In Brief: Festivus returns, Thanksgiving To-Go, On Our Own Time
Performers will include the Faculty/Staff Choir, the Roskruge Bilingual Magnet K-8 School folklórico dancers and a mariachi group from Davis Bilingual Elementary Magnet School.
During Festivus, employees receive 40% off one item and 25% off the remainder of their purchases.
The Thanksgiving To-Go family package includes a choice of a turkey, prime rib of beef or vegetable Wellington, as well as a starter, sides and dessert.
Last year's On Our Own Time "Best in Show" award went to "Not all of us who travel on this ship have the same direction" by Sergio Castrezana, research technician in the Department of Entomology.
Festivus returns Nov. 17
Many of us have "Seinfeld" to thank for Festivus, an alternative to the commercialism of the holiday season that includes the airing of grievances and feats of strength.
Fortunately, at the University, Festivus is far less intense. Instead, it's an annual celebration at the Student Union Memorial Center bookstore filled with discounts, prizes, entertainment and treats.
The annual faculty and staff appreciation sale takes place Nov. 17 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at the bookstore and online. Employees receive 40% off one item and 25% off the remainder of their purchases that day. A CatCard is required to receive the discounts. Exclusions, restrictions and more information can be found on the Festivus website.
The store will close to the public at 2 p.m. to prepare for in-person performances and other festivities that will run from 3-6 p.m. Performers will include the Faculty/Staff Choir, the Roskruge Bilingual Magnet K-8 School folklórico dancers and Las Aguilitas de Davis, a mariachi group from Davis Bilingual Elementary Magnet School. Shoppers can also give back in time for the holiday season by donating to the BookStores annual book drive in partnership with Make Way For Books, a Tucson-based early literacy organization that provides children throughout Southern Arizona with access to books.
"Festivus is really the time to celebrate all University of Arizona employees with a fun event filled with live performances, holiday treats, photo opportunities and a chance to mingle with some of your co-workers," said Peter Neff, executive director of Arizona BookStores. "We offer the staff holiday discounts so they can get a head start on shopping and enjoy shopping in an exclusive closed event for University employees only."
Anyone with questions about the promotions or events can contact Crystal Escobar, special events coordinator for Business Affairs Auxiliary Services Marketing, at crystalescobar@arizona.edu.
Eat well – without the work – this Thanksgiving
Once again this year, you can alleviate some holiday stress and fill your Thanksgiving table by purchasing full family packages, individual meals, a la carte options and baked goods through the Arizona Student Unions Thanksgiving To-Go.
The $139 family package includes a choice of entree – a 10- to 13-pound turkey, a 5- to 6-pound prime rib of beef or a 5- to 6-pound roasted vegetable Wellington – as well as a starter, sides and dessert. Items can also be purchased a la carte. See the menu on the Unions website.
This year, Arizona Student Unions is partnering with Grubhub to manage the ordering process. Employees can place an order until 10 a.m. on Nov. 21 and pick up their purchases on Nov. 22 at the Student Union Memorial Center by visiting the On Deck Deli or by driving up using the circle drive north of the Union.
Single-serving meals are available at three Union locations: Arizona Market in the main Student Union, Highland Grocery near El Portal, and Global Market in the Global Center. Each meal includes the choice of turkey or vegetable Wellington, sides and a dessert.
The annual Thanksgiving Bake Sale will run Nov. 20-22 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. across from On Deck Deli at the main Student Union. Baked goods can also be ordered through Grubhub and picked up with other Thanksgiving To-Go purchases.
More information, including instructions on how to order using the Grubhub app, is available on the Student Unions Thanksgiving To-Go website.
Flex your creative muscles with the 'On Our Own Time' exhibition
Employees and members of their families can show off their creative sides as part of the 14th annual "On Our Own Time" art exhibition and competition. Submissions will be accepted Dec. 1-Jan. 22. Participants must be employees, retirees, volunteers or their immediate family members.
Judging will take place entirely online this year, with an in-person exhibit in the lobby of the Bioscience Research Laboratories building, 1230 N. Cherry Ave., from Jan. 29-Feb. 10. Judges will select a best-in-show award winner, as well as winners in five categories: professional, intermediate, amateur, teen and youth.
Those interested can find more information and register online. The showcase is coordinated by the Employee Recognition Committee and is held through a partnership with the National Arts Program.
If you need inspiration, check out some of last year's entries in this Lo Que Pasa article.