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County In Dire Economic Situation Say Storter - Gambling, Potential For Growth? MOORE HAVEN, FL. -- Glades Commissioner Donna Storter Long this week sent the following to Governor Charlie Crist's special assistant Marureen Jaeger: Thank you for attending the Glades County Commission meeting yesterday and your interest in and concern for Glades County�s situation as a Special Representative of Gov. Charlie Crist. Glades County has dire economic needs/situations that are NOT a result of the impending SugarWater deal. Just in time for our budget workshop, our Property Appraiser gave us the ad valorem revenue figure of $6,379,253 for 2008-2009. No typo here. That�s less than 7 million! It just seems to me that while we have the sharp attention of Governor Crist and his staff, this is an opportune time to address ways Glades County can mitigate anticipated negative affects of that deal while alleviating some existing problems too. I was disappointed that so much of the meeting was devoted to pessimistically lamenting the past without addressing the opportunities for the future of Glades County. We must look forward, not back. Things will change and it�s our choice if we want to help direct the change Though I greatly appreciate and support agriculture and will endeavor to work for its survival and growth. I do recognize, as Mary Helen Blakeslee pointed out, that we must diversify our economy and tax base. As I told you I would, I�m listing here for you the points I prepared for my presentation yesterday (with some elaboration) and probably not in the order I brought them up yesterday, nor in any priority. Have SFWMD consider granting to Glades County all the development rights of all property owned by SFWMD, including past acquisitions. Without the 5600 +/- acres of US Sugar land in Glades County, SFWMD already owns 13,150 acres in Glades County. Glades County receives $24.83 annually for PILOT. That should increase with the recent changes in legislation and the purchase of 1400+/- acres WMD bought last year. However, residential density units on those properties could be utilized in other developments and would allow density clustering. They definitely have value and could be declared surplus and auctioned, or granted to the County for distributio In February 2008, we learned that a prominent Glades County Family, the Weeks Family, had bequeathed $6 million to the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, and was eligible for matching funds raising the total to $12 million. Can OTTED explore the possibility of UF/ IFAS creating a veterinarian training facility in Glades County, and help provide bovine veterinarian services to the areas ranchers? Right now, there is no large-animal vet residing in and practicing in Glades County and currently, our agriculture extension agent is only a 4-H coordinator. According to Florida Dept of Health�s �Community Health Assessment Resource Tool Set, (C.H.A.R.T.S) information that was made available May 2008, about 15% of Glades County population is below the poverty level. The health profile shows we are in the 4th quartile for deaths from heart disease, cancer, HIV/Aids, 4th quartile for birth to unwed mothers, 4th quartile for late or no prenatal care, and 4th quartile for infant deaths after age of 1 month. (Unwed mothers mostly black, but infant deaths mostly white.) We are in the 4th quartile for adults who were unable to get health care and 4th quartile of adults with no health coverage. Our public health department is understaffed and underfunded working from a crowded, outdated facility in dire need of replacement, not just remodeling. (Mr. Taylor told me you later requested a visit to the facility yesterday and saw this conditions we discussed.) How can OTTED help Glades County�s health needs? We hear that statewide there is a shortage of trained nurses. Why not build a nursing school in Glades County along with a public health clinic for their internship? We have no pharmacy, so why not build a pharmacology college here, including a dispensing pharmacy? We have one medical doctor residing in and practicing in Glades County; no dentist, no optometrist, no chiropractor, and no medical services clinic other than the woefully inadequate public health department that you visited. It is astounding to me how the public health staff operates as well as it does in the conditions and financial limitations they endure. They are VERY dedicated people, serving people with real health needs. The county-owned Industrial Park near Moore Haven needs $$$ to develop and market itself. The mortgage is $800k, and we don�t have enough funds to finish the engineering, design and infrastructure installation and can barely make the mortgage payments. Even with enterprise programs and tax abatements, without proper development we really have little to offer but bare land. High speed/broadband internet access is not available in much of our rural county. Today�s technology is a basic requirement for most commerce, industry and normal business operations. FHREDI has been working on this already, why not step up with some grant $$ to providers and finish the job. Determine what new state-funded and federal-funded projects, such a Veterans Hospital, FEMA distribution center for SW Florida, DOT work center, will soon be needed in Florida, and site them in Glades County. SFWMD has pledged $5 million to clear/clean Pearce Canal, Moore Haven Canal, and other access points to Lake Okeechobee, to be expended over the next 5 years. Why wait? That itself could be a giant economic stimulus in a one-year period. We need to clean the outlet/mouth of Harney Pond Canal, deepen Dyess Ditch access, and restore the campground at Indian Prairie Canal and build more and expand existing boat ramps, add paid attendants. These are GIANT eco-tourism stimulants. Glades County already has a long-term lease on Curry Island on the western edge of Lake Okeechobee restricted for recreational use, with no funds to develop the natural wildlife habitat for eco-tourism such as birding, or fishing or duck hunting. Those three recreation industries bring BIG $$$$ into areas prepared for and inviting to them. Glades County has more shoreline on Lake Okeechobee than the other counties, and more frontage on the Caloosahatchee River than the other counties. It has great eco-tourism potential!! Lake Hicpochee may have development potential, either for hydrating and restoration for eco-tourism projects or part of the proposed inland port, as it is only 3 miles southwest of Moore Haven. This was on my list but Tracy Whirls actually brought it up. We have an eco-tourism development, Port LaBelle Marina on Caloosahatchee River, is battling state agencies for final permitting. Help could be granted in expediting the process, resulting in significantly addition to our tax base. DCA has also put up roadblocks for other important development considerations in Glades County, such as rural land stewardship programs. West Glades Elementary needs to expand to senior high school. When students complete the 8th grade there, their parents withdraw them from Glades County school system and enroll them in other county high schools or private schools rather than put them on school transportation for 3-4 hours per day to go to Moore Haven High School. We have 200 acres for expansion there and just built a new gym. The City-County Public Works Authority is out of funds for the next needed phase of expanding municipal water and wastewater services to greater Moore Haven area. In addition, Buckhead Ridge in the northeastern part of the county needs wastewater treatment system just as badly because there are more septic tanks on canals leading to Lake Okeechobee up there, than there are in the City of Moore Haven. We must do our part to prevent pollution, but we need funding. Of primary importance in the giant scheme of things, Glades County needs legal counsel expertise in water resources, land development and tax law. SFWMD staff has indicated willingness to fund this for us. After the meeting the Chair of the Glades District School Board called me and said after talking with Water Management staff he has decided to have the School Board solicit such funding for counsel. So far, the one single idea brought to me that seems have the most potential for large economic growth for Glades County, is legalized gambling. I will say it is not my first choice of revenue options, but I have yet to hear of a higher-paying plan! A later thought came that support at the ballot box may be garnered if we promote the concept that a portion of the revenue Glades County receives could/would be encumbered to support Northern Everglades restoration projects. Why not have Gov. Crist as our spokesperson for this? And OTTED funding the campaign for voter approval?

