BookMarkers Discussion of My Antonia

The library's BookMarkers group met tonight to discuss My Antonia by Willa Cather. We spoke briefly about Willa Cather's life. Much of her work is based on her childhood experiences in Nebraska. Willa and her family, like Jim, left Virginia to travel to Nebraska by railroad. Willa was 9; Jim was 10. Antonia was based on Willa's good friend Annie Pavelka. And Annie's father was Willa's inspiration for Antonia's father. Both fathers were musicians and both could not adapt to life in the United States. About 2 years after Willa's family arrived at their Nebraska farm; they, like Jim and his grandparents, moved to the town. Willa's real town Red Cloud echoed Jim's Black Hawk. All of us appreciated Willa's vivid description of the land, remembering how Jim described the country as "running....the whole prairie like bush burned with fire....She (Antonia) had only to stand in the orchard, to put her hand on the little crab tree and look up at the apples to make you feel the goodness of planting and tending and harvesting....Sunflowers made a gold ribbon across the prairie." We also discussed the immigrant experience; several individuals recalled their grandparents' and great grandparents' immigrant experiences in Nebraska and other places in the Midwest. They believed that Willa accurately described the hardships of the immigrants in adapting to their new country.

Mundelein High School Musical

The Mundelein High School Theatre Department is preparing for a trip back in time. The destination is 1955 and the location is the fictional Sleep Tite Pajama Factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The cast and crew will be reviving the Broadway musical favorite, The Pajama Game, opening Wednesday, April 30 and continuing on Thursday, May 1 and Saturday May 3 at 7 pm. A Sunday matinee is also scheduled for 2 pm May 4. All performances will be in the MHS Auditorium with a recommended donation of $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and seniors.

Forum on Trade April 21

A free business forum on international trade featuring Congressman Peter Roskam and various experts will be held April 21 at the Meadows Club, 2950 W. Golf Road, Rolling Meadows. Companies interested in expanding export sales into new markets are invited. Topics will include identifying target markets and business partners, trade finance, export credit insurance, working capital loans, transportation and logistics services, and manufacturing for better business results. Sponsors include the U.S. Commercial Service's Libertyville Export Assistance Center, DePaul University's Rolling Meadows campus, the International Business Center, UPS, the Chicago Manufacturing Center and the Illinois District Export Council. The event is free, but people should pre-register at www.buyusa.gov/midwest/220.html. Call (847) 327-9082 for more information.

Bone Marrow and Blood Drive April 23

Bone marrow and blood drive to be held April 23
A blood and bone marrow drive will be held at the College of Lake County on Wednesday, April 23. The drive is sponsored by the CLC Health Center and LifeSource and will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Anderson Court, located in Building A on the Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St.

The bone marrow drive was launched to help find a suitable bone marrow match for Kristopher Schmidt, a first grader at Prince of Peace School in Lake Villa. Schmidt is battling leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and other health problems. His mother, Luann, is a graduate of the CLC nursing program.

An oral swab is taken to determine if potential donors are a bone marrow match. There is a $25 charge for the blood marrow donation. Exempt from the fee are minority groups (Asian, Black, Latino, Middle Eastern, Native American), fire fighters, police officers and college students in health care fields. If you have previously registered as a donor for the national bone marrow registry, you are still on the list until age 61 and no further testing is needed. A photo ID or LifeSource donor card must be presented prior to donation.

Blood donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and not have donated blood within 56 days. Donors will receive a mini-physical that includes a blood pressure check and iron-level count. The blood drive will be conducted on a walk-in basis. Donors should also bring a photo ID. For information about the blood drive or to make an appointment, call the CLC Health Center at (847) 543-2064.

International Film Series at CLC

The CLC International Film Series will conclude this spring with the a screening of "The Host" on April 25. There is no charge for film, which will be screened at 7 p.m. in room A162 on the CLC Grayslake campus, 19351 W. Washington St.

“The Host” (2006) will be shown on Friday, April 25. More than one critic has described the film as a bizarre mixture of “Little Miss Sunshine” and a giant monster movie, but director Joon-ho Bong (“Memories of a Murder”) manages to seamlessly merge a dysfunctional family comedy with sharp political satire and moments of real suspense. Logan Hill of “New York Magazine” calls it “one of the greatest monster movies ever made.”

