Carolyn Barnes has been hired as sales director for the Eldridge Hotel, responsible for furthering business relationships with Kansas University, the Lawrence-Topeka-Kansas City market and the Kansas Society of Association Executives. Barnes received her undergraduate degree from Kansas University and a Master of Business Administration from Washburn University. For the past seven years, Barnes worked for the Kansas Alumni Association.

¢ TherapyWorks owner Cindy Johnson and Dave Appleman, clinic director, recently attended a Private Practice Prosperity Conference sponsored by Survival Strategies Inc. More than 150 physical therapists and private practice owners attended the conference, which focused on how to provide the best quality care to patients, how to operate a prosperous practice and panel discussions about successful actions clinics across the country have done.

Johnson was a panelist for several breakout sessions. She received a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the Medical College of Georgia and a master’s degree in exercise physiology/biomechanics from Kansas University. She opened TherapyWorks in 1994.

Appleman received his physical therapy assistant’s degree from Washburn University. He has been at TherapyWorks for more than seven years.

¢ Justin “J.B.” Brighton is the new kitchen manager at Hy-Vee, 3504 Clinton Parkway.

Brighton is responsible for the store’s kitchen services, excluding the Chinese kitchen. He oversees a staff of four full-time employees and six part-timers.

Brighton previously worked as assistant kitchen manager at a Hy-Vee in Ankeny, Iowa. He has worked for Hy-Vee for seven years.

He received as associates degree from North Iowa Area Community College and attended Iowa State University.

¢ Gina Bailey-Carbaugh has completed a credentialing course for Resident Assessment Coordination through the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators. The three-day intensive course was followed with 10 exams. Bailey-Carbaugh works at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence.

¢ Aquila, which provides natural gas service in Lawrence, recently presented a check for $26,000 to the Salvation Army as part of the company’s Aquila Cares program that will assist customers affected by higher U.S. energy prices.

Aquila Cares helps qualifying individuals in Aquila communities pay energy bills.

This year Aquila increased its contribution to the Aquila Cares program from $100,000 to $500,000 across its seven-state service area. Aquila matches customer and employee contributions to Aquila Cares, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $250,000. Also, Aquila is separately donating an additional $250,000 to the program. If fully matched, the program could provide a total of $750,000.

Customers may make tax-deductible contributions to Aquila Cares on their monthly bill by calling Aquila Customer Service at (800) 303-0752, or sending a check payable to Aquila Cares, P.O. Box 11975, Kansas City, Mo. 64138. For more information about HeatShare, call (800) 336-4547.

Honors and awards

John Brand, Webster Golden and Peter Curran, of the law firm of Stevens & Brand, have been notified that they will be listed in The Best Lawyers in America for its 2006 edition. Best Lawyers is considered the pre-eminent legal referral guide in the U.S. with listing based on a peer review survey of 18,000 leading attorneys throughout the country. Brand, Golden and Curran also have been notified they will be listed in another directory, The Best Attorneys Network, also based on a national peer survey.

¢ University National Bank has received the LEAP Shining Star Award. The bank supports its school partner, Langston Hughes School, by:

¢ Donating $4,000 to the American Red Cross to match the gift from the Langston Hughes fund drive.

¢ Reading to students.

¢ Providing students with an annual tour of the bank.

¢ Donating dictionaries to all fourth-graders and thesauruses to sixth-graders.

¢ Serving on the Langston Hughes Site Council.

¢ Decorating the bank for Red Ribbon Week and wearing ribbons to show support.

¢ Displaying students’ artworks.

Coming events

The Kansas University Small Business Development Center is sponsoring a couple of upcoming workshops.

“QuickBooks Advanced” will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Lawrence Senior Center, 745 Vt. The seminar is designed to help individuals in the business industry learn the details of QuickBooks purchasing and inventory functions. The cost is $60 for preregistered attendees, and $70 for walk-in participants.

“Small Biz Tune Up” will be from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, 734 Vt. The class is recommended for any small business owner or potential owner. The workshop will cover marketing strategies, money and management concerns. Participants will take an assessment test of their business, and then the program will help them determine how to increase profitability and overall business health. The fee is $40 for pre-registered participants and $50 for walk-ins.

To register or for more information, call 843-8844 or e-mail Curt Clinkinbeard at cclink@ku.edu.