When a business is facing a crisis and has to answer to the media, there is little time to react effectively. The stress created by a crisis often limits rational thinking and can lead to costly mistakes and missteps. This is why it is essential for both large and small businesses to have a crisis management plan in place. Minimizing the damage from a crisis can prevent an unfortunate incident from blowing up into a full-scale public relations nightmare. Glenn Ebersole, Chief Executive of the Renaissance Group, is our featured guest in this Episode of The Small Business Trends Radio. Glenn will share examples of successful responses and unsuccessful responses to crisis when dealing with the media. Here s a sampling from the show: Some common public relations errors that many businesses make when faced with a crisis are 1.) to not have a crisis management plan in place 2.) to not be easily accesible 3.) to fail to provide information that s easily accesible to the media and 4.) to not maintain ongoing positive relationships with reporters, editors and target media. When developing a crisis management plan be sure to select and organize a crisis management team consisting of a spokesperson, legal counsel, someone with financial and operational background and possibly outside PR counsel that are available to respond immediately. When a crisis happens, you need to know who to contact first. What can a small business do to develop relationships with the media? For starters, you can develop a media kit including a one page description of your company and a contact listed. Connect with local reporters and read what they write, send them news and press releases, send them additional pieces of interest relating to topics they ve written about previously and attend events where your local media may be present. Following the suggestions above to develop healthy relations with the media will build credibility around you and your business and, in a sense, gives you third party endorsement. Being proactive and building a positive image with them will go a long way in the midst of a crisis for a positive public relations experience. Do you have a crisis management plan in place? You can learn more by listening to Glenn s full interview by clicking the red and yellow player below. Brought to you by our sponsors: JumpUp.com and Infusionsoft.com

More of the same. Lower oil price, stronger US dollar, weaker Australian dollar and better share prices, at least outside the resources sector.

