What's Happening Around Kentucky

In addition to the below announcements, please view our Calendar of Events located in the top navagation bar for more of what's happening around Kentucky.

29th Annual Kentucky Women Writers Conference
September 11 - 13, 2008
Registration is now open for the 29th Annual Kentucky Women Writers Conference being held in Lexington on September 11-13. Joyce Carol Oates will be the keynote speaker on Friday night, September 12.  Other presenters include Pulitzer-Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey; poet Lisa Williams, winner of the Barnard Women Poets Prize; mystery novelist Laura Benedict; spoken-word artist Samantha Thornhill; young adult novelist Malín Alegría; memoirist and short story writer Debra Marquart; environmental writer and novelist Ginger Strand; and Jennifer Sahn, editor of Orion Magazine: Nature, Culture, Place. Pre-register before August 1 for the special discounted rate of $120 for two days, $75 for one day, and $60 for student passes.  Visit http://www.thewomenwritersconference.org or call (859) 257-2874.

International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR)
September 24 – 26, 2008
General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton, KY.  For more information and/or to register visit www.kyipma-hr.org or contact W. Maurice Brown, President-Elect at (502) 564-4850.

2008 KLA/KSMA/SELA/ARL National Diversity in Libraries
October 1 - 4, 2008
Louisville, Kentucky at the Downtown Marriott Hotel. The National Diversity in Libraries Conference is a biennial event that serves as a regional meeting for library staff members to discuss diversity issues, especially issues common to the host region's culture.  For more info visit http://www.kylibasn.org/ndlc201.cfm. 

Calling All Programs Dedicated To Increasing Girls Interest in Science and Technology
Application Deadline:  July 31, 2008
The Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative, a statewide initiative to encourage girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is currently offering mini-grants of up to $1000. Teachers, community groups and other organizations committed to collaborating, informing and motivating girls are encouraged to apply. Projects for consideration may vary from a one-day event with a single classroom or Girl Scout troop partnering with a professional organization, corporation or college exploring STEM careers to an extended project of monthly meetings or a summer camp.

Applications for mini-grants are being accepted from July 1 through July 31 and are available at: http://www.ngcproject.org/mini-grant/index.cfm
 
For more information, contact:  Nancy C. Martin, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville, Nancymartin@louisville.edu, 502 852 5226.

Artist Enrichment Grant
Application Deadline:  September 5, 2008
The 2008 Artist Enrichment Grant Application and Additional Information are now available at http://www.kfw.org.  If you’re thinking of applying or if you have decided to apply, please see the Additional Information located on the website. KFW staff has compiled this Additional Information to help you understand KFW’s mission, guidelines, grant programs, and grantmaking process. This information can help you to determine whether this grant is right for you, and assist you to make your application and work sample as strong as possible if you decide to apply.
 

Community Ventures Corporation's (CVC) Microloan Fund
CVC primarily works with minority, women, and veteran small business owners who do not qualify for traditional financing (banks etc).  For more information on this loan, please click here (pdf 83k).


College scholarships:

Women and Entrepreneurship Workshop
July 30, 2008 (9 - 11:30 am)
Louisville Metro Office for Women is introducing a free business workshop specially designed for business and professional women. Come learn how to hone your entrepreneurial skills and find out what resources Louisville has to offer small businesses and business owners. Be inspired by local women business owners in Louisville. The workshop will take place at The NIA Center, 2900 West Broadway.  For more information and to register visit:  http://www.louisvilleky.gov/OFW/WorkshopWomenandEntrepreneurship.htm

KFTC and Kentucky Jobs with Justice Announce Voter Empowerment Training
August 1 - 2, 2008
Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC) and Kentucky Jobs With Justice we will be hosting a two-day Voter Empowerment Training in Louisville on August 1st and 2nd.  They will teach skills needed to build democracy and will train attendees to become “community captains,” who will ensure that their networks of friends and neighbors are registered to vote, are educated about the candidates and the election, and prepared vote on election day.  The weekend is free to anyone who wishes to come, and KFTC will work to arrange carpools where needed.   For more information about the training, including an agenda, visit http://www.kftc.org/calendar/events/statewide-voter-empowerment-training.

Artist Enrichment Grant Workshops
KFW is offering three Artist Enrichment Grant Workshops to connect artists, explore feminism and discuss applying for a grant.  Each workshop will include resource artists who can provide first-hand experience about how KFW grants can advance artistic development for feminist social change artists.  Workshops will be offered in three locations:

Owensboro
Thursday, July 31, 6 pm - 9 pm
River Park Center, Field Founder’s Room
101 Daviess St, Owensboro
Light Meal Provided
With KFW staff Rae Strobel and Sue Massek
and Resource Artists Julie Gawne, Sue Massek, and Kelly Moffett

Louisville
Saturday, August 2, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Louisville Free Public Library, Centennial Room
301 York Street, Louisville
Healthy Snacks Provided
With KFW staff Rae Strobel and Resource Artists Olga-Maria Cruz, Gwen Kelly, and Sarah Lyon
 
Columbia
Thursday, August 7, 6 pm - 9 pm
Adair County Public Library
307 Greenburg St., Columbia
Light Meal Provided
With KFW staff Rae Strobel and Sue Massek and Resource Artists Dobree Adams, Nancy Jensen, and Sue Massek

Please register by emailing Sue@kfw.org, or calling the KFW office at 502-562-0045 (toll free at 866-654-7564).

