Presentation about U.S. religious landscape is Oct. 23

Saint Mary’s will host a public presentation titled, “The U.S. Religious Landscape: Continuities and Some Change” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23.

Guest speaker Clifford Grammich, Ph.D., the chairman of the 2010 Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies, will discuss the fact that recent religious data shows many remarkable patterns of stability over the past century, including the Catholic Church as still the largest religious body in the U.S.

The event will be held in the Common Room and is sponsored by the SMU Departments of History, Political Science and Theology.

For more information, contact Dr. Richard Tristano at rtristan@smumn.edu.

Speaker to discuss superstition, fear on Shakespeare’s stage

Guest speaker Verena Theile, North Dakota State University, will present, “Something Wicked This Way Comes: fear and superstitions on Shakespeare’s stage” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, in the President’s Room.

The event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society. For more information, contact Dr. Carolyn Ayers at cayers@smumn.edu. Refreshments will be provided.

Students to celebrate National Chemistry Week

Many area high school juniors and seniors will perform hands-on chemistry projects during upcoming Chemistry Nights at Saint Mary’s, which will run 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.

Chemistry Night, sponsored by the SMU Department of Chemistry and the La Crosse-Winona local section of the American Chemical Society, is an annual event designed to help students explore the discipline of chemistry and appreciate the positive role that chemistry plays in our everyday world.

Each year students solve challenging but fun chemical problems, based on the National Chemistry Week (Oct. 21-27) theme. This year the theme is “Nanotechnology: The Smallest Big Idea in Science,” and the experiments will involve liquid crystals, gold nanoparticles and magnetic fluids.

Students will work in small teams, using wet chemistry and working with chemical instrumentation in the SMU Department of Chemistry, under the guidance of SMU chemistry and biochemistry majors.

Prizes will be awarded to the teams that have the greatest success in solving the chemical problems. Prizes will include SMU scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000.

Eight area schools and approximately 50 students are participating this year.

For more information, contact Dr. Brett Bodsgard at Ext. 6972.

Get set to scream at annual Walk of Horror

This year’s Walk of Horror is again guaranteed to give you goosebumps. New scares are planned around every corner.

The 16th annual hair-raising fundraiser for the Cardinal fastpitch softball team will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26-27 and 30-31 in the SMU bluffs. Walkers are asked to meet on the lighted path between the SMU baseball and softball fields, where the haunted walk will begin.

Groups are then escorted through the dark bluffs surrounding the campus for approximately 20 minutes.

The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for students with ID, and $4 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the gate.

Head fastpitch softball coach Jen Miller said the event is fun for all ages. The scare level is toned down for younger children and turned up for groups bold enough to face their fears. Last year more than 1,100 brave souls took SMU’s Walk of Horror.

Proceeds from this event will be used for the softball team’s travel expenses.

For more information, contact Miller at Ext. 6923.

Halloween Fun Night Oct. 29; donations requested

Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the 12th annual Saint Mary’s Halloween Fun Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29.

Donations of individually wrapped candy by the bag and/or financial donations are appreciated and can be dropped off at the Office of Residence Life. It takes a lot of candy to make this event successful and keep 750 trick-or-treaters happy. Financial contributions can be sent to Box. 9.

Young trick-or-treaters will start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, located in the Toner Student Center, where tattoos and stickers, a coloring station, and other fun games will be offered, and the Cardinal mascot will greet pint-sized ghosts and goblins.

From there, SMU students will lead groups of trick-or-treaters through the residence halls of the university, where they can go door to door for candy.

Last year more than 750 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life of Saint Mary’s.

Page Series welcomes Winona native Simone Perrin

Winona native Simone Perrin, joined by Dan Chouinard will present some sweet songs and dandy accordion playing at 7:30 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 19, at Page Theatre.

Simone Perrin is a Minneapolis-based theater artist, accordionista and chanteuse. She’s also an artist and composer. She has appeared on “A Prairie Home Companion” and premiered two shows at the 2006 Minnesota Fringe Festival, her one–woman show, “Tall Tale of a Broken Heart,” and “In Hopes of Claudia” with Kevin Kling.

