In Brief

Panel features women scientists

University of Rochester Women in Science will present a panel discussion, "Women in Science: Perspectives" at 2 p.m. November 18. It will be held in Hubbell Auditorium in Hutchison Hall, and a reception will follow. For more information, call x5-9644 or visit the web site, www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/URWIS.

Spike for Sojourner House

The Graduate Student Society of the Medical School will hold its annual charity volleyball tournament, "Spike for Sojourner House," Saturday, December 5 in Zornow Sports Center. The registration deadline is Tuesday, November 24. This is the society's fifth such tournament. Last year the group raised more than $2,500. Refreshments, T-shirts, and prizes will be awarded. For information on how to register, contact Andrew Custer, 271-7480, or e-mail acuster@mc.rochester.edu.

Preventive health to be discussed

"Mother/child Care: Primary and Secondary Prevention" is the topic of a talk to be held November 24 at 3 p.m. in Helen Wood Hall, Room 3W301. Harriet Kitzman will present this portion of the School of Nursing Research Exchange. Call x5-7376 for more information.

Food relief: Does it help?

Cilas Kemedjio, assistant professor of French, will discuss "The Politics of Humanitarianism: From Forced Labor to 'Doctors Without Borders'" as part of the Modern Languages and Cultures Fall Colloquium Wednesday, November 11. The talk will take place at 4 p.m. in Dewey Hall, Room 2-110E. His speech will focus on the history of humanitarianism in Third World countries and comparison between food assistance in these societies and the welfare system in the United States.

Note these holiday hours

During the Thanksgiving holiday week, the Customer Service Center on the first floor of Susan B. Anthony Hall will be open regular hours Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24. The office will be open Wednesday, November 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be closed Thanksgiving Day through Saturday, November 28. Regular operating hours will resume Monday, November 30.

Prof will tell about self-mutilators

Laura Engelstein, a Princeton history professor, will present "Image and Self-Image in the Making of a Folk Religion: The Case of the Russian Skoptsy" as part of the Verne Moore Lecture Series in History at 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 17 in Morey Hall, Room 321. Engelstein will discuss a Russian religious community who practiced ritual self-mutilation as a guarantee of sexual chastity and spiritual salvation. Despite persecution, the group existed from the 18th century until the 1930s.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call x5-2052.

Tackle the No. 1 fear

The University's Daybreakers Toastmasters Club invites employees to join. Members work on improving skills in speaking, presenting, and listening, learn how to think quickly and clearly, and build strong leadership skills. The group meets at 7:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month in the Medical Center's Seneca Room near the cafeteria. For more information, call Kim Christopher, x5-3392 or 586-8990.

Party South Asian style

Lively musical acts, fashion, food and body art will be featured in the South Asian Expo Saturday, November 21 from 2 to 6 p.m. in the May Room of Wilson Commons.

Brief histories will preface eight 15-minute musical and dance performances to be held throughout the day. In addition, booths are planned for Mehndi, a type of art applied to the hand; fashion, where patrons can have their pictures taken in traditional South Asian garb; language, where individuals can have their names printed in another language; religions of the region; and musical instruments unique to the area.

Admission is free. For more information, call Wilson Commons Information Desk, x5-5911.

Craft sale slated

"Crafts Under Glass," a sale of crafts by local artisans and University employees, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, November 20 in Hirst Lounge, Wilson Commons.

Crafters from all over the state will present jewelry, backpacks, purses, home decor, afghans, doll clothes, sweaters, and other gift ideas. For more information, call Beverly Dartt, x4-3326.

Lunch for a cause

During Hunger and Homelessness Week, the Community Service Network will sponsor the second annual Chili Lunch Fundraiser Friday, November 20 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Alternative Spring Break Program, which sends more than 50 students to six sites across the continent. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Dean of Students office and the Common Market. Groups of four or more should make reservations by e-mailing Joe at jpa1@cc.rochester.edu. Nonperishable food items for a local food agency also will be collected at the lunch. For more information, call CSN, x5-5957.

Talks will cover pain, religion

Noon-Hour Health Bites will feature "Functioning Despite Pain" November 10. Alice Armstrong, who works in the Department of Environmental Medicine, will share tips on how to go about life despite the challenges of chronic pain. The November 17 session will highlight "Religion and Health: What Does the Research Tell Us?" University experts will be looking for lively discussion with audience questions and ideas. Both lunchtime talks will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in Whipple Auditorium in the Medical Center.

Volunteers sought

Financial management--LifeSpan seeks volunteers to help seniors with their budgeting and routine bill paying. Two or three hours/month. Call Allan Lippman, 454-3224, ext. 113.

Cancer awareness--The American Cancer Society seeks volunteers to promote cancer prevention through its Speakers Bureau and health fairs. Call 288-1950.

Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT)--Members are technicians who respond to emergency calls in the Med Center, providing care and transportation for employees, visitors, and patients who are not in inpatient care. (MERT members respond when doing so does not interfere with work responsibilities.) To find out more, call x5-3285.

Language interpreters--Employees or students who are native speakers of foreign languages (excluding Spanish) are needed to serve as interpreters in the Medical Center. Call x5-4778.

Sperm donors--Men ages 20-39, all ethnic groups, needed to participate for one year in confidential sperm donor program. Compensation. Call the Andrology Lab, x5-4020 or x5-2491

Research participants needed

HIV--HIV patients with memory loss and CD4 count of 300 or less needed for study of AIDS dementia. Volunteers can earn up to $150. Call Kim, x3-2114.

Sleep--Control subjects needed to participate in sleep studies. Call x5-8221.

Cold sores--Volunteers ages 18-60 with a history of cold sores needed to test investigational medicinal cream. Compensation up to $375 for scheduled visits. Call x3-4637.

Osteoarthritis--The Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology is conducting a number of clinical research studies, including studies of different drugs for osteoarthritis. For details, call Denise Coffin, x5-1647, or e-mail Denise_Coffin@urmc.rochester.edu.

Insomnia--Individuals suffering from insomnia for six or more months, ages 25-65, are needed to participate in a research study. Call x5-8221 or e-mail Colleen_McCallum@urmc.rochester.edu.

Indigestion--This nationwide study aims to improve treatment for non-ulcer dyspepsia, or indigestion. Must have persistent stomach discomfort, indigestion, belching, heartburn, bloating, gas pain, or nausea. Participants will receive free examinations and study medication and compensation of $200. Call Jim at the Isaac Gordon Center for Digestive Diseases at the Genesee Hospital, 263-4933.