Thursday, February 8, 2007

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

People who need people

How does a business create an environment that is worker-friendly without sacrificing productivity? A Newburyport, Mass.-based consulting firm called Nice Guy Strategies stays in business by showing businesses how to do just that. Dr. Jackie Gilbert, management and marketing, says it’s not the only company that understands the importance of this approach. “Mary Kay Cosmetics (see “On People Management” by Mary Kay Ash) emphasizes making its employees feel important,” Gilbert says. She says it is an example “of what is known as ‘people centered management,’ or respect for employee dignity through the creation of a supportive atmosphere.”

Contact Gilbert at 615-898-5418.
jgilbert@mtsu.edu

The heart of the business matter

The Heart of Tennessee Business and Professional Women will present an individual development workshop from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. SATURDAY in Room 314 of Boutwell Dramatic Arts Building. Topics to be tackled include “I’m Not Confused. I Understand You!,” “Recruiting the Right Person for the Right Job,” and “You Have the Right to Write (Legislative Lobbying).” The fee is $35 for BPW members, $40 for non-members, and $20 for all students. Continental breakfast, lunch and handouts are included in the fee. Reservations are due by TOMORROW. Mail to Cindy Burkitt, 3015 Henderson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

For more information, contact Dr. Janet McCormick, speech and theatre, at 615-904-8208.
jmccormi@mtsu.edu

It’s all in the game

Gamers debate the relative merits of the two newest gaming systems, Sony Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii. According to Enterbrain, Japan’s largest video game magazine publisher, about 405,000 Wii units were sold in Japan last month, compared with 148,000 units of PS 3. Enterbrain says PS 3’s higher price tag is hindering sales. Dr. Don Roy, management and marketing, says, “PS 3 focuses on cutting-edge technology and graphics to appeal to avid gamers while Wii offers a unique interactive experience intended to appeal to non-traditional gamers as well a young gaming consumers.”

Contact Roy at 615-904-8564.
droy@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

VAUDEVILLE ISN’T DEAD!--Five current or former MTSU faculty members will help create an evening of frivolity in An Evening of Chekhov’s Vaudevilles, a presentation of the Murfreesboro Ensemble Theatre (MET) Feb. 8-18 at the Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Center for the Arts. The entertainment will consist of three one-act farces—The Bear, The Proposal, and Swan Song—with short performances by jugglers, magicians, acrobats and singers as interludes. The production will open at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8 with additional performances at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 9, 10, 16, and 17 and at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 11 and 18. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children and seniors. The Center for the Arts, a non-profit organization, is located at 110 West College Street. For ticket information, call 615-904-ARTS. To interview director Ayne Cantrell, call 615-893-1786 or write to acantrell@comcast.net
To interview MET founder and artistic director Tom Harris, call 615-895-0755 or write to millermn@comcast.net

SOUTH OF THE BORDER--“Landscapes of Mexico,” a photography exhibit featuring the works of Hector Montes de Oca, is on display through February 28 at Baldwin Photographic Gallery in the Learning Resources Center. The exhibit is made up of 40 silver gelatine black-and-white prints. He is considered to be one of the most prominent Mexican photographers of his generation. He is especially distinguished for his black-and-white landscapes, which reveal his native country in a most striking and intimate manner. The exhibit will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Mr. de Oca will present a slide show/lecture on his work at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the State Farm Lecture Hall of the Business Aerospace Building. Exhibitions and lectures are free and open to the public. Contact Tom Jimison at 615-898-2085 or tjimison@mtsu.edu

ROCK, ROLL, AND RUN THE MIXING BOARD--If you missed the first Youth Culture and Arts Center recording workshop series of the year, you still have plenty of chances to learn cassette four-track, digital eight-track, computer recording and electronic music. It’s the hippest, smartest extracurricular activity your kids will ever enjoy. Children ages 12-17 are invited to participate under the tutelage of Ryan York, teacher of guitar, bass and drums at Chambers Guitars and Musical Instruments in Murfreesboro for a fee of $125. Classes are taught in Room 149 of the John Bragg Mass Communication Building each Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and each Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is open now for the next session, which will last from Feb. 15 through Mar. 11. For more information, contact York at bororecording@gmail.com.