Friday, February 12, 2010

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Let’s stay home tonight and pretend we actually have money.

Consumers’ perceptions of the economy are taking a downward trend. In the latest Middle Tennessee Consumer Confidence Index from MTSU’s Office of Consumer Research, only two percent agreed with the statement, “Business conditions in the U.S. are good,” a five percent drop from December 2009. The biggest decline was a six percent drop in the percentage of people who agree that “Now is a good time to make large purchases” (33%). Five percent fewer people concurred that “Now is a good time to buy a car” (42%). Only one percent of respondents believe that “Jobs in Middle Tennessee are easy to find,” a three percent drop from December’s survey. The poll was taken by phone on Feb. 8 and Feb. 9. Randomly selected adults in Rutherford, Davidson and Williamson counties were questioned.

Contact Graeff at 615-898-5124.
tgraeff@mtsu.edu

The dogs that did bark

Warren Smythe, MTSU student and director, producer, editor and co-writer of the independent motion picture “Sound of Dogs,” will talk about his love of film at 8 a.m. this Sunday, Feb. 14, on “MTSU on the Record” with host Gina Logue on WMOT-FM (89.5 and wmot.org). Smythe, an electronic media production major from Hendersonville, made “Sound of Dogs” in Hendersonville with an all-Hendersonville cast and a total expenditure of about $30. He describes it as a psychological thriller about Sutton Gundry, a high school student who learns about his forgotten past through a girl. The trailer can be viewed at www.soundofdogs.com. “Sound of Dogs” premiered at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville on Dec. 21. Smythe has submitted it to the Nashville Film Festival, which is slated for Apr. 15-22.

Contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.

It’s a woman’s world.

As students continue to delve into the spring semester, a new student group will be trying to capture their attention and their imagination. The Women’s Studies Student Organization (WSSO) welcomes students with any and all majors and minors who are interested in gender issues to take part. President Courtney Shelton says the fledgling group will focus on academics, not just activism. Panel discussions and intellectual roundtables will be among the members’ activities along with fundraising and other charitable endeavors, as well as collaborations with other student groups. Dr. Newtona “Tina” Johnson, English professor and director of the Women’s Studies Program, says, “It’s a way to have students light that spark in other students. When you have other students pass on this information in this atmosphere of collaboration and partnership, then it’s easier for students to be drawn into the field.”

Contact the Women’s Studies Program at 615-898-2910 or send e-mails to:
ces3v@mtsu.edu
ll23b@mtsu.edu
kdw3e@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

MAKING A FASHION STATEMENT--MTSU’s Eta Kappa Chapter of the Gamma Sigma Sigma national service sorority will present its second annual Prom Dress Collection Drive from Monday, Feb. 15 through Saturday, Feb. 27. Drop off your prom dresses at Holiday Cleaners, 911 Memorial Blvd. in Murfreesboro, for distribution in March to high school junior and senior girls in Rutherford and Williamson counties who are on the free/reduced lunch program. Dresses must be from 2002 to the present, must be dry-cleaned and on hangers, and must be prom dresses, formal gowns or fancy party dresses. Garments that were purchased before 2002 or have not been dry-cleaned, wedding dresses, casual or semiformal clothing and tuxedoes are unacceptable. To make an appointment for dropping off a dress, or to make a monetary donation, contact Claressa Johnson at 615-427-1816 or claressa0467@hotmail.com.

LEARNING FROM THE LANDSCAPE--MTSU history students produced the exhibit “Listening to the Landscape: The Stories of Stones River National Battlefield,” which is on display at Linebaugh Public Library, 105 W. Vine St. in Murfreesboro, through March 9th. The exhibit highlights the changes that occurred on the battlefield landscape prior to the Civil War through the present. One of the four exhibit panels highlights the African-American community known as “Cemetery.” It formed around Stones River National Cemetery after the Civil War. Linebaugh also will feature books that are related to the exhibit. “Listening to the Landscape” is sponsored by Eastern National, the Public History Program at MTSU, the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area and Stones River National Battlefield. Contact the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area office at 615-898-2947 or the MTSU Department of History at 615-898-2536.

SOMEDAY YOUR PRINTS WILL COME.--The Todd Hall Art Gallery will present “PRINTS: Through the Collector’s Eyes,” an exhibition that brings together a wide variety of original prints, Feb. 16 through March 4. An opening reception for the show will be held one day prior to its official opening, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, in the campus-based gallery. The public is encouraged and invited to attend this free event. Among the works that will be displayed are wood engravings, etchings, lithographs and screen prints, all of which are primarily from area collectors. “Included are prints from the 17th to the 21st centuries with work by famous artists as well as those who are less known,” says Christie Nuell, exhibit curator and MTSU art professor. The gallery is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon on Fridays. Call Eric Snyder, gallery curator, at 615-898-5653 or esnyder@mtsu.edu.

HOME IS WHERE THE VOLUNTEERS ARE.--MTSU students are building a second Habitat for Humanity home for a Rutherford County resident. Building dates will include Wednesdays, Fridays and some Saturdays. There will be two shifts per day—in the morning from 8:30 a.m. to noon and in the afternoon from noon until 4 p.m. The home dedication is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 25. The Office of Leadership and Service is rounding up volunteers from student organizations for this humanitarian effort. The future resident’s family also will be helping to build their home, and Central Middle School and Jason’s Deli are pitching in. Media welcomed. Good photo opportunities throughout the construction process. For more information, contact Jackie Victory at 615-898-5812 or mtleader@mtsu.edu.