By Selena Stevens

"America Reflects" will include readings by regional authors and poets, along with speeches by Central Kentucky academic and civic leaders and mustical performances by several local artists.

Nov. 2, 2001 (Lexington, Ky.) -- The University of Kentucky Women's Studies Program will help sponsor "America Reflects" from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2001, at Mia's Restaurant, Upper Street.

This event will include readings by regional authors and poets, along with speeches by Central Kentucky academic and civic leaders and musical performances by several local artists. Proceeds from a raffle and partial proceeds from food sales during the evening will be donated to the American Red Cross humanitarian relief effort.

Art depicting the uniforms of firefighters, police officers and other disaster workers, and hand-made flags, quilts, paintings, sculptures and photographs illustrating the global spirit of peace, unity and democracy will be on display.

UK participants and performers for the event will include members of the Amnesty International and PEACE Organization, the Student Muslim Organization and Jan Oaks of UK Women's Studies.

"America Reflects" also is sponsored by The Working Class Kitchen Inc., Canoe Kentucky, CD Central, Cookies By Design, Drag Strip Grooming, Everybody's Natural Foods, Fazoli's Restaurant, Garrett's Orchard, Hands On Originals, Hemp Universe, Jimmy John's, Joe Bologna's, Laser Quest, the Lexington Humane Society, Lexington Rocks, Mad Mushroom, Mia's Restaurant, Paisley Peacock, Pizza Magia, Tally Ho Restaurant, Ramsey's restaurant, The Wheel, Wishing Chair, the Zebra, and Zing.

The event is funded by the Kentucky Foundation for Women.