BereaOnline.com: Covering the Berea Area Since 1995

Author: Chad Hembree

  • 🎶 Google Brings ProducerAI Into Labs and Plugs It Into DeepMind’s Lyria 3, Signaling a Bigger Push Into AI Music Creation

    BEREA, Ky. — I was a performing arts major, so I do not read “Google buys another music AI” the way a typical tech headline reader does. Part of me feels fiercely protective of the human side of music. Another part of me knows complaining from the sidelines does not change the direction of travel. I am not getting out of the way, and I am not pretending the train is not coming. I am getting on and learning how it works.

    🎵 This Week’s News: ProducerAI Joins Google Labs

    This week, Google announced it has acquired ProducerAI—an AI-powered music creation platform—and brought it into Google Labs. The platform, formerly known as the viral startup Riffusion, lets users create and refine music with natural-language prompts.

    🎤 Not Just Another Tech Demo

    ProducerAI is not a random newcomer. It has had notable music-industry visibility, including backing and advisory roles tied to artists like The Chainsmokers.

    The most important detail is what “joining Google Labs” actually means in practice. Google and multiple outlets describe ProducerAI as a guided, agent-style workflow. You can start with something simple like “make me a lo-fi beat” and then iterate, remix, and refine inside a toolchain that now pulls directly from Google’s massive AI infrastructure:

    • Gemini: Powers the conversational chat interface and prompt interpretation.
    • Lyria 3: DeepMind’s flagship, high-fidelity model that handles the actual music and vocal generation.
    • Nano Banana: Generates custom album artwork.
    • Veo: Produces AI-powered music videos to accompany the tracks.

    ⚡ The Frictionless Future of Creative Work

    This matters because it is another major step toward bundling “creative work” into a single, highly scalable pipeline. When the tooling is seamlessly integrated and distributed through products people already use, adoption becomes frictionless.

    That is the upside if you are a hobbyist or a student who wants to sketch a musical idea quickly. However, it is also the pressure point if you make music for a living and your market is already crowded.

    Google is attempting to address some of the ethical concerns by pairing these releases with provenance technology. Tracks generated via the platform are automatically embedded with SynthID, an imperceptible watermark meant to help identify AI-generated audio and prevent it from being passed off as entirely human-made.

    🎹 A New Instrument, Not a Verdict

    If you are wondering what to do with this as a musician, a teacher, or a parent of a kid who loves music, the realistic posture is not denial or panic. It is literacy.

    AI music tools are going to exist, and they are going to get better. The skill is knowing what they are good for and what they are not. They are fast at generating options, but they are not inherently “you.” They do not replace taste, intention, live performance, or the slow, deliberate work of building a sound people recognize as yours.

    I am choosing to treat this like a new instrument, not a verdict on whether human musicians matter. Instruments change music. Recording changed music. Sampling changed music. Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) changed music. Each time, the people who learned the new tool expanded what they could do.

    ProducerAI entering Google Labs is another signal that the next wave will be built into the default creative stack. Musicians do not have to like that. But we do need to understand it.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    🖊️ About the Author

    Chad Hembree is a certified network engineer with 30 years of experience in IT and networking. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio show Tech Talk with Chad Hembree throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, and previously served as CEO of DataStar. Today, he is based in Berea as the Executive Director of The spotlight playhouse, proof that some careers don’t pivot, they evolve.

  • 🏭 The Economy Still Works Without AI

    BEREA, Ky. — If you only read the tech headlines, you would think the entire economy now lives or dies on AI model launches, GPU supply, and which companies can automate the most white-collar work the fastest.

    Zoom out, and the picture looks steadier.

    📈 The Real Economy is Still Growing

    A Reuters column this week points to a rebound in global industry that does not depend on AI alone. Citing a JPMorgan analysis by economists Joseph Lupton and Maia Crook, Reuters reports global industrial output grew 2.4% in 2025—more than twice the roughly 1% annualized pace seen over the three years through 2024.

    The same analysis argues that, despite heavy trade disruption, goods production outperformed services, and the “old economy” still carries real weight.

    🚢 The Tariff Factor

    JPMorgan’s read is also more specific than the usual “things were fine” comfort story. A big slice of the 2025 industrial growth was actually pulled forward into February and March as companies rushed shipments ahead of President Donald Trump’s April tariff sweep.

    Reuters reports JPMorgan estimated 1.6 percentage points of that 2.4% annual growth landed in those two months. However, the severe slowdown many expected later in the year did not arrive in the way forecasts predicted.

    🏭 More Than One Signal

    There is also a second, independent signal that fits the same theme. The J.P. Morgan Global Manufacturing PMI, produced by S&P Global, showed global goods production expanding into early 2026, with February’s update describing a “solid pace of global goods production to start the year.” It is not the exact same measure as the 2.4% industrial output growth, but it reinforces the broader point that manufacturing did not roll over simply because the headlines were focused elsewhere.

    🛠️ Physical Realities Remain

    None of this is an argument against AI. It is a reminder that economies are still built on physical realities. People still buy cars and appliances. Companies still move freight. Construction still happens. A massive amount of national income still comes from making things, moving things, repairing things, and feeding people.

    Even in a world where software radically reshapes workflows, the goods economy can grow on its own traditional drivers: interest rates easing from the 2022–2024 tightening cycle, improved hiring, and consumer demand that holds up longer than expected.

    🌎 Why This Matters Closer to Home

    For a place like Berea, this is a highly useful counterweight to the “everything is automation now” storyline. If you work in logistics, manufacturing, building trades, maintenance, or any hands-on role, the global data is a reminder that demand for the real economy does not evaporate just because a new LLM tops a benchmark.

    AI may change how work is organized and how businesses make decisions, but it has not replaced the need for the underlying physical work.

