Important "freebie" for inventors coming to UK
Inventors with bright ideas but dim communications skills can learn how to express their concepts to potential investors, buyers, manufacturers and distributors in a free training session on April 9. UK's Center for Manufacturing is offering the session at the Robotics Building on Thursday, April 9 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. In addition to learning how to translate ideas, inventions or technology into a clear business proposition, participants will be given passwords to register inventions on Planet Eureka's Innovation Marketplace website. Registration on the site usually costs $2,000. The password must be used between April 9 and noon on April 12.
Once an idea is submitted, inventors will get an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of their ideas as business propositions. The result is then ready to go on the Web site, where businesses and individuals can search the marketplace inventory for products and services that fit their needs. They also can create a request to publish their specific needs on the site, permitting inventors to send ideas to them through a private, secure server.
Pre-registration by Tuesday, April 7, is required.
For more information or to register, visit www.mfg.uky.edu/innovation, or contact Stephanie Woolery at (859) 257-6262, ext. 234, or e-mail her at swoolery@mgf.uky.edu.
Downtown Bistro adds film series to cultural fare
In its quest to become something of a local cultural mecca, Natasha's Bistro & Bar on The Esplanade in downtown Lexington will add a film series featuring post-screening discussions with directors, screenwriters and others to a menu already boasting homegrown theater and live local music.
The venue will launch "Kaleidoscope Micro-Cinema" on the evening of April 6. "The 'K' will screen films ranging from old classics, foreign and domestic to the latest independent films from around the world," said Natasha's co-owner Bruce Barnett. Kaleidoscope Micro-Cinema will also celebrate the work of local/regional film makers. "Our plan is to grow the series to a level that supports film premieres and a juried festival," he said.
The series gets underway on Monday, April 6, with the Tim Kirkman film "Loggerheads," a 2005 Sundance selection and winner of the Nashville, Florida and Outfest Film Festivals. Starring Tess Harper, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Learned and Chris Sarandon, the film will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in the stage room at Natasha's, followed by a discussion with writer/director Kirkman. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (859) 259-2754.
Seminar on marketing an equestrian business
The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) is partnering with Equestrian Professional.com to offer an interactive seminar on developing and implementing marketing strategies for the equestrian business. "Marketing for the Equestrian Business" will be held at the Fayette County Extension Office from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 21 and will be taught by longtime horse professional and Equestrian Business and Marketing Consultant Elisabeth McMillan.
Summit hears business credit is available
The availability of credit was a hot topic at the first Bluegrass Business Summit, sponsored by InsightBusiness, Netgain Technologies and Business Lexington.
Bo Henry, President of Republic Bank-Central Kentucky, noted that local banks do have money to lend but the rules have tightened: 100 percent loans are highly unlikely and applicants need to have all of their financial information current and available.
First Federal Bank President Bill James said businesses are more likely to have success in securing financing from community banks, those headquartered in Kentucky that have not needed a federal bailout.
'08 crime stats remain low despite slight uptick
The Lexington Division of Police released its crime statistics from 2008, and while uniformed reports inched up by 3.4 percent over 2007, last year came in with the third lowest crime rate since 1990.
Lexington Police said in a release that for most of the year 2008 statistics were on pace with 2007, which was Lexington's lowest crime rate in 30 years, but an increase in activity in August pushed the number of reported crimes to 11,549 for the year, up 380 from the previous 12 months.
Police also stated that Lexington's "crime clearance rate" - the likelihood of offenders being caught - should once again greatly outpace national averages. Over the last decade, according to the Lexington Division of Police, the property crime clearance rate was 9.6 percent better than the national average while the violent crime clearance rate was 4.4 percent better than the national average.
The 2008 clearance rate was down to 28.35 percent from 29.7 percent in 2007. Over the last 10 years Lexington's clearance rate ranged from a high of 33.72 percent in 2000, to a low of 26.44 percent in 2005. - Erik A. Carlson
Kentucky women still lag on pay equity
How do the working women of Kentucky compare with the national average when it comes to earning power?
