ProfNet is a free service that provides journalists, bloggers, authors and other writers with links to experts and story ideas on the topics they cover. You’ll also find links to job opportunities and other news and resources we think you’ll find useful. To receive these updates by email, send a note to profnet@profnet.com with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition.

If you are in need of an expert source, you can also submit a free ProfNet query and have qualified sources come to you, or search the free ProfNet Connect database, which features nearly 50,000 user profiles, all searchable by keyword. If you are looking for Spanish-speaking experts, you can also opt to send your query via ProfNet en Español; just select that option when submitting your request.

Submit a free ProfNet query

Search the ProfNet Connect experts database

EXPERT ALERTS

• Helping Children Understand the Tragedy in Colorado
• Boost Your Apartment Safety
• Caution Warranted for New Weight-Loss Pill
• Court May Affirm Gene Patent
• Financing Your Dental Care
• How to Turn Off Your Bullying Tendencies

MEDIA JOBS

• Copy Editor - Twin Falls, Idaho
• Editor - El Segundo, Calif.
• Reporter - Los Angeles
• Editor - NYC
• Reporter/Anchor - Chicago

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Freelance Focus: Query Letters
• Car Blogs: Start Your Engines!
• Grammar Hammer: Is It Presently or Currently Storming?

********************

EXPERT ALERTS

Expert Alerts are listings of ProfNet members who are available to discuss timely news topics. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact their media representative at the end of the listing. You can also find Expert Alerts online at bit.ly/pncalerts

Helping Children Understand the Tragedy in Colorado
Susan Kaneshiro, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist and Program Chair of Counseling Programs
Argosy University in Orange County, Calif.
“The senseless shootings in Colorado have left many adults struggling to find meaning and understanding in the wake of the tragedy. For parents, it can be even harder to know what, how much and how often to discuss these matters with our children. It's important to help your children understand the information in a way that is relevant to them and that they can comprehend.”
Kaneshiro is available to discuss the effect of such tragedies on children and offer parents advice on how they can address this difficult subject with their children.
News Contact: Anne K. Dean, adean@argosy.edu or +1-714-620-0910

Boost Your Apartment Safety
John McGrail
Founder and CEO
Mayo Group
"Living in an apartment is different from living in a freestanding house, where you can install a home security system and implement building-wide safety devices like redundant smoke detectors and radon-detection tools. But just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t take measures to protect yourself while you’re at home. Don’t overcrowd your apartment with furniture and belongings that could impede easy access to escape routes in the case of fire. Be extra careful with space heaters or anything other devices that contain a heating element. Never leave these appliances on when you aren’t at home or when you are sleeping, and make sure they are located a safe distance from any fabrics or other flammable materials."
News Contact: Anna Steinbock, anna@exposeyourselfpr.com

Caution Warranted for New Weight-Loss Pill
Rick Meadow
Attorney/Head of Lanier's Pharmaceutical Litigation Division
The Lanier Law Firm in Houston
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Vivus Inc.'s highly anticipated diet drug Qsymia. But FDA approval isn't a golden ticket. The FDA is limited in what it can review in new drug approvals and doesn't do its own testing, simply relying instead on the testing and 'good faith' of drug companies. Based on historical problems with weight-loss pills, and the facts we've uncovered about drug companies in other instances, doctors and potential patients should closely monitor aftermarket testing, marketing and adverse event reports for Qsymia, which is a combination of the drugs Phentermine and Topomax, both of which have been linked previously to safety concerns."
News Contact: Alan Bentrup, alan@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534

Court May Affirm Gene Patent
Paul Skiermont
Attorney
Skiermont Puckett in in Dallas
"A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., is reviewing its ruling of last year that Utah’s Myriad Genetics, which currently holds patents on two genes that can signal if a woman faces greater risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer, can be the exclusive U.S. provider of genetic screenings of these diseases. The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the Federal Circuit to reconsider the case in light of its ruling in a different case that tightened rules on medical-testing patents. The Myriad case illustrates the enormous role the federal judiciary will play in defining the direction of the life sciences market. This case could resolve the multibillion-dollar question of whether a potential cure for cancer from DNA sequencing and extraction is a patentable invention, or a patent-ineligible discovery of a law of nature."
News Contact: Barry Pound, barry@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534

Financing Your Dental Care
Dr. Todd Pizzi, DDS
Owner
Modern Dentistry in Shrewsbury, Mass.
"Most people are aware of the benefits of good dental habits on overall health. Keeping your teeth in top shape will benefit you as you age and can eliminate the risk of oral infection that can lead to a variety of wide-ranging health problems. I'd much rather detect dental problems early than play catch-up with deep-seated oral health issues that are more involved and expensive. While some patients are fortunate enough to be covered by dental insurance, I know that not everyone has this option. Most preventative dentistry insurance coverage allows for biannual visits to check for tooth decay and to identify any other potential dental problems. I applaud this model because more frequent checkups lead to less frequent problems."
News Contact: Anna Steinbock, anna@exposeyourselfpr.com

How to Turn Off Your Bullying Tendencies
Dr. Ronda Beaman
Director of Leadership Studies at California Polytechnic University
Chief Creative Officer for Research and Consulting at PEAK Learning, Inc.
"From kids on a bus to parents at hockey games, in every Fortune 500 company and down your own street -- we've become a society of victims, many of us blaming past injustices for our own irresponsible adult behavior. If you're like me, and you grew up with a parent who was a bully, there's a good chance that you might lean toward those tendencies as a way to 'get back' at those who made you feel small. Sure, it can seem empowering to take on that potent, bullying role. It may make you feel like you're towering over others instead of cowering under the covers -- but all it really does is subject someone else to the treatment you suffered when you were growing up."
Beaman is an author, teacher and motivational speaker.
News Contact: Anna Steinbock, anna@exposeyourselfpr.com

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: bit.ly/pncjobboard

• Copy Editor - Twin Falls, Idaho
• Editor - El Segundo, Calif.
• Reporter - Los Angeles
• Editor - NYC
• Reporter/Anchor - Chicago

See more listings here.

