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AG Edwards economist counsels flexibility in careers
"The most secure thing anybody can be is diverse in their talents." That was the sage advice for today's emerging workforce from Gary Thayer, vice president and chief economist at A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. following his recent appearance before the Lexington Rotary Club.
"Students or young people getting into the workforce shouldn't think that it's a bad thing to change jobs every once in awhile," said Thayer. "I think that's getting to be more of the norm than the exception: the idea of getting out of school, getting a great job and working there for 30-years is not today's world. Most people, when they get out of school will take a job in one area, see what they can learn there, and switch to something else that they think they would like and gain experience there. That's where you build up security, in the experiences that you gain in different fields."
Thayer said the underlying national economy is "a lot healthier than people believe." He cited as factors increased de-regulation, more companies rising to the challenge of global competition and stable stock prices as earnings have increased.
Business leaders to assess higher ed
How successfully is Kentucky meeting the goals for postsecondary education mandated by the state legislature 10 years ago? One answer will come from the business community.
The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has convened a task force of business leaders headed by E.ON U.S. Chairman, CEO, and President Victor A. Staffieri to conduct an independent review to determine Kentucky's progress. The results will be presented to the governor and 2008 General Assembly.
The Council on Postsecondary Education has okayed raising the minimum requirements on the ACT college-entrance exam for students to be guaranteed admission to credit-bearing courses.
Effective in fall 2009, incoming freshmen will need a score of 19 in math and 21 in reading on the exam to be placed into a credit-bearing course. The current math and reading score is 18.
EKU hosts homeland security webinar for professionals
Dr. Pam Collins, principal investigator in a cooperative agreement with Department of Homeland Security/FEMA's Incident Management Systems Division and Executive Director of Eastern Kentucky University's Justice & Safety Center will present a free 90-minute continuing education webinar on June 7. Dr. Collins plans to share pertinent updates to the National Incident Management System. The webinar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST and will provide the latest NIMS information regarding compliance, technical assistance, standards, testing, training and resource management. Those interested in participating can register online at www.gotomeeting.com/register/626266692
Hospitality workers to receive ambassador certification
Lexington's hospitality workers will be certified ambassadors in time for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to better guide visitors to points of interest and ensure our guests the best possible experience in the Bluegrass.
The Convention and Visitor's Bureau has contracted with Mickey Schaefer, a Tucson-based meeting industry consultant to establish the Lexington Tourism Ambassador program as she has in a number of cities.
The program will educate hotel employees, restaurant servers and other frontline hospitality workers on how to most effectively welcome out of town visitors and how to direct them to activities and destinations they might find interesting.
"Aligning everyone toward consistent messaging about what a great city you're from, what a great region you have and making sure that they're all cognizant and aware of how important it is that the visitor is welcomed," Schaefer said of her goals following a presentation to the Bluegrass Hospitality Association's annual convention.
Schaefer said the program, which is individualized through research and focus groups for each city should also have a component that will offer discounts to hospitality workers at local restaurants and other attractions to give them first hand experience and better able to provide recommendations to visitors.
The certifications will be renewed annually.
Newberry expands Summer Youth Employment program
Mayor Jim Newberry has moved to make the city's Summer Youth Employment Program bigger and better this year.
"We will offer a broader range of opportunities for more youth, and we are putting more emphasis on education," Newberry said in a statement. "We want youth to emerge from the program knowing what life is like in the workaday world. We also want to give as many young people as possible the opportunity to begin to explore career goals." The program has been increased from four to six weeks.
Representatives of several businesses that will be participating in the program by employing a young person this summer joined Newberry in making the announcement. Those businesses include Premier Mortgage, Ashland Inc., Cobra Farm and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers, St. Joseph's Hospital, the United Way and Grogan's Healthcare Supply.
DDA and DLC to share office and cyber space
The Downtown Lexington Corporation headed by Renee Jackson has moved into the Phoenix Building offices of Harold Tate's Downtown Development Authority in an effort to better serve downtown in their separate areas. The DDA is engaged in the re-development of the downtown while the DLC promotes downtown events and supports area businesses.
Beyond office space, the two have launched a joint Web site, www.downtownlexingtonky.com that the two groups hope will unify downtown and continue its transition into a lively urban center.
FEI and Conway launch new shows on WLAP
The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc., organizer of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, launched a new weekly radio show in May. The weekly talk show, "The 2010 Countdown Show," airs Sundays from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Clear Channel's 630 AM WLAP. The show focuses on equestrian sport issues, with specific emphasis on all aspects of planning for the 2010 Games. Jack Kelly, CEO of the Foundation serves as host and will feature in-studio guests regularly to discuss the various aspects of preparing for the 16-day competition as well as other issues and events related to the Kentucky Horse Park. The weekly show also can be heard online at www.feigames2010.org or directly from WLAP's site at www.wlap.com.
Area sports announcer Leland Conway has moved into the 9am-noon weekday slot on WLAP. Conway, founder of The Conservative Edge website and blog, said his approach is a departure from mainstream conservative talk radio. "I'm not in this to vilify people for their political views," he explained. "I'm in this to take a position and it will be a strong one. But I would like to have people who disagree with me on my show on a regular basis to discuss the issues and debate productively."
Conway said he is interested in searching for solutions to Kentucky's problems and "will come at that from a conservative point of view."
KAM accepting nominations for '07 awards
Kentucky Association of Manufacturers is accepting nominations for its 2007 "Manufacturer of the Year" awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 31. Awards will be presented at the annual luncheon ceremony on Nov. 2 at the Galt House in Louisville.
The Manufacturer of the Year awards recognizes the contributions manufacturers make to their employees, customers and communities.
The 2006 winners were Big Ass Fans in the small category, Span Tech in the mid-size category and Tarter Gate in the large category.
LFUCG challenges LexArts to raise dollars
Mayor Jim Newberry has offered a challenge grant for LexArts in the amount of $150,000. Pending a positive vote from the Urban County Council, the LFUCG will match gifts from first-time donors dollar for dollar up to $1,000 per gift.
Eligible contributions include outright gifts from new donors, individuals, businesses and corporations. Matching gifts from the corporate sector also qualify. Gifts of all sizes are encouraged with $1,000 of each gift eligible for the match. Interested donors may visit the LexArts website www.lexarts.org or send a contribution directly to LexArts, 161 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY 40507.
Correction
Rossi's Restaurant is located In Chinoe Center on Chinoe Road in Lexington.
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