Kentucky Women Playwrights’ Seminar Now Accepting Applications
Application Deadline:  August 8, 2008
Applications for Kentucky Women Playwrights’ Seminar (KWPS) are being accepted for seven Kentucky women writers who would like to explore the genre of playwriting and to dramatize issues that impact their lives and encourage positive social change.   An application is available online at http://silvercreekwriters.com/TrishApplicationKWPS08.html.

Carl Braden Memorial Center Presents A Community Open House and Backyard Barbeque
July 26, 2008
The Braden Center, 3208 West Broadway, will hold a community gathering Saturday, July 26th, from 1 PM to  5 PM. The event includes free barbeque, a wide range of entertainment and educational experiences with a special tribute to Alice Wade.

Since 1969 the Carl Braden Memorial Center has been the home to and hosted meetings for an impressive list of social justice organizations.  Anne and Carl were not only life-long activists for civil rights, they helped bring diverse groups of people together, effectively in the West End/Portland Communities of Louisville. The building was donated to continue justice work and now the Carl Braden Memorial Center Board and Kentucky Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression Board have committed to ensure that it’s around many years to come for the community, groups, organizations and youth fighting for change in Louisville and abroad.

For more information regarding the event or volunteer opportunities contact Shameka Parrish-Wright or Carla Wallace at 502-619-8294 or shamekaparrish@msn.com.

Lexington Bluegrass Area Minority Business Expo
July 29, 2008 (5:30 - 8 pm) - Mixer & Exposition
July 30, 2008 (7:30 am - 4 pm) - Expo, Conference & Luncheon
Lexington Convention Center.  For more information or to register view flyer (92k pdf). 

Youthbuild Louisville is Accepting Applications
Application Deadline:  July 30, 2008
YouthBuild Louisville, a non-profit agency in Metro Louisville, is currently accepting applications through July 30 for the year long program which will begin in Mid-August.
 
Participants are trained with career skills in conservation, carpentry, wood working and landscaping.  Applicants must be between the ages of 16-24, who need their GED or High School Diploma and have a desire to enter college, job placement or both at the program’s end.  Students split their time between the classroom and construction and environmental projects. 
 
In addition to job skills and on-the-job training, YBL students participate in academic development that includes GED preparation, basic computer skills, and life skills programs and activities.  The students completing the program receive a Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate.
 
The year long program is free for qualifying students and the students receive regular performance incentives, $100 per week for their time in the education classroom and then $6-9 dollars per hour when they are on a worksite.
 
After completing a 30-day trial, the participants may join the Americorps Educational Award program which makes them eligible for $1,800 in educational grants for tuition to any accredited college or trade school.  The educational grants may be used up to seven years after their completion of the YBL program.
 
Space is limited so please act now. 
Download and complete an application online at http://www.youthbuildlouisville.org/ or call 502-213-4257 .

Kentucky Women Writers Conference Announces Writing Contests
Entry Deadline:  July 31, 2008
Each year the Kentucky Women Writers Conference welcomes emerging and established voices to be singled out and cheered on by our community through writing contests. New this year, the Gypsy Slam Poetry Prize honors writers ages 13—18 who have an interest in the art of poetry.  Patricia Smith, four-time individual champion on the National Poetry Slam and a past presenter at the conference, will serve as judge. One first-prize winner will receive a literary gift basket and be invited to perform at the Gypsy Slam Promotional Showcase in Lexington this August, along with four other finalists.

They will also award three Betty Gabehart Prizes in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Each winner will receive $100, two 2-day passes to the conference, and the opportunity to read her winning manuscript at the conference.

Visit their website http://www.uky.edu/wwk/prizes.html for application guidelines. Entries must be postmarked by July 31.

To learn more about the Kentucky Women Writers Conference visit http://www.thewomenwritersconference.org.

2008 Motif Anthology
Submission Deadline:  August 5, 2008
Motif, a new anthology series to be published annually by MotesBooks of Louisville is seeking submissions for the first volume.  The theme is music, the working title is Writing by Ear and Marianne Worthington is the editor.  Submissions may be poems, short stories, song lyrics, short memoirs, essays, letters, creative nonfiction, or other forms. 

The inaugural Motif Anthology will accept submissions of these lengths:

--  Prose: Under 3,000 words
--  Poetry/lyrics: Up to 3 pieces.

All genres, including combinations of forms will be considered as long as music is referenced in the works either directly or indirectly, and the presence of music figures significantly and artfully in the piece.

The submission deadline is August 5, 2008 with publication anticipated in November 2008.

Each contributor whose work is accepted will receive one (1) complimentary copy of the book upon publication as payment.  Contributors will also receive an ongoing contributor's discount (equivalent to wholesale pricing) for unlimited purchase of additional copies to use or resell.
 