American women make 77 cents for every dollar paid to men working in the same or similar jobs. But in Kentucky, the average for women versus men is 4 cents less.
Kentucky men holding bachelor's degrees average nearly 51 percent more then women holding the same degree.
These statistics and more are contained in Overview of Women In Kentucky in 2009, a report from the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights.
The report notes that women make up the largest segment of Kentucky's population at 51 percent, yet only 15 percent of all elected officials in Kentucky are female.
Fayette County Farm Bureau Auction helps scholars, farmers
The Fayette County Farm Bureau's 26th annual farm equipment consignment auction held recently at the Kentucky Horse Park was a boost to scholars and farmers alike. According to John Mahan, Fayette County Farm Bureau president, the auction succeeds each year because of its twin goals: providing a service to people throughout central Kentucky to buy and sell used equipment, and generating funds for the FCFB Education Foundation's college scholarship fund. The FCFB Education Foundation's mission is to make a difference in the lives of Fayette County students through the scholarships provided, anticipating that these students will, in turn, make a difference in our Bluegrass area when their education is complete. Since 1996, the Foundation has provided nearly $500,000 to students in scholarship amounts of $5,000 per year, for a maximum of four undergraduate years.
Efforts of nearly 50 Fayette County Farm Bureau members, who volunteered 1,500 hours collectively to the auction, are directly responsible for the auction's success as was the Kentucky Horse Park's donated use of its grounds.
Auctioneers from Swinebroad-Denton, known for selling multi-million dollar horses at the local sales, chanted from truck beds as they moved down each farm equipment auction row.
Sellers consigned more than 1,100 items, primarily farm equipment including tractors, seeders, earth compacters, chain harrows. Lawn and garden tools, fencing, tents and bundled lots of potted shrubs, as well as one gently used paddle boat and a variety of four-wheelers were also found among the auction lots. Over 1,300 individuals, 21 percent more than in 2008, registered as bidders: cattle farmers, horse breeders, tobacco and crop farmers, equipment resale dealers, mechanics in search of parts, and gardeners in need of mowers and tools. Some returned home with a handful of weed eaters to be scavenged for parts, others with sizable John Deere tractors.
The economy may have had a hand in bringing more bidders to the auction, making well-priced used equipment more attractive than ever. And, as Farm Bureau member Frank Penn pointed out, there are two things a farmer will never hold on to: "One's a bad cow, the other's a dollar."
Financial tallies at the auction's close proved Penn right, at least regarding the dollar. While the number of items consigned this year was smaller than in 2008, the total dollar value of equipment sold was nearly $900,000. After consignors and auction expenses are paid, sales commissions are expected to generate approximately $50,000 for scholarship awards for talented Fayette County students.
For information about next year's auction or the scholarship program, contact Carrie Johnson, executive director, Fayette County Farm Bureau, at (859)253-0023. - Jane S. Shropshire
Lexington students win top honors in statewide math competition
Valerie Sarge and Vania Ma of Winburn Middle School placed first and second respectively at the state Mathcounts competition held in Lexington. They competed with 152 "mathletes" to win four-year scholarships to UK or U of L. Sarge and Ma will go on to compete in the national Mathcounts competition in Orlando, Florida in May.
Uncle Sam wants a few good taxpayers
The IRS is looking for "civic minded volunteers" to serve on its Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP). The panel listens to taxpayers, identifies key issues and makes recommendations for improving services. To become a TAP member you have to be a U.S. citizen, current with your taxes and able to pass an FBI criminal background check. TAP members serve three year terms and are asked to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year.
Correction
In the March 6 article, "Big Ass Fans expands facility to keep pace with growth," Mike Adams was incorrectly identified as the "project architect" and the "on-site architect." Mr. Adams should instead be identified as a LEED Accredited Professional.