********************

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at profnetalerts@prnewswire.com

• FREELANCE FOCUS: QUERY LETTERS: ProfNet Director Maria Perez turns to two freelancers to find out how to write a query letter: bit.ly/P64dsK

• CAR BLOGS: START YOUR ENGINES!: PR Newswire's Thomas Hynes shares some of the best car blogs he’s seen lately: bit.ly/PF6wHa

• GRAMMAR HAMMER: IS IT PRESENTLY OR CURRENTLY STORMING?: ProfNet Editor Grace Lavigne explains the difference between "presently" and "currently": bit.ly/NuJ7JW

ProfNet is a free service that provides journalists, bloggers, authors and other writers with links to experts and story ideas on the topics they cover. You’ll also find links to job opportunities and other news and resources we think you’ll find useful. To receive these updates by email, send a note to profnet@profnet.com with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition.

If you are in need of an expert source, you can also submit a free ProfNet query and have qualified sources come to you, or search the free ProfNet Connect database, which features nearly 50,000 user profiles, all searchable by keyword. If you are looking for Spanish-speaking experts, you can also opt to send your query via ProfNet en Español; just select that option when submitting your request.

Submit a free ProfNet query

Search the ProfNet Connect experts database

EXPERT ALERTS

• The Big Apple Merits a Big Twitter Presence
• The Federal Reserve and QE3: Good or Bad?
• First-Time Homebuyers

MEDIA JOBS

• Editor - Chicago
• Reporter - Miami
• Managing Editor - Nogales, Ariz.
• Reporter - NYC
• General Assignment Reporter - Shelton, Wash.

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Grammar Hammer: Is It Presently or Currently Storming?
• Spotlight: Joyce Rosenberg, AP
• Tool Spotlight: Screenleap

********************

EXPERT ALERTS

Expert Alerts are listings of ProfNet members who are available to discuss timely news topics. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact their media representative at the end of the listing. You can also find Expert Alerts online at bit.ly/pncalerts

The Big Apple Merits a Big Twitter Presence
Hal Licino
Email Consultant
Benchmark Email
"Given that the mayor of New York City is Michael R. Bloomberg, an individual who is no stranger to online business thanks to his financial industry leading website Bloomberg.com, it is natural to expect that the Big Apple would lead the country in applying online technologies to municipal management and citizen involvement. @MYCMayorsOffice is an exemplary Twitter presence which keeps New Yorkers up to the minute on city news, replies to citizen questions, links to press conferences, and much more. From monitoring road repair and maintenance, all the way to pointing out parks where the city has established free Wi-Fi, New York City is showing municipalities across the country how to truly harness the power of social media to make a difference in citizen’s lives."
Website: www.benchmarkemail.com
News Contact: Jennifer Perez, jennifer.perez@benchmarkemail.com or +1-562-481-4795

The Federal Reserve and QE3: Good or Bad?
James J. Cerna
CEO
Armada Oil
“Will quantitative easing (QE3) create hyperinflation? Our recovery outlook right now is flat on its back, or low-to-no growth. QE3 is failing to yield the results as it did in the past. There needs to be some qualitative efforts to stimulate growth. Is the government failing by excessively spending?"
Cerna is available to discuss the impact of U.S. economic recovery efforts in the oil and gas industry, and is able to provide insight on methods to stimulate growth.
News Contact: Jerry Schranz, jschranz@beckermanpr.com or +1-201-465-8020

First-Time Homebuyers
Chip Poli
CEO
Poli Mortgage Group, Inc.
"For the first-time homebuyer, the jargon, details and process of obtaining a mortgage loan can seem daunting, to say the least. If you are prepared in advance, you can take all of the trepidation out of the mortgage home loan process. It's important to understand the differences among the types of mortgages available to you. Once you know your short- and long-term financial strategy, you should educate yourself about the terms, benefits and drawbacks of fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages, as well as Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgage loans. Your personal research can go a long way. Ask yourself what types of loan you might qualify for, and which types might best suit your lifestyle and ability to make your monthly payments."
News Contact: Anna Steinbock, anna@exposeyourselfpr.com

***************

MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: bit.ly/pncjobboard

• Editor - Chicago
• Reporter - Miami
• Managing Editor - Nogales, Ariz.
• Reporter - NYC
• General Assignment Reporter - Shelton, Wash.

See more listings here.

********************

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at profnetalerts@prnewswire.com

• GRAMMAR HAMMER: IS IT PRESENTLY OR CURRENTLY STORMING?: ProfNet Editor Grace Lavigne explains the difference between "presently" and "currently": bit.ly/NuJ7JW

• SPOTLIGHT: JOYCE ROSENBERG, AP: ProfNet Editor Evelyn Tipacti interviews Joyce Rosenberg, small-business reporter at The Associated Press: bit.ly/NuJaWk

• TOOL SPOTLIGHT: SCREENLEAP: ProfNet Editor Jason Hahn highlights Screenleap, a free online service that enables users to share their computer screens with others: bit.ly/MHO2DS

ProfNet is a free service that provides journalists, bloggers, authors and other writers with links to experts and story ideas on the topics they cover. You’ll also find links to job opportunities and other news and resources we think you’ll find useful. To receive these updates by email, send a note to profnet@profnet.com with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition.

