Author Archives: Kenan Farrell

President Obama Pledges $2.4 Billion for "Clean" Vehicle Technology

05 Wednesday Aug 2009

Posted by in Federal Initiatives, Indiana, Tech Developments

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Speaking today at a former Monaco RV plant in Wakarusa, Indiana, President Barack Obama unveiled the details of an ambitious $2.4 billion grant program, which the White House hopes will boost production of electric cars and next-generation battery technology.  The cash for the grant program will come from the recently-passed $787-billion economic stimulus bill.

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“That’s why I’m here today,” President Obama stated, “to announce $2.4 billion in highly-competitive grants to develop the next generation of fuel efficient cars and trucks powered by the next generation of battery technologies, all made right here in the U.S. of A. Right here in America. Made in America…for too long, we’ve failed to invest in this innovative work, even as countries like China and Japan were racing ahead. That’s why this announcement’s so important.”

navistarThe President said the investment represented “the largest investment in this kind of technology in American history.” And already, dozens of companies have stepped forward to claim the grant money. One of them is Navistar, Inc., based in Wakarusa.  Navistar will receive a $39.2 million grant to develop and deploy 400 advanced battery electric delivery trucks. The vehicles will weigh about six tons and have a 100-mile range.”

The $2.4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds includes:

  • $1.5 billion in grants to U.S.-based manufacturers to produce batteries and their components and to expand battery recycling capability in the United States.
  • $500 million in grants to U.S.-based manufacturers to produce electric drive components for vehicles, including electric motors, power electronics, and other drive train components.
  • $400 million in grants to purchase thousands of plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles – including cars, delivery vehicles and trucks — for test demonstrations in several dozen locations. Those grants also will provide education and workforce training to support the transition to advanced electric transportation systems.

Source: The Christian Science Monitor, Indy Star

Indiana Space Travels Exhibit at State Fair, August 7-23

05 Wednesday Aug 2009

Posted by in Indiana, Just for Fun, Tech Developments

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Indiana Space Travels

This year’s Indiana State Fair (starting this Friday, August 7) will go far beyond its popular farm-related exhibits to include a toast to the state’s contributions to space exploration.

The Indiana Space Travels exhibit opens Friday in the fairgrounds’ Grand Hall and runs throughout the fair, which ends Aug. 23.

The exhibit traces Indiana’s contributions to aeronautics, dating back to an 1859 hot air balloon flight from Lafayette that was the nation’s first airmail delivery.  The exhibit will also include a Mars roving unit, replicas of a space capsule and the Hubble Telescope, a modular mission control board and artifacts from various space missions.

Former NASA astronaut and Purdue University grad Mark Brown, who flew on two space shuttle missions, will attend Friday’s opening.

Source: Indiana Space Grant Consortium

Resources for Authors

04 Tuesday Aug 2009

Posted by in Authors, KLF Legal

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As a primer for my upcoming workshop for authors, I’ll be writing a series of blog posts geared toward the wordsmiths among us.  To start things off, here’s a list of helpful online writing resources:

  1. Writer’s Digest – the No. 1 magazine for writers, celebrating the writing life and what it means to be a writer in today’s publishing environment.
  2. American Society of Journalists and Authors – the nation’s leading organization of independent nonfiction writers.
  3. The Author’s Guild – the nation’s leading advocate for writers’ interests in effective copyright protection, fair contracts and free expression since it was founded as the Authors League of America in 1912.
  4. National Writers Union – the union for freelance writers working in US markets.
  5. Poets and Writers, Inc. – the primary source of information, support, and guidance for creative writers, and the publisher of Poets & Writers Magazine.
  6. Author’s Coaching Network – online social network for authors.

And I’ll finish with a nod to my favorite author, Indianapolis-native Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., who left us too soon in 2007.  So it goes.

Vonnegut

How to Negotiate Your Next Book Contract – A Workshop for Authors 8/25/09

03 Monday Aug 2009

Posted by in Copyright, KLF Legal

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The blog’s author, Kenan L. Farrell, will be leading an upcoming workshop on negotiating author’s contracts.  Understand what you’re signing when dealing with your publisher.  Learn the art and craft of contract negotiation and analysis.  Authors and publishers alike are welcome to join the workshop.

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In addition, financial advisor Adam Cmejla will be giving a complimentary informative presentation entitled “Where Is the American Economy Today,” which will address and talk about the issues authors have faced and are facing as we move forward through these turbulent economic times.

Complimentary food and beverages will be available.

Date:    Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Time:    6:00pm – 8:00pm
Cost:  Free, but please RSVP
Location:    DoubleTree Inn & Suites
Street:    11355 North Meridian Street
City/Town:    Carmel, IN

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Please RSVP on the Facebook Event Page or via email to adam.cmejla@gmail.com.