FOCUS ON FACULTY:
Congratulations to Evelyn Whitmer who gave birth to Rosemarie Jo Whitmer last Friday, October 26.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, 4-HYD POSITION WEB CAST UPDATES:
The seminar presentations for the Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development position, titled The Vision for Arizona 4-H Youth Development - A Five Year Plan for Success begin tomorrow as follows: 1) Dr. Kirk Astroth , October 31 , 10:45-12:00pm, and 2) Dr. Lisa Lauxman , November 6 , 10:45-12:00pm. The seminars will both be at the Controlled Environment Ag Complex (CEAC) Conference Room located on the east side of Campbell Avenue (1951 E. Roger Road). Attendees are asked to arrive at 10:15-10:30am so that everyone may be seated when the seminar presentations begin.
A sample web cast link at http://vas.calsvideo.arizona.edu/vid1test.htm that can be used to test access to the system from your computer. The preferred viewing software is Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. However, if you access using Firefox, you will find the following words, If you do not see the Video window above click here to view the video, which you can click on and view in Real Player (if installed). On the day of the presentations (or thereafter), you can view them at http://vas.calsvideo.arizona.edu/extension/4-H_2007.htm using Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. If you have trouble accessing either of the above, contact Robert Armstrong (520.621.3872).
In addition, the Breeze conferencing system will be used to take questions, via CHAT only (no microphones). It will be open about 10:15am and you can access the chat system for each candidate on their individual web cast dates at http://breeze.ltc.arizona.edu/interview/. Those viewing the web cast will be able to provide feedback to the Search and Screen Committee through the new Personal Interview Form Online. Forms for both candidates can be accessed by clicking on the following: 1) Kirk Astroth, 2) Lisa Lauxman.
Each seminar presentation will be immediately followed by a Meet & Greet Luncheon with the candidate. For both candidates, the luncheon will be held from 12:00-1:00pm. All interested faculty, staff, volunteers and teens are encouraged to attend; however, travel expenses will be on your own. Those planning to attend must RSVP to Tony Stevens no later than Friday, October 26 for the Kirk Astroth seminar and Friday, November 2 for the Lisa Lauxman seminar. A copy of the position description can be viewed at www.uacareertrack.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=188654. For more information or questions, contact Glenda Thompson (520.621.3621).
MLK DAY 2008 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER PROJECT:
The Governors Commission on Service and Volunteerism invites all Arizonans to make next years Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday, January 21, 2008 , a DAY ON of service to community through volunteerism. Congress has charged the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to promote the King holiday as a day for volunteering. To make the most of MLK Day 2008 and to connect with this national movement, visit www.mlkday.gov, a site that provides many useful, free resources. Community volunteer project funding will be offered to help pay for materials and supplies to promote community volunteer efforts throughout the year, starting with MLK Day and continuing for an additional three days of service throughout the year. In addition, you can download a free copy of an MLK Day service learning curriculum developed by California State Fullerton. To learn more, go to http://www.mlkday.gov/resources/servicelearning/servicelearning_fullerton.pdf. "Lifes urgent and most pressing question is, what are you doing for others?" Dr. M. L. King, Jr.
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES:
- The Annual Arizona Nursery Association (ANA) EXPO will be November 8 at the UOP Stadium. ANA sent invitations to many of the UA departments and programs to have a booth at the EXPO. Kai Umeda, ANR/Turfgrass Agent, Maricopa County) has proposed to ANA to have a designated area that will be an "island" or "row" of all UA exhibits/booths. This will show the industry that the UA is one unified entity instead of a bunch of individual programs and/or departments with varying names that confuse the clientele and the public in general. Kai is willing to work with ANA to coordinate all requests. Contact Kai (602.470.8086, ext. 314) with any questions and/or requests.
- A riparian workshop, The Dynamic Nature and Natural Diversity of Riparian Areas , will be held at The Lodge at Cliff Castle in Camp Verde from Thursday, November 8 at 10:00am through Friday, November 9 at 11:30am . The workshop is intended to give participants an understanding on what factors drive riparian areas to remain static or change through time, how riparian areas differ and how they can be classified. Speakers include riparian, watershed and hydrology specialists from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Arizona State University, U.S. Geologic Survey, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Nature Conservancy, and a private consultant and rancher. The workshop is sponsored by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. A workshop fee of $40 includes lunch and handouts and the registration deadline is October 30 . For an agenda and registration information, contact George Zaimes (520.621.9389). Hope to see you there.
- Pima County Cooperative Extension is hosting a train-the-trainer workshop on Digital Storytelling . This is a four-day intensive, hands-on workshop to be held at the PCCE office on December 3, 4, 5, and 6 . The cost is $460 per participant (limit of ten). Digital Storytelling is a communication technique that enables media novices to produce 3-5 minute video clips that tell their story. This can be a powerful means of conveying information about your programs told from the perspective of participants or program staff. In addition to the training, participants will receive a manual and CD of their digital story. For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Dan McDonald (520.626.5161).
- The National Livestock Emergency Response Conference will be held December 5-7 in Tucson. Last years conference was extremely well received and interest was high enough to hold another conference this year. Last year there was a one-day conference in Phoenix and it has been expanded to 3 days with two days of field exercises. Peder Cuneo and Bob Kattnig , along with the Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) team, are helping with the effort. The ALIRT model is being adopted, in whole or in part, by numerous other states. New Mexico adopted the model completely. This conference is designed to provide information and training to a diverse audience, including County Extension Faculty and Arizona Department of Agriculture Livestock Officers. State Beef Quality Assurance Coordinators from across the country have indicated an interest in the material and some have indicated they plan on attending. This year the National Cattlemens Beef Association is co-sponsoring the conference and Mr. John Queen, NCBA President, is confirmed as a speaker. This conference will have nationwide exposure. More information to follow.
- The CALS Controlled Environment Agriculture Center will present the Greenhouse Crop Production & Engineering Design Short Course , January 20-23, 2008 , at the Holiday Inn Palo Verde, Tucson. Attendees will learn the best methodologies to develop a successful greenhouse operation and have multiple opportunities to interact with some of the worlds leading controlled environment agriculture experts. This years theme is Eye on Economics. Registration is $499 for early bird registration ($599 after December 10). For more information and to register, visit the Web site ( http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac/ ) or contact Lourdes Perkins, coordinator (520.626.9566). Support provided by Arizona Cooperative Extension.