Story Ideas for Media - 02/07/05

Experts

Expert: Valentine’s cards may be clichéd, stereotypical, but they show true feelings -- When Americans write personal messages into the Valentine\'s Day cards they send this year, what will they say? According to Barry Shank, associate professor of comparative studies, those who expect deep and personal notes will probably be disappointed. Even when they have the opportunity to use their own words, people often us the same language, clichés and stereotypes found in the greeting cards themselves, said Shank, who is author of “A Token of My Affection: Greeting Cards and American Business Culture” (Columbia University Press, 2004). CONTACT: Barry Shank, Department of Comparative Studies, (614) 292-2559; or Jeff Grabmeier, University Relations, (614) 292-8457.

Research

Smoking hurts wealth as well as health, study suggests -- Maybe packs of cigarettes should come with a new warning: smoking is hazardous to your wealth. A new study suggests that typical non-smokers’ net worth is roughly 50 percent higher than that of light smokers and about twice the level of that of heavy smokers. And that wealth gap grows by about $410 each year that a person continues to smoke, said Jay Zagorsky, author of the study and a research scientist at the Center for Human Resource Research. CONTACT: Jay Zagorsky, Center for Human Resource Research, zagorsky.1@osu.edu; or Jeff Grabmeier, University Relations, (614) 292-8457.

Service

Third-year vet students to spay, neuter greyhound dogs -- Ohio State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital will be performing spays and neuters for a group of greyhounds from the Greyhound Adoption of Ohio rescue organization from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday (2/15) through Thursday (2/17). Under faculty supervision, third-year veterinary students will be performing spays and neuters for an expected 22 dogs. According to Guillermo Cuoto, professor in the Department Veterinary Clinical Sciences, the spay/neuter clinic allows more retired dogs from the racetrack to obtain healthcare and students gain more experience performing surgeries. After recovery, several of the greyhounds will be available for adoption. CONTACT: Kristine McComis, Veterinary Hospital, (614) 688-3517; or Melissa Lamb-Peale, College of Veterinary Medicine, (614) 292-3752.

Events

Author discusses lessons learned from becoming a millionaire at 14 – Feb. 8. -- Farray Gray, author of “Reallionaire: The Essential Lessons that Took Me From Public Assistance to Millionaire by the Age of 14,” will lead a book discussion followed by a signing. The event is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (2/8) in the Hale Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. Free tickets are available at KISO Books, 1411 E. Main St. The event is part of the 34th annual celebration of United Black World Month at Ohio State. “Obtaining Freedom through Unity” is the theme for this year’s United Black World Month, which features a month of educational programs that highlight African American history and culture. For more information on events, see http://www.osu.edu/features/2005/ubwm_calendar/ CONTACT: Liz Cook, University Relations, (614) 292-7276.

School of Music presents numerous performers tsunami benefit concert – Feb. 8. -- The School of Music is staging a Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert featuring numerous student and faculty ensembles and musicians at 7 p.m. Tuesday (2/8) in Weigel Auditorium, 1866 College Road. Donations are welcome; proceeds will support victims of the recent tsunami disaster. Performers include the OSU Percussion Ensemble; the OSU Chorale; Paul Robinson, double bass, and Mellesenah Morris, piano; the OSU Trombone Ensemble; Jim Akins, who will perform on the North American flute and the tuba; the OSU Euphonium Ensemble; the OSU Flute Troupe; the OSU Symphonic Choir; the Senior Boys of the Columbus Children\'s Choir; and the OSU Jazz Ensemble. CONTACT: School of Music, (614) 292-0789.

Students to learn about burn, fire prevention during national safety week – Feb. 9. -- Ohio State students will join members of the Campus Fire Safety Committee at an event to celebrate national Burn Awareness Week, from Feb. 6 to 12. The event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday (2/9) in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. During the event, students will learn about burn and fire prevention. CONTACT: Kelly McGuire, Columbus Division of Fire, (614) 645-7859.

Presidential historian to discuss leadership in times of crisis – Feb. 9. -- Award-winning presidential historian Michael Beschloss will speak on how leaders can behave in times of crisis for the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy. The event will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (2/9) at the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St. Beschloss has recently published his eighth book, the acclaimed New York Times bestseller “The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction of Hitler\'s Germany, 1941-1945.” Named by Newsweek as “the nation’s leading presidential historian,” Beschloss serves as a frequent commentator and contributor with PBS\'s NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and ABC News. Special guests will be Sen. John Glenn, President Karen A. Holbrook and Provost Barbara Snyder. CONTACT: Laura Sipe, John Glenn Institute, (614) 247-6369.

University to help college-bound students fill out their financial aid forms – Feb. 13. -- The Ohio State Office of Student Financial Aid will help college-bound students complete their applications for financial aid from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday (2/13) at four locations throughout central Ohio. The filing deadline for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is March 1. “College Goal Sunday,” with the help of financial aid experts throughout Ohio, will be held at 34 locations statewide, including Grove City High School, 4665 Hoover Road; Marion Franklin High School, 1265 Koebel Rd.; Northland High School, 1919 NorthCliff Dr.; and Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Road. Participants are required to bring their parents\' and their own 2004 IRS 1040 tax return and W2\'s along with other 2004 income and benefits information. Students may register through Friday (2/11) and receive additional information at http://www.oasfaa.org/docs/forms/CGSReg.html CONTACT: Liz Cook, University Relations, (614) 292-7276.

The person listed as CONTACT will have the best information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story – Elizabeth Conlisk, (614) 292-3040; Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.