Pokemon & Yu-Gi Oh open to older crowd

ASHLAND, Ky. — The regular Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh Game Day program at Boyd County Public Library is now open to teens and young adults, as well as younger ones. The next Game Day is Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Main Branch, 1740 Central Ave.

The event starts at 2 p.m. Those who attend can take part in “duels” and teach each other how to “battle” with their cards. Card trading is also allowed. Parents of younger children are encouraged to supervise the trading.

The program is also an opportunity for people to “recycle” Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh cards they or their children are no longer using or collecting. Library staff will make sure the cards are distributed fairly to current collectors.

Game Day is held every other month, on the second Saturday.

For more information, call the youth services department (606) 329-0518, ext. 1300.

Red Caboose to host events, offer classes

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Linda Goldenberg, manager of The Red Caboose, an artisan and gift center, has announced a schedule of events to be held in the store during the month of January.

“We have a wonderful space here that is very conducive for small groups,” Goldenberg said.

“And we thought this would be a great opportunity for people to interact and learn from our artists and craftspeople.”

Events scheduled include:

Saturday, Jan. 16 — 2-4 p.m. Meet Paige Cruz, author of “Down the Ohio River in 80 Days: A Lewis & Clark Commemoration”. Books purchased at the event will be personally signed by the author. Refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, Jan. 19 — 2-4 p.m. Laura Moul, a local award-winning photographer, will offer “An Introduction to Digital Photography.” Bring the camera you got for Christmas, or any digital camera, and your manual. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP.

Saturday, Jan. 23 — 2-4 p.m. The Red Caboose will be offering “Introduction to Knitting.” Cost is $5.00 for supplies and the class is limited to four participants. Please RSVP. Refreshments will be served.

Saturday, Jan. 30 — 2-4 p.m. The Red Caboose will offer “Introduction to Needlepoint.” Cost is $5 for supplies and the class is limited to four participants. Please RSVP. Refreshments will be served.

The Red Caboose is located inside the Visitors Center, in downtown Huntington at 210 11th St.

“We have the best buys in creative gifts, artwork, souvenirs, cards, books, specialty food items and much more,” Goldenberg said.

“Many of our unique, one-of-a-kind products are created by local artists and make great gifts for any occasion.” Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, please contact Linda Goldenberg at 304-525-7333.

ACTC offering high-skill programs

Staff Report

ASHLAND, Ky. —Spring semester is a good time to get started on a high-skill program at Ashland Community and Technical College. Several of ACTC’s industrial and construction-related programs are described below.

Spring classes begin January 11, and registration is January 4 to 8. New students must complete the admission process before registering, and application forms are on the web at: ashland.kctcs.edu.

For questions about spring classes, call the Admissions Office, 606-326-2000, after January 3.

Construction Technology

“Construction Technology provides an opportunity for people to become part of the largest industry in the world,” said Chuck Lanthorn, program coordinator. There are more than seven million construction employees in the country and nearly two million more who are self-employed, according to Lanthorn.

ACTC’s program covers residential and light commercial construction applications. Residential construction involves the construction and renovation of homes. Commercial construction involves the construction of projects like office buildings, schools, hospitals and shopping malls.

Electrical Technology

Graduates of ACTC’s Electrical Technology Program work for just about every major industry in the area, according to Harold E. Henry, Associate Professor and program coordinator.

“Because our students can find jobs close to home, we believe that we are serving both individuals who seek skills for employment and businesses who seek qualified employees,” Henry said.

Students can prepare for entry-level positions in the building trades or industrial plants by choosing to complete either an Industrial Electrician diploma or a certificate for Residential Electrician, Electrician Apprentice or Electrician.

Air Conditioning

There are job opportunities in the area for graduates of Air Conditioning Program, also known as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), according to Richard Burnett, Chair of ACTC’s Manufacturing, Transportation & Industrial Technology Division.

Besides working on home heating and cooling systems for local contractors, HVAC technicians can find employment at facilities like schools, hospitals, apartment complexes, nursing homes and large industrial plants that have Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration departments.

Area employers include AK Steel, Ashland Furnace, C&H Heating and Air Conditioning, Commercial Refrigeration of Huntington, General Heating and Air Conditioning, King’s Daughters Medical Center and Slone Refrigeration.

Students learn to install, maintain and repair heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment systems. They also learn to install, maintain, diagnose and repair the many mechanical, electrical and electronic components that are part of those systems.

The program combines practical hands-on training with the HVAC theory needed to pass Federal and Kentucky licensing exams.

