Campus and community news briefs

Health dept. issues air pollution alert

Cache County air monitoring systems are registering air quality levels that are considered unhealthy.

As of 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, a PM 2.5 (particulate matter) reading of 125.9 indicated that Cache County has exceeded healthy air quality levels. When PM 2.5 levels reach 65.5, the air quality is considered to be at an unhealthy level.

The following recommendations are made: The elderly, children and individuals with respiratory or heart disease should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. In addition, the Bear River Health Department recommends all to remain indoors as much as possible.

Logan and Cache school districts have been contacted and have been advised to keep children indoors during recess.

The levels of particulate matter are climbing and will continue to climb until a weather system change occurs. This health alert will stay effective until safe levels are determined by health officials. For more information, contact the Bear River Health Department at 792-6570 or log onto the Utah Air Monitoring Web site at www.airmonitoring.utah.gov.

Scribendi contest deadline approaches

The 2004 creative writing contest deadline is almost here. This scholarly contest, held every year, presents an opportunity for all students to pen something brilliant and have it published in a university publication, Scribendi, if selected. Winners will also receive a cash award and be honored at a special reception.

Entries are now being accepted by the English department. Graduates and undergraduates will compete separately in the following categories: Poetry, short fiction and non-fiction essay. The deadline for final submission is 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2. Submit entries to Ray B. West, Room 201, the department of English main office.

For more information, call Marina Hall at 797-3858 or e-mail her at mhall@english.usu.edu or contact Chelsi Lasater at chelslasater@cc.usu.edu.

Arts Festival seeks artist applications

The Utah Arts Festival (UAF), Utah’s largest and most prestigious arts event, is now accepting applications from visual, performing and culinary artists who would like to be considered for participation in the 2004 festival at Library Square in Salt Lake City.

Each year, the Artists Marketplace showcases a wide spectrum of art. Submissions will be accepted for: Sculpture, drawing, painting, jewelry, photography, wearable art, woodwork, mixed media and more. Artists Marketplace applications must be received by Friday, Feb. 6, at 5 p.m.

The performing arts program considers artists in the following genres: Music, dance and literary arts. Performing artist applications must be received by Friday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m.

The culinary arts program is open to any licensed food vendor selling a diverse selection of culinary items. Culinary applications must be received by Monday, March 1, at 5 p.m.

The 2004 UAF will start on Thursday, June 24, and run through Sunday, June 27. Applications for visual, performing and culinary arts are available online at www.uaf.org or at the UAF office, located at 331 W. Pierpont Ave. in downtown Salt Lake City. For information about any of these programs, contact Lisa Sewell at (801) 322-2428.

USU prof to speak on salt flat racing

The Friends of Utah State University Libraries will present a series of public lectures this year, and all are invited.

Kicking off the new year is a lecture by Ronald Shook, an associate professor in Utah State’s department of English. Shook will speak Friday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. in the Merrill Library (first floor). The lecture is free.

Shook’s lecture is about automobile racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats. The evening promises a lecture with lots of pictures of cool, old cars, Shook said.

The British have a great admiration for the Salt Flats, Shook said.

“They feel about Bonneville the same way we feel about Stonehenge: It’s exciting, mysterious, and they’re not sure exactly where it is,” Shook said.