Why McCain chose Palin

It’s fair to say that everyone is speculating on why John McCain, the Senior Senator from Arizona chose as his potential running mate Sarah Palin, the incumbent Governor of Alaska.

I don’t know for sure, but I can think of a few reasons. Remembering the phrase tongue-in-cheek, see what you think.

1. Alaska is far from Florida so he’s hoping voters won’t be reminded of hanging chads, Katherine Harris, and Jeb Bush.

2. Choosing an Alaskan is a good hedge in case bears win the right to vote by November.

3. Even if bears don’t win the right to vote, it’s still a good hedge because Alaskan bears can be sent to Florida to help count ballots in case the vote gets close.

4. The time will come when Senator McCain is looking for a few more retirement properties. Governor Palin can help him locate (and keep track of) good beachfront resort properties in Alaska (just in case this global warming business gets out of hand).

5. Her experience as Council Member and Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska dovetails nicely with McCain’s plans to allow her to ramp up U. S. participation in the Sister City, International program while toning down his own Bomb, Bomb Iran image.

6. Senator McCain was protecting Republicans from accidental injury. He knew that Sarah Palin, a lifetime member of the NRA, is a better shot than Dick Cheney, and thus fellow Republicans were less likely to be injured.

7. McCain also knew that Alaska’s reputation for pork barrel spending will appeal to pork producers in Iowa, and should help land the farm vote. (On a legitimate note, if you want to compare the McCain and Obama positions, check this rural voter guide.)

8. Hoping that clear understanding of the impact of the George Bush Presidency had not yet reached all of the voters, McCain was hoping some would associate the word Bush with Alaskan Bush.

9. Even if Sarah Palin and John McCain lose the debates, the basketball player formerly known as Sarah Barracuda will catapult them to a win at HORSE.

10. And finally, Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin may not have his experience but all reports are that she is cuter than Joe Lieberman.

photo by flickr by GISuser, er3465, and Wigwam Jones

Facing Des Moines: Meet Andrew C. Schlievert

Andy Schlievert has a mind that doesn’t quit. Put that together with a problem-solving approach to life, and you’ve got an inventor. Add to that a business mind, just the right number of friends, and the ability to work with others, and you’ve intellectual property and a business. And that is what Andy Schlievert is up to.

Working downtown for ING insurance, he regularly saw blind people struggling to navigate the Des Moines Skywalk using a white cane – encountering ramps, corners, hard objects, and moving people. Thinking every minute he put together the concepts of white cane, global positioning, voice-activation, and ultrasonic range finding or SONAR technology and the genesis of an invention emerged. The patent is pending and therefore because the product is still being developed, all you will see is a rough sketch of his invention called the Inveo but click on the image to see words associated with the components. Andy’s business is called Invesions, a contraction of inventing and visions

Curtis Chong a field director for the Iowa Department for the Blind and the Technology Director for the National Federation of the Blind has been particularly helpful. Andrew is also working toward a prototype development with an engineering design coordinator at Iowa State.

Andy was born and raised in Algona, Iowa where he attended Algona High School. While in high school he entered the Iowa State Science and Technology Fair where he qualified for the Intel International Science Fair in 2002 and again in 2005. He did well in 2002 as a 15 year old and 2005 as an 18 year old, winning a 3rd Award in the engineering category.

In Des Moines during the times Andy is not working at ING or developing his invention, he has been attending AIB College of Business where he has already earned an Associate’s degree and is working on his Bachelor’s.

Recently a couple of books have his attention. He first mentioned Joel Osteen’s Your Best Life Now a book that is nicely reviewed on ABC’s website. He also cited Campus CEO, A Student Entrepreneur’s Guide to Launching a Multimillion Dollar Business by Randel Pinkett.

You will have to watch closely for Andrew Schlievert. You will find him downtown at ING, going to school at AIB, working on his invention and Invesions, at the New Iowa Entrepreneurs Coalition meet-up group at the Pappajohn Center, or about town. He is a young man on the go, full of ideas and positive ambition.

photo courtesy of stock.xchng

photos by james lindberg

And how many of those houses are in foreclosure?

Lettin’ the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier ‘n puttin’ it back in. Will Rogers

That’s what we need: a President that can identify with the people – and we with him.

John McCain, the Senior Senator from Arizona and Presidential hopeful had to check with aides to know how many homes he owns. It’s official; he has seven residences. Well, maybe not. The Chicago Tribune has reported eight, and ABC News says 8 or 10 depending on how you count them. (See some of them on ABC News.) My home in Des Moines has seven rooms if you count the bathroom. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t want 7 residences – too much vacuuming.

The US Census estimates that in 2005 there were 110 million households in the US for the population of 300 million people. In the same year there were 124 million housing units to hold those families. If that sounds like too many units, remember that many people have two residences, some more than two, at least one person has 8 or 10, but many have none. I have two of those housing units (a home in Des Moines where I live and an apartment in Grinnell where I work). I didn’t have to check to be sure of it. How about you? Have you lost track? Most of us haven’t.

