Posts Tagged ‘Indiana public relations agency’

County Commissioners will proclaim Tuesday “Bright House Networks-Net Literacy Day” in Hendricks County, recognizing the dedication of Bright House Networks and partner Net Literacy of Indiana to the local community through their current initiative that will provide computers at no cost to a host of area non-profits that need them. The recognition will occur during the county commissioners’ regularly scheduled weekly meeting that begins at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Hendricks County Government Center, located at 355 S. Washington St. in Danville.

On Feb. 26, Bright House and Net Literacy donated the final round of computers to Sheltering Wings, an emergency housing facility in Danville, Ind., for women and children suffering from domestic abuse (photo at left). Over the course of the last few weeks, nearly 50 computers were donated to seven Hendricks County non-profits that combined provide programs, services and computer access to more than 8,000 county residents. These Hendricks County non-profits in addition to Sheltering Wings have received personal computer donations from Bright House and Net Literacy to either implement or enhance a computer lab within their respective organizations: Hendricks County Senior Services, Sycamore Services, Mental Health Association, Susie’s Place, Head Start and Daycare Nursery Center.

Net Literacy of Indiana is an Indiana-based non-profit incorporated in 2003 by middle school students that has repurposed thousands of computers and established community computer labs in dozens of Indiana communities to provide computer access to more than 100,000 Hoosiers throughout the state.

Bright House Networks and Comcast have teamed up with the Indiana High School Athletic Association to offer customers the chance to relive some of history’s most exciting Indiana boys basketball state championship games On Demand. Starting today, classic boys basketball state championship games from the IHSAA’s extensive video vault will be available on Bright House Networks’ Local On Demand channel No. 600 and in the “Get Local” category of Comcast’s On Demand library at no additional cost to digital cable customers.

Leading up to this year’s 100th boys tournament March 27 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, which can be seen exclusively on the HomeTown Sports Indiana (channel No. 81 on both Bright House Networks and Comcast), the following classic IHSAA boys championship games are available starting today on On Demand:

1954: Milan vs. Muncie Central
In this game, the inspiration for “Hoosiers,” Bobby Plump hits the game winner with just 3 seconds to go for the biggest upset in state tournament history.

1955: Indianapolis Attucks vs. Gary Roosevelt
Oscar Robertson, future NBA player and arguably Indiana’s all-time greatest basketball star, leads Crispus Attucks to the first of its three state titles in five years.

1989: Lawrence North vs. Kokomo
In the last championship game played at Market Square Arena, Todd Leary scores 26 points and Eric Montross has 19 points and 18 rebounds for Lawrence North.

1995: Ben Davis vs. Merrillville
A matchup between the state’s two top-ranked teams ends with No. 1 Ben Davis winning its first-ever state title.

2007 4A: East Chicago Central vs. North Central
In the highest-scoring 4A championship game in IHSAA history, the Cardinals – coached by Pete Trgovich, who played for the undefeated 1971 East Chicago Washington team – outlast the Panthers to win the school’s first state title.

In the coming weeks, the following games will also be featured On Demand:
1956: Indianapolis Attucks vs. Lafayette Jefferson; 1965: Indianapolis Washington vs. Fort Wayne North Side; 1969: Indianapolis Washington vs. Gary Tolleston; 1971: East Chicago Washington vs. Elkhart; 1972: Connersville vs. Gary West; 1977: Carmel vs. East Chicago Washington; 1978: Muncie Central vs. Terre Haute South; 1980: Indianapolis Broad Ripple vs. New Albany; 1982: Plymouth vs. Gary Roosevelt; 1986: Marion vs. Anderson; 1990: Bedford North Lawrence vs. Concord; 1991: Gary Roosevelt vs. Brebeuf; 2000 4A: Marion vs. Bloomington North; 2005 3A: Washington vs. Plymouth; 2006 4A: Lawrence North vs. Muncie Central; 2007 2A: Northwestern vs. Winchester; 2008 4A: Brownsburg vs. Marion; and 2009 3A: Princeton vs. Rochester.

Dr. Robert Baker

Awareness that heart disease is the leading killer among women is higher than it has ever been. Still, 80 percent of women between ages 40 and 60 have one or more risk factors that they have the power to modify, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and inactivity.

