101 Easy Decorating Tips

Do you need some ideas on how to decorate your apartment for the Holidays? Here are 101 tips for easy, simple, and creative ways to put holiday themes around your home this season.

1. Create a charming display of teddy bears dressed for the season. Gather together three or more teddy bears and arrange them on a table or on the floor in a corner. Dress the bears with touques, scarves and mittens. Place candy canes in their hands or tie bows around their necks. You can even wrap up some small, empty boxes with Christmas wrapping paper to place in the bears’ hands.

2. Display a collection of nativity scenes from different cultures.

3. Make simple bows from Christmas print ribbon and pin them to your curtains.

4. Hang a collection of Christmas stockings on your mantle, a shelf or the wall (even if you don’t stuff them). The more the merrier when it comes to nice christmas decorations.

5. Revisit your childhood. Cut snowflakes from white paper and hang them in all of your windows.

6. Buy a clear plastic shower curtain. Use a hot glue gun to attach Christmas decorations to the outside of the curtain. Don’t use breakable ornaments – instead, try small wooden or plastic ornaments (remove any hooks), bows, garland, etc.

7. Use red and green 3-dimensional fabric paints to trace simple Christmas patterns (like stars, bells, Santas, stockings, etc.) on a white tablecloth.

8. Dress up your house plants – hang small Christmas ornaments on them.

9. Tie a red ribbon around a tall, slim drinking glass. Fill the glass with candy canes and display on a shelf or side table.

10. Purchase plain green or red place mats and attach Christmas ribbons, bows or small wooden ornaments with a hot glue gun.

11. Fill a small glass bowl or decorative Christmas bowl with small cones and display on end tables, shelves, buffet tables, etc.

12. For quick ornaments, hang Christmas cookie cutters with ribbon. Hang them on your tree or in a window so other people can enjoy your christmas decorations.

13. Create a cookie wreath centerpiece for your table. Just arrange Christmas cookies in a wreath shape right on the table cloth. No need to attach them to anything ’cause everyone will want to nibble at them. If you like, place a pillar candle on a small plate in the center of the wreath.

14. Decorate plain red, white, green or gold candles with 3-dimensional fabric paint. Draw stars, bells, angels, snowmen, etc. If you make a mistake, let the paint dry and peal it off, then start again.

15. Pile a collection of Christmas books on a side table.

For the rest of the 101 tips see All Things Christmas.

The Best Gifts for Little Kids

Your little brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews may travel a lot to see relatives during the holidays.  The long hours in a car or plane can be boring.  However, this holiday season there are many gifts you can get them to help pass the time or to learn about travel.  Keep reading to find out details on what are some great gifts!

Globe

Maps are useful and portable, but globes fascinate children of all ages. Using a globe, children can learn about countries, continents and oceans. Globes teach children about the true sizes of landforms and help them see the distances between points. Look for a raised relief globe, which shows elevations of mountains and valleys.

Rolling Luggage

Even young children enjoy packing and pulling their own rolling suitcases. Taking care of clothing and belongings gives children a sense of responsibility and turns the tedious task of packing into an enjoyable activity. Look for a rolling suitcase sized for your child or grandchild; a youth-sized rolling bag will be easy for a younger, shorter child to pull. Middle schoolers and teens will probably prefer a larger bag with a longer pull handle. You can find rolling suitcases and duffel bags in all shapes, colors, sizes and price ranges.

Auto Bingo

This classic, low-tech toy can help those hours in the car pass more quickly. Each child takes an auto bingo card, which includes pictures of common roadside items, such as sheep, stop signs and railroad crossings. Players slide a colored window closed when they spot an object on their particular card. The first child to close five windows in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal row shouts, "Bingo!" and wins the game. Auto bingo games come in sets of four cards.

