GoVision, LLP teamed up with Daktronics, Inc. to provide more than a million people with larger-than-life views of the historic January 20th inauguration of Barack Obama.  Four giant mobile video screens, including the world's largest (19x34 feet screen configuration) high-definition mobile LED unit, were displayed on each side of the stage where President Obama took the oath of office. In addition to the four, truck-mounted screens in downtown Washington DC, GoVision also set up mobile units at the Canadian embassy and in Chicago's Grant Park, Obama's home town.  GoVision also provided four large screens for George W. Bush's second inauguration in 2005.

Chris Curtis founded GoVision, LLP of Keller, Texas in 2002 based on his many years of experience in the event video screen industry. He was an early pioneer in the creation of the portable daylight large screen industry in the United States. GoVision has approximately 13 full-time employees, but also uses freelancers for some jobs such as drivers and camera operators.  GoVision has been involved in providing jumbo video for presidential inaugurations, Rolling Stones' tours, the Olympics and several Super Bowls among other events (traveling to over 25 events a month).  (www.jumbo.tv)

Since its beginnings in 1968, Daktronics, Inc. of Brookings, South Dakota has grown from a small company operating out of a garage to the world's largest supplier of large screen video displays, electronic scoreboards, computer-programmable displays, digital billboards, and control systems.   The company employs more than 2,300 people working under more than 500,000 square feet of its manufacturing and office facilities.  (www.daktronics.com)

 

 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of new retirees (ages 65 to 70) will grow by more than 80 percent between 2006 and 2016, while the number of people in the prime of their careers (ages 25 to 54) will grow by only 2.4 percent.  True, these statistics may alarm some company executives, but the real issue is a talent shortage, not a labor shortage.  Although productivity gains have erased the need for certain workers, many others may delay retirement due to good physical health or poor financial health.  In 2008, the number of high school graduates was the largest ever, at 3.3 million, a figure expected to dip slightly and then return to that record level within 10 years.  What experts are advising is that companies look at on-the-job mentoring of new and current employees, and retraining employees whose jobs will be eliminated as technology becomes more sophisticated, as a way of retaining a talented and knowledgeable work force to keep pace with the number of departing workers.  Some job categories affected by employee departures between 2006 and 2016: 1.9 million retail salespersons; 1.2 million customer service representatives; 523,000 truck drivers, heavy & tractor trailers; 497,000 secretaries & administrative assistants; 450,000 accountants & auditors.  (Source CFO Magazine, October 2008).

 

 

Ragnar Frisch was born in Oslo, Norway on March 3, 1895.  His father owned a gold- and silverwork firm established by his grandfather in 1856.  As he was planning his future, it was pretty much taken for granted that he should follow the family's gold and silver tradition, thus, entered into a goldsmith apprenticeship program, which he completed in 1920.  At the insistance of his mother, he also studied (at the same time) economics at Oslo University (chosen because it was the "shortest and easiest study"!).  He earned his economics degree in 1919 and a year later studied economics and mathematics abroad.  His hobbies included outdoor life activities, mountain climbing and bee-keeping.  Ragnar Frisch was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Economics (shared with Jan Tinbergen) in 1969.  His autobiography includes the following:  "When I think of the long list of problems of which I have in vain tried to find the solution, and think of the honours that have nevertheless been bestowed upon me, I understand with deep thankfulness to whom all this is due:  to the Lord who has steered my steps over the years, and who has been my refuge in the superior matters which no science can ever reach."  Ragnar Frisch died on January 31, 1973.  For more information about Nobel Laureates, please visit the Nobel website at www.nobelprize.org.

 

 

Myth 2:  I don't have time for a system.

Fact:  The thinking goes something like this:  "If I spend all my time maintaining my list and doing weekly reviews, I'll never get anything done."  The reality is that while most systems take some time to get set up, once you start using your system, the time you use in "maintenance" is more than made up for by the time you save not having to think about what to do.  (Source:  www.mercola.com)

 

 

The following recent recalls were issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:   Four-Slice Electric Toasters (Dist: Viking Range Corp., Greenwood, MS); Jardine Cribs (Mfg: Jardine Enterprises, Taiwan); Ryobi Corded Circular Saws (Mfg: One World Technologies, Anderson, SC); Flashing Pacifiers (Imp: Top Goods Trading, Temple City, CA); Stork Craft Baby Cribs (Mfg: Stork Craft Mfg, British Columbia, Canada); Bosch and Siemens Model Dishwashers (Mfg: BSH Home Appliances, Huntington Beach, CA); Rheem, Rudd and United Refrigeration Oil-Fired Furnaces (Mfg: Rheem Manufacturing, Ft. Smith, AR); Stationary Bicycle Trainers (Mfg: Saris Cycling Group, Madison, WI).  More details on these and other recalls can be found at www.cpsc.gov.

 

 

 

 

Have you ever been stranded in your car along alongside a Texas road, not knowing who to call for help?  Pretty daunting, especially for a woman travelling alone.  The next time this might happen, remember to pull out your Texas driver license and turn it over for the Texas Roadside Assistance phone number above the bar code on the lower left side:  1-800-525-5555.  According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the phone number can be used for reporting accidents, requesting roadside assistance, and for reporting drug activities (free towing is not  available, but they will arrange for towing if needed).  If you are ever stranded, just call the number and a state trooper will be sent to make sure all is well.  The number is used in similar ways in many other states including Ohio, Nebnraska, Iowa, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Montana.  (Source:  www.truthorfiction.com)