March 16-22 is Brain Awareness Week

Brain Awareness Week, which is March 16-22, 2009, is an event geared towards informing the public about neuroscience research and to increase public awareness about the brain.

For more information, please visit the Society for Neuroscience Brain Awareness Week website, or the Dana Foundation's International Brain Awareness Week website.

March is Women's History Month

Did you know that March is Women's History Month? This year's theme is "Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet." Read President Obama's Proclamation for Women's History Month!

For more information about the month visit the National Women's History Project or for information about women in history and famous women leaders, visit the InfoPlease website.

Ohio Events

The Ohio Statehouse will celebrate and honor important women in the history of Ohio during Women's History Month, March 1 – 31, 2009, with tours of the Ladies' Gallery and a special display. A small display will be on view in the Ohio Statehouse Map Room. The exhibition will focus on books by or about Ohio women. The display will feature children's authors, politicians, activists and women in the arts. The exhibition is presented in partnership with the Ohioana Library. Ohio Statehouse visitors will have the opportunity to visit the Ladies' Gallery during their tour. The Ladies' Gallery is a place of honor and learning in the Ohio Statehouse. The room pays homage to Ohio's first six women legislators who paved the way for women in government. The room also honors all women who have served in the Ohio General Assembly.

Third Annual Women Trailblazers Panel Discussion — 7 to 9 on March 5, 2009, Martin University Center, 105 Fir Hill, University of Akron. Moderator, Debra Adams Simmons, Cleveland Plain Dealer managing editor. Panel members: Cynthia Flynn Capers, Ph.D., registered nurse, professor, university coordinator of Academic Leadership Initiatives, interim dean, College of Education, University of Akron; Theresa Carter, president, Omnova Solutions Foundation; Marigold Linton, Ph.D., director, American Indian Outreach, University of Kansas; Dr. Helen Qammar, director, Institute for Teaching and Learning, associate professor of chemical and bio molecular engineering, University of Akron; and Lisa M. Vidacs, senior vice president, Cash Operation, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Free. Reservations, 330-972-6446.

Women in Blues — The Northeast Ohio Blues Association, along with ArtsinStark, will present the Women in Blues music series. Saturday: 1:30 to 3 p.m., ''Classic Blues Singers'' workshop with Jen Maurer; 3:30 to 5 p.m., ''Making a Connection With the Audience'' workshop with Veronica Krug; 8:30 p.m. to midnight performance by Back Alley Gatorz with Susan Minton. Sunday: 1 to 3 p.m. ''Lyrics - From a Man's to a Woman's Point of View'' workshop with Kristine Jackson; 3 to 4 p.m. NEOBA meeting; 4 to 8 p.m. Second Sunday Blues Jam featuring Kristine Jackson with Jen Maurer and Craig Wise of Mo Mojo and Collette Venables of Blues Alliance. All workshops are free. Evening performances are $5. All events will be held at Don Panchos Tex-Mex Cafe, 2105 W. State St., Alliance. 330-257-2013 or http://www.donpanchostexmexcafe.com.

Women's History Month Presentation — 7 p.m. Tuesday, University of Akron Student Union Theatre. Guerrilla Girls on Tour! New York City-based touring theater company will present Feminists Are Funny. For more information, call 330-972-7008 or visit http://www.uakron.edu/ws.

Family Day Celebration — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14, International Women's Air & Space Museum, 1501 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland. The museum will be celebrating Women's History Month with a new exhibit on Amelia Earhart titled Flight to Fame: The Life & Legacy of Amelia Earhart. Free. 216-623-1111 or http://www.iwasm.org.

''In The Company of Extraordinary Women'' — 4 p.m. March 21 and 22, Hower House, 60 Fir Hill, Akron. Honoring great women of the past at a tea featuring an actress portraying Grace Hower Crawford, who will be the hostess for a Victorian Tea and actresses portraying Elizabeth Buchtel, co-founder of the University of Akron; Sister Ignatia, a key figure in Alcoholics Anonymous; and Mary Wright Pierson, one of the first female doctors of the Western Reserve. For information, call 330-972-6909.

The Struggle for the Vote: Women's Suffrage — 7 p.m. March 24, Cuyahoga Falls Library, 2015 Third St., Cuyahoga Falls. Victorian expert Laura Loew tells about suffragettes and their cause. 330-928-2117.