Iowan Herbert Hoover ran for President in 1928 and while he might have implied it, he did not use the slogan, “A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” However, during his successful Presidential campaign 80 year ago, a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage was the expectation.

You know, that’s what we need today – some good campaign slogans. How about this for a winner?

“Seven housing units in your real estate portfolio and a Biscotti Cheesecake for dessert.”

You’ve got to admit it. It’s catchy. Just imagine the real estate boom if we all were privileged enough to own seven homes. That would surely get us out of the economic doldrums.

A question comes to my mind. How many of John McCain’s seven homes are in foreclosure?

In 2007 Iowa had the 9th highest foreclosure rate nationally, but we are doing a lot better in 2008. RealtyTrac provides the July 2008 figures and Iowa is now 42nd highest – much better. Nevada leads in foreclosure rate followed by California, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, Georgia, and Michigan. Nationally the May 2008 foreclosure rate was the highest in history – 1 in every 483 households was in some stage of foreclosure filing in that single month. (There was monthly improvement in June.) The trend for the nine quarters beginning in 2006 is revealing – more than tripling in 24 months. In real numbers for 2007 the national rate was slightly more than 1% at 2.2 million foreclosures. Another 1.4 million were added in the first half of 2008.

Bankruptcy rates offer interesting insights into the national condition too. According to USA Today seniors are declaring bankruptcy at previously unseen rates, primarily because of medical expenses. Locally Steve Conard of Compass Financial Services in West Des Moines reported to KCCI that even families with respectable incomes are experiencing trouble because of home equity lines and credit card debt. Overall, Iowa (at 33rd highest in bankruptcy rate) is doing better than most of the country.

It’s a difficult time for the nation, but apparently not that difficult a time for those at the wealthiest end of the financial spectrum. And for the neighbors of John McCain, there are some positives too. After all, if he is gone from home, it is quiet in the neighborhood, and if he is home, how noisy can a 72 year old be? It’s still quiet in the neighborhood. It’s always good to look on the bright side.

photo by flickr by sloomis08

Iowa Gold Star Arabian Horse Show

The Iowa Gold Star Arabian Horse Show is held every year over Labor Day Weekend at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, IA. The show starts on Thursday August 28, 2008 and goes through Monday. This year Wayne Newton will be judging on Friday evening. FREE ADMISSION ALL DAYS. Check out our website and our blog for more information.

Impromptu Studio: the Grand Opening

Impromptu Studio. What a great space! Daniel Shipton invites you to the Grand Opening of his Impromptu Studio, a shared workspace with meeting rooms, open work spaces, presentation areas, amenities, and colleagues. Daniel runs his own software development company, Redship Technologies, using a small part of the studio, but there is plenty of room for other individuals who need equipment, office space, amenties, and the stimulation of other young and active minds. It can be part-time, full-time, weekend time – lots of possibilities. Do you need a spot for a meeting, teaching seminar or small conference close to the Science Center of Iowa? Daniel has offices, wonderful meeting spaces, and an open, inviting environment. Come down to see it on Thursday August 28 anytime from 8 am to 8 pm. You can even try it as a workspace from 8 to 5 or stop in from 5 to 8 after work just to visit and hear comments at 6:30.

Facing Des Moines: Meet Desmund Adams

Desmund Adams is a talent magnet. In June 2005 he founded the Talent Acquisition Group of Johnston, Iowa and has served as its Principal since. Honored by Business Record in October 2007 with the Best Kept Secret Award, Talent Acquisition Group continues to enjoy a national reputation for its retained executive searches.

A native of University Park, IL (home of Governors State University), Desmund came to Des Moines and earned two degrees at Drake University, first a Bachelor of Science degree in the School of Education and then a Doctor of Jurisprudence in the Drake Law School. While in law school Desmund interned with The Honorable Louis A. Lavorato (former Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court) and with The Honorable Don C. Nickerson (formerly District Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa and now the Judge in District Court 5C of Iowa). Returning to Chicago for his first professional positions, he learned excellent career skills from Lawrence Richardson, Managing Director of Investment Banking with Wachovia and Alex DuBuclet Principal of the Exeter Group of Illinois.

But here is the measure of the man.

• First, being a great father is a closely-held value for Desmund. As a consequence he moved back to Des Moines to be close to his young son.
• Second, he and his local fraternity brothers from Alpha Phi Alpha (historically a fraternity for African-American men) have put their concern for young people into a local action program called Project Alpha. In 2006 local alumni including Desmund made a five year commitment to mentor high school students at East and Roosevelt through in-school and after-school discussions of the strengths required to be successful in business and life. One piece of advice he gives is, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow doesn’t exist. You must focus your attention on today because that will affect your consequences tomorrow.”
• Third, Desmund is National Chairman of Alpha Phi Alpha’s College Life to Corporate Life Initiative (C2C).  He designed and developed the Champions of Change Internship Program here in Des Moines. The C2C program was based on the local Champions of Change Internship design. The national fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, has very recently built upon this program of internships for ethnically diverse high school and college men and women. National corporate participants include Wells Fargo Financial. Desmund’s experience and commitment to right action for youth have allowed him to be a strong contributor to the design and functioning of these internship programs at both the local and the national level.

