November 21, 2003

ENERGY IDEAS CLEARINGHOUSE FROM WSU EXTENSION ENERGY PROGRAM
The WSU Extension Energy Program recently redesigned the EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse Web site, www.energyideas.org, for more effective outreach to regional energy users. The site features current technical information for commercial, industrial and residential sectors including Q&As, fact sheets, research reports, energy software, an events calendar, and tools for energy communicators. Agents working with energy-related projects can call the EnergyIdeas hotline for engineering or library research assistance: 1-800-872-3568.

A popular resource on the Web site is this information on energy efficient holiday lighting

Source: Linda Witham, WSU Extension Energy Program

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTENSION IN SEC SETTLEMENT
The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) Extension pre-conference this week in Savannah, GA was focused on entrepreneurial Extension. Jane Schuchardt, National Program Leader, CSREES, described opportunities taking shape within the next 90 days to compete for grants or write letters of intent to participate in the $80 million global settlement of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

On October 31, 2003, the federal judge signed the settlement document creating both a federal and a state specific mechanism for distributing the $80 million over the next 5 years resulting from fines paid by companies found guilty by the SEC of $1.4 billion in investment fraud. The federal portion is $52.5 million for competitive grants to be distributed through an "Investor Education Entity" for the purpose of consumer focused, community based investor education. Sound like Extension! The state portion will be another $27.5 million managed through each state's Investor Protection Trust and the state securities regulator. For more information, go to the Web sites www.investorprotection.org and www.nassa.org. Watch for future announcements.

Chris Koehler, Spokane County Extension, and Linda Fox attended the AFCPE workshop on investor education global settlement; contact them if you are interested in learning more.

SATELLITE CONFERENCE: FINANCIAL SECURITY IN LATER LIFE
"Positioning for Success: Financial Security in Later Life" is the theme of the December 11 satellite video conference sponsored by Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) for Extension educators and their community partners. For details on the program and satellite coordinates, go to the FSLL web site. The videoconference is scheduled for 10:00-12:00 noon Pacific Time (1:00 3:00 pm Eastern Time) on December 11.

NASULGC ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
This week marked the 116th annual meeting NASULGC (National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges). Among the many valuable programs and meetings, the meeting began with the Seaman A. Knapp Lecture. This year, Dr. Duane Acker, retired former President of Kansas State University delivered the address: "Knowledge, Wisdom, and Freedom: Roles for Extension." I think you'll find his remarks especially flattering of Extension. However, he poses challenges for us to be more visible and active in economic development.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR "WOMEN MAKING HISTORY AT WSU"
The Women Making History at Washington State University is an ongoing project intended to reinvigorate the legacy of the women's movement and to promote the vision and courage of women who are working tirelessly to improve the economic status, inclusion, and safety of women. Please help recognize a student, a staff member, a teacher, a coach, a committee, an organization, a volunteer, or a colleague. Download a recognition form from The Women's Resource Center's Web site and return it by February 13, 2004.

Contact: Annette Williams, 335-6849

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR WSU EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE AWARDS PROGRAM
President V. Lane Rawlins has announced the call for nominations for the 2003-2004 President's Employee Excellence Awards. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to our University by WSU administrative professional and classified employees from across the state. Three awards are given annually.

For more information or to submit your nomination online, see www.wsu.edu/president/excellence-awards. Nominations may be submitted online or sent to the attention of Tena Old, Office of Marketing Communications, 440 French Administration Building, Pullman, Washington 99164-1042, no later than December 15, 2003.

If you have questions about this program, please contact the Committee Chair, Ken Spitzer, Office of Research, (509) 335-9141. Questions may also be directed to Tena Old at 335-1467.

PERSONNEL
New Hires:

Camille Sullivan, MS, Extension Coordinator, Food $ense/4-H Youth Dev.
Spokane County
Funding: 50% Extension (Grant funds)
Status: Administrative/Professional
Effective November 17, 2003

Alyson Mai, Extension Coordinator, Food $ense/4-H Youth Dev.
Spokane County
Funding: 100% Extension (Grant funds)
Status: Administrative/Professional
Effective November 17, 2003

Mercy Olmstead, MS, Viticulture Extension Educator
WSU Prosser, IAREC
Funding: 100% Extension (temporary)
Effective March 1, 2004

SCHEDULE
Mike is on annual leave through December 7. The week of December 8 through 12 he will be in Washington DC.

Linda is on annual leave next week for Thanksgiving. There will be no Extension Update on Friday, November 28. Linda will be in Pullman the week of December 1 through 5.

Linda Kirk Fox. Ph.D.
Associate Director
Cooperative Extension
PO Box 646230
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-6230
Ph 509-335-2933
Fax 509-335-2926
lkfox@wsu.edu