A parking garage next to the medical sciences building has been demolished, making room for the nine-story laboratory tower. Dubbed the Center for Academic and Research Excellence, it is expected to be completed by 2007 at a cost of $109.5 million.

The existing medical sciences building will be renovated for another $50 million.

Prepare to laugh at campus show

It will be Parents Weekend with Jay Leno at Miami University. Leno is the featured entertainer for this year's activities. The Emmy-award-winning host of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno will be taking the stage at Millett Hall Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The university is expecting a sellout crowd of 10,300 for Leno, who, NBC recently announced, will host the Tonight Show five more years before Conan O'Brien takes over. Some tickets are still available at the Miami box office for $38. They can be bought online at http://www.hdg.muohio.edu/shriver/BoxOffice/ or by calling the box office at (513) 529-3200.

Unit throws birthday party

With many of their comrades serving in Iraq, Cincinnati's Marine Reserve unit will host a formal ball Nov. 13 to celebrate the Marine Corps' 229th birthday. The event is being hosted by Communications Co., Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division, the Marine Reserve unit headquartered at the Naval and Marine Reserve Center in Walnut Hills. In June, about 70 members of the unit left for a tour of duty in Iraq. For many of them, it was their second trip to Iraq - Communications Co. was one of the first units to enter Iraq after the outbreak of the war last year. All area Marines, former Marines, family members and friends are invited. Cost is $35 per person, which includes dinner and a commemorative gift. For information, call (513) 221-2370.

Radio retiree Nuxhall has time for a stein

Joe Nuxhall may return to the Reds radio booth for some games next year - but don't expect to hear him much in June. Nuxhall told the Springdale Chamber of Commerce Monday that he plans his first family vacation during the baseball season in 60 years. He's taking his wife, two sons and daughter-in-law to Germany. "I always wanted to test their beer - and I want it fresh!" said Nuxhall, who retired as a Reds' radio announcer Sunday.

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