Iraq War Memorial coming to campus; volunteers requested

As a way to recognize the lives lost in the Iraq War as well as to begin a conversation about what it means to be a nation at war, a group of Whitman students is hosting the traveling “Iraq War Flag Memorial” here Nov. 26 through Dec. 2. The group is asking for volunteers to help set up the memorial.

Approximately 120,000 white flags (each representing approximately six to 10 Iraqi civilian deaths) and red flags (each representing the death of six U.S. soldiers) will be set up on Ankeny Field and surrounding areas, said Lauren Benson, one of the organizers of the event. Setting up the display on Sunday, Nov. 25, and Monday, Nov. 26, will take hundreds of cumulative hours, and the group is requesting that anyone willing to help set up or contribute in another way contact iwflagorganizers@lists.whitman.edu.

A candle light vigil on Ankeny is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, followed by a student-led informational panel and guest lecturer in Maxey Auditorium. Larry Whittle, a Marine veteran of the first Gulf War who was involved in the push to Kuwait City, will speak.

Back to the basics for Thanksgiving classics

Though he’s from France, Bon Appetit Executive Chef Christian Chemin knows what makes a traditional Thanksgiving meal so wonderful – flavor. And he offers a few “back to the basics” tips.

“You’d be surprised about how many people don’t know some of the most basic aspects of preparing a turkey,” he says, reminding Thanksgiving cooks that we should “never try to cook a frozen turkey.” Also, “don’t forget to remove the giblets from inside the skin fold by the wishbone.” A final tip: “rinse the turkey thoroughly, then pat dry before seasoning.”

But what about the gravy and stuffing? “The key is getting the most possible flavor.” For gravy, he advises incorporating the liver and giblets. “You can grind them raw, then sautee using lots of fresh herbs. In France, Turkey is traditional for Christmas, and we add chestnuts to the stuffing. Shell them, boil them with thyme, chop them up and incorporate them into your favorite recipe. The flavor is wonderful.”

Want more? Chef Chemin offers a recipe and checkpoints for perfectly roasted turkey.

Upcoming Staff Holidays

Some offices may adjust the following holiday schedule to meet special needs for the department, but the majority of administrative offices will be closed on the dates listed. If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor or human resources.

November 2007

• Thursday, Nov. 22, Thanksgiving Day
• Friday, Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Holiday

December 2007

• Monday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve
• Tuesday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day
• Wednesday, Dec. 26, Winter Break Holiday*
• Thursday, Dec. 27, Winter Break Holiday*
• Friday, Dec. 28, Winter Break Holiday*
• Monday, Dec. 1, New Year’s Eve

January 2008

• Tuesday, January 1, 2008, New Year’s Day

*Bonus holidays granted by President Bridges

Free flu shots – Round 2

Ellen Collete, health services director, reports that the college has decided to make more free doses of flu vaccine available to faculty and staff members. The flu shots are available at the Health Center 24/7, Monday through Friday, with the exception of the 8-10 a.m. physician clinic hours. During the Thanksgiving break, shots will be available Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 19-21; please call x5281 in advance to schedule.

Administration of free flu shots for faculty and staff will continue until Dec 14.

Coming Events at Whitman College
All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Monday, Nov. 26 – Thursday, Nov. 29
Memorial and display: A traveling Iraq War Flag Memorial, consisting of 120,000 red and white flags that visually represent Iraqi and U.S. lives lost during the Iraq War, will be displayed on Ankeny Field and surrounding areas.

Tuesday, Nov. 27
Lecture: Professor Julia Davis will lead a discussion on Martin Heidegger’s “Letter on Humanism" at 7:30 p.m. in the Olin Hall Faculty Lounge.

Tuesday, Nov. 27
Lecture: Author, playwright and Emmy Award winner Stephen Most will give a talk in Olin 130 at 8 p.m. Hosted by the Environmental Studies Department and the Outdoor Program.

Wednesday, Nov. 28
Lecture: “’Wards of the State?’ Women, Citizenship and Nation-State Politics in South Asia” will be presented by Carmen Wickramagamage, Visiting O’Donnell Educator at Whitman, who is on sabbatical from her position as senior lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 7:30 p.m. in Kimball Theatre, Hunter Conservatory.

Thursday, Nov. 29
Candle light vigil, student panel, guest speaker: In conjunction with the Iraq War Flag Memorial, there will be a candle light vigil on Ankeny Field at 7 p.m.; a student-led panel discussion at 7:15 p.m. in Maxey Auditorium; and a talk by Gulf War veteran Larry Whittle, of Walla Walla, at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 29
Reading: Visiting Writers Reading Series presents Tod Marshall at 7 p.m., Kimball Theatre, Hunter Conservatory.

Thursday, Nov. 29
Lecture: The Edward F. Arnold Visiting Professor of Psychology Lecture: “Is ‘Simon Says’ So Simple? Imitation as a foundation for human culture and technology” by Emily Bushnell at 7 p.m. in Olin 130.

Friday, Nov. 30
Concert: Whitman Music Department presents “Concerto Aria Competition.” 7:30 p.m., Chism Recital Hall, Hall of Music.

Saturday, Dec. 1
Concert: Whitman Music Departments presents Whitman Chorale and Chamber Singers Fall Concert conducted by Robert Bode. 7:30 p.m., Chism Recital Hall, Hall of Music.

Saturday, Dec. 1
Gallery opening reception: Winter Art Student Salon, a faculty-juried exhibition of selected student works from Fall 2007 classes, opens with a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Sheehan Art Gallery. Show runs through Dec. 14.

Sunday, Dec. 2
Concert: Whitman Music Department presents the String Quartet Recital "Con Fuoco,” a recital of chamber music. 3 p.m., Kimball Theatre, Hunter Conservatory.

Sunday, Dec. 2
Concert: Whitman Music Department presents “Feast of Carols,” conducted by Robert Bode. 7 p.m., Cordiner Hall.

Monday, Dec. 3
Concert: Whitman’s Music Department presents the Cello Choir Fall Concert, conducted by Edward Dixon. 7:30 p.m., Chism Recital Hall, Hall of Music.

The Fountain is published by the Office of Communications. Send news to Editor Lenel Parish at thefountain@whitman.edu. Photos are accepted. Submissions are due by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for the following week's issue. Editorial Assistant: Marcy Manker ’10. Managing editor: Lana Brown. Director of Communications: Ruth Wardwell. Online: www.whitman.edu/fountain