Dr. Robert Baker, vice president of medical affairs at Managed Health Services in Indianapolis recommends Hoosier women follow these five tips to build heart-healthy homes for themselves and their loved ones:

Stop smoking and don’t start. Tobacco smoke increases the likelihood that arteries will harden, which restricts blood flow to the heart. Smokers are at least twice as likely to develop heart disease as non-smokers. Women who smoke and use birth control pills are at even greater risk. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise improves heart function and lowers both blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Women who maintain an active lifestyle have a significantly lower risk of developing heart disease and diabetes than those who do not.

Eat a heart-healthy diet. Diets low in fat, cholesterol and salt can help prevent heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. For healthier eating, women should choose foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Maintain a healthy weight. Excess body fat greatly increases risk of heart disease, even if other risk factors don’t exist. Know the numbers. Abnormal blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar (glucose) ranges can be red flags for diabetes and heart disease. Women of all ages should have regular screenings and ask their health care provider what numbers are normal for their age.

“By making lifestyle changes themselves, women can lower their risk of heart disease and improve their overall physical and mental health,” Baker said. “Women have the power to reduce their risk of heart disease. The late 20s and early 30s is a critical time for women to take action to either reduce or eliminate their risk factors and set themselves up for a long, heart-healthy life.”

Blue Horseshoe, a Carmel, Ind.-based company that provides expert consulting in system implementation and integration to Fortune 500 and mid-market businesses throughout the world, announces its acquisition of Columbus, Ohio-based TransTech Consulting Inc., a global management consulting firm.

With the acquisition now finalized, TransTech becomes a division of Blue Horseshoe. TransTech’s headquarters will remain in Columbus and its leadership and management staff will remain intact.

A partner in working with Blue Horseshoe to apply world-class business applications to companies throughout the U.S. and overseas for several years, TransTech was founded in 1983 and has specialized in distribution and logistics design and implementation to economically solve clients’ business challenges. TransTech has improved profits for clients representing more than 50 different industries throughout the world, from heavy manufacturing to various types of distribution companies. Comprised of senior members with extensive experience in engineering, systems and business, TransTech has completed projects in the past two years in Mexico, the United Kingdom, China, India, Singapore and Romania.

“The acquisition of TransTech Consulting Inc. continues to position Blue Horseshoe as the only North American company that can provide integrated software solutions to sustain and enhance entire business operations under one roof,” said Kevin Paul, vice president of Blue Horseshoe. “TransTech has a long, proven and highly successful track record of providing unparalleled services in the publishing, automotive parts supply, medical and pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries for more than 25 years and we are very excited to add TransTech’s expertise, capabilities and global reach to existing Blue Horseshoe service offerings.”

Founded in 2001, Blue Horseshoe is a privately held solution services firm that provides expert consulting and packaged software solutions to Fortune 500 and mid-market businesses throughout the world. Based in the North America, Blue Horseshoe assesses business needs and applies world-class business applications to improve profitability and increase efficiency. For more about Blue Horseshoe, visit Blue Horseshoe online.

Dr. Eugene G. White, superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools, has been named the recipient of the fifth annual Administrator Award for Distinguished Support of Music Education sponsored by the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and partner Bright House Networks.

The honor will be awarded Thursday (Feb. 11) at the general session of the American Association of School Administrator’s (AASA) National Conference on Education in Phoenix.

White was chosen for his commitment to ensuring that music education is part of the core curriculum in all 64 IPS schools. He became superintendent of IPS with the goal of the district becoming a model urban school district. He implemented many groundbreaking changes to the system, including his vision that a model urban school district would include instrumental, choral and general music programs in all schools by 2010. White made the commitment to ensure all schools had certified music teachers and that the district was staffed with music supervisor positions to coordinate and foster quality music education in the district. In August 2009, that goal was met and all students in IPS have access to the benefits of music education.

Since 2000, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and partner Bright House Networks have provided 42 IPS schools with $1.13 million of new musical instruments to jumpstart the district’s elementary instrumental music programs and the success has been maintained by the continued support of both White and the IPS Board of School Commissioners. Instrumental music, including band and strings programs, are offered to students in elementary, middle and high schools. Under White’s leadership, the district has revived the All City Choir, district music festivals and in 2009 a summer music camp that included transportation, breakfast and lunch free to IPS students.

