Fareed Mahluli, director of IU Soul Revue, pauses during a song in the pre-Kwanzaa event "A Celebration of the Arts of the African Diaspora" Dec. 4 at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. The event condensed Kwanzaa into one night so guests could get a taste of the holiday.

Two failures sleep at the Indiana Memorial Union. Fortunately, they are better at panhandling than picking a degree.

Friends look at art during the "No Man Is Island" BFA Show Friday evening at the Art Hospital on Allen Street. The students worked together on various projects, themed on issues the media ignores.

Jayden Boyer, left, Andrea Dahl, James Boyer and Tyler Davis sit and wait for soldiers to arrive on Monday, Dec. 1 at Camp Atterbury near Edinburg, Ind. The children had no relatives serving. Their father, Andrew Long, who now lives in Bloomington, served in the Australian Air Force 492 Squadron and came to show his support to all the returning soldiers.

Senior Lacy Simpson dances in the opening scene of the "Nutcracker" on Wednesday evening at the Muical Arts Center. Williams, along with her roomates Pablo Sanchez and Kimberly Williams, not pictured, portray various leads through out the performance.

Plants grow in the Hilltop Garden & Nature Center greenhouse at 2301 E. 10th St.

A hibiscus plant

A hibiscus flower

A banana plant

Workers finish work on a drain on Nov. 20, 2008 at the Monroe County landfill. The rocks are laid into the drain line to help control the runoff, slowing it down so it doesn't flood down the line.

Junior Bryan Mansfield, left, and Elijah Christenberry duel with light sabers, while junior Kidd Cardillo, background, puts together a Tie-Fighter on Tuesday evening at the Alpha Tau Omega Second Annual Holiday Dinner. The brothers invited children from the Boys and Girls Club to have dinner and bought the children presents.

Specialist Chad Ray, of Lyons, Ind., embraces his daughter Harley, age two as he returns from 11 months of service in Iraq on Monday at the National Guard Armory on South Walnut Avenue. Ray had been gone since Jan. 2.

Nick Park, 11, of Solsbery, Ind. hugs his cousin Specialist Chad Ray as he returns from 11 months of service in Iraq on Monday at the National Guard Armory on South Walnut Avenue. Ray also got to see his two daughters, the youngest of which was three months old when he left. Friends, family and supporters showed up at the armory, and cheered as the police and fire escorts sounded their sirens to signal the arrival of the bus carrying the soldiers from Camp Atterbury, where they flew in.

The IU Hoosier Volleyball team watches the tournament selection Sunday evening at Nick's English Hut. The Hoosiers were not selected this year.

Christmas lights decorate the front of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity house Sunday evening on Jordan Avenue. Many of the houses on campus have begun putting up Christmas decorations in preparation for the holidays.

Christmas lights decorate the front of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity house Sunday evening on Jordan Avenue. Many of the houses on campus have begun putting up Christmas decorations in preparation for the holidays.

Dustin Diamond performs Sunday evening at the Funny Bone. Diamond is known for his role as Samuel "Screech" Powers on "Saved by the Bell," and informed the crowd they were going to be really let down if they showed up to hear stories about the show.

Comedian Drew Hastings talks to the crowd Saturday evening at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Hastings is a regular guest on the Bob and Tom Show, and has made appearences on various talk shows as well.

Assistant Director of the Hoosier Hills Food Bank Dan Taylor, and Frito Lay Bloomington District Sales Manager Steve Baxter unload donations Saturday afternoon at the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Baxter and other Frito Lay workers spent the day at Wal-Mart collecting donations from shoppers, to give to the HHFB.

Brian McKay, as Lawrence Jameson, performs during "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" Tuesday evening at the IU Auditorium. The musical is based on the film starring Steve Martin.