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| MATR Newsletter - Thu Jul 20, 2006 |
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." - Mark Twain
Here's an excellent example of Montana Education excellence. Congrats to the the 4th and 5th grade classes of Russell Elementary School and Paul and Vicki Stasso for setting an example of how education can be engaging and a blast. Run Paul Run. "Road warrior: Sun, semis and snakes don't deter cross-country solo runner. If the kids ran across America, Paul said he would too." http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
2006 Montana Elections
Montana Education Excellence
- Tell candidates to answer Vote Smart questions
You want an example of what's wrong with the political system?
Education
- Hellgate student rubs elbows big time at the Aspen Ideas Festival
When Hannah Rolston started at Hellgate High School she had no idea that one day she’d be one of 12 students from throughout the nation hobnobbing with the likes of Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell in beautiful Aspen, Colo. But it didn’t take long for her to figure out that - if she wanted to amount to something and open some doors - she should hit it hard right from the start of high school. During the first period of her first class science teacher Gary Gagermeier told the class to “build up a resume because colleges are looking for a lot now.”
- Road warrior: Sun, semis and snakes don't deter cross-country solo runner. If the kids ran across America, Paul said he would too.
When Paul Stasso of Missoula makes a promise, he keeps it. The Missoula Web site designer and husband of Russell School teacher Vicki Stasso promised his wife's class that if they completed their virtual 3,600-mile trek across the United States he would run the route. They did and so is he.
Montana Business
- Maine Continues $41M Laptop Program. Texas AG rules that textbook funds can't be used for laptops.
The Associated Press reports the original laptops will be refurbished through private fundraising efforts led by former Gov. King. The revitalized machines will be redeployed in other areas of the state's K-12 education system, resulting in more than 70,000 computers being in use by this fall.
- Colleges Make Way for Internships
The internship is unpaid, but Mr. Roybal could afford to take it because Connecticut College gave him a $3,000 stipend as part of its summer program subsidizing internships for juniors. If not for the stipend, he said, he would be waiting tables at home.
- On your mark, get set: Science!
These four teachers, along with four others, are competing in front of an audience for the coveted title of "Iron Science Teacher." The teachers are given everyday objects and asked to create a science activity for students — in about 10 minutes.
Montana Economic Development
- Missoula call center lands yearlong Kia contract
The survey and research will be conducted exclusively by the company's Missoula call center, which has about 180 employees - with capacity to hire as many as 100 more, said Missoula site manager Jerianne Schmidgall.
- Belgrade, MT Company, Phillips Environmental Products Capitalizes on Research
It's a long road to building a stable business, but after seven years, a few chance encounters and some very special fungus, Phillips Environmental Products of Belgrade has found itself selling millions of its products to buyers around the world.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Protecting ‘The Last Best Place’
Exactly what makes Montana so special, beyond its cool scenery and lack of metropolitan hordes, is difficult to pin down. But “The Last Best Place” hits the nail on the head.
Funding and Building your Business
- Big 12 hopes sports lure VC. Schools planning conference to run during football championship
"You could go to friends and alumni of the university and say, 'Another way of supporting your university would be to be part of a fund — and there's a potential (return on investment),'" said Ron Kessler, a business leader in Austin and a founder of Powers & Kessler LLC, which the Big 12 has tapped to help develop the overall cooperative strategy.
Regional Economic Development
- Venture Capital: The Good, Bad, and Ugly
A veteran entrepreneur tells you what you should know about venture capital before you sign on the dotted line
- The Elevator Pitch: Tech Entrepreneurs Struggle to Compress Ideas Succinctly
“He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of any man I ever met.” ~ Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln could offer this critique because he had a talent for compressing very big ideas into very few words.
- Good judgment, intuition aren't enough when hiring
Let me share a story about what can happen when only "good judgment" is applied.
- 11 Suggestions For Not Being a Dot-Bomb 2.0
#1. Have a revenue model, right now.
- All the Good URLs Have Been Taken
Most people trying to do business online will tell you that the good domain names are already taken. Mr. Forbes's research proves them out.
Idaho Business
- Youngest Learners Hold Key to U.S. Competitiveness, CED Asserts
A new report by the Committee on Economic Development (CED) asserts economic development leaders should make quality preschools a top priority. The Economic Promise of Investing in High-Quality Preschool: Using Early Education to Improve Economic Growth and the Fiscal Sustainability of States and the Nation presents a convincing case for expanding state and federal pre-kindergarten programs to encourage economic growth.
- How do regions think about an economic development 'positioning strategy'?
Would any of you be interested in a global dialogue on what initiatives can be taken to trigger the sustainable growth of regional businesses in this field? We would like to get a real dialogue going on this issue.
- Idaho company seeks finances for geothermal plant
We are looking for major partners to help us put this into production,"
- Companies may apply for annual Intermountain Venture Forum in Boise, ID in Sept.
Companies that are selected are invited to dinner with venture capitalists and also receive performance coaching with their presentations by a volunteer group of executives with a background in early-stage companies and funding.
Other Economies
- Private equity firm invests in Boise, ID based Bodybuilding.com
Founded in 1999 by then 21-year-old Ryan DeLuca, the company operates two Web sites, bodybuilding.com and athletes.com, that sell nutritional supplements, equipment and apparel.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- North Carolina Budget Supports Higher Ed, Tech-Based Economic Development
Last week, North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley signed the budget agreement passed by the state's General Assembly for fiscal years 2006-07. The budget contains many adjustments favoring K-12 and higher education and several allocations for technology-based growth initiatives.
Incubators and R&D
- Oakland, CA startup is Web's 'how to' site
Want to learn how to replace a flat tire on your car? Or how to play jazz on the piano?
- Living Well Is the Best Revenge. Where's the best place to live in the whole wide world?
Vanuatu is the happiest country on Earth, Marke Lowen of Vanuatu Online said, "People are generally happy here because they are very satisfied with very little. This is not a consumer-driven society. Life here is about community and family and goodwill to other people. It's a place where you don't worry too much."
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Montana State University wins millions to find treatments for slow-healing wounds
"The ultimate goal," James said, "is to heal people's wounds, save their limbs, and their lives,"
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- How Businesses Can Attract The Next-Generation Of IT Workers
Hiring a few college interns isn't enough. The industry needs a collective effort to get more people into the pipeline.
Careers
- Drumlummon Institute Launches Online Journal of Montana Culture
“We’re eager to stimulate conversation about Montana’s vital arts scene,” says Rick Newby. “We want to showcase our richly textured culture and, at the same time, take an in-depth, truly critical look at all this richness.
Energy
- The Art of Speaking: Rudy, Bill, Arnold, and John
This video analysis is helpful to learn about the craft of public speaking, so check it out if you’re interested in the subject.
Connectivity & Communications
- Businesses turn waste into electricity in Idaho
Wells buried in the landfill collect methane and funnel it through pipes into a new machine that cleans the gas so it can be used to power engines and create enough power for 2,400 homes. The landfill burned the gas using flares before the new system was installed.
Transportation
- YouTube's 'New' Terms Still Fleece Musicians
YouTube's "new" Terms & Conditions allow them to sell whatever you uploaded however they want.
Community
- Battery-Fueled Car Will Smoke You
Take a tour of a prototype of Tesla Motors' new Roadster, a blazing-fast sports car powered by lithium-ion batteries.
- Smart Growth Illustrated
EPA smart growth award winners offer more examples of how to use smart growth principles to improve your community.
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