MSNBC 'Hardball' anchor Chris Matthews to talk Sunday

Chris Matthews, an MSNBC anchor and a former speech writer for President Jimmy Carter, will discuss "Crossing Borders: Looking Outward to a Connected World," at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, in Homewood's Shriver Hall.

The lecture, which will be followed by a reception and book signing, is the final event of the 2002 Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium, "Changing Times: Who Are We? An Introspective Look at American Identity in the 21st Century."

In addition to moderating the political talk show Hardball and participating in other NBC News shows, Matthews is a nationally syndicated columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. He previously spent 13 years as the Washington bureau chief for the San Francisco Examiner and six as the top aide for Speaker of the House Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill Jr., D-Mass.

For more information, call 410-516-7683.

Recital hall at Peabody renamed for Hilda and Douglas Goodwin

The Peabody Institute has announced that Leakin Recital Hall has been renamed the Hilda and Douglas Goodwin Recital Hall. The dedication took place on Nov. 17 at a private concert.

Hilda and Douglas Goodwin, long-term supporters of the Peabody Institute, made a generous gift in 2001 that permitted the major renovation of the recital space, which is located in the basement level of Leakin Hall. The renovation included installation of a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, new seats, two-tone painting to enhance the hall's neoclassical features, refinishing of the floor and a reconfiguration of the rear of the hall to improve acoustics.

Though less visible to the public than Peabody's main Friedberg Concert Hall and Griswold Recital Hall, Goodwin Recital Hall gets heavy use. Conservatory students use the hall for recitals, and its intimate setting is well-suited to master classes. A large proportion of Peabody Preparatory students attend repertory classes, play in ensembles and also give recitals there. The hall's small size--it seats about 200--makes it less intimidating to a very young musician performing in public for the first time.

Super Bowl XXXV ring replica to be auctioned for United Way

Josten's, maker of the Ravens Super Bowl XXXV Championship ring, has donated a limited edition replica of the original ring to the JHU United Way campaign. The replica, encased in an acrylic display cube, will be auctioned online through the Web site www.jhu.edu/unitedway.

The winning bid will be donated to the United Way of Central Maryland, whose Community Safety Net--a network of health and human services--serves five counties and Baltimore City. Bidding will begin Dec. 2 or 3 and close Dec. 18.

Photos and a description of the ring can be found on the Web site. Approximately 500 of these keepsake rings were produced, and they will not be produced again.

Center for Livable Future to hold seminar

The Center for a Livable Future will hold a seminar titled "New Research Insights Along the Path to Sustainability" on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The event will be held from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Anna Baetjer Room at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The nine recipients of the 2001-2002 CLF Faculty and Student Research Fund will present their research in three areas: human impacts on the environment related to food production, human impacts related to other activities and insights for sustainability.

For more information, call 410-502-7578.