Mealtime Masterpiece Paper Placemats

The only thing more tedious than a long drive is a seemingly longer wait for restaurant food to arrive. Keep your child or grandchild happy and busy with these fun Mealtime Masterpiece paper placemats by Fred & Friends. This stack of 40 11 by 14 inch placemats comes with six marking pens, but you could also bring crayons or colored pencils, which are easier to carry and less messy, for your junior artists to use at the table. Each placemat has a painting-canvas-and-frame design, perfect for "framing" a creative kid's art.

Playing Cards / Boxed Card Games

Card games provide hours of entertainment for children of all ages. A deck of regular playing cards can be used to play Concentration by spreading the shuffled cardes face down on a table and having each player take turns turning two cards over, looking for pairs. The same deck can be used to play Solitaire, Crazy Eights, Old Maid and many more card games. Boxed card games, such as Professor Noggin's educational trivia games and UNO, are both colorful and easy to carry. Tip: Airplanes, trains and hotel rooms are the best places to play card games. It's very easy to lose cards in the car.

Travel Journal / Sketchbook

Children of almost any age can draw or write about their travel adventures in a blank journal or sketchbook. Preschoolers enjoy drawing pictures of buildings, animals and even food; parents and grandparents can write the date and a short description on each sketchbook page. Older children can draw pictures, create cartoons or write about each day's adventures in their journal. Travel journals and sketchbooks come in all sizes and price ranges; younger children will probably prefer to draw their pictures on larger pages. Remember to provide crayons, pencils or pens; marking pens may soak through pages.

For more information see About.com.

The Gift They Always Wanted

Is there a person on your list that is really hard to shop for?  Here are some great tips on how to find out what they want without even having to talk to them!  Social Media and retailer wish lists can make finding the perfect gift that much easier for you.

Shopping for the guy or gal who seems to already have everything? Or perhaps you're a little clueless and not sure what to give someone you don't yet know well. Use the internet to your advantage. People are leaving online trails everywhere with their wants and wishes, making it easier than ever to gift others exactly what they've always wanted...

Search for wish lists at big retailers. Your giftee might have an Amazon wishlist already, and all you need to find it is their email address. This could be a great way to get your sister, friend or boss exactly what they want without havign to ask. Alternatively, if your giftee has recently gotten engaged, married, had a baby, or hosted a housewarming, they probably still have empty items on their registries. Even if they were married months ago, they might still appreciate recieving that cool kitchen gadget they picked out.



Glance through their social networks. Take a peek at any recent links they've posted to Facebook or Twitter to see if there's any good gift ideas. Or go through their StumbleUpon, Digg or Reddit history to find product links they liked or upvoted in the past. And if your giftee uses Pinterest, you've got it made! Find their profile to get dozens and dozens of great gift ideas that they're guaranteed to love.
Do you use the web to help you pick out great gift ideas? Share your sneaky tips in the comments!

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you are thankful for.

Be Prepared for Your Thanksgiving Roadtrip

You just have to make it through this week of work, and then you get to go home for Thanksgiving.  No matter how long your drive is, you need to make sure you are prepared for holiday travel.  Keep reading to find out how to prepare for your road trip.

Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with family and friend? You won’t be alone. The AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for whatever challenges might be faced on the road.

1. Fuel up. Don’t head out on a long trip without a full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids and tire pressures before you leave.

2. Be prepared. Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit—especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring water and extra snacks, just in case.

3. Pack smart. Check your vehicle’s load capacity to make sure you aren’t putting too much weight in the car. On most new cars, the total weight you can carry is printed on a placard (sticker) inside the driver’s door jamb. This load rating includes all the passengers and cargo. Also, make sure your gear is packed properly and will not be a hazard if you stop short.

4. Track it. A portable GPS navigation system will help you get where you’re going, making it easy to find gas stations or restaurants along the way. Traffic-enabled devices can warn of roadway congestion, and all units can assist in finding an alternate route. Also, a navigator can help direct emergency services to your location, should something happen. (See "Video: Don't let a GPS navigator steer you wrong.")

