It Certainly Is a Tragedy

I just received a flier on my door from a 'neighbor' in regards to supporting the relief cause in Haiti.  It certainly is a tragedy.

Picture this scenario: The largest natural disaster in the country's history, thousands dead, 100's of thousands homeless, no running water, no services homes left in ruins, families broken up, crime way up.  As far as public safety and health care, hospitals are boarded up, police leave their job and run off (if not participate in the looting) medical care is scarce and supplies are even scarcer.  

It certainly is a tragedy.

What I have described above and the associated pictures are not of Haiti.  They are of the gulf coast post-Katrina.  After 5 years, much of the lower ward areas look like it just happened yesterday.  This continues to be a national embarrassment that garners little coverage.  We, as a nation, have the attention span of a gnat.

I am not a protectionist, I do not support the GM-sponsored Toyota inquiries.  I am, however, a proud American citizen.  I implore those looking to donate their time and/or money to do so by finishing what, once again, DC has failed miserably at: finish what we started in the gulf states.  our country and fellow citizens deserve better.

My prayers to those suffering in Haiti.  Godspeed in your recovery.

Always an Angel to Me!

The greatest loss last year of us young men growing up in the '70's was the passing of an angel, Farah Fawcett.  Once I set eyes on her wholesome beauty, I knew I was over Marcia Brady.  Like my first big crush in high school (seems so latent these days!), with Linda Highsmith,  Farah was not only sensuality, but had the appeal of approachability and a smile that set you at ease (I was so smitten by Linda, I had her join our band as a trumpet player (of all things!).

So many of us had that famous poster on our bedroom walls.  At that age, made it tough to get to sleep, but, waking up, to be greeted by an angel.  Oh, the simplicity of our youth!  Still had trouble getting to school on time (it was literally down the block).

This year, not surprisingly, Farah was snubbed by the academy during their trite yearly eulogy ritual. Her post-angel body of work was notable, especially her portrayal of a battered wife in, The Burning Bed.  The hollowwood circle jerk academy's conspicuous omission of Farah only furthers their irrelevance and pettiness.  The idiocy of the event makes great fodder for satirists and cartoonists, so there is some redeeming value!

Alas, we have lost an angel, but the night sky is a little brighter now.  Sweet Dreams, Farah!

While You Were Sleeping.........

As reported in the RNR of 3/11/10:

With little fanfare or attention, President Obama signed a reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act on Feb. 2. The Democratic Congress approved the three sections of the previous law without any limits or protections for citizens that civil libertarians had called necessary. The 2008 Democratic national platform read, “Our Constitution is not a nuisance. It is the foundation of our democracy. … As we combat terrorism, we must not sacrifice the American values we are fighting to protect. … We will revisit the Patriot Act and overturn unconstitutional executive decisions issued during the past eight years.”

A measure introduced by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy contained protections for the public, but Democrats responded to Republican opposition that might block the Senate leadership’s 60 vote threshold for passage, so Democrats caved in and stripped those provisions from the bill.

I hope the continued shredding of nation's constitution upsets your constitution as much as it does mine.

Tea, anyone?!

Shaken AND Stirred

Well, it's been 2 years since the swarm hit our Northern Nevada community and it still causes pause every time a tractor trailer rolls past. The unsettling increase in catastrophic natural disasters, all emanating from high magnitude earthquakes, puts into perspective what can really happen.

UNR has one of the top seismology labs in the country, yet, as with any earth science, the best we can do is be prepared. We may laugh at the often inaccurate weatherperson, but they're batting average is off the charts compared to seismology. Bottom line, the earth we live on is unpredictable. It is an ecosystem, and as such, disturbances in one system may create effects in others. The butterfly effect, if you will.

As an avid reader, my selections run the gamut (just see my booklist on linkedin). A book I recommend on the subject is called The Survivors Club: the secrets and science that could save your life, by Ben Sherwood. An interesting read with survival tips based on real-life experience.

We, as individuals, must keep ourselves vigilant, keep ourselves prepared. I'm no chicken little, but I am an Eagle Scout. Our motto: Be Prepared.