The audience is invited to dress up in ball gowns, suits and tuxedos for this event; gift cards will be given away for “best-dressed” attendees.

Tickets for this Page Series performance are $20 for adults for $15 for seniors and students. Tickets for these events 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.

Special Halloween ‘Boo-fet’ and costume contest is Oct. 31

Start planning your spooktacular Halloween costume now; get your office or department together and vie for the highly coveted traveling Halloween contest trophy. The last costume contest winners, Dr. Roger Peckover and the M.Ed. faculty and staff, aren't going to give it up easily!

The SMU Volunteer Committee’s first “Let's Do Lunch” potluck/fundraiser will raise money for our students in Jamaica.

Staff from the Toner Student Center are sponsoring the lunch from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the Common Room. All faculty and staff are welcome! In our continuing efforts to “go green;” attendees are asked to please bring their own cups for water.

Judging will be held at 12:15 p.m. promptly.

It’ll be a frightfully good time; ghoul be glad you came!

Lawing displays new work at galleries through Nov. 4

Preston Lawing, SMU Art and Design faculty member, is displaying new work during the current Saint Mary’s art exhibit.

In “Cabinets of Curiosities,” Lawing is showing sculptures, prints, drawings and an installation/recreation of a “hoarder’s” apartment.

The show will run through Nov. 4 at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center. The galleries will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and all exhibits are free and open to the public.

Benefit 5K run/walk to assist Sabrina Larson Bushlack

“Strong is the New Beautiful,” a benefit 5K run/walk for SMU senior volleyball player Sabrina Larson Bushlack, is planned for 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. The race will start at the Toner Student Center and run through the bluffs.

Bushlack was critically injured in a car accident July 16 and appreciates prayers and financial support as she recovers from a severe brain injury.

A minimum $10 donation will include a T-shirt, and all donations are welcome. Mail donations to Jenna Ness at Campus Box 62; make checks payable to Saint Mary’s. Registration will be accepted on race day.

Packets can be picked up Friday, Oct. 19, from 7 to 8 p.m. or 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in the gym.

Blue Angel auditions are Oct. 19-21

The SMU annual music variety show Blue Angel is planned for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2-3.

Auditions for the show will be during the weekend of Oct. 19-21, and are open to the entire SMU community (students, faculty and staff).  Look for a sign-up sheet near Phi Mu Alpha room in the basement of the Toner Student Center.
 
For more information, contact John Fitzpatrick at jrfitz09@smumn.edu or Ca

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party is Nov. 18

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at 10th and Vila streets. Shop the Land of the Sweets Boutique for seasonal and unique gifts and cards. All children attending receive a photo with their favorite character from “The Nutcracker.”

To reserve seats or a full table for six, call 453-5500 or e-mail mca@smumn.edu. Proceeds from this event go to the MCA student scholarship fund and offset production costs for the “Nutcracker” performance.

Manuscript by McCallum, Price, Schmid to be published

Dr. Shelly McCallum and Larry Price, along with Melissa Schmid (M.A. ’09) are celebrating the acceptance of their manuscript for publication in Emerald Publishing’s, peer reviewed, Social Responsibility Journal. Their work, titled “CSR: A case for Employee Skill-based Volunteering” examines the role and business-case expectations of corporate social responsibility initiatives while examining one specific method of engagement, employee skills-based volunteering.

Three case examples were considered in order to investigate the application of employee skills-based volunteering and its potential to generate economic value. Dr. McCallum and Price are faculty members in the Business Department and Schmid serves as the Business, Events and Volunteer coordinator with the Rochester Downtown Alliance.

Jazz notes

Swing Inc. performs from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays at Signatures in Winona.

The John Paulson Jazz Trio will perform 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at Michael’s Restaurant in Rochester.

Flu shot clinic is Oct. 22

In coordination with HealthPartners and Homeland Health Specialists, Saint Mary’s will offer a flu shot clinic Oct. 22. Bring your insurance card. The clinic will run 8 a.m. to noon in the faculty and staff lounge, Room 115 of Saint Mary’s Hall.

