Celebrates reopening of renovated facility and funding until 2003

Amidst trays of hummus, falafel and pita bread, the University of Arizona's Center for Middle Eastern Studies had several causes for celebration this weekend.

The center - one of 14 national resource centers dedicated to the study of the Middle East - hosted a gathering of about 100 people Friday night celebrating not only its 25th anniversary, but also its newly renovated offices in the Franklin Building and its refunding by the U.S. Department of Education through 2003.

Osburn newest Wildcat to have jersey retired

Shelley Duncan is lonely.

The UA right fielder lost his best friend, Kelsey Osburn, nearly a year ago. Osburn passed away on July 17, 2000, after being struck by a ball during batting practice in a summer league game in New York.

The 20-year-old Arizona infielder had his jersey number retired during a ceremony in his honor Saturday.

Osburn became only the fourth Wildcat to receive the honor.

The communication department has more than 800 undergraduates and only 15 - yes, 15 - faculty to teach them.

By contrast, the atmospheric science department has 10 faculty to teach 56 undergraduates.

Live music and DJ nights maintain uneasy coexistence in Tucson club scene

Tuesday was a chilly night in Tucson, but the mood at the downtown Solar Culture venue could not have been warmer.

A crowd filled to capacity packed the gallery, bobbing their heads to the twangy desert grooves of Calexico, a local group whose fanbase is now international.