What's Current

"What's Current" is a free service for all student organizations and campus departments. Deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Space consideration is given to student organizations and is on a first-come, first-served basis. We suggest all postings be submitted at least one week prior to the event. Listings may be edited in regards to space availability and style. Email event listings to thecurrent@umsl.edu with the subject "What's Current."Only emailed submissions will be accepted, for more information call 5174.

All listings use 516 prefixes unless otherwise indicated.Tuesday, December 2

Tuesday Evening Mass and Soup

Join us for mass in the Newman Center living room. Mass is immediately followed by a simple meal of bread and soup.

From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Open to all. For more info, call Liz Detwiler at 314-385-3455.

Jazz Ensemble & Vocal Point

This concert is a must see for the holiday season, featuring the UMSL Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Jim Widner and Vocal Point, UMSL's premier acappella group under the direction of Dr. Jim Henry.

Holiday classics will be presented in the stylings of Stan Kenton, Singers Unlimited and Diana Krall. This is rapidly becoming one of the most anticipated concerts of the holiday season.

At 7:30 p.m. in the A-B Performance Hall at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. This is a free and non-ticketed event. For more info, call 4949.

Wednesday, December 3

Finals Stress Blow-off

Come release some of the end of semester stress and enjoy free food, massages, a money machine, health screening and much more!

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the rotunda of the Millennium Student Center. Open to all. For more info, call Scott Tapp at 5176.

Oil and Class Struggle in Nigeria

Olusegun A. James-Owenpka, journalist for The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse and THIS DAY, discusses some of the root causes of the strife in Nigeria and why the violence and kidnapping of foreign oil workers is escalating.

At 4 p.m. in the Summit Lounge of the J.C. Penney Building. For more info, call Bob Ell at 7299.

University Symphonic Band

University Symphonic Band concert featuring Jeanine York-Garesche as clarinet soloist. Jeanine is instructor of clarinet at UM-St. Louis.

The program will also include various works from the concert band repetoire such as "The Free Lance March" by John Philip Sousa, Mvt. #5, "Hobbits" from the "Lord of the Rings Symphony" by Johann deMiej and many more.

At 7:30 p.m. in the Lee Theater at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. This is a free and non-ticketed event. For more info, call 4949.

The Mind of Peace Experiment

Five Israelis meet five Palestinians to discuss, debate and negotiate different solutions to one of the most entrenched conflicts in the world. They have five formal sessions to reach a peace agreement. At the end of each formal session, the audience will be allowed to comment, react and ask questions.

Sessions will take place on December 3, 7, 10, 14 and 17. Wednesday sessions will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday sessions will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. All sessions will take place in 331 SSB.

Open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more info, call Bob Ell at 7299.

Warren Bellis Festival

Perfomances, clinics and master classes for clarinet and saxophone. There will several workshop performances throughout the day.

At 9 a.m. in the Lee Theater at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. This is a free and non- ticketed event. For more info, call 4949.

Thursday, December 4

Finals Stress Blow-off

Come release some of the end of semester stress! There will be free food, free massages, a punching station, health screenings and much more! Sponsored by Tau Sigma and WAVES.

From noon to 3 p.m. in the rotunda of the Millennium Student Center. Open to all. For more info, call Scott Tapp at 5176.

Predicting Future Cash Needs

This Financial Management Series course covers estimating future sources and uses of cash to help you make more informed decisions related to preparing for growth, taking money out of your small business and making affordable purchases. Cost: $99.

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at UMSL. For more info, call Alan Hauff at 6121.

Fiction Reading by Ethan Canin

Critically acclaimed novelist and short story writer, Ethan Canin, will read from his new novel, America America. Books will be on sale at a discount the night of the reading.

From 7 p.m to 9 p.m. in Gallery 210. For more info, call Mary Troy at 515-6845.

Student String Chamber Concert

Join the UM-St. Louis Student Chamber Musicians as they present works of Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Schubert. This promises to be a thrilling evening of memorable performances.

At 7:30 p.m. in the Lee Theater at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. This is a free and non-ticketed event. For more info, call 4949.

Friday, December 5

FS 2008 Seminar Series in Business & Economics

Dr. Hong Sheng, assistant professor of Business & IT, Missouri University of S&T, Rolla will present "ID Application in Health Care Industry: A Case Study Using Grounded-Theory Approach."

From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in 401 SSB. For more info, call Dr. Dinesh Mirchandani at 7354.

The Basics of Writing a Business Plan

New and existing business owners, learn how to write a business plan or pump up an existing one. This course identifies the key components of a business plan. Cost: $49.

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at UM-St. Louis. For more info, call Alan Hauff at 6121.

St. Louis Philharmonic

The St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra will present its annual Holiday "Pops" Concert, Friday, Dec. 5.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. and will feature the Kirkwood Children's Chorale.

Admission is $20 and seating is on a first come, first served basis. Please join us for this favorite seasonal night of festive music.

In the A-B Peformance Hall ath the Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more info, call 4949.

Saturday, December 6

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Deck The Halls with zoot suits and fedoras - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is coming to town, this time with its sensational holiday show!

You will not find a higher energy performance for the family than this - and if you caught them the last time they performed at the Touhill, you know it is a concert not to be missed!

At 8 p.m. in the A-B Performance Hall in the Touhill Performing Arts Center. For more info or to buy tickets, call 4949.

Sunday, December 7

Literary Lord, Screen Savior

Darren J.N. Middleton, associate professor of Literature and Theology at Texas Christian University, offers some personal reflections on The Last Temptation of Christ, the book and the film.

At 7:30 p.m. (reception at 7 p.m.) in Century Room A of the Millennium Student Center. This event is free and open to the public. For more info, call Bob Ell at 7299.

Sunday Evening Mass

Come celebrate weekly mass, and then join us for snacks and drinks!

From 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Provincial House Chapel. For more info, call Liz Detwiler at 314-385-3455.

Tuesday, December 9

Tuesday Evening Mass and Soup

Join us for mass in the Newman Center living room. Mass is immediately followed by a simple meal of bread and soup.

From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Open to all. For more info, call Liz Detwiler at 314-385-3455.

Wednesday, December 10

Faculty Colloquium: Preparing for Promotion and Tenure

For colleagues on tenure & promotion committees and those recently reviewed, the colloquium will offer advice for documenting accomplishments and preparing for review. From 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in 222 J.C. Penney Center. For more info, call 4508.