Nationally known economist Chris Farrell to speak Nov. 11

Chris Farrell, economics editor for “Marketplace Money,” American Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio personal finance program, will speak to audiences about “The New Frugality” at Saint Mary’s Thursday, Nov. 11.

Farrell has a unique ability to translate major trends in the economy and finance to a broad audience. He draws from his experience as a journalist, a large collection of everyday anecdotes, and a deep appreciation of history to make complex events simple and engaging.

An award-winning journalist, Farrell is a regular contributor to American Public Media’s “Marketplace Morning Report.” He writes for “Bloomberg BusinessWeek” and contributes to “Yahoo News.” Farrell also has a weekly column in the Minneapolis “Star Tribune.” A graduate of Stanford University and the London School of Economics, Farrell lives in St. Paul.

Farrell’s presentation, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in Page Theatre, is free and open to the public. Farrell will discuss highlights of his latest book, “The New Frugality: How to Consume Less, Save More and Live Better,” followed by a question-and-answer period, and a book signing in the lobby of the Performance Center.

Books will be available for purchase in the SMU Barnes & Noble Book Store and at the book signing.

The event is sponsored by the SMU Business Office.

Concert Band debuts sixth Kaplan Commissioning Project

Jamie Jones is an oboe player with the SMU Concert Band.

Florida composer Paul Richards has been chosen for the sixth Saint Mary’s University Concert Band Kaplan Commissioning Project.

The SMU Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will perform Richards’ world-premiere composition, “If You Could Only See the Frog” during its fall concert 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at Page Theatre.

This concert marks the sixth world premiere composition made possible through the generosity of the Helen & Sam Kaplan Foundation. The Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation supports performances and activities led by Jewish artists and scholars that are designed to increase cultural and religious understanding at Saint Mary’s.

Richards’ “If You Could Only See The Frog” is based on a Bulgarian children’s song sung by exiled Jews in the Spanish-Jewish dialect of Ladino. Its playful tune stems from a wide range of cultural influences and is a percussion driven exploration of this infectious melody.

The composer will be in residency at SMU starting Nov. 10 and will conduct the premiere. Dr. Richards teaches at the University of Florida (Gainsville), and has received numerous commissions and awards including the ASCAP Rudolf Nissim Prize, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s “Fresh Ink” prize and many others. For more information, go to www.paulrichardsmusic.com.

Under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, the SMU Concert Band will also perform works by Grainger, Arnold, Shostakovich and Grundman. The Wind Ensemble will perform two pieces, including arrangements of the familiar “Funeral March of a Marionette” by Charles Gounod and Scott Joplin’s “The Easy Winners.”

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

For more information, contact Dr. Heukeshoven at jheukesh@smumn.edu or Ext. 1675.

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts receives grant

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) was selected to receive grant funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

MCA was awarded the funding through the State Arts Board’s Community Arts Schools and Conservatories grant division, which funds organizations that provide open access and arts learning opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. The formulary and merit-based funding acknowledges MCA as a leader in Minnesota community arts education.

The Minnesota State Arts Board funding will help support and expand MCA’s dance, music and theatre programming for children and adults. Furthermore, the grant will allow MCA to venture into new community outreach projects, move into the implementation stages of a visual arts division and remain fiscally responsible with balanced budgets.

“Writing the Community Arts Schools and Conservatories grant was an intense and time consuming process, but it was well worth it,” said managing director Christine Martin. “This grant helps solidify the future of MCA.” As a non-profit organization, grant support allows MCA to offer quality arts programming to the Winona and surrounding area communities.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts exists to provide quality arts education and performance by nurturing and encouraging artistic expression in children and adults. MCA’s service to the community ranges from recreational to pre-professional dance and performing arts curriculum and programming designed to provide physical and aesthetic benefits, heightened self-respect, discipline and confidence. MCA is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s.

For more information about the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

MCA hosts free boys, men dance workshops

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) will hold free Dance Technique for Boys classes and Men’s Dance workshops Nov. 9-12.

With instruction by visiting guest artist Allen Fields, the dance classes are a great opportunity for male students to build athletic endurance, balance and coordination. MCA offers nurturing classes with both male and female instructors, allowing male students to feel comfortable while building technique, creativity and confidence.

