'Matchup' event aims to find contractors

DOWNTOWN - A business "matchmaker" event scheduled for April 20 will put small businesses in touch with larger corporations and government agencies that have contracts to award.

Cincinnati is one of several regional stops on the Business Matchmaking tour sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Hewlett-Packard's Small Business Foundation. The program is in its second year and has resulted in millions of dollars' worth of contracts, organizers say.

"The contacts, or 'matchups,' that Cincinnati-area businesses are able to make at this procurement event could not only result in important business contracts but may also ultimately result in job creation at these companies," said Madonna Marenda, publicist for the Business Matchmaking program.

The half-day session takes place at the Westin Hotel. It includes counseling and educational seminars to prepare small businesses to do business with government agencies and major corporations, and online access to contract opportunities through the Small Business Networking Center.

Information: www.businessmatchmaking.com.

Store sells uniforms, other referee goods

SHARONVILLE - A new business in Crystal View Plaza caters to official whistleblowers.

Pro-1st Officials Wear sells uniforms and accessories for referees of soccer, football, baseball, basketball and other sports. The store's inventory ranges from whistles to chest protectors.

"My sales are solely to the officials for all sports. I do not sell team sports equipment or uniforms," said owner John Meyer.

Meyer, an Ohio High School Athletic Association-licensed football, basketball and baseball official, began selling the merchandise from his home and opened the shop in December.

Pro-1st is open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. It is at 11974 U.S. 42, just north of Interstate 275.

Information: 554-0203.

New law firm will focus on labor, civil rights

MOUNT AUBURN - Four Cincinnati lawyers have teamed up to launch a new law firm.

Marc Mezibov and Christian Jenkins will head Mezibov & Jenkins LLP. Also in the firm are Mark Wasserman and Susan Brabenec. The group will focus on the areas of labor, employment, civil rights and discrimination.

Mezibov has served as general counsel to the Cincinnati chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. He also has chaired the Civil Rights Committee for the Cincinnati Bar Association. Jenkins has spent several years as an associate at Reinhart, Boerner of Milwaukee, Wis., and has experience with class-action litigation. Wasserman most recently was a partner at Beckman, Weil, Shepardson & Faller, where he litigated in commercial disputes. Brabenec has been an associate to Mezibov.

Mezibov & Jenkins is at 1726 Young St.

Information: 723-1600.

Artists' work displayed in Loveland store

LOVELAND - An arts shop in Loveland's historic downtown has added gifts to its mix.

Lynda's Artistic Haven, at 208 W. Loveland Ave., now features the work of several local artists in addition to owner Lynda Gilcher's handcrafted stained glass and polymer clay items. The shop also now stocks resin figures by John Hockstock, natural soap products from eScentially Yours, jewelry and watches from Mixed Media Productions, and gifts and baskets from Maggie Mae Gifts.

Shop hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

Information: 697-9290.

Inventors merge baby products into 1 line

COVINGTON - Three baby-product entrepreneurs have formed a parent company that will brand and market their products to major retail outlets nationwide.

Drink Deputy, Snack Trap and Mac and Cool are now part of Made For Mom LLC. The products' inventors met at a trade show and decided their products would see broader distribution with a combined marketing effort.

"Individually, all three products are great for parents and children, but many stores are reluctant to extend shelf space to small vendors," said Denny Kays, inventor of the Drink Deputy. "It is our hope that combining our products into one line will open the eyes of retail stores to the benefits Drink Deputy, Mac and Cool and Snack Trap can offer their customers."

Drink Deputy is a cup holder that prevents children from throwing bottles and cups on the floor. Snack Trap is a container that enables children to retrieve finger foods. The Mac and Cool dish quickly cools hot foods for safe consumption by children.

Information: (859) 655-2442.

South Atlantic island buys area software

FORT THOMAS - A software supplier to government organizations has landed a new client - in the southern Atlantic Ocean.

Donald R. Frey & Co. Inc. sold its CUBIC Utility Billing System to St. Helena Island.

"We have proven that the Internet has no geographic limits," said Frey.

The firm's products address the needs of nonprofit and government organizations and utility companies. Yearly updates are part of the product support package. Donald R. Frey & Co. has installations in more than 40 states.

Information: (859) 441-6566.

E-mail jcallison@zoomtown.com or fax 564-6991 with openings, expansions and other news about neighborhood businesses.