Local Briefs

Senate approves McConnell’s funding requests for depot

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced Tuesday that the Senate approved his request of more than $20 million in funding for the Blue Grass Army Depot and Fort Campbell in the Senate fiscal year 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill.

McConnell’s request included $5 million in additional funds for the Blue Grass Army Depot. This brings the total fiscal year 2010 funding level for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program to $550 million, which is the highest level of funding to date.

“For years, the people of Madison County have lived near stockpiles of dangerous chemical weapons — and these weapons are a major threat to the community,” McConnell said. “The additional funds support the higher budget level Secretary Gates approved at my urging earlier this year.”

Berea College Community Choir to perform concert Sunday

BEREA — The Berea College Community Choir will perform its annual fall concert on Sunday in Gray Auditorium at 3 p.m. Admission is free.

The concert will begin with a group of American folk hymns, including “Come and Taste,” “I Will Arise,” and “At the River.” It will continue with three choruses from Franz Joseph Haydn’s oratorio The Seasons, in honor of the 200th Anniversary of the composer’s death.

Following will be arrangements of two famous folk songs, “The Water is Wide,” and “Cockles and Mussels.” The concert will conclude with two inspirational gospel songs, “I’m Goin’ Up a Yonder” and “We Rise Again.”

The 30-voice mixed choir includes members of the Berea College administration, faculty, staff, emeritus faculty, alumni and their spouses. The choir was founded five years ago by conductor Stephen Bolster, with the goal of bringing administration, faculty and staff of Berea College together in a spirit of community to create and share beautiful choral music.

The choir is accompanied on the piano by Harriet Bromley.

University to mark 30th anniversary of Perkins Building

For three decades, it has in many ways served as the public face of Eastern Kentucky University, hosting banquets, community education classes, conferences and workforce training sessions, as well as countless schoolchildren and others at Hummel Planetarium.

On Thursday, a ceremony will mark the 30th anniversary of the Perkins Building. The event, which will include remarks from President Doug Whitlock and others, begins at 11 a.m. in the Perkins lobby and will be followed by a reception. The public is welcome.

The Perkins Building, built at a cost of $5.5 million (the Planetarium at an additional cost of $1 million) is now home to Continuing Education and Outreach, Information Technology and the Training Resource Center.

“The Perkins Building has served a very important purpose for Eastern and the community and region these past thirty years,” said Whitlock, “and represents well the University’s historic commitment to public service and regional stewardship.”

The multi-purpose facility is named for the late Carl D. Perkins, who served as Congressman for much of eastern Kentucky from 1949 until his death in 1984.

Annual Madrigal Feastes scheduled for Dec. 11-12

Eastern will present its 35th annual Madrigal Feastes on Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12.

Advance tickets for the community favorite can be purchased for $26 each in the Colonel 1 Card office, located in Room 17 on the main floor of the Powell Building. Visa and MasterCard reservations may be made by calling 622-2179.

The University Singers, under the direction of Dr. Sue Ellen Ballard and accompanied by faculty and student instrumentalists on period instruments, will present the music for the event, which recreates the song, dance and festivities of 16th century English madrigal dinners. Guests will also enjoy a five-course meal, prepared and served by Aramark Dining Services.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with seating beginning at 6:45 p.m. The first fanfare will sound at 7 p.m.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Department of Music.