The classes will run from Tuesday, Nov. 9, through Friday, Nov. 12, at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St., and will focus on developing physical technique used in Classical and contemporary dance disciplines, such as ballet, modern and jazz. The Dance Technique for Boys classes are for male students ages 8-12 and will be held from 5 to 5:45 p.m. The Men’s Dance workshops are for male students ages 13-21 and will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.

Pas de deux workshops

Allen Fields will also instruct Pas de deux workshops from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. Male students ages 13-21 and intermediate and advanced female ballet students on pointe are invited to attend these free workshops as well. Students will learn the basics of classical partnering work.

The tuition waiver for these activities is made possible in part by a grant from the Sewell Family Foundation.

Advance registration for the Dance Technique for Boys classes, Men’s Dance and the Pas de deux workshops is required. Register online at www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org or in person at MCA’s Valencia Arts Center. For more information, call Ext. 5500.

MCA holds sixth biennial Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party Nov. 21

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is hosting its sixth biennial Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party, Sunday, Nov. 21, at Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

This year’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party features two tea sittings at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., providing specialty teas and exquisite finger foods. The Land of the Sweets Gift Boutique, featuring holiday gifts and crafts, as well as products from At Home America, Forever Engraved, Mon Petit Cupcake and USBorne Books, will be available for purchase from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 per person. All children attending the tea party will receive a complimentary professional photo with their favorite live character from the Nutcracker Ballet. Tea attendees will enjoy the sounds of MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers, as well as flute, clarinet and piano accompaniment by MCA’s music division instructors.

To reserve seats, or a full table of six, call (507) 453-5500. The Valéncia Arts Center is handicapped accessible.

The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea party is MCA’s first big event of its Nutcracker production season. The company will present the full-length ballet Dec. 2-5, at Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre. This year’s 80 cast members include students from Saint Mary’s, Winona State University and children and community members from Winona and the surrounding areas.

For tickets to the production, call the box office at Ext. 1715 or visit www.pagetheatre.org.

Proceeds from The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party will benefit the MCA student scholarship fund and Nutcracker production costs.

Faculty and staff can get free ticket to Blue Angel Nov. 5-6

The Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha cordially invite members of the faculty and staff to Blue Angel 2010. This year’s performances are tonight, Friday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. and tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7 and 10 p.m. You may receive a complimentary ticket to the show of your choice by contacting Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658, rfisher@smumn.edu or Campus Box 21.

New version of Greek myth ‘Eurydice’ offered Nov. 11-14

The Saint Mary’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present a fresh reflection on the timeless Greek love story “Eurydice” Nov. 11-14.

“Eurydice” — by the recently Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award nominated playwright Sarah Ruhl — is a modern reinterpretation of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus from a woman's point of view. The original story focuses on Orpheus and his journey into the underworld to save his wife, Eurydice, who he lost just moments after their wedding. Ruhl instead focuses on Eurydice’s descent into the underworld and imagines what her journey might have entailed. “I am interested in any woman who dies twice,” Ruhl has commented.

Director Steven Bouler describes “Eurydice” as a 90-minute play of rare beauty about memory and loss, faithfulness and undying love. “It promises to be a disconcerting drama that will bring a tear to the eye, a lump to the throat and a smile to the face,” he said.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 11-13, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 12-13 and 4 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in the Studio Theatre, located upstairs in the SMU Performance Center.

Although the performance is free, tickets are required as seating is limited. Tickets can be obtained through the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715. A donation of a canned item for a local food shelf is encouraged.

Veterans Day observance planned for Nov. 11

On Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day — an annual holiday observed in honor of those who have served the U.S. armed forces — a small ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial beginning at 11 a.m. Names will be read from the honor roll plaque of those individuals from the Saint Mary’s community who lost their lives in military service to our country. A prayer remembrance will be held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community.

Lawing presents at national art conference

Preston Lawing, chair of the Art and Design Department, presented a three-hour demonstration on traditional Japanese Woodblock printing at the Mid-America Print Council National Conference Oct. 15 in Minneapolis.

His research paper, titled, “Moku Hanga in the Digital Age,” was accepted for presentation in Kyoto, Japan in June 2011.

The first International Moku Hanga Conference had over 400 paper and presentation entries. Only seven were selected for inclusion.

