The Emergency Response Planning Group, part of the campuswide Emergency Preparedness Planning Committee, will present the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program. The CERT program consists of eight units and a final course review and disaster simulation exercise. Units will be presented twice per month in three-hour intervals, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in E. H. Butler Library 210. We will be offering this program on a cyclical basis, so if a session is missed, it can be attended on the next cycle. The fourth session, Light Search and Rescue, will be held on Wednesday, December 21. Please wear comfortable clothing. Refreshments will be served. For further information, including other session schedules and R.S.V.P. contacts, please visit www.buffalostate.edu/campusservices/x587.xml.

Many of us are struggling financially. American household incomes in 2004 remained stagnant for a record fifth straight year (U.S. Census Bureau). The rate of personal saving as a percentage of disposable income fell to zero in June (Bureau of Economic Analysis). Many workers feel they are not saving enough for retirement (Employee Benefit Research Institute). The average American household has at least one credit card and carries a debt between $7,000 and $8,000 (Consumer Federation of America).

Weigel Health Center is offering CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) classes during the semester break and during the spring semester. Classes are held at various times. For details, or if you are interested in taking a class, call Maria Incorvaia at ext. 3786 and leave a message, or call Kim Jablonski at ext. 6711. Classes are comfortable and informal and provide you with an opportunity to learn the skills to perform CPR, how to use an AED, and how to assist someone who is choking. Skills taught pertain to adults, children, and infants. These classes are free and open to all Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff.

The last day for employees to change their health insurance plans is Friday, December 16. "Choices," a comparison booklet of the insurance plans, and the new biweekly payroll deduction rates are available in the Human Resource Management Office, Cleveland Hall 410. If you would like a copy or have any questions, please call ext. 4821.

Back by popular demand! Due to an overwhelming response, Erno Rossi, author of Crystal Beach: The Good Old Days and White Death: The Blizzard of '77, will return today, December 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m. for an encore presentation and book signing. The first 30 people will receive a free "Original Crystal Beach Sucker" with their book purchase. Great gift idea! Book will be discounted 25 percent off the regular price.

Parenting a preteen can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be frustrating and difficult. If you or someone you know has a preteen in their family, LifeWorks is offering a helpful new recording, "Talking about Preteens. " On this CD, Charlene Giannetti and Margaret Sagarese, authors of "The Roller-Coaster Years," offer support and advice for parents about everything from setting limits to middle school bullying. They talk about:

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in the Holiday Blood Drive on Monday, December 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall. Walk-ins are welcome.

Sonitrol Security Systems will support the college's foster youth ropes course in the amount of $500. These funds will support a program designed to strengthen relationships between foster youth and their foster families by using the internationally known ropes course. The program is spearheaded by Louis Colca, associate professor in the Social Work Department.

When you register for any workshop using the registration program, you will be asked for your user name and password. It is required that you enter your user name preceded by bsclogon\. Thus, if Bill J. Smith wanted to register for a workshop, he would enter bsclogon\smithbj. If you enter your user name only, you will not be able to register for any workshop.

Dr. Rebecca Surman, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Union College, will deliver the lecture "The Ashes of Gamma-Ray Bursts" today, December 8, during Bengal Pause (start 12:30 p.m.) in Science Building 272.