Women's History Month Speaker — 7 p.m. March 26, University of Akron Student Union Theatre, University of Akron. Vinie Burrows will present Sister! Sister! a collection of narratives celebrating the joys and struggles of women from around the world. For more information, call 3360-972-7008 or visit http://www.uakron.edu/ws.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day — 2 to 6 p.m. March 29, Alliance Family YMCA, 205 S. Union Ave. The event is a collaborative effort that allows representatives of women's sports to educate girls and young women about the benefits of sports and to participate in sports. 330-823-1930.

Women's History Month Convocation — 10:35 a.m. March 31, Mount Union College, Dewald Chapel, 1972 Clark Ave., Alliance. Ohio State Auditor Mary Taylor will be the featured speaker. Free. 330-823-6063.

National Sleep Awareness Week 2009

March 1-8th is National Sleep Awareness Week. Many Americans do not get the recommended amount of sleep, and more people are turning to medications to help them sleep. Sleep disorders affect more than 70 million adults in the U.S. although many individuals may not know that they have a sleep disorder. Psychologists can provide behavioral therapy that is quite effective for many sleep disorders.

For more information, please visit the following sites:

National Sleep Foundation
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
NIH/NIMH Sleep Disorders Information

Upcoming Conferences

With implications for public interest!

"Mental Health Care in America: Past, Present and Future."

The event will take place on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24, 2009 at the University of Akron. To see the conference schedule and obtain registration information go to: http://www3.uakron.edu/ahap/news/mhc_conference_2009.phtml.

"The Ethics of Multiple Relationships and Boundary Issues"
and
"Ethical Considerations in a Multicultural World"

Held on April 17-18, 2009 at the Airport Marriott, Columbus. For more information or to register, go to: www.ohpsych.org/opaceworkshops.aspx . Register for both days and receive a discount!

Eating Disorders Awareness Week -- Feb 22-28

The aim of NEDAwareness Week is to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses — not choices — and it’s important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.

For more information, visit the National Eating Disorders Awareness Week site or the Ohio Psychological Association site for more information.

Conference-- Innovation through collaboration: Building a community response to family violence

This conference will bring participants together from across five different professional sectors, as well as from around the nation. The conference, entitled "Innovation Through Collaboration: Building a Community Response to Family Violence" strives through both its structure and its content to realize the vision embodied by its title.

In addition to general sessions, participants can select from more than 55 presentations and master classes. Five programming tracks – Business, Health Care, Legal, Victim Services, and Faith -- each offer sessions that highlight promising practices, emerging issues, and collaborative efforts in addressing family violence in our communities. (Cross registration across the tracks is not only allowed but encouraged!) For more information, please visit their website at this link.

New Aging Resources for Psychologists

Shared by the APA Office on Aging:

The Science Directorate has put together three booklets as part of the 2008 Grand Challenges Initiative of Past-President Alan E. Kazdin, the goal of which was to identify and offer insights and solutions to a number of the grand challenges facing our society. They are Prolonging Vitality, Global Climate Change, and Health Disparities. The booklet on Prolonging Vitality describes "how psychologists are researching ways to improve the quality of life for this large portion of the population." http://www.apa.org/science/GC-ProlongingVitality-small.pdf

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law has prepared a series of 7 issue briefs that offer policy recommendations for: integration of mental health in primary care; medical homes; chronic care management; integration of mental health in the public health system; the role of public insurance programs (Medicaid, SCHIP and Medicare); and improving the quality of care. http://www.bazelon.org/issues/mentalhealth/publications/index.htm

Slides and audio of presentations from the NIA Cognitive Aging Summit held in October 2007 are now available on the McKnight Brain Research Foundation's website. http://www.health.ufl.edu/brain/summit/index.htm

AARP will be holding a Diversity and Aging in the 21st Century conference, June 8-10, 2009 at the Marriott Downtown Hotel in Chicago. The theme of the conference is the Power of Inclusion. www.aarp.org/diversityandaging

Celebrate Black History Month!

Did You Know? February is Black History Month. Here is a list of Ohio events (not comprehensive):

Columbus
The Ohio Statehouse
Celebrates Black History Month during the month of February with a special educational display, special tours of the George Washington Williams Room and a special soul food menu at the Capitol Cafe each Wednesday and free Wednesday lunch-time concerts. Special Black History Month exhibition runs through February 28, 2009. Lunch-Time Concerts & Soul Food Wednesdays at the Capitol Cafe Each Wednesday in February; February 4, 11, 18, 25, 2009, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. George Washington Williams Room Tours; Visit the room which memorializes Ohio's first African-American legislator.
Price: Free

The Ohio State University
Black History Month Cultural Celebration, February 27, 2009 (All Day). The Black History Month Cultural Celebration will bring African American arts (i.e. dance, painting, music) and food to the Fisher College of Business campus. Art from local/OSU artists will be displayed and dancers/steppers will be asked to perform. The event is being planned as a culmination to our Black History Month .

