Winston-Salem Journal
read more:
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/sep/30/asus-green-plan/opinion/

A broad coalition of community partners will facilitate first ever prescription drug take back day. Dubbed “Operation Medicine Cabinet” by Capt. Kelly Redmon of the Watauga County Sherriff’s Depart, the event is designed to safely dispose of drugs and keep them out of the hands of children and out of the water supply.

Anyone with outdated or unused prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, syringes or other medical supplies are invited to drop these off at the take-back centers on Saturday, Oct. 3. It is an amnesty day, so no questions will be asked. Take-back locations will be available at the Seven Devils Town Hall, and the three Food Lion stores in Watauga County (Hwy. 321 in Boone, Hwy. 421 in Deep Gap store and Hwy. 321 in Blowing Rock). The event will be held in conjunction with the county’s annual Hazardous Household Waste day from 9 a.m. to noon.

The disposal of prescription drugs has long been a dilemma, and many medicine cabinets contain unused or outdated medications. Among teenagers, one of the highest increases in illegal drug use over the past several years has been in prescription drug use. The most common method of obtaining prescription drugs is by raiding a family member’s or friend’s medicine cabinet, then taking the pills or selling them.

The other problem with outdated or unused prescription drugs is that people dispose of them improperly by flushing them down the toilet.   If their home is connected to a local wastewater treatment facility then the drugs wind up in either the Watauga or New rivers.

Biology and chemistry students and faculty from Appalachian have conducted environmental tests to determine the effects of pharmaceutical estrogens (birth control and estrogen supplements) from the Boone Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) on male fish populations in the South Fork of the New River. The results indicated that 60-66 percent of male hognose and white suckers immediately below the WWTP effluent are being feminized; tests with rainbow trout have yet to be conducted.

“Although preliminary tests have shown that pharmaceutical estrogens in the river just below the WWTP are right at levels known to cause feminization, it is unlikely that these levels persist very far downstream,” said Dr. Shea Tuberty from Appalachian’s Department of Biology. “Any attempt to reduce the quantity of pharmaceuticals in water is a significant step towards environmental conservation,” Tuberty said.

John Craft (TEC) was elected president of the Graphics Division for the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). The ATMAE sets standards for academic program accreditation, personal certification, and professional development for educators and industry professionals involved in integrating technology, leadership and design.

The mission of the Graphics Division of ATMAE is to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering as they apply to professional personnel employed in graphic communications positions in business, industry, education, and government.

Craft also was the keynote speaker at the 2009 International Graphic Communication Arts Conference held on the campus of the National Taiwan University of Arts, Pan-Ciao City, Taiwan, May 26. The title of his paper, “Globalized Graphic Communications Education: Where do we start?” was presented to students, faculty, and members of the print media industry. Craft’s paper provided conference participants with recommendations for building collaborative learning opportunities based on the current direction of the print and digital media industries.

Jim Winders (History-Emeritus) served as a peer review panelist for the Faculty Research Awards Program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Panelists reviewed applications during the summer, and then met together at the NEH offices in Washington D.C. Aug. 17.

Dee Pelliccio (Fine and Applied Arts Dean’s Office) gave a lecture on the late Marc Chagall to the Grand Ed-venture group visiting from Florida on Aug. 27. She spoke about his life as a creative artist, writer poet and painter. The lecture was held at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center. In addition, A “Mixed Media” painting by Pelliccio appear in the book “Nonverbal Communication: Studies and Applications,” 5th Ed. (2009) Oxford University Press, by Nina-Jo Moore, associate dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts and professor of communication. The book will be available in November.

Tim Radak (FCS) published the article:
Barnett TD, Barnard ND, Radak TL. Development of symptomatic cardiovascular disease after self-reported adherence to the Atkins diet. J Am Diet Assoc, 2009 Jul;109(7):1263-5.

Ideal location, 2.2 acres, just over the Ashe County line in peaceful Fleetwood, 20 minutes to Boone. Perked for four bedrooms. No double wides. $53,000. E-mail: jsbarbee@skybest.com or leave message at 336-877-3043.