If you are in need of an expert source, you can also submit a free ProfNet query and have qualified sources come to you, or search the free ProfNet Connect database, which features nearly 50,000 user profiles, all searchable by keyword. If you are looking for Spanish-speaking experts, you can also opt to send your query via ProfNet en Español; just select that option when submitting your request.

Submit a free ProfNet query

Search the ProfNet Connect experts database

EXPERT ALERTS

• Capturing Flattering Portrait Pictures With Your Point-and-Shoot Camera
• Tips for Videographers
• Pairing Wine and Sauces
• The Science of Gourmet Cuisine and Wine Pairings
• Wine: It's All About Tannins
• Playing Games to Keep You Fit
• Virtual Personal Trainers
• What to Expect When You Are an Empty Nester
• Working Stiffs: The Legacy of Ernest Borgnine

MEDIA JOBS

• Editor - Lubbock, Texas
• News Reporter - NYC
• Arts and Culture Editor - Richmond, Va.
• Public Safety Reporter - Huntsville, Ala.
• Regional Sports Editor - Hampton, Iowa

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Do You Have Confidence in Television News?
• Wedding Blogs: Unveiled
• 5 Things You Might Not Know About ProfNet for Reporters

********************

EXPERT ALERTS

Expert Alerts are listings of ProfNet members who are available to discuss timely news topics. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact their media representative at the end of the listing. You can also find Expert Alerts online at bit.ly/pncalerts

Capturing Flattering Portrait Pictures With Your Point-and-Shoot Camera
Brian Colkitt
Lead Digital Photography Instructor
The Art Institute of Phoenix
"Most people have a pretty good point-and-shoot camera; it’s just important to know the modes. By putting your camera in portrait mode, you set the flash on the camera, giving a good blend between the lighting in the room and the lighting on the subjects."
Colkitt can speak about taking flattering family portraits. He advises keeping your arms away from your body, resting hands on hips or keeping hands in pockets with just the thumbs out. This gives a nice angle to the arm and almost guarantees a flattering photo.
News Contact: Yasmin Hosseinzadeh, yhosseinzadeh@aii.edu or +1-415-565-9948

Tips for Videographers
Ben Gottfried
Digital Filmmaking and Video Production Instructor
The Art Institutes International Minnesota
"Get familiar with your equipment. Read the manual, test different lighting conditions. It will increase your comfort level with the camera and make for better shots. Shooting a live event can make you anxious to get shots of everything. Keep one eye on the viewfinder and the other on the action going on around you, and strategically move the camera when necessary."
Gottfried can provide novice videographers expert tips. He suggests you try to rest on a shot. Don't excessively zoom or pan, and when you decide to zoom, make sure it's a slow one. Jarring shots are hard to look at and even harder to edit later.
News Contact: Yasmin Hosseinzadeh, yhosseinzadeh@aii.edu or +1-415-565-9948

Pairing Wine and Sauces
Larry Canepa
Chef and Culinary Instructor
The Art Institute of Phoenix
"If you’re serving a heavy white sauce like an alfredo, choose a crisp white wine with some acidity to balance out the richness and fat of the dairy-based sauce. Conversely, if you’re serving an acidic tomato sauce, balance it out with a tannic red wine. If you’re cooking up northern Italian fare, pick out a wine from that region in Italy. Wine is not a luxury or an indulgence, it’s an ingredient."
Another rule of thumb Canepa uses is to pair the dish with a wine from the same region.
News Contact: Yasmin Hosseinzadeh, yhosseinzadeh@aii.edu or +1-415-565-9948

The Science of Gourmet Cuisine and Wine Pairings
Jane Nickles
Chef and Culinary Academic Director
The Art Institute of Austin, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston in Texas
"Food changes wines in very predictable, scientifically proven ways, and that can be for better or for worse. The bottom line is simple: food and wine go well together. You can serve any food with any wine and have a better meal."
Nickles can speak about the science of gourmet cuisine and wine pairings. Take acidic foods like salad dressing, ceviche or anything vinegary, if you pair them with an acidic wine like a sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio or riesling, it will make the wine less acidic -- and that’s a good thing. If you’re serving sweeter foods, don’t serve a dry wine like a cabernet sauvignon, merlot or chardonnay, since the sweeter food will make your wine taste less sweet.
News Contact: Yasmin Hosseinzadeh, yhosseinzadeh@aii.edu or +1-415-565-9948

Wine: It's All About Tannins
Lucia Miltenberger
Chef and Culinary Instructor
The Art Institute of Colorado
"Tannins love a nice marbled rib-eye. If you haven’t had a lot of wine, you could be turned off by the dryness, so a nice balanced riesling or a vouvray from the Loire Valley in France is a good start. For reds, try an Oregon pinot noir, Beaujolais or Rose d’Anjou from France. Not only will your palate be happy, but so will your pocketbook."
Miltenberger can speak to pairing the perfect wine with meals. It’s all about the tannins -- a wine’s pucker power, so to speak, which is derived from the grapes’ skins, stems and seeds. Tannins in red wine are powerful and, frankly, overpowering for something as light and flaky as a white fish. Miltenberger recommends some balanced whites and reds that both newcomers and wine connoisseurs can enjoy.
News Contact: Yasmin Hosseinzadeh, yhosseinzadeh@aii.edu or +1-415-565-9948

Playing Games to Keep You Fit
Li Harmon
Academic Director of Game Art and Design, Media Arts and Animation, and Visual Effects and Motion Graphics
The Art Institute of Las Vegas
"Any activity you can do outside, like cross-country skiing or baseball, you can do with these gaming systems. Some of these games even make you feel guilty if you haven’t done your virtual workout in a while."
Harmon can talk about game consoles and keeping fit.
News Contact: Yasmin Hosseinzadeh, yhosseinzadeh@aii.edu or +1-415-565-9948