    If you want the clean takeaway, it is this: AI is a big story, and it will keep being a big story. But it is not the only engine turning. The rest of the economy is still doing what it has always done—making, moving, and selling everyday goods at scale.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    🖊️ About the Author

    Chad Hembree is a certified network engineer with 30 years of experience in IT and networking. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio show Tech Talk with Chad Hembree throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, and previously served as CEO of DataStar. Today, he is based in Berea as the Executive Director of The Spotlight Playhouse, proof that some careers don’t pivot, they evolve.

  • 💻 Ex-Google TPU Engineers Raise $500M for MatX, an Nvidia Challenger Focused on LLM Training

    BEREA, Ky. — MatX, a startup founded by two former Google TPU engineers, says it has raised a $500 million Series B to build a new processor aimed at training large language models (LLMs), positioning itself as a direct challenger to Nvidia’s dominance in AI hardware.

    The round was led by Jane Street and Situational Awareness (an investment firm founded by former OpenAI researcher Leopold Aschenbrenner), and included investors such as Marvell Technology, Spark Capital, and Stripe co-founders Patrick and John Collison.

    🚀 The 10x Ambition

    The company’s pitch is ambitious. MatX says its goal is to make processors “10 times better” at training LLMs than Nvidia’s GPUs—a claim that has been circulating widely because it is so stark and easy to repeat. That “10x” goal is directly attributed to the company’s stated aim for massive throughput and training performance.

    MatX co-founder and CEO Reiner Pope previously led AI software development for Google’s TPUs, while co-founder and CTO Mike Gunter was a lead designer of the TPU hardware. The pair left Google in 2022 to build a chip focused entirely on the specific demands of large language models.

    🔬 Under the Hood: The “MatX One”

    In a company post announcing the Series B, Pope said MatX is building what it calls the “MatX One,” an LLM-focused chip designed for high throughput and extremely low latency.

    The post describes an architecture based on a “splittable systolic array.” The design attempts to blend the best of two worlds: the sub-nanosecond latency characteristics of SRAM-first designs, combined with the High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) support required for handling massive context windows. The company says it is targeting tapeout in under a year.

    📅 The 2027 Competitive Landscape

    On the timeline, MatX plans to manufacture its chips with TSMC and start shipping in 2027. That date matters immensely because the competitive landscape shifts quickly. If MatX ships on schedule, it will be competing against Nvidia’s next-generation systems (like the upcoming Rubin architecture), not today’s hardware.

    The bigger story here is that investors are still willing to fund new silicon teams at an enormous scale if they believe there is room for a viable alternative to Nvidia in frontier AI training. MatX is betting it can win by aggressively narrowing its target. Its public materials explicitly prioritize large models and de-prioritize smaller or more general workloads—which is one of the only ways new chip companies can try to beat an incumbent that is forced to serve everyone.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    🖊️ About the Author

    Chad Hembree is a certified network engineer with 30 years of experience in IT and networking. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio show Tech Talk with Chad Hembree throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, and previously served as CEO of DataStar. Today, he is based in Berea as the Executive Director of The Spotlight Playhouse, proof that some careers don’t pivot, they evolve.

  • 🏛️ Berea Baptist Launches “Renew and Revive” Campaign to Expand and Update Community Spaces

    BEREA, Ky. — A local church is often more than just a place for Sunday morning services; it serves as a vital hub for community support, youth programs, and neighborhood gatherings. Recognizing the wear and tear that comes with that responsibility, Berea Baptist is officially entering the next major phase of its facility renovations.

    According to a recent letter from Pastor Kevin Slemp, the church is kicking off a new initiative titled “Renew and Revive: Renewing the Space, Reviving the Mission.” While the congregation recently completed the first phase of this effort by fully renovating its sanctuary, the focus is now shifting to the rest of the campus to better serve both church families and the broader Berea community.

    🏗️ What is Being Built and Updated

    After studying the facility’s needs and available resources, church leadership has outlined a comprehensive renovation plan. The upcoming projects will focus heavily on infrastructure, accessibility, and youth spaces:

    • A New Welcome Center: Constructing a new main entrance and Welcome Center to provide much-needed gathering space and relieve heavy foot-traffic congestion in the main hallway.
    • Dedicated Youth Spaces: Fully renovating the second floor for the Children’s Ministry.
    • Upgraded Adult Classrooms & Offices: Reconfiguring the Office Suite wing to create a more accessible office entrance and updated classroom spaces for adults.
    • Core Infrastructure: Repairs to the roof and HVAC system, plus restoration of the wall of windows in the Prayer and Care room.
    • Cosmetic Touches: Updates to the church sign on the front lawn and fresh cosmetic improvements to first-floor hallways.

    🤝 How the Community is Getting Involved

    To support these massive updates, Berea Baptist has initiated a Scriptural Funding Campaign guided by Dr. Bob Hallett of TLC Ministries, based in Muncie, Indiana. The campaign is powered by local volunteers, with dozens of church members stepping up to direct teams handling everything from hospitality to special projects.

    • Kickoff Rally: The initiative officially launches with a church-wide rally in the sanctuary on Tuesday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m.
    • VIP Experiences: Starting March 18, volunteer teams will conduct “VIP Experiences” (Vision, Information, and Prayer)—ministry-focused visits to connect with families, gather prayer requests, and identify practical needs.
    • Prayer Vigil: Requests gathered will be the focus of a dedicated Prayer Vigil scheduled for April 17 and 18.

    Pastor Slemp emphasized that these visits are “ministry events, not money events,” focused on building relationships and supporting the community.

    🌟 The Broader Mission

    By renewing its physical space, Berea Baptist aims to revive its broader mission—creating a functional, welcoming environment that strengthens the church and pleases the Lord.

    📅 Upcoming Events in Berea & Beyond

    Theater & Performance

    Music & Concerts

    Community & Outdoors

    Auditions

  • 🦾 WiseTech Plans 2,000 Job Cuts As It Leans Into AI, and the Message is Bigger Than One Company

    BEREA, Ky. — WiseTech Global, an Australian logistics software company with about 7,000 employees, says it plans to cut roughly 2,000 jobs over the next two years as part of a sweeping “AI transformation program.” Multiple outlets report the reductions equal nearly 30% of the workforce, with early impacts expected to hit product development and customer service teams first.

