The Age of Conversation 2

There is a new book out, and it better be good. Why? Because 237 authors from around the globe have each written one page limited to 400 words. They darned well better be the best 400 words each of the authors had. (Since I had only 200 good words available at the time, I collaborated with the Purple Wren. and we wrote a page with 385 words and one picture and we titled it, If you can’t stand the heat… .)

The book, a second edition is called

• Age of Conversation 2
• the authors have given their best insights into the nature of conversation and communication in a digital world as it affects business, community, and individual
• Several of the authors are local men and women
• You can buy (hardcover or paperback) or download a copy
• All profits (after expenses) go to Variety, the international children’s charity, and the 1st edition raised $15,000

Pricing for The Age of Conversation 2 is:

• e-book: US$12.50 ($10.00 going to charity)
• paperback book: US$19.95 ($8.02 to charity)
• hardback book: US$29.95 ($4.60 to charity)

The venture was overseen by local marketer Drew McLellan and Australian Gavin Heaton. Check the list of authors if you like.

Tinu Abayomi-Paul, Reginald Adkins, Vandana Ahuja, Ozgur Alaz, Armando Alves, Francis Anderson, Todd Andrlik, G. Kofi Annan, Mike Arauz, David Armano, William Azaroff, Steve Bannister, Ryan Barrett, Cam Beck, Jordan Behan, Connie Bensen, Rohit Bhargava, Susan Bird, Toby Bloomberg, Jon Burg, David Berkowitz, Mark Blair, Ed Brenegar, Chris Brown, Deborah Brown, Duane Brown, Tim Brunelle, Wayne Buckhanan,

Pet Campbell, Becky Carroll, Paul Chaney, C.C. Chapman, Katie Chatfield, Thomas Clifford, Gary Cohen, Stephen Collins, Tim Connor, Peter Corbett, Hillel Cooperman, Ed Cotton, Chris Cree, Dave Davison, Luc Debaisieux, Jeff De Cagna, Dino Demopoulos, Geert Desager, Rishi Desai, Pete Deutschman, Matt Dickman, Vanessa DiMauro, Jeanne Dininni, Brent Dixon, Mark Earls, Sue Edworthy, Jay Ehret, Gianandrea Facchini, Anna Farmery, Julie Fleischer, Justin Foster, Jeremy Fuksa, Seth Gaffney, Bill Gammell, Deanna Gernert, Cedric Giorgi, Gretel Going & Kathryn Fleming, Phil Gerbyshak, Scott Goodson, Mark Goren, James Gordon-Macintosh, Kristin Gorski, Lewis Green, Susan Gunelius, Jeff Gwynne & Todd Cabral,

Jessica Hagy, Mark Hancock, Ann Handley, Douglas Hanna, Steve Hardy, Nettie Hartsock, Doug Haslam, Gavin Heaton, Paul Hebert, Jeremy Heilpern, Alex Henault, Darren Herman, John Herrington, Susan Heywood, Adrian Ho, G.L. Hoffman, Daniel Honigman, Uwe Hook, Sean Howard, Cathryn Hrudicka, Robert Hruzek, Sam Huleatt, Richard Huntington, Shama Hyder, Paul Isakson, Tim Jackson, Dustin Jacobsen, George Jenkins, Kevin Jessop, Mitch Joel, Stanley Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Spike Jones, Amy Jussel, Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Ryan Karpeles, Douglas Karr, Gareth Kay, Lois Kelly, Christina Kerley (CK), Chris Kieff, Thomas Knoll, Katie Konrath, David Koopmans, Derrick Kwa, Michelle Lamar, Stephen Landau, Kenny Lauer, Bob LeDrew, Tammy Lenski, Mark Lewis, Phil Lewis, James G. Lindberg,

