstore and 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at Dragonfly Books in downtown Decorah. The book will be available for purchase at both venues, but those who have pre-ordered a copy are welcome to come and have their book signed.  

Bunge book signing Dec. 3

Luther Book Shop will host a book signing session with Wilfred F. Bunge Saturday, Dec. 3 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Luther Book Shop. Bunge will visit and sign copies of his recently released book "Transformed By the Journey: 150 Years of Luther College in Word and Image." The book is available for purchase in the Luther Book Shop for $25. The event is open to the public with no charge for admission.

CSS school event: 'A Christmas Carol'

TheaterworksUSA will present "A Christmas Carol" Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the CFL. The performance is directed towards children in grades one through eight. The show is intended for a younger audience but accessible for all. Tickets are $3.50, available at the Box Office.

Retirement Party for Sharon Roher

Sharon Roher, administrative assistant in the Alumni Office, will be retiring after 35 years of service to Luther. Join us in wishing her well Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2:30-
4:30 p.m. in the Loyalty Hall Board Room.

'Christmas in the Union'

Santa will make an early stop in Decorah as Luther celebrates "Christmas in the Union" Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Union. Activities will include cookie decorating, hot chocolate and cider, crafts, a holiday movie and music. Santa will be available to pose for pictures with children by the fireplace in the Union Lobby from 5-6 p.m.

COMMUNITY

Position opening

Research analyst: in the Office of Assessment and Institutional Research. For more information see the HR website:  https://www2.luther.edu/hr/staffvacancies/.

Thank you

The History Walk was a great success. Thank you to the History Walk participants as well as those who attended. The cast included 49 volunteer actors and tour guides from Luther and the Decorah community. The walk occurred on 15 days between May and October during other special events at the college, and was seen by approximately 1,442 people. Many thanks to director Kristen Underwood, her cast, and Humanities Iowa for their financial support.

Sympathy

After a long battle with ill health, Susan Williams' husband John passed away peacefully early Monday evening. The funeral will be in Springfield, Ohio, at the Littleton and Rue Funeral Home Saturday, Dec. 10. Visitation will be held the day before.

ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS

MISCELLANEOUS

LSEA/CEC fundraiser

"If you can Dream it, you can Achieve it" is just one of the many educational sayings Luther Student Education Association and Council for Exceptional Children are selling for their fundraiser. The low-cost vinyl letter sayings for your office/home/classroom would also make a great gift. Stop by the table outside of the caf Nov. 29-Dec. 2 from 5-7:30 p.m. to pick up order forms. Final orders are due Dec. 5. If you have any questions, contact Callie Bergan, SPO 0209 or <bergca06> or Marissa Delhotal, SPO 0435 or <delhma01>.

Christmas at Luther on MPR

Minnesota Public Radio will broadcast "Christmas at Luther: Journey to the Light" Thursday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m.

Luther will present the 2011 production of its nationally acclaimed "Christmas at Luther" concert Dec. 1-4 in the Center for Faith and Life.

Prof-Am Christmas Cheer Open

There is still time to sign up. First floor Koren is hosting a mini golf tournament with proceeds going towards Christmas Cheer. Teams of four are needed with at least one member being a Luther faculty or staff member. Every Thursday bring your team to putt through an obstacle course. Cost is $1/team, but we welcome larger donations. Sign up on the first floor bulletin board in Koren. Starts Thursday, Dec. 1. See Jim Langholz or Erin Zidlicky for more information. 

UNCLASSIFIED ADS

Wanted: Full-size metal bed frame, only need the metal bottom to hold box spring and mattress off the floor. Contact Emily Neal, 387-2138, <nealem01>.

Wanted: 25-30 used steel t-posts. Contact <davismar>.

For sale: Maple finish china hutch in very good shape. $200 OBO. Contact <lensinpe> or 380-9250.

Wanted: Give old bags new life by donating used plastic shopping bags to Marty's C-store.

Wanted: Looking for someone to design a 3D computer model of a 1930s safety razor prototype. Price negotiable. Call 379-6130.

Free: Small computer desk available. Email <welplu01>. View at: http://i.imgur.com/rQDVS.jpg.

Wanted: Would like house cleaning jobs in the Decorah area. Call 382-3978 or 379-6070.

For rent: Beautiful three-bedroom, two-bath home next to college. Fireplace, all appliances including washer/dryer, two-car garage. Available Dec 1. Call 387-0242.

Wanted: Sewing thread for labeling in the human dissection lab. Any amount, any color, any vintage-we use it all. Send through intracampus mail to Wendy Stevens or leave it at Wendy's office, SHL 190F.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Sustainability tip

Sustainable shopping. These 10 gifts, are a sustainable alternative to the traditional shopping model and will make a positive difference in many people’s lives.