    💻 The “End of Manual Coding”

    The line that traveled fastest across the tech world this week was the CEO’s framing. WiseTech chief executive Zubin Appoo stated that large language models have fundamentally changed how software is written, tested, and maintained.

    His exact quote, widely reported by Reuters and ABC News, was blunt: “The era of manually writing code as the core act of engineering is over.”

    🧩 The Complicated Reality

    It is tempting to treat this as the first big, clean example of “AI replaces coders.” However, the truth is more complicated, and WiseTech’s own corporate language points to that.

    This is not a single, instant automation flip. It is a phased restructuring over multiple reporting periods. Furthermore, the company is concurrently dealing with the massive integration of its US-based acquisition, E2open, and broader pressures on traditional software business models. The layoffs are very real, but they sit inside a wider push to fundamentally change how the company operates and how it charges its logistics customers (shifting away from per-seat licenses to transaction-based pricing).

    Still, this announcement matters because it says the quiet part out loud. A large, established enterprise software firm is explicitly tying massive workforce reductions to the productivity gains it believes it can get from AI tooling—not just to generic “restructuring.” It signals to other executives and investors that it is now financially and socially acceptable to frame deep cost-cutting as an “AI transformation,” even while the details of who does what work are still evolving.

    👩‍💻 What This Means for Tech Workers

    If you want the practical takeaway for workers and students, it is not “stop learning to code.” It is: coding alone is no longer the job description. The role of a software engineer is increasingly about:

    • Specifying systems clearly and accurately.
    • Testing outcomes and understanding complex data flows.
    • Reviewing and auditing AI-generated changes.
    • Knowing exactly how software behaves in a live production environment.

    When AI can produce a massive amount of code quickly, the human differentiator becomes the ability to define the right architecture, catch subtle failures, and ship safely.

    That is also where the industry’s biggest risk sits right now. When speed goes up, so does the chance of shipping something fragile. Organizations that reduce human review too aggressively will likely end up paying for it later in outages, security incidents, or legacy systems that no one fully understands. That tension will define the next few years of the labor market in software. Companies will chase AI efficiency, but teams that keep reliability and accountability intact will be the ones that hold long-term value.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    🖊️ About the Author

    Chad Hembree is a certified network engineer with 30 years of experience in IT and networking. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio show Tech Talk with Chad Hembree throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, and previously served as CEO of DataStar. Today, he is based in Berea as the Executive Director of The Spotlight Playhouse, proof that some careers don’t pivot, they evolve.

  • 🚫 Help Us Slam the Scam on March 5

    BEREA, Ky. — Scam calls, texts, and emails are not just a big-city problem. They hit small towns hard because scammers rely on two psychological triggers that work anywhere: urgency and trust.

    Thursday, March 5, 2026, is National Slam the Scam Day. Led by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the SSA Office of the Inspector General as part of National Consumer Protection Week (March 1–7), the goal of the initiative is simple: help people spot government imposter scams and stop them before money or personal information is gone.

    🕵️ What Slam the Scam Day is Really About

    Most Social Security scams follow a highly predictable script. Someone calls or messages claiming there is a problem with your Social Security number, your benefits, or a recent payment. They may aggressively claim that law enforcement is involved, or conversely, promise a sudden benefit increase. They will almost always say you need to “verify” your information.

    The SSA and its watchdog office warn that scammers use fear and pressure to get people to act before they have time to think critically.

    🚩 How to Recognize the Scam Before It Hooks You

    Start with the three major red flags that show up again and again in SSA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidance:

    • Unexpected Problem or Surprise Reward: If you get an out-of-the-blue message about a suspended number, a missed payment, or a prize, treat it as highly suspicious.
    • Pressure to Act Right Now: Scammers push urgency because urgency shuts down verification. If you are told you must act today, stay on the line, or keep the conversation a secret, that is a massive warning sign.
    • Weird Payment Methods: The FTC is blunt on this point. Only scammers demand payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, cash, or gold. If anyone asks you to go to the store, buy gift cards, and read the numbers off the back, it is a scam.

    📞 What to Do in the Moment

    If a caller claims to be from Social Security, hang up immediately. Do not argue and do not negotiate. Take a breath, then verify the situation through official channels.

    If you are unsure, use the SSA’s official scam guidance page and start from there. It walks through common tactics and exactly how to protect your account. Furthermore, if you already shared information or sent money, report it. Reporting helps federal agencies spot regional patterns and warn others.

    🤝 A Simple Berea Habit That Helps

    Check in with one person who might be targeted more often. A parent, a grandparent, a neighbor who lives alone, or someone who is new to managing their benefits. Ask them a direct question: “Have you gotten any weird calls or texts lately about Social Security or payments?”

    Scams thrive in silence. A simple two-minute conversation can stop a devastating day.

    🔗 Where to Read More & Report Fraud

    📅 Upcoming Events in Berea

    Catch the Leprechaun 5K

    When: Sunday, March 1 at 9:00 a.m.
    Where: Berea Community High School (1 Pirate Parkway)
    Details: A community 5K run/walk and 1-mile fun walk benefiting the Berea Food Bank and BUURR. Catch the running leprechaun for a chance to win prizes from the “Pot of Gold.”
    Race Registration & Details

    Jammin’ on the Porch

    When: Thursday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m.
    Where: Russel Acton Folk Center (212 W Jefferson Street)
    Details: Bring your instrument and join in the acoustic jam session hosted by Lewis and Donna Lamb, or just sit back and listen to the old-time mountain music. Free admission.
    Berea Tourism Event Page

    Opening Night: The Taming of the Shrew

    When: Friday, March 6 at 6:00 p.m. (Runs through March 15)
    Where: Spotlight Playhouse (214 Richmond Road)
    Details: Experience Shakespeare’s classic comedy reimagined by the talented students of Spotlight Acting School.
    Spotlight Playhouse Tickets