5. Kid prep. If you’re driving with kids, make sure you pack enough snacks, water, games, videos/DVDs, and music to keep them occupied during your journey. (See our "10 tips for a stress-free road trip with kids" for more advice.)

6. Traveling with pets. Be sure to secure your pets, either with harnesses and seat belts or by placing them in a crate. Animals can be a dangerous distraction when driving and physical threat in an accident, should they travel about the cabin or escape onto a busy motorway. Bring water, food, toys, leash, and clean-up supplies—you never know.

7. Be patient. During busy travel times, expect to hit traffic. It may make sense to drive late at night or early in the morning to avoid the rush and ensure you get to your destination on time and with minimal stress. A GPS device with traffic information and an exit guide can help you navigate around congestion and help find desired pit stop locations.

8. Don’t be distracted. Cell phones and driving don’t mix, so if you need to send a message or make a call, hand your phone to a passenger or pull over. It’s not worth risking your life or others on the road.

9. Buckle up. Always use your seat belt, make sure children are properly secured in a car seat and are seated in the rear seats if they are under 13.

10. Watch for weather. If you’re driving in wintry weather, make sure you clear off the snow and ice for better visibility, allow for longer braking distances, and reduce your speed. (Check out our winter driving guide if you are headed to a snowy location.)

11. Keep control. There could be a variety of scenarios on the road, but if you stay calm and be prepared you can get through any challenge. Check out our story “Surviving the worst-case scenarios” for more on driving in fog, snow, or if you car has brake failure, overheats, or your tire blows out.

For more information see Consumer Reports.

Election Day Fun Facts

How was your election day experience?  Here are some great fun facts about Election Day in our country.

 

The finish line is almost here. Americans have weighed a plethora of questions in choosing their presidential candidate.

But amid the quadrennial explosion of political ads, bumper stickers and debates, some questions still baffle: Why is the Republican mascot an elephant? Why are Democrats linked to the color blue? And what happens if the candidates tie?

Below, a voter's guide to such perpetually confounding riddles:

Q. Why are presidential elections always in November, and always on Tuesdays?

It all comes down to weather, harvests and worship.

Back when voters traveled to the polls by horse, Tuesday was an ideal day because it allows people to worship on Sunday, ride to their county seat on Monday and vote on Tuesday - all before market day, Wednesday.

And the month of November fit nicely between harvest time and brutal winter weather -- which can be especially bad when you're trudging along by horse and buggy.

But since many voters now travel by horsepower instead of live horses, some people -- like the group Why Tuesday? -- are pushing to move election day to a weekend day to increase the country's historically dismal voter turnout. According to the group, 15 states do not allow early voting, and 27% of non-voters said the main reason why they didn't vote was because they were too busy or couldn't get time off to vote.

Q. Why do Republicans have an elephant and Democrats have a donkey?

Back in 1874, cartoonist Thomas Nast used an elephant to depict the Republican vote in his drawing "The Third-Term Panic." The cartoon was published in Harper's Weekly after the owner of the New York Herald reportedly criticized the notion of Republican President Ulysses S. Grant running for a third term. (Grant didn't end up running in the next election).

In the drawing, an "ass" -- depicting the New York Herald -- scares away other animals in a forest as the elephant -- or the Republican vote -- looks like it's about to stumble into a pit.

But that cartoon isn't where where the Democratic donkey came from. In 1828, Democrat Andrew Jackson's critics called him a "jackass" because of his populist views and his slogan, "Let the people rule." Jackson decided to run with it -- even using images of a donkey in his campaign ads. Later, Nast also used a donkey to depict the Democratic party.

Q. Why are Democratic states "blue," and why are Republican states "red"?

There's nothing magical about this color scheme. Essentially, the media made it up.

Sure, there are logical reasons to use red and blue -- both are colors in the American flag, and they look sharp on infographics because they're pretty much on opposite ends of the color spectrum.