1. Say no to plastic water bottles and say yes to plentiful, free tap water. Food and Water Watch offers Kleen Kanteen’s stainless steel water bottle, decorated with the organization’s “Take Back the Tap” logo, for all of your drinking needs.

2. Who can say no to chocolate? Especially when all of its proceeds go to HELP USA, which provides transitional and permanent housing for homeless individuals nationwide. Your chocolate gift will be more than delicious; it will enrich many people’s lives.

3. Jewish World Watch’s Solar Cooker program has saved thousands of women’s lives in Darfur. The program provides an alternative cooking source so that they do not have to venture from the safety of their homes to collect firewood under threat from the Janjaweed, which has raped and assaulted thousands of women.

4. Many parents innocently give their children a new pet as a holiday gift without realizing that this animal might have come from a puppy mill or an irresponsible breeder. The best place to get either a pure-bred or mutt is from your local animal shelter.

5. Many of us need to loosen our belts after the marathon holiday eating season finishes on Jan. 1. One way to do this is to incorporate more nutritious foods into your diet now and to send healthy gifts rather than gingerbread men or peppermint bark. The Eat Well Guide offers tips on finding local produce to help jump start your healthy eating and to you to share as gifts with friends and family.

6. Share inspiring stories about human rights. Amnesty International’s comprehensive online shop has several fascinating and visually stunning human rights books. You can also find great apparel, calendars, music and jewelry on their site.

7. Need a bookmark for your Amnesty book? Consider purchasing one from NARSAD Artworks, which produces bookmarks, note cards and posters by individuals with mental illness. The proceeds support NARSAD’s mental health research.

8. Sending flowers? Choose flowers from California Organics and a percentage of your purchase will support the Pesticide Action Network of North America, a leader in raising awareness about the harmful effects of pesticides and advocate replacing them with ecologically sound alternatives.

9. Support our troops! By purchasing a shirt from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America organization, you will be helping the lives of millions of veterans nationwide. This group was a key force in the passage of the new GI bill this year and continues to provide leadership in the ongoing fight for better veterans benefits.

10. Shop local. Spend some time in downtown Decorah this holiday season. Not only are you helping the local economy you will help yourself by spending less time in the car and more time walking from great local shop to great local shop. See http://www.decorahareachamber.com/holiday-season.htm for more information on the shop local contest sponsored by the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce.

Wellness tip

Seven ways to sneak in a holiday workout: With the holidays and new year around the corner, Americans have travel on their mind. Many people find that during holiday travel, their workout regimen seems to get thrown out of whack.

Fortunately, with a little proactive planning, you can maintain your fitness level, no matter where you are. The key is to be creative and remember that even short workouts are better than no workouts at all.

Do a "Condensed-but-Intense-Workout"

Customize your own 30-minute workout combining three lower body workouts (squats or lunges) and three upper body exercises (modified push-ups or chair dips).

Warm up with exercises like marching or jogging in place, then do 10-20 repetitions of a lower body exercise and 10-15 repetitions of an upper body exercise. Follow this with a minute of jumping jacks or jogging in place. Repeat this routine two or even three times and then try a variation of abdominal crunches, low back lifts and stretches.

Rehearse Your Routine

Practice makes perfect, so in order to be familiar and comfortable with your routine, do it as often as possible.

Get Active in Airports

If flight delays leave you with extra time at the airport, take advantage of it. Store your luggage in an airport locker and take a hike through the terminal.

Bring Tubes, Bands and More

Don't leave out fitness equipment when you're packing for a trip. Bring fitness videos, comfortable walking shoes, a bathing suit or other gear that you can fit in your bag. Inspirational memos from a trainer or a motivational CD could help you get moving.

Get a Jump Rope

Jumping rope is a great way to get in a few minutes of intense cardio workout and it can be done just about anywhere. If you don't have a jump rope, try climbing flights of stairs instead.

Plan to Relax

Don't overdo it. Staying fit is important, but don't lose sight of the real reason for the holidays spending time with those who are important to you. If you want to do both, involve the whole family in a yoga or tai chi exercise to unwind.

Ease Back Into Your Routine

Depending on how much you worked out during your travel, you may need to gradually ease back into your old routine. Consider using lighter weights or decrease the intensity or the duration of your workouts until you can return to pre-trip conditions.

Available at: http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/7_Ways_to_Sneak_in_a_
Holiday_Workout.htm.

And finally…

Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.

-Albert Camus