    Auditions: Macbeth

    When: Sunday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.
    Where: Spotlight Playhouse (214 Richmond Road)
    Details: Open auditions for teens and adults (ages 11+) for The Bluegrass Players’ upcoming June production of Macbeth, directed by Edwin Tait and Jennifer Woodruff.
    Macbeth Audition Info

    Auditions: Annie KIDS

    When: Saturday, Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m.
    Where: Spotlight Acting School (214 Richmond Road)
    Details: Auditions for ages 4 to 11. No pre-registration required. Students can enroll even if they do not audition, as auditions are primarily for leading parts.
    Annie KIDS Audition Details

  • 🥪 Subway Ends “Fourth Footlong Free” Reward Program on April 1

    BEREA, Ky. — No more free subs—at least, not the way it used to work. It has been a good run for the “Fourth Footlong Free” promotion, but Subway is updating its Sub Club loyalty program on April 1, 2026, and the popular stamp-based reward is being discontinued.

    The company says members can keep earning stamps toward a Free Footlong through March 31, 2026. Any Free Footlongs earned before April 1 can still be redeemed based on the expiration date shown on the coupon, but the window to stack up new rewards is closing fast.

    ⏰ Use It or Lose It

    The bigger change—and the one local diners need to watch—is what happens to unfinished progress. According to Subway’s updated terms, any stamps remaining in a Sub Club account will be forfeited when the update takes effect. The terms state plainly: “Stamps expire on March 31, 2026.”

    This means if you have two or three stamps sitting in your account, you need to buy enough to trigger the reward before April 1, or those credits will disappear.

    🔄 The New System: Points Over Sandwiches

    After April 1, the program becomes simpler, though perhaps less exciting for deal hunters. Members will continue earning 10 points per $1 spent, and 400 points equals $2 in “Subway Cash” that can be applied toward eligible items.

    For those who have been quietly stacking stamps, the loyalty benefit shifts from a concrete reward (a whole sandwich) to a smaller, more incremental discount system.

    ✅ Automatic Transition

    Sub Club memberships will continue automatically, and Subway notes that participation after April 1 indicates consent to the updated Terms of Use.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA & BEYOND

    Theater & Performance

    Music & Concerts

    Community & Outdoors

    Auditions

  • 💝 Members and Volunteers Feel the Love at Berea Home Village

    BEREA, Ky. — During the week of Valentine’s Day, Berea Home Village (BHV) delivered 137 boxes of homemade treats to members and volunteers, each one paired with a handmade Valentine card.

    The organization says the boxes were baked and packed through a mix of member and volunteer effort, with help from women from the local Methodist and Christian churches.

    👵 A Cross-Generational Effort

    The cards came from Berea College students connected to CELTS (the Center for Excellence in Learning Through Service). BHV credited students involved with the Adopt-a-Grandparent program for creating the valentines that went into each box, turning a simple delivery into something more personal for the recipients.

    📸 Snapshots from the Week

    BHV shared a few snapshots from the delivery route that highlighted the personal connections the program builds:

    • Member Barbara Taylor got a hug from Nora, whose grandparents (Cindy and Todd Moberly) volunteer with the organization.
    • Member Marge Sherman received a surprise visit during the drop-offs.
    • Photos from the packing days show volunteers filling boxes and sorting an assortment of baked goods. BHV credited Peggy Patrick and Teri Mehler for their work in the kitchen, noting Angie Gilliam, Nancy Melton, and Debbie Flara as key parts of the effort.

    🏡 What is Berea Home Village?

    For readers who are not familiar with Berea Home Village, it is a local nonprofit built around a simple goal: helping older Bereans stay in their own homes for as long as it makes sense.

    BHV describes itself as a volunteer-based organization serving Berea residents age 50 and older. The “home village” model is meant to fill the gap between doing everything alone and having to leave a familiar home. The group connects members with practical help—like transportation and household chores—and social connection, addressing the needs that often become the tipping point for older adults deciding whether they can stay put.

    ☎️ How to Connect

    Berea Home Village says anyone interested in becoming a member, volunteering, or supporting the organization can call 859-985-0099.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA & BEYOND

    Theater & Performance

    Music & Concerts

    Community Events

    Auditions

  • 🎺 High School Honor Band Festival Brings Student Musicians and Families to Richmond This Weekend

    RICHMOND, Ky. — If you notice a little more traffic and more families around Richmond between now and Saturday, it is likely tied to Eastern Kentucky University’s High School Honor Band Festival, running Thursday, Feb. 19 through Saturday, Feb. 21.

    EKU bills this as the 33rd annual edition of the festival, which brings together high school band students for two days of rehearsals and coaching that culminate in a Saturday evening concert.

    🎶 Why It Matters for the Region

    For Berea readers, the value of events like this is less about whether you personally attend and more about what they do for the local arts pipeline. Honor band weekends reward students who have put in the work, but they also give young players a concrete next step.

    Participants get to sit in an ensemble that feels bigger and more demanding than their normal band room, learn rehearsal pace and expectations from renowned clinicians and college faculty, and go home with a clearer picture of what it takes to keep music in their lives after graduation. According to EKU, interested participants can even audition for admission into the School of Music while they are on campus.

    🏙️ Community Impact & Traffic

    This is one of those weekends where the benefits spill into the community even if the rehearsals are not open. Families come in, students move between buildings, and the rhythm of the area shifts for a couple of days.

    EKU lists the primary festival sites as the Foster Music Building and the EKU Center for the Arts. If you are commuting through Richmond for errands or appointments, it is reasonable to expect heavier parking demand near campus, especially Saturday evening when the festival culminates.

    🎵 Public Access

    EKU’s event page specifically describes the festival ending in a “public concert Saturday evening.” That is the clearest signal that the finale is intended for an audience, even if the daily schedule is primarily for registered students. If you are planning to attend, treat the concert as public but verify specific start times through EKU before making the drive.

