Dear CASEC members and friends,

Happy Mid-autumn Festival!

The traditional Chinese holiday, Moon cake or Mid-autumn Festival, is right around the corner. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish you a happy holiday!

For this year, the holiday falls on Friday, 10/6. As the old saying goes, the best day for moon-watching is the day after, i.e., Saturday, 10/7, since the moon is fuller. After several weeks' preparation, the CASEC Board of Directors is ready to present you a celebration program on Saturday, 10/7, for you to enjoy the holiday and socialize with your friends! The program is a departure from the past, as we have heard your voice and would like to experiment on new ways to serve your needs and the purpose of CASEC.

This is also the time for the CASEC annual member meeting and leadership transition. We will welcome the new president and the new board of directors. You will hear the new agenda for next year and have your voice heard and questions answered. We will elect a new president-elect. The current Board will also dissolve on the same day. The incoming CASEC president, Dr. Jie Wu, is in the process of organizing his new leadership team, the new Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving on the Board, please contact Prof. Jie Wu ASAP at jie@cse.fau.edu.

This is also the time for recognition and rewards. Many people have contributed to the success and growth of CASEC in the past two years and it is time to recognize them during our annual member meeting. If you would like to nominate someone, please send me an email with your recommendations and, better yet, stories, before Wed., 9/27.

The following is the agenda for the celebration event. If you would like to help in any part of the program, please let me know.

Date: Saturday, 10/7/2006
Agenda:
2:00 - 6:30pm
Place: Patch Reef Park (Pavilions #1-3)
Picnic/Social
Outdoor activities
Basketball / tennis games
Annual CASEC member meeting
Organizer: Fred Liu (fredmliu@yahoo.com)

7:00 - 11:30pm
Place: Boca Raton Bridge Hotel, 999 E Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432
(CASEC members only)
Moon-watching
Mid-Autumn Social Nite
Poker games
Organizer: Jennifer Jia (jie_jia@hotmail.com)

For those who plan to stay at the Hotel, you need to reply to the organizer, Jennifer Jia, before Monday, Sept. 25. The room rate is $72. However, CASEC members will enjoy up to 40% discount.
If you plan to participate in the outdoor activities, please send an email to Fred Liu before Sunday, Oct.1.

Note: CASEC members refer to those who have a membership number.
If you are not a member and wish to become a member, please contact bin_qin@msn.com.

Regards,
Feng Niu, Ph.D.
President
CASEC