Spring Break
An unusual board meeting
Derek Simons
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
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UMKC's Communiversity, which offers workshops and classes for the campus and surrounding community on just about any topic imaginable, was presenting its annual report.
Zoe LaGrece held court, or rather food court, at one end of the room, demonstrating the basics of preparing sushi at home. Close by, Barbara Criswell, from Aquarius Books, offered readings and advice to people by interpreting the aura colors of their photographs.
"The university supports Communiversity in a lot of ways, through work studies and such," Communiversity Director Rick Mareske (above center) said. "We want to remind people of what we do and we were talking about it and someone said, 'Why not do some mini-Communiversity classes?' Instead of a stodgy meeting, all of sudden you have quite a bit of life."
LaGrece, while using a bamboo mat to make nurimaki rolls with carrots, green onion and umeboshi paste, offered a quick tip for beginners on preparing rice.
"The Japanese recommendation is to dress it with rice vinegar and refined sugar," LaGrece said. "But because I don't like to use sugar in my cooking, I use a little honey instead. That gives it the sweet and sour taste. If you've tried to make sushi and you've wondered, 'What is wrong with my rice?' that is probably what it is."
Mel Tyler, vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, like everyone else present, eyed the sushi appreciatively, waiting for the taste-test moment, but could not be convinced to try the hula, preferring instead to observe from a distance. Perhaps the photographers on hand made him think twice.
However, Paul Shang, assistant vice chancellor for Student Affairs, donned a Hawaiian lei and jumped right in to Nicole English's hip-swaying lessons.
"It was fun to do," Shang said. "I really liked the spirit. It's interesting to learn at Communiversity."
Communiversity offers classes at nominal prices throughout the year. To find out more, visit www.umkc.edu/commu.
dsimons@unews.com
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