Those Are Not Senior Moments

In our continuing struggle to grasp all the information that is forced on us every day, it is only natural to go into overload. What was once thought of as a 'senior moment' is happening to every age group. Don't despair.

Our minds are no different, from a storage standpoint, than that computer you are reading this with. You have a limited amount of storage. If you max it out, you have to get rid of something. The first memories to go in this instance are short term. Not a memory problem, just too much information!

As with any exercise in organization, we must train ourselves to keep only what we truly need. Just like the age old axiom, 'everything in moderation', what we feed our mind is no different than what we feed our bellies.

Here's one tip: review everything you subscribe to, print, online, etc. Start parring down what is truly essential and cancel what is not.

Just REMEMBER, too much of a good thing no longer is!

A solution to Northern Nevada's long term economic ills

The growing perception is that our economic development engines continue to sputter. There seems to be more concern with self preservation than pursuing their charter. Having personally been involved with attempts to keep companies here, our state’s reputation for being business friendly has been eroding. That has to be stopped in it’s tracks, especially here in Northern Nevada.

Here is the quandary. Nevada is a service-based economy. We have relied on the growth of the gaming industry and, until recently, the run away appreciation in the real estate market to keep the state and local coffer full. That ship has sailed (actually the former is taking on water and the latter has sunk). As with any business, you must be nimble and astute enough to change with the markets. In a fast paced global economy, change happens. You are either a catalyst or a victim. We have our work cut out as we continue to fall victim. There is a solution.

Not to be confused with the rhetorical propaganda of the administration, Nevada, both public and private sectors, need to embrace change. In order for us to attract the businesses and, as important, the employees, we, as a state, should not separate the two. Let me explain.

The biggest challenge our state and local economic development groups face in wooing higher income companies to move here is the lack of suitable talent to fill the positions. This has been the tale as told in conversations with these groups (ones that actually return inquiries). Just from conversations and social networking, I know for there is plenty of talent here that has been displaced. The ‘employment’ companies seem to be aware, but do not seem to be proactive. A tale for another time.

Equally challenging is the recently minted talent that cannot find acceptable employment here. A simple poll of seniors and post-graduate students at UNR highlights the exodus do to lack of opportunity.

A suggestion: a package deal. Why can’t we create a mechanism that not only entices the company but their employees, as well. It’s not a new idea. Companies relocate facilities and jobs all the time. We just lost a top computer manufacturer to it’s home state that offered jobs to their key players interested in moving with the company. It is certainly way more attractive today than it was just 2 years ago.

The excuse I kept hearing was our real estate impacted the overall cost of living here. No longer the case. Though the tide may be beginning to change, prices are where they should be for the our market.

Another challenge was cost of construction or lease cost on commercial property. Well, we are on the front end of that freefall. As with every previous real estate cycle, the crest and trough effect is in play here (though considerably more epic this time). When residential has been on the rise, commercial (market dependant) was on the downside and visa versa. There will be more and more commercial on the market, as that market’s turn in the default and foreclosure seat is just starting to surface. Notes are due, vacancies are up. Tough times ahead.

With all this against us, there is great opportunity. There are businesses and individuals that saw the future and kept their powder dry (didn’t drink the Kool-aid!). That brings us back to why live and do business in Northern Nevada. That is rhetorical. We all know why we live here. Intangibles aside (the business climate and tax reasons), by far it is the quality of life and the beauty of our environment.

It is time for us to bring our game up and create relocation packages that attract companies and their employees to this once again most favorable environment.

Want to cure the budget deficit? Want to absorb some commercial space? Fill some vacant homes? Stop the failure of small businesses and stem the unemployment tide? Start bringing in the businesses AND their people.

It’s time for economic development, guerilla marketing style. The gloves have to come off, it’s time to be aggressive. There is an opportunity for both the public and private sector to make this happen. Time for egos, self-preservation and protectionism to move aside. Do or do not. There is no try.

I’m ready. Are you?