But the seemingly arbitrary color assignments have actually flip-flopped over the years. In 1980, states won by Republican Ronald Reagan were colored blue; Democrat Jimmy Carter's states were colored red.

Even as late as 1996, major media outlets were divided on how to color-code the parties. But in 2000, when Americans were subjected to weeks of news about recounts, pregnant chads and electoral infographics, everyone seemed to get on the same page and shaded Republican-leaning states red and Democratic-leaning states blue.

Q. What happens if candidates tie in electoral votes?

It's possible that Barack Obama and Mitt Romney snag the exact same number of electoral votes. In that case, the 12th Amendment says the House of Representatives gets to pick the president. And since analysts expect Republicans to maintain control of the House, Romney would likely win the presidency.

In the same scenario, the Senate would get to choose the vice president. And because Democrats are expected to keep control of that chamber, senators could select incumbent Vice President Joe Biden to form a split administration.

Q. Why do presidents have to wait all the way until January 20 to assume office?

It used to be a lot longer. Until 1937, presidents didn't get sworn in until March 4 because it took so long to count and report ballots, and because of the winner's logistical issues in moving to the capital.

But then better technology kicked in, and the 20th Amendment moved presidential inaugurations to noon on January 20 -- allowing presidents to start taking care of business sooner.

For more information see KDBC.

The University Club

Extra Hour of Sleep This Weekend!

Do not show up an hour early for class on Monday.  This Saturday night to Sunday make sure to set your clocks back an hour for fall back time.  Enjoy your extra hour of sleep this weekend.

It's time once again for the annual ritual of resetting our clocks for a return to standard time. In fall, we turn daylight saving* time off, which means moving clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, November 4, 2012. This return to "normal" time (Pacific Standard Time) moves sunset back an hour with the corresponding effect of an earlier sunrise.
 
Unless you plan on being awake and functional at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, set your clocks back one hour before retiring on Saturday night. You'll then be on time for Sunday activities and refreshed from getting an extra hour of sleep. 

For more information see About.com
University Club

Five Minutes to a Clean Bathroom

Keep your bathroom clean in five minutes.  Are you thinking it can not be done?  It can just follow these steps and keep your bathroom in tip top shape.

The truth of the matter is, you can get a great deal done in 60 seconds when you don't have distractions. It's why the 5 minute rule works so well. Even if you don't have 5 minutes back to back, there's a good chance you have 60 seconds here and there throughout the day. Want to see how it's done? Check it:

MINUTE ONE:
Minute one is dedicated to clearing off surfaces. Put away your straight iron, find a new home for your SPIN magazine, toss your makeup back in the drawer and grab that old towel off the sink. Dirty clothes should be off the floor and those bobby pins that never seem to have a home should find one.

MINUTE TWO
Minute two is all about surface cleaning. Drop in some toilet bowl cleaner and let it sit until the last few seconds and then wipe down the countertops, sink and toilet tank and seat. Give your shower a spray with either store bought or home made daily cleaner (or white vinegar). Run your toilet brush around your toilet and you're done. It's a busy minute but it can be done in that time frame.

MINUTE THREE
Your third minute is dedicated to straightening. Refold your towels and pull your shower curtain closed so it can air out. Check to make sure you have toilet paper and even take a few seconds to straighten the bottles on your countertops and those that live in your shower.

MINUTE FOUR
You're on the downhill stretch and now it's time to check your mirrors. It's easier to get toothpaste spittle on them than you think and a quick wipe or spray with your favorite cleaner will keep them clean in a jiffy. If the mirror is already clean, take a moment to wipe down your sink and bath fixtures and make them shine.

MINUTE FIVE
Did you panic at minute two when I said clean all the surfaces? Maybe you have kids that make things messier or you just don't move at lightning speed like I do. Take an extra 60 seconds to assess anything out of sorts and finish up.

IN CONCLUSION
To make this system really work it has to be used EVERY DAY. If you skip a few days here and there it's easy for your bathroom to get that layer of dust and grime that takes more than just a few minutes to remove.
Once a week, skip cleaning your mirrors and fixtures and take a moment to sweep or mop the floor and wipe down the outside of your toilet. It can be done in a minute (ok, maybe two or three) if you mop with something easy like a Swiffer — if you can squeeze in the time to do it more frequently, great. Likewise, you can give your shower an actual scrub down — just use your time wisely and don't let it intimidate you!

For more information or other cleaning tips check out Apartment Therapy.

Cheaper Costume Ideas

Do your want costumes that are over $100 without the accessories?  Here is a great story about a girl who took that $80 dollar costume and made the same thing for a lot cheaper.

It’s a down economy and a presidential election year—could there possibly be a MORE appropriate 2012 Halloween costume than a homemade Statue of Liberty designed for 5 bucks? I doubt it. (Hello, Humility? I’m sorry, she’s out to lunch.)

Last year my daughter came across a very nice Statue of Liberty costume in a catalog, but with torch, robe and crown, it came to about $80. While I was pleased about her costume choice considering the less-than-original-princess-and-fairy-costumes of years past, I decided I could do better with my own resources.

From around the house, we gathered the following for Lady Liberty:      

Painting a crown for Lady Liberty costume.

Cardboard
Sage green paint leftover from a home-painting project
Black paint
A princess crown (for Liberty’s crown)
An empty ribbon spool (for torch)
Foam sheets used for packing breakable items (torch flame)
Small flashlight (torch “light”)
(Also needed: Ponytail holder, stapler, safety pins, scissors, markers and duct tape)

At the thrift store, we purchased:
Two sage green curtains, $5 (for robes)
Then we went to work. Here’s how it came together:
 
Instructions
• The Crown: Cut a cardboard piece to cover the entire front of any child’s princess crown; paint green and let dry. Once it’s dry, paint black rectangles across the green piece. Cut long, skinny triangles from cardboard; paint green. Once all paint is dry, attach front piece to crown with duct tape. Attach crown spires with a stapler. Touch up paint once crown is assembled, if necessary.
• The Torch: Paint a large empty spool of ribbon with green paint. Using markers, color foam sheets yellow and orange and cut 3-4 pieces into a tear drop shape for flames. Glue foam flames around the top inside edges of the spool, leaving a hole through the middle. Slide small flashlight into the spool with the light part up. If the flashlight doesn’t fit exactly, add more foam around the edges. When the flashlight is turned on, it makes a great Liberty torch that actually lights—fun for nighttime trick or treating!

A cute costume that was fun to make for just $5.

• The Robe: I do not sew, but pinning curtains to form a robe worked fine, and was less work for me. Only thing is, you have to re-pin if you wear the costume again. Pin one curtain loosely around child so it drapes around the body. Fold second curtain into a long rectangle and drape over one shoulder like a sash; secure under the other arm with a large ponytail holder (easier than pins, and removable).

For more information see Colorado Parent.

Maryland Madness

 Maryland Madness is scheduled for tomorrow at 7pm.  This annual event is the kick off to the University of Maryland basketball season.  The special one hour program will air live on CSN following the Terps' men's soccer game.  You will get to meet the new basketball players and coaches for the year along with a few other surprises.

The celebration of Maryland Madness, which tips off the new season of basketball at Comcast Center, is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 12, beginning at 7 p.m.

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will present a special one-hour program, Maryland Madness presented by Wendy's, on Friday, Oct. 12. The show will air live on CSN Plus at 7:30 p.m. with an encore at 9 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet following the network's live coverage of the Terps' men's soccer game at Duke (7 p.m.).

Comcast SportsNet's coverage of Maryland Madness will be highlighted by introductions of the 2012-13 Terps' men's and women's basketball teams, along with head coaches Mark Turgeon and Brenda Frese, and their team scrimmages. The event, which was first held 41 years ago, will also feature the unveiling of the teams' new Under Armour uniforms.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is free. No tickets are required and seating is first-come, first-served.

The evening includes a student dunk contest, - which will be judged by former Terps football players Torrey Smith, LaQuan Williams and Josh Wilson and former basketball players Walt Williams, Juan 

Dixon and Dave Neal (subject to change) - and a performance by the Maryland Gymkana Troupe.
Students can register for the student dunk contest and vote on the best returning Terrapin dunker at 2012MarylandBasketball.com, the official fan site of Maryland basketball. Free t-shirts will be given away to the first 4,000 students in attendance and the winner of the student dunk contest will be awarded with free books for the school year.

Comcast SportsNet anchor and reporter Rob Carlin will lead the network's coverage live from Comcast Center in College Park, Md. He will be joined by former Terrapins star Christy Winters Scott and men's radio analyst Chris Knoche, who also contributes to the network's Terps coverage on CSNwashington.com and CSNbaltimore.com.

For CSN Plus carriage and channel location, check with your provider or visit CSNwashington.com or CSNbaltimore.com.
Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic - the official sports network of the Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, D.C. United, Atlantic Coast Conference and Colonial Athletic Association - delivers more than 500 live sporting events per year, along with Emmy Award-winning news, analysis and entertainment programming, to more than 4.7 million homes throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Comcast SportsNet's digital portfolio, highlighted by CSNwashington.com and CSNbaltimore.com, is the region's leading source for online sports news and information.

NBC Sports Regional Networks, part of the NBC Sports Group, consists of 13 local networks that deliver more than 2,400 sporting events annually, along with breaking news and comprehensive analysis, to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. The NBC Sports Regional Networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, CSS and SNY. NBC Sports Regional Networks also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation's largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com. 

For more information see UM.