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Gas Price Update: $4.419 We talk about property taxes and the opportunity that homeowners have to get theirs reduced if their house has lost value. Don t pay any more taxes than you re obligated to. We discuss a bit about how rewards credit cards aren t all they re cracked up to be. We also talk about things to [...]

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Click Here to download ERS-2008-07-23 #125 Hi everyone! Another elevator podcast broadcasting from the Windy City. This past week space elevators dominated the internet for a couple of reasons which I'll get into the show today. Plus there were a couple of neat ones regaring older buildings which of course included older elevators. Make sure you tune into the show next week when we give away a Mr. Brew Beer making kit. Simply sign up for the e-newsletter link on the website and you'll automatically be entered to win. Calendar Links NAESA Calendar NAEC Calendar NAVTP Calendar EIG SC Calendar CEA Calendar EAF Calendar ECNY Calendar CECA Calendar EESF Calendar Elevator U Calendar MESA Calendar Listener/Other Links: One Stop Elevator.info Elevator World Project Of The Year - Submission Deadline Approaching! News Links: Will The Space Elevator Rise Boy Almost Looses Finger In Escalator Accident Verdict In Holocost Survivor Attack UTC Profit Surges Two Workers Fall Down Elevator Shaft Askmen.com - Top Ten Hotel Lobbies ThyssenKrupp Elevator Wins Major Contracts In China Stairway To Heaven....Space Elevator Being Wrong About The Space Elevator.... Smoking Elevator Forces Evacuation Local Residents Request Elevator Repairs Junction Bridge Vandalism Japanese Team Creates Working Space Elevator..Lego Model Going Up: Slow Progress On 'Space Elevator' Elevators and Escalators - Reed Construction Data Space Elevators More Than Just An Idea Elevator News Steps Into Malls MaryKay Women Injured On Convention Escalator Elevator From Lake To Temple of Justice Cancelled Elevator Engine Malfunction Shuts Down City Block Devon Church Awaits Permit For Elevator City Plans To Speak To Disabled Advocates About Arena Elevator Center City Building Hit By Elevator Fire Elevator Mechanic/Swimmer Goes The Distance For Charity Noted: MIcrosoft Not Building Space Elevator Little Theatre Needs Money For Elevator Hammond Woman Maintains Nostalgia As Elevator Operator New Senate Leader Takes Tour of Glenn Falls KONE Quarterly Profit Rises on Asian, European Gain J-M Board Votes To Hire Architect For Elevator Project Escalator Handrail Advertising Distribution Licenses Available Memorial Set For Girl Killed In Escalator Fall Mall Does A Soft Soled Shoe Shuffle

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Conti-Chef Wennemer prsentiert Abwehrstrategie. Streiks bei Lufthansa-Tchtern dauern an. Neuer Personalausweis soll Einkauf im Internet sicherer machen.

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GuiM Jiwa Playlist A l’instar du player mono-titre dont je vous parlais la semaine dernière, voici donc le tout nouveau widget du player multi-pistes, qui vous permet d’exporter et d’afficher où bon vous semble vos playlistes. De la même manière que le player mono-titre, ce nouveau widget est customisable selon vos goûts et vos couleurs. Pour le moment, ce nouveau widget est disponible au format 200 pixels de largeur, une version de 160 pixels arrive et sera rapidement en ligne également. Du coup, vous n’avez plus aucune excuse qui vous empêche de jiwa-tiser votre blogosphère ;-)

