Tuesday
Aug. 19, 2008
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Service of Dedication Aug. 28
Luther community is invited to attend this year’s dedication service Thursday, Aug. 28. President Torgerson will deliver his State of the College address and new faculty and staff will be introduced. The event begins at 5 p.m. with hearty hors d’hoeuvers served under the Center for Faith and Life canopy. We hope the earlier start time will allow more people to attend.
COLLEGE OPERATIONS
WorldDoc available for use
WorldDoc is the interactive, confidential internet tool to assist employees in evaluating symptoms; assess health risks; research conditions and treatments in the extensive physician written library; maintain online health files; communicate with medical providers; post messages and questions to the secure health forum; compare prices and find generic alternatives to medications. Available to employees and dependents covered by Luther’s health plan: www.worlddoc.com. Additional directions located at http://hr.luther.edu/internal/benefits.html.
New Luther e-mail system demo/training
Luther is implementing Google Apps for Education under the name Norse Apps. Come to the Olin RTR on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 9-10:30 a.m. to see the system and switch to it during the session. This hands-on training will include mail, chat and the start page. Stay from 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for hands-on training of calendar and docs (documents, spreadsheets, presentations). To reserve a seat in one or more of these sessions, go to http://lis.luther.edu/learn.
Windows Vista demo/training
Come to the Olin RTR Monday, Aug. 25, 11 a.m.-noon to see Windows Vista in action. Windows Vista is the latest version of Microsoft’ operating system, after Windows XP, and is being installed on faculty and staff computers as of June 1, 2008. To gain hands-on experience using Windows Vista, attend the Wednesday, Aug.27 training session in the Olin RTR from 10:45 a.m.-noon. To reserve a seat in either session, go to http://lis.luther.edu/learn.
HR reminder
Regular work hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., resume Monday, Aug. 25.
End of summer hours Aug. 18-Sept. 2
Dahl Centennial Union
Sunday-Saturday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Welcome Center
Sunday-Saturday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Mail Center/SPO
Aug. 18-22: 10 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Aug. 23-24: Closed
Aug. 25-29: 9:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Aug. 30: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Aug. 31: Closed
Sept. 1-2: 9:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Oneota Market
Aug. 18-22: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Aug. 23-24: Closed
Aug. 25-29: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Aug. 30: 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Aug. 31: Closed
Sept. 1-2: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Marty’s
Aug. 18-29: Closed
Aug. 30: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Closed
Book Shop
Aug. 18-22: 8:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Aug. 23-24: Closed
Aug. 25-29: 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Aug. 30: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Aug. 31: noon-4 p.m.
Sept. 1-2: 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Dining Services
All hours subject to change
Aug. 18-29:
Breakfast: 7-8 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dinner: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 30:
Breakfast: 7-8 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (picnic)
Dinner: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 31:
Brunch: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dinner: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Sept. 1-2:
Breakfast: 7-8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Need a new mugshot?
The Public Information office will be set up to take mug shots for the faculty/staff directory Aug. 25-28, 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Faculty and staff new to campus, or with a directory photo older than five years should contact Julie to set up a time to come in, 387-1865 or <shocju01>.
Katie project training sessions
Bring KATIE project, questions or ideas to a workshop Tuesday, Aug. 19. Be it gradebook, a special kind of assignment, forum or other social tool... anything in KATIE you want to do and aren’t quite sure how to go about it. The workshop is 9-11 a.m. in Olin RTR.
Attend hands-on KATIE introduction and training session going over the various applications in and out of the classroom Wednesday, Aug. 27, 9-10:30 a.m. in Olin RTR. Contact Bob Puffer, <puffro01>, with questions.
Free desk calendars
The Mail Center has free desk calendars for the new academic year. Stop by and pick up your calendar.
Faculty Media Rental Requests
Faculty who have films they would like to use in the classroom this fall, should e-mail requests to Kathy Buzza, <buzzka01>, as soon as possible to provide adequate lead time to book the films. To track your media rental requests, go to the LIS Research page at http://lis.luther.edu/research and click on “View Your Interlibrary Loan Account.” Starting this fall, all media rental requests will be tracked through ILLiad.
VHS Films FYI
A reminder to faculty that the library allows Luther patrons to request VHS tapes on interlibrary loan, and lends VHS tapes on interlibrary loan. If you’re planning to use a VHS video from the library’s collection in class this fall, check out the video on a library card or ask the Circulation Desk to place the video on reserve for the class. This will ensure that you’ll have the videos you need when you need them.
Massages begin Aug. 26
Starting Aug. 26, massages will be offered every Tuesday in Health Services for students, staff and faculty. First-come, first-served. Spaces limited to five per day so call 387-1045 right away to get scheduled.
Staff meetings committee
Interested in helping plan staff meetings for the 2008-09 academic year? Come to a meeting Thursday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m. in the Bunche Room in the Union. If you can’t attend but still want to share your ideas, contact Roy Prigge, <priggero> or 387-1189, or Karen Martin-Schramm, <marschka> or 387-1527.
