Signing up for fun at UM Liz Payer (right) discusses the benefits of rowing with a potential rowing club member during the sixth annual Club Sports Expo at the Wellness Center on Tuesday. More than 300 faculty, staff, and students attended the event to sign up for sports such as bowling, soccer, lacrosse, and diving. For more information on joining a sport, visit the Club Sports Web page.

Let's get this party started!
There's a Hurricane Watch, and it's not about the weather. You probably know that this is a big football weekend as the 'Canes prepare for cross-state rivals the University of Florida Gators (see below). The festivities begin Friday, September 5, with the Feast on Florida breakfast featuring head coach Larry Coker (read below for more information), followed by a pep rally with the cheerleaders, marching band, and Sebastian the Ibis, 12 p.m., at the Rock at the Whitten University Center. For those attending the game, remember that Orange Bowl gates now open 1 1/2 hours prior to kickoff. For all of your updated, game-day information, such as parking, gate times, and transportation, be sure to log onto Football Central on the Athletics Web site.

Have lunch at the Faculty Club
The Faculty Club, located in the Whitten University Center, is open for the fall semester to faculty and administrators. Experience a relaxing atmosphere while you enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet prepared by Chef Oscar. Parties of five or more people can reserve a table by calling 305-284-6983. Regular business hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Richter Library Web site redesigned
The Richter Library's Web site, recently redesigned and featuring a Flash-based navigation system, is now live. This fall the site will launch both an e-chat reference service and robust meta-database interlinking system. Faculty and staff are encouraged to have a look at the Richter Library Web log to read more about some of these new services.

Parking permits at the Whitten University Center
UM students, faculty, and staff who apply for 2004 parking permits via EASY may pick up their permit at the information desk in the lobby of the Whitten University Center between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. through Friday, September 26. 'Cane Card ID and vehicle registration are all that's required to pick up the new parking permits.

Beat the heat with a cool treat
Take a break from the hot weather and enjoy some ice cream. "Dipping Dots," the ice cream of the future, is open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, outside the Whitten University Center across from the Bookstore. You can choose from three flavors: chocolate, vanilla, or cookies n' cream for only $3.

Chuck McConnell, director of Parking and Transportation Responsibilities: I oversee the parking and transportation operations on the Coral Gables campus. Most memorable UM moment: Handling the parking and shuttle needs for each year's spring commencement ceremonies. Currently reading: The movie scripts to Memento and Solaris, and A Dead Man in Deptford by Anthony Burgess. Reality TV show you'd most like to be on: It's not really a reality show. It's called Mystery Science Theater 3000, a show that can be surprisingly sophisticated at times, downright funny, and the best showcase for some of the worst movies ever made. Dream vacation: A week at home with a video store that delivers or a week in the Keys. Both would be great. Way to start your day: NPR and a cold diet Coke.

Free computer books in the breezeway
The Division of Continuing Studies Computer Training Group will give away computer books in the Whitten University Center breezeway, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., today, September 4. The books are surplus or slightly old computer textbooks that are no longer needed. Staff members also will be on hand to discuss computer-training classes available, such as the University of Miami Office Specialist certification, which trains, tests, and certifies your skills in Windows, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Bring your financial questions to the experts
A representative from TIAA-CREF will be at the Medical campus, Thursday, September 11, and the Coral Gables campus, Friday, September 12, to conduct individual financial counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment, visit http://www.tiaa-cref.org/moc or call 1-877-267-4510.

Hire a rower to clean your house
The men's crew team is raising money by doing your chores! For $15 per person per hour on a Saturday or Sunday of your choice, a rower will do any house or yard work. Money raised helps to offset travel expenses so the team can compete in national regattas such as the South Eastern Championships and the Dad Vail National Championships. Interested? Contact Wes Geyer at 305-761-6343 or 305-689-3838.

Show your spirit with a UM tag
When it's time to renew your vehicle's license plate, why not show your Hurricane spirit with a UM collegiate license tag? When you renew your registration at your local tax collector's office, simply let them know you want to replace your current tag with a specialty license plate. If it is not time to replace the metal plate (every five years), you will pay a few additional dollars. The UM specialty tags cost an additional $25 each year, which goes back to UM. For more information, contact the Specialty License Plate office at 850-414-2541, or visit their Web site.

September 7 Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) and Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) certifications. The Division of Continuing Studies Computer Training Group will be offering Sunday classes for MCAD and MCSD certifications. For more information, visit the Computer Training Group Web site or call 305-284-5800.

