GAPSA Weekly 12/1 

1. Upcoming Events
2. Penn’s Farmer’s Market Survey 
3. Landlord Survey

4. GAPSA International Council
5. South Street Bridge Closure

6. Doctoral Student Steering Committee Winter Essentials Drive

7. Graduate Student Center Programs

**********************************************************************
1. * Wine Dinner at Lacroix Rittenhouse (SOLD OUT)
Location: Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 West Rittenhouse Square
Date: December 2, 2008
Time: 7:30PM 
Cost: $30 (estimated value of $140; includes 3-course meal paired with 3 glasses of wine from Southwestern France)
Must be 21+ with valid Penn grad card and state ID.

* Makuu Presents: Annual Kwanzaa Karamu
Date: Thursday, December 4th
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall
Details: Join Makuu for their 16th Annual Kwanzaa Karamu! The evening will be a reflection on another year of accomplishments while celebrating with food and music. Makuu will also mark the 10th Anniversary of UMOJA, Penn’s unified governing body of black student groups. We encourage you to RSVP to makuu@dolphin.upenn.edu. 

* Hairspray the Musical (SOLD OUT)
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008
Time: 8 PM
Location: Walnut Street Theatre (825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA)
Tickets: SOLD OUT!
Questions? Email gapsa.sp@gmail.com.

* Ice Skating at the Penn Ice Rink
Join Penn Graduate and Professional Students for an afternoon of ice skating!
Date: December 7, 2008
Time: 12:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Place: 3130 Walnut Street across from the Left Bank apartments
Cost: $4 includes admission & skate rental (Regular Price $8)
Tickets available online. Click here: https://gapsa.ticketleap.com/.

Date: December 11, 2008
Time: 7-9PM with continued complimentary wine until Close!
Location: Supper Restaurant
Address:  926 South Street, Philadelphia 19147
Details: Sommelier will present a wine tasting event of 2 red wines and 2 white wines at Supper, a beautiful, upscale modern American restaurant.  Each wine will be paired with chef’s specially made hors d’oeuvres to bring out and accent each wine.  The tasted wines will be complementary after the tasting in addition to a Cash Bar 10 PM to Close!  Come taste the delicious wine, hors d’oeuvres and experience Supper’s (http://www.supperphilly.com/restaurant.shtml) urban farmhouse atmosphere that is inviting and cozy! 
Cost: $10. Limit 4 per person, per ID card.  Each participant MUST BE 21 years old.  Bring your passport or state ID that validates your age to the event!  Tickets can be purchased at the Grad Student Center starting Tuesday, Dec 2 at 11AM.

* Ski Trip Open to all Graduate and Professional Students
Dates: Short Trip: Jan 02-06 $1400* (including air) or Long Trip: Jan 02-08 $1610* (including air)
Details: The Wharton School invites you to come and join the festivities! The package includes lodging at the Four Seasons (4 per room), ski passes for Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler discount card and chartered bus transfer from Vancouver to and from the mountain. We also have a limited number of pre-booked seats on flights that are still available for an additional charge ($600). The snow has already started falling, so rally your friends, fire up your high-altitude training, and we’ll see you on the slopes! To sign up, please visit the website: http://trips.skigroup.net/wharton.

Date: January 13, 2009
Time: 6-7:30PM
Location: Tinto Restaurant
Address: 114 South 20th Street
Cost: $5 cover (includes red and white sangrias)
Must be 21+ with valid Penn grad card and state ID.

Date: Thursday, January 15, 2009
Time: 4:30-6PM
Address: 3945 Chestnut Street (entrance on 40th St.)
Cost: $5 cover (2 happy hour beers and appetizers)

Must be 21+ with valid Penn Grad ID and state ID.

* Wine Tasting Social at Pinot Boutique
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009
Time: 7PM-9PM
Location: Pinot Boutique
Address: 227 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106
Details: This real wine tasting event will feature tastings of 2 red wines, 2 white wines and a champagne complemented with Pinot’s re-known Cabernet Chocolate covered strawberries and Chardonnay Wine brittle!  There will be a short informal wine introduction and tasting presentation by a sommelier followed by plenty of time to taste and socialize.  Pinot Boutique (www.pinotboutique.com) is a unique wine accessories boutique that holds wine tastings regularly and will host this event exclusively for UPenn Grad students!  Do not miss out on this exciting and unique wine tasting opportunity! 
Cost: $10.  Tickets go on sale at the Graduate Student Center on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 11AM.  
Limit 4 per person, per ID card.  You and your companions MUST BE 21 at the time of the event with the legal state or country ID on you!  Tickets will sell out fast!
*************************************************************************************************************   

2. Penn’s Farmer’s Market Survey
Penn has its very own Farmers’ Market at 36th and Walnut every Wednesday from late spring through fall. Penn Dining would like to hear your feedback and suggestions about how to make the Market even better. Please click here https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=m50hXWZehOnKH_2bqjmHonJA_3d_3d to participate in a quick online survey!

 

3. 2008-2009 Landlord Survey
The Penn Landlord Survey has found a new home on the GAPSA website! To access the survey, go tohttp://www.gapsa.upenn.edu/gapsa-landlord-survey. GAPSA, with guidance from Off-Campus Services and in collaboration with the UA, is now collecting survey data to be released in spring 2009. With your help, we’ll be able to publish statistically significant results on landlord ratings which will provide incoming and current students with the information they need to make better-informed decisions about housing.
 

***************************************************************************************************************
4. GAPSA International Council

Interested in knowing how to advocate for International Students on issues such as career employment, student loans, and just getting around campus and Philadelphia? Join the GAPSA International Student Council. This is the student government council where your voice can be heard. Meetings are twice per month. E-mail gapsa.ia@gmail.com, for more information.
**************************************************************************************** 

5. South Street Bridge Closing 12/08/08
The City of Philadelphia has notified Penn that the South Street Bridge will close for reconstruction beginning Monday, December 8, 2008. The demolition and rebuilding project will have considerable impact on accessing the University and the Health System and most likely lead to increased traffic congestion on and around campus. As a result, the University is urging all faculty, staff and students to begin making a plan for commuting to and from campus during the 24-month reconstruction.
The University has created a website to help you prepare for the Bridge closure. Visit:www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/ssbridge for updates on the Bridge construction, maps of campus, recommended detours and other information about the impact of the Bridge closing on campus as well as University benefits for those who use public transit. As the City releases more project details, updates will be provided on the website.
We also urge you to think about the following:
Instead of having a car on campus, consider using PhillyCarShare. Membership is free to any person age 18 and older. For details visit: www.phillycarshare.org.
If you commute, consider using public transportation. The PennPass program, sponsored jointly by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and the University, offers discounted transit passes to full-time Penn students. For obtain a pass go to “My Transportation” atwww.campusexpress.upenn.edu. 
If you absolutely must drive to campus, consider choosing classes that are held during non-rush hour periods.
A choice not to drive to campus will relieve traffic congestion and allow for easier access to campus and the Health System for emergency vehicles, patients, families and visitors. It will also support Penn’s commitment to sustainability and lowering the University’s carbon footprint.

******************************************************************************

**************************************************************************************************

Application deadline: Friday, December 5, 2008