This 24 hour time lapse of wholesale electricity costs in our area show just how detached ratepayers are from what is really going on with wholesale energy prices. This was provided courtesy of the Office of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Don’t worry it only takes about a minute to watch.
http://www.EnergyCollection.us/Companies/MidwestISO/MISO_LMP_7-21-2011.wmv
“Your success is the city of Evansville’s success,†said Mayor Lloyd Winnecke during the kickoff of the first ever Evansville Startup Weekend hosted February 24-26 at the University of Southern Indiana College of Business.
The 54-hour event where developers, designers, marketers, product managers, and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startups, was a success from start to finish.
More than 40 pitches from would be entrepreneurs started the action on Friday evening, and by the end of the night, 10 ideas had emerged as winners. An investment and wealth production company, a coffee shop, an Evansville nightlife website, web and mobile apps, hybrid fitness equipment, and even a carbon emissions filtration system for automobiles were among the selected startup ideas.
More than 70 participants formed ten teams that worked feverishly through the weekend to develop their ideas and to come up with a five minute presentation that would wow a panel of local judges including Dr. Drew Peyronnin, angel investor; Luke J. Yaeger, Evansville Commerce Bank; Douglas K Wurmnest, B2B CFO; Linda E White, president and CEO Deaconess Health System; Joe Trendowski, Schroeder Family School of Business Administration; Courtney Mickel, Berry Plastics Corporation; and Tony Schy, founder and CEO, P-Stim USA.
Over the course of the weekend, teams had access to resources and mentors and listened to advice from guest speakers.
When the dust had settled on Sunday evening, three winners emerged with the top prize going to the furnishapp.com including team leader, Michael Patzer, a 2009 graduate of the USI College of Business and owner of Orange Apps; Andrew Heil of Ariens Co.; and Andy Markle, of Auto Trader Monthly magazine.
Furnish is an augmented reality app for iPhone or android devices that allows you to walk into a room and place furniture around the room virtually. The app was targeted toward interior designers and furniture companies.
“I’ve spent time in Silicon Valley and there are a lot of these types of events out there,†said Patzer. “It’s awesome that this is here in my home town of Evansville and at my university, USI. I never thought we’d have anything like this here, and I hope that we have more events like this in the future.â€
The team received a prize package from local businesses including three months of office space at Innovation Point donated by GAGE (Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville).
Second place was awarded to team ICUC, which developed a business model that provides eye care diagnosis and treatment for patients in third world countries.
Third place went to the GoNoGoApp team who developed an aggregated information application that would not only provide answers to consumers with questions, but also provide businesses with valuable market research data.
“I’m a strong believer that good ideas, or what we deem innovative ideas, are not that until they are put out in public and vetted, touched, seen, experienced, and intersected with,†said Bryan Bourdeau, instructor in business and co-event organizer. “This event allows people to come together with similar mindsets, and the College of Business was designed for communication and ideas like this to happen.
“I can assure you that the entrepreneurial “flywheel” is in motion and will continue to stay in motion. USI and the College of Business are being realized and acknowledge as leaders in the identification and development of our local and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.â€
Event organizers, in addition to Bourdeau, included Dana Nelson, a social strategist with Out Cloud, attorney Doug Briody, Michael Effron and Janet L. Effron of Four Rivers Group LLC and Andrew Heil of Ariens Co.
Core local sponsors for the Evansville Startup Weekend included GAGE, the USI College of Business and WEVV-CBS 44, with support from the Kansas City, Missouri-based Kauffman Foundation.
IS IT TRUE? February 28, 2012
IS IT TRUE that we respectfully suggest that EVSC school board should have sent the recently recognized students with scholastic achievement to the USI Science and Engineering Fair that had more than 600 projects entered?…that we suggest to our alleged intellectually-based EVSC administrators that the 5000+ students sent to an ice hockey game would have benefited more from this truly academically-based Science and Engineering Fair at USI?…that we respectfully suggest that the intellectually-based EVSC administrators take a look at our most recent CCO poll results and see what how our readers reacted to this very subject?
