What were the atoms in your body doing eight billion years ago? At least some of them were inside a star that later exploded, says Foothill College Astronomy and Physics Instructor Andrew Fraknoi, who has been answering questions like that for students, on the radio and in books and articles, for more than 30 years. Those atoms, he tells students, are on loan to them from the universe, and it's up to the students to make the best possible use of those atoms while they are borrowing them. It's that kind of excitement about space–and his unique ability to share that excitement through his writing–that has won Fraknoi the prestigious American Institute of Physics Andrew Gemant Award.
A resident of San Francisco, Fraknoi was presented with the Gemant Award at the 211th annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Austin, Texas, Jan. 9. In addition to the invitation to deliver his guest lecture, From the West Wing to Pink Floyd to Einstein Advertising: Astronomy in Popular Culture, to the society's membership and the public, he receives a citation and a $5,000 award, and is given the opportunity to designate one or more academic institutions that t will share a $3,000 grant to further the public communication of physics. Fraknoi has selected Foothill College and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific as the grant recipients.
Foothill Celebrates Jewish Heritage Month in January
Students, faculty, staff and community leaders have created an exciting calendar of cultural enrichment activities to commemorate Jewish Heritage Month
Good & Evil: A Provocative Book Arts Exhibit
Students enrolled in Foothill's GID 94: Book Arts Professional Practices course present Good & Evil
Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra Concert
The Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra
Gospel Fest Rehearsals Begin
Foothill Gospel Fest rehearsals are Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, 10 and 17. All rehearsals run from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and meet at the Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Avenue, in Los Altos. Vocalists of all abilities are invited to participate. Gospel Fest workshops with guest conductors are Feb. 19 through Feb. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Appreciation Hall (Room 1501) at Foothill College. There is a $15 registration fee. For more information, call or e-mail Foothill Counselor Dee Vance-Lee
Free Cal Grant Workshop Is Jan. 30
If you need money for college, be sure to attend the Cal Grant Workshop Wednesday, Jan. 30, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Campus Center. Admission is free. The Cal Grant Program provides grants to California residents who plan to attend or are already attending a California college. The deadline to apply for the Cal Grant is rapidly approaching. This workshop will explain the application process, describe the different Cal Grants, and advise students who already have a Cal Grant how best to maximize the grant while at Foothill College and upon transfer to a four-year university. For more information, call (650) 949-7245 or e-mail fhfinancialaidoffice@foothill.edu.
Cooperative Work Experience Program Registration Still Open
Students can register for Foothill’s Cooperative Work Experience
For more information, e-mail the CWE Office
Foothill Middlefield Campus Presents Cash for College Feb. 2
Current and potential college students as well as their parents are invited to Foothill College's Cash for College Day Saturday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room J-2 at the Foothill Middlefield Campus
The event is ideal for high school and college students who are currently attending or plan to attend a California community college, CSU campus, UC campus, private university or vocational/technical school. Parents of dependent students are encouraged to also attend Cash for College Day workshops with their student. High school seniors who attend the event will be eligible to enter a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship.
Foothill's financial aid professionals will answer individual questions and provide free assistance. Activities include a workshop featuring free, professional assistance to families completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Cal Grant GPA Verification forms that are required to apply for financial aid. This specialty workshop, which is designed to walk you through the FAFSA form line by line, will be presented at 10:30 a.m. and repeated at noon.
Students who file individual or joint tax returns should bring their personal income and asset information. Students who are claimed as dependents on a parent's income tax should bring the parent's income and asset information, including 2007 federal income tax return if already prepared; records of other untaxed income such as welfare benefits, Social Security benefits, TANF, veteran's benefits, or military or clergy allowances; and W-2 Form or other records such as check stubs of income earned in 2007.
Located just minutes from Hwy. 101, the Foothill Middlefield Campus is near the intersection of Middlefield and San Antonio roads at 4000 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Parking is free.
For more information, access www.foothill.edu/aid or call or e-mail Foothill Middlefield Campus Financial Aid Assistant Josephine Christensen
Foothill Authors Series for Students & Book Lovers
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Foothill College is hosting a series of guest readings and book signings by best-selling authors. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
Guest author-comedian Brian Copeland
Look up the definition of the word versatility in a dictionary of performers, chances are you’d find the name Brian Copeland. The multitalented comedian, writer, television and talk radio host and commentator has enjoyed public and critical acclaim for nearly a decade.
Copeland's incisive, cutting-edge standup comedy material and his unique ability to hilariously cut to the heart of some of our most serious social and political problems has earned him spots as the opening act for such diverse artists as Ray Charles, Ringo Starr, James Brown, Etta James, Aretha Franklin and many others. His work on television and stage soon caught the attention of San Francisco ABC radio affiliate KGO, which premiered The Brian Copeland Show. With his unique blend of humor and riveting talk, the show soon became the most-listened-to-program in its time slot reaching more than 100,000 listeners.
In 2004, he premiered his one-man show, Not A Genuine Black Man, at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco. The show deals with the lingering effects of Copeland's childhood spent as an African American in the then 99.99-percent white Bay Area suburb of San Leandro, considered in the 1960s and 70s to be one of America's most racist enclaves. The show's themes of isolation, racial identity and redemption struck a central nerve with audiences. The show ran for more than two years, becoming the longest running solo show in San Francisco theatrical history. The production went on to acclaimed runs in Los Angeles and off Broadway. Not A Genuine Black Man is being developed as a feature film and a television series.