“While completing a diploma, our students can earn up to 1500 hours of HVAC apprenticeship credit,” Burnett said. “Most students are also certified in the proper use of refrigerants as required by the Environmental Protection Agency before they graduate.”

For details on spring classes, contact Associate Professor Dale Thornton, program coordinator, at 606-326-2469 or email: jack.thornton@kctcs.edu.

Computer Aided Drafting and Design

Computer Aided Drafting and Design Program (CADD) combines technical drafting with a graphic design component.

Jobs in architectural and mechanical drafting are available throughout the region, according to Professor Limberis, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator. “We regularly receive calls from local employers looking for employees.”

“Our students are sought after for several reasons,” Limberis said. “They learn the industry standards of practice for creating technical drawings, and they work with the latest available software.”

Drafters transform the specifications of designers or engineers into complete and precise drawings of a finished product, whether it is a house, industrial machine, pipeline or spacecraft.

The CADD program offers two diplomas and three certificates for people seeking entry-level jobs in the field. Students learn the graphic language for composing technical drawings that are used in any setting involving design – including manufacturing, engineering, architecture, and construction.

Students start with the basics of traditional drafting using tools such as scales, triangles and compasses, and then they move on to the computer and learn CAD. The drawings they produce are used by engineers and architects to make or build everything from machine parts to commercial and residential buildings.

Students can enter the program without computer or drawing experience. They just need the willingness to learn traditional technical drawing techniques as well as the current automated techniques provided by computers.

Jobs for graduates include architectural, mechanical or computer assisted drafter or detailer in architectural, mechanical, civil, structural and electrical engineering firms.

For more information on the CADD program, contact Professor Limberis at 606-326-2456, email: lois.limberis@kctcs.edu or Professor Donald Tackett at 606-326-2455, email: donaldr.tackett@kctcs.edu.

W.Va. mom pleads guilty to killing 2-year-old daughter

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — A mother convicted of attempting to smother her son in Huntington in 2003 to gain attention for herself has pleaded guilty to murdering her 2-year-old daughter in Florida in 2002.

Amanda Butler served a year in prison after Huntington police videotaped her placing a rag over her 3-month-old son’s mouth.

Prosecutors in Jacksonville, Fla., used the videotape to reach a plea agreement with Butler in her daughter’s death. She pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder.

The 29-year-old has been diagnosed with a disorder that prompts parents to harm their children to gain attention for themselves.

In Cheyenne’s case, police say she was trying to prompt the Navy to send her husband home.

Butler faces up to 45 years in prison during her Feb. 12 sentencing.

New format for BCPL youth clubs

ASHLAND, Ky. — Boyd County Public Library’s two youth book clubs have a new format starting in 2010.

Both the Tween Book Club, which meets at Main on the first Tuesday, and the Middle School Book Club, which takes place at the Summit Branch on the second Wednesday, will be looking at a popular series of books each month.

First up is the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series by Jeff Kinney. Join other kids to talk about Greg Heffley and all his problems as he maneuvers his way through the trials of middle school. There will be trivia games and other activities, as well as a drawing for a special prize. Pizza will be served.

The Tween Book Club (for grades 4-6) is Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. The Main Branch is located at 1740 Central Ave. The Middle School Book Club (for grades 6-8) is Jan. 13 at Summit, 1016 Summit Road, at 4 p.m. (new time).

Grade ranges are just a guideline. Anyone with questions should contact Misti Tidman at mtidman@thebookplace.org or (606) 329-0518, ext. 1310.

In February, both clubs will discuss the “Warriors” series by Erin Hunter. The groups will look at different series in March: “Alex Rider” by Anthony Horowitz (Main); and “Eragon” by Christopher Paolini (Summit). For more information on this or other library programs or services, visit www.thebookplace.org

BCPL showing ‘Museum’ sequel

ASHLAND, Ky. — Boyd County Public Library District is hosting two showings of “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” – one each at the Main and Summit branches.

The first showing is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at the Main Branch, 1740 Central Ave. It will be shown a second time at the Summit Branch, 1016 Summit Road, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, as part of the branch’s Second Saturday Screening program. In both cases, admission is free and some refreshments are provided. Additional snacks can be purchased.

The movie, rated PG, picks up a few years after the first one, this time at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Other upcoming movies at the Library include: “Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince” on Jan. 20 at the Summit Branch. The fourth annual Foreign Film Festival also returns in January, with a movie from a different country being shown each Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Main.

Outside groups can host movie showings at either the Main or Summit branches, using the library’s license. For more information call Amanda Clark at (606) 329-0518, ext. 1140.

For a full movie schedule, visit any branch of the Boyd County Public Library or www.thebookplace.org.