Enjoy these examples of somebody else’s woes.
Monthly Archives: May 2009
Neil Company creates growing educational award event
The parking lot at the Roseburg Country Club was packed last night. Well dressed people were walking from the far parking lot to the building with smiles on their faces. I was there to attend The Golden Apple Awards ceremony that Hummel’s Century 21 Real Estate firm puts on. I wondered why all the rest of the people were there.
A few years ago Neil and Kathy Hummel decided they would introduce The Golden Apple Awards to recognize teaching excellence. I attended the first few years and it was a nice event of manageable size. Well, it has grown and almost all of the people who had driven those cars were there for the event.
I’d estimate about 175 people attended, most were educators, a few elected officials and others.
It was certainly a non-commercial event, well run, saluting an important group of people; and it brought with it plenty of good will for a local business.
Smart.
I left wondering why I hadn’t thought of doing it.
Metropolitan newspaper woes since 2006
You’ve read about the problems at our nation’s metropolitan newspapers, most of it stemming from a big drop in advertising revenues at the same time they are carrying heavy debt loads. Here is an interactive map from the Wall Street Journal showing changes since 2006.
At the movies – but, you know, gotta go. Runpee.com
In my search for useful business news I sometimes run across the truly unexpected. The website, runpee.com, which presumably works just as well on your mobile phone, tells what part of a movie you can skip while heeding nature’s call. When they expand this service to television programming, or a really boring meeting you must attend, the value will rise geometrically.
I suppose the Flomax people aren’t thrilled with the idea, but maybe they bought a share of the company.
83% of ad executives say DVR’s will hurt TV ad effectiveness
A survey of ad executives found that the biggest threat to television ad effectiveness over the nex three years will be the growth of DVRs. About two-thirds had similar worries about the Internet and games having an adverse impact, according to Television Week.
FHLB Seattle announces availability of $2.6 million in subsidies for housing – includes Oregon
News Release: May 27, 2009
Seattle – The Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (Seattle Bank) today announced the availability of at least $2.6 million in subsidy for affordable rental and owner-occupied housing through the bank’s 2009 Affordable Housing Program (AHP).
AHP subsidy, which is offered through a competitive application process, may be used to acquire, construct, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for households earning up to 80 percent of area median income, adjusted for family size. AHP applications are sponsored by members of the Seattle Bank Read the rest of this entry »
Large inventories driving car incentives and deals
Bankrate says car inventories at 120 days instead of the ideal 60 day supply are providing bargain hunters a great opportunity to save big on new cars. Other reports show the demand for used cars is impacting that side of the market. This could well be the time for you to consider replacing business vehicles. There have been some terrific deals advertised in The News-Review. Tell ‘em Mark sent you.
Twitter, down on the farm
For those of us from rural backgrounds there is something quite satisfying about the communication that is taking place between farmers and ranchers on Twitter’s agchat feed. Current posts primarily excited about agchat being listed as one of the top growth areas for Twitter, but the feed presents a great opportunity for people to connect.
Mobile banking is new growth area
According to Payment News, mobile banking will grow from 10 million users in 2009 to more than 50 million by 2013. Another emerging banking trend is a new Iphone application which locates nearby surcharge free ATMs.
