Uni High's third annual Cultural Fair is less than a week away. The Oct. 3 event promises to be spectacular, but organizers need your help to make it as good as it can be. To do our part, the Online Gargoyle is hosting a "Countdown to Cultural Fair '08," a daily update by the event's organizers. They'll let you know what they need, how things are going, and what you can look forward to. Our weekend update comes from one of the parent organizers, Jennifer Hamer, associate professor and interim head, Department of African American Studies, University of Illinois.

THE FAIR: A POINT OF CLARITY

The coordinators of next week's Cultural Fair have recently learned that many in the Uni community perceive next week's fair as a function and event offered by a small parenting group. This is actually not the case. Please understand that the fair would be impossible to offer without many minds and hands at work. Indeed, The Cultural Fair is a product of much fundraising (and foodraising), coordination, time, and effort by Uni administrators, faculty, students, and parents.

Many at Uni have worked together in years past and current to develop this event for the campus. Our hope is that you will do what you can to join the effort. All that's really asked of most is that each person bring a dish that represents an ethnic or cultural tradition. If you can do this (and we think that you can), please contact student Rachel Harmon (harmon-at-uni.illinois.edu) or parent Jennifer Hamer (jhamer-at-illinois.edu). Then join us for fun and food on Oct. 3!

ARE YOU MISSING?

African American, Jewish, German, China, Spain, and many other cultures, ethnicities, and nations will have tasty food and other items to share at next Friday's Cultural Fair. No doubt that this is an exceptional list of food and entertainment, but unfortunately some of you are missing!

C'mon and join the party (and get your friends to come along); bring a dish (or ask your parents to bring something); set up a booth (or ask your parents to do so). How can we possibly have a Cultural Fair without you?

Contact Rachel Harmon (harmon-at-uni.illinois.edu) and let her know what you can do.