When Bright House Networks first joined VH1 Save The Music Foundation to re-create music education programs throughout IPS, music programs were virtually non-existent in the elementary schools and suffering in the higher grades because of budgetary constraints and the high cost of musical instruments, said Wayde Klein, vice president of marketing and customer operations for Bright House Networks Indiana.

“We at Bright House Networks believe it is critically important to help keep music alive in our schools and for children at early ages and beyond to have the opportunity to express and challenge themselves with music,” Klein said. “Today, these schools have dedicated and talented teachers leading vibrant musical exploration instructions that are equipped with free instruments for students. This far-reaching and high-impact initiative would not have been possible without Dr. White’s devotion to each school that IPS serves and his dedication to keeping music alive for IPS students.”

One of the nation’s top specialty tax firms that specializes in research and experimentation tax credits and cost segregation analysis has relocated its offices to downtown Indianapolis. McGuire Sponsel recently completed a successful move from the firm’s previous Carmel offices to its new, 4,200-square-foot office suite on the 17th floor of the Capital Center building, located at 201 N. Illinois St. in downtown Indianapolis.

The new space provides McGuire Sponsel the opportunity to better serve its clients from a more centralized location, said director David McGuire. “Relocating our firm to downtown Indianapolis was the right thing to do at this time that we’re experiencing exceptional growth and success as a national specialty tax firm,” McGuire said. “In the past year, we expanded McGuire Sponsel’s reach to more than 70 CPA firms in 19 states and added strong, professional staff members who serve as the foundation of our firm.”

Currently, McGuire Sponsel employs nine and has definite plans of expanding its staff in 2010. The new office space can accommodate up to 20 employees. “Our move helps with the firm’s overall identity and stature and allows us ample room for future expansion and planned additions to our professional staff. Client service is the No. 1 focus of the entire McGuire Sponsel team,” added director TJ Sponsel. “Being in a centralized, convenient and expansive location in the heart of Indianapolis will increase our capabilities to comprehensively meet all client needs and exponentially increase our accessibility to our clients.”

McGuire Sponsel also maintains offices in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 2007, McGuire Sponsel is a specialty tax firm that specializes in research and experimentation tax credits, cost segregation, fixed asset review, rehabilitation tax credit, energy-efficient building deduction and construction cost audits.

The firm’s research and experimentation tax credit practice conducts retroactive studies, current year engagements and risk advisory services. McGuire Sponsel’s professionals combine an understanding of tax law with engineering disciplines to maximize companies’ research credits and reduce their overall tax burdens. The firm’s unique approach to cost segregation employs civil, structural and architectural engineering knowledge to identify components that qualify for accelerated depreciation. All actual and estimated asset costs, along with their classifications, are then documented to withstand IRS scrutiny.

I used to love putting year-in-review sections out in my former life in newspapers. As a writer, it was fun compiling all the recaps of the year that was. As a designer, it was a great time going through photos, blending them with copy and putting everything together in one very cool special section. As an editor, it was great to let the copy desk go on vacation and return to the writing and design while they were gone.

I like looking back at the whole year gone by each December. Things I remember, things I don’t. Each year, I discover things I’d forgotten or didn’t pick up when they were in the news. This year’s recaps are unique already because it’s not only the end of 2009 — it’s the end of a decade. The great scare of the Milennium Virus. The end of the Concorde. The creation of Wikipedia. Farewell to NASCAR’s No. 3. 9/11. D.C. snipers. The Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy. Iraq. Saddam Hussein’s capture and execution. The Wardrobe Malfunction (inset). Facebook. Twitter. Farewell to Ronald Reagan. Boston finally wins one. Steroids in baseball. The King of Pop acquitted, dies later. The iPhone. The Virginia Tech massacre. Phelps the Fish. The election of President Obama. Sully’s Miracle on the Hudson. Swine flu. Balloon boy. Tiger’s little black book.

Here are some good end-of-the-decade and end-of-the-year tributes online now. I’m sure more will be popping up in the few days left of 2009 and the decade that was 2000-2009.

