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Help from Microsoft

Louisiana small businesses are now eligible for one year of Microsoft software licensing at no cost. Under the program initiated by Sen. Mary Landrieu, hurricane-affected businesses can purchase licenses for Microsoft software through any authorized reseller with payments spread over three years. Business owners would then bring the first year’s invoice to any Louisiana Small Business Development Center, and Microsoft will pay on the business’ behalf. The center will also provide additional free Microsoft software training for businesses participating in the program.

WBRZ retirement

WBRZ news anchor Andrea Clesi will retire at the end of the year after 30 years in front of the camera. Clesi is the recipient of a number of awards, including the Kennedy Foundation Award for coverage of the Special Olympics and the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters.

Microsoft merger

Momentum, the leading Microsoft Gold Certified Partner in the South Central region, announced a merger with Netdesk, the leader in Microsoft technical training. The new company, called Momentum-Netdesk is one of the top 10 largest training centers in the United States with five locations, including one in Baton Rouge.

AWARDS/HONORS

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has been awarded Health Network, Case Management and Health Utilization Management accreditation from the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission, a Washington, D.C.-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the industry.

Paul H. Dué of Dué, Price, Guidry, Piedrahita & Andrews, P.A. was recently selected by his peers for the 13th straight year for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2008, this year in the fields of Personal Injury Litigation and Products Liability. The 2008 edition is the fourteenth edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers is based on a peer-review survey in which 24,000 leading attorneys throughout the country cast almost two million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their specialties.

Chef Scott Varnedoe of Varnedoe’s Carriage House at The Myrtles Plantation brought home three silver medals and one bronze medal in the Baton Rouge Culinary Classic. The chef entered four categories and won silver for poultry, soup and Louisiana nouvelle and bronze for seafood. Varnedoe’s executive sous chef Eric Sibley won a gold medal in the bread category and silver in beef/veal.

Pascal Calogero Jr., Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, was awarded the fourth Dwight D. Opperman Award for Judicial Excellence. Calogero was chosen for his distinguished career of 34 years on the Supreme Court.

The Hammond architectural firm of Holly and Smith Architects won the Members Choice Award in the annual design competition by the Louisiana chapter of the American Institute of Architect for their design of a Dutchtown pharmacy. The 5,200-square-foot building won for its contemporary look with extensive use of metal and glass.

The Louisiana Chemical Association honored two of ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge facilities. The chemical and polyolefins plants each earned the Serious About Fostering Excellence Awards as Best in Louisiana based on their records on safety, heath and the environment. The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association also recognized the facilities with five consecutive Distinguished Safety Awards.

René Greer was awarded the 2007 Baton Rouge Original Award for her outstanding leadership, efforts in volunteerism and community activism. Greer, an original member of Forum 35, has also served the board of directors for the Public Affairs Research Council, Greater Baton Rouge Literacy Coalition, Magnolia Mound and Boys and Girls Club.

The Baton Rouge Chapter of Executive Women International installed the 2007 officers and directors. Officers are president Mary Alice Stanford of Renal Associates, vice president Krista Dettman of Wright & Percy, secretary Rose Wilson of the YMCA, treasurer Alexis Luker of PPC Mechanical Seals and program director Lauren Champagne of Excel Group.

The LSU Office of Public Affairs won four regional awards from the Southern Public Relations Federation. LSU took home the Lantern Award for first place in the Public Service Program category for the 2006 One Book, One Community Program. The office was also awarded two Awards of Excellence, second-place awards in the Organizational Identity category for LSU’s new logo design and the visual identity program for national branding efforts. The office also took home a Certificate of Merit for third place in the Total Research Program for its undergraduate recruiting market research.

The Louisiana State Medical Society honored WBRZ anchor and health reporter Sylvia Weatherspoon for her work on “Reduce Your Risk,” a series of special reports designed to educate viewers about heart disease. Weatherspoon was the winner of the Television Media category of the society’s 2007 Award for Excellence in Medical Journalism.