Last Call for EDC-4 Innovation Ideas!

Send Us Your Innovation Ideas Today!

January 31 is the deadline to respond to the Federal Highway Administration request for information with your ideas on technologies and practices to deploy in the fourth round of Every Day Counts

 

The Federal Register 

Every Day Counts Initiative; Request for Information

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/12/10/2015-31112/every-day-counts-initiative-request-for-information 

is your opportunity to help identify proven, market-ready innovations to accelerate project delivery, enhance highway safety, cut traffic congestion and improve environmental sustainability. Your ideas could be included in the roster of EDC-4 innovations that transportation stakeholders will collaborate to implement in 2017 and 2018. 

In addition to offering suggestions, you can provide feedback on your experience using 15 “innovations of interest” listed in the request for information.

“Our partnership with state, local and tribal governments as well as the private sector is producing impressive results,” said FHWA Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “Today, our goal is a simple one: to find practices and technologies that complement the innovations that have been supported through EDC and are now being implemented across the country.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

ViaSat Gets a Big Boost from Boeing Apache AH-64E Helos

Image from ViaSat

Apache AH-64E Guardian Helicopters to Include the ViaSat Link 16 Small Tactical Terminal in Production Aircraft
Headline news story from Aerospace & Defense News
The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) has awarded ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT), a global broadband services and technology company, a contract for the production of approximately 90 Link 16 Small Tactical Terminals (STT) for the Lots 5 and 6 of the AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopter production line.  That news lifted ViaSat's stock by 2.5% in this morning's market activities.

The AH-64 Apache is the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopter and is used by the U.S. Army and a growing number of international defense forces. Specifically, this STT full-rate production contract will cover Apache helicopters for the next two years.
In addition, the STT has been selected by the U.S. Government as the long-term radio solution for Link 16 and Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) capability for AH-64E Apache helicopters. The commitment to the STT was made in recognition of the terminal's capability to meet the ongoing needs of today's warfighter while saving the U.S. government nearly $250M over the life of the program.

ViaSat has 14 locations in the U.S. and 6 worldwide - 2 in Australia, and one in China, India, Switzerland and the UK

Gilbert, AZ (Advanced Microwave Products)

This location includes development of custom RF systems, advanced microwave products (formerly US Monolithics), and information assurance technologies. Also known as the "high tech oasis of the silicon desert," Gilbert is located southeast of Phoenix in close proximity to the lively, upbeat town of Tempe and the world-famous upscale resort area of Scottsdale. With a solid workforce and an ever-expanding family-based community, the Phoenix metro area has arts, entertainment, all major league sports, and a growing electronics industry that continues to flourish.

- See more at: https://www.viasat.com/ 
Other divisions include:

Veterans in Rural Areas Get Connected to VA Services with New Tele Mental Health Service - See more at: https://www.viasat.com/news/veterans-rural-areas-get-connected-va-services-new-tele-mental-health-service#sthash.AMApQsK0.dpuf

Data in Transit Encryption for Enterprises Efficient Protection for High-Volume Content Distribution Encryption is an essential step in keeping your sensitive data safe, especially as it traverses the world from building-to-building and data center-to-data center. With ViaSat’s line of high-speed encryption appliances and virtual network functions (VNF), you get trusted high-performing protection with near-zero latency, ensuring your important voice, video, and data is securely and quickly delivered wherever it needs to go. ViaSat is the 1st to introduce true 100 Gbps Ethernet encryption! Available today, our SEC-1170 single-port high-speed appliance also delivers the industry’s lowest latency, 3x less than competing Layer 2 or 3 encryption. ViaSat encryption is accredited and used by enterprises, educational institutes, governments, and militaries worldwide. Our SEC family of products are part of a controlled supply chain and manufactured in the United States. - See more at: https://www.viasat.com/products/data-in-transit-encryption-for-enterprises#sthash.tvDg6tsz.dpuf

One Generation's Take > Downtown is Your Playground Music Video [paid for by _______ ]

Adding to the attraction of the new urban DTMesa for that targeted sector > took over a month to get it filmed here but the 3:00+ minute result is well worth the time and expense >>>> da da da downtown!
BTW in spending a lot of time in the pedestrian walkways at Mesa Arts Center, bicycle riding is not exactly permitted with security guards keeping a close watch on infractions - maybe they gave permission for the purposes of this filming but that's not the usual policy.