A favorite book is Harvey Mackay’s Swim with the Sharks without Being Eaten Alive.

Around Des Moines you may find Desmund Adams golfing at one of the municipal courses or eating at Fleming’s Steakhouse or the sports bar Tonic.

Watch for Desmund Adams around Des Moines. At 6′5″ he’s hard to miss, and you will want to meet him.

photos by James Lindberg

Rollin’ Relics Car Club at Union Park

If you like old cars, head to the Heritage Carousel at Union Park on Sunday, August 24 for some family fun. As of Wednesday morning event organizers are expecting near 150 cars. The forecast predicts good weather. Judging from the pictures taken in several of the previous years, some beautiful old cars will appear. It can be fun for the whole family with

• great cars
• free rides on the Carousel from 11 – 4
• food and beverages.

Registration begins at 9 am with the awards scheduled for around 3 pm. Questions? Got a car? Check with Pat (515) 979-6060 or Tom (515) 224-9147.

Do you know about Meetup groups?

When someone is spreading rumors, it’s good to be the last to know, but don’t be the last to find out about Meetup groups in Des Moines! From Atlanta to Boston to Chicago to San Francisco and all places in between Meetup Groups have been formed to bring together like-minded people for varied purposes. Des Moines has 76 Meetup groups within a 25 mile radius. I have been to two groups with very different purposes, and each was a great experience. The first was a raw foods group formed by Sheree Clarke and the second was an entreprenuers group organized by Kent Sovern. Initially I was talked into going to both, but of my own volition I will go back whenever I can.

Meetup groups have different purposes, meet at different times, different frequencies, and different places, and come in different sizes. Some have dues and some don’t. In the Des Moines area for example, there are groups for social purposes (getting out, singles, moms, parenting), business (cash flow investors, entrepreneurs, getting out of debt), entertainment (books, Star Wars, music), hobbies (knitting, reading, metal detecting, trying restaurants), language and culture (Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian), politics, and religion. Check the list of categories, their links to specific meetings, and contacts.

The Meetup group I attended on August 19 was the New Iowa Entrepreneurs’ Coalition. About 40 of us met at the Pappajohn Center downtown. Our meeting lasted 2 hours and included a demonstration, visiting, a potluck, more visiting at small tables, self-introductions, and more conversation. Ages ranged from 22 to much older than 22 and was distributed across the decades.

From my experiences in two groups and 3 meetings this year, Meetup groups can be enlightening, fun, tasty, educational, and social. Don’t miss out.

One Day Left for the Iowa State Fair

Very sad. There is only one day left for the Iowa State Fair. What will I do for excitement?

But today, Saturday August 16th was another day in paradise at the Fair. The weather could not have been more perfect – clear and (by Iowa standards for mid-August) cool. The line was long for the free Blue Bunny bomb pops and short for the $4 single dip, real ice cream at the Ag Building. In the cattle barn the calves seemed to enjoy the youthful attention of youngsters and parents. Some cattle owners looked like they might be thinking, “Who are these people who are petting my milking cows?” Well, tolerance is a quality we see throughout the state.

In Pioneer Hall (a spot where you are bound to see the best of Iowa) I heard the Living History Farms Walnut Hills Choral Society. Dressed in their finest turn of the century costumes, they sang very well. Then came a Des Moines group called the Sugar Creek Cloggers. Formed at a tender age by Joey Van Horn in 1983, this group of cloggers of ages 8 to 70 was fun to hear and fun to see. Many of the cloggers are related: husbands and wives; parents and children; grandma and grandpa. It’s a family event for them and the audience. They will perform again in Pioneer Hall at 5:30 on Sunday August 17th at the Fair, and it’s a treat. It’s great to live in Iowa.

photos by James Lindberg

The Buck Doesn’t Stop Here

What does Des Moines not have in common with Grand Rapids Michigan, Austin, Texas, Portland, Oregon, and Charlotte, North Carolina?

Answer: Being in the test market for the new series of $1 coins honoring the Presidents. They are being released in the order in which the Presidents served. Andrew Jackson was released Thursday August 14. You won’t see Iowan Herbert Hoover until 2014. Forty-two presidents are on the schedule. Take a close look at the designs at the mint website. The site has a great little piece of javascript code that allows you to switch images to show you front and back of each coin.

The program to mint the coins was authorized in 2005 and the first dollars were released in 2007.

Let’s see. If all 300,000,000 Americans collected one each of all 42 presidential dollars, that would be 12.6 billion dollars sitting in a desk drawer.

Well, I’ve gotta run — going to Grand Rapids.

photo by flickr by espanol and jvstin

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