Science Café meeting Thursday

“Genomes: Plants, Mutants, GMOs and You!” will be presented by Fedora Sutton, plant science professor, at the next meeting of the Science Café. Her presentation will be given Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Brookings Public Library-Cooper Room.

People of all ages are invited to participate in the conversation and have a cup of coffee, tea, cider or hot chocolate.

Science Café is the Brookings version of Cafe Scientifique, a forum in the UK for debating science issues.

According to the group’s website http://cafescientifique.org/, the organization is “committed to promoting public engagement with science and to making science accountable.”

For more information, contact Fedora Sutton, 688-6286.

Historic and modern Egypt subject of Library talk

Locally interested people can travel to ancient and modern Egypt via photos and commentary Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Cooper Room of the Brookings Public Library.

People will also have the opportunity to join a real trip to Egypt May 12-30 guided by firsthand experts, Madeleine and Alfred Andrawis, professors of electrical engineering and natives of Egypt who will also give the library program.

Travel either way is sponsored by the South Dakota Council on World Affairs, a statewide organization that seeks to engage people in dialogue and understanding about world affairs.

Madeleine Andrawis, a native of Cairo and graduate of Cairo University, has arranged and led four previous tours to Egypt for faculty, career service personnel, and students at SDSU.

Alfred Andrawis, a graduate of Alexandria University, has comparable credentials and will serve as tour co-leader.

Their library presentation and the actual tour emphasize historical and cultural characteristics of Egypt as a major force in the Middle East today.

Questions about the program and tour can be directed to Harriet Swedlund, executive director of the South Dakota Council on World Affairs, 605/688-5416, or by e-mailing harriet.swedlund@sdstate.edu.

Guiza pyramids along the northern Nile River show visitors some of the country’s remarkable architecture and engineering. Egyptian pyramids are part of both library and actual tours of Egypt.

Book Discussion at the University Lutheran Center.

Tired of eating a stale sandwich at your desk? Join faculty, students and staff to read and discuss the book, “Best American Spiritual Writing of 2007,” at the University Lutheran Center, 1404 8th Street.

A discussion group meets with Pastor Bob Chell Wednesdays from Noon-1:00 PM at the ULC beginning Jan. 23.

A light lunch is provided at no charge. Cost of the book is $10 but can be waived if finances are a problem.

Because each brief chapter stands alone, participants won't be left behind if they are unable to attend some weeks.

People are encouraged to pick up a book and read the first 30 pages prior to the first meeting.

Interested readers can review the book at Amazon.com or stop over to the ULC to look over a copy.

Extension service to host farmers market workshop

The South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service will host a farmers market workshop Feb. 2.

The training session will be 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory. The workshop costs $20 for those who register before Jan. 26, and $25 for those who register after that date. The fee includes lunch, breaks, and information handouts.

The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association, the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service, the Downtown Brookings Farmers Market, and Downtown Brookings, Inc. are sponsoring the event, with partial funding from the USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program.

Morning sessions will focus on market organization and management, while the afternoon sessions will cover vendor topics such as methods to increase sales, developing enticing displays, customer relations, food safety, and value-added processing.

To register, contact Doris Roden, 692-1554, or http://www.downtownbrookings.com/eventcalendar.htm.

Cooperative Extension Service to host crop clinic

The South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service will host a crop clinic for Brookings area producers Jan. 18 at the Brookings County Resource Center in the Swiftel Center.

The clinic is the 28th annual event and will be dedicated to the memory of the late Mel Kloster, a longtime Brookings County Extension agronomy educator.

Several Extension specialists will provide answers to producer questions on row crops and cover a number of topics. They include:

For more information, contact Paul O. Johnson, 605-977-2469, or the Brookings County Extension Office, 605-696-8280.

Regular pay for legal holidays

All permanent status employees in state government receive regular pay for 10 legal holidays plus any other day proclaimed as a holiday by the governor or the president of the United States.

The following holidays are recognized by the state of South Dakota:

Jan. 21, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Feb. 18, President's Day; May 26, Memorial Day; July 4, Independence Day; September 1, Labor Day; Oct. 13, Native American Day.

When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the precding Friday is observed as the paid holiday for state employees. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday.

For more information, contact Louis Loban, 688-4128.

South Dakota State University's Calendar of Events

This calendar is prepared by the Office of University Relations. For more information, to have campus events included in the next calendar, or to make address corrections, please contact April Clarin at University Relations, SCM 105, Box 2230, (605) 688-6161, or by email at april.clarin@sdstate.edu. Thank you.

Campus Kudos

Leda Cempellin, assistant professor in the Department of Visual Arts, participated in the 2008 Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities in Honolulu Jan. 11.

Cempellin presented papers in a session on Art History. Her paper topics included “Harvey Dunn's Women,” dealing with gender issues; and “Between History and Eschatology: the Contribution of Mario Tessari to Italian Anachronism,” a paper about 20th Century Italian art.

For more information, contact Leda Cempellin, 688-4658.

Book shows history of fisheries, fishing in the state

The book “History of Fisheries and Fishing in South Dakota” rolled off the press in December.

The book is intended for the general public, anglers, historians, and students.

Twenty-seven authors contributed to the 477-page book, which has 23 chapters that deal equally with fishes, anglers, and the aquatic habitat in South Dakota.

Editors are David Willis, new head of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Science, and three scientists in the South Dakota Coop Unit: Ken Higgins, Steven Chipps, and Chuck Berry.

Limited numbers of the book will be available free from each of the Game, Fish, and Parks regional offices.

The book is for sale on the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks web site for $10. The book as a free download at http://wfs.sdstate.edu/.

The History of Fisheries and Fishing in South Dakota” provides valuable history of the sport and science of fishing in the state. The volume is available from Game, Fish and Parks offices.

State vehicle drivers asked to conserve fuel

In order to conserve fuel, University Fleet & Travel is asking state employees driving state-owned vehicles to do the following:

For questions, contact Judy Carlson, Motor Pool, 688-5518.

The HERI Faculty Survey has arrived on campus

The HERI Faculty Survey will run through March. The survey is designed to provide colleges and universities with timely information about attitudes, experiences, concerns, job satisfaction, workload, teaching practices and professional activities of faculty and administrators.

Information obtained from the survey can be used for self-study and accreditation activities; inform campus planning and policy analysis; enhance faculty development programs; and improve students’ educational experiences.

The initial survey invitation e-mail was sent Dec. 4.

Reminders will be sent in January, February and March.

For more information, contact Pam Rieger, 688-6740.

Attention advisors, presidents of student organizations

The Board of Regents award applications and supporting materials have been emailed to advisors and presidents of student organizations as listed in the Office of Student Activities. The deadline date is Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. For questions or concerns, contact Adam Karnopp, 688-4960, or adam.karnopp@sdstate.edu.

News on Newsline

To publicize an event or congratulations in “Newsline,” please submit information by the preceding Thursday at 2 p.m. to Kyle Johnson kyle.johnson@sdstate.edu or Jeanne Jones Manzer jeanne.jonesmanzer@sdstate.edu

Because of the Martin Luther King Holiday, next week’s “Newsline” will come out on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Thursday’s information submission remains the same.

Position Announcements