An outdoor free music festival featuring live bands and political candidates from 2 - 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Sonoma State University hopes to jump start efforts to engage students in the upcoming November election.
A Voter Awareness Extravaganza on the Evert B. Person Theatre lawn at the Rohnert Park campus will be the staging area for performances by Shotgun Wedding Quintet and Derivative. Students will have opportunities to talk with candidates for the State Assembly and State Senate from the Sixth and Seventh districts.
A highlight of the event is the opportunity to dunk the look-alike of presidential candidates President George W. Bush or Senator John Kerry. With a mock election, food booths and interactive activities, this outdoor festival hopes to be a blend of fun and awareness centering on the importance of voting, say organizers.
Sponsors of the event include Join Us in Making Progress, Associated Students, Associated Student Productions, Sonoma Student Union, Residential Life, and the Scene.
For more information, call the JUMP office, (707) 664-2382.
"Behind the Veil: French Desire and the Middle East" is the subject of a slide lecture to be given by Dr. Sahar Amer, Associate Professor of Asian and International Studies, at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, in the Commons on the Sonoma State University campus.
Dr. Amer is Associate Professor of Asian and International Studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
The French, and Western cultures in general, have long been fascinated by the Orient, the Arab-Muslim world, and, in particular, the image of the veiled woman. Using literature, paintings, photos and film, Dr. Amer frames Western countries' contemporary concerns about women wearing the veil within the politics of colonization and the erotic desire to lift the veil from both the culture of the Orient and Arab-Muslim women.
At a time when our own country's engagement with Islamic culture has come to the forefront of international politics, Dr. Amer's presentation will also offer the public the opportunity to reflect upon America's relationship with these images and to question the motives behind the desire to "lift the veil" off that which is unknown or different.
In addition to her recent articles on the Veil controversy in France, Dr. Amer is a scholar of medieval literature, having written extensively on the influence of Arab texts upon French authors of the Middle Ages.
The event is sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, the Women's Resource Center, the Dean of Social Sciences, the Dean of Arts & Humanities, the Intercultural Center, Hutchins School of Liberal Studies, and Project Censored.
The lecture, in English, is free and open to the public. A day-use parking permit on campus is $2.50.
For further information, contact Suzanne Toczyski, Modern Languages and Literatures, (707) 664.2351.
Beginning its fourth year at SSU, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute has added an evening course especially designed to introduce working people to its program.
"Perspectives on the Future", a lecture series featuring a variety of experienced instructors who have taught in Osher LLI, takes a serious look at what the future has in store. Each Wednesday evening in the Cooperage from 6:30-8:15 p.m. from Sept. 8 to Oct. 27, a different Osher LLI faculty member will explore the future from his or her specialty.
Bernie Goldstein will kick off the series with a talk about "The Future of Human Sexuality." Nelson Kellogg will follow the next week describing three technological scenarios he sees as possible futures. Other long-time SSU faculty members who will be participating are Dan Markwyn looking at the future of California and Lou Miller discussing the prospects for democracy in America.
Two SSU Instructors--Zohra Kalinkowitz who will be looking at the future of spirituality and consciousness and Ann Neel who will talk about how she sees family and community evolving--will also be participating. The eight weeks will be rounded out by two Osher LLI instructors who teach at JFK University: Bill Garrrett theorizing about the social and economic consequences of the rising belief in reincarnation and Barry Martin looking into the issues surrounding planetary sustainability.
Admission to the eight-week "Perspectives on the Future" lecture series is $80. For information or to register, please call Johnna LaRue at (707) 664-4170. All eleven courses that Osher LLI will be offering this fall can be found at http://www.sonoma.edu/exed/lifelong/
An informational meeting on a federally-approved homeland security training program at Sonoma State University will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2 in Room 1121 of the Jean and Charles Schulz Information Center on the Rohnert Park campus.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has added SSU's Leadership in Emergency and Disaster Management Program to its national college and university program list. This fall 2004, LEAD offers an array of courses for university credit leading to a recognized professional certificate in emergency management.
The program is focused on leadership and risk analysis related to natural and man-made disasters and will help community leaders reduce risk in their organizations and help to create more sustainable communities, says project director Craig Zachlod.
Increasing concerns about natural disasters and terrorism are demanding the increased attention of first responders, businesses and school communities, says Zachlod. "There is an increasing global demand for trained leaders to help prepare and protect our communities from hazards."
The Leadership in Emergency and Disaster Management program is designed to prepare community leaders, public servants, business representatives, school communities and related public services organizations, as well as first responders to better understand and meet the challenges of a rapidly changing domestic and international environment.
The coursework provides a comprehensive overview of the root causes, economic consequences and social challenges of natural and man-made disasters. Business continuity strategies during such emergencies are also a focus of the training.
For more information, contact Craig Zachlod, (415) 884-0834. For complete information about the LEAD program, visit the SSU Extended Education website for course listings and registration at http://www.sonoma.edu/exed.
Two planetary scientists from Caltech's Jet Propulsion Lab head an impressive list of speakers who will present free public lectures in Sonoma State University's "What Physicists Do" series this fall.
