University of West Georgia to Hold MLK Day Celebration

The University of West Georgia’s Office of Institutional Diversity will present a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Tues., Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at UWG’s Campus Center Ballroom in Carrollton. The event, which is free and open to the public, will have the theme, “No Time to Sit Down Now.”

The speaker will be Elisabeth Omilami, co-director of the Atlanta-based Hosea Feed the Hungry program. Omilami is the daughter of the late civil rights leader Hosea Williams and his wife, Juanita.

Omilami is also an accomplished actress, having appeared in numerous films such as “Glory Road” and “Ray,” a biography of music legend Ray Charles.

For additional information, call 678-839-5400 or check online at www.westga.edu/diversity.

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20th Birthday Celebration Today for Zoo Atlanta's First Born Gorilla

Birthday activities on Sunday, March 15

Guests are invited to join festivities honoring Zoo Atlanta’s firstborn gentle giant on Sunday, March 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in The Ford African Rain Forest. Kekla and fellow bachelors Charlie and Stadi will open birthday packages at 1 p.m. in Gorilla Habitat One. Shortly thereafter, visitors are invited to join a special “Gorilla Safari” series of keeper talks......Birthday activities on Sunday, March 15

Guests are invited to join festivities honoring Zoo Atlanta’s firstborn gentle giant on Sunday, March 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in The Ford African Rain Forest. Kekla and fellow bachelors Charlie and Stadi will open birthday packages at 1 p.m. in Gorilla Habitat One. Shortly thereafter, visitors are invited to join a special “Gorilla Safari” series of keeper talks.....http://allaboutanimalsga.blogspot.com/2009/03/first-gorilla-born-at-zoo-atlanta-turns.html

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Dramatic Performer to be Part of Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in Augusta

Jim Lucas, a dramatic performer known for his uncanny resemblance to Martin Luther King Jr., will be the featured speaker at the annual Tri-College Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The ceremony, hosted in alternate years by the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta State University and Paine College, will be at noon Friday, Jan. 16 in the Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Auditorium at the Medical College of Georgia.

Mr. Lucas is an advocate of Dr. King’s philosophy of non-violent action to effect social change and has received national acclaim for dramatic recitations of his speeches. President Bill Clinton called him “the most authentic and exhilarating King I have ever seen.”

Mr. Lucas has been a guest speaker for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City and the National Baptist Convention. He has performed at more than 100 colleges and universities and throughout Germany, Japan and South Korea. His resume also includes television and film appearances in Ladder 49, Something the Lord Made, The West Wing, 24, The Wire and The District. He is currently co-starring in The Meeting, a play about the lives of Dr. King and Malcom X.

The annual Tri-College Celebration will also feature performances by choirs from all three institutions.

by Jennifer Hilliard
MCG

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Emory Crawford Long Hospital Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Crawford Long Hospital opened on October 21, 1908 with 26 beds near the present-day Turner Field.

Join Emory Crawford Long Hospital as it celebrates its 100th anniversary in Atlanta. Register for the tours at 404-778-2000.


Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Conservatory
• 7:30 a.m. Historic Tour
• 11:30 a.m. Historic Tour
• 2 – 4 p.m. Cake and Ice Cream
• 3:30 p.m. Time Capsule
Burial Ceremony
• 4 p.m. Historic Tour

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Outside Seasonings Café
• 2 – 4 a.m. Cake and Ice Cream
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Outside Seasonings Café
• 2 – 4 p.m. Cake and Ice Cream
• 6 – 8 p.m. Cake and Ice Cream

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UGA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month Through October 15

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at the University of Georgia and in Athens-Clarke County are now underway through Oct. 15. Throughout the month, dramatic performances, films, lectures and fiestas will take place at UGA and throughout the community. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.

“With a thriving undergraduate major in Latin American Studies and a significant number of students, faculty and staff from throughout UGA’s colleges and professional schools actively working with LACSI in instruction, research and public service, participation in this year’s HHM is the largest ever,” said LACSI assistant director Paul Duncan. “The many activities that will take place over the next month will provide the UGA and Athens communities with a good sense of just how culturally diverse, and important, the Latin American region truly is.”