Virtual Personal Trainers
Shannan Wheaton
Academic Director for Graphic Design, Web Design and Interactive Media
The Art Institute of Ohio in Cincinnati
"If you’re always on the go, start measuring just how far you are going with a pedometer application for your smartphone. And kick it up a notch with one that will post your results to your Facebook page. Not only does it track you, but it lets all your friends know if you’re slacking. We’re heading toward a video world and we’re going to see more virtual personal trainers in the future.”
Wheaton says there’s more of that kind of workout coming in the future. She can speak to interactive media and technology to keep you fit.
News Contact: Yasmin Hosseinzadeh, yhosseinzadeh@aii.edu or +1-415-565-9948

What to Expect When You Are an Empty Nester
Natalie Caine
Owner
Empty Nest Support Services
"What can you expect when you are an empty nester? Parents will experience joy and challenges. Here are some tips for parents: 1) like it or not, your children lead now; 2) pause before you text or call them; 3) now put you in the center of your circle; 4) find new meaning beyond parenthood; and 5) build a community, since the school days are over. Even if children are living at home because of the economy, parents' expectations need a course correction."
Caine, who lives in Los Angeles, is a parent who created and launched Empty Nest Support Services seven years ago, when her daughter was a senior in high school. She has been featured in Time, USA Today, Huffington Post and MariaShriver.com. Caine can discuss topics such as how to enjoy summer before you hug goodbye, how to plan for the big drop-off at college, marriage at this stage of life, how to reinvent yourself, where new friendships are and spiritual practices for the empty nester.
Website: www.emptynestsupport.com
Expert Contact: natalie@emptynestsupport.com

Working Stiffs: The Legacy of Ernest Borgnine
Kathy M. Newman
Associate Professor of English
Carnegie Mellon University
“As we reflect on Ernest Borgnine’s passing in 2012, it is interesting to consider that corporate profits are higher than they have ever been in our nation’s history, and that wages as a percentage of the Gross National Product are smaller than they have ever been. Is it possible that the age of the common man is behind us, and that the depth, sensitivity and pathos that Borgnine brought to his portrayal of ‘working stiffs’ is now only a distant memory of a better time?”
Newman, one of the country’s foremost experts on the life and career of Ernest Borgnine, is writing a book about the ways in which workers were portrayed in the 1950s, and many of the chapters in her book circle back to Borgnine, who played the “working stiff.” In Newman’s book, “Striking Images: Workers on Screen and in the Streets,” she argues that actors like Borgnine portrayed working-class people with depth and dignity during a decade in which workers were rarely represented in popular culture. Ironically, perhaps, if images of workers on screen were somewhat sparse in the postwar era, the 1950s was a very good decade for blue-collar workers in real life -- when they enjoyed significantly higher incomes than their poor and working-class parents, as well as better access to social services and government assistance, like FHA loans for buying houses and the GI bill for higher education.
News Contact: Shilo Rea, shilo@cmu.edu or +1-412-268-6094

********************

MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: bit.ly/pncjobboard

• Editor - Lubbock, Texas
• News Reporter - NYC
• Arts and Culture Editor - Richmond, Va.
• Public Safety Reporter - Huntsville, Ala.
• Regional Sports Editor - Hampton, Iowa

See more listings here.

********************

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at profnetalerts@prnewswire.com

• DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE IN TELEVISION NEWS?: ProfNet Editor Evelyn Tipacti discusses some reasons why people may be losing faith in broadcast news: bit.ly/M6Qh5n

• WEDDING BLOGS: UNVEILED: PR Newswire's Thomas Hynes shares some of the best wedding blogs he's seen: bit.ly/MpcDNu

• 5 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT PROFNET FOR REPORTERS: ProfNet Director Maria Perez highlights five things you might not already know about ProfNet for reporters: bit.ly/MlQjIp

ProfNet is a free service that provides journalists, bloggers, authors and other writers with links to experts and story ideas on the topics they cover. You’ll also find links to job opportunities and other news and resources we think you’ll find useful. To receive these updates by email, send a note to profnet@profnet.com with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition.

If you are in need of an expert source, you can also submit a free ProfNet query and have qualified sources come to you, or search the free ProfNet Connect database, which features nearly 50,000 user profiles, all searchable by keyword. If you are looking for Spanish-speaking experts, you can also opt to send your query via ProfNet en Español; just select that option when submitting your request.

Submit a free ProfNet query

Search the ProfNet Connect experts database

EXPERT ALERTS

• The Cure for Physicians' Financial Fears
• Developing Your Own Personal Style
• Fireworks Safety and Precaution
• Fourth of July Carries Peril for Children
• Title IX: 40 Years Later
• Trends in Bridal Accessories

MEDIA JOBS

• Fashion and Beauty Editor - NYC
• Reporter - Los Alamos, N.M.
• Journalist - Ste. Genevieve, Mo.
• Copy Editor - Atlanta
• Associate Producer - San Diego

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Wellness Blogs to Feel Good About
• Grammar Hammer: There 'May Be' or 'Maybe' a Shark in the Water?
• Patients Force Progress for Hospitals to Use Social

********************

EXPERT ALERTS

Expert Alerts are listings of ProfNet members who are available to discuss timely news topics. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact their media representative at the end of the listing. You can also find Expert Alerts online at bit.ly/pncalerts