Back on Nov 6, 2015 yours truly had the pleasure to see a small film crew-in action here in Mesa [they were all over the streets of Manhattan] getting some production work done for this video filming on the outdoor front stage at Mesa Arts Center with the two featured actors in this video.
Just goes to show that there are usually more people behind-the-scenes - sound, digital and video technicians, stylists and coordinators - than what you see in the final editing before release to the public. In the image to the right you can see part of both on-air talent and an off-air video crew holding a light reflector panel.

In this close-up enlarged image to the left you can see the cool moves and smooth energy and the enjoyment that the two actors project for what can be repeated takes to the get things right for the producer.

It was a pleasure to meet and talk with Laree Johnson, the media development coordinator for Owens Harkey Advertising: A traditional agency -"that kills it" in the digital space".

Nice to see the finished product and results getting released!

Economic Momentum ?? = Sputtering > Data Tells The Story Re/ U.S. GDP Growth

The U.S. economy barely grew Q4 2015 finishing the year like it had started and stoking concern about its momentum in 2016 . . . Little more than a month ago, some cheer-leading economists thought growth was running at more than twice that pace, but data shows it's hardly above zero at 0.7%. . . expectations for the coming quarters have been drifting lower as weaker data for the fourth quarter of 2015 has accumulated.

That's the report from the Commerce Department today. The Wall Street Journal said it is  "a sign of flagging momentum amid global weakness and financial market turmoil."

The latest reading concludes another year of steady [?], but unspectacular, growth.
For all of 2015, GDP expanded 2.4%, the same as 2014 and roughly in line with the 2.1% average since 2010, the first full year after the recession.
 

What is less clear [the image to the left of DJIA from FRED might help you see the dip in a possible deep dive]  is whether the fourth quarter was another dip that will be followed by a rebound—as has happened several times since the recession ended in mid-2009—or whether it signals a more persistent sputtering.
It is "unusually uncertain" to borrow a phrase from former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke. Get your life-jackets ready!.

National Income and Product Accounts
Gross Domestic Product: Fourth Quarter and Annual 2015 (Advance Estimate)

EMBARGOED UNTIL RELEASE AT 8:30 A.M. EST, Friday, January 29, 2016 BEA 16—04

The Bureau emphasized that the fourth-quarter advance estimate released today is based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision --- readers will note by looking at the image to the left that 2nd revisions of quarterly GDP estimates [next one due Feb 26, 2016] are lower . . . how much lower than 0.7% can you go?

Here's what the regular "slices of the pie" look likeThe deceleration in real GDP in the fourth quarter primarily reflected a deceleration in PCE and downturns in nonresidential fixed investment, in exports, and in state and local government spending that were partly offset by a smaller decrease in private inventory investment, a deceleration in imports, and an acceleration in federal government spending.

There's a navigation bar at the right side of the news release text for links to data tables,
contact personnel and their telephone numbers, and supplementary materials.

http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm

Take a look at the image to the right from 2014 to gauge the relative performance of metropolitan areas with overall data.
 

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Voodoo Doughnut from Portlandia : Baked Goods = Commentary on Contemporary Culture?

Voodoo Doughnut’s co-owner Kenneth Pogson said the Bundy-themed baked good had been his idea.
“We're trying to avoid politics,” he told The Oregonian, “but this whole thing seemed like such a big deal -- with them taking public property, armed to the teeth, making a stand that they thought everyone would join. It was a debacle that was on everyone's mind, left or right.”
He added that the doughnut had been created as “more of a commentary on contemporary culture and the so-called patriot movement giving Oregon a bad name” than as a jibe to the militants themselves.
There was also no intention, he said, of diminishing the death of Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, a spokesperson for the militants who died during a confrontation with law enforcement on Tuesday.
See and Read more >> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ammon-bundy-donut-voodoo-doughnut_us_56aafc9ae4b0010e80e9986d

Homeless > Much More To Do // Coalition > Events > Alliances > Action

The City of Mesa doesn't have to "re-invent the wheel" to deal with the homeless with the focus here recently when Mayor Giles was selected to pair-up and co-chair with Mayor Landrieu of New Orleans the National Mayors Conference Homeless Committee.While it might seen like an unlikely pairing of two cities with very different politics and demographics, keep an eye out how that diversity might produce innovative new strategies for the national agenda. Report is due out this Winter.

