Get ready, get set 

The Commerce Bank 'Big Chill,' a 5K run/walk, steps off Saturday, December 9, at the College Avenue Gym. There is no fee for this annual charitable event; instead, participants are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child between the ages of 3 and 14. The course begins and ends at the gym on College Avenue in New Brunswick. It includes portions of Sicard, George, and Huntington streets; College Avenue; and Bucchleuch Park. Toys are donated to children living in New Brunswick public housing and surrounding communities. Nearly 2,000 participated in last year's event, which collected about 2,500 toys. Check-in takes place from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., followed by instructions and line-up at 9 a.m. The run/walk starts promptly at 9:30 a.m. Participants may register and drop off toys between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, December 8, or the morning of the race at the gym. For pre-registration and more information, click here or call 732-445-0462.

Alec Baldwin to moderate symposium at School of Law–Newark

Actor Alec Baldwin will moderate a symposium hosted by the Environmental Law Clinic of the School of Law–Newark titled “Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant: The Truth Revealed,” Friday, December 8, at 5:30 p.m. at the Center for Law and Justice. The symposium explores the safety, health, and enviromental threats posed by the Oyster Creek plant in Lacey Township. For more information, click here or contact the clinic at 973-353-5695.

Seminar raises profile of insects and the women who study them

On December 1, Gail Langellotto of Fordham University will present the last of a series of lectures by women in the field of entomology. The series has the dual purpose of addressing the latest findings in the field of entomology and bringing female entomologists to campus to provide positive role models for female students and faculty. Langellotto will speak about the ecological value of urban gardens and greenspaces to insect pollination. The seminar will take place in Blake Hall, Room 152, on the Cook Campus at 11:30 a.m.The public is invited at 11 a.m. to meet with Langelletto before her talk. A taped series of the lectures are available. For inquiries, call 732-932-9459. 

The Eagleton Institute's 50th Anniversary Lecture Series

David Brooks, author and New York Times columnist will kick off the Eagleton Institute of Politics' 50th Anniversary Lecture Series with a talk, "Right/Left – How Can We Succeed Together?”, Wednesday, December 6, at 7 p.m. in the Douglass College Center. A 5:45 p.m. reception precedes the talk. The Douglass College Center is located at 100 George St. in New Brunswick. General admission to the lecture is free. Preferred seating, available until noon on December 5, is $20. Tickets to a reception with David Brooks and preferred seating is available until December 5 for $50. For more information, click here or call 732-932-9384, ext. 268.

"Art After Hours" at the Zimmerli

The Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum presents "Art After Hours" Thursday, December 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The evening includes a 6 p.m. lecture, "Exploring Picturebooks," by Denise Cronin, art director at Viking Books. Cronin will take the audience through the process of working with artists on the creation of children's books, with a particular emphasis on picture books. Museum members and Rutgers faculty, staff, and students attend free. Call 732-932-7237, ext. 610, for more information, or click here.

Holiday Print Sale

The Brodsky Center is holding its annual Holiday Print Sale this year from December 11 to December 14, beginning each day at 10 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. The sale will be located in Classroom 117 on the first floor of the Civic Square Building in downtown New Brunswick. Proceeds of the sale will benefit the Brodsky Center. All prints are discounted, and make great holiday gifts.