$10.5 million awarded to study obesity-disease link
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have been awarded a $10.5 million, five-year grant to establish a center of excellence to study the links between obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Funding for the center will come from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that supports thematic, multidisciplinary Centers of Biological Research Excellence (COBREs) across the country.
Lisa A. Cassis, professor and chair of the Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences, will be principal investigator of the COBRE in obesity and cardiovascular disease. She will lead a team of five junior investigators, comprising a mix of physician and basic scientists, and senior researchers who will serve as mentors, advising and overseeing research projects. Cassis' laboratory focuses on identifying the biological mechanisms that cause obese people to develop cardiovascular disease, of direct relevance to the theme of the COBRE.
Humana reports steep 3Q decline
Humana Inc. reported a third-quarter profit decline of nearly 40 percent. The health insurer cited a downturn in the company's investment and securities lending portfolios and the sale of distressed financial institution securities. In addition, Humana anticipates declines in premiums from its Medicare prescription drug plans.
Humana earned $183 million or $1.09 per share in the 3rd quarter, down from $302.4 million, or $1.78 per share, for the same period in 2007.
The company has reduced its earnings projections for the fourth quarter and the full year.
Fraud examiners holding seminar
According to a new report by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, U.S. organizations lose 7 percent of their annual revenues to fraud. The report found that of frauds perpetrated in small businesses, only 14.3 percent were found by external audit, with tips playing the role of the most common detection method at 41.7 percent. Of all frauds in the report, 35 percent of respondents cited inadequate internal controls as the primary reason the fraud went undetected.
Barr, Anderson & Roberts, PSC will host a free breakfast seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on November 6 at Malone's Banquets to " share insights and expertise on one of the most costly white collar crimes in the United States." Discussion topics will include secrets and early warning signs of financial fraud and tips for prevention measures. For more information, contact Elizabeth Young at 859-268-1040 or eyoung@barcpa.com.
Regional law firm first to join office environmental initiative
Law firms use a whole lot of paper. An informal survey conducted by Arnold & Porter of eight law firms, ranging in size from small to large, in several areas of the country, found that copier/printer paper use alone ranged from roughly 20,000 to about 100,000 sheets per attorney at those firms during 2006. (This doesn't include additional copying/printing performed for clients by vendors at outside locations, such as trial sites and client locations.)
In recognition of the environmental impact, Stites & Harbison, PLLC, has become the first Kentucky firm to join the ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge, a national conservation initiative. The regional business and litigation firm is participating in best practices for office paper management.
Under the program, at least 90 percent of all types of copier, printer, letterhead, bond paper, and envelopes used by the firm contain at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled content; at least 90 percent of discarded mixed office paper is recycled; systems have been set to "power save" default mode; CRT displays have been replaced by LCD; users are asked to shutdown systems at night; aluminum cans and toner cartridges are recycled; green cleaning products are used; all offices have switched from styrofoam eating products to paper, with some now opting for re-useable silverware, plates, bowls, and cups instead of plastic; individual recycle bins have been distributed to staff; and all lights are turned off at night.
Law offices can participate in four programs under the pilot initiative: 1) utilize best practices for office paper management, 2) participate in the EPA WasteWise Program, 3) purchase renewable energy via the EPA Green Power Partnership Program and 4) reduce energy use by 10 percent via the ENERGY STAR Program.
Green Expo sees big boost in attendance
Part trade show, part educational exhibits, part interesting demonstrations the fifth annual Bluegrass Green Expo offered visitors a wealth of useful information about reducing energy costs and negative environmental impact in their homes and businesses.
The event's goals were threefold: "1. Help consumers save energy and money, while increasing the comfort, health and value of their homes. 2. Increase demand for energy saving, green living and renewable energy products and services. 3. Promote public dialogue about energy use and conservation, green living and renewable energy, while encouraging informed decisions and creative solutions for Kentucky's future."
Held October 25 and 26 at the Lexington Convention Center, the Expo not only gave attendees the chance to learn how to lower their energy bills, it saved them the price of admission.
At no charge, visitors could attend numerous workshops within the broad topics of transportation, energy, sustainable living, and green building. They could hear presentations on solar water heating, bicycle riding in Lexington, green remodeling, passive solar homes, rain gardens, green materials, sustainable cities, community gardens, a history of public transportation in Lexington, minimizing energy usage, and other relevant subjects.
Visitors could ask questions of local and national architects, engineers, builders, and other experts. They could also talk to representatives of businesses offering energy-saving products and services.
Outdoor demonstrations and events included a walking tour of some green buildings, a solar car test drive, the portable sawmill (for recycling downed trees into usable lumber), and instructions for converting a car to run on waste vegetable oil.
A 60 percent increase in attendance over last year reflected increasing interest in using energy wisely, but there is obviously much more to accomplish. The Bluegrass Green Expo will be back next year.
-Margaret Buranen
Vespa dealership to open off Nicholasville Road
Lexington's first Vespa scooter dealership will be opening on Moore Drive by mid-November, according to owners Michael Wright and Whit Hiler who, along with Dan Hiler, will sell the famed Vespa and Piaggio scooters, starting at less than $2,000.
"Mindsets have been changed," Whit Hiler said, noting the recent steep spike in gas prices. And even though the cost at the pump has come down to more tolerable levels, he says the 70-MPG scooters will have a market in Lexington.
"It just feels better when you go to the pump, swipe your card and you're like, 'Oh, it's $7.' It doesn't feel bad at all," he said. The tanks on the scooters range from one and a half to two and a half gallons, depending on the bike.
The Piaggio line will range from $1,899 to $8,899, and Vespas will be priced from $3,000 to $6,300.
-Erik Carlson
More new businesses on North Limestone
Cousin businesses Al's Bar and Stella's Deli have welcomed two new members to the family. Al's Sidecar, formerly known as Cheater's and located directly next door to Al's Bar on Sixth Street and North Limestone, will hold a grand opening on November 6, featuring a variety of live bands playing at Al's Bar. With a Cajun-oriented menu featuring red beans and rice, jambalaya and etouffee, Sidecar will continue Al's tradition as a casual eatery specializing in local, home-cooked food. "We can actually increase the variety of local products that we can use because those [menu items] are a little more flexible in that way," said part-owner Lester Miller. Sidecar will eventually offer a large variety of boutique beers. Sidecar will start off operating in the evenings from Thursday through Saturday, during the hours when Al's Bar charges a cover for live music. Miller says Sidecar will cater to those who want to go out and have a good time but aren't particularly interested in whatever music may be playing at Al's, or those just looking for some good Cajun food. Sidecar will never charge a cover.
Cultural Preservation Resources (also known as C.P.R.), a shop specializing in locally-made goods and also serving as a small music venue, opened in mid-October. Located directly behind Al's Bar, C.P.R. operates during hours that, while typical for a music venue, are a bit unconventional for a shop (Wednesday through Sunday, from 5 to 10 p.m.). But then again, owner Darin King isn't really going for "conventional." King says he hopes to create a haven for art and music that don't have another venue. Live music will be featured every day from Wednesday through Sunday and will include local and traveling bands.
King, a DJ at UK's college radio station, WRFL, has an open-minded approach to music and doesn't give preference to any particular genre - - he books "basically any kind of music people want to come play with not a very big guarantee of money."
The concept of Cultural Preservation Resources centers on consuming local, i.e., buying and promoting local products, supporting local independent businesses, and viewing local art, music, and crafts as valuable cultural resources - - a familiar concept to friends of Al's and Stella's, both of which are substantial supporters of local food, beer, music and community efforts.
-Saraya Brewer