• Many things I remember and some things I had forgotten about in USA Today’s Decade in Review: 2000-2009. Excellent photo review with great copy to support the memories.
• Another interesting accumulation by the L.A. Times, covering both the decade and 2009 in review.
• U.S. News and World Report’s biggest technology flops of the decade.
• From the Washington Times, the worst ideas of the decade: Television dancing competitions, the Blackberry and thinking that God blesses the faithful with material wealth.
• Time’s 10 Worst TV Shows of 2009.
• U.S. News and World Report’s Top 10 Political Scandals of 2009.
• U.S. News and World Report’s “The Year in Political Cartoons: 2009.”
• Influential people the world lost in 2009 courtesy the Indianapolis Star.
• Associated Press top 10 stories of 2009: Courtesy of the Arizona Daily Star.
• Top 5 investing lessons learned in 2009 courtesy of L.A. Times Market Beat columnist Tom Petruno.
• Some great — and some shocking — best-of-year photographs from 2009 by the L.A. Times.
• For you star watchers and entertainment enthusiasts, check out Entertainment Weekly online for PopWatch: The best of 2009 and critics’ lists for the 10 best films, new TV shows, top shows canceled too fast and more.
• And from Golf.com, a look ahead at 2010 for golf  in light of the year-ending Tigerpalooza fiasco.

Congratulations to three central Indiana students who won first place in their respective age groups in this year’s Bright House Networks Holiday Card Design Contest. Students from Trinity Christian School in Indianapolis, Clay Middle School in Carmel, Ind., and Bethesda Christian School in Brownsburg, Ind., earned top honors this year.

Layla Viles, a second-grade student at Trinity Christian School in Indianapolis, won first place in the contest’s elementary school division. Her winning entry shows Santa climbing down from a utility pole after decorating cable wires with colorful bulbs and placing presents at the base of the pole.

Sarah Bruns of Carmel, an eighth-grade student at Clay Middle School, won the middle school division of the contest. Her winning artwork depicts tiny elves after bedtime busy at work decorating her family’s living room, hanging ornaments on a Christmas tree that spell out “Bright House Networks” and being watched by a young child peeking around a doorway secretly watching the action.

Taking the top spot in the contest’s high school division is Kristen Craig of Plainfield, a senior at Bethesda Christian School in Brownsburg. Her winning artwork shows a family huddled together on their living room couch watching TV while a snowman peeks in their picture window.

Each of the three first-place winners will receive a $500 educational scholarship from Bright House Networks and an award plaque. Nearly 200 elementary, middle and high school student-artists entered this year’s contest, which was open to all central Indiana students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12. This winning entries will be printed as covers for Bright House Networks’ annual holiday cards sent to civic and community leaders.

On the heels of adding nearly 20 new and popular high-definition channels last month and 11 new Spanish-language channels already this month, Bright House Networks this week will add 13 new, popular HD channels.

Friday, the company added NHL Network HD (Channel No. 863), Tennis Channel HD (Channel No. 864), Outdoor Channel HD (Channel No. 865) and IFC HD (Channel No. 794). Today, Bright House Networks is adding BBC America HD (Channel No. 847), Style HD (Channel No. 860) and Headline News HD (Channel No. 726). Wednesday, Fuse HD (Channel No. 840), TV One HD (Channel No. 866) and G4 HD (Channel No. 810) will go live. And Friday, Bright House Networks will launch Investigation Discovery HD (Channel No. 804), MavTV HD (Channel No. 753) and NBA TV HD (Channel No. 862).

Also this month, Bright House Networks will launch a new on-screen service called Start Over. Interactive TV customers can utilize Start Over to restart, pause and rewind certain programming at any time during a program’s broadcast.

Starting today, Bright House Networks is adding 11 new Spanish-language channels to its central Indiana lineup. Bright House Networks president Buz Nesbit said the company continues to meet growing customer demand for Spanish-language programming. The new channels are:

Lo Mejor On Demand (Channel No. 449), Telemundo (Channel No. 450), Cine Latino (Channel No. 451), CNN en Espanol (Channel No. 452), Discovery en Espanol (Channel No. 453), History en Espanol (Channel No. 454), ESPN Deportes (Channel No. 455), Fox Sports en Espanol (Channel No. 456), EWTN Espanol (Channel No. 457), Canal Sur (Channel No. 458) and WAPA America (Channel No. 459).