Regina Gulick-James (TD) organized the third consecutive Summer Dance Series.  This series gave opportunity to more than 300 people including Appalachian faculty, staff, and students across campus, local and neighboring communities, and summer residents to gather and share in the joy of dance in all its forms. Teachers from Appalachian faculty, current and retired, and guest teachers from far and near donated their time and talents in offering diverse dance technique classes and bodywork in an array of cultural styles and traditions.  Gulick-James also received certification in Zena Rommett Floor-Barre® Technique in August in New York City.

Melissa Gutshall (FCS) has published several articles recently:

Miller CK, Gutschall MD.  A randomized trial about glycemic index and glycemic load improves outcomes among adults with type 2 diabetes. Health Educ Behav. 2009;36(3):615-26.

Miller CK, Gutschall MD, Mitchell, DC.  Change in Food Choices Following a Glycemic Load Intervention in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes.  J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(2):319-324.

Gutschall MD, Miller CK, Mitchell, DC, Lawrence, F. A randomized behavioural trial targeting glycaemic index improves dietary, weight and metabolic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.  Pub Health Nutr. 2009; 3:1-9.

Miller CK, Gutschall MD, Holloman C.  Self-Monitoring Predicts Fiber Intake and Weight Loss in Adults with Diabetes Following an Intervention Regarding Glycemic Index.  Patient Educ Couns. 2009; 76(2):213-9.

Larry Taylor (COM) was honored by the Ashe County School Board for Exemplary Leadership. The award came as recognition for Taylor’s role in supporting student newspapers at Westwood Elementary and Ashe County Middle School.  Both schools’ newspapers were recently honored as newspapers of distinction by The North Carolina Scholastic Media Association for work during 2008-09. Taylor works with the student newspapers as part of an effort he began in 2006 called The Student Newspaper Project.
Taylor also has been invited to be a plenary speaker at the 2009 “Ubiquitous Learning: An International Conference” Dec. 5-6 at Northeastern University in Boston. The honor comes as a result of Taylor winning an International Award for Excellence for his publication “Tech Pushers: Making Administrators into Tech Integration Facilitators.” The article was first presented at the 2008 conference held in Chicago and then published in the second edition of the corresponding journal, Ubiquitous Learning: An International Journal. Taylor was notified in April that the editors and the International Advisory Board had selected the paper as the winner of the International Award for Excellence in the area of learning and education. The article focuses on the role of administrators in technology integration in primary and secondary public school systems.

Jeff Tiller (TEC) and Bruce Davis (ASU Energy Center) published a report on their research into radiant heat barriers conducted with Centex Homes in Charlotte. The report, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, was picked up by a number of media outlets, including Builder Magazine On-Line and PROSALES, August/Sept issue. Key conclusions of the study were: A 23-degree drop in the peak attic temperature occurred in a home outfitted with radiant heat barrier versus a similar home without the barrier; a 20 percent reduction in the run-time of the air conditioning unit during the seven hours of peak attic temperatures; and the radiant barrier improved the efficiency of cooled air delivered through the air ducts by 57 percent during this period.

Jerianne Taylor (TEC) completed a three-year term as university representative for the Technology Student Association.  The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the only student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students interested in technology. Open to students enrolled in or who have completed technology education courses, TSA’s membership includes more than 150,000 middle and high school students in 2,000 schools spanning 47 states.

Donald Corey (TEC) is the founder of the recent show “DXR ‘09: Designing Change” and was responsible for its installation at the Mint Museum of Craft and Design in Charlotte. The show, which had more than200 visitors over three days, highlighted the work of architects, landscape architects, interior designers, graphic designers, and industrial designers from across the Carolinas. Corey’s message, taken from the DXR website, describes the intent of this year’s exhibition: ‘Great design is the best catalyst for positive change. Once an incredible idea has been committed to a page, product, or space, those that see or experience it are never the same-they do not go on, continuing to do things the same way. DXR exists to give those great ideas an audience and to give those looking for inspiration another step forward. The works contained here originate from all over the Carolinas, showing that designing change is something we, as a region, have embraced as a mantra. DXR has three goals with each exhibition: first, celebrate great design; second, educate the public about the great design that has been created; and third, stimulate the “cross-pollenization” of ideas across different disciplines and the general public.” This exhibition was originally shown in Raleigh May 1-9 at Flanders Art Gallery and was viewed by roughly 500 design aficionados. This, the third production of DXR, was the first to travel to another city and signified another key step in recognizing the great design talent and achievement of the Carolinas. www.dxraleigh.com.