The films are subtitled when necessary, have adult content and are not suitable for children. The International Film Series is presented by CLC International Education. For more information, contact Patrick Gonder, CLC film instructor, at (847) 543-2555 or via e-mail.

Come Celebrate Earth Week at CLC

Learn about global climate change, Fair Trade, nuclear energy, birds, snakes, native prairies and more during Earth Week activities at the College of Lake County, April 19-26. Hands-on activities for adults and children are included in the free events, which are presented by CLC instructors and other experts.

Earth Week events will be held on the Grayslake campus unless otherwise noted. Activities are organized by the Biological and Health Sciences Division and are free and open to the public. For more information or to receive a detailed brochure, call Kelly Cartwright at (847) 543-2792.

The public is invited to participate in the following Earth Week activities.

Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m.: CLC Campus Clean-Up. The CLC Environmental Club will join forces with other clubs to host the second CLC Campus Clean-Up. Last year students filled a whole dumpster! Wear clothes that can get dirty and closed toe shoes, bring work gloves and meet at the C-Wing entrance.

Monday, April 21 at noon, room A124A: Prairie Talk and Walk by Mark Coykendall, biology instructor. A presentation of the plants of the tall grass prairie followed by a walk through CLC’s own prairie restoration site.

Monday, April 21 at 3 p.m., room A248: Exploring the Appalachian Trail. Bob Remedi and Shane Jones, biology instructors will share some of the discoveries they made leading field study classes along stretches of the Appalachian Trail.

Monday, April 21 at 7 p.m., room C005: Australian Wildlife. Betsy Meyer, biology instructor, will present pictures and experiences from a recent trip “down under.”

Tuesday, April 22 at noon, room A124A: Fair Trade: Support of workers, their families and their communities. Elisabeth Martin, biology instructor, will give an overview of Fair Trade and discuss the impact it has on workers, their families and communities.

Tuesday, April 22 at 7 p.m., room C005: Nuclear Energy Discussion Panel. Learn about the future of nuclear energy and the issues involved.

Wednesday, April 23 at 3 p.m., room A248: What Bird Is That in My Backyard? Anni Gossmann, math instructor and bird watcher, will demonstrate bird vocalizations and explain how to attract birds and identify various species.

Wednesday, April 23 at 7 p.m., room C005 (C Wing Auditorium): Snakes Alive! Dr. Mike Corn, biology professor emeritus, and Rob Carmichael, curator/director of the Wildlife Discovery Center of Lake Forest and adjunct biology instructor, present a kid-friendly, up close and personal introduction to snakes and other reptiles. Includes visits from turtles, king snakes and a 14-foot python.

Thursday, April 24 at 3 p.m., room A248: Waiting on the World to Change…The Global Climate Crisis. Mary Urban, chemistry instructor, will delve into the realities of global warming and will present scientific data on climate change and the most recent findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Come learn how you can be part of the solution.

Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m., room C005 (C Wing Auditorium): Adventures in Kenya. Kelly Cartwright, biology instructor, will discuss her recent wildlife escapades on a research trip focusing on Rhino conservation issues in Africa.

Friday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., room T326: Dragonflies of Illinois. Craig Stettner, biology instructor at Harper College and coordinator of the Dragonfly Monitoring Network, will discuss the life history and identification of the dragonflies and damselflies found in this area.

Friday, April 25, 2–4 p.m., room T326: Who’s Who of Owls and Local Raptors. Mark Spreyer, executive director of the Stillman Nature Center and adjunct biology instructor, will reveal the truth about many of our North American owls and hawks. Slides and special feathered guests will illustrate just who’s who!

Saturday, April 26 at 9 a.m.: Volunteer Workday at Rollins Savanna. Experience hands-on environmental restoration at Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve. Bring water to drink and work gloves and meet at the Savanna entrance at the corner of Washington and Atkinson streets. Please register by April 23 by calling (847) 543-2792.

In addition, the Environmental Club's shoe recycling program will be continue throughout Earth Week. Collection bins are placed around campus for used athletic shoes (no dress shoes accepted). The shoes will be broken down and turned into play surfaces and athletic fields. Last year, the club collected more than 300 shoes and hopes to break that record.