Lectures will be on Mondays at 4 p.m., from Sept. 13 through Nov. 29 in room 108 in Darwin Hall on the SSU campus.
Coming from Pasadena on Sept. 27 will be Linda Spilker, Deputy Project Scientist on the Cassini Mission to Saturn, to present first results from the spacecraft that has traveled a billion miles over seven years and is now orbiting the giant ringed planet.
On Oct. 11, Albert Haldemann of JPL will describe the scientific achievements of the two Mars Exploration Rovers over the past year.
Perhaps the most famous speaker is Jill Tarter, Director of the Center for SETI Research in Mountain View. Often described as the model for the heroine of Carl Sagan's book "Contact" and the movie that followed it, she is one of the world's leaders in SETI, the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence. She will describe plans for the forthcoming Allen Telescope Array on Sept. 20.
Another speaker of note is Anthony Siegman, professor emeritus at Stanford Universe and a past president of the Optical Society of America, who will describe recent advances in science and technology made possible by lasers and fiber optics on Nov. 15.
The series will open with the new codirector of SSU's W.M. Keck Materials Characterization Lab, Hongtao Shi, describing future dramatic increases in the storage capabilities of magnetic materials. Dr. Shi has just joined the university's department of physics and astronomy.
Other speakers will cover brightness enhancement films, reducing the role of cars in global warming, tests of gravity at very short distances, medical imaging, recovering historical sound recordings using optical methods, biomaterials and biosensors, and SSU's new robotic telescope in the hills north of Santa Rosa.
SSU professor Joe Tenn, who is directing the series, expresses his gratitude to the donors who have made it possible to bring such distinguished speakers to SSU for the privately-funded lectures.
For a free poster describing all twelve lectures, send e-mail to gayle.walker@sonoma.edu, or call (707) 664-2119.
The series Web site can be found at http://www.phys-astro.sonoma.edu/wpd/.
John Collins is making sure one person's junk is another's gizmo.
Out-dated science equipment from the depths of Sonoma State University's science and technology building is now on the sales block at eBay, the online public auction house. The SSU physics grad has until January 2005 to transform the scientific boneyard of Darwin Hall into dollars for the University.
Collins created an eBay web site called Gizmophile and daily posts new items for sale. He spends his nights shipping out the sales of the previous day.
He estimates he has over 20,000 pounds of equipment and "new old" supplies that could be sold to willing buyers if he can find them. Spectrometers, switches, oscilloscopes, microscopes, radio tubes and early models of computers are only a few of the kinds of equipment once used to show students the principles of light, gravity, electricity, molecular structure, motherboards and motors.
Charles Darwin Hall was built in 1967 when studies in the hard sciences of the then School of Natural Sciences had far different needs. Thanks to passage of Proposition 47 in 2002, the University has $29 million to renovate the four-story building and prepare it for 21st century science. But the building must be completely emptied before work can begin. Its doors will re-open in 2007.
The 111,821 sq. ft. building is home to six of the nine departments and programs of the newly-named School of Science and Technology, which includes biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, and physics and astronomy.
As Collins has found out from his recent eBay sales, there is no shortage of connoisseurs of radio tubes, lab glass, old computers and microscopes, testing and measuring equipment and switches.
One researcher in Spain spent more than $700 to ship a $25 part for his laboratory. Some buyers prospect for serious collectors, such as those who look for antique computers.
Collins stores the most recent items for sale in a staging area on the third floor of Darwin Hall. But the real treasure trove is in other rooms of the basement where a gizmophile like Collins starts to tremble .
"You just keep finding these little jewels everyplace you turn. It is hard to stop looking," says Collins who has his own online auction site called Heavenly Tubes, a clearinghouse for "new old" radio tubes.
"Do you have an uncle who wore thick rimmed glasses and had one of the pen pads in his shirt pockets that leaked ink. Well, this is the kind stuff he would love."
Collins can be reached at (707) 664-3975 or jfxcoll@sonic.net.
A compelling program designed to provide students and the community an opportunity to explore together the vast notion of voting, civic engagement, and what it means to live in a democratic society is slated during the fall semester at Sonoma State University.
"Young people have the lowest voter turnout rate of any major demographic group in the nation, regardless of race, gender, or class," says SSU history professor Stephanie Dyer. "The existing political process is clearly deficient in reaching out to young people and making them feel that their interests matter. A program such as this can make a difference."
This unique and timely collaborative program is called "It Matters! Engage. Participate. Vote." and features art exhibitions, keynote speakers, brown bag discussions, performances, class projects, workshops, and various multimedia displays.
A four-day kickoff celebration begins Wednesday, Sept. 8 and runs through Sept 11. Other events will occur throughout the month and can be found at http://libweb.sonoma.edu/itmatters/.
SSU student body president Jason Spencer says " if we do not ensure the leaders elected today reflect our values and vision for America, we will be living our adult lives in a nation driven by an agenda of values that do not reflect who we are and what we want our country to be."
Highlights of upcoming "It Matters" events includes:
Wednesday, Sept. 8, noon - "Why It Matters" a brown bag discussion moderated by Provost Eduardo Ochoa and featuring SSU President Ruben Arminana, political science professor Catherine Nelson and Associated Students president Jason Spencer.
