Events briefs

Special student-organized blood drives
to offset critical shortage for some types

The UNC Red Cross Club, an officially recognized student group, is promoting three more blood drives in Chapel Hill to offset emergency-level status for several blood types (O-, O+, A- and B-).

The holidays are traditionally a challenging time for blood collection, club organizers say, and the blood supply often dips dangerously low at this time of year. Emergency-level status means there is less than a one-and-a-half day supply of a particular blood type.

Individuals are eligible to donate beginning today if their last donation occurred on or before Oct. 9. To register for an appointment, visit https://www.givesblood.org/give/get_started.php?orgID=281. Walk-ins are welcome today. The donation schedule is:

Dec. 5
Student Union Holiday Drive: by Carolina Pride and Chi Psi
11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Great Hall, Frank Porter Graham Student Union

Dec. 12
Meadowmont Community Holiday Blood Drive
2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
First floor, UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont (100 Sprunt St.)

Dec. 19
8th Annual Carolina Blood Drive: Winter Edition
7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ground level, Woollen Gym

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Morehead Science Center presents 'Star of Bethlehem'
star show and others during holiday season

Back for its 57th season, the multimedia star show "Star of Bethlehem" is the featured show in the UNC Morehead Planetarium and Science Center's Star Theater through Jan. 7, 2007.

"Star" takes a scientific look at the mysterious star that led three wise men to the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem. Can the legend of the star be explained by an astronomical phenomenon? Scholars in art history, religious studies and science provide different perspectives for audiences to consider.
Major revisions to the show in 2002 supplied new technological enhancements and research. "Star" is featured on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and on Sundays at 1:30 p.m.

The planetarium and science center offers other shows in its Star Theater and NASA Digital Theater during the holiday season, too. Complete schedule information is posted on the center Web site, www.moreheadplanetarium.org. Regular admission prices apply to all shows.
Special holiday hours apply. Visit the Web site or call (919) 962-1236 for more information.

"Star of Bethlehem" is sponsored this year by The Real Yellow Pages from BellSouth.

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News Services contact: Becky Oskin, (919) 962-8596 or becky_oskin@unc.edu