UW News and Information Web     |     UW News     University Week UW News+Community     Mary Levin Purple and gold take hold Why this silliness with the George Washington statue at the By George Cafe? Two reasons. First, Friday, Oct. 23, not only kicks off Homecoming weekend, it's Purple and Gold Day, a day for sporting Husky colors (which George was pretty much already doing). Second, the Trademarks and Licensing office will hold its 2009 W Product Showcase, with all the latest UW licensed products for giveaways and gifts, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, in 108 HUB. Oh, and thanks to Housing and Food Services for letting us gently adorn George for the occasion. VOLUME 27, NUMBER 4   |   10/22/2009  –  10/28/2009  |   UWEEK.ORG Climate Action Plan sets out vision for greenhouse-gas-neutral future at UW President Emmert signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007. This year, teams of faculty, staff and students have been meeting to flesh out this commitment into a series of action steps that the University could take to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. Costs up, plans changing, new dependent audit in force as Open Enrollment approaches It's best to pay close attention to the changes in UW medical plans for 2010 — many employee out-of-pocket costs are going up dramatically, and there is a new audit that requires you to prove eligibility for your dependents or lose that coverage. Record enrollments at UW Bothell, Tacoma this fall As the 2009-1010 academic year gets under way, the UW's Bothell and Tacoma campuses are bulging at the seams with record enrollments. Across the UW and all its campuses, the total student population rose about 3 percent over last year. New UW Photographers Group show opens Oct. 27 The UW Photographers Group will hold its eighth annual exhibition, Chiaro e Scuro, from Oct. 27 to Nov. 8 in the HUB Gallery. There will be a reception in the gallery from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. UW School of Music grad goes for baroque in compositions to be performed at Town Hall Oct. 24 "Baroque music is highly intricate,” says UW graduate Justin Henderlight, whose work will be performed by the Seattle Baroque Orchestra. “I try to write in the most authentically baroque style possible. I want my work to sound like it was written in 18th century Italy." Empty Space founder and UW alum Burke Walker directs 'The Tempest' in renovated Jones Playhouse Director Burke Walker promises plenty of magic tricks as well as live music in the course of this late-era Shakespearean play about a magician struggling to regain his honor and save his daughter from a life of isolation. Chinese Film Week highlights work by award-winning director Xiaolian Peng, an award-winning director from China, will make an appearance at the UW Libraries’ Chinese Film Week, where her films are being featured. The event is part of a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the normalization of U.S.-China relations. The UW School of Music offers two concerts this weekend Pianist Becky Billock will perform on Oct. 24 and the University Wind Ensemble will play on Oct. 25. Researchers make key step toward turning methane gas into liquid fuel Researchers at the University of Washington and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have taken an important step in converting methane gas to a liquid, potentially making it more useful as a fuel and as a source for making other chemicals. Infant sucking habits may affect how baby talks Researchers find that some sucking habits may increase the risk of speech disorders in preschool children. It takes two to tutor a sparrow In the first study conducted in the field to examine how juvenile song birds learn their repertoire, UW researchers have learned that eavesdropping on the singing conversations between two adult sparrows appears to be a key event in song learning. Researchers find way to improve depression in older cancer patients UW and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance psychiatrists are showing that treating depression in older cancer patients in primary-care settings can improve success rates. Research gives glimpse of tectonic history on Puget Sound-region fault zones New research on the Kitsap Peninsula, at the west edge of Washington state's Puget Sound, finds evidence that land was raised at least 6 feet by ancient earthquakes. Tiny but adaptable wasp brains show ability to alter their architecture For an animal that has a brain about the size of two grains of sand, a lot of plasticity seems to be packed into the head of the tropical paper wasp Polybia aequatorialis. Researchers from the universities of Washington and Texas have found that the brain architecture of these wasps undergoes dramatic changes as they cycle through a sequence of specialized jobs during their lives. A recliner on wheels: Help identify this week’s Lost and Found Film This week’s film features a power recliner on wheels. But before you conjure up visions of yourself wheeling from living room to kitchen during the big game, all while reclined in your easy chair, take a look -- this recliner is a wheelchair. Etc: Campus News and Notes Andrew Davidson's electroluminescent bicycle art; John R. Delaney's book chapter on ocean science; Sally Brown's soil science selection, and the UW is noted for its Asian American Pacific Islander activism. Peer Portfolio A game of human Twister at UNC; UC Davis cuts costs with an administrative redesign; bipolar disorder, or manic depression, may not be a lifelong disorder; bacteria could lead to biotechnology and medical research advances; vaudeville history heads to Arizona; and five-minute showers at the University of Florida. Official Notices A regents meeting, funding available for research in ethnic studies, two exchange programs, accommodation and training possibilities at Friday Harbor and a blood drive. Joel Berg named to new dentistry post Joel Berg, the School of Dentistry's new associate dean for hospital affairs, will work to strengthen relationships between the school and Puget Sound hospitals. A perfect match: UW sociologist Pepper Schwartz becomes AARP columnist Pepper Schwartz will pen a column called 'The Naked Truth' for the world's leading organization for people age 50 and up. Since hearing she got the job, "it’s been an intense collaboration," she said. UN Secretary-General receives honorary UW degree Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the UW at a formal academic convocation at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, in Meany Hall. As part of the convocation, Ban delivered the 2009 Severyns-Ravenholt Lecture. Motulsky to receive inaugural award for lifetime of work in human genetics Arno Motulsky, UW professor emeritus of medicine and genome sciences, will receive the American Society of Human Genetics first Victor McKusick Leadership Award. Noise abatement study to cause some noise near SR 520 starting Oct. 26 The Washington State Department of Transportation will be conducting a test pile noise abatement study starting on Oct. 26 along the west end of SR 520. The study will occur on 25 working days through the end of the year. Uplift International — from earthquakes to human rights – shaking up health Beth Rivin, UW associate research professor of law and global health, helps guide a Seattle-based non-governmental organization on a multidisciplinary approach to aid. New book edited by UW political science professor explores Thoreau as political thinker Naturalist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau, inspired audiences but also irritated them. He does the same today, says Jack Turner, a UW assistant professor of political science, editor of a new book about Thoreau's political beliefs. UW law students take climate justice issues to Stanford, Europe Third-year law students Jen Marlow and Jeni Krencicki Barcelos were invited to present their ideas on climate change and human rights at Stanford Law School, and at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The two also are consulting with officials in Bergen, Norway about developing the Bergen Charter of Climate Change and Human Rights. Metal Artist to speak at UW Libraries Mary Lee Hu, retired UW professor of metal arts, will speak at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 in 101 Suzzallo. Her talk is this year’s Anne Gould Hauberg Libraries Artist Images Lecture sponsored by UW Libraries and the UW Alumni Association. UW Chamber Dance Co. The company resurrects old dances from the 1930s in a program titled The Shape of Dissent, a reminder that poverty and homlessness are not new events in America. Through the 25th. 7:30 p.m., Meany Hall. Henry Open House. Join the Henry to celebrate new exhibitions Vortexhibition Polyphonica, Allan Sekula: Waiting for Tear Gas, Polaroids: Mapplethorpe, and Eirik Johnson: Sawdust Mountain with karaoke and cupcakes, too. 6-11 p.m., Henry Art Gallery. Purple and Gold Day. By order of Gov. Christine Gregoire, it's a day for wearing your Husky purple and gold. 'Women Working.' UW School of Music alumna Becky Billock performs works by American women composers, including Marion Bauer, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Jennifer Higdon, Libby Larsen, Amy Beach, Emma Lou Diemer and Margaret Bonds. 7:30 p.m., Brechemin Auditorium. 'The Tempest.' Shakespeare's final play is a wonder of invention — an exuberant celebration of theatrical art and artifice. A tempest, a shipwreck, castaways, lost children, music, first love, revenge, drunken clowns, murder plots, magic, monsters, spirits, and three Roman gods! It's also the grand reopening of the renovated Jones Playhouse. Through Nov. 15. 7:30 p.m., Jones Playhouse. Computer music. The Center for Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS) presents an evening of tape and computer music, with Barry Truax as guest composer. 7:30 p.m., Meany Hall. W Product Showcase. Looking for items to promote your department or organization? There will be a number of vendors on hand to discuss your needs and give you additional ideas for future promotions. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 108 HUB. 'The Art of Political Murder.' Francisco Goldman, an acclaimed novelist who specializes in recreating poignant episodes in the political and social history of the Americas, will discuss his painstakingly researched account of the assassination of a Guatemalan bishop, Msgr. Juan Gerardi. 6:30 p.m., 110 Kane. Benefits fairs. Open enrollment is from Oct. 26 to Nov. 30. Learn about changes coming for medical coverage in 2010, the mandatory audit for dependents and the benefit of pre-tax savings plans, at three benefits fairs. They are Oct. 27 in the HUB, Oct. 28 at UW Health Sciences and Oct. 29 at Harborview Medical Center. 1:30-2:30 p.m., HUB east ballroom. Can you guess where this photo was taken? Guess correctly, and you might win a gift certificate to the University Book Store!