Developed by avowed bibliophile and new Foothill College President Judy C. Miner, Ed.D., the Foothill College Authors Series
- Louann Brizendine, M.D., author of The Female Brain, March 18 at 3 p.m. in the Campus Center Student Lounge;
- Michelle Gagnon, author of The Tunnels, on April 10 at 3 p.m. in the Campus Center Student Lounge;
- Firoozeh Dumas, author of Funny in Farsi and the upcoming Laughing Without an Accent, on April 24 at 3 p.m. in the Campus Center Student Lounge;
- T. C. Boyle, author of The Tortilla Curtain, Tooth and Claw, The Inner Circle and many others on May 14 at 3 p.m. in Appreciation Hall (Room 1501);
- Julia Flynn Siler, author of The House of Mondavi, on May 29 at 3 p.m. in the Campus Center Student Lounge; and
- Kemble Scott, author of SoMa, on June 9 at 3 p.m. in the Campus Center Student Lounge.
Earlier this year, the series featured best-selling authors Frank Delaney, Guy Kawasaki, Melodie Bowsher and Dan Leeson.
All books featured in the series are available for purchase at a 20-percent discount in the Foothill College Bookstore. Foothill faculty and staff can earn PGA/PAA credit by attending any of the series presentations. For more information, call (650) 949-7408, e-mail CaseyMia@foothill.edu or access http://books.foothill.edu/home.aspx
Dallas Black Dance Theatre Matinee Performance for Senior Citizens
Designed especially for active adults in our community, world-renown Dallas Black Dance Theatre will perform a VIP matinee Thursday, Feb. 7, at 3 p.m. in the Smithwick Theatre. The show includes an exciting director's notes presentation before the show, affordable individual and group ticket prices, special parking and shuttle service, and complimentary reception. The visiting DBDT troupe celebrates its 31st anniversary with Dancing Without Limits, a showcase of many dance forms, including modern, jazz, ethnic and spiritual works. Tickets are $20, each. Group rates are available. To purchase tickets, call (650) 949-7332. Co-sponsored by the Foothill College Adaptive Learning Division and Disability Resource Center.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre Evening Performance
For the 13th year, Foothill College hosts the world-renown Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) as the troupe presents Dancing Without Limits, its anticipated West Coast tour. Under the guidance of founder and artistic director Ann Williams, DBDT’s mission is to create and produce dance at its highest level of artistic excellence through performances and educational programs to bridge cultures and reach diverse communities and audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The curtain goes up Friday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. in the Smithwick Theatre on this contemporary dance company's repertoire of modern, jazz, ethnic and spiritual works to provide a performance filled with excitement, energy and elegance. A complimentary reception follows in the Campus Center Dining Room. Tickets are $25, general; $15, students with OwlCard. To purchase tickets, call (650) 949-7360.
Afternoon Financial Aid Workshops
Foothill's Transfer Center
Foothill Music Theatre Stages My Fair Lady as Curtain Goes Up on New Lohman Theatre
Award-winning Foothill Music Theatre (FMT) will unveil Foothill College's new Lohman Theatre with its spectacular production of Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady. Performed with two-piano accompaniment, Foothill Music Theatre will open the Peninsula's newest theatre venue with an intimate, jewel-box interpretation of this masterpiece from the Golden Age of Broadway. FMT's My Fair Lady
FMT's award-winning director Jay Manley helms this brilliant battle of the sexes about a linguistics professor who, on a wager, takes in a cockney flower girl from the streets of London, vowing to transform her into a refined lady. Featuring choreography by Tyler Risk and musical direction by Mark Hanson, My Fair Lady boasts some of Lerner and Loewe's most memorable songs, including The Rain in Spain, Wouldn't It Be Loverly and I Could Have Danced All Night. Tickets are $24, general; $22, seniors; $18, students; $10, children under age 12. To purchase by phone, call (650) 949-7360 or purchase tickets online
Hustle Up Street Ball Tour Coming to Foothill
Help raise funds for the Foothill Women's Basketball Program
FAFSA Renewal: If You've Got Financial Aid, Be Sure to Keep It
If you're a financial aid recipient, you must submit the 2008-2009 FAFSA Renewal by March 2 if you will be attending college after Spring Quarter 2008. Be sure to submit the FAFSA Renewal so that you can maximize your potential financial aid award. To get the fastest results, complete the FAFSA Renewal online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Evening Financial Aid Workshops
Foothill's Transfer Center
Deadline to Petition for Winter Quarter Graduation
If you intend to graduate at the conclusion of Winter Quarter, you must meet with a Foothill counselor and submit the required petition form by March 1. To schedule a petition consultation with a Foothill counselor, call (650) 949-7423.
Free On-Campus Psychological Services & Personal Counseling
Currently enrolled Foothill students have access to free, confidential and professional psychological services and personal counseling. Professional counselors are available to assist students with a range of concerns, including academic pressure, stress, anxiety, cultural adjustment, substance use and abuse, isolation and loneliness, sexuality, depression, thoughts of suicide, death or loss, conflict or separation with family, relationship violence and other topics. Schedule an appointment by calling (650) 949-7910 or visit the office, which is located in Campus Center Room 2120. The office is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the academic year. Learn more about Foothill’s psychological services and personal counseling
$20,000 Scholarship for UC Santa Cruz
If you’re planning to transfer to UC Santa Cruz, you’ll want to learn more about the Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award
Apply Early for Scholarships
This is an excellent time to research scholarships, download application materials, write your essay and request letters of recommendation. Scholarships will be awarded during Spring Quarter. Review Foothill’s scholarship listings
One Book, One College, One Community
Participate in Foothill’s One Book, One College, One Community
Get the book. You can either check out The Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle from the Foothill College Library Reserve Desk or purchase your own copy. The Foothill Bookstore is selling the book at a 20-percent discount;
Read the book. Between now and Spring Quarter 2008, read The Tortilla Curtain;
Discuss the book. Attend a presentation by author T.C. Boyle Wednesday, May 14, at 3 p.m. in Room 1501.
For more information, call or e-mail Librarian Mary Thomas
