Story Ideas for Media 04-09-13

News

$5.6 million CDC grant to fund preparedness center at OSU -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded The Ohio State University School of Public Health a $5.6 million grant to create one of only 23 Public Health Preparedness Centers in the country to provide training and experience to public health workers statewide. “The center’s vision is to improve the capacity of Ohio’s public health workers to prepare for and respond to terrorism and other emerging public health threats,” said Dr. Frank Holtzhauer, the grant’s principal investigator and director of the Office of Continuing Education in the OSU School of Public Health. “We also want to contribute to the national network of academic preparedness centers.” CONTACT: Emily Caldwell, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Experts

Expert in weight management gives tips on safe, healthy tailgating -- As the days begin to shorten, the air begins to cool and the leaves begin to fall from the trees, many sports fans think of football games and, of course, the tailgate parties. Sometimes the fun of tailgating is shadowed by the fear of how make the most healthy food choices. Shirley Kindrick, team leader of the Comprehensive Weight Management program at the Ohio State University Medical Center, is teaching classes at the OSU Center for Wellness and Prevention on how to have fun and healthy tailgate parties with just a few simple changes to your tailgate routine. The classes recommend:
· Having a nutritious snack before going to the game.
· Preparing some light finger food to bring
· Taking a step back from the food offerings and look at everything before digging in.
· Taking a seat! Instead of standing while eating, take a plate, sit down and enjoy.
· Having a water or diet soda on hand.
· Staying balanced. No food is good or bad. All foods fit into your nutrition plan if you make sensible choices.
· Remembering that the first priority for the party is the event and the fellowship -- not the food.
CONTACT: Sherri L. Ellis, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Research

Scraps of prehistoric fabric provide a view of ancient life-- Fragments of ancient fabric - some dating back to the time the Coliseum was built in Rome - may give researchers better insight into the lives of Native Americans who lived in eastern North America some 800 to 2,000 years ago. Kathryn Jakes, a professor of consumer sciences at Ohio State University, said “we can learn about a population from what they wore just as we learn from the tools and other gear they used on a regular basis.” Jakes has spent years studying the textiles from the Hopewell and Mississippian cultures which flourished in North America. She uses a variety of chemical and physical analysis techniques to help uncover the composition and structure of these ancient textiles. CONTACT: Kathryn Jakes, Department of Consumer Sciences, (614) 292-5518, or Jeff Grabmeier, University Relations, (614) 292-8457.

Events

Ohio State, Port Clinton host new Performing Arts Festival – Sept. 17-19.
Actors, dancers and musicians from Ohio State will take their show on the road to Port Clinton for a new Performing Arts Festival, Sept. 17-19. The three-day “sampler” will showcase more than 40 performing and visual arts events in venues around town. The events include film, live theater, dance, musical performances, and visual arts exhibitions. A $70,000 grant to the Theatre Department from Ohio State’s Excellence in Engagement program provided start-up funds. The festival was created as a way to boost off-season tourism in Port Clinton. Organizers say their long-term goal is to expand to a full two weeks of activities by 2006 and become self-sufficient by 2007. To get a full schedule or to register for workshops, see http://www.osupcperformingartsfestival.com/. CONTACT: Marcia Jess, OSU Extension, Ottawa County, (419) 898-3631.

MAPS hosts event on quantum mechanical issues arising in black holes – Sept. 17-19.
The Ohio Center for Theoretical Science in the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences will host its first workshop, “Quantum Theory of Black Holes,” from September 17-19 in the Bale access grid room at the Ohio Supercomputer Center. The workshop aims to have talks and discussions on the quantum mechanical issues arising in black holes. Many different approaches that have been developed to address these problems will be covered. Experts in the field of quantum theory, including Samir Mathur, professor of physics at Ohio State, will be making presentations on the subject. A detailed program can be found at: http://octs.osu.edu/. CONTACT: Kendra Davitt, College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, (614) 292-2368.

Patch Adams featured at management/nursing conference – Sept. 20.
Patch Adams, the physician who became famous for injecting humor into healing, will present a three-hour keynote presentation as part of combined fall conferences for health care administrators and nurses sponsored by The Ohio State University Medical Center. Media are invited to cover Adams’ presentation, titled “The Joy of Caring.” Adams’ presentation begins at 9 a.m. Monday (9/20) at the Hilton at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Drive. The presentation may be videotaped and photographed; Adams will not conduct individual media interviews. CONTACT: Emily Caldwell, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Welcome Week celebrates best freshman class, returning students– Sept. 19-25. -- As the university welcomes its best freshman class for the 10th year in a row, Ohio State is celebrating with a week’s worth of activities from Sept. 19-25.

Welcome Week 2004 Events
· Move-in Day – Students will move into the dorms from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday (9/19).
· Convocation 2004 – Freshman students will be officially welcomed to the university at this event at 10:30 a.m. Monday (9/20) in St. John Arena.
· Student Involvement Fair – Students can learn about the more than 500 Ohio State student organizations from noon to 4 p.m. on Monday (9/20) in Ohio Stadium.
· Community Commitment – Students will have a chance to volunteer from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday (9/21) at various locations around Columbus. The event is one of the nation’s largest one-day service projects associated with a college campus.
· Picnic with the Buckeyes – Students, faculty, staff and the community can attend an open-air Columbus Symphony Orchestra concert at 6 p.m. on Tuesday (9/21) on the south Oval. The event is sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience. · Classes Begin! –Wednesday (9/22)
· Scarlet Fever pep rally – This Buckeye tradition features a pep rally with the Cheerleaders, Sports Teams, Brutus Buckeye and the OSU Marching Band. It is set for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday (9/22).
For more information on Welcome Week events, see http:/www.ohiounion.com/welcomeweek Contact: Liz Cook, University Relations, (614) 292-7276, or Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.

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.