Brett Macfarlane, Lori Magno, Angela Maiers, Valeria Maltoni, Louise Manning, Tim Mannveille, Mike McAllen, Becky McCray, Matt J. McDonald, Paul McEnany, Mark McGuinness, Drew McLellan, Robyn McMaster, Doug Meacham, Jenny Meade, Terrell Meek, Efrain Mendicuti, Sreeraj Menon, Gaurav Mishra, Doug Mitchell, Corentin Monot, Scott Monty, John Moore, Matt Moore, Ernie Mosteller, Brandon Murphy, Eric Nehrlich, Jeff Noble, Andy Nulman, Andrew Odom, Jason Oke, Simon Payn, Branislav Peric, Neil Perkin, Eric Peterson, David Petherick, Steve Portigal, J. Erik Potter, Dennis Price, Joe Pulizzi,

Veronique Rabuteau, Arun Rajagopal, Daria Radota Rasmussen, Ryan Rasmussen, Connie Reece, Brian Reich, Cathleen Rittereiser, David Reich, Sandy Renshaw, Nick Rice, Steve Roesler, Fernanda Romano, John Rosen, Roberta Rosenberg, Troy Rutter, Mike Sansone, Sheila Scarborough, Dan Schawbel, David Meerman Scott, Sean Scott, Andy Sernovitz, Bernie Scheffler, Asi Sharabi, Ron Shevlin, Jamey Shiels, Brad Shorr, Sonia Simone, Charles Sipe, Dan Sitter, Jon Swanson, Oleksandr Skorokhod, Stephen Smith, Phil Soden, Aki Spicer, Sheryl Steadman, Rachel Steiner,

Paul Tedesco, Seni Thomas, John Todor, Scott Townsend, PJasmin Tragas, Jonathan Trenn, Kate Trgovac, Karl Turley, Tim Tyler, Yves Van Landeghem, Mario Vellandi, Steven Verbruggen, Greg Verdino, Jeroen Verkroost, Dylan Viner, Roger von Oech, Jeff Wallace, Jennifer Warwick, Ellen Weber, Hugh Weber, David Weinfeld, Scott White, Gordon Whitehead, Andy Whitlock, Keri Willenborg, Casper Willer, Paul Williams, Chris Wilson, Craig Wilson, C.B. Whittemore, Steve Woodruff, Troy Worman, Piet Wulleman, Faris Yakob, Joanna Young, David Zinger,

photo from Age of Conversation 2

Des Moines, Boulder, Copenhagen, Grinnell

It’s a very small world.

John Nielsen, international visitor and chemist from the University of Copenhagen, is visiting Grinnell College this week. As we talked this afternoon I found we had some unusual chemistry in common. On a hunch I pulled out the framed group photo on the right and asked, “Are you in this picture?”, to which a surprised John replied, “I have that picture hanging in my office.”

And here is where we get to Des Moines!

The photo was taken at a 2001 conference honoring Des Moines native Marvin H. Caruthers,

• Johnston High School (’58)
• Iowa State University (B.S., 1962)
• Distinguished Professor at the University of Colorado,
• winner of the 2006 National Medal of Science presented by President George W. Bush in 2007,
• co-founder of Applied Biosystems and Amgen, the world’s largest biotech company
• given the National Academy of Sciences Award for Chemistry in Service to Society in 2005 and
• one of the world leaders in biotechnology.

Caruthers has been fortunate enough to be able to reap and share significant financial rewards for his work. In 2007 in honor of his late wife (Jennie Smoly Caruthers), he contributed $20 million dollars to the University of Colorado to encourage collaborative work in biotechnology.

If you look at the photo in this linked story, you will find two local boys, Marvin Caruthers and Douglas Dellinger. Doug Dellinger is a graduate of Hoover High School, Drake University, and the University of Colorado where he earned his Ph. D. under Caruthers while John Nielsen was a post-doctoral student in the same lab.

It’s good to live in a state with only 3 million people. It’s easier to keep track.

photos by Jim Lindberg

Trick or treat: Beggar’s night schedule 2008

The Des Moines Register has a Beggar’s night schedule that lists cities and towns as well as community events, commercial events, and other regional activities associated with Halloween. The Register’s event pages are worth a look. There is nothing comparable. Twelve of the following are on The Register’s list, but I looked up a few others. And the weather promises to be great.