Thursday, Sept. 9, 9 p.m. - Comedian Will Durst will be performing in SSU's Person Theater. One of America's top political satirist, Durst has performed at events featuring former Vice President Al Gore and former President George HW Bush, and has spoken at the Governors Conference and the Mayors Convention.
Friday, Sept. 10, 5:30-8:30 p.m. - Lowell Darling Darling's exhibition "Lowell Darling: Artist or Politician?" will be on display Aug. 16 through Oct. 13 in the University Library Art Gallery. A reception for the artist is scheduled in the University Library from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. with Q & A at 7 p.m. Darling has a master's degree in art from Southern Illinois University and has spent the last 35-years contributing pro-bono political action. He has worked to lace up the San Andreas Fault and to nail down several cities that were in danger of flying into space due to population pressure, and to end drought by performing urban acupuncture. Darling has been featured in Time, New West, The Village Voice, and numerous art magazines.
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2 p.m. - Students will have the opportunity to get informed, get registered, and get entertained at the Voter Extravaganza outdoor festival on the lawn at the Evert B. Person Theater. JUMP, Associated Students, ASP, Sonoma Student Union, Residential Life, and the Scene sponsor this student-organized event.
Thursday, Sept. 23, 2 p.m. - Keynote Speaker: "The Future of American Democracy: A Former US Congressman's Unconventional Analysis" presented by scholar, author and former U.S. Congressman, Glen Browder.
Thursday, Sept. 30, 1:30 p.m. - Keynote Speaker: "From the Front Lines: Stories of Political Reporting" presented by Belva Davis, Pete Golis and friends.
Friday, Oct. 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m. - Reception and opening in the University Art Gallery of a student-curated exhibit of student work interpreting democracy.
For more information, contact Karen Brodsky, University Library, at (707) 664-4240.
Aya de Leon brings her poetic activism to the North Bay with her new one-woman show, "Aya de Leon is Running for President: A Campaign Speech Remix in Poetry and Spoken Word " at 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 23 in Person Theatre at Sonoma State University.
De Leon is an award-winning African-American/Puerto Rican writer, performer, and teacher. A graduate of Harvard College, she has been an artist-in-residence at Stanford University, teaching spoken word in 2002.
In 2001, she toured throughout the country, including Lincoln Center in New York, and developed a one woman hip-hop theater show, "Thieves in the Temple: The Reclaiming of Hip-Hop," which received critical acclaim there and in the national press. In 2002, she received a California Arts Council fellowship in spoken word. That same year, she performed in the NYC Hip-Hop Theater Festival and toured with the Hip-HopTheater All Stars.
She was recently selected by the California Arts Council for an Artist Fellowship in spoken word.
Her style ranges from saucy, biting irony to the lyrical faith of her prayer poetry. Her publishing credits include "Deciding to Marry Myself", featured in Essence Magazine and pieces in several anthologies including "Children of the Dream: Growing Up Black in America." Her vivacious performances draw from her spoken word collections. De Leon also leads workshops on writing, performance and poetic activism.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Aya de Leon was raised in Berkeley by her artist/activist Puerto Rican mother Anna de Leon. She studied theater at the Jean Shelton School of Acting, with the San Francisco Mime Troupe, the People's Theater Coalition, as well as with Arina Isaacson and Whoopi Goldberg. In her teens, she was also a youth organizer in the peace and anti-nuclear movement in the early 1980s.
Ticket prices are $15 for general admission, $10 for SSU faculty and staff and free for Sonoma State University students. The ticket includes a poetry-writing workshop. Participants must pre-register by calling the ICC at (707) 664-2710 or spearman@sonoma.edu. Space is limited.
For more information on these or other ICC events please call (707) 664-2382, or visit www.sonoma.edu/ICC.
Sonoma SERVES, a program of the California Institute on Human Services at Sonoma State University, recently received a three-year grant for $503,195 per year from the Corporation for National Service to provide support services to California's youth.
Locally, this grant will enable the Sonoma SERVES program to expand upon the services provided to Sonoma County youth through the dedicated work of AmeriCorps Promise Fellows.
This includes recruiting and training over 200 volunteers to support after-school programs by providing one-on-one mentoring, homework support, and new opportunities for learning.
Schools served in this program include those from Bellevue Elementary School District, Roseland Elementary School District and Wright Elementary School District.
The program involves the Fellows in generating community support for programs that impact thousands of children and youth and is based on a collaboration of the goals of AmeriCorps and America's Promise, says Sonoma SERVES' Julie McClure.
"It is designed to ensure that each child has caring relationships with adults, a healthy start, safe places to go after school, marketable skills through effective education, and an opportunity to serve the community."
The grant funds 35 fulltime AmeriCorps Promise Fellows throughout the State who recruit and train community volunteers to support community youth. The California's PROMISE program supports 13 communities throughout the State in generating and sustaining volunteer programs that create positive opportunities for youth.
Statewide, the program will generate over 2,000 volunteers to serve children in need, McClure says.
