Ivy Hall Writers Series: Winter 2010

The Ivy Hall Writers Series presents:

Tuesday, Feb. 23
Margaret Atwood
“The Year of the Flood”
Canada’s most eminent novelist and poet is the award-winning author who is best known for her novels The “Edible Woman” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Her new book depicts a world altered by natural disaster.

Tuesday, March 2
Will Pearson
“Mental Floss”
Pearson’s Mental Floss has blossomed into a multi-million dollar brand with nine best-selling books, a board game and a Web site with four million readers monthly and more.  In 2007, he was named to Inc. magazine’s “30 Under 30:  America’s Coolest Young Entrepreneurs.”

Thursday, March 25
Joel Cohen
“The Simpsons”
The Emmy-winning writer for “The Simpsons” addresses the dichotomy of “the creative and a suit” in his speech “The Business Tao of Homer: Lessons in Creativity and Innovation From The Simpsons.”

All lectures are at 6:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Book signings follow most lectures. Book sales are available by personal check or cash sales only. For more information, visit www.scad.edu/ivyhall or call (404) 253-3324.

College Security Report: Nov. 18 – Dec. 18, 2009

Nov. 18

5:11 a.m. — A student collapsed and was unresponsive on the fourth floor of the C Building. EMS, AFD, and APD responded. Student awoke and refused to be transported.

Nov. 19

5:15 a.m. —  A student cut her finger deeply on a sewing machine in the fashion department. Student was treated with basic first aid and then taken to the emergency room by another student.

Nov. 20

8:30 a.m — Maintenance notified Security that several elevators had been hit with graffiti. Pictures of the affected areas were taken, and review of video is underway to identify the person(s) involved.

10:16 a.m. — The shuttle bus driver notified Security that someone had trailed a line of paint from inside the shuttle bus into the main building. The trail was followed and a student was found attempting to clean up the paint on the fifth floor, C Building. He did not realize that his paint can had leaked. Cleaning crew was notified and was able to clean up the carpet and floor spaces.

10:50 a.m. — The main building fire panel sounded an alert, followed seconds later by the fire alarm. A pull station on the third floor, B Building had been pulled. Video is being reviewed to attempt to identify the person who pulled the pull station.

12:50 p.m. — Two students were moving out of the ACA Residence Hall, when one student hit the right back bumper of the other student’s vehicle. Students exchanged insurance information. Atlanta PD was not notified.

Dec. 2

9:35 a.m. — The fire monitoring company called stating that an alarm was active at Spring House, and that the fire department was en route. Investigation showed that it was a trouble alarm for a low battery.

Dec. 4

5:18 p.m. —  The fire alarm sounded at the main campus. Alarm was caused by dust in a smoke detector. Alarm was cleared and reset. AFD did respond.

Dec. 7

2:40 p.m. — The fire alarm sounded at the DMC. Alarm was caused by dust in a smoke detector on the second-floor elevator lobby. Alarm was cleared and reset. AFD did respond.

Dec. 18

12:45 a.m. — Security noted that a male entered the building from the first-floor parking deck area and then came up the escalator to the Command Center level. Upon seeing Security, the individual turned and went back down the escalator and departed the building. The patrol supervisor was called but did not see the individual on property.

Vote for SCAD alumni in National Film Challenge Audience Award

Director Francis Abbey (M.A., film and television, 2005) and director of photography John Whalen (B.F.A, video/film, 1998) need votes for their entry, “Over and Over Qualified,” to win the 2009 National Film Challenge Audience Award. Teams participating in this competition had one weekend to write, shoot and edit a short film or video and “Over and Over Qualified” has made the round of 16 finalists. Voting is open until Jan. 9 at www.filmchallenge.com/Films/.

Discover the natural wonders

Blessed with picturesque mountains and beaches, Australia and New Zealand, without any doubts, are overflowing with natural wonders. The countries’ magnificent scenery offer photographers and painters the opportunity to expand their portfolios of landscape images. Artists can turn raw materials like opal, jade and paua shells from the grounds of Oceania into spectacular jewelry. The wealth of information on Aboriginal and Maori histories is available in museums throughout both countries.

Heading across the Pacific Ocean to Australia and New Zealand from the U.S. on Australia’s mammoth airplane, Qantas, is a seemingly endless journey. However, once you arrive, the long trip becomes well worth it. Airfares from Qantas (www.Qantas.com.au) can be purchased for as low as $560 roundtrip from Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Because Australia and New Zealand are located in the Southern Hemisphere, travelers from the Northern Hemisphere should keep the seasonal differences in mind when packing clothing. The weather there is pleasurable from November to January, with temperatures warm enough for people to flock Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach.

The U.S. dollar value is strong against the Australian and New Zealand dollars, so traveling there is much cheaper than Europe. As of June 24, the U.S. dollar is equal to $1.26 AUD and $1.56 NZD. Incredible deals are everywhere. For example, a10-inch pizza with a few toppings goes for about $4 AUD during lunchtime at Bimbos, located at 376 Brunswick St. in Melbourne. With their school ID card, students can get discounted admission to Art Gallery of New South Wales, an art museum in Sydney that includes collections of Australian and Asian art.

Breathtaking landscapes to photograph

The Great Ocean Road

Waves of scintillating water that glides over the sand, soothing breezes and deep cliffs rich in limestone can be found along the coast of the Great Ocean Road, located about 62 miles from Melbourne. Take a one-day tour of the Great Ocean Road with Go West! (www.gowest.com.au) to view these astonishing wonders. Be sure to pack extra batteries for your camera.

Fox Glacier

Take a guided hike and marvel the beauty of Fox Glacier in New Zealand. The hues of blue and white and the curves of the glacier are astonishing. Tours are offered by Fox Glacier Guiding (www.foxguides.co.nz)..

Arts and Entertainment

Sydney Opera House

There is no question that the most iconic symbol of Australia is the Sydney Opera House. The Sydney Opera House, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, does not only offer a wealth of shows to enjoy, but also a tour of the house and its incredible design by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. Make reservations to see the shows and tour the building at www.sydneyoperahouse.com/ .

Auckland Museum

Koru, carved jade that symbolize growth, harmony and new beginnings; and Hei Tiki, animal-shaped woodcarvings that symbolize fertility and good luck, can both be found found at the Auckland Museum. This museum displays Maori art, clothing, jewelry and tools and a vast amount of literature on Maori culture. The museum also boasts a natural history collection of 1.5 million specimen accumulated over the past 150 years.

Hot spot to stay overnight

Flock Hill Lodge

Flock Hill Lodge, located on the Great Alpine Highway in South Island, is the place to witness the life of sheep and herders. Sheep are raised and shaved for their merino wool on location. The wool, mainly used to make clothing, is a major natural resources in New Zealand. In fact, sheep outnumber humans there. Sheep running across the field surrounded by stunning mountains also offer an exciting photographic opportunity at Flock Hill Lodge. Make reservations at www.flockhill.co.nz/.