September 8 Foreign Assistance in a Transitional Cuba: The Role of Volunteerism and Non-Governmental Organizations. The Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies presents the luncheon seminar, 12 to 2 p.m., at Casa Bacardi. The cost is $25 for the luncheon and seminar, and it's free to faculty and staff without lunch. For those interested in reserving a space for lunch, call the institute at 305-284-2822 (CUBA).

September 9 through October 9 UM Office Specialist (UMOS). UMOS is a certification course created by the University to establish a nationally recognized standard of business computer skills. It is an intensive, hands-on computer training course that teaches, tests, and certifies all the core skills for Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook. The first daytime class will run from 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, at Allen Hall. Night and weekend classes also are available. A more detailed description can be found at www.miami.edu/umos.

September 12 and 13 Health Research Ethics in the Americas. UM's John E. Fogarty International Center and the University-wide ethics programs are teaming up for this two-day workshop in the Lois Pope LIFE Center on UM's Medical campus. For more information, call 305-243-3213 or visit the Ethics Program Web site.

September 16 to October 25 Sales Academy Certificate (level 1). Gain the competitive edge with UM's results-driven sales curriculum, offered by the Division of Continuing Studies. For more information, call 305-284-2614.

September 22 Certificate Program in Healthcare Management. The Division of Continuing Studies is now accepting registration for two courses, Technology and Its Effects on the Healthcare Industry (Monday, September 22, to Monday, October 20) and Economic Structures (Wednesday, September 24, to Wednesday, October 22). Each course is 15 hours and costs $375. Tuition remission is available to University employees if the course is work-related. A total of six courses is needed to earn the certificate. For more information, visit the Koubek Memorial Center Web site and click the Courses Taught in English link.

October 1 to December 12 Investment Certificate Program. Learn to survive and prosper in today's challenging financial environment. Learn more at an information session, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, September 10, in room 101 of Allen Hall. R.S.V.P. at 305-284-2614.

Kickoff is almost here! The Hurricanes' home opener for the 2003 season is Saturday, September 6, when they host instate rival the University of Florida Gators at the Orange Bowl. The teams last met at the Orange Bowl on September 5, 1987, with Miami taking a 31-4 victory. Show your Hurricane pride and rock the Orange Bowl for this nationally televised matchup by wearing your Hurricane orange and green. If you don't have tickets, go to GameWorks in South Miami or at the Sawgrass Mills Mall for the official Hurricane Watch Parties and receive discounts on food, games, and special Hurricane beverages. September 4 Meet the artist Kerry Coppin at the Lowe Art Museum. Join artist and UM professor Kerry Coppin for an overview of his work featured in the annual UM faculty show, 7 to 8 p.m., followed by closing reception from 8 to 10 p.m. Free for museum members and UM students, faculty, and staff; $5 for nonmembers; $3 for non-UM students. September 5 Rap artist Ludacris with opening act Trouble Is. Sunseeker Entertainment presents this concert at the UM Convocation Center starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the UM Convocation Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations for $29.25 ($34.25 day of show). For more information, call 305-284-8686 or visit the UM Convocation Center Web site. September 5 Feast on Florida Breakfast. Join head football coach Larry Coker, Sebastian the Ibis, UM cheerleaders, and host Don Bailey, Jr., of Sports Radio 560 WQAM to kick off the 'Canes home season opener against in state rivals the University of Florida Gators at the UM Convocation Center. The event runs from 7:30 to 9 a.m., and costs $16 for Hurricane Club Members, $18 for nonmembers. Seats are still available. The deadline to order is Friday, August 29. Call 305-284-6699 to reserve your seat. September 8 Football 101. Join the fun and help raise money for UM women's athletics as Dianna Coker, wife of head football coach Larry Coker, teaches the basics of college football at 11 a.m. in the Knight Sports Complex. A football tutorial, lunch, interaction with student-athletes, prizes, and an appearance by Coach Coker are all included. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available. The annual event is sponsored by Women Helping Women, established to enhance the knowledge and support of the University's women's athletic programs. For more information, call 305-284-2400 or visit http://hurricanesports.com. September 12 Intramural Two-Person Golf Scramble. The Wellness Center is holding an Intramural Two-Person Golf Scramble at the newly renovated Miccosukee Golf Course. Entry deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, September 5, at the Wellness Center offices. The cost is $30 for students and $35 for non-students and is open to anyone. There will be a putting contest and longest drive contest during the event, and a raffle will be held during dinner served by Quiznos. Entries are open to the first 144 registrations. For more information, contact Jason Carroll at 305-284-8518. You can also find out more about the tournament at Intramural Web site.