The Gift of Involvement

Last week's shopping spree took us to campus retail outlets. This week, an update on ways to give someone an opportunity to participate in things, like...

. . . Anthropology/Archaeology:

Those who treasure the past will be delighted with a full year's membership in the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. They will enjoy free admission, Museum Shop discounts, and Expedition Magazine; and they will be kept up-to-date about the latest discoveries from the Museum's worldwide fieldwork and research. The gift membership will be mailed. Individual membership is $45, household $65. Information: (215) 898-5093.


. . . Art:

Members of the Institute of Contemporary Art receive free admission to the exhibitions, lectures and programs, invitations to preview opening receptions and the annual benefit, a calendar listing lectures, programs, tours, and special events, 20% discounts on ICA catalogue purchases, and use of the ICA library by appointment. Students, artists, senior citizens, Penn faculty and staff $20; individuals $40; dual/family $65; other membership categories from $100 to $1000, with additional membership bonuses for each. Information: (215) 898-4980.


. . . Books:

Members of Friends of the Library are invited to a variety of special events and receive a newsletter. Membership fees: student $25, regular $40, sponsor $100, patron $250, benefactor $500, Red and Blue Society $1000, Benjamin Franklin Society $2500. Information: (800)-390-1829 or friends@pobox.upenn.edu.


. . . Performances:

The Nutcracker.The International Ballet Theatre's world famous production of The Nutcracker will be performed on December 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Zellerbach Theatre at the Annenberg Center. Alexander Boitsov will stage and dance in the production. Tickets: adults : $25-$32, children: $15. Information (215) 898-3900.

The Dance Celebration and the NextMove Festival, presented by Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center, will present ten different companies during the spring semester, with two in January--Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre January 13-15, and The Parsons Dance Company, January 27-29. There are several subscription plans to save money and get the best seats. Box Office: (215) 898-3900.


. . . Films:

International House's Neighborhood Film/Video Project sells discount passes for their screenings, $20 for four shows. Information: (215) 895-6542.


. . . Flora:

Give a membership to the Morris Arboretum, the state of Pennsylvania's official arboretum, and you'll receive a gift certificate good for 10% from the gift shop when you mention you read about this in Almanac. With membership comes: free admission, 15% course discounts, the quarterly newsletter, plant sale benefits, access to the Reciprocal Admissions Program, gift shop discounts, and invitations to events and lectures. Membership fees: Student $20, Regular $50, Franklinia $75, Chestnut $150, Holly $250, Oak $500, and Laurel $1000.

For your favorite rose-lover, give a copy of Gardening with Roses ($29.95) by Judith McKeon. Or, for someone who wants to know about all the local flora: The Vascular Flora of Pennsylvania: Annotated Checklist and Atlas ($50) by the Arboretum's director of botany Dr. Ann Rhoads and Dr. William McKinley Klein, Jr. All are available by calling the Morris Arboretum Gift Shop at (215) 247-5777 (ext. 0).


. . . Food:

Dining Service offers 25-meal coupons for convenient meals on campus--breakfast $100, lunch $178 and dinner $262. Another option is to give a Value Card, in any denomination, for use at Chats. Information: (215) 898-7585.

The Faculty Club offers faculty and staff in their first year at the University a year of membership free; you could make a deposit into a declining balance account for the member to enjoy meals at the Club's cafeteria or Hour Glass restaurant. Information: (215) 898-4618.


. . .Clothing:

Hillel Foundation offers a University of Penn tee-shirt with the name of the institution in Hebrew, $15. Information: (215) 898-4618.


. . . Sports and Fitness:

The Class of 1923 Ice Rink has a discount book of 10 admission passes to any public skating session for $40 with a PENNCard or $50 for the public. Why not stuff a stocking with skating lessons? Six weeks of group lessons, beginning January 9, are available for ages 6 through adult in a variety of skill levels. The registration deadline is Jan. 2. Cost $75. Information: (215) 898-1923.

Levy Tennis Pavilion memberships are $15 students and spouses, $25 faculty, staff and spouses, $40 alumni, $75 public, $30 senior citizens, guest fee $5; valid through August 2000. Information: (215) 898-4741.

The Katz Fitness Center in Gimbel Gym, along with the Penn Fitness Center in Hutchinson, with a variety of weight training and aerobic equipment is the perfect gift for those who have made a New Year's resolution to get in shape and exercise. Membership through May 22 is $50 for students, $80 for faculty, staff and affiliates, $100 for alumni and community members. Information: (215) 898-8383.

The Men's Basketball Club offers various gift levels from $25 to $1000 with benefits that increase with the level. There is also the Family Plan which includes 4 tickets (2 adults and 2 children plus 4 hot dogs and sodas) for $30. Information: (215) 898-9231.


. . . the World:

International House members receive reduced admission to most International House programs, the International House Newsletter and Calendar with advance notice of upcoming programs and Members Only events, exhibits, lectures, and the chance to meet with graduate students and visitors from over fifty countries studying at Philadelphia universities who live at International House. Student Member $25, Individual Member $30, Family Member $50, Contributing Member $100, Sustaining Member $250, World Member $500, International Member $1000 or more.

--M.F.M.


Almanac, Vol. 46, No. 15, December 14, 1999

| FRONT PAGE | CONTENTS | JOB-OPS | CRIMESTATS | Holiday Shopping 1999, Part Two | Y2K Update: "We Will Have Succeeded" (Beck) | TALK ABOUT TEACHING ARCHIVE | BETWEEN ISSUES | JANUARY at PENN |