Biology seminar to feature Dr. Cochran

Dr. Philip Cochran, chair of the Biology Department, will present “Back to the Fifties: Historical Use of Tadpole Madtoms as Bait in the Winona Region,” Thursday, Nov. 11. His presentation will begin at 4 p.m. in Room 112 of Hoffman Hall.

Thank you to SGPP, ‘Let’s do Lunch’ contributors

The 3 Blind Mice of Communication and Marketing.

Alice In Wonderland -- Campus Ministry, the Wellness Center and Student Activities

The Business Office Drill Team

The winning team- M.Ed.'s "Farm"

Thank you to the School of Graduate and Professional Programs for sponsoring October’s “Lets do Lunch,” and to everyone who contributed. The luncheon raised $290.03 for students at CTIE in Nairobi. A big congratulations to “Old McDonald” Dr. Roger Peckover and other M.Ed. faculty and staff for winning first place in the costume contest.

Employee Campaign update

Since being launched on Oct. 14, the 2010-2011 Employee Campaign has raised $35,539.94 in gifts and pledges for the current fiscal year, with support from 135 university employees. A priority of the campaign is to increase the participation of giving by university employees. Our goal this year is to exceed 50 percent, currently the university has achieved 30.4 percent.

The campaign runs through Friday, Nov. 12. You may have already been contacted, or can expect to be contacted soon, by one of this year’s campaign volunteers: Bob Biebel, Phil Cochran, Paul Fox, Laurie Haase, Neil Leibundguth, Megan Radke, Joe Sweeney, Lance Thompson, Rachel Thomas, Brendan Dolan and Nancy Wiltgen.

Thank you to all those who support our Lasallian Catholic institution. You are making a difference for our students!

Kowles publishes book about wonder of genetics

Dr. Richard Kowles makes the complexities of genetics both humorous and understandable in his new book, “The Wonder of Genetics: the Creepy, the Curious and the Commonplace.”

Dr. Kowles, a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus in Biology at Saint Mary’s University, drew upon his lifelong career in teaching (38 years at Saint Mary’s and 14 at the high school level) to answer such questions as, “Why do some people look like their relatives, while others don’t?” and “Why are some of us male and others female?”

“I wrote the book as a challenge because most people (and publishers) refuse to believe that genetic concepts can be explained to the average public; hence, I took on the challenge,” he said. “Consequently, it is a trade book geared to the general public and also to non-biology majors in college. Prometheus (the name of the publisher), in Greek mythology, means ‘inventive’ and ‘daring.’ How fitting for such a book.”

Kowles, known internationally for his research in genetics, explains that genetic concepts tend to be almost everywhere. The book deals with topics like: the genetic differences between males and females, the potential effects of radiation on the human genome, eating irradiated or genetically modified foods, cloning, genetic therapy, stem-cell research, nature vs. nurture, and how genes are related to many diseases, psychological disturbances and possibly other behaviors. Dr. Kowles concludes by addressing common misconceptions about genetics and emphasizing the discipline’s potential for curing some diseases, extending the human lifespan, enhancing medicine and agriculture, and generally improving society.”

And he accomplishes all of this with some tongue-in-cheek humor.

"Good teaching is to transplant what is in your head into the head of others with understanding — whether they are college students or the general public. And humor never hurts,” Dr. Kowles said. “Some ‘zingers’ are indeed embedded in the book.”

“The Wonder of Genetics” — Dr. Kowles’ fourth book— was published on Oct. 29. It is available by contacting Prometheus Books, 800-421-0351; on Amazon.com; at Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstores; and at other local bookstores and online retailers.

Study hall for students now available

A study hall is now available for students from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Room 13 of the Hendrickson Center. For more information, contact Jill Weigel, director of Academic Advising, at jaweigel@smumn.edu.

A Confluence of Voices III planned for Nov. 12

“A Confluence of Voices III,” — an evening of poetry hosted by Ken McCullough, Winona’s Poet Laureate, and Jim Armstrong, Winona’s former Poet Laureate — will be held Friday, Nov. 12.

Student poets from Saint Mary’s and Winona State University will read their original work, followed by an open mic. This event — which will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mugby Junction, 451 Huff St. — is free and open to the public.

McCullough selected as representative for Misato exchange

Ken McCullough (Academic Advising, PASS program) has been selected as a chaperone and community representative for this year's exchange with Misato, Japan. The Japanese delegation was here last week and the Winona delegation will travel to Japan next April.