• Altoona: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Ankeny: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Clive: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Dallas Center: October 31, 6-8 pm
• Des Moines: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Grimes: October 31, 6-8 pm
• Indianola: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Johnston: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Mitchellville: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Norwalk: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Pleasant Hill: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Polk City: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Urbandale: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Waukee: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• West Des Moines: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm
• Windsor Heights: October 30, 6:00-8:00pm

The Ames Tribune lists times for the towns generally north of Des Moines; that includes everything from Alleman to Zearing. Good weather there too!

photo by flickr by Gus Dahlberg

Senior health fair

If you’re 50 or older, grab your ear trumpet, and listen up!

Des Moines University is holding a Senior Health Fair for those 50 and older. It’s

• Free
• Saturday, November 1
• 8 am until noon
• Student Education Center (Building 4 on the map)
• 3300 Grand Avenue

Des Moines University is a great medical resource that finds many ways in which to serve our city. Founded in 1898 Des Moines University is led by former Governor Terry E. Branstad. DMU has programs in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, health care administration, public health, and more. Hundreds of their graduates practice in the Des Moines area.

It is not often that you will hear the words philanthropy and medicine in the same sentence, but make no mistake; DMU’s Senior Health Fair is a philanthropic contribution from the institution and the people that make up its community. I will attest. The DMU Senior Health Fair is a rare and valuable opportunity. You will have a chance to sit with current DMU students, their teachers, and other health professionals for

• free screenings of blood pressure, blood glucose, and bone density
• free review of your current medicines
• free osteopathic manipulation
• free foot and ankle screening
• flu shots (free if you can’t afford it, otherwise for a suggested donation)

The people you will meet and talk with are knowledgeable, kind, and generous with their time. I have gone several times, and I’ve always learned something that helps me stay healthier. I’ll be there. Look for me.

photo by flickr by fozzman

Dos Rios

After we voted early on Saturday, we went around the corner to Dos Rios at 316 Court Avenue. We loved the tacos, but the special treat for us was a half order of Guacamole Mashed Tableside shown on the left. The avacado, tomatos and other vegetables were cut, mixed, and the guacamole spiced to our liking in the stone bowl shown on the left.

Yum! Check out the menus.

See you there.

photo by James Lindberg

Voting early

Want to vote early? You can still do it.

In Polk County

• In tiny little letters at the bottom of the auditors web page, Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald points out that voting early is still possible at the Polk County Election Office. The Polk County Election Office is 120 2nd Avenue (south of Court Avenue and west of the Des Moines River). Just walk in from 8 am -5 pm, Monday through Saturday through Monday November 3. The folks in the auditor’s office are very helpful and will tell you how to get it done.
• If you don’t know for sure, you can check to see if you are registered to vote on the web site of the Iowa Secretary of State. The site even tells you where to vote! If you are not yet registered, you can register on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4 at your correct polling place but you have to bring along proof of residence (many things as simple as a utility bill or bank statement will do) and a photo ID (like a driver’s licence or Iowa student ID). For a second way to find your correct polling place, follow the link called find your polling place on the Polk County Auditor’s website. You can also see the ballot through links at the same site.

In Dallas County

• It is not quite as easy, but according to The Des Moines Register, you can do it. The only remaining early voting day is Saturday November 1, from 8 am to 5 pm at the Dallas County Auditor’s Elections Office at 910 Court in Adel, Iowa.
• Just as in Polk County if you don’t know for sure, you can check if you are registered to vote on the web site of the Iowa Secretary of State. And again the site even tells you where to vote! If you are not yet registered, you can register on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4 at your correct polling place but you have to bring along proof of residence (many things as simple as a utility bill or bank statement will do) and a photo ID (like a driver’s licence or Iowa student ID).

This is an historic election. If the primaries were any indication, there will be a record turnout. It may be a good idea to vote early.

photos by James Lindberg

Acceptance comes with age

I’ve been traveling a bit lately, and I was talking by phone to a North Dakota boy Tuesday. Here are the three sentences that this good Republican named Stan had to say about the prospect of the election of Barack Obama:

First,

• “It looks like the young guy is going to win.”

