In a technological age, what better way to explore the interplay between the online and offline worlds than through art that combines digital and mixed media?

A reception Thursday will celebrate the opening of Online | Offline: Artificial Perception in the Natural World, a solo exhibition by Nicole Beno, a fourth-year double major in visual arts and communications.

“Sometimes it seems the natural aspect of our lives as we give in to consumer society,” says Beno. “We ourselves are consumed by buying too much stuff.”

She says all her artwork begins on the computer, and she adds other elements—painting, drawing, sculpture.

The show is on display through Friday, October 26 in the LeBel Building’s SoVA Projects Gallery. Thursday’s reception is free and open to the public; it begins in the gallery at 7 p.m.

A nod from a national publication came at a perfect time, says BookFest Windsor organizer Lenore Langs—just before the festival opens.

“What an honour to be included in Canadian Geographic’s list of top literary festivals in Canada,” says Langs, a UWindsor sessional instructor of expository and creative writing.

The annual festival, now in its 11th year, runs October 25 to 27 at the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre. In addition to Langs, who chairs the organizing committee, a number of UWindsor faculty members will participate, including:

• English professor Karl Jirgens will appear at Word to Image at Artcite, October 25 at 5.p.m.
• Political science professor Martha Lee will appear at Conspiracy Rising at the Capitol, October 25 at 7:30 p.m.
• Resident writing professional Marty Gervais will appear at Windsor’s Poet Laureate and Friends at the Capitol, October 25 at 7:30 p.m.
• Professor emeritus Eugene McNamara will present his new book of poetry on Friday, October 26, at 2 p.m.
• English professors Stephen Pender and Nicole Markotić will appear at the Poetry Café on Saturday, October 27, at 2 p.m. Markotić will also appear at Chilling Secrets and Betrayals Large and Small at 4 p.m.

Among the UWindsor alumni attending as featured authors are Chris Edwards, Sara Elliott, Peter Hrastovec, Yejide Kilanko, John Nabben, Micheline Rawlins, Amin Rehman and Vanessa Shields.

Find a full schedule of events, a complete list of attending authors, and details on ticket purchase on the festival’s Web site.

The Lancer men’s soccer team will kick off its post-season with an Ontario University Athletics West Division quarter-final against the Guelph Gryphons, tonight—Wednesday, October 24—at 7 p.m. on Alumni Field.

The two teams finished the regular season with identical 7-6-3 records; Windsor earned hosting rights by going 1-0-1 head-to-head against Guelph in regular-season play.

Head coach Steve Hart says a good fan turnout will make the most of that home field advantage: “I hope everyone in the soccer community can come out to Alumni Field this Wednesday to support our Lancer team.”

Admission is free.

Jamie Smith is excited to see the Detroit Tigers return to the World Series, and is glad that studying at the University of Windsor makes it convenient.

A master’s candidate in civil engineering, he plans to take in the fourth game of the series against the San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park on Sunday, October 28.

Smith says his father splits a set of season’s tickets with a friend and has purchased seats for the World Series. The LaSalle native, a long-time fan of Detroit’s pro sports teams, calls the city a “first-class sports town” and revels in the University of Windsor’s proximity.

“The Tigers boast the league’s best hitter (triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera) and the best pitcher (Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander) and it’s just a 20-minute drive from campus to see them play,” Smith enthuses. “It is fantastic to be this close to Comerica Park.”

Smith isn’t the only UWindsor student excited as the World Series opens tonight in San Francisco. Tiger ballcaps and jerseys are in evidence across campus as fans show their pride in the hometown heroes.

A University of Windsor scientist will appear on Discovery Canada’s Daily Planet Thursday to explain the physics behind using lasers to remove tattoos and unwanted hair.

Physics professor Steven Rehse will be on the show using balloons and lasers to demonstrate the principles of a process called selective photothermolysis.

Using black balloons inflated inside of clear ones, he uses a laser to selectively explode the interior balloon without harming the one on the outside. The black balloons simulate hair follicles and skin cells embedded with ink, and the clear ones represent the surrounding skin.

“The key to this I that we choose the colour of the laser light to be just right,” said Dr. Rehse. “That’s the selective part of the procedure. If we can select our colour just right, the dark hair follicle, or the dark ink of the tattoo will absorb all that light, but the skin that’s it embedded in will be completely transparent, so all you’re going to do is target that follicle or the ink and there will be no damage to the surrounding tissue.”