The Cure for Physicians' Financial Fears
Dr. Bob Tucker
Vice President
Plancorp
Tucker, vice president of Plancorp and retired orthopedic hand surgeon, offers a distinct perspective by diagnosing the financial health of physicians and their medical practices, and combining his knowledge of the financial planning process with his awareness of the particular needs of successful physicians to advise his clients on the techniques of personal financial management.
“Because physicians have not developed a strategy for achieving their personal goals and objectives, many become vulnerable to promotions and pitches from salesmen whose interests are not always aligned with their own. Physicians are not bad businessmen -- but they are, in many cases, hurried, uninformed and overly trusting. Whether you are working with a financial adviser or have a do-it-yourself approach, there are a number of questions you should ask to determine if your planning is on target.”
News Contact: Nina Kult, nkult@commongroundpr.com

Developing Your Own Personal Style
Michael Watson
Fashion Instructor
The Art Institute of Charlotte, N.C.
"Personal style is a brand that communicates who you are without saying a word. Establishing and understanding your lifestyle is the biggest step to developing your own personal style. The more people understand who they are and what they value, the more it will dictate fit, fabrications and different looks in terms of cut."
What you wear says a lot about who you are, and Watson can offer tips to help you create a style that is unique and memorable. Taking a look at your lifestyle, body type and skin tone are the first steps in creating and understanding your personal style. From there, you can create a signature piece or look, declutter your closet, and successfully navigate the mall and current trends. He can discuss fashion trends, consumer behavior/fashion, art and fashion, fashion and costume, street fashion, and leadership and education.
News Contact: Mandy Wilson, manwilson@aii.edu or +1-412-918-5544

Fireworks Safety and Precaution
Dr. Robert Sicoli
Pediatric Emergency-Room Physician
Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
“In my 20-some years as a pediatric emergency-room physician, I’ve treated countless children who were injured as a result of fireworks. Most of these injuries could have easily been prevented if people simply exercised safety and precaution.”
According to the 2010 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 8,600 injuries involving fireworks, including burn injury, lacerations, blindness and catastrophic injuries that required emergency-room treatment. Unfortunately, 40 percent of those injuries were to children younger than 15 years of age. Sicoli is available to provide fireworks safety tips, as well as the do’s and don’ts of treating burns.
News Contact: Judy Welage, jwelage@webershandwick.com or +1-212-445-8308

Fourth of July Carries Peril for Children
Chuck Noteboom
Fireworks Injury Attorney
Noteboom The Law Firm
"It's sad that the day that marks our nation's independence has become a peril for our young children, but they are the ones that too often fall victim to the careless use of fireworks during Independence Day celebrations. Two years ago, in the weeks around July Fourth, 1 out of every 10 people treated in emergency rooms for fireworks injuries was under 5 years old. There is no excuse for this. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported more than 6,300 fireworks-related injuries between June 18 and July 18, 2010. A commission investigation during the same period found that 29 percent of fireworks-related injuries were caused by misuse, while 62 percent were caused by malfunctioning fireworks."
News Contact: Dave Moore, dave@androvett.com Phone: +1-800-559-4534

Title IX: 40 Years Later
Glada Munt
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Southwestern University
Munt was among the first generation of women to benefit from Title IX. She was the first woman to have a graduate assistantship in athletics at Baylor University, and in 1975, she was hired to help Southwestern University start its women’s athletic program -- a direct response to Title IX. Munt has been director of intercollegiate athletics at Southwestern since 1995. She is available to discuss the impact of Title IX in the 40 years since its passage (June 23, 1972).
“It has been as impactful as desegregation. The current generation doesn’t understand and, at times, doesn’t appreciate how far women’s athletics have come. They just assume that this is how it has always been.”
News Contact: Ellen Davis, davise@southwestern.edu or +1-512-863-1570

Trends in Bridal Accessories
Erica Sewell
Fashion Instructor
The Art Institute of New York City
“To look unique on your wedding day, headpieces are definitely becoming a huge trend. Feathers are a big story as far as headgear, with people putting them on fascinators, clips, combs and veils. There is also less focus on jewelry and more on statement pieces. Some brides are even wearing sneakers because the grooms are wearing sneakers. People are getting way more casual with shoes.”
Every bride wants to stand out on her wedding day while still staying on point with the current trends. Headpieces are a huge way for brides to inject some personality into their look, and brides are trading in traditional veils for headbands, fascinators, blushers and, for the daring brides, hats. Other accessories to consider are vintage jewelry worn in new or unexpected ways, anything-goes shoes and feathers. Sewell can share trends in bridal accessories that will help any bride achieve one-of-a-kind look on her wedding day, from the classic to the avant-garde. She can also speak about the topics of fashion, design, retail, trends, African design, black design, New York art and design education, creative careers, and fashion recruiting.
News Contact: Mandy Wilson, manwilson@aii.edu or +1-412-918-5544

********************

MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: bit.ly/pncjobboard

• Fashion and Beauty Editor - NYC
• Reporter - Los Alamos, N.M.
• Journalist - Ste. Genevieve, Mo.
• Copy Editor - Atlanta
• Associate Producer - San Diego

See more listings here.

********************

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at profnetalerts@prnewswire.com

• WELLNESS BLOGS TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT: PR Newswire's Thomas Hynes shares some of the best wellness blogs he's seen: bit.ly/N1Whd8

• GRAMMAR HAMMER: THERE 'MAY BE' OR 'MAYBE' A SHARK IN THE WATER?: ProfNet Editor Grace Lavigne explains when it's correct to use "may be" and "maybe": bit.ly/MARvVB

• PATIENTS FORCE PROGRESS FOR HOSPITALS TO USE SOCIAL: PR Newswire's Christine Cube discusses patients using social media to help direct their medical journey: bit.ly/LlhuOS

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EXPERT ROUNDUP: SUPREME COURT AND PPACA

EXPERT ALERTS

• Sandusky Case Reveals the Importance of Paying Attention
• ADA Discrimination Lawsuits Spiking
• Algae and Its Role in Energy Security for the Military
• Cellphone Radiation Study Takes Wrong Approach
• Finding Money for College
• NFL Concussion Litigation Rushes Forward
• Pinning Employees Can Leave Company Stuck
• Shale Gas to Fuel Long-Term Boom
• Title IX: 40 Years Later
• Work Together to Set Kids' Summer Schedules

MEDIA JOBS

• High-School Reporter-McLean, Va.
• Editorial Assistant - Chicago
• Reporter - Paragould, Ark.
• Assistant Editor - NYC
• Courts Reporter - Palo Alto, Calif.

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Tool Spotlight: MightyText
• Grammar Hammer: There 'May Be' or 'Maybe' a Shark in the Water?
• Spotlight: Deborah Skolnik, Parenting

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EXPERT ROUNDUP: SUPREME COURT AND PPACA (8 experts)

Following is a list of experts who can discuss various aspects of the Supreme Court's ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on Thursday morning. Photos of some of the following experts are available on ProfNet Connect. You can view them here: bit.ly/MUmnAA

Daniel Conkle
Robert H. McKinney Professor of Law
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
"The Supreme Court will be making important legal history if it strikes down even part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). If the court invalidates any of the law’s provisions, it could be one of the most important federalism rulings from the court -- and one of the most dramatic confrontations between the court and the president since the 1930s.”
Conkle, a constitutional law expert, is available to comment on the various aspects of the Supreme Court decision on the PPACA as it relates to constitutional law, including the constitutionality of the individual mandate, the constitutionality of the law’s expansion of Medicaid and the issue of severability -- whether the entire law must be struck down if any part is found unconstitutional.
Bio: bit.ly/LNe1YE
Website: www.law.indiana.edu
News Contact: Brianne O’Donnell, brianne.odonnell@gabbe.com or +1-212-220-4444

Charles Geyh
John F. Kimberling Professor of Law
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
“If the Supreme Court strikes down the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the decision could lead the political left to challenge the Supreme Court in ways unprecedented since the New Deal. This could include efforts that run the gamut from mild forms of saber-rattling, to more aggressive assaults on the court’s legitimacy.”
An expert on the judiciary, Geyh is available to comment on the upcoming Supreme Court decision on the PPACA as it relates to the balance of power between Congress and the Supreme Court, and the extent to which the court’s action will trigger further shifts in that balance.
Bio: bit.ly/MQiQS1
Website: www.law.indiana.edu
News Contact: Brianne O’Donnell, brianne.odonnell@gabbe.com or +1-212-220-4444

Katy Beh Neas
Senior Vice President of Government Relations
Easter Seals
"As the U.S. Supreme Court announces its ruling on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) this Thursday morning, it’s a really critical day for millions of children and adults with disabilities. Easter Seals believes access to appropriate and high-quality health care services is essential for people with disabilities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. Simply put, the ACA is critical to millions of families living with disabilities.”
Neas is available to share what the ruling will mean for the millions of families living with disabilities that the organization serves, and can connect reporters with families directly affected by the ruling to provide their perspective.
Bio: bit.ly/FS0T27
News Contact: Kristen Barnfield, kbarnfield@easterseals.com or +1-312-551-7147

Joshua Perry
Assistant Professor of Business Law
Indiana University Kelley School of Business
"Ethics are the bedrock of health care, the root of total trust between physician and patient, and what makes health care unique among economic enterprises. But rising tides of commercialization have eroded long-standing, ethics-based self-regulation and internal constraints. As systemic complexities related to cost, quality and access are debated, ethics deserve a seat at the table where policies are being argued."
Perry, a legal scholar and ethicist, says the ethical principles that have for centuries shaped the relationship between patient and physician should also guide legislators, regulators -- and justices of the highest court -- charged with crafting U.S. health care policies that demarcate the boundaries of a physician's business practice. Some of the clearest examples of these ethical considerations are the reforms to the physician-owned specialty-hospital industry enacted in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which Perry argues could have gone further and completely banned physician-owned hospitals.
Bio: bit.ly/NIX3yh
Website: www.kelley.iu.edu
News Contact: Brianne O’Donnell, brianne.odonnell@gabbe.com or +1-212-220-4444

These experts were included in Expert Alerts newsletters sent earlier this year:

Jeffrey Bunting
Founder and President
ActiveStrategy Inc.
"The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), a piece of 2010 health care reform legislation, significantly changes the way hospitals will be reimbursed. Starting in fiscal year 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will withhold a growing percentage of reimbursement dollars; these funds will only be rewarded to hospitals that demonstrate positive performance in several areas, including patient safety, quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. Even small health systems estimate that this change could put at least $1 million at risk by 2013, and perhaps double that amount by 2017. Anticipating this change, hospitals are putting new processes and technology in place now that will help them retain every bit of their reimbursement dollars in the future. For example, leading hospitals have recently started using apps created to run on iPads and iPhones that automate what have typically been very manual, time-consuming and error-prone processes, such as safety observations, patient-satisfaction assessments and quality audits. Automating these surveys and observations has saved hundreds of hours of data-collection and input time, while reducing errors and driving major improvements in patient satisfaction and quality metrics.”
Website: www.activestrategy.com
News Contact: Richard Berman, BermanTrenckCommunications@gmail.com or +1-914-572-2707

