July 27, 2004 News Releases
Released 7/20/04, 7/21/04, 7/22/04 and 7/26/04
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 7-26-04
UTAH
STATE ENGINEERING PROFESSOR RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FROM
AMERICAN SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY
LOGAN — Byard Wood, department head and professor of
mechanical and aerospace engineering at Utah State University,
received the Charles Greeley Abbot Award from the American Solar
Energy Society in Portland, Ore., in July.
"To be listed with those who have received this prestigious
award is both humbling and very satisfying," said Wood.
"The sense of the professional responsibilities to others
that accompanies this recognition, particularly to the younger
professionals who will amplify and expand my efforts, is indeed
humbling. To be recognized by your peers as one who has made
some notable contributions certainly validates key decisions
made during the journey."
The award is named after Charles Greeley Abbot, a prominent
researcher in solar energy who contributed a great deal to the
understanding and use of solar energy in his 101-year lifetime.
ASES presents this award annually to an individual who has made
a significant contribution to the society or to the field of
solar energy.
Wood's career has spanned more than 30 years and has included
such stints as being a professor of mechanical engineering at
Arizona State University, then head of mechanical engineering
at the University of Nevada — Reno, before coming to Utah
State. Wood has a long history of outstanding research accomplishments
in the field of solar cooling and is a recognized expert in
the field. His professional interests also include full-spectrum
solar hybrid lighting research for the U.S. Department of Energy.
But without question the greatest source of "fun"
and "pride" is the students he has had the privilege
to mentor, he said.
Wood was technical session chair for the ASES SOLAR 2002 National
Solar Conference and was an associate editor of the Solar Energy
Journal. Most noted in his nomination was his continued stewardship
of the Solar Rating and Certification Board (SRCC). As the SRCC
executive director he has advanced the testing and certification
of solar collectors and solar systems and helps assure quality
within the solar water and heating industry.
"My Ph.D. advisor, a world-renowned researcher, counseled
me to go where the fun is as I developed my career," said
Wood. "I have strived to follow this counsel throughout
the journey of my career."
July 26, 2004
Contact: Byard Wood (435) 797-2868
ALUMNI BAND
CLOSES SUMMER SEASON AT UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
LOGAN — The Utah State University Alumni Band is preparing
for its last concert of the 2004 summer season, and music department
faculty, past and present, are in the spotlight. The band's
season-closer is Sunday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m. in the Kent Concert
Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center. The concert is free and
open to all.
The concert includes three guest conductors, a guest vocalist
and multiple instrumental soloists. The concert is under the
direction of Nicholas Morrison, associate director of bands
in Utah State’s department of music.
Leading a trio of guest conductors is Thomas P. Rohrer, director
of bands at Utah State, who will conduct a new piece, "Bayou
Breakdown," by Brant Karrick. Rohrer, now in his seventh
year at Utah State, has also taught at Northern Arizona University
and Bowling Green State University. He guest conducts on a regular
basis throughout the United States and in Australia.
Max Dalby, the founder of the Alumni Band, will conduct the
popular "March Grandioso" by Seitz for the concert.
Dalby, director of bands emeritus at Utah State, served as director
of bands, professor of music education, department head and
orchestra conductor from 1957-1983. In addition to founding
the Alumni Band, he conducted and directed the ensemble until
1993.
The final guest conductor is professor emeritus Larry Smith,
who will conduct several jazz vocal selections, including "I
Wish You Love," with his daughter, Monica Fronk, as vocal
soloist. Smith, who has arranged dozens of tunes for the band,
retired as director of jazz studies in 2003. He founded the
jazz program at Utah State.
Fronk, in addition to being Smith's daughter, is one of only
a handful of vocalists to ever sing with the Utah State Jazz
Orchestra. She lives is Providence and is the mother of 13.
Among the highlights on the program is "JOBIM!," a
work based on songs composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim, a Brazilian
composer most famous for his song "The Girl from Ipanema,"
which opens the arrangement.
"The composer is credited with bringing the bossa nova
style from the dance hall to the concert hall — a bit
of a Brazilian George Gershwin, if you like," Morrison
said.
