In observance of the Independence Day holiday, Travel Leaders/Albany Travel will be closed on Friday, July 3. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, July 6. Please make any airline/train ticket reservations no later than Thursday, July 2, afternoon. If you need immediate assistance while they are closed, please call their emergency service center at 888-565-9172.

The Buffalo State Fitness Center will be closed on Saturday, July 4. Enjoy the holiday!

The local produce season is gearing up. Peas, lettuce, cherries, and more are available now. If you are not sure where to find these treats, check out the display case in the upper lobby of E. H. Butler Library. Find information galore—including tips on where to pick and how to grow your own produce and listings of the farmers markets in the area. While you are in the library, check out some of the great books we have to help you grow, preserve, and cook some of the many local offerings. This case is part of the Save Your Local Planet Display brought to you by Donna Gesel-Young, Mary Jo Graham, and Susan Jaworski. Feel free to contact them if you have any questions or comments. Think global, eat local!

If you are free Saturday morning, please consider volunteering for Brush Up Buffalo 2009. Buffalo State is an in-kind sponsor for the all-volunteer organization.

Join the Burchfield Penney on Friday, June 26, at 8:30 p.m. for the third installment of the Monsters of Nature and Design series with Craig Smith, Gary Nickard, Reinhard Reitzenstein, Biff Henrich, and the Vores.

The SUNY Vice Provost for Diversity and Educational Equity has announced that the following proposals submitted by Buffalo State faculty were among the seven that were selected for 2009-2010 Explorations for Diversity and Academic Excellence awards:

If you are traveling this summer, please remember to save the small hotel toiletry items that you do not use. The College and Community Partnerships Office and the Buffalo State 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 children who attend the center. Last year, thanks to the generosity of Buffalo State faculty and staff, over 150 bags were given out. Many of these youths live in poverty and often do not have items that we take for granted like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, cream, combs, brushes, lip balm, soap, etc. We also like to fill some bags with items specifically for teen boys and girls. Your donations will help make the holidays a little better for these struggling families.

We invite faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and family to take advantage of the following “classes” on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11. Learn and have fun with some of our talented faculty, staff, and alumni instructors. Preview the schedule below and register before they fill up. To register or for class descriptions, call 878-6001 or visit www.alumni.buffalostate.edu. Please register by Wednesday, July 8.

Are you a chef, yoga instructor, public speaker, musician, or registered dietician? If so, we would love to have you share your talent(s) during Weeks of Welcome. Topics such as stress management, dietary needs, healthy relationships, building strong communities on and off campus, and student support services will be covered. Your assistance is needed in providing our students with the necessary tools to succeed here at Buffalo State. For more information about Weeks of Welcome, please feel free to contact Tamara McMillan in the Student Life Office at ext. 4631.

Prize winners at the Staff Appreciation Picnic held Tuesday, June 16: