Event Notices From October 21

Java User Group to meet: The Detroit Java User Group will meet tonight in a session about the Ajax framework and Dojo, and again Nov. 19 about the dynamic scripting language Groovy. Membership and meetings are free. The meetings are held at the Pleasant Ridge headquarters of ePrize LLC. Interested parties should visit www.detroitjug.com to access all the information needed to join and attend.

Oakland U to host stem cell conference: Oakland University will host "Stem Cell Research: The Science, the Cures and the Law," an informational conference led by Marcia Baum, executive director of Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research and Cures, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms.A question and answer session featuring notable scientists, politicians, and academics will follow a hour-long presentation by Baum. The conference will address questions including: What is stem cell research? Why is it so important? Why is it so controversial? and Why is the debate particularly lively in Michigan? In addition to Baum, conference participants include Oakland University Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil; Jack Mosher, Ph.D., University of Michigan stem cell researcher; John (Joe) Schwarz, M.D., former U.S. congressman and state representative; Patricia Matthews, Ph.D., assistant biology professor, Grand Valley State University; Lynn Jondahl, executive director, Michigan Prospect, and former state legislator; and Mick Perez-Cruet, M.D., spinal surgeon at Providence and Beaumont Hospitals. The conference is sponsored by Oakland University and Michigan Citizens for Stem Cell Research and Cures.

Right Place sponsoring 'Alternative Energy 101': The Grand Rapids-area economic development agency The Right Place Inc. will hold an alternative and renewable energy manufacturing event, "Alternative Energy Manufacturing 101," on Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center, 200 Viridian Drive in Muskegon. The fee is $125 per person, which includes lunch. Alternative Energy Manufacturing 101 is a one-day, interactive conference that will help West Michigan's manufacturers begin to identify areas where they can diversify, grow, and succeed in three rapidly growing alternative energy industries. Participants will learn how fast the alternative energy technology area is growing and wherer a company can diversify, understand the market sizes and characteristics of AET opportunities in emerging wind, solar, and biomass industries, talk to those who have successfully expanded their businesses and are now serving these alternative energy sectors, learn what kind of companies can make the transition and what are the costs involved, and meet sourcing agents from alternative energy product producers who are in immediate need of components and manufacturing services. The event is hosted by the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center Wets and is presented by NextEnergy, the state of Michigan's renewable energy industry accelerator, and Shepherd Advisors. Event partners include the Barry County Economic Development Alliance, The Chamber of Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg, Lakeshore Advantage, Muskegon Area First and the Newaygo County Economic Development Office. For more information, contact Natalia Powers at (616) 771-0327.

WorkForce sets Webinar: Livonia-based WorkForce Software Inc. Tuesday announced its October Learning Series webinar, “Employee Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Rights: 2008 Update/Navigating the Maze and New Regulations.” The FMLA has challenged both experienced and new HR professionals since it became law. Understanding the various leaves that run concurrently and navigating the compliance maze adds a level of complexity that boggles the most seasoned professional. This webinar provides an overview of where the biggest mistakes are made; it is an opportunity for HR and payroll professionals to learn strategies for consistent compliance. Speaker, Beth Brascugli De Lima, M.B.A., SPHR, is founder, president, and principal of HRM Consulting Inc., a California-based human resource consulting firm. De Lima provides expert testimony regarding the human resource aspects of employment regulation compliance and vocational rehabilitation. With more than 14 years experience, her organization assists corporate, non-profit, and governmental clients with Human Resource policy development, implementation, and employment law compliance on a national, statewide, and local level. De Lima will discuss how to determine whether employees qualify for FMLA, procedures for responding, understanding how to handle benefits, clarifying medical documentation, identifying what other leaves may apply and updates on new military leave regulations. View this webinar by October 31, 2008, and you will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of Aspen Publisher’s Family and Medical Leave Guide. Register today at www.workforcesoftware.com/resources/webinars.html.

Environmental building event coming to EMU: An environmentally conscious building event, Remodel Green 08, has been set for Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1 at Eastern Michigan University's new Student Center. The event is intended for homeowners, builders, architects, designers, remodelers, real estate professionals, building suppliers, community leaders and environmentalists. Keynote speakers include Joe Lstiburek, building author and lecturer, and Scott Morgan, host of HDTV's Eco-Smart Living, Restoration and Renovation, and The Western Home Award.
The cost is $5 for the public expo (students with ID and seniors over 65 free). The cost for the conference is $79 for two days or $49 for one day, with rates of $40 and $25 respectively for students and seniors over 65. Members of The American Institute of Architects can earn up to 10.5 learning units for attending Remodel Green 08 conference sessions. To register, visit this link. For more information, visit www.remodelgreen.org/visit.php.

Electrochemical Society to meet: The Electrochemical Society Detroit Section will meet Thursday, Nov. 13 at Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W. 10 Mile Road in Southfield. The presenter is Maria Thompson, who was president and CEO of T/J Technologies, now part of Massachusetts-based battery developer A123Systems. Her presentation is titled "T/J Technologies -- Growing a Company from Start up to Acquisition." The event wll be held in Room 406 of the Taubman Center on the Lawrence Tech conference, and will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 and the program at 7:30. The cost is $20 for members, $22 for guests and $15 for students. Please RSVP by Thursday, Nov. 6 to Xia Wang at wang@oakland.edu, (248)-370-2224.