Mavericks Unite for 72nd Street Food Fight

UNO will join forces with five Omaha organizations this holiday season to help stock the shelves of The Salvation Army's food pantry.

The campus community will participate in the second annual 72nd Street Food Fight.  UNO, BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska, the College of St. Mary, Omnium Worldwide Inc., Travel and Transport, and First Data Corp. will be competing against one another to collect the most food during the campaign. 

The collection campaign officially kicked off Nov. 17 with the Salvation Army's annual Tree of Lights ceremony at Crossroads Mall.  Donations of non-perishable food items will be solicited through Dec. 10.

At UNO, a competition between the campus buildings is being organized.  Details on where to drop off donations will be published in future editions of eNotes, The Gateway and UNO What's Up.

UNO Chancellor Nancy Belck encourages all students, faculty and staff to participate in the event.  "UNO is committed to making our community a better place, and our help is needed with this important project to benefit The Salvation Army's food pantry," Dr. Belck said.  "When you're grocery shopping during the next few weeks, please pick up a few extra items for the Food Fight if you can and bring them to campus."

The Salvation Army is requesting the items listed below.  Glass containers will not be accepted.

boxed cereal

boxed potato mix

boxed Jello and pudding

boxed popcorn

canned tomato products

peanut butter

canned soups

canned fruits and vegetables

canned meats

canned beans

rice

dry dinners

packaged pasta

cookies and chips

crackers

pancake mix

baking mixes

hygiene products

disposable diapers

In addition to the 72nd Street partners, local K-marts, the LaVista Wal-Mart, Carlson Hospitality Worldwide and Peel's Salons are also collecting food donations for The Salvation Army.

Last year, more than 72,000 pounds of food was donated to this drive.  In addition to its corporate partners, The Salvation Army would like to thank "Food Fight" sponsors HyVee, Payless Office Products and Bob FM 106.9.

To find out how your UNO organization can get involved in the Food Fight, contact Rita Henry at 402.554.2779 or Mary Sweaney at 402.554.3668.

Playground Toys Sought for Thanksgiving Service Project

The UNO Honors Program is collecting new and gently used playground equipment in conjunction with its Thanksgiving service project.

All items will be donated to Liberty Elementary School.  Footballs, volleyballs, bouncy balls, jump ropes and other items are sought.  Donations should be dropped off at the Honors Program Office in 105 Arts and Sciences Hall by Tuesday, Nov. 22.

For more information, contact M. Christine McIvor or Rebecca Lance at 402.554.2696.

Thanksgiving Holiday Building Schedules Announced

The Milo Bail Student Center will observe the following hours in conjunction with the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday:

Thursday, Nov. 24

Closed

Friday, Nov. 25

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 26

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 27         

2 to 9 p.m.

The 24-hour study lounge will remain open.

University Library will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, in observance of the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday.  Regular hours will resume Saturday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m.

Library hours are also available on the Web at http://library.unomaha.edu/information/hours.

Homestay Families Sought for ILUNO Students

International Studies and Programs is seeking several homestay families for new Saudi students arriving in late December and early January. 

The government of Saudi Arabia has granted several thousand scholarships for study abroad.  As a result, more than 20 students may pursue undergraduate studies at UNO.  Students will begin by studying English as a second language in UNO's Intensive English Language Program (ILUNO) for their first months. 

Host families are currently being sought for the length of their visit.  Hosting one or two men or women for either a few days or one to six months are also options.

A homestay workshop will be offered for interested hosts Thursday Dec. 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at UNO.  

To volunteer or R.S.V.P. for the Dec. 8 session, contact Lori Arias, Jennifer Stahl or Steve Hoiberg at 402.554.2293.

Holiday Safety Tips from Campus Security

During the hectic holiday season, Campus Security reminds the UNO community to keep security issues in mind.

"With so many students, faculty and staff rushing to get shopping done or taking care of end-of-the-semester tasks, security issues may take a backseat," said Paul Kosel, assistant manager of Campus Security and traffic at UNO.  "A few simple tips can make a big difference."

- When a person leaves his or her room or office, lock it up, even if it's only for a few minutes.

- Avoid leaving valuables or packages in plain view in a vehicle.  Place them in the trunk or between the seats.  When possible, do so before parking.

- During the holiday break, take valuables home from campus offices and residence halls.

- Anyone who is going to be working on campus late in the evening or when few people are around should consider advising Campus Security so that an officer can pay special attention to the area.

- Anyone entering a locked residence hall, apartment building or campus building should make sure the door closes completely.  Strangers should not follow anyone into a secure building.

- Students who live on campus and are leaving town for the holidays should make sure they have someone keep an eye on their residence and leave emergency contact information.

For more information, call Campus Security at 402.554.2648.

UNO Forensics Team Tournament Results

The UNO Forensics Team traveled to Warrensburg, Mo., Nov. 4-6 to compete in the Central Missouri State University "Mule" Forensics invitational.  The event consisted of two tournaments in one weekend.  There were 19 schools in attendance, and UNO was among the top 10 schools both days.  Individual results are as follows:

CMSU Nov. 5

Freshman Ross Waldron placed third in prose interpretation and fourth in after-dinner speaking.  Junior Marty Ertz was third in after-dinner speaking and fourth in informative speaking.  Junior Becky Boyer was seventh in prose interpretation and after-dinner speaking.

CMSU Nov. 6

Freshman Ross Waldron finished second in prose interpretation and sixth in after-dinner speaking.

Also attending and contributing to the team's success were freshman Melissa Gubbels and sophomore Buey Ruet.

Maverick Watch

Go Mavs!  Support your Mavericks by attending their home events.

Students are admitted free to all home athletic games with a valid UNO ID and game-day ticket.  The spouses, significant others and children of students also are admitted free.  At the game, students must present a valid UNO ID to receive a ticket.  Tickets do not have to be ordered in advance.  Tickets will be available on the day of the game at each home event.  For more information, call 554.MAVS (6287).

At home this week…

Tuesday, Nov. 22       

Men's basketball vs. Missouri Valley

Sapp Fieldhouse

7 p.m.

Hockey vs. Minnesota State, Mankato

Qwest Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St.

7:05 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 25

Women's basketball vs. Iowa Wesleyan (Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic) Sapp Fieldhouse

6 p.m.

Men's basketball vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (Downtown Courtyard by Marriott Classic)

Sapp Fieldhouse

8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 26

Women's basketball vs. Grand View (Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic)

Sapp Fieldhouse

6 p.m.

Men's basketball vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State (Downtown Courtyard by Marriott Classic)

Sapp Fieldhouse

8 p.m.

For more information about UNO Athletics, visit the Web at http://gomavs.unomaha.edu/.

Chair Massage Service Available in HPER

Are you looking for a way to reduce stress?

UNO students, faculty and staff can take advantage of a chair massage service on campus Nov. 18 and Dec. 9.  A station will be set up in 213 Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Andrea Porter, a certified massage therapist, will administer the massages. The cost is $10 for a 15-minute session.

To make a reservation, stop by 100 HPER.  Payment is due at the time of registration.  For more information, call 402.554.2539.

OAA to Host Student Art Show Nov. 26

The Organization for the Advancement of the Arts at UNO will host its eighth annual student art show Saturday, Nov. 26.

The event, titled art.machine, will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th St.  It is free and open to the public.

In addition to the visual arts, the evening will include live music featuring several local bands, poetry readings, door prizes and refreshments.

For more information, contact Dan Lowe at unooaa@mail.unomaha.edu.

Ecoutez! at UNO Continues Nov. 29 with Anton Belov

The 2005-06 Ecoutez! series at UNO continues Tuesday, Nov. 29, with baritone Anton Belov.  The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.

The series is committed to bringing the highest caliber of established performers and emerging artists to the metropolitan area, said Roger Foltz, a professor of music at UNO and coordinator of the series.  The word "ecoutez" is French for "listen."  KVNO Classical 90.7 FM is the media sponsor for the series.

A native of Russia, Belov has appeared at the New York Festival of Song at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall and in concert throughout the United States.  He won first prize in the 2002 Young Concert Artists International Auditions.  Belov holds a bachelor of music degree from The New England Conservatory and a master of music degree from The Juilliard School.

Individual tickets are $15.  All students are admitted free of charge with identification.  Phone reservations for student tickets are recommended.  The doors will open 30 minutes prior to the concert.

For more information, call 402.554.3427.