The Voyages Season continues on Friday, December 31, 2010 at 8 p.m. in the Schuster Center, as the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Kettering Health Network present the Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration Concert.

Maestro Neal Gittleman has chosen a festive Italian theme for this year’s concert: “Viva Italia!” A wide variety of Italian music will be highlighted, including light selections from the classics and some of the great moments from Italian opera and Neapolitan song. Joining Neal and the DPO will be four outstanding soloists: soprano Karin Wolverton, tenor Scott Piper, and the DPO’s own Jessica Hung, violinist, and Ashley Hall, trumpeter. The program will include the following works:

The concert includes complimentary sparkling Moscato (sparkling non-alcoholic wine available as well) at intermission and a festive balloon drop at its conclusion. The concert will end around 10:30 p.m. with plenty of time for your party at home or out and about town. In addition to the concert festivities, the DPO will unveil its new 2011-2012 season at this performance.

Citilites, the restaurant at the Schuster Center, invites patrons to join us early in the Wintergarden for Dinner-by-the-Bites, featuring the following items:

Antipasto Skewer ($2)

Roasted Tomato and Goat Cheese Bruschetta ($2)

Cannoli ($2)

Italian Meringue Cookies ($2)

Flutes of Cava Champagne ($5)

For patrons choosing a full pre-concert dinner at Citilites, the feature will be Gnocchi Ragu w/ Italian Sausage ($19) as well as a Surf n’ Turf special,  plus a full menu. Call for reservations at (937) 222-0623.

Tickets for the New Year’s Eve performance range from $5 – $65 and are available by calling (888) 228-3630 or by ordering on the web at www.daytonphilharmonic.com. The concert is presented by Kettering Health Network.

Popularity: 20% [?]

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced that it has entered into agreements with Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International Inc., to sell its European and Latin American farm tire businesses, including a licensing agreement that will allow Titan to manufacture and sell Goodyear-brand farm tires in Europe, Latin America and North America, for approximately $130 million, subject to post-closing conditions and adjustments.

Goodyear announced plans to explore the sale of the European and Latin American farm tire businesses in May 2009.  The company sold its North American farm tire business, including a plant in Freeport, Ill., to Titan in 2005.

The Latin American portion of the transaction includes Goodyear’s Sao Paulo, Brazil manufacturing plant, property, equipment and inventories.  Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, that portion of the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2011.

The European portion of the transaction is subject to the exercise of a put option by Goodyear following completion of a social plan related to the previously announced discontinuation of consumer tire production at its Amiens North, France manufacturing plant and required consultation with the local Works Council.  Upon completion of this action, as well as customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, the transaction will include the Amiens North plant, property, equipment and inventories.

“This transaction reinforces our focus on our core consumer and commercial tire businesses,” said Richard J. Kramer, Goodyear chairman and chief executive officer.  ”Our farm tire operations have been very successful for many decades.  We thank our associates for their contributions,” he added.

Kramer expressed his confidence that Titan, for whom farm tires are a core business, will maintain the company’s strong relationships with Goodyear farm tire customers as well as the regions’ farming communities.

Assuming both the Latin American and European portions of the transaction are consummated, the company’s operating results, excluding any related gain or loss on the sales, are not expected to be materially affected, although the impact on segment operating income will vary by region.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Dominion today donated $127,500 in grants to 22 nonprofit organizations in the company’s service area that provide shelter or housing assistance for the homeless and others in need. The grants were made through the Dominion Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm.

“Dominion wants to help our friends and neighbors who are encountering hardships during the current recession,” said Thomas F. Farrell II, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Dominion. “Housing-related organizations and programs are facing increased demand for their services, while their own budgets are stretched thin. These grants will provide additional resources to help nonprofit organizations assist our communities.”

In Ohio, the 22 nonprofit organizations will share in the $127,500. “We are working to help ensure that safe, warm shelter is available to those in need,” said Anne Bomar, senior vice president and general manager, Dominion East Ohio. “Organizations like these are making a difference in their clients’ quality of life and we are pleased to support their efforts.”

Recognizing the growing economic hardships faced by many because of the recession, Dominion has refocused its corporate giving on basic human necessities such as food, shelter and medical care. In the past two years, Dominion has made similar donations to food banks, free health clinics, diversity initiatives, environmental efforts and Dominion’s EnergyShare program, which helps people in need to pay heating and cooling bills.

