Erin Childers (Food Service) and Melanie Tester (Housing and Residence Life) have been approved to participate in the Voluntary Shared Leave Program. To donate vacation time (minimum four hours), send a letter or e-mail to Kathy Hamby in Human Resource Services (hambyka@appstate.edu). Include your Banner identification number. The deadline to donate leave is March 24.

Composer, performer and teacher Dr. Mark Snyder will give a concert March 15 at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Recital Hall. Admission is free.

Scott Kallestad conducts the saxophone choir in a performance of chamber music March 22. The performance begins at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free. The 12-member saxophone choir is an ensemble in Appalachian’s Hayes School of Music.

Climate economist Jason Shogren will speak on “Climate Policy: Pre- and Post-Copenhagen” March 17 at 5 p.m. in Room 114 Belk Library and Information Commons. The talk is open to the public. It is sponsored by Appalachian’s Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics.

Alpha Delta Pi is hosting a spring carnival March 21 from 1-4 p.m. on Duck Pond Field. This will be a family friendly event. Organizations will host carnival booths with games for the children to play. There will also be music, inflatable bounce objects and food. Donations will be accepted benefiting the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House. For more information, contact Rebecca Horn at hornrn@appstate.edu.

The Ninth Annual Diversity Celebration will be held March 23 from 3-9 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union. Activities include African drumming, Native American tribal dance, belly dance and salsa. Children of all ages can create art projects and play games inspired by cultures from India to Appalachia. Traditional crafters will demonstrate their skills. Professional chefs will present an array of delicious foods from across the globe.  Admission is free. To view a 30-second video about the Diversity Celebration, visit http://today.appstate.edu/diversity-celebration-2010. For information and a performance schedule, visit  www.celebration.appstate.edu or call 828-262-2144.

The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the Appalachian Dance Ensemble’s annual Spring Concert March 24 – 27 at Valborg Theatre.  All performances begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $6.  Seating is general admission.  The box office is open weekdays from 2-5 p.m. and one hour prior to show time. Purchase tickets in person, by phone at 828-262-3063, or online at www.theatre.appstate.edu/performances/.

A sustainability film series continues March 23 with the screening of “Fresh.”The film is about farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing the nation’s food system.  This film is cosponsored by Appalachian’s Sustainable Development Program and Belk Library and Information Commons. The film will be shown in I.G. Greer Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

The films “Finding Farley” and “Africa Revolutions Tour” are among those that will be shown March 26-27 during the Banff Mountain Film Festival at Appalachian. The film festival – hosted by Outdoor Programs – will be held in Farthing Auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for students and $9 for nonstudents. Tickets can be purchased at the Farthing Auditorium Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by calling 1-800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046. Tickets also are available online at www.op.appstate.edu or from Footsloggers in downtown Boone. Audiences should be aware that some films contain course language and scenes that might not be appropriate for children. For more information, visit www.op.appstate.edu.

Jess Walter visits campus March 25 for a Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series presentation. Walter will present a craft talk titled “The Shape of the Thing: Finding Structure in Voice” at 3:30 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union’s Price Lake Room followed by a 7:30 p.m. reading in the student union’s Table Rock Room. His presentation is free and open to the public. Books will be available for sales and signing.

The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts announces its schedule of  programs at The Community Art School.  Participants can try their hands at anything from drawing, to creating collages to visual journals.  Pre-registration and payment are required, and enrollment is limited.  Turchin  Center members are eligible for discounted registration fees.  Register online at www.tcva.org/register or call 828-262-3017 for more information.

Express Yourself!
Express Yourself! is a series of workshops sponsored by Turchin Center’s Community Art School, the Expressive Arts Therapy Program, and the Department of Art designed to help children and adults with developmental disabilities explore their feelings, develop their creativity, build their social network, and have fun through various arts activities. Some sessions focus on the development of art techniques and some focus on the therapeutic aspect of the arts.
10 a.m.- noon, March 26
Taught by Kate Brinko
Cost: FREE; advanced registration is required

Adult Community Artmaking II
2-4 p.m. on Sundays, April 11, 18 and 25, and May 2
Arnold P. Rosen Family Education Wing, 3rd floor classroom
Taught by Pegge Laine as part of the Teens and Adults Programs
Cost: $45 for TCVA members; $55 for non-members
Preregistration and prepayment required.

Figure Drawing with Tim FordParticipants in this weekend class will be led through a series of drawing exercises designed to strengthen  familiarity with the figure and lead to more expressive and dynamic content. Participants will explore gesture and organization drawing using charcoal, graphite, and paint. This course allows for a wide range of abilities from beginner to advanced.
9 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Wey Hall, Room 306
March  20-21; 27-28
April 10-11; 17-18
Taught by Tim Ford as part of the Teens and Adults Programs
Cost: $45 for TCVA members; $55 for non-members

Preregistration and prepayment required.

Visual Journals with David Modler

This class will provide instruction for creating and maintaining an artifact known as a visual journal. A visual journal is similar to a traditional sketchbook or journal, so the class will incorporate reflective writing and image making in order to create personal meaning.
Participants are encouraged to bring a new or old and neglected sketchbook and favorite art materials to begin their journey. Any other personal items that they would like to incorporate into their art making such as ticket stubs, receipts, letters, photographs, etc. are also recommended.

10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays, March 20 and 27
Arnold P. Rosen Family Education Wing, 3rd floor classroom
Taught by David Modler as part of the Teens and Adults Programs
Cost: $40 for TCVA members; $50 for non-members
Preregistration and prepayment required.

Draw-a-thon

Students, professors, and local artists (of all levels and ages) will be invited to gather at the Turchin Center to draw from live models during a two-day event with the goal of creating a casual, fun atmosphere that is open to the curious novice, the devoted expert, and every
level in between.  Participants are invited to be involved in the entire event or drop in as their schedule allows.

Friday, March 26
5- 11p.m. (tentative end)
Saturday, March 27
9 a.m.- 7:30 p.m.(tentative ending)
For more information, and for a more detailed schedule, contact Brook Bower at 828-262-7520.

Education Fair
Monday, March 22, 9 a.m.-noon, Broyhill Inn and Conference Center
For any students interested in teaching or work in the public and/or independent schools. Meet with representatives from schools throughout NC and other states in the southeast.  Professional dress is required bring several copies of your RESUMES.

Making a Difference Career Fair
Thursday, March 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Plemmons Student Union
Are you interested in finding a career that gives back? Come to the Making a Difference Career Fair and meet with employers from nonprofit, government, and environmental sectors of work. Visit www.careers.appstate.edu and select Career Fairs for information on organizations attending. Bring several copies of your RESUMES.

Federal Government Job Searching Workshop

Thursday, March 25, 5-6 p.m., Plemmons Student Union’s Calloway Peak Room
The federal government needs to hire more than 270,000 workers for “mission-critical” jobs over the next three years according to a federal government survey. This workshop will provide information on how to find and apply for these opportunities within the federal government. A guest speaker from the Federal Department of Labor will be available for a lively question and answer forum.