Feb. 14 not as sweet for restaurants this year
   Valentine's Day is the third most-popular occasion for dining out, trailing only birthdays and Mother's Day, according to statistics from the National Restaurant Association. But Valentine's Day won't be as lucrative for restaurants this year because it falls on a Saturday, says David Pavesic, professor of hospitality administration at Georgia State University. Because Saturday is typically their busiest night of the week, restaurants won't get the sales bonus of packing the house on an otherwise slow weekday evening. As result, fewer restaurants may offer special menus and package deals to compete for diners this year, he says. Contact Pavesic at 404/651-3678 or hrtdvp@gsu.edu.

Valentine's Day - love it or leave it?
   Valentine's Day is certainly not all things to all people, says Georgia State University sociologist Denise Donnelly. For some, the holiday can help revitalize a flagging relationship -- while for others, its significance is frivolous and limited to exchanging candy, flowers and gifts, she says. "There are also gender differences in how people express themselves," says Donnelly. Women are more likely to verbalize and demonstrate their love, while men don't feel the need. "Men feel they are showing their love by coming home in time and making good money," says Donnelly with a laugh. Contact Donnelly at 404/651-1852 or socdad@langate.gsu.edu.

Love, medieval style
   Perhaps Valentine's Day cards weren't a Hallmark invention after all. According to Glenn Gunhouse, a medieval art historian at Georgia State University, many of the symbols we associate with the holiday date back to the Middle Ages. "It's at this time that we begin to see evidence in art of the notion that love is somehow related to the heart," he says. Manuscripts from the Middle Ages often show illustrations of lovers exchanging hearts. "The modern, stylized Valentine heart appears in medieval manuscripts very much as it appears today," Gunhouse notes. "Though sometimes it is shown with blood vessels coming out the top." Lovers also gave each other heart-shaped "love books," which appear very similar to today's Valentine's Day cards, he says. For more, contact Gunhouse at 404/651-0502 or glenn.gunhouse@excite.com.

Professor: Gay rights groups fighting wrong battle over 'marriage'
   A recent ruling by a Massachusetts high court permitting same-sex marriage has been touted as a victory by gay rights activists. But should gay rights groups really be making marriage a critical part of their political agenda? Instead of advocating for "marriage" -- a religious sacrament that historically belongs to the church -- gays and lesbians should be petitioning for domestic partnerships that are regulated by the state, says James Darsey, an associate professor of communication at Georgia State University. "The term 'marriage' is a rhetorical redoubt, a term that, even if won, will hardly be worth the expenditure of time, money and energy, and the backlash the battle will create," says Darsey, an expert on gay rights rhetoric. "Churches should be allowed to define 'marriage' as they see fit. Domestic partnerships on the other hand, ought to be a legal designation, and this is where the state enters in," he says. "The state has a right and an obligation to license and regulate relationships defined by civil law, and it needs to be required to do so on a basis that grants equal recognition to parties without respect to the genders/sexual orientations of the partners. This is the battle that the Human Rights Council and others ought to be fighting." Contact him at 404/651-4873 or via e-mail at jdarsey@gsu.edu.

Expert: Couples who work together stay together
   Couples who work together may actually better their odds for having a successful relationship, according to a Georgia State University expert. Sharing both home and the workplace can actually strengthen a pair's bond -- and cut down on some of the financial and emotional strains facing twosomes who often travel long distances to different jobs, says Makungu Akinyela, an assistant professor of African-American studies at Georgia State University. "It's the day-to-day hassles that create so much stress for couples, especially for those where both partners work outside the home," says Akinyela, a licensed marriage and family therapist. But even those couples who share the same work environment should make an effort to communicate during the day, he says. "It's the pairs who stay in contact throughout the day -- doing things like getting together for lunch or calling each other -- that do the best. When you're living and working together, it can enhance your relationship -- but like anything, you've got to work at it." Contact him at 404/651-4948 or makinyela@gsu.edu. For more on the topic, including audio, visit Georgia State University's Radioline at http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwrad/.

Marriage tax may remove romance from Valentine's Day
   Valentine's Day is a popular time to pop the question. But thanks to the so-called "marriage tax" penalty, some women might have to settle for candy and a card instead of a diamond ring. The marriage tax mainly affects couples whose combined incomes push them into a higher tax bracket than either partner would face as an individual earner. A recent study by Georgia State University economics professor James Alm shows that the marriage tax often dissuades couples who already live together from marrying. "There are over 50 items in the income tax code -- and over 1,000 sprinkled throughout the federal laws -- that create marriage penalties or bonuses," Alm says. Contact him at 404/651-0420 or jalm@gsu.edu.

Just an old-fashioned love song
   Love songs have been an essential part of our lives throughout recorded history, says Alan Raines, director of choral activities at Georgia State University. He points to the biblical Song of Solomon as an example. "Written text combined with music is the ultimate form of praise and/or worship in a tradition that goes back into the ages," says Raines. "Not just in the fine arts, but in all areas of life, man feels a need to express his innermost thoughts or feelings of affection, not just for another person, but also for various aspects of the world around." For more about love songs and how they influence our lives, contact Raines at 404/651-1732 or araines@gsu.edu.

Happening at Georgia State University:

Program honors first black female astronaut
   In celebration of Black History Month, Georgia State University's Office of Student Life and Leadership/Intercultural Relations, in collaboration with the NAACP and the Sankofa Society, will host a one-woman show honoring astronaut Mae Jemison at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Student Center Speaker's Auditorium (corner of Courtland and Gilmer streets). The program, which features local actress Joanna Maddox, is designed to increase awareness of Jemison's accomplishments and her contributions to the field of science. In 1992, Jemison became the first black woman to enter space when she served on the crew of the space shuttle Endeavour. A reception will immediately follow the program, which is free and open to the public. For more information, please call at 404/463-9031.

Jazztet to perform with recording artist Kevin Hays
   The Georgia State University Faculty Jazztet, under the direction of Gordon Vernick, will perform with Blue Note jazz recording artist Kevin Hays at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Recital Hall (corner of Gilmer Street and Peachtree Center Avenue). Hays, a pianist and composer, has performed and recorded with some of the most prominent and influential musicians in jazz. His 1994 release, Seventh Sense, was praised by The New York Times and his recordings have received recognition in scores of other publications. The concert is free. For more information, call 404/651-INFO.

Ron Carter Quartet to perform at Rialto
   Ron Carter, who is among the most original, prolific and influential bassists in jazz, will perform with his quartet at 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts (corner of Forsyth and Luckie streets). Laying down the foundation for more than 3,000 albums, Carter has recorded and toured with many of music's greats -- Tommy Flanagan, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B. B. King, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery and Bobby Timmons. From 1963 to 1968, he was a member of the classic and acclaimed Miles Davis Quintet. Tickets range from $30 to $55 and may be purchased at www.rialtocenter.org or by calling 404/651-4727. For more information, contact Amy Moudy Comeau at 404/651-2981 or acomeau@gsu.edu.

Georgia State Leads is a biweekly e-mail publication from the Department of University Relations. For more information about the publication or to sign up to receive Georgia State Leads, contact Beth Flannigan at 404/651-3576 or bflannigan@gsu.edu.

Don't see what you're looking for? Call University Relations at 404/651-3025 for fast access to faculty experts and university news. After hours and on weekends, contact Betsy Robertson, assistant director, via pager at 404/655-3456.

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