Corey also was recently selected to show two self-designed products at “workshopped,” the major exhibition of Sydney Design 09. Corey’s products, Pocket Vase and Modern Birdhouse, were on display from Aug. 1- 16 at Sydney’s Chifley Plaza. The exhibition was seen by more than 20,000 people and received international exposure with features in design blogs and magazine articles. Corey is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Australia. For more information on “workshopped,” visit www.workshopped.com.au.

Corey and a group of his students from an independent study course were selected to exhibit at the inaugural CODE 09 festival in Copenhagen, Denmark, Aug. 26-30 as part of the designboom mart exhibit. Designboom mart, according to its website, is “an unprecedented opportunity to meet the young avant-garde and become familiar with their work. The group exhibitions see international design professionals personally presenting their wares (prototypes and/or limited edition pieces) along with, various-samples and a portfolio. The designers have the opportunity to meet and discuss with customers, manufacturers, distributors, press, and museum curators – verifying their designs and their packaging credentials.”

Three Charleston Forge barstools, $75 each; large cherry curio cabinet, $500; two brass/glass oval cocktail tables, $125/$175; cherry plant stand, $75; Thomasville cherry dressing table with bench and trifold mirror, $450; Thomasville cherry blanket chest, $400; two seven-foot custom-made red oak bookcases/cabinets, $1,800; small cherry chest with drawers, $300; cherry shin warmer chair, $100; Madison cherry console table with bottom shelf, $275; Thomasville cherry oval mirror, $125; small oak mirror, $75; mission-style computer desk, $75; office chair, $50; Victorian rosewood antique loveseat, $1,200; Ralph Lauren duvet cover with shams and curtain panels, $125; Pine Cone Hill quilt, shams and dust ruffle, $300; other coverlets, dust ruffles, lace curtain panels, quilts and artwork. Call Jenelle McEwin for detailed information at 828-963-4641.

Ali Raza (ART) is currently on a yearlong leave of absence in Pakistan. His work can be seen at the Asia Society in New York  as part of the exhibit “Hanging Fire: Contemporary Art from Pakistan” through Jan. 3. An article about the exhibit is online at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/arts/design/03fire.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1.

Tim Dolan and Jeanne Mercer-Ballard (TEC) have been invited to present “Service-Learning in the Design Studio” at the Third International Symposium on Service-Learning in Athens, Greece, Nov. 22-24. This symposium encourages participants to explore a wide range of issues related to research, curriculum design, assessment, institutional support, community connections and partnerships, and student development, with the goal of providing participants with perspective on critical issues, paradigms, and challenges in service-learning in higher education.

Mercer-Ballard and Georgie Donovan (Belk Library) were awarded the $1,000 International Furnishings and Design Association Educational Foundation Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs.  The grant purchased a campus-wide subscription for one year to the Building Green Suite (www.buildinggreen.com).

Dissertation research conducted by Amy Knab (HLES) was quoted in a Los Angeles Times article about genetics and physical activity. The article online at
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-exercise-genes7-2009sep07,0,4862469.story?page=1&track=rss.

David Modler (ART) participated in the art project Variable in Asheville Aug. 29. On Oct. 2, his solo exhibition Tangential Information opens at UNC Greensboro, and from Oct. 22 to 25 Modler will present at the North Carolina Art Education Association Conference in Winston-Salem. From Nov. 15-19, Modler will facilitate a seminar on Visual Journals at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching in Cullowhee, and he will present at the National Art Education Association Convention in Baltimore, Md., April 14-18, 2010. He also co-authored the book “Journal Junkies Workshop: Ammunition for the Art Addict” published by North light Books, Cincinnati, Ohio, and to be released May 20, 2010.

Girl’s teen clothing. Name brand clothes (three bags full).  Includes shorts, jeans, skirts (sizes 0 – 5), Tops, size small and some medium, shoes (sizes 6 1/2 to 7 ½).  All in excellent condition.  $100 for all bags.  Also a Texas Instruments Calculator TI-84 Plus, asking $50. Call K. Shew at 828-297-5171.