Carl Cecere
Appellate Lawyer
Hankinson LLP in Dallas
"If the U.S. Supreme Court determines that some aspects of Obama’s health care reforms are unconstitutional, that decision could call into question the constitutionality of numerous other federal laws. One important aspect of the Affordable Care Act is the requirement that states open up their Medicaid programs to all their legal residents -- not just children -- who live in poverty. The Supreme Court has agreed to answer the question of whether these Medicaid expansions overreach in placing greater demands on state Medicaid programs. If the court decides the act has exceeded federal authority, that ruling could have ripple effects on other federal laws. It’s likely that the constitutionality of federal laws that protect the environment, deter discrimination and support education would all be brought into question."
News Contact: Dave Moore, dave@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534

Cary Hall
President
Benefits By Design
“Forcing insurance carriers to cap increases to 10 percent or submit rationale to the federal government in the name of consumer protection would have the opposite effect. States and their respective insurance commissioners already have oversight of these matters and base decision-making on the local needs and requirements of their regions. Any cap is, in fact, price control, which has never been successful in the U.S., and turning insurance carriers into utility companies is not in the consumer’s best interest.”
Hall, located in Kansas City, Mo., is host of a talk-radio program called "The Health Insurance Advocate." He's a health insurance industry expert.
News Contact: Denise Bentele, dbentele@commongroundpr.com or +1-636-530-1235, ext. 224

C. William Jones
Chairman
ProtectSeniors.Org
“Tens of millions of America’s seniors are in the same sinking boat. More than 22 million retirees in America have had their earned health care benefits cancelled, with another 14.3 million on the verge of losing them. Corporate CEOs are eliminating benefits that retirees earned during their working years by agreeing to lower salaries and lessen vacation time. These sacrifices were made in return for the promise of health care benefits after retirement. There are millions of seniors who cannot afford health insurance or copays and are being forced onto Medicare Part D and Medicaid. This has been pushing federal and state taxpayers to pick up the tab for these millions of newly uninsured retirees. The system needs to be fixed.”
Jones can discuss the impact of national health care reform, Medicare, Social Security and how Washington has overlooked protecting retiree health care. ProtectSeniors.Org advocates for retiree health benefits protections.
Profile: www.profnetconnect.com/c._william_bill_j...
News Contacts: Stu Miller, smiller@butlerassociates.com or +1-212-685-4600, ext. 102; Victoria Carmanvcarman@butlerassociates.com or +1-212-685-4600, ext. 107

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EXPERT ALERTS

Expert Alerts are listings of ProfNet members who are available to discuss timely news topics. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact their media representative at the end of the listing. You can also find Expert Alerts online at bit.ly/pncalerts

Sandusky Case Reveals the Importance of Paying Attention
Gloria W. Fletcher
Children's Rights and Criminal Defense Attorney
Gloria W. Fletcher, P.A.
Fletcher, a prominent Florida criminal defense and children's rights attorney, is available to speak about the Jerry Sandusky verdict and pending civil litigation against Penn State University. Former Penn State assistant football coach Sandusky was found guilty of 45 of 48 counts of felonies and misdemeanors stemming from his years of child sexual assault. Now in his 60s, and facing a sentence of some 400 or more years, its likely Sandusky will die in prison.
"The victims -- 10 in the indictment, but apparently more in reality -- are left to spend the rest of their lives dealing with the sordid aftermath of the hell Sandusky wrought upon them. This case revealed the vital importance of paying close attention to what we see or hear. If it seems wrong, look more closely. If we know -- really know -- it's wrong, we have to take action."
Fletcher earned a $15 million settlement on behalf of more than 10 North Florida children abused in foster care and has tried dozens of other cases involving at-risk children who were sexually assaulted while in state care. In 2011, she worked diligently in her representation of a University of Florida Police Department officer accused of aggravated stalking and obstruction of justice. As a result of her efforts all charges against the officer were dismissed.
Website: www.gloriafletcherpa.com
News Contact: Michelle Friedman, mfriedman@boardroompr.com or +1-904-641-3226

ADA Discrimination Lawsuits Spiking

Michael Baum

Employment Litigation Attorney

Munck Wilson Mandala in Dallas

"Employment discrimination lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have nearly doubled in the last five years. The 90 percent increase follows changes to the ADA in 2008 that significantly broadened the range of workers protected under the statute and simultaneously made it harder for employers to obtain summary judgments for frivolous complaints. The broader definitions of who qualifies as 'disabled' under the ADA, coupled with an economic downturn in which out-of-work employees are more likely to sue their former employers, has resulted in a significant uptick in these types of lawsuits across the country."

News Contact: Robert Tharp, robert@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534

Algae and Its Role in Energy Security for the Military
Riggs Eckelberry
CEO and President
OriginOil
“Algae is the only bio-feedstock that actually absorbs a great deal of CO2, making it the perfect complement for our natural-gas boom. The military’s support for algae is dead on the money, as they adjust their strategy for the new low-cost-gas boom.”
According to the 2005 CIA World Factbook, if it were a country, the Department of Defense would rank 34th in the world in average daily oil use, coming in just behind Iraq and just ahead of Sweden. Eckelberry is OriginOil, Inc.’s president and CEO. In January of 2011, Eckelberry was named to the advisory board of the National Algae Association for his leadership in the field of algal biofuels technology. Today at MBD Energy in Australia (their first commercial partner), OriginOil is scaling their single-step extraction process for carbon capture. Eckelberry is a member of the Algal Biomass Organization and a corporate adviser to the Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Organization (IREO). In September 2009, OriginOil presented the industry’s first comprehensive algae production model, developed with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) of the Department of Energy.
News Contact: Jerry Schranz, jschranz@beckermanpr.com or +1-201-465-8020

Cellphone Radiation Study Takes Wrong Approach

Papool Chaudhari

Attorney

Reyes Browne Reilley in Dallas

"The problem with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s recently announced plan to review its standards for radiation emitted by cellphones is that it’s not looking at the problem the right way. The FCC is starting with an assumption that cellphones are safe, rather than presuming that they may actually pose a danger. If you remember, early on people thought tobacco was safe to use. How many lives might have been saved if we had started with a belief that tobacco was dangerous and worked to disprove that, rather than the other way around? The fact is, cellphones emit radiation and people hold them near their brain. We should presume they pose a danger and work to disprove that before allowing the public, especially children, to use them."