IS IT TRUE that the off-track betting center Indiana Downs stood before the Evansville City Council last night and made an economic argument that they should be granted an exemption to the recently passed smoking ban that takes effect on April 1st?…that their representative was oblivious to the fact that two readings and a vote had been held previously?…that the Indiana Downs representative admitted to “dropping the ball†when it came to showing up to ask or even apply for an exemption before the widely publicized February 13th vote by the City Council?…that to come before council after “dropping the ball†that Indiana Downs claims could cost them 20% of their revenue would not exactly inspire any private investor to be prone to invest in this business?…that Indiana Downs is currently under the protection of a bankruptcy proceeding and has been since April of 2011?…that one fact stands out and that is that Indiana Downs entered bankruptcy at a time that smoking was pretty much a free for all in its facility?…that if Indiana Downs is not granted an exemption and proceeds to emerge from bankruptcy as a profitable business that anti-smoking advocates will be claiming that banning smoking saved the place?…that the bankruptcy trustee can take this issue into consideration as having material relevance to Indiana Downs financial capacity going forward?
IS IT TRUE that this will be something to behold as it unfolds as any Tom, Dick, or Harry who owns a 2 stool bar could make the same argument that Indiana Downs made last night?…that some small bars actually did not “drop the ball†and made that same argument on or before the February 13th vote?
IS IT TRUE that the silence about the McCurdy Convalescent Home for Bats and Pigeons is deafening?…that another winter has nearly passed with nothing of any restorative nature happening with the historic McCurdy?…that the McCurdy continues to stand as a monument to local government ineptness?…that we seem to have lost count of the days since the self congratulatory announcement was made that restoration was secure?…that the taxes on the McCurdy that were due last November 10th are still not paid and that another installment will be due in 2 short months?…that as spring approaches and the sun shines a bit more on this historic piece of Evansville property that the grass will begin to grow, the former mayor’s beanstalk will sprout leaves, the rats will come back and the snakes will follow?
IS IT TRUE that the Murray State Racers are back in the Top 10 checking in at #9 in the country?…that with tournaments coming up there is a very real possibility that the Racers will be ranked in the #5 position on selection Sunday if they can take care of business in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament?…that if not for that one slip up with Tennessee State that the Racers would be ranked #3 right now and possibly looking at a #1 seed in a regional?…that they may just pull out a #2 seed anyway if the conference tournaments go their way?
Hello from Mike or Michael as he is affectionately called! Mike is a feisty, 1-year-old, neutered DSH. Mike is the life of a party and is looking for an active home with older children because he likes to get a little wild and crazy at times. Mike does well with other cats but they need to have his feisty personality, otherwise he will be too much. A dog might just be the perfect companion for our little Michael. He loves to play with toy mice and pounce on paper sacks. At the end of the day though, Mike is a super sweet cat that loves to cuddle close and sleep with his head on your arm. For more information on Mike visit www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563.
Members of the Media:
The Office of the Indiana Attorney General will defend the state’s new Right to Work statute, House Enrolled Act 1001, from a legal challenge filed today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. Our office has not yet been served with the lawsuit. By law, the Attorney General represents state government officials named in civil lawsuits – including the Governor and Commissioner of Labor – and also defends from legal challenges the statutes passed by the Indiana General Assembly. Attorney General Greg Zoeller today issued this statement:
“Legal challenges are part of the process to test whether laws are constitutional. Though we respect the right of private plaintiffs to disagree with this new law, the State’s position is that the Legislature was within its authority to create a new policy concerning mandatory union dues. My office’s duty is to defend the laws the Legislature passes and we will do so diligently here,†Zoeller said.
Thanks,
Bryan Corbin
Public Information Officer
Office of the Indiana Attorney General
317.233.3970
Bryan.Corbin@atg.in.gov
How can Anderson be that much cheaper than Evansville?
In a surprisingly realistic move, the City of Anderson, Indiana has proposed a baseball complex to be called “The Farm” that will have 12 baseball fields two of which will be indoors. The net cost of $6 Million for “The Farm” works out to only $500,000 per baseball diamond and is expected by Anderson officials to draw 30,000 visitors per year to participate in 75 tournaments. The feature of two indoor diamonds will allow year round use of the facility.
