Friday, July 28, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Run for the veterans

Pay tribute to the MTSU faculty, staff, alumni and students who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces by taking part in the MTSU Veterans Memorial Run/Walk at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17. There will be individual and team awards for top finishers in all age and gender divisions. Each pre-registered entrant will receive a race T-shirt. Early registration is $15, and online registration will close at 8 p.m. Central time Friday, Sept. 15. All proceeds will go towards construction of an on-campus memorial to military personnel. Media welcomed.

For more information, contact Maj. Chuck Giles at 1-888-682-7682.
cgiles@mtsu.edu

To the beat of a different drummer

Pearl Drums is proud to provide drumming equipment for this year’s Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp July 31-Aug. 5 at MTSU. Cindy Phiffer, wife of Pearl Drums president Jim Phiffer, is one of the camp’s latest and strongest supporters. “We have raised two sons (Jonathan Fee, 24, and Josh Phiffer, 20) in Murfreesboro, and we are committed to doing our part to ensure that all area teens and pre-teens have the opportunity to experience the arts,” Phiffer says. “We believe it is vital to our future.” The Southern Girls Rock & Roll camp offers girls ages 10-18 a positive place to develop their musical skills, collaborate with other girls and enhance their self-esteem.

Contact Phiffer at 615-893-4117.
cindyphi@comcast.net
For a color jpeg of the Saturday night SGRRC showcase ticket, contact Gina Logue at 615-898-5081.
gklogue@mtsu.edu

Collateral damage

One of the most unfortunate results of war is civilian casualties, whether inadvertent or intentional. “Some would argue there is no distinction between civilians and combatants in modern warfare,” Derek Frisby, history professor and Desert Storm veteran, says. “Nothing could be further from the truth. It is imperative that U.S. forces distinguish the difference between civilians and combatants and respect the international laws of war regarding non-combatants and the treatment of POWs. Abiding by these rules helps ensure fair treatment of our own forces should they be in a similar situation.”

Contact Frisby at 615-494-8856.
dfrisby@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

A CENTURY OF BEAUTY—THIS WEEKEND--Beautiful bonsai trees will be on display at the Middle Tennessee Regional Bonsai Show Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 in Room 322 of the Keathley University Center. The show is co-sponsored by the Nashville Bonsai Society and the Japan-U.S. Program of MTSU. “Unlike ikebana (arranged flowers), bonsai trees have a long life, often more than 100 years, and require not just love but much physical and mental commitment on the part of the grower,” Dr. Kiyoshi Kawahito, director of MTSU’s Japan-U.S. Program, said. Bonsai Master Warren Hill, former supervisory curator for the U.S. National Bonsai Collection, will conduct a demonstration at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The tree he sculpts will be auctioned off during the demonstration. Admission both days is free. Media welcomed. To register for the show or for more information, contact Barbara Walton at 615-337-4728 or 615-449-6693 or cuchem@charter.net.

DANCING AND DRUMMING—SATURDAY--“The Bohemian Sanctuary: An Evening of Dancing and Drumming” will be presented at 7 p.m. at MTSU’s Wright Music Hall to benefit Rutherford County’s Rape Recovery and Prevention Center (RRAPC). Belly dancers from the Murfreesboro area will display their talents, and the Rhythmystik Tribal Percussion Duo will provide musical entertainment. The duo, which has released two CDs, is well known in the Nashville area. The RRAPC is a local nonprofit agency dedicated to helping victims of sexual assault and their families with the trauma and emotional battle resulting from sexual violence. The number for the 24-hour crisis line is 615-494-9262 (This number is for sexual violence crises only—not for information about the event.). For information about the “Bohemian Sanctuary” event, contact Justine Viola at 615-494-9881.

HEAD FOR THE MOUNTAINS!--Some 16 MTSU alumni and several faculty members have contributed to the newly published “Encyclopedia of Appalachia.” The title has more than 2,000 entries which provides ready reference to information about the people, culture and history of Appalachia. MTSU’s Center for Historic Preservation was contacted by scholars at East Tennessee State University’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Services about collaborating on the project. CHP Director Dr. Carroll Van West says he agreed to participate because of his interest in southern architecture and because the Applachian region suffers from stereotyping. Contact the Center for Historic Preservation at 615-898-2947.