Why we shouldn't depend on housing and finance sectors to get us out of the economic mess.

Not a shock that at least one condo project in GSO might be converted to apartments since the units aren't selling. Tough times in real estate to say the least.

Seth Godin makes some points about textbooks that I've tried, and failed, to make in the past.

Interesting take on innovation in the 00s. Maybe they didn't lead to economic growth, but they did lead to efficiencies.

Freakonomics' Levitt doesn't think Congress' "Cash for Clunkers" bill is such a good idea and points out some probable unintended consequences.

The Daily Show does the NY Times and challenges editor to find one thing in that day's paper that happened that day. Calls it "aged news."

Excerpt:
"Historically, student enrollment at universities has increased significantly during a recession as young workers who had opted out of school decide to enroll when jobs become scarce. But that dynamic could change this year, Hendricks says. State-funded universities nationwide face severe budget problems, which could lead the schools to drop freshman enrollment to quickly reduce expenses.

Furthermore, financial aid is declining at many schools during the recession. Students could stay at home and enroll in community colleges to save money for their families or defer college and seek employment to earn tuition money. The final outcome for student enrollment–and the resulting effect on student housing pricing–remains uncertain."

Easy credit for families allowed colleges to add expensive services, and jack tuition, without losing too many students. Now that credit is tighter that means families are thinking twice about footing a high tuition bill.

Article in the Triad Business Journal on the glut of student housing in the Greensboro market. Seth Coker and Bryan Nelson, current TAA board members, were interviewed for the article.

Serialized book on basics of starting a company.

LLC or Inc? C Corp or S Corp? Accountant or bookkeeper? All questions you need to ask when starting a company, and this is part of a serialized book called Startup 101 that looks like a nice resource for anyone starting a company.

If they're wondering how Deeds won NoVa, I think I might be able to pinpoint it in the article: "He told the crowd that the message that had carried him this far — fixing the state's transportation woes, improving the quality of its schools and creating more jobs — would carry him to victory in the fall against McDonnell." If you promise Northern Virginians you'll fix the traffic problems they'll gladly proclaim you dictator.

I know, I know. Consider the source. Still, I have to wonder if the secret to getting a syndicated column is having the ability to suspend logic yet write with astounding certitude.

Propsed Jordan Lake Rules are a big deal in the Triad, and have been a point of focus for local developers.

Pictures might be worth a thousand words, but some words aren't worth a picture.

Taibbi ain't on the Paulson bandwagon, to say the least.

N&R piece on how re-zoning benefited developer in his dealings with NCDOT.

What happens when smart people talk about hacking education.

PDF of the proposed Downtown GSO Design and Compatibility Manual. It's 103 pages long.

Piedmont Triad International Airport is trying to deal with a tight budget without impacting travelers.

Article questions why upholstered furniture is not more strictly regulated. Says firefighters call the foam in upholstered furniture "solid gasoline."

August Jackson, probably the smartest person I've seen in regards to the application of "web 2.0" tools to the practice of competitive intelligence, posts some video of his SLA09 presentation.

A Little Urbanity does a walking tour of downtown Greensboro to point out why he thinks downtown development needs some help.

Fred Wilson liked the Time cover story re. Twitter and "end user innovation." I'm gonna have to read it now. BTW, if you're at all interested in new media, tech evolution, etc. then you must read AVC.

Yes! Weekly's article on GSO political machinations mentions recently departed TAA membership dude Ray Trapp.

Technology is having an impact on non-profits much the way that Napster hit the music business according to this thoughtful post. Good food for thought for non-profit execs.

Nice summary of crisis communications tools in the social media sphere.

Here's a photo gallery that will help you appreciate your j-o-b.

Jim Schlosser was one of the folks who provided local history during TAA's bus tour of new apartment properties in GSO. The daughter of Greensboro's mayor in 1905 is still alive and recently visited the home where she grew up, which provides Jim with the opportunity to write this piece that is part political overview of Greensboro in the early 20th century.

N&R story on developments being built in area where Greensboro's loop is planned.