Last December Kodak and the PGA TOUR launched a six year partnership that included corporate hospitality and Kodak branding on digital scoreboards. This was pretty exciting.

There was another element of the partnership that wasn't mentioned. Today was the day we revealed it.

The big announcement was scheduled for the Buick Open at Warkwick Hills. As soon as I arrived I knew it was a special tournament. Check out the snazzy Buick golf carts!

The moment I stepped foot on the course I saw the Kodak brand on the leaderboards. We all took turns posing in front of it.

Fast forward to the afternoon press conference that was kicked off by wise cracking CBS Sports golf analyst, David Feherty. He introduced our own...

... Jeff Hayzlett who announced *drum roll please* The Kodak Challenge. The Kodak Challenge is a first of it's kind competition for PGA TOUR players with a $1 million dollar prize. There will be Kodak Challenge holes on select PGA TOUR tournament courses that celebrate the beauty and memorable moments of golf. The competition begins in January 2009 and players have to play at least 18 of the holes.

Tom Wade, the CMO of the PGA TOUR made a few comments about how Kodak and the PGA TOUR is a perfect fit for creating an exciting competition for the players and the fans.

PGA TOUR player J.J. Henry shared his thoughts on the Kodak Challenge. The players are excited because it's a unique opportunity... anyone could win it. Everyone is going to make sure they know where the Kodak Challenge holes are and will try a little harder when they are playing them. Golf lends itself to memorable moments and one shot on one hole can make all the difference.

David Feherty is a member of the Kodak Challenge Advisory Board that will help select the Kodak Challenge golf holes. David kept the crew in stitches with his stories and seems to be Jeff's kindred spirit.

They both wore cowboy boots to the golf course.

There is a great team working on making the Kodak Challenge successful. There's never a dull moment. Jeff especially gets really excited and sometimes has to be reminded there are people teeing off a few feet away.

There are a lot of golf enthusiasts in our office. Here is Donna from Kodak Graphic Communications playing in the Buick Open Pro Am.

The Kodak Challenge will as exciting for us as it will be for the players and fans.

Many of you 1,000 Words readers also hop over and read the 1,000 Nerds posts, but today there is a transition going on over there.

Lately we have noticed a need for more product information on our blogs. Because we have heard the feedback and want to change to meet the demand, we are transforming 1,000 Nerds into the Plugged In blog.

1,000 Nerds isn't going away. The 1,000 Nerds posts will be available in the archives of Plugged In and the Nerds bloggers will continue to post to Plugged In. In fact, take a look at this latest post about an exciting announcement for Linux users! Those Nerds posts will be joined by posts about our newest products and their features, tradeshows and events we participate in, product reviews, support tips, announcements and more.

As always we love to hear from you. Check out Plugged In over the coming weeks and let us know what you think!

I was told to be at Eastman Theatre in downtown Rochester this morning, but I had no idea what for. Members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Eastman School of Music tuned their instruments on stage as people filed into the theatre and took their seats. No one really knew what to expect but the excitement was visible.

Kodak CEO Antonio Perez joined by Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director Christopher Seaman, listens intently to the music on stage.

A quiet moment off stage before the announcement.

 Eastman Theatre was built by George Eastman 85 years ago and has seen such musicians as Igor Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein, Louis Armstrong, George Gershwin and Yo Yo Ma on it's stage.

Before the presentation began Tom shuffled me upstairs to point out two lights that hang from the theatre ceiling. He told me legend says as the theatre's opening night drew near, they didn't have the light fixtures yet, so the workers painted two tubs gold, added some decoration and up they went. Supposedly, they hang there still today. I quickly took pictures of the "tubs" and we hurried away.

Back downstairs, I didn't know what we were about to hear, but I knew it had something to do with Kodak, Eastman Theatre, Eastman School of Music and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra... all founded by George Eastman. Also present was the University of Rochester, which has a long history with Kodak and George Eastman.

Antonio Perez addresses the crowd.

It all became clear when Kodak CEO, Antonio Perez, took the podium and announced that Kodak will continue the vision of George Eastman by providing $10 million to the University of Rochester for renovation and expansion of the Eastman Theatre.

Now the theatre can add a building for teaching and performance spaces. George Eastman had that in his original plans but the ground was unavailable at the time. When renovations are completed, the performance hall will be called "Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre".

University of Rochester President Joel Seligman presents Antonio Perez with a momento.

I, for one am excited and thrilled for Rochester and the enhancements to come. I attend performances at Eastman Theatre several times a year. It's amazing that even years later, George Eastman continues to enrich the lives of this community.

I also wonder if they will keep the "tub lights" after the renovation?

Photos by Steve Kelly