Those non-profit organizations receiving the grants in Ohio include:

• Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cleveland
• Transitional Housing, Inc.- Cleveland
• Community Service Alliance for Project Save – Cleveland
• Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland
• Domestic Violence Center – Cleveland
• West Side Catholic Center – Cleveland
• New Life Community – Cleveland
• Rebuilding Together Summit County – Akron
• Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, Inc. – Akron
• East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation – Akron
• Battered Women’s Shelter – Akron
• Domestic Violence Project, Inc. – Canton
• Community Building Partnership of Stark County – Canton
• Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation
• Interfaith Home Maintenance Services, Inc. – Youngstown
• Beatitude House – Youngstown
• Mercy Unlimited, Inc. – Wapakoneta
• Family Promise – Lima
• EVE, Inc. – Marietta
• Harbor House, A Division of P&FCS of Tuscarawas Valley, Inc. – New Philadelphia
• Samaritan House, Ashtabula Homeless Shelter, Inc. – Ashtabula
• Homesafe, Inc. – Ashtabula

Popularity: 8% [?]

Do you have what it takes to be the next great TV talent?  That’s what Cineflix wants to know.  Talent scouts are coming to Akron’s Summit Mall Monday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to find out what hidden talent they can find at their “America’s Got REAL Talent” casting call.

The company that produced such hit shows as American Pickers, Property Virgins and Campus PD is on the hunt for professional realtors, chefs, bakers, designers, contractors, business owners, animal experts, vets, history buffs and anyone else who loves what they do and thinks they have what it takes to make compelling television.

“This isn’t about creating yet another TV talent show – we aren’t looking for singers or wanna-be celebrities,” says Simon Lloyd, CEO of Programming at Cineflix. “We want to find real Americans with real skills who have a passion in life which they can communicate to a wide audience.”

Applicants MUST HAVE a genuine expertise and a lot of character.  For example:

• Are you a talented chef or remarkable realtor?
• Do you design divine homes or make your mark renovating wrecks?
• Do you run an exciting traditional business?
• Are you keeping a dying craft or way of life alive in a challenging economy?
• Do you have an unusual home/community/lifestyle?
• Do you run a fantastic event that has a great local following – which you think could be adapted and work well as a TV series?
• Are you a passionate expert who can communicate your love of history, science or technology to a wide and varied audience?
• Do you have a passion for the land? Do you know how to hunt, gather or make money from it?

To showcase your special talent, send a short paragraph about yourself and a photo to realtalent@cineflix.com.  You can also meet us and impress us in person at the Summit Mall located at 3295 W. Market Street in Akron.  For those who can’t make it on the day, get in touch by calling 646 873-6510 to set up an interview via Skype.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Brennan Lafferty has been promoted to associate publisher of Waste & Recycling News, Publisher Bob Simmons announced today.  He previously was the brand’s Eastern sales manager.

“Brennan joined us in 1997 as a copy editor and moved through the editorial ranks to managing editor.  He then joined the sales team and was equally successful, particularly as the project manager for our buyers guide and Residential Recycling Conference.  This is a well earned and deserved promotion,” said Simmons.

“Brennan has proven himself over the years in his dedication both editorially and in sales,” said KC Crain, group publisher of Waste & Recycling News. “He is a strategic and innovative thinker who will help position the brand for the future.”

As associate publisher, Lafferty will take on a greater role in the business and overall operations of the publication.

Prior to joining Waste & Recycling News, Lafferty was a reporter and editor at Ceramic Industry, The Columbus Dispatch, The Morning Journal, The Intelligencer, the News-Register and WSTV-AM.

Lafferty is a graduate of John Carroll University and is currently working on a master’s degree in media management at Kent State University.  He is a member of the Akron Press Club and the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Cleveland.

About Waste & Recycling News

Waste & Recycling News is the largest environmental management business publication in the country with a circulation of 46,000 subscribers.  It is published by Crain Communications Inc.  For more information, visit wasterecyclingnews.com or crain.com.

Popularity: 6% [?]

The Senate has passed legislation to help defeat human trafficking, a move that some say is long overdue.

Senators voted overwhelmingly, 32-0, to pass the bill that would make human trafficking a crime in Ohio, a state which is among few to not have a human trafficking law. It will now move on to the House, where it is predicted to pass easily.

A state commission reported that close to 1,000 children are forced into sex trafficking every year in Ohio. Roughly 800 immigrants are exploited and thrown into demeaning, low paying and harsh sweatshop-esque jobs.

Senator Teresa Fedor says the law is necessary to ease the burden on federal authorities who can’t keep up with all of the cases Ohio sees.

Popularity: 12% [?]