Betsy Kelly and Barbara Jones were awarded the Bernice M. Hetzner Award for Excellence in Academic Health Librarianship. To quote their nomination: “For the past couple of years, Betsy and Barbara have been actively involved in helping librarians advocate for their libraries. As more and more libraries have closed because of administrators not understanding the roles of the libraries and librarians in their institutions, Betsy and Barbara have been implementing programs to help librarians prove their worth at their institutions. Together they have a combined 75 years of experience as professional librarians, extensive teaching experience and have guided more 150 librarians through the assessment, planning and evaluation process over the past 5 years.

–From MCMLA Express

1. Be sure the tree and/or boughs are not dried out when you get them. Grasp a branch about 6” from the end and firmly slide it between your fingers to the tip. If the tree is fresh, no needles will come off. No red cedar trees or red cedar boughs are to be used under any circumstances due to their fast drying nature.

2. After purchasing a tree, keep it in water and outside the facility until the time you set it up (no earlier than November 30th).

3. All natural trees and evergreen boughs set up in University facilities are to be sprayed with a fire retardant material (this does not apply to “U.L. Listed” artificial trees labeled as “Fire Resistant”).

4. When you are ready to set up the tree, saw approximately two inches off the bottom of the trunk to assist in absorption of water.

5. Be sure the tree is placed in a sturdy, broad-based stand which will hold water and be sure to keep water in the stand at all times. Check water level daily.

6. The tree must not be placed near a stairway, radiator, exit, hallway, or any other location where the tree, if standing or fallen, would block an escape route, signage or increase fire risk.

7. Electrical wiring should be inspected for frayed cords, loose connections, broken sockets, exposed wires and general safety prior to putting lighting on the tree. They must also be U.L. approved. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for number of lights on any one circuit. Do not use real candles or other open flames on Christmas trees or as decorations in general.

8. Never leave Christmas tree lights on unless someone is in the area where the tree is located or the tree is visible to someone at all times.

9. Electrical tree lights are not to be used on metallic trees due to the ever present danger of electrocution.

10. Avoid use of electrical extension cords if possible and never use them for periods exceeding 30 days.

11. If you own or plan on purchasing an artificial holiday tree check to make sure it is marked “U.L. Listed” and labeled “Fire Resistant”.

12. There will be no designated drop-off/pickup location on campus property. The City of Columbia provides two mulch sites and suggests that Christmas trees be dropped off at one of them. These sites are at Capen Park (south of Stadium, off Rock Quarry Road, behind the Surplus Property Building) and Parkside mulch site (north of Memorial Park Cemetery, off Creasy Springs Road). All ornaments, icicles, tinsel, stands, bags, etc., must be removed from the trees. The trees are ground and used as wildlife cover, mulch, fish habitat, and soil conservation.

13. Do not put trees in dumpsters or outside on the curb, in the yard, or other locations.

Contact Environmental Health and Safety (2-7018) for more information.

During this time of year, we would like to provide practical, affordable, and healthy wellness solutions for you to take advantage of. If you would like to read about other programs, success stories, and events, please check out the Healthy for Life website or subscribe to the wellness newsletter by e-mailing us at wellness@umsystem.edu.

A big ‘Thank You’
Healthy for Life would like to send a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who was an exhibitor, volunteer, or donated raffle prizes for our Wellness Fairs. We could not have done it without you! We appreciate your time and commitment to our program. For a complete list of all raffle prize winners, please visit our Healthy for Life website. Congratulations to all winners!

Walking Maps and Trails
The weather is changing and it may be time to move your fitness indoors. For indoor walking trails please visit our Healthy for Life website and click on ‘Links’, then ‘Trails.’ For outdoor walking trails, please visit Mizzou Botanical Garden website. Get to know your campus inside and out!

Strength Conditioning
Strength Conditioning is offered this Fall at Memorial Union from 12:15-12:45 p.m. There are only a few classes left! Click here for a schedule. Classes are $1 each and there is no need to register. All experience levels are welcome. The instructor encourages attendees to bring a towel or mat.

Noon-time Stress Reduction Meditation
Research over the past two decades suggests that engaging in a regular mindfulness meditation practice can reduce stress and enhance overall psychological and physical wellbeing. Find out for yourself by taking advantage of the noon-time (12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.) sitting meditation sessions across campus each week. Join Healthy for Life for one of the following times and locations:

• Mondays; Heinkel Building, Room 226
• Tuesdays; Quarterdeck Room 121
• Wednesdays; University Hospital Medical School, Room HSL146 (Dec 9th session will be in N215)
• Wednesdays; Parker Hall, First Floor Conference Room
• Wednesdays; AP Green Chapel

All faculty and staff are welcome to attend. No registration or previous experience with meditation is necessary. If you can’t make the noon-time group, consider taking a stress relief break by listening to one of the audio recordings over your computer in your office. For more information, please visit the Healthy for Life website.

Therapeutic Massage—Faculty & Staff receive discounted rate
The holidays are right around the corner, so show your friends, family, coworkers or employees how much you appreciate them! Treat them to a stress-reducing massage by Licensed Massage Therapist Jeff Rioux. Jeff provides 30-, 60- and 90-minute massages in his office at University Hospital (GL-20A) or he can come to your work area and provide chair massage in 2hr blocks. Faculty and staff receive a discounted rate of $30 for 30 min., $45 for 60 min., and $65 for 90 min. Massage hours are Mon./Tue. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Wed. 1 p.m.-7 p.m. and Thurs. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Schedule an appointment today by calling 884-1312. If you’d like a gift certificate, stop by Medtique Gift Shop in University Hospital or the Healthy for Life office at 205 Heinkel Building on campus.

Holiday Gift Idea
Seasonal and simple: A guide for enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables has more than 100 pages of recipes using simple preparations and seasonings, so you can taste the goodness of a fruit or vegetable at the peak of its flavor. The guide explains how to select, store, and prepare Missouri produce. This manual was developed for the University of Missouri Extension Healthy Lifestyle Initiative and can be purchased for $15. For more information or to order the book, please visit the Extension website or call 573-882-7216.

Women’s Health Calendar
Please take a moment pre-order your free copy of the 2010 Women’s Health Calendar provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. It is a great calendar that provides you with health tips, timelines and reminders for tests and procedures based on age, and many other great things. Best of all, it is free! To order, click here or order by phone at 1-800-994-9662.