The Great Lakes Center is pleased to release the fall issue of its newsletter (PDF). This issue has a special focus on the Emerald Shiner project and WNY PRISM's summer activities, and features a few articles authored by the center's graduate students.

To be added to the mailing list for future editions of the newsletter, please send an e-mail to greatlakes@buffalostate.edu with the subject "Newsletter mailing list add."

The Teacher Education Council (TEC) will meet on Friday, November 13, at 1:00 p.m. in Cleveland Hall 418. Your participation is needed as we discuss issues important to teacher education at Buffalo State, TEC committee membership, committee reports, and updates on certification (changes and issues).

A flu vaccine clinic for students will be held Thursday, November 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all students, especially those who have a chronic medical condition such as asthma or diabetes or who are currently on prednisone, receive a flu shot. This will be the last clinic for this year.

Insurance companies that might cover the vaccine at this clinic are Independent Health, Cigna, Aetna, CVS/Caremark, Merck/Medco, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare Parts B and D, Empire, and Fidelis. Students must present a valid health insurance card. Others must pay the $32 cost of the injection by cash or check.

The flu clinic is arranged through the Weigel Health Center. Please contact Debbie Sarratori, assistant director of medical administration, 878-6711, with questions.

Catherine Mazzotta, assistant professor of social work, will give the first talk in the 2015–2016 Women and Gender Studies Brown Bag Series, "Intimate Partner Violence: What We Need to Know and How We Can Help," on Thursday, November 19, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Butler Library 181B. Her talk will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Please bring your lunch; cookies will be provided. Free and open to the public.

Fareen Parvez, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, will present "Why I Am Not Charlie: What Can We Learn from the Attack on the Satirical Newspaper Charlie Hebdo about the Situation of Muslims in France?" on Monday, November 16, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center North.

The annual Dietitian Education Program (DEP) Health Fair will be held today, November 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall (second floor). Vendors include Kaleida Health, Horizon Health Services, BAC for Women, and Family Care Physical Therapy. Live pilates and ultra hoops demonstrations will be offered. The Health Fair will also include an alternative baked goods sale with raffle baskets. All proceeds from the bake sale and raffle will go to the Buffalo State Food Pantry. Admission to the Health Fair is free for everyone on campus.

The Music Department will host a festival celebrating Cuban music and musicians November 12–14. The festival will include several concerts and master classes featuring prominent Cuban performers and composers. The schedule of events is as follows:

Thursday, November 12
12:15 p.m. Piano Master Class with Orlay Alonso – Ciminelli Recital Hall (Free)
7:30 p.m. Lois Klein Piano Recital with Orlay Alonso – Ciminelli Recital Hall ($10)

Friday, November 13
7:30 p.m. Alonso Drummond Duo, Guitar and Piano – Ciminelli Recital Hall ($10)

Saturday, November 14
3:00 p.m. Kahlil Sarikey, Guitar, Lecture Recital: Music of Leo Brouwer – Ciminelli Recital Hall ($10) 
7:30 p.m. Angelica de la Riva, Soprano, with Orlay Alonso, Piano – Ciminelli Recital Hall ($10)

Shanna Benjamin, associate professor of English at Grinnell College, will present "The Uses of Anger: Wanda Coleman's Poetry of Black Rage and #blacklivesmatter" today, November 9, at 6:30 p.m. in Ketchum Hall 113. A reception will follow. The event is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, the English Department, the Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities Office, the Women and Gender Studies program, and the African and African American Studies program.

The Olate Dogs will perform at Buffalo State on Friday, November 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. Best known for stealing the nation's heart on America's Got Talent, Richard Olate, his son Nicholas, and their team of amazing dogs will perform stunts and tricks that will amaze and delight. But the Olate Dogs are more than just a puppy show. With master of ceremonies Nicholas Olate—a performer in his own right—the show includes comedy, slapstick, acrobatics, music, original film, and of course, amazing dog tricks in a touching blend that has met with standing ovations.

Richard Olate grew up in Chile in a poor family. He rescued his first street dog at age 10 and soon combined his gift for training dogs with compassion and hard work. He began performing with a U.S. circus group, and then in Las Vegas and at high-profile sporting events nationwide. The dogs, many of them rescues, are all pampered members of the family and travel in their own air conditioned, tricked-out trailer.

Tickets are $15 for students and children and $30 for the general public, and may be purchased at the Rockwell Hall Box Office, by phone at 878-3005, or on the Performing Arts Center website. Box Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event is presented by M&T Bank.

Immigration attorney James D. Eiss, Esq., will present “What Every International Student Should Know about Homeland Security Rules and Regulations” on Thursday, November 12, from 12:10 to 1:20 p.m. in Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall 1.

This presentation is free, and everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact Jean F. Gounard, director of international student affairs, 878-5331.