Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It's the last chance to purchase a 2022 Dogs on Call calendar and support the teams who visit patients and staff at VCU Health and meet with students at VCU. The calendars, $10 and $12 by credit card, will be available at the MCV Campus, Main Hospital, first floor, main kiosk. In-person purchasers receive a stuffed toy. Order online at the following URL.

For more information, contact Barbara Klucik at barbara.klucik@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-7297 or visit https://chai.vcu.edu/gift-support/calendar-sales/.

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

VCU's C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research and the Health Sciences Library will present a lunch research seminar via Zoom. Research Data Librarian Nina Exner, Ph.D., will give an overview of key changes in the new NIH Policy for Data. She will also suggest some habits to start now to facilitate a smooth transition to the new policy. Questions: http://www.cctr.vcu.edu. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Pamela Dillon, Pharm.D., research liaison, at pmdillon@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkdeqopzkuGtUUIjRXrnfz28V6urHM7OHN.

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn how to develop a clear, focused and complex question when beginning a research project. Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Trey Burnart Hall at hallbr@vcu.edu or visit https://writing.vcu.edu/events/.

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Faculty and staff appreciation night will be observed with discounted tickets at the Siegel Center for the game against Jacksonville State. Click on the following URL for special ticket offerings.

For more information, contact Rebecca Piner at pinerre@vcu.edu or visit http://vcuathletics.com/staffdeal.

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Collaboration Services presents Google Drive: Collaboration in the Cloud. Keep all your work in one secure place with online file storage in Google Drive. Learn how to share with others and access on any computer, smartphone or tablet. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Dr. Gee at drgee@vcu.edu or visit http://go.vcu.edu/gogoogle.

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 at noon

Join VCU's Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research for its Leadership and Career Development series, in which participants will hear strategies on how to build an elevator pitch and how to disseminate and brand their message while selling their research to a varied audience (academic and non-academic). John Ryan, Ph.D., will speak. He is a professor of biology and the associate vice president in the Division of Research Development. Register at the following URL.

For more information, contact Rob DiRenzo at direnzor@vcu.edu or visit https://vcu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYsfuuspzoqGtOJRWsSy8RVsDobrTv_6Lqu.

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m.

Do you want more harmony in your life? Tips for a healthier attitude? Ways to balance our emotions and stress? Sometimes the path to inner peace is on the outside. Join VCU Human Resources and Anthem EAP to learn the ancient Chinese art of feng shui. It works by removing clutter and creating an easy flow in your surroundings, promoting an environment that contributes to well-being. Questions: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/worklife/. Register in Talent@VCU or at the following URL.

For more information, contact Cindi Phares at cphares@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1521 or visit https://bit.ly/3nyBoQT.

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

VCU's Global Education Office welcomes students, faculty and staff to engage with counterparts from Kien Giang University, Vietnam through Cultural Conversations. In one-hour sessions on Dec. 9, Dec. 16, Jan. 6, Jan. 13, Jan. 20 and Feb. 10, participants can connect and learn about aspects of our respective countries and experiences by attending one or more discussions. Questions: https://global.vcu.edu/students/community/cultural_conversations/#:~:text=Cultural%20Conversations%20engages%20VCU%20students,%2C%20language%2C%20music%20and%20tourism. Sign up at the following URL.

For more information, contact Audrey Emiko Short at aeshort@vcu.edu or visit https://tinyurl.com/VCUCCVietnamDec2021Feb2022.

Friday, Dec. 10, 2021 from noon to 3:30 p.m.

VCU's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence will present a virtual writing retreat which will combine reflection and discussion with substantial time to plan and write. Keynote speaker Aurora Chang, Ph.D., will discuss "Writing While Barely Surviving: Re-membering Your Writing Why." Register for the Zoom link at the following URL.

For more information, contact Tiffany Freitas at freitast@vcu.edu or visit https://ctle.vcu.edu/events/writingretreat/.

Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Vocal Ensemble; the RVA Street Singers, directed by Robin Rio and accompanied by Mark Koontz; the Voices of Zion Choir from Hood Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, accompanied by Will Griffin; and the Greater Richmond Children’s Choir, directed and accompanied by Crystal Jonkman and Pete Curry, will participate in a community carol sing at Monroe Park. Food trucks will arrive at the site 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Robin Rio at rrio@vcu.edu or visit http://ghtc.org/caroling.

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Take a break with holiday themed music, decorations, fresh baked goods and a hot chocolate bar at an event sponsored by VCU's Pharmacology and Toxicology Student Organization. The event will be in the lobby of the Robert Blackwell Smith Building, 410 N. 12th St. Participate in the bake swap by signing up at ramsconnect, donating $5 via cash or Venmo (Alaina-jaster13) and bringing a baked good to the event. Your item can be swapped with someone else's. If you don't sign up, extra baked goods will be available for purchase.

For more information, contact Alaina Jaster at jastera@vcu.edu or (586) 229-3902 or visit https://vcu.campusgroups.com/pharmacologyandtoxicologystudentorganization/rsvp_boot?id=1377832.

VCUDine has a number of special events for December at Shafer Court Dining Center. They include O-Mori Rotating Restaurant (through Dec. 10, 11 a.m.-close); Vegetarian Pad Thai with premium options (through Dec. 10, 11 a.m.-close); Midnight Breakfast (Dec. 8, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.), Seafood Bash (Dec. 13-17, 11 a.m.-close), Registered Dietitian’s De-stress (Shafer Lobby: Dec. 14, noon 2 p.m.). For menus, follow @VCU_Dining or visit the following URL.

For more information, contact Lauren Hay at dining@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1148 or visit http://vcu.campusdish.com.

Are you concerned about your teen’s weight? We can help. TEENS is a research program that includes a four-month family-based lifestyle intervention – all conducted virtually – for teens ages 12 to 16 who are overweight or obese. The program is offered by Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. It includes weekly, virtual group classes for teens and parents that cover topics such as healthy eating, physical activity and goal-setting. Teens also participate in live exercise sessions conducted online by personal trainers.

For more information, contact Sarah Farthing at teens@vcuhealth.org or (804) 827-8336 or visit http://www.chrichmond.org/TEENS.

This study is seeking individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 years who have GAD or symptoms of GAD. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of GAD symptoms on blood vessel function during acute exercise and in response to exercise training. This study will be conducted at 500 Academic Centre on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. Principal Investigator: Ryan Garten, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.

For more information, contact Ryan Garten at rsgarten@vcu.edu.