For a complete description of specific submission guidelines visit http://www.MotesBooks.com or email MOTIF@MotesBooks.com.

Kentucky Women Playwrights’ Seminar Accepting Applications
Application Deadline:  August 8, 2008
Applications for Kentucky Women Playwrights’ Seminar (KWPS) are being accepted for seven Kentucky women writers who desire to explore the genre of playwriting and to dramatize issues that impact their lives and encourage positive social change. The deadline for completed applications has been changed to August 8th.  Trish Ayers received funding for the seminar from a KFW 2008 Arts Meets Activism Grant.

An application is online at http://silvercreekwriters.com/TrishApplicationKWPS08.html. 

Commonwealth of Kentucky Buyer/Vendor Exchange
August 25, 2008 (1 - 4 pm)
RSVP By:  August 18, 2008
For more information please view attached flyer (pdf 323k).

Roundtable Networking Luncheon
September 17, 2008
Sara Combs, Chief Justice, KY Court of Appeals, will kick off the September 17th Roundtable Networking Luncheon, sponsored by Women Leading Kentucky.  The Roundtable is held at Sal's Chophouse, Lansdowne Shoppes, on the second floor, from 11:45 - 1:30 p.m.  Her topic is "My Story:  Challenges Faced & Leadership Lessons Learned."  For more information and to register, go to www.womenleadingky.com.

2009 Literary Gift of Freedom Award
Application Deadline:  October 3, 2008
A Room of Her Own Foundation is dedicated to helping women artists achieve the privacy and financial support necessary to pursue their art. The foundation annually provides an award of $50,000 to a woman writer. The foundation's 2009 Literary Gift of Freedom Award will be given to an American woman writer who is a U.S. citizen and will be living in the U.S. during the grant period. Acceptable genres for this grant are poetry, playwriting, creative nonfiction, and fiction. The program requires a $35.00 application fee. The application deadline is October 3, 2008.

For more information and an application visit http://www.aroomofherownfoundation.org/giftfreedom_application.php.

UofL NewEnergyTo Work Out Racial Kinks
2007-2008 Fall Schedule

Power To End Stroke Campaign
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association invites you to help to bring lifesaving awareness to the African-American community about the risk blacks have for stroke. The American Stroke Association’s Power To End Stroke campaign educates while embracing and celebrating the culture, energy, creativity and lifestyles of African Americans. It unites African Americans to help make an impact on the high incidence of stroke within the community. You are urged to take the Power To End Stroke Pledge to prevent and overcome stroke. Additionally, if you are a business leader in your community, concerned healthcare professional, volunteer who believes in the heart health of the African-American community, leader in your community faith-based organization, director of a community center, clinic or social services center …  the American Heart Association would welcome you as an Ambassador for the Power To End Stroke campaign. Share your power to make a difference!

To help make an impact on the high incidence of stroke in the African American community take the attached pledge. Complete and send the attached pledge form to Debra Eichenberger at Debra.Eichenberger@heart.org or Rogers Gardner at Rogers.Gardner@heart.org and share this message with others who may be interested.

Discover Your Own Backyard and Win!
If rising gas prices aren’t enough to keep Kentuckians closer to home throughout the vacation season, perhaps winning a contest will sweeten the attraction. 
Kentuckians can now log on to the web site www.mykentuckybackyard.com  and register for prizes as part of the Kentucky Department of Tourism’s “Discover Your Own Backyard” promotion that invites residents to visit state events and attractions throughout the summer vacation months.  Daily drawings will be held from May 5 through August 14 and a prize awarded each day.  Participants must reside in Kentucky.
 
Gift certificates, tours, concert tickets and dinner-for-two are just a few examples of the many prizes listed on the web site. All prizes are valued at $50 or more and were contributed by businesses and attractions from throughout the state.
 
“Kentucky literally has something for everyone,” said Mike Cooper, commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Tourism. “’Discover Your Own Backyard’ is an opportunity for Kentuckians to have some additional fun with all the events and attractions that Kentucky has in abundance.”

Everyone who registers will be eligible for a grand prize houseboat trip on Lake Cumberland to be awarded at the Kentucky State Fair in August.  The trip, aboard a luxury houseboat provided by the Lake Cumberland State Dock, is for a three night weekend or four night mid-week package.  The winner will receive a certificate for a 2008 trip and dates are subject to availability.

Another way to participate in “Discover Your Own Backyard” is by uploading a story of your favorite Kentucky adventure to be considered for posting on the website.  At the mykentuckybackyard.com site, click on “Tell us about it!”  (Uploading vacation photos is a feature that will be added to the website later.)

To see a complete list of prizes and to register to win, log on to mykentuckybackyard.com.  To check out all the great things there are in Kentucky log on to www.kentuckytourism.com.

September 6, 2008
2008 Regional Meeting Bluegrass Alliance for Women
Fayette County Cooperative Extension Office
Program details available August 2008

September 11- 12, 2008
Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo and The Kentucky Commission on Women present Making the Grade:  Kentucky Women’s Health Summit, Capital Plaza Hotel; Frankfort, KY