Professional staff are invited to an open house at the Professional Development Center on Wednesday, November 25, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in Bulger Communication Cener 104. Come when you can, and get some information and refreshments!

It is hard to believe that it has been one year since the new Burchfield Penney opened. Join us to celebrate! RendezBlue: the Anniversary Celebration takes place from November 19-22 with four days of music, art, performances and screenings. For the complete schedule of events, visit www.RendezBlue.org. RendezBlue is presented by BlueCross BlueShield of WNY.

Representatives from Community Blue, Independent Health, and the Empire Plan will be on campus from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 3, in E. H. Butler Library 210 to answer questions about health insurance plans and anticipated changes in coverage for 2010.

If you are traveling this Thanksgiving, please remember to save the small hotel toiletry items that you do not use. The College and Community Partnerships Office and the Buffalo State College Alumni Association will once again be collecting these items for the kids at the Asarese Youth Center (located on Rees and Grant streets). The items will be placed in 2009 holiday bags and distributed to the 100 children who attend the center. Many of these youth live in poverty and often do not have items that we take for granted like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste/brushes, razors, cream, combs, brushes, lip balm, soap, etc. Your donations will help make the holidays a little better for these struggling families.

Buffalo State will again offer a free H1N1 influenza immunization clinic, Thursday, November 19, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Assembly Hall. This clinic will be open to all currently enrolled Buffalo State students with ID. Faculty and staff who are under the age of 65 and who are at high risk for complications from the flu may also receive the vaccine at no charge. High risk is defined as:

Need a break from the end of the semester rush? Join us at the Barnes and Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore on Fridays at noon and finish up your holiday projects at the same time. Want to learn to knit or crochet? We can teach you! During Thanksgiving week, we will meet on Wednesday, November 25, at noon.

CDHS College Partnership Development is still accepting submissions for 2010 partnership projects. The request for proposals can be viewed online. For more information, please contact the CPD office at 885-4309. We look forward to hearing from you!

Attention: Anyone sending bulk flats. The labels for these must be to the left or right sides of the envelope. Do not center. The post office will not process a flat at the lower rate if the label is centered. If Mailmasters is doing the labeling, this announcement does not apply. Any questions regarding this matter: call the Mail Room at 878-5515, or contact Rick Reinhart at Mailmasters at 893-6343.

A retirement celebration for Connie Vasi will be held Monday, November 23, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in Twin Rise Center 204. Connie has been at Buffalo State for over 41 years and in Computing and Technology Services for the last 36 years. Please join us in wishing Connie a fond farewell. Cake and soft drinks will be served.

If you will be teaching a course in summer or fall 2010, textbook orders must be completed by February 26, 2010. Information about why this change is taking place and how it will benefit Buffalo State students will be shared at an Open Forum on Tuesday, December 1, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210. Campus panel members from Academic Affairs, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and others involved in this initiative will be present to share information and answer questions. This session is co-sponsored by the College Senate and Academic Affairs.