EVENTS
‘Writers in Conversation’
“Writers In Conversation: A Reading by Amy Weldon and Rachel Faldet” will be held Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. in Olin 102. Come hear two writers of creative nonfiction and fiction, both Luther English professors, read from their work in progress and talk about collaboration and the writing life. Free admission.
COMMUNITY
Position opening
Web content coordinator: Full-time position available Sept. 1. Will gather, write, edit, customize, personalize and publish content for Luther website. For more information see the Human Resources website for more Information or contact human resources, 387-1134. http://hr.luther.edu/common_forms/staffvacancies.html
Welcome new staff
Welcome Jon Thompson as nonexempt staff at Luther. Jon began Aug. 18 as Marty’s evening supervisor.
ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS
Kristy Gould, psychology, presented a talk at the symposium “Integrative Biology of Scatter Hoarding: Ecology, Psychology, and Neuroscience” held at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Aug. 8-9. Her talk, “Episodic-like memory in the Clark’s nutcracker?” with co-author Alan Kamil, University of Nebraska, was based on her sabbatical research at University of Nebraska last fall.
MISCELLANEOUS
Fall Kindernature registration underway
Kindernature is a hands-on environmental learning program for pre-school age children. Sessions engage children in learning about the natural world. Activities include games, crafts, and guided exploration hikes.
Sessions are Sept. 9–Oct. 30, Tuesdays or Thursdays, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Cost is $50 for each session. Partial scholarships are available based on financial need. Contact Emily for more information. <nealem01>. Registration forms can be found at: http://environment. luther.edu/discovery/kindernature.htm
Treuer books available
Thursday, Sept. 4, author David Treuer will read from his award-winning novel “The Translation of Dr. Apelles” at 7 p.m. in the CRH. For a free copy of the book, contact David Faldet, <faldetda> or 387-1592.
The book is, in part, about the difficulty of communicating to an urban mainstream community one’s Native American childhood experience of nature. Books paid for by the Jones Endowment. Treuer, an Ojibwe, will also give the opening convocation address.
Staff day t-shirts
Staff who did not get a t-shirt at Staff Appreciation Day should e-mail Greg Lonning <lonningr> with your size.
Luther swim lessons registration open
Luther is holding swim lessons this fall: Session 1-Sept. 8-19 and Session 2-Sept. 22-Oct. 3. All lessons are taught at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. Cost is $75 per session per child. Make checks payable to Luther College. E-mail <swimlessons> to sign up. E-mail is preferred, or call 387-1578.
State child’s name, session(s), and times when e-mailing or calling. Lesson times and instructors cannot be guaranteed.
United Way seeks used books
United Way of Winneshiek County seeks media for their fall book sale. If you have books, CDs, cassette tapes, DVDs or video tapes that you no longer want, please drop them off in the drop box in the Public Information office, Dahl Centennial Union, second floor, or at any of the following locations in Decorah: Decorah Bank and Trust, Bank of the West, Viking State Bank and Trust, Northeast Security Bank, Fareway, Quillins, senior dining center.
Questions? Contact Julie, 387-1865 or <shocju01>.
OFF CAMPUS EVENTS
Poetry group meeting Aug. 25
The Northeast Iowa Poetry Writers’ Group invites anyone interested in writing poetry to join them Monday, Aug. 25, 6:30-8 p.m. at Decorah Public Library’s second floor Mezzanine Gallery.
Gaming drop-in day at library
Decorah Public Library staff members are hosting the first in a series of free drop-in gaming sessions for young adults, ages 10-16, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2-5 p.m., in the lower level Public Meeting Room. Attendees have the opportunity to take turns playing Guitar Hero and sports games on the library’s new Nintendo Wii game console.
Greenwald to speak at fundraiser
The Winneshiek County Democrats will hold their annual fundraiser Aug. 21, 5:30 p.m. at Whalen Cabin in Phelps Park. Special guest will be Becky Greenwald, candidate for the 4th Congressional District.
The family friendly event includes food from Dibbles and Dobbs with music provided by Pine Wilson and Aimee Ringle. Cost is $25 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6-12. Children 5 and under free. Pay at the door. Contact Sue Burks, 382-8247, for more information.
‘See How they Run’ Aug. 22-23
New Minowa Players will present the Young People’s Production “See How They Run” by Phillip King, Aug. 22-23 at 7:30 p.m., and Aug. 24 at 1:30 p.m. in the New Minowa Players Theatre at 906 S. Mill. Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, are available at Chamber of Commerce, Bookends and Beans, and Oneota Co-op beginning Aug. 11. A portion of the expenses will be paid for with a grant from the Winneshiek County Community Foundation.
NIHIR presentation on Postville Aug. 23
Northeast Iowans for Humane Immigration Reform (NIHIR), founded in Decorah and Postville, is preparing a special presentation on issues affecting Postville after the Agriprocessors raid on May 12, and we will be sharing it with Congressman Tom Latham and assembled community members at his upcoming visit on Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. at Decorah City Hall.
