|
|
|
| MATR Newsletter - Fri Dec 18, 2015 |
|
This MATR newsletter sponsored by: Add an event... Upcoming Events New Events
MATR supporter: To subscribe or unsubscribe from the free weekly MATR newsletter, please visit our list info page |
“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won't either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could.” - Louise Erdrich -- We'll all miss you Cooper http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
"Hold this but don't touch any buttons, or we'll die." George Hotz - The First Person to Hack the iPhone Built a Self-Driving Car In His Garage - "The entire Internet at the moment has about 10 brains' worth of computing power, but that won’t always be the case. In 25 years, AI will be able to do almost everything a human can do. The last people with jobs will be AI programmers." http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Northwestern Energy
Great Falls Development Authority
- NorthWestern Offers Winter Heating Safety Reminder/Tips
Winter is here and NorthWestern Energy is offering reminders about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the importance of winter heating safety.
- Employees moving into new NorthWestern Energy building in Butte
"Wow - my reaction is wow. The craftsmanship of our local craftsman, the masons, the carpenters, the glass layers, folks who did all the metal work, the roofing, is just spectacular."
Visit Montana - Montana Dept. of Tourism
- State Of Great Falls 2016, 1/11, Great Falls, Montana
Join GFDA Investors and Community Leaders as we launch into the New Year!
Energy and Climate Change
- Backcountry camping reservation system changing at Glacier National Park
The change replaces the reservation lottery system with a new online application and payment service.
- Travel and Marketing Trends for Montana - December 2015
In a somewhat paradoxical development, travelers are increasingly relying on the Internet and mobile technology to plan and execute vacations that allow them to escape the very resources they used to plan the trip in the first place.
Come Home Montana
- First There Were Electric Vehicles--Will Electric Roads Be Next?
Its premise is to design and develop a system to harvest energy created by the movement of vehicles along the state's roadways and convert it into low-cost renewable electric power.
- Cities Focus on Mitigating Climate Change, Fail to Adapt
One of his most significant findings: U.S. cities, relative to those abroad, are clearly more focused on mitigating the effects of climate change rather than adapting to effects that climatologists believe can no longer be avoided.
- Researchers Work to Build Solar Panels that Harness Currently Unused Portions of Sun's Spectrum
The research involves using extremely thin layers of semiconductors to coax electrons to higher energy states.
Montana Business
- Cooper Livingston Burchenal 1964-2015 - He was a Montana gentleman in the truest sense of the word.
On Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, Cooper Livingston Burchenal, 51, left behind a loving family and a great many dear friends after an extended illness. Those for who he fought so hard to remain with were by his side all the way.
- Montana Business Opportunity - Commercial Detergent Manufacturer
This long established and well respected Company manufactures highly concentrated cleaning and janitorial products for commercial, industrial, and household use.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Engineer - Northwestern Energy
The Engineer will provide planning and technical support for Distribution Operations, design and evaluate projects, perform economic evaluations, develop training programs and evaluate new products and services.
- 10 things newcomers learn after moving to Montana
Since I arrived, I've acclimated pretty well. But I don't feel 100 percent like a local yet, so I feel uniquely qualified to share the fun little discoveries many of us who have moved into this big, cold, fascinating place experience upon arrival.
- David Letterman On How He Ended Up In Montana
The first thing that this experience brought to us is that you just can't stop seeing once you're out there. The big sky and all--and for heaven's sake, it's true--but also the endless horizon. And we still haven't gotten over the land.
Careers
- MIssoula, Montana's ATG Advanced Technology Group 2.0 is Really Rocking
Opportunities begin when gaps are discovered - those pressing business challenges where IT and business are not connecting. At ATG, we seek out the gaps - providing solutions that bridge the chasm others won't cross.
- Commercial Kitchens Available in the Center of Missoula - Moonlight Kitchens
If you'd like to have a tour of the kitchens swing by during coffee shop hours (8-3) or call to set up a definite time. If you know someone who needs a kitchen have them check out our website.
- New proposed mine along popular Smith river raises controversy
"Over 8000 submissions for 1700 launch sites on this river," says John Herzer with Blackfoot River Outfitters. "Thats not just Montanans, its people across the united states and elsewhere, so over 8000 people tried to get permits to float the river... Its telling. There aren't very many rivers like that around the west, or around the United States Period."
- Remote Montana ranch rare source of critical blood
"There's a huge market for it and we provide what we feel is the best quality blood product in the world." Jennifer "J.R." Tonjum, quality control consultant for the Quad Five Ranch.
- Report: Climate change could cost Montana 11,000 outdoor jobs
It's called "Economic Impact of Climate Change in Montana," and it predicts warmer, drier summers will lead to increased wildfires and reduced snowpack with impacts projected not just for fish and wildlife habitat but also the people who make their living off the the state's land and water.
