Keith Clay, an IU biology professor and member of the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability, recently told the commission that IU has approved construction of a Research and Teaching Preserve, which will be built with environmental considerations in mind.

"It should be a first, but not a last, for IU, and I think that the IU architects and engineers are pretty excited about this project," said Clay.

The project has been in the works for few years and was not originally intended as a "green" building, said Clay, who was involved with a Commitment to Excellence proposal to the IU Board of Trustees in 2002.

"The proposal would support four new faculty members and build a modest lab for teaching and research in the Griffy Woods portion of the IU Research and Teaching Preserve," Clay said. "This proposal was funded, and they committed approximately $800,000 for the building project, including site preparation, equipment, communications infrastructure, etc."

Cuba caravan blocked

The Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba that passed through Bloomington on July 11 to pick up material humanitarian aid, particularly special needs technology like wheelchairs and hearing aids, was stopped at the U.S./Mexican border and computers and electronics were seized by the Department of Commerce at the behest of the State Department.

The first bus to reach the border was off-loaded of most anything electronic. A second bus was unloaded by the Caravanistas themselves and supplies were taken over the border on foot. Two buses have crossed into Mexico.

The rest of the Caravan has regrouped and set up an encampment about a half-mile from the international bridge. Tents, chairs, lights, water, and coolers were provided by the Hidalgo, Texas, police chief. The supplies had been on hand in anticipation of Hurricane Emily.

• Multi-media competition
• Bloomington Media Arts Group
• Museum of the person
• Eco music studio

  Multi-media competition

  The Tree City Arts Competition is Mayor Mark Kruzan's way of celebrating 21 years of Bloomington's designation as a "Tree City USA." There is no entry fee, but submissions are limited to one original piece per artist.

  The contest is open to Monroe County residents of all ages. Work must be dropped off on August 11 or 12 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the City Hall Atrium at 401 N. Morton St.

  All work must have trees as its central theme. Artwork can be no larger than 48-by-48 inches. Two-dimensional pieces must be ready to hang. For more details on prize information and registration, call (812) 349-3569 or see the city's Web site: ... .