Homecoming Calendar

2012 University of Maryland Homecoming Calendar
For more homecoming information see UMD.

DATE	TIME	TITLE	LOCATION	DESCRIPTION
Friday, October 12	11am-5pm	Give the Red Blood Drive	Atrium, Stamp
Sunday, October 14	1pm	UMD Field Hockey vs. UC Davis	Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex
	1pm	UMD Volleyball vs. Florida State	Comcast Center Pavilion
Monday, October 15	11am-2pm	Homecoming Week Kickoff	Hornbake Plaza, Rain Location Stamp	Stop by tables focused on recent decades and get a FREE t-shirt!  Also giving away FREE food!
	4pm-5pm	Lecture- “One Leg at a Time: How the Trouser Role Became an Integral Item in the Mezzo-Soprano’s Wardrobe”	Gildenhorn Recital Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center	In this Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Recital, faculty artist Delores Ziegler discusses and demonstrates the mezzzo’s many styles of “pants roles.”  http://music.umd.edu
	7pm	Residence Hall Decorating Contest Judging	Residence Halls	Judges will critique the decorations coordinated by the various residence halls.  A prize will be awarded to the winning floor/hall.
	7pm-10pm	Juke Joint	Hoff Theater	An opportunity for self-expression, students may read poetry, sing, perform a spoken word, or share another kind of performance.  Sign-ups will be coordinated through Nyumburu Cultural Center.
Tuesday, October 16	2:30pm	Lecture- “Sheesh, What’s With All the THATCamps?”	301 Hornbake Library	The Maryland Institute for Technology in Humanities (MITH) offers the latest installment of its weekly “Digital Dialogues” lectures.  http://mith.umd.edu
	4pm	First Year Book Lecture	Hoff Theater, Stamp	The First Year Book Program will host Brooke Gladstone, author of The Influencing Machine. http://firstyearbook.umd.edu/2012
	6pm-7pm	Operation 1856: UMD’s Largest Zumba Class	Cole Field House	Campus Recreation Services hosts what hopes to be a record-breaking Zumba class.  Contact Emily Schmitt at eschmit2@umd.edu or 301-226-4407 for more info.
	7pm	UMD Field Hockey vs. Towson	Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex
	7:30pm	Panel Discussion- “Creativity and the Elder Artist”	Gildenhorn Recital Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center	Numerous studies reveal that older adults who engage in creative activities can slow down the aging process by maximizing the use of their brains and bodies. Hear more from distinguished guest panels.  http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu
	7:30pm	UMD Men’s Soccer vs. Colgate	Ludwig Field
	8:30pm-11:00pm	Acapella Showcase	Memorial Chapel	Cheer on your favorite acapella group!  To participate, email homecoming@umd.edu.
Wednesday, October 17 – Friday, October 19	8pm, each night	“And God Created Great Whales”	Kogod Theatre, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center	This musical adventure follows Nathan, a piano tuner and composer, on a mad quest to finish his final opus, an opera based on Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, before lowing his mind and his memory.  Visit http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu for ticket information, including cost.
Wednesday, October 17	11am-3pm	Farmer’s Market	In front of Cole Field House	Visit http://farmersmarket.umd.edu for information about the items available this week.
	2pm-5pm	School of Public Health Career Expo	School of Public Health Building	SPH students and alumni are invited to network with industry representatives. http://sph.umd.edu
	7pm-9pm	Writers Here & Now- Danielle Evans and Mary Ruefle	1121 Tawes Hall	The Jiménez-Porter Writers’ House, the Department of English’s living and learning program, brings writers of national and international prominence to campus.
	7pm-10pm	Mash-Up	Grand Ballroom	Participate in this facilitated workshop and discussion on the topics of identity.
Thursday, October 18	8:30am-6pm	Annual Fischell Festival: A Celebration of Bioengineering’s Potential to Improve Life for Millions of People	Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building	The Fischell Department of Bioengineering invites alumni, students, faculty, and the public to this annual celebration of bioengineering’s potential to improve our lives. Registration required. http://fischellfestival.umd.edu
	5pm	Whiting-Turner Business & Entrepreneurial Lecture- “The Plight of the Innovator: How to Get Out”	Kim Lecture Hall, Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building	Featuring Thomas Fogarty, Professor of Surgery at Stanford and inventor of the balloon catheter Open to the public.
	7pm	UMD Women’s Soccer vs. Miami	Ludwig Field
	8pm	SEE Comedy Show	Cole Field House	For information on the line-up and how to purchase tickets, visit http://see.umd.edu
Friday, October 19 – Sunday, October 21	All Day	½ price Bowling and Billiards	TerpZone, Stamp
Friday, October 19	9am-1:30pm	Research Interaction Day	School of Public Health Building	Join students, faculty members, the campus community, and community partners for presentations and posters featuring SPH’s latest research. http://sph.umd.edu