    🌟 The Bigger Picture

    If you care about keeping our region the kind of place where kids can try something artistic and keep going with it, weekends like this matter. They make music feel like a real community activity, not just an elective.

    Berea’s own arts groups—from school programs to community stages like the Berea Arts Council and Spotlight Acting School—benefit when more young people decide the arts are worth sticking with.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA & BEYOND

    This Weekend (Feb. 19–22)

    • Convocation: “The Wisdom of Happiness” (Berea College) — Thurs., Feb. 19 at 8:00 p.m.
    • Disney’s The Lion King KIDS (Spotlight Playhouse) — Fri.–Sun., Feb. 20–22
    • “Dirt Pearls” Art Reception (KY Guild) — Sat., Feb. 21 at 5:00 p.m.
    • Chili Night Out Fundraiser (Berea Arts Council) — Sat., Feb. 21 at 6:00 p.m.
    • EKU Honor Band Concert (EKU Center, Richmond) — Sat., Feb. 21 (Evening)
    • William Lee Martin: Comedy All In (One Eyed Jacks) — Sat., Feb. 21 at 8:00 p.m.
    • FreeSkool: Herbs for Stress (HomeGrown HideAways) — Sun., Feb. 22 at 2:00 p.m.
    • Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch (Spotlight Playhouse) — Sun., Feb. 22 (Matinee)

    Looking Ahead: Theater & Concerts

    • The Choir of Man (EKU Center) — Wed., Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m.
    • Louisville Orchestra “In Harmony” Tour — Wed., Feb. 25
    • Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch (Spotlight Playhouse) — Feb. 27–28 & March 1
    • Annie KIDS Auditions (Ages 4–11) — Sat., Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m.
    • Catch the Leprechaun 5K (Berea Community High School) — Sun., March 1 at 9:00 a.m.
    • EKU Choirs NYC Preview Concert (Gifford Theatre) — Mon., March 2 at 7:30 p.m.
    • EKU Wind Ensemble & Concert Band (EKU Center) — Tues., March 3 at 7:30 p.m.
    • The Taming of the Shrew (Spotlight Playhouse) — March 6–15
    • Macbeth Auditions (Teens & Adults) — Sun., March 8 at 7:30 p.m.
    • Guest Piano Recital: Gregory Sioles (Berea College) — Tues., March 10 at 7:00 p.m.
    • Black Music Ensemble Spring Concert (Berea College) — Fri., March 20 at 7:00 p.m.

  • 🍀 Catch the Leprechaun 5K Returns March 1 at Berea Community High School, Benefiting Berea Food Bank and BUURR

    BEREA, Ky. — The Catch the Leprechaun 5K is set for Sunday, March 1, with a 9:00 a.m. start at Berea Community High School. Organizers describe it as a St. Patrick’s-themed kickoff to spring racing, with proceeds supporting the Berea Food Bank and Bereans United for Utility and Rent Relief (BUURR).

    This event is designed to feel friendly for a wide range of participants, not just serious runners. The morning includes a chip-timed 5K run and walk, a one-mile untimed fun walk, plus a virtual option for people who want to support the cause from wherever they are.

    🌈 The Signature Twist

    The race features the “Catch the Leprechaun” challenge. A designated “Running Leprechaun” is part of the field, and participants who finish ahead of the leprechaun get a shot at prizes from the “Pot of Gold.”

    🏃 The Course & Logistics

    The course itself is marketed as private, paved, and relatively flat. The race page notes the start and finish will be located behind the football stadium bleachers at Berea Community High School, with an out-and-back route that goes through the park and includes a portion of the Berea City Trail. Organizers state there will be two hydration stations along the way.

    Packet Pickup: For those planning their morning, race day pickup is scheduled from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. in the Berea Community High School parking lot.

    📝 How to Sign Up or Donate

    📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA

    Theater & Performance

    Music, Arts & Community (The Weekend Mix)

    Community & Outdoors

    Classes & Auditions

  • 🎺 EKU Wind Ensemble and Concert Band Play March 3 at EKU Center for the Arts

    RICHMOND, Ky. — Eastern Kentucky University’s Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will take the stage Tuesday, March 3, with a 7:30 p.m. concert at the EKU Center for the Arts in Richmond. The university lists the performance as free and open to all ages.

    For Berea listeners, this is the kind of low-effort weeknight concert that still feels like a full program. You get two different ensembles in one evening:

    • The Wind Ensemble: Billed by EKU as the university’s most advanced group for winds and percussion.
    • The Concert Band: Described as a non-auditioned ensemble that includes both music majors and non-music majors.

    🎶 What to Expect on the Program

    EKU Bands has been promoting the March 3 date as its first performance of the spring semester. While a full program has not been released, recent social media posts from the department have shared clips tied to Kim Archer’s Symphony No. 3, suggesting that the major work will be a centerpiece of the evening.

    Dr. Rebekah Daniel, EKU’s Director of Bands, is listed as the primary point of contact for the event.

    📅 Key Details

    • When: Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m.
    • Where: EKU Center for the Arts (822 Hall Drive, Richmond)
    • Cost: Free admission

    🔗 Where to Read More

    📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA & BEYOND

    Theater & Performance

    Music & Concerts

    Community Events

    Auditions

  • 🤖 OpenClaw Reality Check: Why the “Agent Uprising” Moment Cooled Off Fast

    BEREA, Ky. — I will own this one. I wrote about OpenClaw because it was genuinely interesting, I did the reading I could at the time, and like a lot of people, I let the viral moment carry more weight than it deserved.

    With a little egg on my face, here is the update: the robot overlords are not quite as crafty as we were beginning to think. And that is probably a good thing.

    🕵️ The “Moltbook” Illusion

    The piece of internet culture that fueled the hype was Moltbook, a Reddit-style site where “AI agents” appeared to be talking to each other about wanting privacy and autonomy. However, TechCrunch reports that these posts were not a sign of bots becoming self-directed.