Thursday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m., Miller Student Learning Center, Room 142. Film sponsored by UGA’s main library in conjunction with the Big Read: From Curandera to Chupacabra: The Stories of Rudolfo Anaya (documentary 26 mins.) and Curandero (1975 Peabody entry - 27 mins.).

Thursday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m., Tate Theater. Yo Soy Latina. A funny and moving ensemble play that challenges a diverse group of Latina women to examine their identity and their connections in the contemporary American landscape. Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Services & Programs and Hispanic Student Association.

Friday, Sept. 19, 3-5 p.m. The Latin American & Caribbean Studies Institute at 290 S. Hull Street will host its annual fall Open House to launch Hispanic Heritage Month. Live music provided by La Rondalla, traditional Latin American food, UGA Capoeira group will perform to demonstrate this blend of martial arts, games and dance that originated in Brazil. Pick up a HHM 2008 poster.

Sunday, Sept. 21, 4 p.m.,Town and Gown Theater.The Line in the Sand. The Line in the Sand is a collection of monologues and photographs of those affected by U.S./Mexico border migration. These anecdotes were written by actors and writers from Catholic Relief Services, who visited the border and interviewed citizens of both countries, immigrants and non-immigrants. The reading is approximately one hour long and there will be a reception following the performance.

Monday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m.,Tate Student Center. DALE Week-Take the Vote/Tutor Program Promotion. This event is sponsored by Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 4 p.m., Sanford Hall 213. Lecture by visiting scholar Jose Javier Leon of the University of Granada, “He was seen walking...: A New Reflection on the Life and Death of Federico Garcia Lorca.” Sponsored by the Institute for Native American Studies and Romance Languages.

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m., Tate Student Center. Take the Vote/Tutor Program Promotion. This event is sponsored by Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 4 p.m., Athens-Clarke County Library, 2025 Baxter St. Copycat Art: Mexican Tin Ornaments for teens. Open to the first 15 teens ages 11-18.

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m., Miller Student Learning Center. El Norte is a realistic picture of both the Guatemalan government’s oppression of the Quiche Indians and the hard life of illegal immigrants in the United States. After the Guatemalan army destroys their village of San Pedro, two teenage Quiche Mayan Indian siblings journey north (hence El Norte) through Mexico to the United States to start a new life. This event is sponsored by Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

Thursday, Sept. 25,2 p.m., M. Smith Griffith Auditorium. Film sponsored by Georgia Museum of Art and LACSI: Orozco: Man of Fire A visually arresting and whimsical documentary portrait of Mexican muralist Jose Clemente Orozco (1883-1949), whose dramatic life and dynamic paintings changed the way we see art and politics. Visitors are invited to the galleries to tour exhibitions and see Orozco’s work in “From the Collection: The Authority of the Mexican Muralists.”

Thursday, Sept. 25, 4 p.m., Caldwell Hall 302. Lecture by visiting scholar Jose Javier Leon of the University of Granada, “Santiago de Espana: From Galilee to Galicia and Beyond, from Pilgrim’s Clothes to Warrior Armor.” Sponsored by the Institute for Native American Studies and Romance Languages.

Thursday, Sept. 25, 4-6 p.m., LASCI Building. The Office of International Public Service and Outreach invites the UGA community to a reception to learn about its work in Latin America and opportunities available for students and faculty in terms of international projects related to the region. Enjoy light refreshments, music, and meeting the newest international students from Mexico. Contact: Deborah Gonzalez at 706/542-6654.

Thursday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Miller Student Learning Center, Room 142. Film sponsored by UGA’s main library in conjunction with the Big Read Milagro Beanfield War (1988, 118 mins. Rated R) “In a series of humorous culture clashes set in contemporary Milagro, New Mexico, the people of this small Mexican village rebel against the development of their local lands.”

