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We see tour groups all the time on campus, led by students walking backwards! Starting today (Aug. 17), �ٺ���Ƶ offers a .

“We are very excited to bring the beauty and ‘wow’ factor of �ٺ���Ƶ to all prospective students who have Internet access, regardless of their ability to physically visit us before applying and making their college selection,” said Kristin Burns, marketing and communication manager for Undergraduate Admissions, which produced the tour.

A "live" tour guide accompanies you, popping up on still photos of buildings and other features as you click on green arrows to go from photo to photo, making your way around the campus. Additional photos, 360-degree views and videos are available for many stops on the tour.

The virtual tour website also includes buttons to apply online — and to schedule in-person visits.

Dining Commons chefs on the fire lines

Normally they feed hungry students. But this week, four chefs from �ٺ���Ƶ Dining Services are cooking for the men and women who are battling forest fires in southwest Oregon.

Chef Mike Baldocchi, reached this morning (Aug. 17) by cell phone, did not hesitate when asked who eats more, students or firefighters: “Firefighters! They get roughly a pound and a half per plate!”

The �ٺ���Ƶ cooks — Baldocchi and Darwin Gross of the Segundo Dining Commons, and Emily Cornejo and Mark Rivera of the Tercero Dining Commons — left for Oregon on three hours’ notice Aug. 13. The chefs are employees of Sodexo, the international company that runs Dining Services, and Sodexo has federal contracts for all kinds of food service — including fire camps.

The �ٺ���Ƶ chefs are working the dinner shift at the Fort Complex base camp; the name refers to three fires in close proximity to one another. According to today’s command report, 664 firefighters are fighting the Fort Complex, which had burned 4,140 acres of brush and timber. Officials reported 35 percent containment, and estimated the fires would not be fully contained until Aug. 30.

The �ٺ���Ƶ chefs are scheduled to be on duty at the Oregon fires through Tuesday of next week.

Preorders being taken for campus poster calendar

As your �ٺ���Ƶ poster calendar comes to the end of its useful life Aug. 31, rest assured the new one is on its way, designed by University Communications and sold by �ٺ���Ƶ Stores.

Preorders are being taken now for folded and rolled calendars. They cost 90 cents each and are eligible for the 10 percent departmental discount.

Folded calendars will be delivered for free. If you order rolled calendars, you can pay to have them delivered for $2.50 (shipping materials fee, per order), or you can pick them up.

Sarah Brodberg at �ٺ���Ƶ Stores is taking orders by email: sabrodberg@ucdavis.edu. Orders should include department name, contact name, phone number, delivery location (room number and building), quantity or quantities (folded and rolled), and DaFIS account or billing ID.

Bookstore purchase orders also are acceptable, with the same information, via fax (530) 752-4791.

The calendars are due from the printer by the end of August. Folded copies will be available for purchase at all stores, on the Davis and Sacramento campuses, while supplies last. Rolled calendars will be available for sale and pickup at the main store (Memorial Union) or the medical center store in Sacramento.

Blood drive Aug. 28-29 on the Quad

The second ASUCD Blood and Marrow Drive of the summer will bring a traditional summertime treat (ice cream) and a new treat (MyBloodSource, including a rewards program).

The blood drive is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 28 and 29.

“Summer is still one of the hardest times for blood banks,” said Brie Leon of the Sacramento-based BloodSource, which will park its bloodmobiles on the west side of the Quad. “If you can encourage your friends, co-workers and fellow students to attend, we would greatly appreciate it. The need for blood is constant and we always need to be prepared.”

She said each participant will receive a coupon for a free pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream.

Also, she said, donors are invited to sign up for , a new addition to the . With a MyBloodSource account, a donor can review his or her donations and physical data (temperature, pulse, blood pressure and the like on donation days), schedule appointments for donations, and track rewards points that can be redeemed for such gifts as movie tickets, T-shirts and e-readers.

“Those who come out to the blood drive will get points and the Baskin-Robbins coupon — a double win,” Leon said.

Prospective donors are advised to bring photo ID, and to drink plenty of fluids and to eat before donating.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Leon at (916) 416-9459 or brie.leon@bloodsource.org.