HIGHLIGHTS: Law group enters adoption custody fight - Aug. 22

Give blood to set a new record-Aug. 21

Get your hands dirty! - Aug. 23-24.

LAW SCHOOL GROUP ENTERS ADOPTION FIGHT - Aug. 22. An Ohio State University College of Law group has entered an emotionally charged, interstate custody battle for a 3-year-old that will be heard at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (8/22) by the Ohio Supreme Court. Regina Moore and Jerry Dorning of Covington, Ky., have been trying to get their son Justin back from his adoptive parents, Rich and Cheryl Asente of Girard, Ohio, since March 1998. Complicating the case is the fact that the Asentes have already adopted Justin's older brother. Moore and Dorning only want Justin returned. Ohio State's Justice for Children Project has filed a "friend of the court" brief with the Supreme Court, asking the justices also to consider the rights of the brothers as they make their custody decision. Katherine Hunt Federle, a professor of law and director of the project, says the brothers have a constitutional right to be together. Federle and her students will be in the courtroom while lawyers for both sides argue their cases. Contact: Katherine Hunt Federle, College of Law, 292-9177

GROUNDSKEEPERS, GLASSBLOWERS AND CURATORS-OH MY! It takes more than 15,000 people to run the state's flagship university. All will be honored during Staff Appreciation Week Aug. 21-25. In addition to groundskeepers, administrators and program managers, however, some of the state's most unique jobs are in the university. Interview some of the interesting people who work as dinosaur experts, art curators, glassblowers and farmers. Contact: Amy Murray, University Relations, 292-8385

OSU ATTEMPTS TO SET NEW RECORD IN BLOOD DONATION-Aug. 21. The Schottenstein Center is the site of Ohio State's attempt to set a new record for the most blood collected during a single day event during the OSU Community Blood Drive, "Give Someone a Schott at Life," Monday (8/21) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The local Red Cross hopes to gather 400 units of blood during the drive to help reduce the area's shortage. Eligible donors can call 247-7670 to schedule an appointment. Contact: Bethany Dohnal, American Red Cross, 253-2740, ext. 2320.

OFF TO COLLEGE? WARD OFF THE HOMESICK BLUES-Most students going off to college for the first time are surprised to find themselves feeling homesick. Even though they see themselves as independent and are often excited about being on their own, many students find themselves calling or going home every weekend. Counselors at Ohio State have helped their share of homesick students adjust to their new environment. Our experts advise students to make friends and get involved, ideally during the first two weeks at college, to ease separation anxiety from family and friends. Contact: Karissa L. Shivley, University Relations, 292-8395

GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY! - Aug. 23-24. Join landscape, grounds-maintenance and tree-care professionals for a unique workshop on soil and plant health care, Wednesday and Thursday (8/23-24) at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster. The 21-hour course offers practical information for urban landscape systems. Participants visit OARDC's Secrest Arboretum and the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute gardens. Sessions cover physical, biological and nutritional properties of soils; soil modification practices in ornamental horticulture; field labs; and soil diagnosis. Contact: John Lloyd, Ohio Plant Health Care Coordinator, (330) 263-3735

HOW MANY FINGERS?- Aug. 24. The College of Optometry, 338 W. 10th Ave., is offering free vision screening for preschoolers Thursday, (8/24) from 8:15 to 11:30 a.m. Testing takes 15 to 30 minutes and includes assessment of vision clarity, eye teaming, refractive error and eye health. Vision disorders are the leading cause of handicapping conditions in childhood, but early detection increases the likelihood of effective treatment. For an appointment, call 292-2020 and select option 5. Contact: Beth Haas, Vision in Preschoolers Study coordinator, 292-3189

The person listed as Contact will have the best information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story--Reggie Anglen, 292-8423; Elizabeth Conlisk, 292-3040; Amy Murray, 292-8385; Lesley Deaderick, 292-0569; Melinda Sadar, 292-8298; and Karissa Shivley, 292-8295.

Compiled by Amy Murray, University Relations, (Murray-Goedde.1@osu.edu)