The cost and expectations of the Anderson proposal are in stark contrast to the $18 Million complex proposed by the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2010 that would only have had 8 outdoor ball diamonds. At that time the ECVB also stated the expectation that 100,000 visitors per year would visit the 8 proposed fields. Perhaps if a realistic proposal like the one in Anderson had been put forward the Evansville project would have garnered support and moved forward.
Bob Warren, the president of the ECVB has issued a letter stating that a ballfield complex could be done at the Roberts Stadium site for between $8M and $10M which is about half off from the proposal from the CVB board in 2010 that went down in flames. A formal quotation to accompany any estimates would go a long way toward explaining why everything built in Evansville with public money seems to cost double what it does anywhere else. When compared to the Anderson proposal even a ballfield complex at a 50% discount to the last overpriced and over-hyped one may not be a bargain.
To see the entire description of these fields and the expectations that Anderson officials have please follow the link below.
http://heraldbulletin.com/sports/x233319095/Officials-announce-softball-baseball-complex
IS IT TRUE? February 27, 2012
IS IT TRUE that it was reported last week that the winter of 2012 has thus far been one for the record books?…this record is for a winter where the snow never came and the temperatures have been overall a bit higher than what we normally get?…that in spite of such things the three people that we are closest to and ourselves reported record high Vectren bills in the month of January?…that maybe the warmer winter made us all inch that dial up a few degrees to keep from shivering indoors as had become the mode of operation for the immediate few years?
IS IT TRUE that SW Indiana has had unexpected positive surprises with the weather in the past?…that there was a winter about 10 years ago that had nearly no snow and lots of pleasant days?…that as this writer recalls that one was followed by a doozy with a 24 inch snow before Christmas and a pond that stayed frozen for months?…that there was a summer of 2007 or 2008 where it was so temperate that people were able to turn their air conditioning off to the point that it sent shock waves into Vectren?…that the use of electricity that summer was about 10% below normal and expected use?…that the temperate weather enabled us all to save money on our electric bill and conserve energy as we had been admonished to do since childhood?…that as summers go that is one of the best in the memory bank for weather in SW Indiana?
IS IT TRUE that following that wonderful summer Vectren’s accountants put forth the news that their top line was so adversely effected that they would be needing a rate increase to make up for our energy conserving ways?…that the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission rolled a seven for Vectren and granted them the increase so that their top line was not hurt by the good weather?…that the next summer was hot and sweaty and people turned their AC back on only to learn that record bills were the result of the rate increase?…that we do not recall a request for a rate decrease following that year of record heat and record bills?…that we really hope that Vectren does not pull the “guarantee my top line†argument out again to request another rate increase based on our once a decade nice winter?
IS IT TRUE that things like that are reminiscent of the game of flipping coins where the bully on the playground would set the rules of the game with an iron fist?…that the rule of the bully was “HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU LOSEâ€?…that there are so many things where that rule or the accompanying rules “MIGHT MAKES RIGHTâ€, and “HE WHO HAS THE GOLD MAKES THE RULES†seem to beat everyday people to a pulp?…that the CCO hopes that this year’s good weather will not become a reason to increase utility rates and that decoupling that we supposedly have at least for gas will do what has been advertised as one of its benefits to ratepayers?
IS IT TRUE that today is the day that the Indiana Senate will begin discussions on a statewide smoking ban?…that the state Senate would be well advised to study each and every constitutional challenge that has been upheld for “arbitrary and capricious†exemptions?…that the piece of junk that the State of Indiana came up with last year had so many exemptions that even the American Cancer Society rejected it?…that passing something that has loads of “arbitrary and capricious†exemptions will just cause unnecessary legal expense that the people of Indiana will have to pay?…that if Indiana is to have a smoking ban let it be a good one that is not “arbitrary or capricious†in its granting of exemptions?
