Looking for an Escape? Try the Travel Center

The wall at the Experience Travel! Center in the Student Union is covered with "thank you" postcards from faculty, staff and students for trips arranged all over the world. Currently, the Center is busy planning winter trips for the SSU community.

Most requests are for Hawaii or Mexico getaways, Europe and rail planning, and special -interest tours. "It seems everyone is already craving an escape to clear turquoise waters and no paperwork," says Laurie Lubeck, the center's director. "Or to gaze at olive groves passing a train window…and ignore all the paperwork carried along."

Lubeck, an SSU alumna, tourism educator, and spouse of Dan Ramirez of Facilities Services, set up the on-campus travel center in January 2001. Knowing that "not only students want low-budget travel," she offers faculty airfares and consolidator discounts for staff on international air travel. She promises "a much better experience than pushing a button on the Internet."

Lubeck says, "There is a wealth of travel knowledge amongst SSU staff, and the conversations get pretty lively in here when we plan or reminisce about trips." The sign on the window of the travel center expresses its philosophy: "Travel leads to mutual human understanding and appreciation." It reflects Lubeck's credo. She earned a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies in eco-tourism from Chico State University and also authored books on the subject while living in Asia. Tour companies with high environmental and social standards are promoted at the center, whenever possible. These range from African wildlife safaris to cooking classes in Tuscany.

What makes the Experience Travel! Center different from regular travel agencies or the Internet? For starters, there are almost never service fees, and if the Internet appears to be a better idea, Lubeck will recommend it.

Some of the thoughts for trips this winter include: Spain and Portugal, a Puerto Vallarta villa rental, a Hanalei, Kauai beach condo, a Taste of Asia food trip, a Costa Rica eco-lodge, journeys to Australia Kakadu rock art and crocodiles, and Rail Europe "Saverpasses."

The Experience Travel! Center is in the Student Union lobby near the new U.S. Bank. E-mail travel questions to Lubeck at experience.travel@sonoma.edu or call 4-3400. Walk-in hours are Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. During all other hours, call 792-0961.

Staff Development Fund Web Page Now Online

The Staff Development Fund Committee has created a Web page at www.sonoma.edu/projects/sd/ to assist staff in requesting funding to attend professional seminars and training for career enhancement. This program has been created through the generous donations of University employees. To donate to the Staff Development Fund, either through private or payroll deduction, see Connie Lewsadder in Stevenson 2078 or call at 4-2112. Besides Lewsadder, committee members include Jaime Russell, Vicki Irey and Thomas Sargent.

Low Cost Health Exams Start Oct. 6

Low cost physical examinations and health appraisals for well adults and children are available through the Nursing Department's Family Nurse Practitioner program at Sonoma State University. The FNP Health Maintenance Center offers these exams on Wednesdays, Oct. 6 - Dec. 8. 

The exams are supervised by nursing faculty and performed by family nurse practitioner students who are registered nurses enrolled in the Master's nursing program. Appointments are available only to Sonoma County residents.

Services include a complete medical and health history, identification of health risk factors, complete physical examinations, and screening tests such as blood pressure checks, vision testing, audiology testing, urinalysis, hematocrit (for anemia), cholesterol testing, and Pap smears for cervical cancer. 

These services can be used for annual exams, sports physicals, pre-employment physicals, camp physicals and Class II DMV licensing physicals. The cost of a physical examination is $30, Pap test $35, cholesterol check $25, hearing tests are free and a DMV physical examination is $60. Copies of records are given to clients upon request as well as mailed to private physicians or agencies.

Appointments may be made by calling 4-2466, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

German Club Offers Film Series

The Fall 2004 German Film Series, sponsored by the German Club *Gemütlichkeit:* is set for every other Thursday at 7 p.m. in 3030 Stevenson. All movies are shown in German with English subtitles. The upcoming films include:

Sept. 23: "Lola rennt" ("Run Lola Run;" dir. Frank Griebe, 1999)
Oct. 7: "Der bewegte Mann" ("Maybe . . . Maybe Not;" dir. Sönke Wortmann,1996)
Oct. 21: "Jenseits der Stille" ("Beyond Silence;" dir. Caroline Link,1996)
Nov. 4: "Aimée & Jaguar," (dir. Max Färberböck, 1999)
Nov. 18: "Das schreckliche Mädchen" ("The Nasty Girl;" dir. Michael Verhoeven, 1991)
Dec 2: "Good-bye Lenin" (dir. Wolfgang Becker, 2004)

Admission is free. German *Kaffeestunde* meets every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. in Charlie Brown's Cafe. This informal get-together is open to anyone interested in speaking German. For further information, contact Michaela Grobbel, 4-2637.

