Faces and places

Steve Buckner and Phil Wilke, both of Lawrence, have opened Write This Way, a freelance communication business. Write This Way offers writing, editing and design services for organizations and companies.

Buckner and Wilke have a combined 25 years of experience in journalism, trade publications, public relations and corporate communications.

For more information, contact Buckner at 856-3500 or steve@writethisway.biz; or Wilke at 760-4030 or phil@writethisway.biz.

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Brian Pine, of Pine Family Farm, was elected vice president of the Kansas Turfgrass Foundation at its 52nd annual conference Nov. 19-21 at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka.

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Mary VanCleave, Overland Park, is participating in the rural internal medicine experience with Gerald Pees, clinical assistant professor of internal medicine. She is a medical student at the Kansas University School of Medicine-Wichita.

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The Helping Hand of Goodwill Industries has named Larry Jones as president of the agency. He previously was vice president. Jones is a graduate of Rockhurst University and University of Missouri.

The agency is in the process of opening new retail stores in Olathe and Belton, Mo. There are plans for opening additional Goodwill stores in the Kansas City Metro area in 2003. Goodwill operates a store in Lawrence. The stores provide funds for vocational evaluation, training and job placement services to those who have disabilities, disadvantages or other special needs.

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Kansas City, Mo.-based Aquila will contribute up to $100,000 through its Aquila Cares program to provide energy assistance to low-income people. For the first time, Aquila’s ServiceOne appliance repair company also will contribute to energy assistance funding. Aquila will supplement its utility customers’ donations to the Aquila Cares program at 50 cents on the dollar in 2003.

In Lawrence, Warm Hearts handles the Aquila Cares fund distribution. Aquila customers should have received information about making donations in their November energy bills.

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CFRE International has awarded Shawn A. McDaniel the professional designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). McDaniel, a Senior Consultant for Pennington & Company of Lawrence joins over 4,100 professionals around the world who hold the CFRE designation.

Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, professional achievements and a commitment to service to not-for-profit organizations. Additionally, candidates must pass a written examination.

Pennington & Company is a fund-raising firm specializing in serving fraternities and sororities

Coming events

The Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center will present a seminar “How to Organize a Visual Workplace with the 5S System from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in Overland Park.

The seminar aims to teach manufacturers how to organize, order and clean the workplace so employees can do their jobs safely, effectively and efficiently.

The seminar will be at the Holiday Express, 7200 W. 107th St. The fee is $250 for a single registration nd $225 each for groups of three or more. Lunch is provided. To register, call (888) 649-4333.

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The National Business Institute is sponsoring a seminar “Residential and Commercial Evictions in Kansas” from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 3 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Overland Park.

The seminar will cover topics such as avoiding tenant problems, eviction action and ethical considerations.

Jonathan Becker and Ralph Lewis II will be teaching the seminars. Becker is a sole practitioner in Lawrence where he practices in the areas of bankruptcy, landlord and tenant law and criminal defense. He received his juris doctorate from Kansas University.

Lewis is a sole practitioner in Kansas City, Mo., where he practices in residential and commercial landlord/tenant matters. Lewis received his juris doctorate from KU.

The cost is $249 per person or $239 per person for three or more from the same firm. Persons can register by calling (800) 930-6182; by fax at (715) 835-1405 or online at www.nbi-sems.com.

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The City of Lawrence, Codes Enforcement Division is inviting individuals involved with the construction industry to attend a braced wall tutorial.

The tutorial will address conventional and alternate braced wall panels, as well as approved alternative engineered designs such as the American Plywood Association’s sturdy wall design and the Simpson strong wall system.

Tutorials will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30a.m. on the following Thursdays; Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19. All sessions will be in the conference room of the Neighborhood Resources Department, 1Riverfront Plaza, Level 1 Suite 110.

Reservations are not required and there is no admission fee.

For more information, please contact the Neighborhood Resources Department at 832-3100.

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A forum on how to access capital and make a company “capital ready” will be Dec. 12 at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 4801 Rockhill, Kansas City, Mo.

The forum will feature the following topics: Funding the Business; The ABCs of the Term Sheet; Writing a Business Plan for Equity Capital; and Pitching Your Company.

The forum is sponsored by KCCatalyst, InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. There is a $75 fee to attend. To make reservations, call (816) 235-6182.