Morrison conducts the work that features a large cast of faculty
soloists, including Smith, who arranged the tune and solos on
flute and saxophone. Jon Gudmundson, Utah State's director of
jazz studies and saxophone professor, solos on saxophones, and
Dennis Griffin, Utah State's percussion professor, performs
on drum set. Todd Fallis, professor of bass trombone, solos
on bass trombone in the piece, and Mike Christiansen, professor
of guitar studies, is guitar soloist.
The remainder of the program, conducted by Morrison, includes
works by Alfred Reed, George Gates, Fred Allen and John Philip
Sousa.
July 26, 2004
Contact: Nick Morrison (435) 797-3506
Writer: Patrick Williams (435) 797-1354
HAVE YOU
SEEN ANY "BUFFALO?" ENCORE PLANNED AT THE LYRIC
LOGAN — For anyone who hasn't seen "Moon Over Buffalo"
yet, there's now an added chance to see what all the hype is
about. The Old Lyric Repertory Company announces an encore of
the farce by Ken Ludwig on Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 8 p.m. on the
Caine Lyric Stage (28 West Center Street) in Logan.
The production is best known for the Broadway run that touted
Carol Burnett in the lead. Opinions on the OLRC production are
full of compliments and high praise. According to Bruce Ackerman
of the Herald Journal, "[lead actors] Louis and Hill are
the must-see comedic equivalent of Bogey and Bacall in what
may be the most adept theatrical tandem to appear on the Lyric
stage in a generation."
Celia Baker of the Salt Lake Tribune echoed the feeling, as
she named the OLRC "one of the best kept secrets of Utah's
theater scene."
According to Baker, the production has all the ingredients of
a good farce. "Good farce happens only through a complicated
alchemy of clever writing, appropriate casting, excellent timing
and a few dashes of theater voodoo. OLRC's 'Moon Over Buffalo'
has it all, and in just the right proportions."
Lego Louis and Tracy Hill play a pair of aging actors (George
and Charlotte Hay) trying to restore fading careers by going
on the road with "Cyrano de Bergerac" and "Private
Lives." Their daughter, having escaped her parents' life,
has returned with a career in advertising and a new fiancée
only to find herself in the middle of a family feud.
"Moon Over Buffalo" is directed by OLRC founder Vosco
Call, who heads the cast of Louis, Hill, Richie Call, Amy Lewis,
Ron King, Chrislynn Call, Jackie Fullmer and Kent Hadfield.
The encore of "Moon Over Buffalo" is Tuesday, Aug.
3, at 8 p.m. on the Caine Lyric stage. Pricing and ticket information
is available by calling (435) 797-0305 or visiting www.usu.edu/lyric.
Patrons can also purchase tickets at the Smith Spectrum ticket
office on the Utah State University campus (7600 Old Main Hill,
Logan). General information is available by calling (435) 797-1500.
July 26, 2004
Contact: Jeremy Gordon (435) 797-1500
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASE FOR 7-22-04
UTAH
STATE'S PRESIDENT KERMIT L. HALL TO SERVE TERM AS PRESIDENT
OF INRA
LOGAN —The Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA),
a consortium of eight research universities in the northwestern
United States, announced today that Utah State University President
Kermit L. Hall will serve at its president for a one-year term.
Hall will continue to serve as president of Utah State during
his term with INRA.
A nonprofit, scientific and educational organization, INRA fosters
collaborative research programs to educate America's future
scientists and engineers. Since its inception in 1999, the alliance
has brought $27 million into the inland northwest region in
the form of new innovative research and educational programs.
In addition to Utah State, INRA includes Boise State University,
Idaho State University, Montana State University, University
of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Idaho, University of Montana
and Washington State University. INRA is the only organization
of its kind in the country.
"The solidarity of the eight universities in five states
brings unique advantages and strengths to these universities,"
said Hall. "The Department of Energy has recognized INRA's
significant role at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental
Laboratory. I look forward to working with the other board members
to broaden INRA's mission and continue its many successes."
INRA was formed to promote research in the area of science and
engineering, with a focus on studies that will result in practical
applications, such as water treatment, soil remediation and
infectious disease research. INRA provides the organizational
structure for rapid development of collaborative research and
educational programs in technical disciplines for its member
institutions. This is accomplished through partnerships with
government agencies, national laboratories and businesses. The
research is focused in critical areas such as environmental
sciences, national security and energy.