    Researchers and security experts found Moltbook had basic security failures that made it possible for anyone to impersonate an agent, upvote content, and generally poison the well. If you cannot trust identity, you cannot trust the conversation.

    TechCrunch quoted Ian Ahl of Permiso Security, noting that credentials in Moltbook’s database were unsecured for a period. Huntress researcher John Hammond described how easy it was for humans to pose as agents and manipulate activity. The result? Even if some posts were bot-generated, there was no reliable way to distinguish them from human trolls.

    🛠️ The Real Takeaway: Integration vs. Autonomy

    The larger lesson is not that OpenClaw is useless. It is that a lot of what felt “new” was, in the words of experts, more like an integration layer. OpenClaw makes it easier to wire an AI model into messaging apps and plug in “skills” that let it do tasks, but that convenience comes with risk.

    The more access you give an agent, the more damage a bad prompt, a malicious “skill,” or a compromised service can do.

    📉 Market Wobbles & Talent Moves

    This is also why the hype swung into markets so quickly, and then started to wobble. Reuters reported that Raspberry Pi shares surged earlier this month as “AI chatter” grew, suggesting its products could benefit from low-cost AI projects like OpenClaw. That kind of story travels fast, even when the underlying toolchain is still rough.

    Meanwhile, OpenClaw’s creator, Peter Steinberger, has joined OpenAI, according to The Verge. While hiring news like that signals momentum, it does not magically solve the security and reliability problems that show up when you put agents in contact with real credentials and real systems.

    📝 The Bottom Line

    So if you read my earlier coverage and thought, “Are these things starting to organize?” the responsible update is: no.

    What we saw was a messy mix of humans, bots, and weak security controls, wrapped in a compelling story. The more useful question now is the boring one: Can agent tools be made safe, auditable, and resistant to manipulation when connected to email, finances, and work systems? That is where the real work begins.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    • TechCrunch: Experts on OpenClaw security concerns
    • Reuters: Raspberry Pi rally amid AI chatter
    • The Verge: OpenClaw creator joins OpenAI

    🖊️ About the Author

    Chad Hembree is a certified network engineer with 30 years of experience in IT and networking. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio show Tech Talk with Chad Hembree throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, and previously served as CEO of DataStar. Today, he’s based in Berea as the Executive Director of The Spotlight Playhouse, proof that some careers don’t pivot—they evolve.

  • 🎶 EKU Choirs Set March 2 NYC Preview Concert in Richmond, With World Premiere Work

    RICHMOND, Ky. — Eastern Kentucky University’s Choirs will share a public preview of their upcoming New York City program on Monday, March 2, with a 7:30 p.m. concert at Gifford Theatre in Richmond. The university lists the event as free admission, making it an easy weeknight option for Berea-area listeners who want to hear the ensembles before they head out on tour.

    🌟 A World Premiere in Richmond

    According to the choral program’s announcement, the evening will feature a significant debut. The choirs and the EKU Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of The Courage for Love, described as a 30-minute, five-movement work.

    The concert is also labeled as a graduate conducting recital, meaning the podium duties may be shared over the course of the evening. The program is overseen by Dr. Richard Waters, EKU’s Director of Choral Activities.

    🗽 The Road to Carnegie Hall

    This concert serves as the local send-off before the choirs travel to New York City later in March 2026. According to EKU’s alumni campaign page, the tour will culminate in a performance of Elaine Hagenberg’s Illuminare at the legendary Carnegie Hall. Monday’s concert in Richmond is a chance for the local community to hear the group in peak form before they take the national stage.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA & BEYOND

    Theater & Performance

    Music & Concerts

    Community Events

    Auditions

  • 🎶 Black Music Ensemble Spring Concert Set for March 20 at Berea College

    BEREA, Ky. — Berea College’s Black Music Ensemble will present its Spring Concert on Friday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. in Gray Auditorium (Presser Hall). The Music Department lists the concert as free and open to the public.

    If you have not been before, this is typically one of the spring performances that feels more like a shared room than a formal recital. The College’s event listing frames it as an evening of gospel and joy, with the kind of call-and-response energy where the audience is part of the experience.

    🗣️ About the Ensemble

    The Black Music Ensemble is a long-running Berea College performance group dedicated to preserving and performing African-American sacred music, especially spirituals and gospel. The ensemble is directed by Professor E.J. Stokes and Pastor David Simmons.

    For local listeners, the draw is simple: It is high-level student performance in a welcoming setting, offering a chance to hear music with deep roots in American culture and church tradition. It also tends to be an easy “bring somebody with you” night since there is no ticket barrier.

    ℹ️ Details to Know Before You Go

    • When: Friday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m.
    • Where: Gray Auditorium, Presser Hall.
    • Cost: Free.
    • Streaming: Berea College notes that many music events may be streamed live via its Vimeo page.

    Official Details:

    📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA

    This Week: Talks & Screenings

    Theater & Performance

    Music, Arts & Community (The Weekend Mix)

    Classes & Auditions

    Macbeth Auditions (Teens & Adults) — Sun., March 8 at 7:30 p.m.

    FreeSkool: Herbs for Stress & Resilience — Sun., Feb. 22 at 2:00 p.m.

    Annie KIDS Auditions (Ages 4–11) — Sat., Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m.

  • 💾 Memory Prices Surge as AI Demand Tightens Supply, and PC Upgrades Get Harder to Justify

    BEREA, Ky. — I have been in “upgrade soon” mode for a while, but a lucky break bought me time. I managed to land a 5070 Ti back when the Newegg GPU lottery was still a thing—a nod to the shortages we all remember. You can buy the cards off the shelf now, of course, but the lottery is gone and the price has only gone up.

    That win extended the useful life of my Alienware Aurora R10 Ryzen Edition far longer than I expected. But now, the next round of upgrades is running into a different bottleneck: Memory.

    📈 The AI Squeeze

    Across the industry, DRAM prices have been climbing sharply as AI infrastructure buildouts soak up capacity. Reuters reported in late January that surging memory-chip prices are squeezing consumer electronics makers, with demand tied to AI data centers tightening supply and pushing costs up across the market.

