Wendy Walker was interviewed on Connecting Women Radio about her book Four Wives.

Workshops, networking, Blue Pencil Cafe, From New York Times best selling authors to neophyte writers, we have something for everyone.

Full details at www.SiWC.ca We are a volunteer Board, with one (delightful!) paid coordinator/author, and have been rated one of the top three writers' conferences in North America.

Also: we offer over $3,000 in cash contest prizes in three categories. Closing entry date is September 7, 2009.

Conference is Oct 2009. Registration is now open.

Arab Heritage Month (AHM) is a commemoration of Arab-American contributions to the quality of life in the US and in the City of Chicago. November AHM is an opportunity for the community to showcase those contributions as well as the rich Arab culture, unique heritage, and deeply rooted traditions and customs of the Arab World. Mayor Richard Daley has proudly recognized the significant contributions Arabs and Arab-Americans have made to our city in the fields of medicine, science, technology, business and education.

In celebration of AHM 2009, the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) Advisory Council on Arab Affairs* will create a special online calendar (www.chicagoarabheritage.org) featuring community-sponsored programs and events designed to educate Chicagoans about Arab history as well as issues facing Arabs and Arab-Americans.

Please join us in our effort to promote AHM 2009 by planning an event that focuses on some of the issues facing Arabs and Arab-Americans or by highlighting a particular aspect of Arab culture. By participating in AHM programming, you can make a positive impact on the City's efforts to promote understanding and respect for Americans of Arab descent.

If you would like to submit an event for the AHM 2009 calendar, please complete the attached event description form and submit it by October 2, 2009. For more information, please contact Ken Gunn at 312.744.1545, kenneth.gunn@cityofchicago.org or email the AHM Planning Committee atinfo@chicagoarabheritage.org.

Background:
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) is in the process of developing and installing our exhibits in a new facility in North Phoenix. The 190,000 square foot building is currently under construction in Phoenix, Arizona and is scheduled to open in April 2010..We are planning audio and video content to accompany around 250 exhibits in a 90,000 sq. ft. gallery space. The focus of the museum is on global musical instruments, with over 3000 instruments on display. In order to contextualize the objects on display, video screens allow museum guests to see the instruments being played in their cultural setting where possible. We are drawing on archival and commercial sources for our video, as well as video that is gathered by our curatorial staff in the field. We deal mainly with digital and analog video, and our film transfers are outsourced. You can see more about our museum on our website, www.themim.org.

Multimedia Collections Assistant
Essential Duties: Reporting to the Manager of Multimedia Collections, the Multimedia Collections Assistant assists in the acquisition, proces
sing, preservation, and documentation of multimedia content. Under direction, the incumbent will digitize analog media, process and transfer digital materials, and gather and organize relevant data. The position will assist the Manager of Multimedia Collections and other relevant MIM staff in the research, acquisition, processing, and installation of multimedia content for the permanent exhibition. This position is planned for a 12-month term of service.

The Multimedia Collections Assistant will:
•Assist the Manager of Multimedia Collections in the research, acquisition, and processing of multimedia content for exhibition

• Gather the required information for museum labeling of multimedia content for production by the exhibits team

• Assist the Multimedia Collection Manager in processing accessions to MIM’s Multimedia Collections

• Catalog, label, and track physical media items

• Create and maintain metadata records for digital and physical multimedia assets

• Assist the Multimedia Collection Manager in maintaining an inventory of MIM AV equipment and other technical resources

• Transfer video from a variety of formats for addition to the MIM’s digital archive and use in exhibits

• Follow MIM standards and guidelines regarding audio/video quality and archival practices

• Assist in the installation of multimedia content for exhibits

• Assist the Multimedia Coll
ection Manager with other tasks as assigned

Required Qualifications:
• Experience in a library, archive, or museum environment

• Proficiency with multimedia technologies

• Experience working with multimedia on a variety of platforms

• Ability to work in a fast-pace environment with frequent interruptions

• A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

Desirable Qualifications
• Knowledge of practices related to the preservation of multimedia materials

• Education in Ethnomusicology, Anthropology or related field

• Familiarity with major collections of ethnomusicological/

ALL YOU is looking for women in the NJ-NY-CT area (near to NYC) who are interested in appearing on a TV segment related to back-to-school. The segment will take place in the next two weeks. Those interested should email: miranda_lanzillotti@timeinc.com with their contact information and a short description about themselves and their family.