VALPARAISO

Holiday event features concert and art show

The Valparaiso Community Schools will present the 25th annual "This is Our Story" concerts on Monday and Tuesday.

The holiday concerts feature choirs, orchestras and bands of city's elementary, middle and high schools. An art festival before the concerts showcases student work at all grade levels.

The art shows open at 6 p.m. The concerts start at 7:30 p.m. at Valparaiso High School gymnasium, 2727 N. Campbell St. For information, call (219) 531-3070.

VALPARAISO

Student event promotes idea of global fair trade

Valparaiso University students are sponsoring their fourth annual Fair Trade Fair next week to increase the public's awareness of the growing fair trade movement and provide an opportunity to purchase a variety of fair trade products from around the world.

Lisa Hart, a representative of the fair trade company Ten Thousand Villages, will discuss the movement at 7 p.m. Monday in the Christopher library.

The fair, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in the VU Union, will offer fair trade jewelry, chocolate, coffee, scarves, textiles, bags and Christmas ornaments from around the world. Items available for sale come from fair trade organizations including Hammond-based Tree of Life Imports.

VALPARAISO

Advent service will link VU campus, Valparaiso

The annual Advent Christmas Vespers services at Valparaiso University's Chapel of the Resurrection will take place at 7 and 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12.

Readers at the 7 p.m. city community service include Barbara Young, president of the Porter County Community Foundation; Rev. John Albers, pastor of Faith Memorial Lutheran Church; Mayor Jon Costas; VU President Mark Heckler; and Rev. Joseph Cunningham, university pastor.

There is no admission charge, but tickets are recommended to ensure seating prior to 6:50 and 9:50 p.m. Seating card requests may be sent via e-mail to Barbara.Hoover@valpo.edu. Requests must specify which service, number of cards required and a mailing address.

VALPARAISO

Theologian honored for his work in bioethics

A Valparaiso University theologian and member of the President's Council on Bioethics is being honored as recipient of the 2009 Paul Ramsey Award for Excellence in Bioethics.

Gilbert Meilaender, a professor of Christian ethics and one of the nation's preeminent scholars of religion and ethics, was selected for the award by the Center for Bioethics and Culture Network.

Meilaender has been a member of the President's Council on Bioethics since its inception in January 2002. He is one of 17 scientists and scholars who advise the president on stem cell and cloning research, as well as other medical-ethical issues.