He followed that with,

• “Well, that’s all right.”

And ended by saying,

• “We’ll just give him a chance and see what he can do.”

Acceptance comes with age.

Stan is in his late 80s and he has lived a lot of American history, gained a lot from living in America, and given a lot back. He has known

• hard work on a Great Plains farm
• the Great Depression
• service in WWII as a technical trainer at Chanute Air Base
• marriage
• a long career as a government accountant and his wife as a teacher
• a modest income and sound judgment in how it was spent
• homes (one at a time, not multiple homes)
• retirement in Arizona and
• declining health

Now in his sunset years he and his wife were having difficulty keeping up with the physical demands of their home, so they moved into an assisted living facility, and they put their house in Arizona on the market. You guessed it. A full year later their house is still on the market with little hope for a sale. There is no bailout in sight for these loyal Americans – veterans of the Great Depression and World War II. Why haven’t we heard these Americans mentioned by John McCain in the same sentence as Joe the Plumber? Why we haven’t heard them mentioned by Sarah Palin in the same sentence as the parts of the country she calls pro-America? Couldn’t those “maverick” Republicans at least refer in passing to the aging Americans who have started with nothing and are seeing 60 years of hard work and careful living disappear either slowly or quickly? To add insult to neglect, if McCain were elected these uncomplaining, aging, loyal Americans would be saddled with McCain’s proposed cuts to Medicare.

Celebrate, Stan. It looks like the young guy is going to win.

photo by flickr by rileyroxx

WiFi, coffee shops, bookstores

I am sitting in Caribou Coffee in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, using their free internet access, drinking coffee, and writing about Des Moines. I started at Barnes & Noble; internet access is not free at B&N in Sioux Falls! So what about Des Moines? Where will you be given free internet access?

• Barnes & Noble? Nope. Access is not free; you can buy access on site through AT&T.
• Border’s? Nope. Access is not free; access is available to T-Mobile customers.
• Caribou Coffee? Yep. Access is free.
• Panera Bread? Yep. Access is free.

I  buy a lot of books. I think I’ll go to Caribou Coffee and Panera Bread and order a few of them from Amazon.

photos by James Lindberg

Take a hike

I love the fall. It’s a great time to take a hike in Central Iowa, even a short one. I was in Minnetonka over the weekend for a celebration of my nephew’s 50th birthday, and some of us spent an hour on a city trail where these pictures were taken. We have similar trails in Central Iowa.

You can hike in and near Des Moines in

• Gray’s Lake Park with its picnic facilities, the Lake, open spaces, and hiking trail
• Water Works Park with ponds, the Raccoon River, bike and walking trails,
• Greenwood Park with the Rose Garden, the pond, and the trail to Water Works
• Ewing Park with open spaces, lilac bushes, picnic facilities
• other parks in Des Moines

or just west of 63rd in West Des Moines

• Brown’s Woods with forest trails, a creek, and quiet
• Walnut Woods just west of Brown’s Woods with roads, picnic areas, the Raccoon River, and trails

or North and West in the Saylorville Lake area with

• Jester Park on the western shore of Saylorville Lake
• the Ledges State Park with many trails, grand vistas, and creeks
• Saylorville Lake and the area near the Visitor Center
• Big Creek State Park

or West toward and beyond Waukee

• Raccoon River Valley Trail
• other trails in Central Iowa

Better get out there before it’s too late. There is no excuse good enough to miss these days!

photos by the Purple Wren

McCain to announce new Presidential retreat?

Will Presidential hopeful John McCain announce plans for a new Presidential retreat? Camp David located in Maryland has been used as a Presidential retreat for decades. Its history is rich.

Even though Camp David is a Naval facility, I am going out on a limb and suggest that if old Navy man John McCain is elected President, he will reject Camp David and opt for new location for his Presidential retreat: Golden Pond (Just kidding.)

What? Did you think his multimillionaire wife Cindy McCain might hold out for Busch Gardens?

photos by flickr by CaptPiper

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