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Clay legacy inspires peace initiative in Lexington
Lexington is thought of as a place that produces world-class thoroughbred racehorses. But the Central Kentucky city is not (yet) known as a site for the resolution of international disputes. With the support of some of Kentucky's leading horse farm owners and the legacy of a famous Kentuckian known as "The Great Compromiser," that could soon change.
The Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship has opened in Clay's law office on Mill Street with a goal of hosting negotiations to resolve international conflicts. "We're hoping to create a center for statesmanship that reflects the ideals of Henry Clay, his ability to communicate and compromise," noted board co-chair Robert Clay, owner of Three Chimneys Farm. "There is a big void in the country and in the world in this respect."
The Center, in partnership with the University of Kentucky and Transylvania, will immediately develop an annual short course exposing top college juniors from each of the 50 states to a curriculum in diplomacy, dialogue, listening skills, negotiation and mediation. "Students can be very infectious," said former U.S. Ambassador and peace negotiator Cary Cavanaugh, now director of The Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at UK. "These students will go back to 50 different states. And when they're done with their summer vacation they will return to 50 different universities. And the hope is that we will plant seeds for discussions and ideas that will be repeated at dinner tables across the country as well as in those late night dorm discussions that will help instill a greater debate and a bigger discussion about the merits of compromise."
Co-chairing the Center's board with Clay is advertising executive Bill Giles. D.G. Van Clief is Board president. Also serving on the board are John Hall, John Carroll, Mira Ball, William Farish, Jr., Phyllis George, Tracy Farmer, Dr. Kay Clawson, Dr. Charles Shearer, Ambassador Cavanaugh and Alex Boone. Mindy Shannon Phelps is executive director. Additional partners include Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate and the Kentucky Society of Washington, D.C. The Center is governed by a National Advisory Committee co-chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and former Kansas Senator Nancy Kassebaum.
Changes at Small Business Development Center
The Lexington Area Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is now the Bluegrass Small Business Development Center. The center which serves Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Harrison, Jessamine, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott and Woodford counties, is changing its name to emphasize that its service area extends far beyond the boundaries of Lexington and Fayette County.
"The SBDC office in Lexington receives great support and has helped numerous clients throughout Central Kentucky," said Becky Naugle, KSBDC State Director. "Therefore, we believe it is necessary to recognize all the communities we serve by renaming the center."
In addition to the name change, the Bluegrass SBDC recently moved to the Commerce Lexington Building. The SBDC's new address is: 330 East Main Street, Suite 210, Lexington, KY 40507. The phone number remains (859) 257-7666 or (888) 475-7232.
The Bluegrass Small Business Development Center provides no-cost confidential business consultations; affordable business workshops and seminars; and research to make informed business decisions. The SBDC is part of the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Small Business Development Center, a network of service centers located throughout the commonwealth.
Geek Squad to sponsor IdeaFestival
Geek Squad has signed on as title sponsor of the 2007 ideaFestival scheduled for September 13-15 in Louisville. The festival, which originated in Lexington in 2000, attracts some of the world's leading and most diverse thinkers to explore and celebrate innovation. More information is available online at www.ideaFestival.com
Horse Council offers safety net, feed program
The Kentucky Horse Council is offering to help the horses of owners in financial distress.
The Equine Safety Net program will provide a 30-day supply of feed for horses when the owner is having temporary financial difficulties and is unable to supply adequate nutrition. The program is for individuals only, and is not intended for professional equine businesses. The applicants can apply for feed for a maximum of two horses, and may receive assistance once during a two-year period. Applicants must also provide evidence that they have provided responsible care for their horses in the recent past.
To be considered for the assistance, the individual can be referred by a Kentucky Horse Council member. If they do not know a Horse Council member, they may call the Kentucky Horse Council office directly, where additional information will be requested for proof of eligibility.
To apply, contact a Kentucky Horse Council member to refer you, or call the office directly at 859-367-0509 and request Safety Net assistance.
Triple Crown Media sells Graylink
Triple Crown Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: TCMI) has sold its wholly owned indirect subsidiary, GrayLink, LLC to a third party. GrayLink Wireless is a provider of wireless services, primarily paging services, in non-major metropolitan areas in Alabama, Florida and Georgia and also operates 13 retail locations for wireless services in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
In a statement, Tom Stultz, President and CEO said," The sale of GrayLink, LLC will allow management to concentrate on our core businesses. We appreciate the work and loyalty of our employees at GrayLink and wish them well."
LexArts announces grants
LexArts announced the 2007-2008 allocations to its Beneficiary Groups:
• Actors Guild of Lexington - $72,500
• Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras - $28,000
• Lexington Art League - $52,500
• Lexington Children's Theatre - $120,500
• Lexington Philharmonic - $160,000
• Living Arts & Science Center - $101,250
In addition to their allocations, the Beneficiary Groups are partnering with LexArts to meet the recently approved Challenge Grant from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government in the amount of $150,000. The objective of this Challenge is to expand the base of support for the arts in Lexington-Fayette County. In return for assisting LexArts with meeting the Challenge the Groups will receive additional funding.
Environmental Commission seeks nominations
Each year the Environmental Commission recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations and unique institutions that have contributed to the improvement of the local environment.
Nominations are now being accepted and must be postmarked by August 31. Awards will be presented in November.
The Commission will select four honorees who reside or do business in Fayette County. Awards will be based on the following criteria:
• Improvements in air, water and soil quality (elimination and/or reduction of pollution)
• Elimination and/or reduction of litter and waste
• Aesthetics (visual improvement through landscaping and/or architectural design)
• Educational projects that enhance environmental awareness
Nominations must include nominee's name and address; nominator's name and phone number; and an explanation of how nominee meets the criteria.
Nominations should not exceed one typewritten page and should be postmarked on or before August 31. Photographs would be helpful.
Last year's award winners were:
• Aylesford Place Neighborhood Association - Woodland Park Flower Garden Project
• Fayette County Cemetery Trust - Lisa and Ron Sanden
‚Ä¢ Friends of Wolf Run — Organizational cleanup and protection of Wolf Run Creek
• Shell Litter Bag Campaign - Thoroughbred Energy, Strategic Media, Police Officer Don Evans, Clear Channel Radio.
Nominations should be sent to: James R. Rebmann, Division of Planning, 7th Floor, 101 E. Vine St., Lexington, Kentucky 40507
KAM debuts Employee of the Year Awards
The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) will debut three Kentucky Manufacturing Employee of the Year awards at its annual awards luncheon on Friday, Nov. 2, at the Galt House in Louisville.
Each of the three winners will receive an award as well as a $500 cash prize. The first 50 nominations received by KAM will earn a free KAM baseball cap for both the nominator and nominee.
Awards will be given in the small, mid-size and large category based on how many employees work at the nominee's facility: Small — Up to 100 employees; Mid-Size — 101-300 employees; Large — More than 301 employees.
Awards will be based on four general criteria: innovation, teamwork, community service, and leadership. The deadline for nominations is August 31. A panel of judges, representing industry (management and labor) educational institutions and economic development organizations will review each nomination and select the winners.
In addition to announcing the employee award-winners on Nov. 2, KAM will also announce three Manufacturer of the Year award winners in the small, mid-size and large companies.
To receive a copy by mail, call (502) 491-4737.