- Missoula's Moonlight Kitchens Help Local Businesses Keep Growing in Dead of Winter
"We have three new customers this week who are preparing for the months ahead. We're becoming the appetizer preparation spot for a connoisseur who puts on wine tasting events. We've also got regular weekly cooks in the dead of winter. And in December, we'll be hosting a birthday party for eleven-year-olds, who will be learning about cooking locally as a form of entertainment!"
Government
- Read This Google Email About Time Management Strategy
A Google employee teaches his colleagues how to block out interruptions and set aside "make time."
- Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg: Business school doesn't matter in tech
Sandberg said she got something out of the Harvard Business School MBA she earned in 1995, but was not ready to recommend the degree to the country's future tech stars.
- If your resume could talk, this is what it would tell you
If your resume could talk, it would tell you to leave out information that does not support your candidacy for a specific job and that makes you sound like everyone else.
- A CEO says neither your salary nor job title is most crucial to building wealth in your 20s
"Knowing what I now know about the importance your career path has in determining long term financial success, I'm a huge believer that people in their 20s should seek out opportunities at later-stage, hypergrowth companies."
- How to ace your next performance review
Performance reviews can be tricky, but there are few ways to make them more productive and less stressful.
Incubators and R&D
- What Can Product Managers Do for Your City?
Product management is an important part of making government more 'human-centered.'
- Public-Sector Innovation and the Culture Factor
According to a survey last year, 90 percent of government workers say they're constantly looking for ways to improve their productivity but only 55 percent feel empowered by the support and resources they receive along the way.
- Montana Senator Jon Tester's bill empowers small businesses to reimburse employees' health care costs
Senator follows through on pledge to improve upon Affordable Care Act
- Cashing In on the Public Right of Way
There is no better example than how more and more cities are now viewing their rights of ways as underdeveloped resources rather than as liabilities merely requiring costly maintenance.
Oregon Business
- New Alzheimer's Treatment is Fully Restoring Memory Function
The results showed that the scientists were able to restore the memory function in 75% of the mice they tested. These results also came with absolutely no damage to the surrounding brain tissue.
- New transparent metal could make screens cheaper
Along with display technologies, Engel-Herbert and his group are excited about combining their new materials with a very promising type of solar cell that uses a class of materials called organic perovskites.
Regional Business
- Oregon Governor Announces 'Education Innovation Officer' Position
Gov. Kate Brown says the innovation officer would focus on student testing and lifting graduation rates.
Workforce Development
- Travel industry embraces virtual reality in marketing
"VR is taking the world by storm"
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Montana Code School Announces Inaugural Graduating Class
They have successfully learned full stack web development technologies along with modern approaches to software development and are now equipped with the skills necessary to enter junior level programming positions.
- The National Governors Association Launches Pilot Program in Montana, Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, Utah, and Washington to Prepare Teens, Millennials for Middle-Skill, STEM Careers
a pilot program in six states that blends work experience and applied learning to develop youth and young adults' foundational and technical skills to expand their education, career and employment opportunities.
American Prairie Reserve
- A Kids' Coding Expert Says We're Making Computer Class Way Too Boring
"Coding is not just a set of technical skills," he tells NPR Ed. "It's a new way of expressing yourself. It's similar to learning to write -- a way for kids to organize, express and share ideas. But instead of putting words into sentences, now they can create animated stories."
MAPS : Media Arts in the Public Schools
- 2015 has been a great year for the American Prairie Reserve - More habitat added and much more....
American Prairie Reserve just completed its 20th acquisition, including land donations and exchanges, since the organization bought its first parcel in 2004. The latest purchase comes right on the heels of two purchases in the Antelope Creek region earlier this summer. Thank you for keeping the momentum going with your support!
Montana Education Excellence
- What makes MAPS so unique-hint.... it's the kids
If you ever wondered what MAPS kids are like and what makes them so unique and talented,, here's a video that pretty much says it all.
- MAPS entrepreneurial class opens on-line store
"The students made it clear that they did not want academic and abstract training in constructing business plans and such things," said Harff. "They wanted hands-on training. They wanted to actually work on starting a business."
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Come together to lead University of Montana into future with data to support the plan
As the administration develops the plan, we urge them to provide the supporting data upon which the plan is based.
- Helena school district launches online school facilities survey
Missed the meetings? It's not too late to weigh in.
- Montana State University online course introduces robotics for STEM education
The introductory course is designed for people who have never built or programmed a robot.
- National expert visits MSU to share strategies designed to keep students in school
Fotuhi emphasized that faculty and staff can help students succeed by shaping their perceptions of their abilities.
- Montana parents keep ability to weigh in on special education programming
The proposed rule would have effectively removed a parental consent provision that allows parents to prevent schools from implementing an IEP, or part of an IEP, that they object to. Montana is one of only four states in the nation to have such a provision, according to Andrée Larose, a Helena lawyer who specializes in special education.
Community
- Montana State University ends negotiations over new Bozeman medical school
The Burrell Group has run into resistance in Montana especially by those involved in the WWAMI which is the partnership between Montana and several other states with the University of Washington Medical School.
- Great Falls College needs corporate partners to help guide new programming degree
In an effort to advance the TechHire Initiative, many community colleges, including Great Falls College MSU, are creating programming degree programs to rapidly train workers in just a matter of months for well-paying job opportunities.
- University of Montana Family Medicine Residency Program Interviews Record Number of Applicants
With more than 800 applicants for 10 training positions, the success of the nearly 3-year-old residency program is being felt and celebrated during this resident interviewing season.
Funding and Building your Business
- The U.N. Sent 3 Foreign Women To The U.S. To Assess Gender Equality. They Were Horrified.
"It's a kind of terrorism. To us, it was shocking."
Government Technology
- The secret behind Michelin's 97% retention rate
The first question career managers ask employees is: "What is it that you are really passionate about?"
- Six Companies That Are Redefining Performance Management
As annual reviews fade away, performance management will become more about feedback and development.
- Why Location Matters For Startup Valuations
Should the valuation of startup companies be impacted by location?
- 4 Communication Mistakes Companies Make When Interviewing
If they want to attract top talent, then, employers and hiring managers need to pay special attention to how effective their communication skills are during the hiring process.
- Montana Growth Through Agriculture Accepting Applications Through January 29, 2016
Do you know a food or agriculture company that is expanding or start-up that is using Montana grown/raised ingredients?
- Google launches a 6-month accelerator to help startups build mobile products
The program is built on the company's Launchpad initiative and is a long-term engagement with select startups from around the world to give them the best resources, access to great mentors, and help accelerating their product.
- Shared work spaces a growing trend in Bozeman, Montana
"We've got a lot going on right now."
Non-Profit News
- Boston's Permitting Platform Could Make its Way to Your City
Boston is serving as ground zero for an innovative platform that will be available to other cities once it's packaged into the company's suite of cloud services.
- Newton, Kan., Police Use Predictive Analytics to Stop Crime Before it Starts
"Crime is not random - there is a particular reason it happens where and when it does," said Newton police Lt. Bryan Hall. "Technology and statistics are ... to our benefit."
- Making Government Transparency More Transparent
In their quest to make public records requests easier, faster and cheaper, some governments are publishing them online for anyone to see.
- What Citizens Can Teach Civil Servants About Open Government
Moving from traditional government operating behind closed doors to more open institutions, where civil servants work together with citizens to create policies and solve problems, demands new skills and sensibilities.
- Governments Should Approach Internet of Things in Light-Handed, Strategic Way
...the desire to regulate without a clear and studied issue to resolve could ultimately hamper creativity within the marketplace.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- University of Montana Philanthropy Class Awards $10,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits
The class, Engaging Social Responsibility through Philanthropy, which is part of UM's Global Leadership Initiative, awards grants to nonprofits that operate within Missoula County and address issues related to the environment or health.
- Attorney general approves proposal for $74M in proceeds from Community Medical Center sale in Missoula
The Montana Attorney General's Office has given the go-ahead for the creation of one of the largest nonprofit foundations in Montana history.
Transportation
- "indaba" This simple negotiation tactic brought 195 countries to consensus
The trick to getting through an over-complicated negotiation comes from the Zulu and Xhosa people of southern Africa. It's called an "indaba" (pronounced IN-DAR-BAH), and is used to simplify discussions between many parties.
- Montana grants Uber license to operate in state
The new class of license is for firms that use smartphone apps to hail rides.
- We Need Your Input - Interactive Public Open House - The Missoula Long Range Transportation Plan
In this exercise, we are looking for your assistance in identifying additional projects or issues not addressed in the previous plan for consideration.
- New Seattle connection to make for busy mornings at Missoula airport
Just in time for the holidays: a new flight from Missoula to Seattle that promises to make for more competitive ticket prices and add to the predawn hubbub at Missoula International Airport.
- "Hold this but don't touch any buttons, or we'll die." George Hotz - The First Person to Hack the iPhone Built a Self-Driving Car In His Garage
I'm not looking for a job. I'll ping you when I crush Mobileye." Elon Musk simply answered, "OK."
- Tailoring Our Transportation Systems for Self-Driving Cars - Much better use of space
According to Audi, 60 percent more self-driving cars can be squeezed into a parking garage because they need less room to self-park. The garage itself no longer would need to be located downtown, and existing parking structures and curbside spots could be freed up for other uses.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the free weekly MATR newsletter, please visit our list info page