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MONDAY, OCT. 6 – SUNDAY, OCT. 12, 2014

BEST BETS

UA RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NOVEL METHOD FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL CELLULOSE FIBERS –By using liquid salts during formation instead of harsh chemicals, fibers that conduct electricity can be strengthened, according to a patent issued to a team of researchers at The University of Alabama. The new method of crafting the fibers could open up normally flimsy materials, such as cotton, to conduct electricity in technologies normally reserved for stronger fibers. Contact: Adam Jones, UA Engineering Media Relations, 205/348-6444 or acjones12@eng.ua.edu.

PILOT PROGRAM OFFERS MED STUDENTS CHANCE TO FOLLOW PATIENTS THROUGHOUT TREATMENT –Third-year medical students at UA have an opportunity to follow a patient over time through the health-care system as part of an innovative new program being piloted this year. The Tuscaloosa Longitudinal Community Curriculum, or TLC2, is a program through UA’s College of Community Health Sciences that covers medical students’ third-year curriculum. Rather than the traditional rotation schedule, which consists of seven eight-week rotations through various the specialties, through TLC2, students spend most of their third-year working with a community physician and following patients throughout the diagnosis or disease. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 808/640-5912 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu

MOUNDVILLE NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL – Visitors to UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in Native American culture and history during the 26th annual Moundville Native American Festival. The four-day festival, which runs from Wednesday, Oct. 8, through Saturday, Oct. 11, features music and dance, food, arts and crafts, storytelling and demonstrations. Grammy-nominated musician GrayHawk Perkins returns to the festival’s Native American Stage. In addition to being the emcee, Perkins enthralls audiences with his storytelling, connecting with visitors young and old. His band from New Orleans performs on Friday and Saturday of the festival. The festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission to the festival is $10 for adults; $8 students; and free for children ages 5 and younger. Group discounts with reservations are available. For more information or to make group reservations, phone 205/371-2234. Contact: Betsy Irwin, Moundville Archaeological Park education outreach coordinator, 205/371-8732, birwin@ua.edu or UA Media Relations, 205/348-5320.

UA EXPERT TIPS

UA MATTERS: WHAT TO KNOW IF BREAST CANCER RUNS IN YOUR FAMILY — Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in women. A woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 12 percent (1 of every 8 women). Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. The University of Alabama’s Dr. John McDonald offers some guidance on what women should know if breast cancer runs in their family. Contact: UA Media Relations, 205/348-5320

UA MATTERS: TIPS, MYTHS SURROUND BREASTFEEDING – Breastfeeding is the method of infant feeding recommended by the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It offers many benefits for infants, as well as for mothers. UA’s Melissa Carruth, a registered nurse and instructor at UA’s Capstone College of Nursing, offers a few tips, as well as myths, expectant and nursing mothers ought to know. Contact: UA Media Relations, 205/348-5320.

EVENTS

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – The Women’s Resource Center at UA is recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month by hosting a series of events to help eliminate the problem of dating and domestic violence in the Tuscaloosa area. During October, community members are asked to wear purple ribbons as part of the center’s awareness campaign. Ribbons can be requested for individuals or organizations by contacting Zoe Storey at zlstorey@sa.ua.edu. The center also will join with Verizon Wireless for the annual HopeLine drive in October. Community members are asked to drop off used cell phones — in working order or not — and accessories at the center or the Office of the Dean of Students. The phones will be recycled and used to help those affected by dating and domestic violence. For a list of events, click here. Contact: Ricahrd LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.

“LEND ME A TENOR” – UA’s department of theatre and dance begins its Marian Gallaway season with Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me A Tenor” from Tuesday, Oct. 7, to Sunday, Oct. 12, in the Marian Gallaway Theatre. Directed by Jeffrey Tangeman, assistant professor of theatre and dance, the show follows the fictional Cleveland Opera Co., which, for one night only, will host world-renowned tenor Tito Morelli in a once-in-a-lifetime production of Othello. But, before the curtain rises, Morelli is discovered dead. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7-11 and 2 p.m. Oct. 12. Tickets are $14 for students, $17 for UA Faculty/Staff & seniors and $20 for Adults. Tickets are available through the department’s website at theatre.ua.edu, the box office, at 205/348-3400, or at the door. Contact: Jeffrey Tangeman, assistant professor of theatre and dance, jptangeman@as.ua.edu

LOOKING AHEAD

BEAT AUBURN, BEAT HUNGER – The annual Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger food drive and competition launches with an event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, on the Ferguson Center Plaza. The kickoff will include games and an opportunity to vote on who participants would like to see get a “pie in the face.” The food drive, which pits the Tuscaloosa and Auburn communities against each other, benefits the West Alabama Food Bank and ends Nov. 21. Contact: Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.

NANOTECH CONFERENCE TO BRING RESEARCHERS TO CAMPUS – Approximately 200 researchers from across the state are expected to attend a scientific forum on nanotechnology Oct. 23-24 on the UA campus. The University will host the second NanoBio Summit at the Bryant Conference Center featuring more than a dozen scientists representing various entities. More information is available here. Watch for an upcoming news release or contact Chris Bryant in media relations for more details, cbryant@ur.ua.edu or 205/348-8323.

NORTH AND SOUTH – UA’s Crossroads Community Center is hosting a photography exhibit, reception and lecture featuring Jose Galvez, a Pulitzer-Prize-winning photojournalist. The exhibit will be in the Ferguson Student Center Art Gallery. The exhibit, “Al Norte al Sur: Latino Life in the South,” will be open during October. The show showcases Galvez’s images of Latinos living in the southern United States. The reception and lecture with Galvez will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, also in the Ferguson Student Center Art Gallery. Each event is free tothe public. Contact: Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.