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FAP845: Awaken Your Superhero from Podcasters Across Borders Listen now: I gave a brief, five minute talk about how podcasting is changing the world at Podcasters Across Borders 2008. Enjoy! Did you enjoy today s show? If so, please consider subscribing for free to get it delivered to you. Subscribing for free means you don t have to remember to download it every day. + + + Direct MP3 file download: Click here to download the MP3 Reminders + + Financial Aid Podcast Show Notes at FinancialAidPodcast.com. + Free scholarship search secrets eBook at StudentScholarshipSearch.com/ebook + Open an FDIC-insured savings account today! + Private student loans available at any time - visit AlternativeStudentLoan.com + Student credit card information at StudentPlatinum.com + FAFSA form tutorials and free help at FAFSAonline.com + Financial Aid discussion forums + Get FAFSA news at the FAFSA blog + Stafford federal student loans at StaffordLoan.com + The Financial Aid Podcast is a publication of the Student Loan Network. I want to hear from you! Email me at financialaidpodcast gmail com, visit http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com, or call 206-350-1208. ShareThis

Hospital admissions in England, prompted by alcohol related problems, have risen. Ministers have told the drinks industry to act more responsibly in adhering to its voluntary code or face new laws governing alcohol sales. Professor Ian Gilmore, of the Royal College of Physicians and the UK Alcohol Health Alliance, and Dawn Primarolo, the minister for public health, discuss the government's move towards legislation.

All doctors in the UK will face annual assessments which could see licences removed from poor performers. The proposals mean GPs, hospital consultants and private practitioners would have to renew their licences every five years, under proposals from the chief medical officer, Liam Donaldson. Patients organisations have welcomed the news, saying they have been waiting for such an initiative since the Shipman inquiry. Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA, explains how the scheme would work.

The financials are back in town, property trusts and banks soaring while the energy and gold sectors retreat. Net result: all ords up 1.7 per cent.

FABTECH International Interface Financial Corp SMGlobal Sum2 Western Electronics

Money-Guy 07-23-2008 We have a special treat for you on this installment of the Money Guy Show! I usually don't have guests on the show, but today we're fortunate to be joined by Liz Weston. As many of you will attest, Liz is an award-winning, nationally syndicated personal finance columnist with a unique gift for simplifying [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Andy Verity and Mickey Clark present this morning's business stories, including: Should you trust your mortgage advisor? An investigation by one consumer group suggests not. We look at Vodafone shares, and after nearly a year on the sidelines, is private equity back in business? Finally, we will be looking at how some homeowners have managed to cut their energy usage by thirty percent with bright ideas like a kettle that only boils enough water for one cup of tea.

Showdown bei Conti. Streiks legen Lufthansa-Tchter lahm. Telekom erwgt Kndigungen.

Final Chance for Doha Deal, The future of Liechtenstein's Banking Sector, Making Money out of Saving Water and From White Elephant to Cash Cow! All that on this week’s Money Talks! Tune in to this week's program or listen to the audio stream here on the Internet. You can also subscribe to our podcast. Make or Break Time in Geneva It was only supposed to take 3 years, but has so far been 7 years in the making: The Doha Development Round. The world’s trade ministers are in Geneva this week for what’s seen as a make or break meeting. This could be the final chance to broker a deal, which is supposed to remove trade barriers and make it easier for developing countries to compete in a global market. And with a new US President to be sworn in at the beginning of next year, ministers are especially keen to reach an agreement. However, huge obstacles remain in the way of the agreement, such as the extent of acceptable cuts to farm subsidies and how far trade in services such as banking should be liberalised. The Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy, says the chances of wrapping up a deal have increased as a result of talks leading up to this meeting. And, the WTO’S recently published annual report bolsters claims that a successful outcome to the Doha Round can create greater opportunities for rich and poor alike by expanding free trade throughout the world. Report: Lisa Schlein Is The Net Closing In On Liechtenstein's Tax-Havens? State Prosecutors in Germany have convicted a real estate tycoon in the first case brought to justice in connection with a major Liechtenstein tax evasion scandal. Germany's tax crackdown came to light when Klaus Zumwinkel, the high-profile chief executive of Deutsche Post, was questioned by police over suspected tax evasion. Since then, German prosecutors have recovered 110 million euros in arrears from repentant taxpayers hoping to ward off trials, and other European nations have launched similar sweeps on tax-dodgers. So, is the net closing in on Liechtenstein as a tax-haven? Money Talks asked Michael Lauber, managing-director of the Liechtenstein Bankers Association, what effect the court-cases are having on the country’s banking industry.The Business of Water How one German company has made it its business to transform sandy deserts into luscious green agricultural crops. The Middle East may be rich in oil, but it’s extremely poor in terms of water. And that’s a major hurdle facing the royal families and governments - with populations expanding and development booming: The amount of water available is limiting that growth. Now, one small German company, geohumus, has developed a material that reduces agricultural water consumption by up to 50 per cent. It’s about to hit the shelves here in Germany, but Geohumus has markets like the Middle East firmly in its sights…It’s more evidence of the private sector seeing the potential to transform the scarcity of water into a business venture. And it seems investors too are keen to jump on board the clean and green band wagon. Report: Catherine Graue From White Elephant to Cash Cow The British government threw money at it, but visitors stayed away. Now, the Millennium Dome has undergone a remarkable transformation.Something rather amazing has been happening on the south bank of the Thames in London. The Millenium Dome – a gigantic financial and political disaster – has made a comeback. Now under the control of an American entrepreneur, the Dome has been transformed. It is now the most popular music venue in the world and a highly lucrative business. Report: Stephen Beard

