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| MATR Newsletter - Thu Dec 24, 2009 |
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And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr. Seuss
The kids were great! - "City Club Missoula - December Forum Wrapup (You missed the really great presentations) - Our Youth Are Civically Engaged And Making A Difference - And Some Of Them Love To Sing" - http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Bill Payne
City Club Missoula
- Angels: Convertible Debt Is Seldom the Right Security for Startup Investments
My perspective is that angels should (1) look only for “smash hits,” (b) negotiate an appropriate valuation at the time of investment, (c) don’t chase losers by continuing to invest when they don’t meet milestones and (d) enjoy the fruits of your labors on those very few “smash hits” that, in fact, provide wonderful exits.
Come Home Montana
- City Club Missoula - December Forum Wrapup (You missed the really great presentations) - Our Youth Are Civically Engaged And Making A Difference - And Some Of Them Love To Sing -
This months forum was a bit different. Instead of a single speaker or a panel at the front of the room, we were entertained by the 23-member Sentinel Spartanaires and groups of students speakers from each of the 4 high schools who were seated at different tables throughout the room, and simply rose from their tables and spoke into mics from there.
Montana Business
- "The Gift" (Video) to You and Yours on this Most Joyous of Holiday Seasons
"The Gift" was created by a Missoula, Montana artist who did it for its pure joy and wishes to remain anonymous. We hope that this is the first in a series of "Gifts" to Montana and the World..
- United Way of Missoula Responds to Smurfit-Stone Closure and the Employees Respond to United Way 40,000 Ways!
Susan Hay Patrick, the chief executive officer of United Way in Missoula, cried over an e-mail Thursday morning.
Montana Economic Development
- Jack Haffey & Associates - New Montana Firm Aims to Inspire Organizational Excellence
To date, few have really offered the kind of deep, focused, in-the-moment-introspective yet longer-term value maximization potential that Jack Haffey & Associates now brings to organizations large and small.”
- Smurfit-Stone workers meet with Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, state labor leaders
Intending to start the meeting on a lighter note, Schweitzer's opening salvo was: "We are from the government and we're here to help." While everyone in the room got the joke, neither the audience nor the governor laughed.
- 3 Rivers Communications sketches out cost-cutting measures
While cutting expenses can be seen as negative, the 3 Rivers general manager also sees it as a positive endeavor for any business as employees provide suggestions for cost saving that might not have been implemented in the beginning.
- S&K Aerospace of Saint Ignatius, Montana wins new Federal Aviation Administrative support contract
The contract is in support of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization – Terminal Services (ATO-T) division based out of Washington DC. The ATO-T’s primary mission is to move air traffic safely and efficiently. The organization consists of 35,000 controllers, technicians, engineers, and support personnel.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Ravalli County voices support for Darby Special Events Center
The county is lending its weight to a project to transform a former lumber mill in Darby into a huge special events center.
Montana Education Excellence
- Let us praise the venture capitalists
Now, more than ever, what this country really needs is a vibrant venture industry that can get about its business of company creation and stellar returns for its investors without a bunch of barriers thrown in its way by Washington.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Montana State University Geoff Gamble upbeat on last day at Montana Hall
“It’s been a great career, and I’m looking to the next phase.”
- University of Montana Western ranks second nationally for value
Montana Western is the only public four-year institution in the country offering a very innovative approach to learning we call Experience One. We invite you to find out more. Explore our website http://www.umwestern.edu/ and discover a truly remarkable university.
- All Montanan's should get involved with tuition talks
The regents’ Reform Workgroup meetings are publicly noticed on the http://www.mus.edu Web site. Keeping college affordable in Montana is an interest we all share. We invite all interested citizens, especially students, to join us in this effort.
- Hellgate High School (Missoula, Montana) senior, Callie Woody, raises money for new school in Ghana
Since returning to Missoula, Woody has put her efforts toward raising $10,000 to rebuild the public school in Ekumfi Attakwa, a rural farming village in Ghana. Fundraising is under way, and so far she has raised $8,000.
- Flathead Valley Community College upgrading welding training
“Almost every local business is looking for certifications for its employees.”
- Montana State University - Great Falls to Offer Online Pharmacy Technician Professional Certification
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts the employment of Pharmacy Technicians to increase by 32 percent from 2006 to 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The 2008 median hourly wage in Montana was $13.78/ hr with a median annual salary of $24,289.
Regional Business
- Free Family Business On The Road Program Seminar, “Building Excellence Into Your Business” 1/14, Helena, Montana
Ehlert’s program will focus on how businesses can use the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award Criteria to drive high levels of business performance. The model, based on a set of universal management principles and values, allows business owners to analyze operations and develop plans for a sustainable organization.
Education
- O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West, The University of Montana - Winter 2009 Newsletter
Hello and Happy Holidays, From all of us at the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West, The University of Montana
Government
- The Power of Magical Thinking - Research Shows the Importance of Imagination in Children's Cognitive Development
Imagination is necessary for learning about people and events we don't directly experience, such as history or events on the other side of the world. For young kids, it allows them to ponder the future, such as what they want to do when they grow up.
- On the Bus - Mississippi's Dropout Prevention Program
Learn what other schools are doing to increase graduation rates.
Energy and Climate Change
- Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer Announces $4.5 Million in Savings – No Renovations at Receiving Hospital
Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced that the taxpayers will keep $4.5 million in the bank as a result of not renovating the Receiving Hospital Building on the Montana State Hospital Campus.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- 7 Tipping Points That Could Transform Earth
“The problem with tipping elements is that if any of them tips, it will be a real catastrophe. None of them are small.”
Non-Profit News
- Forget the Remote; Control TV By Waving Your Hand
No need to worry about losing the remote with new touchless technology.
- TED 2010: Speaker lineup announced
TED, which stands for "Technology, Entertainment, Design," will be held in Long Beach again this year from Feb. 9-13. If you wanted to go, it's a little late. The popular conference sells out about a year in advance. It's gotten so popular you have to send a pitch letter of sorts to get in.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Computer 4 Kids gives away 25 computers from new location in Billings, Montana
Computer 4 Kids takes donated computers, cleans and rebuilds them and gives systems to children and individuals who can’t afford a computer. The program also repairs computers for charities at reduced rates.
- Ovando, Montana's Rolling Dog Ranch fetches $20K Shelter Challenge prize
"Talk about a phenomenal Christmas present for the animals," Marker said. "We spent about $46,000 on medical (care) this year. It's one of our top expenses for the animals. This prize will help a lot with that."
Transportation
- CraftNet Sketches - December 2009 Volume 5 Number 4
CraftNet is an international network of community colleges devising innovative ways through partnerships to develop artisan-based strengths into a sustainable growth sector for each of their service areas.
- Teeny Tiny Electric Vehicle Practically Free
Federal and state tax credits in Oklahoma pushed down the cost of a Kandi Coco electric vehicle from $10,600 to $865.
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