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The citizens of Shepherdsville might get a chance to vote on Sunday alcohol sales. The town council just passed a resolution to study the logistics of such a vote. We covered the city’s quest for booze on Sunday last year. We’ve even looked into why so-called blue laws still exist.
The Food with Wine coalition has tried repeatedly to stretch some of the regulations to no avail…yet.
What are your thoughts on alcohol restrictions?
Here’s what we reported on today:
This post comes to us from WFPL environmental reporter Kristin Espeland.
Reuters news service is reporting on some new research from HSBC, a global financial services firm:
“Global revenues from climate-related businesses such as energy efficiency rose by 75 percent in 2008 to $530 billion and could exceed $2 trillion by 2020, HSBC Global Research estimated on Friday.”
And for those savvy investors looking to maximize return in emerging markets, the story goes on to say:
“’The four core investment pillars will be low-carbon energy production, energy efficiency, control of water, waste and pollution and climate finance,’ the report said… ‘This is a very significant trend given the substantial share of climate stimulus funds that have been directed at energy efficiency and energy management by governments across the globe,’ HSBC analysts said.”
But could this trend represent anything more than the basic drive to take advantage of new sources of capital (e.g. stimulus funds) and make a healthy profit? Perhaps. Perhaps there are entreprenuers involved who relish the idea of making a difference while making some cash.
To wit: Last week I helped introduce a crowd of Louisvillians to the newly inaugurated Bluegrass Chapter of an organization called Net Impact. Its aim is essentially to help MBAs and business leaders use the power of business to solve social problems, whether that’s empowering a marketing assistant to launch a new recycling program at work or providing resources to a “social entrepreneur” who wants to start a business that puts disadvantaged youth to work. While I simply facilitated a conversation with its founder for an audience gathered at an event space at the Louisville Zoo, it’s clear there are many folks in town who believe that business can change the world. At least, one little bit at a time.
Well that was quite a day. Here’s what we reported on:
We have a busy newsroom today so posts will be a little light. In the meantime, here’s something fun.
In southern California, a closed down KFC has been converted into a different kind of KFC. Kind For Care is a medical marijuana dispensary. Here’s a link. I don’t think the lawyers at Yum will let this fly for long.
Oh well. Maybe this KFC will make people crave what the other KFCs have started serving.
During the windstorm blackout last September, I spent several hours a day for two weeks at coffee shops, charging batteries and going online. I bought coffee, of course, but because of the blackout I spent way more time sitting than I usually do. Etiquette dictates generous tipping, but in some coffee shops in New York, that may not be enough anymore.
The Wall Street Journal has a story on how some NYC cafes are limiting laptop time and requiring minimum purchases for wi-fi users. The shops may be full all day, but they’re not selling enough to make ends meet. I imagine it’s a delicate balance for the proprietors. Loyal customers are great, but customer is the operative word. What’s the benefit of a frequent patron if the patronage doesn’t pay the bills? Cafes could recoup the losses by charging more, but that could hurt business. What do you think? Should customers feel guilty for nursing coffee and gulping electricity?
The federal Cash for Clunkers program starts tomorrow. Depending on the car you want to trade in, you can get up to $4,500 in government money to buy a new car. NPR reported on possible inefficiencies with the program this morning, and I talked to a Ford dealer about it just now.
There are a few important things to know. First, the clunker money isn’t added to your trade-in value. If you have a $5,000 car to trade-in, you should opt to just take the regular trade-in money. Second, the dealer wasn’t sure, but the clunker cash might count against the price of the car before tax, depending on state law. If that’s the case, no matter what the value of your trade-in in dealer or government money, it would make more sense to wait until September 1st to get a new car in Kentucky. If you do, you’ll pay less tax.
Here’s what we reported on today:
- Amazon Acquires Zappos
- Realtors Association Optimistic About Home Sales
- KY Senators Defeated on Concealed Weapons
- Health Department Director Says ‘Public Option’ Not Enough
- Prenatal Pollution Exposure Affects IQ: New Study
- 2009 Kentucky Crafted Performs Better than Expected
- LG&E Seeks Surcharge Increase
Amazon.com has purchased Zappos.com, which has a distribution center in Shepherdsville with at least 600 employees. The CEO sent the employees an e-mail, which is also posted online.
Excerpts:
Over the next few days, you will probably read headlines that say “Amazon acquires Zappos” or “Zappos sells to Amazon”. While those headlines are technically correct, they don’t really properly convey the spirit of the transaction. (I personally would prefer the headline “Zappos and Amazon sitting in a tree…”)
We plan to continue to run Zappos the way we have always run Zappos — continuing to do what we believe is best for our brand, our culture, and our business. From a practical point of view, it will be as if we are switching out our current shareholders and board of directors for a new one, even though the technical legal structure may be different.
We think that now is the right time to join forces with Amazon because there is a huge opportunity to leverage each other’s strengths and move even faster towards our long term vision. For Zappos, our vision remains the same: delivering happiness to customers, employees, and vendors. We just want to get there faster.
And no layoffs are planned:
Q: Will I still have a job?
As mentioned above, we plan to continue to run Zappos as an independent entity. In legal terminology, Zappos will be a “wholly-owned subsidiary” of Amazon. Your job is just as secure as it was a month ago.
