Daily Digest for March 7, 2008:

Education topic of women's event

BLOOMINGTON - A Fulbright scholar from Jamaica will share thoughts on how education empowers women.

Jacqueline Oram-Sterlin's talk, "Jamaican Women Using Education as a Gateway to Their Futures," is sponsored by the local chapter of the American Association of University Women. She is keynote speaker for the 12th annual International Women's Day Breakfast on Saturday.

The breakfast will be at Eastland Suites Hotel and Conference Center, 1801 Eastland Drive. The event is cosponsored by Soroptimist International.

Tickets are $15, or $140 for a table of 10. Call (309) 452-4956 or e-mail slittle@ilstu.edu.

Exchange program taking applications

BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington-Normal Asahikawa Sister Cities committee is taking applications for its high school exchange program. The 10-month program offers a chance for high school seniors to study in Asahikawa, Japan.

Students live with host families, attend high school and learn language and culture. Eligible students must attend a District 87 or Unit 5 school, or live in Bloomington-Normal and attend a private high school. There is little cost to the student; the program is funded largely by Bloomington and Normal.

An informational meeting will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. March 16 at Normal Public Library's community room. Applications are due April 2. Interviews will be April 9.

Visit www.bnsistercities.org or email maho.gramm@bnsistercities.org.

Edible Book Festival accepting entries

NORMAL - Illinois State University's Milner Library will host its third Edible Book Festival on April 1, with university and community members encouraged to enter "books" made of food.

A list of ingredients must accompany the entry, which should be dropped off at Milner's Room 162 on the lower level before 10 a.m. April 1. Entrants are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item for donation to a local food pantry.