Welcome to episode #113 of Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast. You'll hear why this show was delayed a couple of days, which leads us into a quick conversation about brands, privacy and the choices we make. There's also tons of listener feedback, insights and comments. There's something about the summer that sparks creativity and the imagination. I was really feeling it this episode. Enjoy the conversation... Here it is: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #113 - Host: Mitch Joel. Running time: 33:06. Audio comment line - please send in a comment and add your voice to the audio community: +1 206-666-6056. Please send in questions, comments, suggestions - mitch@twistimage.com. Hello from Beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at iTunes. Please visit and leave comments on the Blog - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on twitter. Facebook Group - Six Pixels of Separation Podcast Society. In a perfect world, I'd love for you to connect with me, directly, through my Facebook profile instead of joining the group - but, that's your call. Check out my other Podcast, Foreword Thinking - The Business And Motivational Book Review Podcast - sponsored by HarperCollins Canada. Foreword Thinking - Episode #10 featuring Dan Ariely. Dan's new book is: Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. Power Within - Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 - Winnipeg Convention Centre. Anthony Robbins. Loretta LaRoche. Mike Lipkin. Phil Town. Special ticket price - $149 - call the Power Within at 1-866-POWER04 - ask for Joseph (extension 229). Montreal Gazette column New Business Six Pixels of Separation. Is Your Sales Rep Some Yahoo Named Google? PodCamp Boston. Request from Sara Wilson Fresh Air Fund. Audio Comment Dave Delaney Dave Made That. Geek Breakfast Nashville. Social Media Breakfast. Email Comment Stefan Holt Active Media. Audio Comment - Morrie Johnston That Happy Feeling. Podcasters Across Borders. Email Comment Steve Cunningham Polar Unlimited. Six Points of Separation Six Books You Should Read This Summer: 1. Web Analytics An Hour A Day Avinash Kaushik. 2. Meatball Sundae Seth Godin. 3. Join The Conversation Joseph Jaffe. 4. Here Comes Everybody Clay Shirkey. 5. The Big Switch Nicholas Carr. 6. Groundswell - Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff. Music from the Podsafe Music Network: Brother Love Summertime . Please join the conversation by sending in questions, feedback and ways to improve Six Pixels Of Separation. Please let me know what you think or leave an audio comment at: +1 206-666-6056. Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels Of Separation - The Twist Image Podcast - Episode #113 - Host: Mitch Joel. Tags: active media advertising anthony robbins avinash kaushik blog blogging brother love business charlene li clay shirkey dan ariely dave delaney dave made that digital marketing facebook facebook group foreword thinking fresh air fund geek breakfast google groundswell harpercollins canada here comes everybody itunes join the conversation joseph jaffe josh bernoff loretta laroch marketing mass media meatball sundae mike lipkin montreal gazette morrie johnston motivational books nichokas carr online social network phil town podcamp boston podcast podcasters across borders podcasting podsafe music network polar unlimited power within predictably irrational sara wilson seth godin six pixels of separation social media breakfast social media marketing stefan holt steve cunningham that happy feeling the big switch twist image web 20 web analytics an hour a day winnipeg yahoo

You ve probably heard it all before Pssst did he or she have any life insurance? Believe it or not, it happens to people at all socio-economic levels. They pass away with no life insurance and leave their families struggling to pay a multitude of expenses. Tune in as Mr. Robert B. James briefly shares with us the importance of having life insurance and WHY you shouldn t die without it. If you really LOVE your family, make sure you have life insurance before it s too late. You ll prevent them from having those embarrassing, stressful moments, not to mention unnecessary family arguments. Robert B. James Insurance Agency Inc - State Farm Insurance, in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in working with individuals and small business owners to protect them against the many risks of everyday life.