Book discussion on ‘Garden Spells’
Decorah Public Library is hosting a book discussion about Sarah Addison Allen’s novel “Garden Spells” Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6:30 p.m. The discussion location will be announced mid-August. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the front desk of the library. The discussion is open to all ages and light refreshments will be served.
Winneshiek County Democrats
The monthly meeting of the Winneshiek County Democrats will be held Thursday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m. at the Oaks Steakhouse. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m.
John Beard, Democratic candidate for the Iowa House, will speak about Iowa clean election or V.O.I.C.E bill.
United Way Book sale
The “Book-it for United Way” book sale will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, 814 Ridge Road.
Alfheim Fantasy book group new title
Copies of Ursula Le Guin’s award-winning title “Gifts” are available for check-out at the front desk of Decorah Public Library. The Alfheim Fantasy book group will meet to discuss “Gifts” Thursday Sept. 11, 7 p.m., at the library. The discussion is open to the public.
The Alfheim Fantasy Book Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m., at Decorah Public Library. All interested readers are invited to attend. For more information, contact Kristin at 382-3717.
Fundraiser for Decorah Lutheran
Pizza Ranch is facilitating a fundraiser for Decorah Lutheran Church. For $10, get a punch card that has three “Buy one pizza get one free”, three “Buy one buffet get one free,” and three “Buy one Chicken Dinner get one free.” Proceeds go to Project Panama. Call Tammy Hove, 387-1269 or Greg Eide, 387-1442.
UNCLASSIFIED ADS
For rent: Two or three-bedroom house with single garage at 403 Montgomery St. Available Sept. 30. $650/month. No smoking. Small pets ok. View online at www.triadpropertygroup.com. Contact Mike or Leslie 382-6527 or <smitmi01>.
Wanted: Firewood, Delivered. Looking for 2-3 chords of firewood to be delivered to my home in Decorah. I’m willing to help load, unload, and split if need be. Contact Chad, 387-2156 between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. or 382-5688 after 5 p.m., or e-mail <landch01>.
For sale: Pella patio door, GE refrigerator, Jenn Air stove, Maytag dishwasher. All in good condition. Call 419-3911 or 419-4969.
For sale: Matching sofa-sleeper, 86 x 36 inches, and Lazy-boy recliner. Both very good condition. Blue. $200. Call (712) 229-5025 or e-mail <olsolu03> for pictures.
For sale: Wood entertainment center. Fair condition. Many shelves/compartments. Will fit large TV, stereo, etc., 49 x 15 x 63 inches. $30 obo. Call (712) 229-5025 or e-mail <olsolu03> for pictures.
For sale: Cannondale mountain bike. Full-suspension, front lock-out and rear suspension, Delta V-1000. Running good, in fact I ride it to work (LC) often, so you could see it then. See a similar bike at http://mombat.org/1992_Cannondale_DeltaV1000.htm. Over $1,000 put into it, will sell for $299. Call (712) 229-5025 or e-mail <olsolu03> for pictures.
For sale: Four whitewall tires-Goodyear Regattas, size 205 70 15. $10 each. Call 387-0242.
Estate sale: Helen Houden, former Luther faculty member, estate sale, at 1102 S. Mechanic St., Decorah, includes antiques, furniture, China, jewelry, art, linens and paintings. Held Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 21-23,
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Wellness tip of the week
We’ve all heard the saying “Laughter is the best medicine,” but now it’s scientifically proven! According to Dr. Lee Berk of the Loma Linda School of Public Health in California, laughter strengthens the immune system and lowers levels of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine. After a bout of laughter, blood pressure drops to a lower, healthier level than when the laughter began. Dr. William Fry of Stanford University found that “twenty seconds of guffawing gives the heart the same workout as three minutes of hard rowing.”
Another year-long study of heart attack victims done at the Oakhurst Health Research Institute in California found that of those who spent half an hour a day watching comedy videos, 10 percent had a second heart attack, whereas 30 percent of those who did not watch had a second attack.
Since laughing is something people can do sitting down, costs no money, and requires no special exercise equipment or skill, it’s the perfect workout for anyone who doesn’t have the time or desire to participate in a regular fitness program.
So here’s a tip for the next time you feel stressed and need a wellness break. It’s called the Smile Time-Out. Take a deep breath, smile, exhale, and say “Aaah” while visualising all your muscles and cells smiling. Then add to that a memory of a time you felt really good and laughed and laughed. Remember, even when you fake a smile or laugh, you get the same physiological benefits as when it’s the real thing, because your mind is smart, but your body is stupid and can’t tell the difference!
-David Granirer, MA, North America’s Psychotherapist/Stand-Up Comic http://www.granirer.com/Articles.htm
Emergency preparedness tip
Check your child’s school website or call the school office to request a copy of the school’s emergency plan. Keep a copy at home and work or other places where you spend a lot of your time and make sure the school’s plan is incorporated into your family’s emergency plan. Learn about the disaster plans at your workplace or other places where you and your family spend time. More at: http://www.dhs.gov/xcitizens/editorial_0711.shtm
And finally…
The calm before the storm: a quiet period immediately before a period of great activity or trouble. For most teachers, the days just before the school year begins are the calm before the storm.
-Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms