Music
26 Ancient Echoes; evening of music inspired by Penn Museum’s collections—collaboration with Philadelphia Chapter of the American Composers Forum; 8 p.m.; Penn Museum; $15/in advance, $20/door, $10/members; tickets: http://www.penn.museum/ (Penn Museum).
Talk
28 LRSM Science Café: Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes ARE Genetic: Successes from Genome Wide Scans; Struan Grant, pediatrics; 6 p.m. (venue opens at 5 p.m.); University Club, Inn at Penn (LRSM).
Penn faculty, staff and students are invited to take advantage of a series of special discounts for 2016 Penn Relays tickets.
On Thursday, April 28, admission is free with a PennCard and since it is Take Your Child to Work Day, employees may also bring one child for free. Additional tickets are available for purchase for $5 with PennCard.
On Friday, April 29, faculty and staff can purchase a maximum of four general admissions tickets for $10 each with a valid PennCard. Admission is free for Penn students with PennCard.
On Saturday, April 30, faculty and staff can purchase a maximum of four bronze level tickets for $24 each with a valid PennCard.
To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.thepennrelays.com
The Penn Relays, which began in 1895, is the oldest and largest track & field competition in the United States.
Shakespeare at Penn's Library
The Bard of Avon was born and died in April so it is fitting that he makes an appearance now. (Above) The Stage and All the World: Shakespeare, Cervantes and Early Maps, an exhibit juxtaposing the way exploration and geography are represented in literature and in maps, is on display in the Snyder-Granader Alcove, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library with a reception on Thursday, April 21 from 5-7:30 p.m. The exhibition will be on display now through June 17.
A conference on Spain and England in the Age of Cervantes and Shakespeare: Connected Histories? will be held on April 21, 1-7:30 p.m.; Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library. To register: http://tinyurl.com/zp8pvjf (Penn Libraries).
Volunteers for April 23 Baby Shower
HUP Nursing is looking for volunteers to help with their 2016 Greater Philadelphia Community Baby Shower on Saturday, April 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Penn Ice Rink.
This free event is open to the public and is an educational program for expectant mothers and new families with children up to 3 years old. There will be an ongoing educational session for participants, who will then tour the vendor area, where there will be opportunities for specialized and individual education. Since it is a baby shower, there will be gifts and presents. Participants will enter drawings for gifts for their families. Refreshments will be served.
Parking is free under the Walnut Street Bridge and also in the lot next to the Ice Rink. Entrance to the parking area is from 31st Street. Volunteer opportunities include set up: Friday, April 22, 4 p.m. & Saturday April 23, 8-10 a.m., as well as registration, fitness demonstration, refreshments, door prize distribution, evaluations and break down: Saturday, April 23, 3-5 p.m. & Monday, April 25, 10 a.m.-noon.
This is an opportunity to demonstrate concern for the families in our community. We need many volunteers to make this program a success! Please email me at sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu to volunteer.
—Isabel Mapp,
Director, Penn Volunteers in Public Service
Walk-Back Program: April 28-May 10
The Division of Public Safety, in collaboration with the Undergraduate Assembly (UA) and the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA), will be offering the Public Safety Walk-Back Program during reading days and final exams, April 28 to May 10 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
An AlliedBarton Public Safety Officer will be posted at the “Split Button” on Blanche Levy Park in front of the library from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. Approximately every half hour the officer will enter Van Pelt-Dietrich Library to offer walking escorts to anyone in the building. The officer will then perform the escort and return to repeat the process.
The Division of Public Safety is providing this service in addition to its normal Walking Escort Programs. Uniformed AlliedBarton Public Safety Officers provide free walking escort services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from 30th to 43rd Streets and Market Street to Baltimore Avenue.
Escorts are also available from 10 a.m. until 3 a.m. from 30th to 50th Streets and Spring Garden Street to Woodland Avenue via the University’s partnership with the University City District Ambassador Program.
Officers are dispatched by radio and will accompany the requestor from one location to another, to a Penn Transit stop or to an on-campus SEPTA regional transit stop.
To request a Walking Escort, call (215) 898-9255 (898-WALK).
Learn more here: https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/about/security-services/walking-escort/
Penn Libraries’ Dog Days: April 28 and April 29
Penn Libraries is working again with Therapy Dogs International for the second-ever Van Pelt Dog Days. Last December, it held its first Van Pelt Dog Days to help students take a break and relieve stress during reading days and finals. It will host the dogs in the Class of ’55 Conference Room (rm. 241) on Thursday, April 28 from 2-4 p.m. and in the Meyerson Conference Room (rm. 223) on Friday, April 29 from 2-4 p.m. All members of the Penn community are welcome.
More information can be found online at: bit.ly/vpdogdays
Penn Libraries’ Dog Days: April 28 and April 29
Penn Libraries is working again with Therapy Dogs International for the second-ever Van Pelt Dog Days. Last December, it held its first Van Pelt Dog Days to help students take a break and relieve stress during reading days and finals. It will host the dogs in the Class of ’55 Conference Room (rm. 241) on Thursday, April 28 from 2-4 p.m. and in the Meyerson Conference Room (rm. 223) on Friday, April 29 from 2-4 p.m. All members of the Penn community are welcome.
More information can be found online at: bit.ly/vpdogdays
With Earth Day this Friday, followed soon thereafter by Arbor Day, it is time to focus on trees, on campus and at the Morris Arboretum, and everywhere from here to there.
The Penn community is invited to celebrate Earth Day, April 22, at 11:30 a.m., on College Green between the north side of Claudia Cohen Hall and the LOVE statue. Through a partnership with FRES and the Morris Arboretum, Penn will host a ceremonial tree planting of a Prunus ‘Helen Taft’ flowering cherry tree in recognition of Penn’s 7th year being named a Tree Campus USA.
The ‘Helen Taft’ tree is named for former First Lady Helen Taft to commemorate the 100th anniversary in 2012 of the Japanese gift of cherry trees that now are a celebrated landmark of the nation’s capital. Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two of the cherry trees at the Tidal Basin in DC in a ceremony on March 27, 1912.
Participants in Friday’s ceremony will include Penn’s Vice President of Facilities & Real Estate Services Anne Papageorge; University Landscape Architect Bob Lundgren and the Morris Arboretum’s Director of Horticulture and Curator Tony Aiello.
Register now for the tree tours that will take place on April 22, following the 11:30 a.m. event.
Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TreeCampusUSA2016
Then, on Earth Day, meet on College Green between the north side of Claudia Cohen Hall and the LOVE statue following the Ceremonial Tree Planting and photo opportunity. Tree tours will be presented by FRES Landscape Architect staff and Morris Arboretum staff:
Significant Trees–presented by Jason Lubar and Bob Wells
Specialty Gardens–presented by Bob Lundgren and Chloe Cerwinka
Group Bike Ride to Arboretum
April 23, Pedal to the Petals! Penn students are invited to ride their bikes from campus to the Morris Arboretum with Arboretum staff and the Penn Outdoors Club. The group will meet in front of the Penn Museum at 10:30 a.m. The ride will be on bike trails for 13 out of the 14 miles to the Arboretum and go past some of the prettiest places in the city (Philadelphia Museum of Art, Boathouse Row & Wissahickon Valley Park). Spring petals will be in abundance when the group arrives at the Arboretum. Complimentary refreshments will be available for everyone to recharge and the Morris Café will be open for more extensive meal options. The group will head back to campus at 3 p.m. and be back on campus by 4:30 p.m. All participants need their own bike, helmet and water bottle.
Register in advance at http://tinyurl.com/ht38jyg
Celebrating Arbor Day at Arboretum
How does your garden grow? Find out how to make it flourish at Morris Arboretum’s Arbor Day Family Day on Saturday, April 23 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Expand your tree and gardening knowledge and discover how to help plants and flowers grow. Explore three very different garden stations that will surprise you and sketch your own special garden. Learn how to choose garden plants, experiment with seeds and create your own indoor or outdoor garden.
After you’ve visited these garden stations, stop by the Upper Gallery from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to learn more about trees at Arbor Day related demonstration tables. Discover which everyday items, such as cough syrup and cinnamon, are made from trees. Talk with artisans who have crafted bowls and birdhouses from Arboretum reclaimed wood, which are available for purchase in the shop. This event, open to all visitors, is free with garden admission and also gives 4th and 5th grade Girl Scouts the opportunity to earn their “Gardener” badge.
Human Resources: Upcoming May Programs
Professional & Personal Development Programs
Improve your skills and get ahead in your career by taking advantage of the many development opportunities provided by Human Resources. You can register for programs by visiting knowledgelink.upenn.edu or contacting Learning and Education at (215) 898-3400.
Project Management; 5/19; 9 a.m.-noon; $75. Managing projects can feel daunting. It requires a focus on defining the initiative, planning for work, managing the initiative and monitoring results. Join us for a seminar to learn about tools and techniques that can help you managing your projects. Learn how to identify the key activities in the project life cycle and how to construct a project timeline. Understand the role of the “triple constraint” in project management and apply it in determining project scope. Learn how to keep projects on track by managing project risks and effectively using a communication plan. Capture valuable project lessons and use them to define and improve project management practices within your organization.
Quality of Worklife Workshops
Dealing with the demands of work and your personal life can be challenging. These free workshops, sponsored by Human Resources and led by experts from Penn’s Employee Assistance Program and Quality of Worklife Department, offer information and support for your personal and professional life challenges. For complete details and to register, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/registration or contact Human Resources at (215) 573-2471 or qowl@hr.upenn.edu
Guided Meditation–Take a Breath and Relax; 5/10 & 5/20; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Practice mindful breathing that focuses your attention on the present moment with kindness, compassion and awareness. Self-massage and gentle mindful movements that promote relaxation and reduce stress may also be included in the workshop. No experience necessary.
Mindfulness in the Workplace; 5/11; noon-1 p.m. From Psychology Today to the Harvard Business Review, mindfulness has been in the news a lot lately, but what exactly does it mean? Mindfulness practice develops awareness of your present thoughts and feelings to help you manage different situations. In this workshop, we’ll explore the science and philosophy behind mindfulness and learn its potential benefits. You’ll see how mindfulness can help you become more engaged and effective both at home and in the workplace. Please feel free to bring your lunch.
Current Market Sellers and Refinance Tools; 5/17; 12:30-1:30 p.m. One of Penn Home Ownership Services’ lending partners will be on hand to answer all of your mortgage questions for home purchases and refinance. This open forum will allow home sellers and buyers to ask questions regarding the home-buying process, credit, down-sizing and related topics. Lunch will be provided.
Thinking About Retirement; 5/18; 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. If you’re retiring soon or just considering it, Penn offers an informative program just for you. Thinking About Retirement covers the essentials of your retirement package, including your Penn Retirement Plan, Social Security and Medicare. Attend any one of these three concurrent sessions, or all of them, to learn how to enjoy the rewards of your Penn career long after you retire.
Healthy Living Workshops
Get the tools you need to live well year-round. From expert nutrition and weight loss advice to exercise and disease prevention strategies, we can help you kick-start your body and embrace a healthy lifestyle. These free workshops are sponsored by Human Resources. For complete details and to register, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/registration or contact Human Resources at (215) 573-2471 or qowl@hr.upenn.edu
Osteoporosis Workshop; 5/3; noon-1 p.m. Osteoporosis is a major health problem that affects over 25 million Americans. Half of the women over age 50 and one-third of men over age 75 will develop osteoporosis. Osteoporosis will cause more than 1.3 million debilitating fractures a year; hip fractures alone account for an estimated 50,000 deaths annually. While there are treatments that can slow or stop bone loss, currently the only cure for osteoporosis is prevention. This presentation is designed to educate the audience on what osteoporosis is, the risk factors associated with osteoporosis, and osteoporosis prevention.
Gentle Yoga; 5/4 & 5/25; 11 a.m.-noon. Let your body reward itself with movement. Join us for this Gentle Yoga session and explore the natural movements of the spine with slow and fluid moving bends and soft twists. During this session, you will flow into modified sun salutations that loosen those tightened muscles and joints of the lower back, neck, shoulders and wrists. And as an added bonus, you’ll get a workout in the process. Mats and props will be provided.
Be in the Know Biometric Screenings; 5/10; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Start this year’s Be in the Know campaign and sign up for a free and confidential biometric screening, which measures your:
• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar (glucose)
• Non-fasting cholesterol
(total and high density lipoproteins)
Biometric screenings are conducted by AREUFIT Health Services, an experienced worksite health promotion company. These screenings should only take 20 minutes. On the spot, you’ll receive your results and learn what they mean from an AREUFIT health educator.
Visit our Be in the Know webpages at www.hr.upenn.edu/beintheknow to learn about the full campaign, including complete details regarding this year’s Core Activities (biometric screening and online health assessment) and Bonus Actions. Get started today and earn up to $180* and be entered into various drawings for exciting prizes!
*Note: All Be in the Know incentives are less applicable payroll taxes.
—Division of Human Resources
At the Burrison Gallery: Seashells to Birds at Play—Watercolors by Lauren Sweeney
Seashells to Birds at Play, Lauren Sweeney’s watercolors are now on display at the University Club’s Burrison Gallery through May 10. She has had a life-long interest in art and biology. This led her to pursue a career first as a scientific illustrator, and then in scientific research. With a BA in biology from Penn, she studied medical illustration, then earned a PhD in biology. A career in research and teaching followed. Throughout her career she always painted, but only in recent years did art become her full-time focus. A lifetime of scientific observation underpins her interest in capturing the essence of her subjects, which range from still life to interior scenes, streetscapes and seascapes. In most of these, she focuses on glimpses of scenes to capture the essence of the larger scene. She has exhibited in many galleries in the area, and is a member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club, the Main Line Art Center and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. She has done a number of commissioned paintings, including for Penn’s Office of the Provost and the Delaware Museum of Natural History.