Group seeks nominations to honor miners at conference

The Mine Safety Technology Consortium in Montgomery is now accepting nominations from the public for awards to be presented at the second annual Miners' Celebration.

The theme for this year's Miners' Celebration conference is "Because of You..."

Through the award ceremony at the conference MSTC plans to recognize the contributions of miners as individuals -- either to the mining industry, or to their local communities.

MSTC invites nominations of miners to be recognized at the 2010 Miners' Celebration. Nominations can be submitted online at NominateAMiner.com, via e-mail at dennis@wvmstc.org; via fax at 304-981-6065; or mail at Mine Safety Technology Consortium, 326 3rd Ave., Suite 304, Montgomery, WV 25136.

Deadline is May 3, 2010. Nominations must consist of a short essay, detailing why the nominee is worthy of a nomination. Nominations will be considered by an award panel on any of the following criteria: heroism, innovation, community involvement.

MSTC was established by Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-W.Va. The primary mission of MSTC is to aid in the expansion of research, development and manufacturing opportunities and to ensure that West Virginia leads the nation in mine safety, health technology and equipment.

Foundation contributes $40,000 to Bellefonte

RUSSELL, Ky. -- The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund has awarded Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital a one year grant of $40,000 for the hospital's Mobile Health Center. It is the sixth year that the hospital has received Avon Foundation for Women funding to support its work on the important issue of early detection of breast cancer, and in recognition of the excellence of the OLBH program.

The OLBH Mobile Health Center will utilize the $40,000 to provide mammography services to rural, underserved women in the region.

"Early detection saves lives," Jeani Thomas, OLBH's Women's Health Service Line Leader, said. "The generous funding of the Avon Foundation for Women will help with our goal of saving women's lives by promoting detection of breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. With the OLBH Mobile Health Center, we help women take control of their health by learning proper self-exam techniques and by having regular mammograms."

Caritas Personal Life Coaching accepting clients

Caritas Personal Life Coaching recently opened a location in Huntington at 419 12th St. It provides personal life coaching, specializing in relationships of couples, families or at work; as well as transitions, such as marriage, parenting, divorce, coming out, career, illness, mourning and others; and parenting, coaching, employment issues, weight loss and habit control.

All services are confidential and provided by clinicians with degrees and experience, according to a press release. The life coaches help people who are stuck, or who just want to reach the next level, in their personal or professional lives. Life Coaching is for people that are truly ready to create a successful life for themselves. A life coach is skilled in helping them make radical improvements in life. It is not therapy, but more consultation. There is no diagnosis, and it is focused on present needs and future goals.

Sessions may be held over the phone or in the office. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 304-544-6541.

RCBI helps manufacturer rebound after Oct. 30 fire

HUNTINGTON -- Industrial Components recovered from a fire last Oct. 30 that destroyed its building, equipment and inventory. And owner Daniel R. Bowe credits the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing (RCBI) with making the rapid comeback possible.

Industrial Components, which had been located on W.Va. 75 at Kenova, began rebuilding its parts inventory while receiving additional training on the state-of-the-art production equipment at the RCBI Huntington facility. The company then found a new location in Chesapeake, Ohio, and has resumed production of electrical and electronic equipment components, primarily for the mining industry.

"Being able to lease time on the equipment saves us a great expense," Bowe said in a press release from RCBI. The expertise of RCBI senior manufacturing engineer/site manager Brian Brown and production engineer Kevin Euton was particularly helpful, he said.

Bowe and his partner, Lonnie Black, started Industrial Components seven years ago "with almost nothing." On its Web site the company describes itself as an electronic and electro-mechanical engineering firm that has designed innovative products for a variety of industries including transit, coal and health care. It now has five full-time and three part-time employees.

RCBI provides access to cutting edge technology and technical training to manufacturers across the region. Operating from Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centers in Huntington and across the state.

National Video