Thursday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m.,Miller Student Learning Center. A political discussion. This event is sponsored by Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

Thursday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. Athens-Clarke County Library auditorium. iFilms: The Violin. The debut film of Mexican filmmaker Francisco Vargas follows farmer and violinist Don Plutarco as he fiddles his way into the front lines of Mexico’s peasant revolts of the 1970s.

Saturday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m. at El Banco de la Oportunidad, 995 Hawthorne Ave. “Your Rights Under the Law-Immigration and other Legal Issues.” A presentation in Spanish that will cover important legal issues, such as immigration policy and what rights individuals have while being questioned by the police. Sponsored by El Banco de la Oportunidad. The presenter is David Kennedy, a partner with the firm Corso, Kennedy, & Campbell, LLP.

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 10:30 am., Athens-Clarke County Library. Home-schooled teens read and review focusing on Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya in conjunction with The Big Read. For information, contact Mary Jean Hartel, mjhartel@athenslibrary.org

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m., M. Smith Griffith Auditorium. Film sponsored by Georgia Museum of Art in conjunction with the Athens Big Read: I Am Cuba; Soy Cuba; Ya Kuba. Four vignettes, dancing through the sensuous decadence of Havana to the poverty and oppression of the Cuban people, illustrate the need for change in Batista’s Cuba. Spanish and Russian with English subtitles. (141 minutes, not rated).

Thursday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., UGA Small Business Development Center, 1180 E. Broad St. “Cross Over Marketing for Hispanic Businesses.” A presentation in Spanish to help Hispanic businesses learn to do business with the American market. Registration is $15. Call 706/542-7436 or visit http://www.athenssbdc.org/ for more information.

Thursday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m., Miller Student Learning Center, Room 142. Film sponsored by UGA’s main library in conjunction with the Big Read: Quinceañeraa (2005 - Winner of Sundance Award - Rated R - 90 mins.) “On the evening before Magdalena’s 15th birthday Quinceañera celebration, she discovers that she’s pregnant. Forced by her family to leave her home, she moves in with her uncle and gay cousin.”

Saturday, Oct. 4,10 a.m. Latin American Ethnobotanical Garden Tour as part of Big Read program. Led by LACSI assistant director Paul Duncan, the UGA Latin American Ethnobotanical Garden behind Baldwin Hall at the corners of Jackson and Baldwin Streets is a unique space on UGA’s north campus containing culturally important plants from Latin American.

Sunday, Oct. 5, 3 p.m., Athens-Clarke County Library. Live! at the Library featuring Incatepec. Sponsored by the Friends of the Athens-Clarke County Library.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m., Miller Student Learning Center, Room 101. An evening with Latina civil rights icon Sylvia Mendez. Come and learn about the landmark case (Mendez vs. Westminster 1947) that ended segregation in California schools and set a precedent for Brown vs. Board of Education seven years later. Video, lecture and Q&A with the woman who lived it firsthand. Refreshments will be served. Contact Erin Thompson, of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund at 706/542-4872 for information.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tate Student Center Plaza. “Voces Unidas.” Keynote speaker will be Sylvia Mendez (Mendez v. Westminster 1947), a Latina civil rights icon. This is an event where Latinos speak out about politics and legislation that affect Georgia, national and global Latino communities. Speakers include professors and students raising UGA awareness about such issues. La Raza decided this event, starting at UGA in 2005, was so rare to see in the South they announced a national day for Latino Politics called “Voces Unidas.” Today, there are over 150 colleges/universities nationwide that participate in this political event. Sponsored by the Hispanic Student Association.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., UGA Small Business Development Center. “Cross Over Marketing for Hispanic Businesses.” A presentation in Spanish to help Hispanic businesses learn to do business with the American market. Registration is $15. Call 706/542-7436 or visit http://www.athenssbdc.org/ for more information.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m., Miller Student Learning Center, Room 142. Film sponsored by UGA’s main library in conjunction with the Big Read: The Bronze Screen (2002 documentary - 2 hours) The Bronze screen honors the past, illuminates the present, and opens a window to the future of Latinos in motion pictures. From silent movies to urban gang films, stereotypes of the greaser, the lazy Mexican, the Latin lover and the dark lady are examined. Rare and extensive footage traces the progression of this distorted screen image to the increased prominence of today’s Latino actors, writers and directors.