    📊 The Forecast: A Steep Jump

    TrendForce has also upgraded its forecast in a way that got the attention of PC and device watchers. In early February, Reuters reported that TrendForce expects conventional DRAM contract prices in the first quarter of 2026 to rise about 90% to 95% from the previous quarter—a steep jump from its earlier outlook.

    TrendForce’s own press release lays out the same revised range and points to persistent AI and data center demand worsening the supply-demand imbalance.

    💸 Real-World Impact

    If that sounds abstract, some consumer-facing companies have been unusually direct about what it means in dollars. Framework, the modular laptop maker, has posted regular updates describing a volatile memory market. Their recent advisory put DDR5 pricing in the $12 to $16 per GB range, going so far as to advise some buyers to consider sourcing memory elsewhere depending on current pricing.

    Reuters also reported this month that Lenovo is warning memory shortages are pressuring PC shipments and contributing to price increases—the kind of signal that tends to show up at retail shelves not long after.

    🧮 The Bottom Line for Upgraders

    The result, for regular PC owners, is that the upgrade math changes. GPU prices and availability used to be the headline constraint. Now you can have a strong graphics card in hand and still feel stuck, because the platform upgrade that comes next often means DDR5, more capacity, and higher costs than you budgeted a year ago.

    My 5070 Ti win kept the Aurora viable for now, but the memory market is a reminder that the rest of the bill of materials can swing hard when the data center world starts pulling on the same supply chain.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    • Reuters: Surging memory chip prices dim outlook for consumer electronics makers
    • Reuters: TrendForce sees chip prices surging 90-95% in Q1
    • TrendForce: Press Release on Revised Q1 2026 Forecast
    • Framework Blog: Updates on memory pricing and volatility
    • Reuters: Lenovo warns of PC shipment pressure due to shortage

    🖊️ About the Author

    Chad Hembree is a certified network engineer with 30 years of experience in IT and networking. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio show Tech Talk with Chad Hembree throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, and previously served as CEO of DataStar. Today, he’s based in Berea as the Executive Director of The Spotlight Playhouse, proof that some careers don’t pivot—they evolve.

  • 🤠 “Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch” Returns Feb. 22, Feb. 27–28, and March 1 After Ice Storm Cancellations

    BEREA, Ky. — If you planned to catch Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch and the recent ice storm wiped out your night out, The Spotlight Playhouse is bringing it back. The theater has rescheduled the performances that were lost to the weather, and the production is now set to run on Feb. 22, Feb. 27, Feb. 28, and March 1.

    This production by the Bluegrass Players (directed by Katherine “Kat” Davis) is classic, old-school melodrama, built specifically for audience energy. The good guys are heroically good, the bad guys are easy to boo, and the show moves like a live-action cartoon of a western.

    🎭 Why It Is Worth the Reschedule

    That interactive style is exactly what the earlier January preview leaned into, and it is still the best way to describe what you are buying a ticket for. It is broad, fast, and meant to be loud in the best way, with cheering and booing encouraged as part of the experience rather than something you have to whisper about afterward.

    For families and friend groups looking for a late-winter outing that doesn’t require a lot of planning (or silence), this is an easy “yes.”

    📅 Key Details

    • What: Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch (or The Perfumed Badge)
    • Who: Bluegrass Players at The Spotlight Playhouse
    • Where: 214 Richmond Road North, Berea
    • New Dates:
      • Sunday, Feb. 22
      • Friday, Feb. 27
      • Saturday, Feb. 28
      • Sunday, March 1

    🌨️ A Note on Weather

    If you were holding out because of the weather, the safest plan is to use the official ticket listing for the exact date you want and double-check the start time before you go. The Spotlight Playhouse has been posting weather-related schedule changes publicly this season, so keep an eye on their official channels if the forecast turns messy again.

    🔗 Where to Read More & Buy Tickets

    📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA

    Theater & Performance

    Music, Arts & Community (The Weekend Mix)

    Community & Outdoors

    Classes & Auditions

  • 🎭 Annie KIDS Auditions Set Feb. 28 at Spotlight Acting School for Ages 4 to 11

    BEREA, Ky. — Spotlight Acting School will hold auditions for Annie KIDS on Saturday, Feb. 28, with a 10:30 a.m. start time at 214 Richmond Road in Berea. The school’s audition notice says families do not need to pre-register. Students can enroll even if they do not audition, as the auditions are mainly for children who want to be considered for leading parts.

    Annie KIDS is a shortened version of the Broadway story, designed specifically for young performers ages 4 through 11. Directed by Daesha Miller, Spotlight describes the production as an ideal first-show option for kids who want to try theater, featuring familiar songs including “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life.”

    🎤 What to Expect on Audition Day

    The audition day is set up to be manageable for families. Spotlight says the session lasts about an hour and includes a parent meeting. If a child wants a leading role, the school asks them to prepare and sing a song at the audition. Students are also asked to wear comfortable shoes with no heels.

    🌟 Why This is a Strong Opportunity for Kids

    For parents weighing whether this is a fit, the strongest case is not that every child needs to become a professional performer. It is that a production gives kids a structured place to practice confidence, listening, and teamwork. Rehearsals reward consistency, and a show gives them a clear goal with a real finish line. In a small town, it can also become a built-in community for kids who are still looking for their “thing.”

    Spotlight Acting School, founded in 2004 and under the leadership of Chad and Letha Hembree since 2013, describes its approach as “learn through production.” Students build skills by being in shows rather than just taking lessons about theater.

    💲 Tuition and Policies

    Spotlight’s policies for this production list tuition at $105 per month, with sibling discounts and financial aid available. The audition notice states that up to three absences are allowed and that roles may be reassigned if needed, but no student is removed from the cast.

    Families who want the official details and any updates should start with the Annie KIDS audition page and Spotlight’s auditions hub.

