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Marriott International, one of the nation’s leading hotel groups, says it’s pulling access to adult movies from new hotel rooms it will open in the next several years.

Marriott says its decision coincides with a pending shift to new in-room entertainment technology for its new hotels. Traditional video systems, which included access to adult content displayed in the menu selection, will be replaced by Internet-based video-on-demand systems.

But the decision also comes after years of discussing whether the availability of lucrative adult films in guest rooms is appropriate and whether safeguards exist to prevent children from seeing it.

via Marriott decides adult movies have no place in its hotels | tennessean.com | The Tennessean.

I have to commend Marriott for having the guts to make this decision.  The pornography industry is a huge industry and having a major chain like Marriott pull the plug sends a loud signal to many others.

Governor Beebe speaks on Science, Technology, Engineering , and Math (STEM) education and the Museum of Discovery Science Center.

“This past week, I was on site as the Museum of Discovery began construction on its new Science Center. The museum, located in downtown Little Rock, has long provided a stimulating learning environment for Arkansas students and their families. Its interactive, hands-on exhibits and engaging events allow students to explore science, math, engineering, and technology in interesting and exciting ways.

via Arkansas’s Governor Beebe Focuses On STEM Education | Gov Monitor.

I am glad to see another governmental leader make STEM education an important initiative.

Our country will continue to lose our competitive edge unless we produce more Scientists and Engineers.  It just adds up.

Science educators from across the region will convene in Nashville for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Area Conference on Science Education. Held in conjunction with the Tennessee Science Teachers  Association (TSTA), the three-day event will feature hundreds of workshops, presentations, and seminars on a variety of topics, aimed at engaging science educators of all levels in the latest and most innovative teaching methods and new developments in science. The conference will be held at The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and other local venues.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100601/DC13487LOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100601/DC13487LOGO)

Keynote speaker for the conference is Master of Science Jeff Lieberman.  Host of the Discovery Channel’s Time Warp science program, and a well known roboticist, photographer, musician, and sculptor, Lieberman explores the connections between the arts, sciences, education, and creativity in his work merging science and art together.  Lieberman’s Cyberflora robotic flower garden features flowers that sense and respond to people in a lifelike manner, and his Motor Learning Robotic Wearable Suit teaches motor skills. Lieberman will discuss how technology and the arts can potentially inspire students and change science education into the cultivation of passion and curiosity.  His keynote address is at 9 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, at The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Presidential Ballroom C-E.

via Nashville to Host Area’s Largest Gathering of Science Educators at NSTA Conference,… — ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ –.

A veterinarian scientist who earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois ascended to the presidency of the University of Tennessee’s sprawling 48,000-student system by decree of the Board of Trustees.

Joe DiPietro

Joe DiPietro, 59, was chosen over Brian Noland, the chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. The two finalists were whittled from a master list of 71 contenders.

via Trustees name Joe DiPietro president of University of Tennessee » The Commercial Appeal.

I wish Joe DiPietro the best in his new role.  He has his hands full!

The battle for funding in our state has never been more intense and he inherits an athletic department in Knoxville with some challenges conquered, but some still to solve.

It is interesting to see the linkage between Dr. DiPietro and Chancellor Jimmy Cheek.  Both worked together at the University of Florida and the reporting relationship has now been reversed.  Their familiarity with one another could be a great advantage in moving the university and the system forward.

I suspect you will see more change on the hill and throughout the system.  Stay tuned!

New Book Hit Stores Oct. 12

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen’s broad government and healthcare experience and expertise are brought to bear in his first book, a thought-provoking examination of why America’s healthcare system can’t be reformed if government and the industry don’t change course. Fresh Medicine: How to Fix, Reform and Build a Sustainable Health Care System will hit bookstores on Oct. 12, offering the governor’s insight into a model that he calls “hypercomplex” and “obsolete.”Bredesen is wrapping up his eight years as governor, which were preceded by two terms as Nashville’s mayor. In 1980, he founded HealthAmerica Corp., a Nashville-based healthcare management company that grew to more than 6,000 employees and traded on the New York Stock Exchange. He sold that business in 1986.

via Bredesen Offers “Fresh Medicine” to Reform Healthcare on Nashville Medical News.

Phil Bredesen is a businessman who chose politics for many of the right reasons.  I would suspect his writings and opinions will be valued by many, including me.

I would encourage you to read the article and find a copy of the book.

I suspect he will resurface in other significant roles after he leaves office this year.  I hope he does not completely retire.  It would be a great loss to us all.

A fast-growing Colorado company wants a piece of Nashville’s data center business. Zayo Colocation announced today that it will operate a 9,000-square-foot data center at 209 10th Ave. S — a spot that it notes “was unaffected by the flooding earlier in the year.”

The company is part of the Zayo Group, a 3-year-old company focused on Internet infrastructure. Since its founding, it has bought 17 regional telecom companies. One of its earliest buys was Memphis Networx in 2007. It also established a foothold in Nashville by purchasing American Fiber Systems, a move announced last week.

via Fast-growing Zayo enters Nashville data center business – Nashville Business Journal.

Data centers are a fast growing business throughout the country and it is good to see that kind of growth locally.  The biggest challenge will be continuing to grow and import the necessary technical talent to staff such entities.

Hemlock Semiconductor, LLC, whose $1.2 billion Clarksville facility is still under construction, will host a career fair Oct. 14.

The company plans to hire 500 full-time employees before the facility begins manufacturing polysilicon, the key material of solar panels, in late 2012.

Hemlock Semiconductor employees in manufacturing and production operations roles can earn an annual salary in the range of $37,000 to $58,000. Details for job seekers are highlighted below.

via Hemlock to host job fair for 500 positions at $1.2B plant – Nashville Business Journal.

This will be a great opportunity for many of you to learn more about working for a cutting-edge firm here in the Clarksville area.

I encourage you to read the rest of this article by clicking on the link above.

The Rise of the Lean Machine.

A year after breaking ground, Austin Peay State University will celebrate the grand opening of the new Hemlock Semiconductor Building at noon, Thursday, Sept. 16.

The public is invited to attend the ribbon cutting and name dedication ceremony at the new facility, located at the intersection of College and Eighth streets. The Hemlock Semiconductor Building houses the chemical engineering technology (CET) associate degree program and laboratory.

Speakers for the event include Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper and Rick Doornbos, president and CEO of the Hemlock Semiconductor Group, as well as representatives from the Tennessee Board of Regents and state of Tennessee.

via Clarksville Now – Grand Opening Scheduled for APSU’s Hemlock Building.

Congratulations to Clarksville, Montgomery County and Hemlock for moving this project forward.

The impact of Hemlock and similar technology moves will not be fully felt in this state for 5 to 10 years in my estimation.  Tangential effects such as this degree program will help make substantial changes that will only multiply the original investment.