INRA is a partner with Bechtel and BWXT, Inc., in the management
and operations contract for the INEEL, operated for the U.S.
Department of Energy. INRA's roles in this contract include
the support of collaborative basic and applied research programs
between its member universities and the INEEL staff by funding
diverse multi-year research projects in the critical mission
areas of the laboratory. These include environmental management,
energy sciences, and national security.
Gautam Pillay, the INRA executive director since 2001, is resigning
in August to take a university leadership position. INRA Chief
of Staff Steven R. Billingsley was selected as the new executive
director. Billingsley said he is honored to be selected and
looks forward to working with Hall and the board to continue
INRA's accomplishments.
For more information on Hall, visit the Utah State University
Web site at www.usu.edu. For more information on INRA visit
www.inra.org.
July 22, 2004
Contact: Kermit L. Hall (435) 797-1162
Amy K. Matthews, INRA (208) 524-4800
ASK A SPECIALIST:
MY LAWN IS REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THE HEAT AND DROUGHT. IS THERE
A POINT WHEN IT JUST WON’T RECOVER?
With high temperatures, drying winds and drought conditions,
many lawns, once lush and green, are looking more like hay fields.
It is normal for traditional Utah grasses to struggle with the
current heat and drought. Brown or golden patches may be forming
and growing in lawns. The good news, though, is that these grasses
possess the capability to recover from extreme weather conditions.
Consider this information before giving up on your turf.
• Dormancy is the physiological process grass uses to
protect itself from heat and drought. Usually when grass appears
to be dead this time of year, it is actually dormant. Dormancy
is characterized by a complete cessation of growth along with
brown or dead grass blades. Grass blades are less of a concern
than the crown of the grass plant, which is at the soil surface
and is the point from which the grass blades grow up and the
roots grow down. As long as the crown remains alive, grass has
the capability to recover when temperature and moisture conditions
improve. By entering dormancy, grasses are protecting their
crowns for future recovery.
• When heat and drought reach a certain level, be aware
that no amount of irrigation water will coax your grass out
of dormancy. However, as temperatures drop and moisture conditions
improve, the grass will recover naturally.
• You may find that as your grass becomes more stressed
from heat and drought, weeds and insects can become a problem.
This will be less of an issue if your lawn was healthy before
the hot weather took over. Wait to control weeds until the grass
has begun to recover. Pulling weeds by hand works well, but
using herbicides can damage already stressed grass. The reduced
root growth that occurs when grasses are in dormancy can also
increase the injury caused by root-feeding insects. However,
it is often difficult to diagnose insect problems when grass
is dormant. Be certain you are dealing with an insect problem
before using insecticides, and always read and follow label
directions.
• Though it may be tempting, completely giving up on
grass irrigation is not recommended. You may want to cut back
to a very small amount of irrigation — just enough to
keep the crowns of the grass plants alive. This low amount of
irrigation is known as survival watering. For the cool-season
grasses traditionally grown in Utah, this can be as little as
one inch of irrigation water per month. It can be disbursed
in one application or split into two or three applications.
It will not keep the grass from entering dormancy, but it will
help the grass crowns survive and recover.
• Dormancy is a helpful, protective process that should
not be feared. Instead, be patient and recognize that it will
help your grass recover in the fall.
• For more information on drought-related issues, visit
www.extension.usu.edu/drought. The site has information on landscape
irrigation, agricultural water issues, indoor conservation,
frequently asked questions and upcoming events.
_____
Direct column topics to: Julene Reese, Utah State University
Extension, Logan, UT 84322-0500; 435-760-9302; julener@sunrem.com
July 22, 2004
Answer by: Kelly Kopp, Utah State University Extension Turfgrass
Specialist
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASE FOR 7-21-04
MEET THE JUDGES
— UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS TO BE EVALUATED
LOGAN — Staff members in Utah State University Facilities
Division, especially its Landscape Operations and Maintenance
area, have been busily preparing for a visit by two judges who
will evaluate the campus environment for the "America In
Bloom" program.