Right here at home next to City Council Chambers and less than a 100 yards from City Hall your MesaZona blogger took the time to notice this homeless person with a low profile. It is time we take notice - however overdue that may be.
Two other images of the homeless have been featured in posts on this blogsite as well as a previous post on Keeping The Promise [to vets] back on 02 Sept 2015.
Fortunately the high interest in vet issues for homelessness, healthcare, supportive services, and job training apply across the whole spectrum with women and children included.

City Manager Chris Brady and City Councilmember Chris Glover were on the local airwaves on December 29, 2015 in a 27:00 production by city-owned Mesa Channel 11 about the city's initiatives to end veteran homelessness that you can watch right here

  

It's only been viewed 171 times with 1 Like . . . it is featured here on this post for your 411.

 

Yesterday and today this event is taking place in Phoenix

The Arizona StandDown is an alliance of community-based organizations that come together to provide annual, one to three day events that bring together the State's homeless and at-risk military veterans, connecting them with services ranging  from  VA Mental  Health Services, Clothing, Meals, Emergency Shelter, Transitional and Permanent Housing, ID/ Drivers License's, Court Services and Legal Aide, Showers and Haircuts and myriad other services and resources.  Arizona StandDowns are held at various locations throughout the State with the largest, serving approximately 1,500 veterans, at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Maricopa County.

While its primary goal is helping homeless veterans access the resources needed, including housing, to regain their highest level of independence; its secondary goal is to bring our community and service providers together in a collaborative format that can build relationships throughout the year that positively benefit homeless veterans.  Ultimately, it is our hope that such events can bring forth the awareness, political/community will and consistent data necessary to assert the on-going resources it will take to end veteran homelessness once and for all.

http://www.arizonastanddown.org/

 

The Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness seeks the end of homelessness in Arizona, and will lead in this effort through advocacy, education and coordination with local communities.

Please help us in our mission by learning more about this issue through information on this site.  You'll find overview information about homelessness, solutions, and opportunities to help and donate as AZCEH is recognized as a charitable tax credit organization.

You can also learn about innovative community collaborations under our Special Initiatives section.

http://www.azceh.org/

 

 

 

Find-Out > Royal Neighbors Of America $200 Grants

Royal Neighbors of America Launches Difference Maker Fund

/EIN News/ -- MESA, Ariz., Jan. 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It pays to be good. Royal Neighbors of America, one of the oldest, women-led life insurers in the U.S., announced the launch of its Difference Maker Fund, a new program that offers Royal Neighbors members* $200 in seed money to support a community project that aligns with the life insurer's mission

Dear readers, please note that fhis post is a near-straight feed from a newswire with some comments about how the recipients will be selected and judged. The offer comes from from an all-women professional group selling life insurance with a social cause tie-in.

Every February the life insurance industry has a campaign called Insure Your Love

Royal Neighbors is reaching out to members who have a vision to help their community and a crew of family along with friends who want to help make it happen. Our new program, the Difference Maker Fund, offers members $200 of seed money to support a community project that aligns with Royal Neighbors’ mission.

 

The focus is to improve the community and cover at least one of the following purposes:

• Support a charitable cause that specifically helps women and/or girls
• Support women who organize and complete community service projects
• Provide financial literacy opportunities for women, girls, or other community groups

General Guidelines:
Projects can be a fund-raiser, service activity, or educational event. All Royal Neighbors members are eligible to apply for one grant per year. Members are encouraged to form volunteer teams of friends, family, and people in their community to help with the project. Team members do not have to be Royal Neighbors members to participate. Only 60 grants will be awarded each quarter so apply soon!

Funds are limited to seed money to get new projects started. Grants will be awarded at the sole discretion of Royal Neighbors of America and a post-event report is required. Funds cannot be used as a direct monetary contribution (re-grant), nor can multiple members apply to receive grants for the same project or event.
An Added Bonus!
Be sure to complete a post-even report! Those projects with submitted reports and the highest number of “likes” and “shares” on the Royal Neighbors' Facebook page will win a $500 prize  towards the charitable organization helped by that project.
All remaining projects with qualified final reports will be entered into a drawing for a second $500 prize, also to be awarded to the cause served by the project.
Don’t wait. Act now
http://www.royalneighbors.org/community-connections/difference-maker-fund