The King Arts Complex
Click here for a full schedule of events.

Steubenville
Underground Railroad
As the gateway to the Northwest Territory - the first territory to outlaw slavery - Ohio was crisscrossed by Underground Railroad routes. Through displays, videos, and presentation, this exhibit will highlight the travels and travails of those who worked together on the journey to freedom.
Address (Homepage)
Historic Fort Steuben
120 South 3rd Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
Hours
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Admission: FREE

Athens
Ohio University
See this site for a full list. Also visit http://www.ohio.edu/culturalcenter/ for additional information.

Youngstown
Youngstown State and City of Youngstown
Click here for all events

Cleveland
List of events from the Plain Dealer

Mansfield
Black History Month Jazz Lunch at OSU Mansfield. Monday, Feb 2, 200912 pm Presented By: OSU Mansfield. In the Eisenhower Campus Cafe, enjoy live jazz provided by the Ontario High School Dixieland Jazz Combo, along with jambalaya or blackened chicken with red beans and rice, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, and a beverage at a special discounted price. For more information, visit http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/.

Ashland
List of University of Ashland events.
Ashland Community and Technical College Events:
Videos on influential African-Americans will kick off Black History Month at ACTC. The videos will be shown in the College Drive Campus Teleconference Room from noon until 1 p.m.

• Feb. 2; The Roberts Drive Campus Cafeteria from 11 a.m. until noon Feb. 3; and the Technology Drive Campus Lounge Area from 11 a.m. until noon Feb. 4.
• Feb. 18; Affrilachian Poet Frank X. Walker will speak at noon Feb. 18 in the ACTC College Drive Campus Teleconference Room. Walker is a founder of the Affrilachian Poets. He will discuss the origins of the word "Affrilachia" and assess the group's impact on regional literature. He will read some of his own poetry and works by such influential Affrilachian poets as Nikky Finney, Crystal Wilkinsen, Kelly Norman Ellis and Bernard Clay.
• Feb. 28th; Dancing for Your Soul: a Hip-Hop Dance Revue, will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 28 in the J. B. Sowards Theatre at the College Drive Campus. The program will feature hip-hop dance routines by performers from area dance studios and performing companies. The free program and reception are sponsored by the ACTC Multicultural Student Organization.

Three community black history programs are offered with the theme, "The Rhythm of Life: Celebrate Our Musical Roots."

• A Night at the Apollo will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Paramount Arts Center.
  A Night at the Apollo gives amateur Tri-State performers a chance to share their talents in music, song, dance, poetry, comedy and drama. Audience admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children under 12. A Night at the Apollo is both a performance venue and a talent contest. Amateur solo and group performers may enter the contest. Prizes are $200, $100 and $50 for adults and $75, $50 and $25 for youths up to age 12. The entry fee is $5 per act, and registration is through the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center. The registration deadline is Feb. 2.
• Gospel Night will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center.
  Previous Gospel Night performers have included the Antioch Male Chorus from Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Huntington, Ashland Community Chorus, Christ Temple Choir from Ashland, Spiritual Expressions from Full Gospel Assembly in Huntington and the Men's Chorus of First Baptist Church of Burlington, Ohio. The free program and reception will be hosted by the Boyd County High School Celebration Club sponsored by Rhonda Salisbury. Attendees may also view an exhibit of paintings by Ashland native Jerry Johnson.
• The Marshall University African Drumming & Dance Ensemble will perform at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center. The Ensemble, specializing in traditional music of West Africa, was created in 1998 by J. Steven Hall, Marshall University Professor of Music. The free program and reception will be hosted by the Paul G. Blazer High School Human Relations Club sponsored by Lynn Revely.

National Healthy Weight Week

January 18-24 is National Healthy Weight Week. Many people make a New Year's resolution to lose weight, exercise more, and get in shape, but these resolutions do not always last. The goal of National Health Weight Week is to celebrate healthy diet-free living habits that last a lifetime and prevent eating and weight problems.

For more information on how to help make your New Year's resolution, or your every-day resolution to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle stick, please read this article.

Did You Know? Dec. 1st is World AIDS Day

December 1st is World AIDS Day, a day when individuals and world organizations unite to educate and bring attention to the global AIDS crisis. For more information, please visit these websites:

http://www.worldaidsday.org/
http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/
http://www.avert.org/worldaid.htm
http://www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/days/world/index.html