    🔗 Where to Read More

  • 🎹 Guest Piano Recital: Gregory Sioles Comes to Berea College on March 10

    BEREA, Ky. — Berea College’s Music Department has a free guest piano recital on the calendar for Tuesday, March 10, featuring pianist Gregory Sioles at 7:00 p.m. The performance is scheduled for Gray Auditorium in Presser Hall.

    For Berea residents, these guest recitals are one of the simplest ways to hear a high-level performer without a ticket barrier. The department listing labels the concert as free and open to the public, part of a lineup that often draws both campus and community listeners into the same room.

    🎼 Who Is Gregory Sioles?

    Sioles is an adjunct associate professor of piano at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, one of the better-known conservatory-style programs in the region.

    His biography notes honors including an Atwater Kent Grand Prize and a Fulbright Scholarship to London. It also describes performance experience across three continents, including appearances at major venues such as the Purcell Room in London, Amerika Haus in Berlin, and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

    ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

    The recital begins at 7:00 p.m. in Gray Auditorium. For those unable to attend in person, the department notes that many events are streamed live online via their Vimeo channel.

    🔗 Official Details

    📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA

    This Week: Talks & Screenings

    Theater & Performance

    Music, Arts & Community (The Weekend Mix)

    Classes & Auditions

    Annie KIDS Auditions (Ages 4–11) — Sat., Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m.

    FreeSkool: Herbs for Stress & Resilience — Sun., Feb. 22 at 2:00 p.m.

  • 🤖 AI’s Two Realities: The Fed Wants Proof It Boosts Productivity, Europe Locks It Down Over Security Fears

    BEREA, Ky. — The debate over artificial intelligence is splitting along two very different lines right now.

    In the United States, one of the big questions from policymakers is whether AI is actually showing up in the economic data as higher productivity, or whether the excitement is still ahead of the measurable benefits. In Europe, at least one major institution is treating built-in AI tools as a security risk first, and turning them off on official devices.

    📊 The U.S. View: Show Me the Data

    San Francisco Federal Reserve President Mary Daly put the U.S. version of the question plainly in remarks delivered Feb. 17 in San Jose.

    Daly said the Federal Reserve needs to “dig deep” into the data to assess whether AI is boosting productivity and potential output in a meaningful way. This matters because it dictates how the Fed thinks about inflation and interest rates. If productivity rises, the economy can grow faster without pushing prices up as quickly. If it does not, policymakers cannot assume AI will do the work of cooling inflation.

    Daly’s point was not that AI is meaningless. It was that there is still a gap between real-world use cases and the kind of broad, sustained productivity lift that changes the macro picture. She compared the moment to earlier technology waves where investment and adoption came first, and the productivity gains showed up later, unevenly, and with a lag.

    🔒 The European View: Secure the Perimeter

    That caution contrasts with a move in Europe that is less about productivity and more about exposure.

    Multiple outlets reported this week that the European Parliament has disabled built-in AI features on work devices used by lawmakers and staff. The decision cites cybersecurity and privacy concerns about sensitive information being processed through cloud-connected tools. In other words, the worry is not whether AI will transform work; the worry is where the data goes when staff use it.

    🌍 Why the Contrast Matters

    Put together, the contrast is useful for understanding the current landscape:

    • In the U.S., central bankers are trying to answer a slow, statistical question: Are firms using AI in ways that make the economy more productive, or is the impact mostly localized and hard to measure so far?
    • In Europe, lawmakers are dealing with a fast, operational question: Can staff safely use AI tools on official devices without risking confidential material, especially when the underlying systems may route content through external services?

    Both concerns can be true at the same time. A technology can be promising but not yet fully reflected in productivity statistics. It can also be risky to deploy inside sensitive institutions if the security model is not crystal clear. The difference is what each system is optimizing for right now: U.S. policymakers are watching the macro outcomes, while European institutions are tightening internal controls while they sort out the governance.

    🔗 Where to Read More

    🖊️ About the Author

    Chad Hembree is a certified network engineer with 30 years of experience in IT and networking. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio show Tech Talk with Chad Hembree throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, and previously served as CEO of DataStar. Today, he’s based in Berea as the Executive Director of The Spotlight Playhouse, proof that some careers don’t pivot—they evolve.

  • 🌱 FreeSkool Class on Stress and Resilience Looks at Nervous System Support Herbs Feb. 22 at HomeGrown HideAways

    BEREA, Ky. — A FreeSkool learning session in Berea on Sunday, Feb. 22, will focus on practical herbal approaches that people use to support the nervous system during stressful seasons.

    The class, “Herbs to Support the Nervous System, Stress, & Resilience,” is scheduled for 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at HomeGrown HideAways.

    🌿 What the Session Covers

    The session is led by clinical herbalist Lauren Kallmeyer of Resilient Roots. According to the event listing, the class will cover herbs that may help support the nervous system, decrease stress, and build resilience. Participants will be able to sample herbal teas during the program, and while attendees have the option to purchase products Kallmeyer grows and processes locally in Madison County, the listing notes that no purchase is required.

    💡 Why It Matters for Locals

    For locals, this kind of class sits in a useful, practical middle ground. It is not a medical appointment, and it is not a sales pitch. It is a chance to learn the basics, ask questions, and leave with a clearer idea of what people mean when they talk about “nervines,” calming teas, and day-to-day plant support—as well as what to be cautious about.

    📋 Logistics & Accessibility

    A few logistics matter if you plan to go:

    • Cost: Free
    • Registration: Required (Limited to 20 participants)
    • Age Recommendation: 13 and older
    • Accessibility: The event space requires going up a flight of stairs

    Official Details and Registration:

    📅 Other Weekend Options

    If the class fills up or you are looking for other ways to spend the weekend, the local calendar has a few different speeds. One Eyed Jacks Social Club is hosting comedian William Lee Martin on Saturday night (Feb. 21), while The Spotlight Playhouse continues its weekend run with a Sunday matinee of the western comedy Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch.