Campus and community briefs

Cache Valley air is now ‘very unhealthy’

For the first time, air monitoring systems in Cache Valley measured pollution levels that are classified as “very unhealthy.” This is the first time a “very unhealthy” advisory has ever been issued in Utah.

As of 10 a.m. Thursday, PM 2.5 (particulate matter) levels read 177.4 and continue to climb. These numbers are in excess of two times those levels considered unhealthy.

“There are definite health risks associated with this level of pollution,” said Grant Koford, environmental scientist for the Bear River Health Department. “While the stagnant weather pattern contributes to climbing numbers, each of us plays a role.”

Health officials are encouraging every citizen to do their part: Stop burning in wood stoves unless it is the only source of heat, and reduce car exhaust. This can be done by not allowing cars to idle, car pooling using mass transit systems and consolidating trips.

For more information, contact the health department at 792-6570 or go to www.airmonitoring.utah.gov.

Singers needed for multicultural Messiah

Choral rehearsals for the third annual production of Handel’s “Messiah” will begin Sunday at 6 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center.

A total of 200 singers are needed. Individuals with choral experience at the community, college or advanced high school level are invited to participate.

The production will be presented in English, Spanish and American Sign Language in April. Those wishing to bring their own score should obtain a copy of the Schirmer Edition. Auditions for vocal solos will be held Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only.

For more information, contact John Ribera at 797-7190 or jribera@cc.usu.edu.

Ignite calls for singers and dancers for show

Singers and dancers are needed for a new professional show put on by Ignite.

Auditions will be held at the Logan Recreational Center Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Jan. 22 to 24).

Those auditioning should be prepared with a one-minute vocal piece and dressed to dance. Accompanists will be provided if performers cannot provide their own.

Ignite is a professional show group that will perform with a live band, cutting-edge special effects and tours for the group may be scheduled.

Thursday and Friday’s auditions will be held at 7 p.m. and Saturday’s audition will be held at 9 a.m.

For more information, e-mail ignite_entertainment1@hotmail.com or call 753-1519.

Benefit reading by poet laureate to be presented

Ken Brewer, poet laureate of Utah, will give a benefit reading for the Adrienne Platero Creative Writing Award Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Utah State University Haight Alumni Center at 7 p.m. The award was established through an anonymous donation and other contributions in memory of Adrienne Platero, a former student in USU’s English department, whose creative writing accomplishments were well-known among faculty and students.

As a tribute to Platero, friends, teachers and colleagues hope to add enough funding to the original donation and contributions to award a cash prize each year to the overall winner of the annual English department’s creative writing contest. Platero died in November 2002 of leukemia while pursuing an MFA in creative writing at Oregon State University.

This year’s creative writing contest reading and reception will be Wednesday, April 7, at the Haight Alumni Center at 12:30 p.m. All are invited.

Brewer, USU emeritus professor, said he will read some of Platero’s work, a few pieces by other Utah writers, and some of his own poetry. The public is invited to the reading and suggested donations of $5 are welcome at the door. Books by various poets will be available for sale, with all proceeds going directly to the Platero Award fund.

-Compiled by Statesman staff