Cineclub announces fall films

The Spanish Department is pleased to announce the first round of dates for the Cineclub for Fall 2012. One of the main objectives of Cineclub is to provide an opportunity for the Saint Mary’s and Winona communities to enjoy some films from Spain and Latin America that may not typically be shown in local theaters.

In addition to viewing the films, participants will be invited to exchange ideas related to film and other forms of cultural expression of this kind. Also, the films included may serve as an additional opportunity or resource for students of the Hispanic language, literature, and culture.

All showings will all be held on Fridays at 3 p.m. in the World Room of the Hendrickson Center.

The first film, to be shown today, Oct. 19, is “El Aura (The Aura).” This 2005 film, from Argentina, was directed by Fabián Bielinsky. A deluded taxidermist plans the perfect crime in this crime/drama. It stars Ricarado Darín and has English subtitles.

Student creates video about move-in weekend

A fun new video, created by resident assistant Riley Sinn, showcases this year’s “Move-In Weekend” and its success. It also highlights information for families coming to campus next year about the move-in process at Saint Mary’s.

Check out the video on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn2kbDk8rIU&feature=plcp.

Lasallian artwork installed in Benilde Hall

Prints of Saint John Baptist De La Salle and Christian Brother Saint Benilde were framed and hung in the lounge of Benilde Hall, along with some biographical information about each person and their significance to Saint Mary’s.

Brother Lawrence Humphrey also came to Benilde and gave a talk to some of the residents about Benilde, De La Salle, and the tradition of the Brothers.

Oct. 27 is Lasallian Day of Service, Make a Difference Day

La Sallian Day of Service, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27, is a day that allows SMU alumni to come together in the spirit of the Lasallian mission of service to others.

This year volunteer opportunities have been arranged in Chicago; the Twin Cities; Winona; Kansas City, Missouri; and in Denver, Colo.

Alumni are encouraged to organize their own service projects with fellow Saint Mary’s classmates and friends who reside in geographic areas outside these five locations.

In Winona, volunteers will work with Habitat for Humanity from 9 a.m. to noon doing construction and painting.

For more information, go to http://mysmumn.org/ldos2012.

This coincides with national Make a Difference Day. Saint Mary’s Volunteer Mentors is organizing students to work in the community between 9 a.m. and noon.

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. For the fifth year, SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

For more information, call Chris McClead at Ext. 7268 or e-mail cmcclead@smumn.edu.

Conservatory’s Fall Music Division Concert is Nov. 16

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will conduct its Fall Music Division Concert 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at Figliulo Recital Hall. The concert will showcase the Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS), two new jazz combos, and a variety of private lesson students.

For more information visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “Like” the Conservatory on Facebook, or call 453-5500. Admission is free-will donation, and all proceeds support the music division.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is a nonprofit arts organization that offers programming in dance, music, visual art and theatre year-round. Classes, lessons, workshops and camps are offered for children age 3 and older through adults at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

Last chance to register for MCA's visual arts workshops

In “Art in Motion: Drawing a Powerful Still Life,” students at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will explore the art of drawing a still life using versatile charcoal techniques to create a powerful drawing, using props from the MCA “Nutcracker” ballet.  These drawings will be exhibited during the “Nutcracker” performance in the Ben Miller Lobby in December.  This class — scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 — is open to artists of all experience levels wishing to refresh or improve their drawing skills. The cost is $30 and participants must be age 16 or older.

With some paper, some thread, and a needle you can make books that are more creative and special than anything you can buy through MCA’s “Book Arts Workshop, Blank Books.” Participants will take hand-made books home and fill them with stories, drawings and beyond! The class is 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, for students in grades 5 through 8 for $20; or from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, for grades two through four for $15.

For more information, go to www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org.

Biology seminar is Oct. 25

Peter Jones, a 2004 SMU biology graduate, will present at next week's biology seminar on Oct. 25. The title of his talk is "The Survival and Demography of the Eastern Massauaga." All are invited to the seminar which will be held in Hoffman Hall, Room 112, at 4 p.m.