Events Calendar All events take place at the New Westminster Campus unless otherwise noted. March 8 Zen Cut-a-thon Alumni Association David Lam Campus Atrium 9:30am — 2pm March 9 Douglas College Choral Society and the West Coast Symphony present Beethoven's 9th Symphony 8pm, Magee Secondary School, Vancouver. Details: 604-527-5469 March 10 Douglas College Choral Society and the West Coast Symphony present Beethoven's 9th Symphony 7pm, Queens Avenue United Church, New Westminster Details: 604-527-5469 March 12 17th annual Alumni Association Career Exploration Fair gam — 4pm, David Lam Campus Atrium Relationships take the spot and Theatre pro Stagecraft Relationships, both startlingly real and imagined, are the common theme of this season's Stagecraft and Theatre Productions. Twenty years after the death of film icon James Dean, the Disciples of James Dean return to their teenage haunt in Ed Graczyk’s play, Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. The cast of eight women and one man delve into life’s illusions and the soul’s powerful need for fantasy. “Graczyk has crafted a compassionate, humorous and poignant play. He shows us the difficulty of keeping fantasy and reality in balance and the consequences if we don't,” says director Cheryl Swan. The grown women reminisce about the times when Dean's life briefly touched theirs; from the time he filmed Giant in nearby Marfa to that fateful night in 1955 when he crashed his Porsche on a lonely stretch of California highway. “In the end, stripped of their illusions, each woman is stronger and more deeply connected to the others. They are all great roles for our students,” says Swan, who directs a cast of eight women and Caroyln Stever (left) plays Juanita and Maria Hughes (right) plays Joanne in the Douglas College production of Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. one man in this brilliantly funny and moving play. Loose Ends examines the joys and challenges of contemporary relationships through the eyes of Paul and Susan, a couple struggling to determine “just what is enough”? “The play asks a single, provocative question: how do we maintain the integrity of our individuality in a committed, loving relationship?” says guest director Scott Swan. The play follows their relationship lifecycle from meeting, dating, living together, marrying and fighting to surviving as a couple. Now, faced with the idea of having a child they try to reconcile their conflicts knowing their very survival as individuals is at stake. “T think the story is so relevant today. These two love each other desperately but want different things. Paul needs life to be small, with just enough to be comfortable. Susan needs a life that’s big and bold,” says Swan. Rounding out the cast are a host of idiosyncratic families and friends who provide a human backdrop — and some much needed relief — to the angst felt by the main characters. Swan’s production hits a little closer to home by having one of the scenes set in Pemberton. Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Busy month for program development New degree and diploma programs are now actively recruiting students as Douglas College builds towards the future. The Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) recently approved Bachelor's Degrees in Business Administration, Child and Youth Care, and Physical Education and Coaching. These degrees join a growing list that includes the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing and Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation. Two new diploma programs are also gearing up for applications in the Fall. The Legal Studies Diploma focuses on a wide range of law and legal-systems courses that transfer into Criminology or Criminal Justice degrees, or other university arts programs including the Minor in Legal Studies at SFU. The Animal Health Technology Diploma is a specialized program developed in consultation with the BC Veterinary Medical Association to train people to work in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals and shelters > zoos and other settings. A new associate degree, designed for students heading into a teaching career, is currently accepting applications. The Associate of Arts Degree (Future Teachers) will enable students to complete two years of university transfer courses that can be used toward a Bachelor of Arts Degree. It will also benefit those applying to the Professional Development Program at SFU. Through Continuing Education, two new courses on First Aid for Pet Owners are being offered in March. For more details about program development at Douglas College watch for email announcements or visit douglascollege.ca. light in upcoming ductions Dustin Freeland (right) plays Paul and Cory Douris (left) plays Doug in the Douglas College production of Loose Ends. Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean runs from March 16-24 in the Performing Arts Theatre. Loose Ends runs from March 10-17 in the Studio Theatre. Audience members can enter a draw to win a 30 GB iPod movie player. For ticket and show information call 604-527-5488 or visit www.douglas.be.ca/st/. Douglas College models UN for students Peace in the Age of Turmoil is this year’s theme for the annual Douglas College International Model United Nations Conference running from March 8-11 at the New Westminster Campus. The conference, the largest in Western Canada, is open to high school and post-secondary students with a passion for world politics. Over 100 delegates from across Canada and the US are expected to attend. Students, adopting the role of United Nations diplomats, debate issues in committees and then convene in a General Assembly. At the end of the four-day conference, students participate in diplomatic role-playing and make resolutions to a model UN Council. Students are also presented awards for their performance as delegates. Students who might be interested in registering for the Model UN, should visit www.douglas.bc.ca/community/international-united- nationsl.