Interested gardeners and members of the public are invited to
an open house to meet the judges, Gerald Klingaman and Alex
Pearl, Monday, July 26, from 5-6 p.m. in the Champ Room in the
Smith Spectrum. Klingaman is a professor of horticulture at
the University of Arkansas and Pearl is a vocational horticulture
instructor at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections
Institute.
"America in Bloom" is an independent non-profit organization
dedicated to promoting beautification program nationwide, as
well as personal and community involvement in these efforts
through the use of flowers, landscapes, trees and other environmental
and lifestyle enhancements.
This is the first year that universities have been included
in the "America In Bloom" competition. Utah State
will be evaluated in eight areas — (1) tidiness effort,
(2) environmental effort, (3) community involvement, (4) heritage,
(5) urban forestry, (6) landscape areas, (7) floral displays
and (8) turf and ground cover areas.
Utah State's effort in the program is coordinated by Ellen Newell,
the university's landscape manager. A judge's report will be
provided to Utah State and final awards will be presented this
fall.
"The university's environmental awareness is a strong point,
and we can show our efforts with the shuttle bus system and
the new heating plant," Newell said. "Some of the
criteria in the program do not match what we do as a university
but we will emphasize how we hire student interns and work with
various academic departments on campus."
In addition to Utah State University, the city of Vernal is
a participant in the program this year.
July 21, 2004
Contact: Ellen Newell (435) 797-2111, ellen@cc.usu.edu
Writer: Patrick Williams (435) 797-1354
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASE FOR 7-20-04
EARWIGS
LOGAN — The earwig is an insect whose name alone strikes
fear in the hearts of many people. The earwig got its name from
the belief that it could crawl into people's ears while they
sleep and consume their brains.
"This worried me as a child," said Jerry Goodspeed,
Utah State University Extension horticulturist. "Then one
day my father pointed out that I really had little to offer
such an insect."
Earwigs are also one of the uglier insects, he said. They have
long, pincer-like protrusions that give them a sinister appearance.
Although they look menacing, in reality, they don't harm people.
"Another thing that has caused earwigs to get a bad reputation
is the way they hide during the day," Goodspeed continued.
"By nature, we don't trust anything or anyone who hides,
then jumps out when disturbed or when it gets dark."
Earwigs were once thought to be somewhat helpful in the garden.
But recently they have proven to be quite a pest, he said. They
wait until night to emerge and inflect damage on plants by biting
small holes in the leaves. They have also been known to ruin
annuals and perennials as well as raspberries and other fruit.
"Other insects are often blamed for the damage done by
earwigs," said Goodspeed. "Since earwigs feed at night,
they are hidden from sight as they munch away on plants and
flowers. To witness this, shine a flashlight on plants about
an hour or so after sundown. Then examine the plants suspected
of being eaten. It is often surprising to see earwigs munching
at the expense of the landscape."
For earwig control, the first thing to do is get rid of their
hiding places. They like to congregate during the day in moist,
protected areas such as debris piles, so it is important to
keep the yard clean, Goodspeed noted. Remove weedy areas that
may remain damp and undisturbed. Do not over-water, and make
sure the garden and landscape dry between watering.
"The earwigs habit of hiding can be used against them,"
he said. "Create hiding areas, then catch and dispose of
them. Roll a newspaper and place it where earwigs can find it
after a night of indulging. The next morning, throw the paper
away."
Earwigs can also be captured by placing a tuna can half full
of vegetable oil or bacon grease in their usual hangout, said
Goodspseed. During the night they will crawl in and get stuck,
making it easy to dispose of them the next day.
Earwigs can be chemically controlled. Sevin (carbaryl), Orthene
(acephate) and permethrin have all shown to be effective, he
said. Read and follow all label directions before applying.
Earwigs can also creep into the house. Normally they come in
through a crack or other opening. Make sure the house is sealed
by caulking cracks and crevices and weather-stripping doors
and windows, he said. If the problem is serious, clear an area
around the foundation of the home so they won't have any reason
to even approach the home.
"More than one person has told me this has been a bad year
for these pests," Goodspeed concluded. "I suspect
a good cold winter would help. However, for now, simply using
good cultural practices should reduce their numbers."
July 20, 2004
Writer: Julene Reese, 435-760-9302
Contact: Jerry Goodspeed, 801-392-8908
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