Monday, January 14, 2008

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Cue the Zamboni!

Have you ever wondered how arena managers get the ice to stay solid for hockey games? Dr. Preston MacDougall, chemistry, says, “The NHL (National Hockey League) uses giant ammonia chillers to freeze almost two inches of ice, both quickly—since many arenas are also used for rock concerts and basketball games—and hard enough to sport a fast-paced game of professional hockey.” You might think the weather at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo was cold enough to ensure a frozen surface for the game between Buffalo and Pittsburgh that was played outdoors and televised on NBC on New Year’s Day. However, MacDougall says, “An extra ammonia chiller was needed to freeze the rapidly assembled outdoor ice rink to NHL standards …”

Contact MacDougall at 615-898-5265.
pmacdoug@mtsu.edu

The first day of the rest of your life

The Rutherford County Retired Teachers Association will sponsor a Pre-Retirement Seminar for educators from 3:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, at the North Boulevard Church of Christ, 1112 North Rutherford Boulevard in Murfreesboro. TODAY is the final day a reservation can be made to attend this FREE seminar. This year’s presenter will be Graham Greeson, Manager of Research and Information Services for the Tennessee Education Association (TEA). Any teacher who will retire under the State Retirement Plan, regardless of whether he or she belongs to TEA, will learn information that will prove to be beneficial in making decisions concerning retirement.

To make a reservation, call Sara Gannon at 615-890-5050, or send an e-mail to Sarag49@aol.com

What a drag!

The third economic quarter dragged on by for the Greater Nashville Metropolitan Area. Dr. David Penn, director of MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center, writes in the Winter 2008 edition of Midstate Economic Indicators, “Nonfarm employment, a broad measure of payroll growth, failed for the first time since 2003 to post a quarterly gain. Manufacturing employment is down from the second quarter, retail and wholesale trade are virtually unchanged, and stalwart educational and health services experienced a modest job loss. Taxable sales are down slightly from the previous quarter, and total employment is unchanged.”

Contact Penn at 615-898-2610.
dpenn@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

I’LL GRANT YOU THAT--The President’s Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) at MTSU is accepting applications from faculty for its 2008 Curriculum Integration Grants. The 2007 grants, which have been awarded to three professors in allocations of $1,800 each, are being used to infuse courses at MTSU with an appreciation for the experiences and perspectives of women. Dr. Jane Marcellus, journalism, will teach a course in the spring semester titled “Women in Journalism History.” Dr. Karen Petersen, political science, used her grant to create a version of her “Foundations of Government” general education class that would be applicable in a study-abroad context in Cherbourg, France. And Jeremy Rich, history, fashioned a course on “Women in Africa.” For more information on how to apply for this year’s grants, contact Dr. Tina Johnson, PCSW chair and associate professor of English at 615-898-2705 or ntjohnso@mtsu.edu.