Learning Curve Inc., a Lawrence-based tutoring center, has established a family education loan program with SLM Financial, a Sallie Mae company. The program provides low-interest financing to help families pay for tutoring services provided by Learning Curve.

Learning Curve, owned by Shawn and Susan Fowler, specializes in reading, writing and math programs for children in kindergarten through eighth grades. Summer camps are scheduled in June and July.

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Rosalie Fulks, independent consultant for Arbonne International, recently attended the Arbonne National Training Conference in Las Vegas.

Dan Clark and Joel Weldon were the keynote speakers of the three-day training session. Other speakers included Rita Davenport, president of Arbonne; and Robert Henry, chairman and CEO. Arbonne International offers products for skin care, color, nutrition and aromatherapy.

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Peggy Johnson, senior financial adviser for American Express Financial Advisors in Lawrence, recently earned membership in the Million Dollar Round Table. The organization represents top life insurance and financial service professionals from a variety of companies.

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Jim Lock, president of the Regional Advisory Council of Catholic Community Services, announces new board members: Jeanie Brown, Tom Neuberger, Myron Melton, Darinda Messer and Sandra Rongish. They will serve a three-year term. Catholic Community Services, 320 Maine, provides counseling for all faiths.

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Ashley Klepper and Emily Transue have joined Color Studio in Lawrence.

Klepper, a hair designer, is a graduate of the American Academy of Hair Design & Day Spa, Topeka. She recently attended the Redken Symposium. Klepper specializes in color, hair design and precision cuts.

Transue is a licensed massage therapist. She also is a graduate of the American Academy of Hair Design & Day Spa. Transue is a certified nail technician and her specialties include Swedish, pre-natal and chair massage.

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Breast Cancer Action Inc. has changed its name to Breast Cancer Awareness of Douglas County. Board members for 2005 are Judy Hollingshead, chairwoman; Donna Neuner, vice chairwoman; Sheryle D’Amico, treasurer; and Sue McDaneld, secretary. The group will have a tea July 16 to reintroduce itself to the community under is new name.

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Heather Kohlmeyer, a certified massage therapist, recently joined Lawrence Rehabilitation Clinic. Her specialty areas include therapeutic and relaxation massage for adults and children. She also provides massage education.

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Carol Gilmore is the new assistant director of food and nutrition services at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Gilmore shares management responsibilities with a specific focus on the nutrition and patient service programs.

Gilmore has been working as a part-time clinical dietitian at the hospital since 2002. She also has worked as a clinical and food service management consultant for various long-term care facilities and as manager of patient food service at Kansas University Hospital.

Gilmore is a member of the American Dietetic Assn., Kansas Dietetic Assn., and American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Gilmore has been involved in a variety of presentations about nutrition, diet and food service management. She also has written and published articles. Gilmore has a Master of Science degree in nutrition and is a registered licensed dietitian.

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Dr. Gary Joyce, Lawrence, has been selected to serve as chairman of the Consumer Relations Committee for the Kansas Optometric Assn. The appointment was made during the association’s convention in Overland Park.

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Carmen Hocking, Lawrence, has completed the second phase of a professional development program on the wedding business and has been designated an accredited bridal consultant, one of 31 such consultants to have the designation bestowed by the Association of Bridal Consultants, which conducted the program. Hocking operates A Beautiful Wedding in Lawrence.

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The Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau had an exhibit at the 16th annual Kansas Sampler Festival, May 7-8 in Newton. More than 6,600 people attended the event, which drew officials from more than 300 community officials, entertainers, historic performers, entrepreneurs and food vendors from across the state. The festival celebrated what there is to see, do, taste, hear, buy and learn in Kansas.

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Charlton Manley announces the promotion of Penny Lieber to account manager in the company’s Trucking Department. Lieber has been a Charlton Manley employee since 2003 and has been a commercial lines technical assistant in the Lawrence office, where she will continue to work. Charlton Manley, which also has offices in Topeka and Overland Park, provides professional insurance advice to individuals and businesses in the area and nationwide.

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Patti Butcher, Lawrence, president of the Kansas Library Assn., was among those urging Capitol Hill legislators to support libraries as part of National Library Legislative Day, which was May 3-4 in Washington, D.C.

Butcher met with staff members of Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback, R-Kan., to seek support for library legislation and funding now pending in Congress. The delegation also met with Rep. Jim Ryan, R-Kan., and staff members for Reps. Dennis Moore, D-Kan.; Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan.

About 480 librarians, trustees, and library advocates representing 45 states participated in the 31st annual event, sponsored by the American Library Assn.

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Global Spectrum has named Kelvin Moore general manager of the Overland Park Convention Center.

Moore, formerly assistant general manager of the Greater Richmond Convention Center, will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Overland Park center.

Honors and awards

Radiologic technologists from Lawrence Orthopaedic Surgery recently earned awards at the 68th annual conference for the Kansas Society of Radiologic Technologists.

Heather Razak earned first place in “Most Interesting Case Presentation.”

Ginger Heere and Brenda Billings received the top two awards in the category of “General Film.” The conference was April 28-29 in Hutchinson.

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The Topeka Regional Marketing Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas recently was honored by the company for its performance during the first quarter of 2005.

The office achieved the highest health enrollment sales percentage among the three Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas regions for the quarter.

Consultants for the regional staff are Jennifer Turpin, Lawrence; Pateese Harden, Doug Martens, Donna Pashman and Lisa Toyne, Topeka; Jeff Kramer, Pittsburg; and Jackie Tomes, Manhattan. Joe DeWerff is the regional sales manager.

Coming events

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has extended the sign-up deadline for two programs.

The deadline has been extended to May 20 for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. The program provides funding to help farmers and ranchers install conservation practices that improve and protect Kansas’ priority natural resource concerns.

Jefferson County residents who are interested in the Conservation Security Program have until May 27 to sign up. It is a voluntary program that rewards ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural working lands.

For more information about the programs, click on www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov or call NRCS at (785) 823-4571.