News Contact: Mark Annick, mark@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534

Finding Money for College
Darlene Violet
Director of Financial Aid
Brown Mackie College in Akron, Ohio
"In a competitive job market, earning a degree can be the biggest single step one can take to enhance career value and earning potential. As many bask in the glow of making plans to increase their career potential, the prospect of paying for college is a sobering reality. Few of us have funds set aside for this endeavor. Prospective students often don’t know where to start, but take heart."
Violet can offer advice on funding your college education.
News Contact: J. Stephen Dobbins, stdobbins@brownmackie.edu or +1-513-830-2005

NFL Concussion Litigation Rushes Forward

Eugene Egdorf

Sports and Entertainment Law Attorney

The Lanier Law Firm in Houston

"Now that the concussion-related complaints of more than 2,000 former National Football League (NFL) players have been consolidated, expect the NFL to push for a quick dismissal of the claims. The NFL will claim that health issues are covered under the league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), but a good case could be made that the NFL and its helmet supplier, Riddell, have long known of the dangers and hid them from players. And I don’t know how information that has been withheld could be subject to the CBA, because you can’t really negotiate for rights you didn’t know you have."

News Contact: Alan Bentrup, alan@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534

Pinning Employees Can Leave Company Stuck

Audrey Mross

Employment Attorney

Munck Wilson Mandala in Dallas

"As Pinterest continues to grow in usage and popularity, it’s probably a good idea to remind employees of a few key rules related to intellectual property. Whenever someone posts or ‘pins’ an image or photograph that doesn’t belong to them, they risk violating someone else’s copyright. And if it happens on a work computer, there may be problems not only for the person posting, but potentially for the company as well, as the company may have some liability for its employees' actions. Employers need to make certain their company’s electronic communications policy includes language that prohibits violating laws with regard to patents, trademarks and copyrights, and make sure employees are following the policy."

News Contact: Mark Annick, mark@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534

Shale Gas to Fuel Long-Term Boom

Arthur Wright

Attorney

Thompson & Knight in Dallas

"Even as some energy companies cut back on production, a recent study forecasts that the ongoing development of shale-gas resources will account for nearly 1.5 million new jobs by 2015. At the same time, major projects, including several multibillion-dollar petrochemical plants in the works in Texas, likely will increase demand for natural gas. Despite current low natural-gas prices and potential for the oversupply of liquefied natural gas (LNG), I believe over the long haul we’ll continue to see an increase in investment and supply as consumption increases. New markets and demand will be created, while new facilities and outlets such as expanded use of LNG will create the growth to support ongoing shale production. According to the study, cumulative investments in unconventional gas development will reach nearly $3.2 trillion during the next 25 years."

News Contact: Barry Pound, barry@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534

Title IX: 40 Years Later
Glada Munt
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Southwestern University
Munt was among the first generation of women to benefit from Title IX. She was the first woman to have a graduate assistantship in athletics at Baylor University, and in 1975, she was hired to help Southwestern University start its women’s athletic program -- a direct response to Title IX. She has been director of intercollegiate athletics at Southwestern since 1995. Munt is available to discuss the impact of Title IX in the 40 years since its passage (June 23, 1972).
“It has been as impactful as desegregation. The current generation doesn’t understand and, at times, doesn’t appreciate how far women’s athletics have come. They just assume that this is how it has always been.”
News Contact: Ellen Davis, davise@southwestern.edu or +1-512-863-1570

Work Together to Set Kids' Summer Schedules

Amber Liddell Alwais

Family Law Attorney

McCurley Orsinger McCurley Nelson & Downing, L.L.P. in San Antonio

"Summer means a break from routine, and that disruption can wreak havoc with family schedules, particularly when the parents are divorced. Couples who are divorced or in the process of divorcing need to remember that court visitation orders must be followed, but the saving grace is that most court-ordered visitation starts with the phrase 'In the absence of a mutual agreement.' So, before scheduling summer events, talk with the other parent and reach some agreements. It is important to not schedule activities during the visitation time of the other parent, unless you have the other parent's agreement in advance. And remember: as children get older, parents become less 'cool' in their eyes and they will want more independence. Both parents should try to keep this in mind when scheduling their teens' summer activities and visits."

News Contact: Rhonda Reddick, rhonda@androvett.com or +1-800-559-4534

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: bit.ly/pncjobboard

• High-School Reporter - McLean, Va.
• Editorial Assistant - Chicago
• Reporter - Paragould, Ark.
• Assistant Editor - NYC
• Courts Reporter - Palo Alto, Calif.

See more listings here.

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at profnetalerts@prnewswire.com

• TOOL SPOTLIGHT: MIGHTYTEXT: ProfNet Editor Jason Hahn highlights MightyText, an Android app and browser extension that allows users to send and reply to text messages from a computer or tablet: bit.ly/LWeIU5

• GRAMMAR HAMMER: THERE 'MAY BE' OR 'MAYBE' A SHARK IN THE WATER?: ProfNet Editor Grace Lavigne explains when it's correct to use "may be" and "maybe": bit.ly/MARvVB

• SPOTLIGHT: DEBORAH SKOLNIK, PARENTING: ProfNet Editor Evelyn Tipacti interviews Deborah Skolnik, senior editor at Parenting magazine: bit.ly/KRj3IA