This year’s Tri-State Science and Engineering Fair, held annually at the University of Southern Indiana, will be the largest to date, with over 600 projects on display in the Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness Center (RFWC) on March 8-9. The fair provides opportunities for K-12th grade students to showcase their interest in scientific research and receive community recognition for their achievements and is open to students from within a 75-mile radius of Evansville. Last year, more than 600 students presented over 500 projects.
“USI’s Tri-State Science and Engineering fair gathers an assembly of students who are compelled to fortify their educational experience with a research or engineering design project,†said Allison Grabert, SwISTEM interim director. “USI’s mission for the science and engineering fair is to celebrate the innovation and STEM successes of our region’s youth. With over 600 student exhibitors this year, we have a lot to celebrate.â€
Categories include animal sciences, behavioral and social sciences, chemistry and biochemistry, earth and space sciences, engineering, environmental sciences, mathematical and computer sciences, medicine and health sciences, microbiology and molecular biology, physics, and plant sciences.
New this year is the cMoe Invention category for students in kindergarten through third grade. The Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville (cMoe) will sponsor a special invention award for students K-3 who design and present invention projects. This marks the first time the fair will be open to students in grades K-3. Winners of the cMoe Invention Special Award will win a certificate, cMoe passes, and the opportunity to display their inventions at cMoe. They will be judged at the same time as the Jr. and Sr. Divisions. The overall K-3 Invention winner also will win $50.
Grand Award Winners in the senior division will receive an iPad. Honorable Mention Winners in the senior division will receive $100.
Grand Award Winners in the junior division will also receive an iPad. Honorable Mention Winners in the junior division will receive $100.
Juniors and seniors exhibiting at the Tri-State Science and Engineering Fair will have the opportunity to compete via an interview process for several four-year $1,500 renewable USI scholarships.
Elementary Division Winners will receive an iPod.
Students will set their projects up in the RFWC from noon to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 8. Judging will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. that evening. The fair will be open for the public to view from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 9. The awards ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. that evening in Mitchell Auditorium in the Health Professions Center.
Grand Award Winners and Honorable Mention Winners in both the senior and junior divisions will advance to the Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair (HSEF). HSEF exhibitors will compete to join the delegation to represent Indiana at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The fair has been held at USI since 2007.
Nativity Catholic Church, located at 3536 Pollack Ave., will host the February Traveling City Hall Meeting on Wednesday, February 29, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Traveling City Hall is an opportunity for residents to meet one-on-one with the mayor and various city department heads to ask questions or simply to discuss the status of our community.
In addition to Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, some of the officials scheduled to be present at the meeting include City Councilwoman Missy Mosby, Human Relations Commission Director Diane Clements, Building Commissioner Ben Miller, City Engineer Pat Keepes, Area Plan Commission Executive Director Brad Mills and Solid Waste District Executive Director Joe Ballard.
While the Traveling City Hall meeting will be held at different locations in neighborhoods throughout the city, all residents are invited to attend any session.
The March Traveling City Hall Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 28th, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at St. James West United Methodist Church, 3111 Hillcrest Terrace.
The staff and current Board of Directors of the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville are pleased to welcome a fresh group of board members from business and government entities in Evansville, IN. “By engaging new leaders, we expand the resources available to help us in our mission of bringing new jobs to Evansville and revenues to our local companies,†said GAGE President, Deborah Dewey.
New members include:
Stephani Catt, Executive Vice President & Chief Operation Officer – Uniseal, Inc.
Nelson Ford, Senior Vice President & Business Banking Executive – Fifth Third Bank
Philip Hooper, Executive Director – Department of Metropolitan Development
Stephen Melcher, Commissioner – Vanderburgh County
Tom Shetler, Jr., President – City Council
Brian Townsend, Partner – Rudolph, Fine, Porter & Johnson, LLP
Lloyd Winnecke, Mayor – City of Evansville
The seven new board members join a twenty-one member Board that oversees the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville’s financial operations, strategic performance objectives, invest donations, and provides expert consulting conducive to GAGE’s initiatives.
A full list of the 2012 GAGE Board is available at, http://www.evansvillegage.com/board/