	12:30pm	Panel Discussion- “Forty Years of Title IX: Action and Coverage”	Eaton Theater, Knight Hall	A panel of journalists, athletes, and coaches will discuss the impact of Title IX at the University of Maryland and for the journalism industry that covered the passage of the law itself as well as the college athletes it produced. Moderated by USA Today reporter Christine Brennean. http://merrill.umd.edu
	2:30pm-4:30pm	SPH Alumni and Faculty Ice Cream Social	School of Public Health Faculty-Staff Lounge	SPH alumni are invited to meet new Dean Jane Clark, socialize, and network with faculty and staff.  Registration required.  http://alumni.umd.edu/sphicecream
	3:30pm	Lecture- “Why Americans Should Read The Book of Mormon”	2115 Tawes Hall	The Department of English invites alumni and friends to join Elizabeth Fenton, author and associate professor of English at the University of Vermont, for a discussion about The Book of Mormon.  http://english.umd.edu/events/3166
	3:30pm-5pm	CMNS Alumni Festival and Ice Cream Social	G. Forrest Woods Memorial Atrium, Chemistry Building	Join the College of Computer, Mathematcial, and Natural Sciences to celebrate the achievement of alumni from each of its departments.  http://cmns.umd.edu/alumni-events.htm
	4pm	Homecoming Parade	Campus, Along Regents Drive, ending at the Main Administration Building	Watch students, faculty, and staff show off their creative side by building floats, decorating cars, and painting banners. Prizes awarded to the best entries.
	5pm-6pm	Soccer Pre-Bash	Ludwig Field	Come by for food, music, and games, and see who won the best Parade entries! Show off your Maryland Pride by competing in the Spirit Contest.  Must have ticket to the Soccer game to enter.  Discounted tickets offered to the public using promo code HOMECOMING.
	5:30pm Reception 6:30pm Presentation	SPH VIP Alumni Reception and Presentation	School of Public Health Student Lounge	SPH Alumni have been invited to hear “The Today Show” nutritionist and health expert Joy Bauer ’86 and Teresa Holley ’87, CEO and owner of Holley Creative and health educator.  Registration required. http://alumni.umd.edu/sphreception
	6pm	UMD Men’s Soccer vs. UNC	Ludwig Field	Cheer on the Men’s Soccer team as they compete against top-ranked UNC.
	6pm-10pm	UMD Black Alumni Bowling Party	TerpZone, Stamp	$10 in advance ($12 on site).  http://alumni.umd.edu/umbabowling
Saturday, October 20	4 hours before kick-off	Tailgate Competition	Campus	Compete to see who has the best tailgate! Criteria include food, decoration and overall Terp Spirit! Registration required to participate.  Email homecoming-tailgate@umd.edu to register.
	4 hours before kick-off	Alumni Association Lifetime Member Wall  Unveiling	The Eric S. & Frann G. Francis Lifetime Member Wall, Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center	See the names of the newest lifetime members of the Alumni Association etched into the wall. Invitation Only. http://alumni.umd.edu
	3 hours before kick-off	Homecoming Bash	Orem Hall, Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center	The Maryland Alumni Association welcomes members and their guests to the Homecoming Bash featuring food, fun, and live music.  Alumni Association members are free, though there is a cost associated with their guests.  http://alumni.umd.edu
	3 hours before kick-off	Capital One Bank Terp Town	Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center	All Terp fans welcome to this tailgate!  Listen to music, enjoy family-friendly activities, and food for purchase. Open to the public. http://alumni.umd.edu
	3 hours before kick-off	BSOS Meet and Greet	Terp Town, Sauel Riggs IV Alumni Center	College of Behavorial and Social Sciences alumni are invited to stop by the BSOS table at Terp Town to meet BSOS leadership and members of the college’s Alumni Chapter Board, and to receive a BSOS gift.  http://bsos.umd.edu/news-and-events/calendar.aspx
	3 hours before kick-off	College of Education Meet and Greet	Benjamin Building Gardens	The College of Education Alumni Board invites alumni to enjoy light refreshments, visit with fellow alumni, and receive a spirit giveaway.  Registration required. http://Ter.ps/EDhomecoming
	3 hours before kick-off	Ag-tober Fest	Campus Farm	The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources welcomes alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to an Ag-tober Fest tailgate with food, games, and activities.  Registration required. http://agrn.umd.edu/news/events
	2 hours before kick-off	Philip Merrill College of Journalism Alumni Tailgate	Knight Hall	Mingle with current students, alumni, faculty, and staff from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism.  $5, includes one beer ticket. RSVP required.  Email Molly Schwartz at mschwartz@jmail.umd.edu to RSVP.
	1pm	UMD Field Hockey vs. UNC	Field Hockey and Lacrosee Complex
	TBD	Homecoming Football Game vs. NC State	Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium	Cheer on your Terps! Purchase tickets at http://umterps.com