NewsBytes Welcomes Professional Announcements

NewsBytes regularly publishes news of faculty and staff achievements, awards and activities. These can be found by clicking on the yellow box called "Professional Announcements" in the right-hand column of the online edition when enough items are submitted to allow for publication. Look for a new listing next week. For those who might have missed previous listings, visit the NewsBytes Archives page.

LETTERS

Kind words and support appreciated

I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to all of you who sent your thoughts, prayers and get-well wishes.  It truly is a blessing to have so much support from friends during this hard and emotional time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your kind words and support.

Perce Smith. American Multicultural Studies

What's the Buzz? Do you have questions about an issue on campus? Send them to University Affairs. We will research the topic and respond.

Q&A WITH DR. ARMIÑANA - Noon, Monday, Sept. 20, Terrace Room, Commons. Faculty, staff and students are invited to join President Ruben Armiñana for an informal question and answer hour. Bring your lunch. Cookies provided. No RSVPs needed. Susan Kashack, Director of Communications, 4-2122.

SEAWOLF SHOPS OPENS - 7:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 22. The campus bookstore officially re-opens as the Seawolf Shops in honor of the SSU mascot. The Fox, KXFX, broadcast live from noon to 1 p.m. in front of Seawolf Shops. Sales and prize drawings are planned. Marcia Harrigan, 4-2259 or visit bookstore.sonoma.edu/events/events.html

POLITICS OF PROTEST - Noon, Wednesday, Sept. 22, Schulz 3001. Panel dicussion about protesting and free speech moderated by Les Adler, Dean of Extended Education, and panel guests Nan Alamilla-Boyd, Women's & Gender Studies, and Peter Phillips, Sociology/Project Censored. It Matters! Lecture Series. 4-4240.

ARTS AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH AND CREATIVE WORKS FORUM - Noon, Thursday, Sept. 23, Schulz 1121, Wendy Ostroff, Hutchins School of Liberal Studies, presents her lecture, "Raising Metacognitive Awareness Increases Student Responsibility for the Seminar Learning Process." 4-4177.

GLEN BROWDER - 2 p.m, Thursday, Sept. 23, Schulz 3001. Scholar and former United States Congressman, gives the keynote address as part of the It Matters! " lecture series. His discussion asks "Does American democracy still work?" For more information and photos, visit http://library.sonoma.edu/itmatters/
browder.html

Applause Awards Alan Snyder Facilities Services People seem to enjoy the 20 or so banners that hang at the main entrance year-round. They say it adds to the collegiate atmosphere on campus. Well, it is no easy task to put up and take down the five different banners each year. That job is done primarily by Alan Snyder. The job takes considerable time and Alan is out there, rain or shine, (translation: he's mostly roasting in the sun or dripping in the rain) making sure that the banner rotation takes place. Not only does he do a quality job, but he has an extremely positive and can-do attitude. Thanks very much, Alan, for contributing to the Sonoma experience for our students. Susan Kashack Director of Communications University Affairs Office Russ Greenspan, Information Technology A group of over-worked, over-looked staffers on campus has once again come through in a time of need. I'd like to bring attention to the Network group of Information Technology and a member of that group, Russ Greenspan. Russ jumped on a crucial data move that the Library requested and he did this quickly and efficiently, allowing access to a needed area. The Network group is seen all over campus working through problems, installations and moves without impeding the flow of university business. They work in an environment that is constantly changing but still preserve that 'can do' spirit. They truly deserve recognition and thanks for handling a huge workload with a great attitude. Kent Hayden University Library User Technology Services Nominate a deserving employee for an Applause Award.