Anti-violence training at PWC

The Penn Women’s Center is offer anti-violence training over the summer. Anti-Violence Advocates (AVA) are a group of Penn faculty and staff who complete a comprehensive training program about domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in order to be informed resources for the Penn community. If a Penn student has any questions or concerns regarding these issues, they can contact an AVA to get support and information about resources at Penn and in the local community.

Those interested in becoming an AVA can participate in the 14-hour Penn Anti-Violence Consultant Training (PACT) program. Classes will be held on July 14, 16, 21 and 23, and cover topics such as dating violence, interpersonal violence within high-risk populations and violence affecting LGBT communities. Guest speakers include representatives from Women Organized Against Rape and Women Against Abuse.

For more information, contact Jessica Mertz, the PWC’s violence prevention educator, at 215-898-6500 or email jmertz@exchange.upenn.edu.

New tree exhibit at Arboretum

New at the Morris Arboretum this summer is an exhibit called “Tree Adventure.” Opening July 4, it explores the relationship between plants and people with its central theme: “We need trees, and trees need us.”  

Armed with a Passport to Adventure, visitors can travel the expanse of the Arboretum’s 92-acre garden to learn the critical role trees play in our environment, while having fun engaging with trees. 

To start off, they’ll go “Out on a Limb” on a 450-foot walkway, 50-feet above the ground, for a bird’s eye view of the forest. From there, they’ll travel to other stations to engage with trees and learn more about the critical role they play in our environment.

For more information, call 215-247-5777 or visit www.morrisarboretum.org.

Pottruck offers membership, locker renewal

Current Pottruck memberships expire on August 31. Pottruck members can renew their membership for next school year by registering in the Center’s Membership Services Office, 3701 Walnut St., from Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you currently occupy a permanent locker, it is now time to renew for the upcoming term. By renewing your membership and locker for next year, you’re guaranteed to always have a place to secure your belongings.

A member who fails to renew his or her membership and locker by the designated deadline - July 24 - will forfeit use of the locker beginning September 1.

If you are interested in obtaining a locker for next year but do not currently rent one, you can renew you membership and sign up for the Center’s Locker Lottery. Deadline for the lottery is July 24 and the winners will be announced August 10.

For more information, call 215-898 6100 or stop by the Membership Services Office.

Penn named ‘Best Place to Work’

For the fifth year in a row, Penn’s Office of Information Systems and Computing (ISC) has been selected for Computerworld’s list of the 100 Best Places to Work in IT. Overall, Penn was ranked first in the Mid-Atlantic region and fourth nationally.

After selecting the top 100 companies, Computerworld then listed “the best of the best” in five categories, selecting the organizations that excel in the areas of career development, training, retention, diversity, and benefits. In these rankings, Penn claimed the top spot for benefits and landed second place for diversity.

UC Dining Days return

Twenty-one of University City’s most popular dining destinations – including newcomers Desi Village, Distrito, Gold Standard Café and Mary Oaks – are preparing for the annual summer edition of University City Dining Days. 

Considering the heightened success of the promotion, Philadelphia foodies are encouraged to make their reservations early, as participating restaurants will once again be offering excellent dining deals from July 23 through July 30. 

The participating restaurants will offer a pre-fixe three-course dinner special for $15, $25 or $30. The “3 courses, 3 prices” concept works to accommodate University City’s diverse culinary options and “left of center” reputation.

Prices are for dinner only and do not include tax, gratuity or alcohol. Reservations are recommended and should be made directly through the participating restaurant.

To view a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.ucityphila.org/diningdays.