Sunday, Oct. 12,3 p.m. Athens-Clarke County Library. Live! at the Library featuring Incatepec. Sponsored by the Friends of the Athens-Clarke County Library.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 12 p.m., Drewry Room, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Silvia Inez Salazar of the National Cancer Institute will present, “Designing Usable Health Web pages for Latinos and Other ‘Hardly Reached’ Audiences.” Salazar, a public health advisor in the National Cancer Institute’s Office of Communication and Education, manages www.cancer.gov/espanol. Her talk will focus on how to create culturally responsive Web sites, moving beyond simple translation of content. This presentation is coordinated by the Center for Health & Risk Communication with the support of the Knight Professorship at the Grady College and the Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education in the College of Education. For more information, contact Terry Kaley, Southern Center for Communication, Health, and Poverty at tkaley@uga.edu or 706-542-9360 or Paul Matthews, CLASE at pmatthew@uga.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m., M. Smith Griffith Auditorium. Film sponsored by Georgia Museum of Art in conjunction with the Athens Big Read: Lili’s Apron. When an abrupt economic crisis dramatically impacts the lives of Ramón and his wife, Lili, an alternative source of income must be found. Out of a sense of panic and responsibility, Ramón poses as Lili--in both name and clothing--to take a job serving as a maid for a wealthy family. Lili’s Apron, a touching and darkly comic love story, was directed by Marian Galperin. Spanish with English subtitles. (Argentina, 2003, 90 minutes, not rated).

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News to Use in Fayetteville, Atlanta, Athens, Peachtree City and all of Georgia

UGA Gears Up for Second Annual Diversity Days Celebration: Kickoff Celebration Set for Sept. 8

The University of Georgia’s Office of Institutional Diversity is gearing up for its second annual Embracing Diversity celebration, an institution-wide series of events to highlight the connections among all members of the UGA campus.

This year’s theme is “Embracing Diversity: Planting the Seed.” It reflects the OID’s goal of nurturing inclusion in every campus department and moving beyond race and gender, said Cheryl Dozier, associate provost and chief diversity officer.

“Last year we recognized that there was a need for us to set the tone of campus-wide events. There have always been individual events within colleges and departments, but we wanted something to say that, from an institutional perspective, this is important,” Dozier said. “We feel that we want every unit on campus to begin to plant the seed and start recognizing that diversity is everybody’s business.”

The program comes as the university admitted the most diverse class in its history, with 21 percent of its new freshman class self-identifying as other than Caucasian.

The program begins with a Kickoff Celebration at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 8 in the Chapel. The free event includes the inaugural Embracing Diversity Awards, which recognize outstanding accomplishments of individuals, groups and teams who contribute to inclusion and diversity, as well as the awarding of the Black Alumni and Diversity Scholarships.

It also features speakers from across campus and the community. Dawn Bennett-Alexander, associate professor of employment, law and legal studies, will deliver the “Embracing Diversity” address; Maritza Soto Keen, director of the Latino Initiative at UGA, will speak on “A Salute to Hispanic Heritage Month, and Cortez Wright of Lambda Alliance will talk about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month. In addition, the Rev. Renee DuBose of the Our Hope Metropolitan Community Church in Athens will deliver “Words of Inspiration.”

“We also are excited to have UGA Athletic Director Damon Evans, who is a key supporter of diversity initiatives, speak and present the Diversity Scholarships,” said Mimi Sodhi, assistant provost at OID.

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the free event, which is meant to help people take notice of the diversity around them and help make everyone feel welcome at UGA, Dozier said.

“It should, hopefully, ring that bell that people need to do something different in their departments,” Dozier said. “It can be as simple as adding religious holidays to the departmental calendar or Web site or adding diversity pictures in the lobby or computer lab, whatever it is that will help all our students, faculty and staff feel that this is their university and we go that extra step to make them feel included.”

Other events include the New Women Faculty Reception on Sept. 5, Black Faculty and Staff Organization’s scholarship luncheon on Sept. 9, and “Living as Diverse People of Justice in a Time of Religious Intolerance,” a seminar sponsored by the College of Education Dean’s Council on Diversity on Sept. 10. The College of Education also will hold its annual Fall Focus on Diversity from 3–5 p.m. on Sept. 18 in Aderhold Hall.

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Emory Crawford Long Hospital Celebrates History Through Service

Most people don't equate celebrating a birthday or important milestone by making hard work an actual part of that celebration. But Emory Crawford Long Hospital, which this year marks its 100th anniversary, is celebrating its history in a unique way.

Employees will volunteer their time and efforts as part of the hospital's "100 Days of Service" campaign - a summer long commitment to serving the communities who have supported Emory for a century.

"Our goal in this process is to encourage staff to donate time in the community in whatever capacity possible," says Tracy Russell-Gonzalez, director of guest and volunteer services. "As part of this program, we hope to give back to our communities in a way that is meaningful, fun and also builds community spirit among our own employees."

The process began with a volunteer fair at Emory Crawford Long Hospital in April where 16 local organizations set up tables. This allowed employees to talk to the organizations one-on-one and find an avenue that piqued their interest.

As soon as Roxann Arnold, director of patient accounts, saw the Ronald McDonald House volunteer table, she was sold. "I am partial to any volunteer work that has to do with children," says Arnold. Inspired by her time at the Ronald McDonald House, Arnold now collects beverage tabs for the organization and has encouraged her friends to do the same.

The volunteer process continues through August 30. Upon conclusion, volunteer hours will be totaled, and awards handed out for involvement. Staff volunteers are encouraged to bring their families to volunteer, as there are many family-oriented volunteer opportunities.

"I hope folks will bring their youngsters and start a generational process," says Russell-Gonzalez.

Megaan Lorenzen, endoscopy nurse manager, did just that by taking her two children to the Atlanta Food Bank to volunteer. "The kids were excited to be allowed to do something to help people and they thought it was 'cool` that kids could actually make such a huge impact," says Lorenzen.

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Gwinnett Habitat Celebrates Two Decades with Homecoming Festival Labor Day Weekend

Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity is proud of the incredible progress it has achieved for two decades. To commemorate this anniversary, the public is invited to come and celebrate its many successes at its twentieth anniversary festival.

No need to bring hammers and saws to this Habitat function, because this one is all play and no work. Festivities will take place at the site of its first multi-family home construction site in Tucker, Georgia, on Saturday, August 30th, 2008. This exciting activity-filled “Ground Breaking Party” will begin at 2:00 pm and continue until 8:00 pm. Admission is free with a donation of any amount.

An incredible line up of local musicians will serenade the crowd, courtesy of Music for Charities, while free splashy waterslides and bouncy moonwalks will beguile energetic little ones. Local restaurants will be selling delicious food and frosty beverages on the site and other vendors will peddle their wares. All vendors will donate a portion of their proceeds to Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity. Dynamic singer Tammy Allen headlines to top off the event with high energy grooves designed to inspire the crowd to their feet.

Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity’s Anniversary Homecoming Festival is a way they want to say “thank you” to the thousands of area volunteers and sponsors who have made the last twenty years possible. “Almost a hundred families have homes in Gwinnett County, and their kids have grown up going to Gwinnett’s great schools, because of hours of construction done by volunteers,” says Beth Stubbings, Gwinnett Habitat’s Director of Development. “We couldn’t help those families if we didn’t have such terrific community support.”

All proceeds from this event will support Gwinnett Habitat’s Annual Campaign, providing essential operational support for its construction activities. The site of the Homecoming Celebration is 210 Pounds Road in Tucker, Georgia, where Gwinnett Habitat will begin building multi-family townhomes in September of 2008.