The Wall Street rally continued as the oil price fell again and financial stocks finished higher in volatile trading.

Download this podcast Download audio file (20080722_irreversibly_intertwined.mp3) With his new documentary for the Discovery Channel, The People s Republic of Capitalism, Ted Koppel shines a light on issues that aren t much of a revelation for seasoned China watchers. From the producers description of the show: The American and Chinese economies are irreversibly intertwined. The common complaint that the Chinese are taking jobs away from American workers is in many cases true. China s cheap and abundant labor attracts manufacturing from all over the world. Still, American economists estimate that the U.S. is as much as $70 billion richer each year because of its relationship with China something must be going right. A number of U.S. companies are enjoying huge success in China. General Motors is the market leader in China and is reaping attractive profits, a stark contrast to its U.S. market position. Profits from their China businesses are having a significant influence on the global financial health of many U.S. companies. In fact, recent research indicates that companies pursuing a dual strategy of participating in China s local market and exporting from China are achieving substantially higher profits than those firms only doing one form of China business. The economies of China and the U.S. are, as Koppel reminds us, inextricably intertwined with benefits for both sides. As Koppel s documentary shows, globalization isn t the boogeyman some make it out to be. There s certainly a positive give-and-take between China, the U.S. and, of course, other countries around the world. Those companies proactively exploiting these relationships are going to be the winners going forward.

American Cowboy Day Celebration In City Of Okeechobee OKEECHOBEE, FL ­- Normally reserved for vehicular traffic, State Road 70 in Okeechobee will be the scene of a cattle drive from Flagler Park East to the Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center on Saturday, July 26 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Spectators will see Okeechobee's "Big Boss", Pete Clemons, lead local ranchers carrying flags as they drive some fifty head of cattle down the three-and-a-half mile stretch of road. The arrival of the cattle at the Agri-Civic Center will kick off a busy day of activities there, including a big Ranch Rodeo with area ranches competing for the top two rankings and a chance to participate in the Florida Ranch Rodeo in Kissimmee the first weekend in October. Many area ranchers will compete for bragging rights as to whose team is the best, says Matt Pearce, Cattlemen's Association president. The events are exciting, and they show the entire community the kinds of basic skills that keep our ranches going. Some of the real-life ranch activities in the competition will include ranch doctoring, bronc riding, wild cow milking, team branding and a stampede race. The Ranch Rodeo will be open to spectators without charge, sponsored by the Okeechobee Cattlemen's Association and local merchants through donations to help defray expenses. The Ranch Rodeo events are scheduled to begin inside the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center at 2:00 p.m. that afternoon. Other activities after the Cattle Drive will include an 11:00 a.m. Backyard BEEF B-B-Q contest, Florida cowboy storytelling, whip popping demonstrations, art by the Cowboy Artists Association of Florida, various children's events, plus food, entertainment and fun for the whole family sponsored by Okeechobee Main Street. The events are being held as a part of the National Day of the American Cowboy, proclaimed by President George W. Bush in 2005 for the fourth Saturday in July. Last year's event in Okeechobee was the first such celebration east of the Mississippi. Okeechobee's Main Street will coordinate the many National Day of the American Cowboy festivities outside the arena, to help celebrate the proud heritage of Okeechobee's cattlemen and the contributions made by Florida cowboys and cowgirls to the cattle industry nationwide. Main Street considers July 26 as a Heritage Festival for the cattle industry, says Toni Doyle, executive director of Main Street. Our cattlemen are an important part of the history and growth of this community. We encourage everyone to participate in the day's festivities.

Monty Montague, a principal at innovation consultancy Bolt, discusses how incorporating design into traditional R and D departments has led to major innovations at companies ranging from IBM to Herman Miller.

The economic downturn is hitting small businesses hard, but is there a silver lining? David Tropper is CEO of CODA Resources, a third-generation, family-owned Brooklyn (N.Y.) manufacturer, and he says there are ways small outfits can cope.