“The ability to choose the colour of the laser to preferentially target tissues inside the skin is what makes the laser so useful and one of the most important tools in modern medicine,” he added.

This marks the second time that Rehse has been featured on the show. Earlier this year, he travelled to Toronto for a demonstration of his “fire tornado,” which was a featured attraction at last spring’s Science Rendezvous event.

"I think we've got a really strong relationship with the producers of the show now," Rehse added, "and appearing before a national audience can only help to elevate the reputation of the University and our Physics program - so I hope we get to return often."

Daily Planet appears on Discovery at 7 p.m. on channel 35 on Cogeco cable and channel 520 on Bell TV.

Get a preview of Rehse's presentation here: http://www.uwindsor.ca/rehse/44/video

Mark Cohon, commissioner of the Canadian Football League, will discuss the fundamental leadership attributes and processes that he used to build the league during the next instalment of the Odette School of Business Breakfast with Champions speaker series, on Tuesday, October 30.

Recently ranked sixth on the Globe and Mail’s list of the 30 most influential people in Canadian sport, Cohon is leading a period of growth for the CFL, featuring strong attendance, high television ratings, and expanding corporate partnerships. But he is most proud of the difference CFL teams make in their communities, and the extraordinary power of the Grey Cup championship to bring Canadians together.

The October 30 event is set for the Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue at Tecumseh Road. It will begin with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m., follow with the presentation and discussion at 8 a.m., and conclude by 9 a.m.

The Breakfast with Champions speaker series is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. RSVP by October 29 on a first-come, first-served basis to Barbara Barone at 519-971-3678 or e-mail bbarone@uwindsor.ca.

The UWindsor Faculty and Staff Hallowe’en Social on Wednesday, October 31, offers more than a pizza lunch, says organizer Mary-Ann Rennie. It will save celebrants from having to go door-to-door collecting treats.

“This year’s highlight is probably the candy bar consisting of lots of different retro candies,” says Rennie. “We will be serving everything from black cat jujubes and cockroach gummy bears to old-fashioned favourites like Tootsie Rolls, shoestring licorice, lollipops and jawbreakers.”

The party runs noon to 1:15 p.m. in Vanier Hall’s Winclare A and is free for all University of Windsor staff and faculty. Sponsored by the president’s office, the event will include a door prize draw, as well as judged prizes for best individual and group costumes.

As Rita Jabbour understands it, it’s a simple formula.

“The more school you have, the more money you make over time,” said the fourth-year history major, one of hundreds of UWindsor students touring the Continuing Education Fair in the CAW Student Centre on Tuesday.

She spoke with Chris Young, program administrator for the Odette MBA, about pursuing graduate study in business.

“It would let me take what I have learned in history and apply it to help society,” Jabbour said.

Of the more than 40 presenters, UWindsor programs—graduate studies, law or education—proved especially attractive, said fair organizer Yvonne Currie of the Centre for Career Education.

“Our local booths are particularly drawing interest today,” she said.

Nathan Puchnatyj, a fourth-year kinesiology student, said his plans following graduation are “up in the air.” He is seriously considering further education.

“It would broaden my possibilities for future jobs,” he said. “A bachelor’s degree now is like a grade 12 diploma was 30 years ago.”

His friend Erica Bennett, also a fourth-year student in kinesiology, said she is also weighing her career options.

“The fair is definitely helpful,” Bennett said. “It helps you find out what is out there.”

Volunteer International Students Assistance will hold a samosa sale in the CAW Student Centre Commons on Thursday, October 25, to raise money for its social activities.

The savoury Indian pastries are offered at $1 each, two for $1.50 or five for $3.25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. while supplies last.

The Organization of Part-time University Students (OPUS) has thrown its support behind Trick or Eat, which organizes volunteers to dress up and head door-to-door asking for non-perishable food items instead of candy.

Last year, the program of Meal Exchange Windsor raised over 3,000 pounds of food for Hiatus House and the Well-Come Centre for Human Potential.

OPUS has agreed to provide volunteers, funding to run the event, and promotion.

The campaign runs over a week, including an evening of promotional leafleting on October 25, a canned good collection in the CAW Student Centre on October 29, the Trick or Eat canvass on October 31, and delivery of donations on November 1.

To join the effort, register under “University of Windsor” at www.trickoreat.ca or contact Jessie Smith or Lauren Quinn by phone at 226-348-0053 or e-mail windsor@mealexchange.com.

To learn more, watch this video produced by Meal Exchange: