The TED Institute > So change your perspective. Invest in the change you want to see in the world

Published on Jan 12, 2016

Can global capital markets become catalysts for social change? According to investment expert Audrey Choi, individuals own almost half of all global capital, giving them (us!) the power to make a difference by investing in companies that champion social values and sustainability. "We have more opportunity today than ever before to make choices," she says. "So change your perspective. Invest in the change you want to see in the world."

What's Next Mesa? The Way Forward + How

Two different visions from two different guys:

- John Giles, after one year in office, former personal injury-law attorney, admittedly "learning-on-the-job" and needing new ideas
- Michael Rubinger, retiring after 17 years as CEO of Local Initiatives for Sustainable Communities

Maybe it's time to get the two together - at least in virtual reality or on the page of this post.

Data-Driven? Follow The Money // Fertile Ground For Investment > Hey! Get A Clue: Real Estate

Ever wonder what's pushing property and real estate investments here in Mesa?

Hotels, offices, retail, and apartments? Where does all that BIG MONEY go?
Why isn't it happening more to move investments downtown? [yet] . More "master-planned communities" and retail in the suburbs, sure. Cashing-In and Cashing-Out, sure. Buy-and-sell, again sure. Re-invest and expand business corridors, sure. Retail, hospitality and entertainment . . . How do we get there?

State Farm Shares The Wealth > Financial Opportunity Centers

2.25.2016 - Press Releases

Building economic opportunity in struggling communities
State Farm® provides support to LISC with new $4 million grant
BLOOMINGTON, Ill., February 25, 2016 —  State Farm and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) have announced an expanded effort to build economic opportunity in struggling communities through programs that encourage business development among entrepreneurs and skills development among low-income workers.
A new, two-year $4 million State Farm grant will expand LISC Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs) in under-resourced neighborhoods—helping people improve their incomes, credit scores and savings through education and long-term financial coaching.
At the same time, these efforts will help lift up commercial areas and provide safer and more vibrant places for business owners to set up shop, create jobs and grow local incomes.



Michael Rubinger LISC President/CEO

Take Me Out To The Ball Game > Sloan Park Hits The Headlines

So-called "beat reporters" arrived here in Mesa days ahead of The Cubs Spring Training, writing about everything from a smashed windshield hit by a fly-ball homerun hit out of the ballpark to foul balls lobbed by Donald Trump against the "secret money" thrown into the game of politics by secret super PACs funded by the family members of the Cubs owner - Play Ball!
That's $PORTS + $HOW BU$INE$$

 I may not be a fan of baseball, but I sure hope that the Cubs can break their 100+ year old curse someday
Here's a video that's been viewed by over 1,295,360 people that will show you how the national anthem of baseball happened way-back-when

https://youtu.be/q4-gsdLSSQ0

Democracy-In-Action: Iraqi Citizens Stage Anti-Corruption Rally in Bagdad

Over 100,000 turned out on the streets today following a previous call to end government corruption on August 28, 2015 - Iraqis are united against governments installed by the intervention of U.S. after the invasion of 2003.
People have held yet another rally in Iraq’s capital Baghdad against what they call government corruption.

Protesters demanded the dissolution of parliament. Anti-corruption protests have been ongoing in Baghdad and several more Iraqi cities over the past few weeks. The rallies have continued despite measures by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to fight corruption. He has announced a package of reforms, dismissed some officials, canceled unnecessary government positions and reduced expenses. Iraq’s top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani says the government must seek genuine changes to reduce public anger. He also warned Iraqi protesters about groups that may seek to hijack their movement.

Readers can view that here >> https://youtu.be/bJtrpWndFR0

Sign Up for 2016 Global City Teams Challenge Tech Jam | Department of Commerce

The National Institute of Standards and Technology will be holding a “tech jam” for their Global City Teams Challenge on March 22-23, 2016 at their Gaithersburg, Maryland campus. The two day tech jam brings together cities and innovators pursuing smart city technologies that provide measurable benefits to residents in areas ranging from community resilience to sustainable energy management to mass transit improvement.

The goal of the 2016 Global City Teams Challenge is to help communities and businesses connect to improve resource management and quality of life by using effective networking of computer systems and physical devices, often called the Internet of Things (IoT) or cyber-physical systems. The 2016 Global City Teams Challenge aims to demonstrate measurable benefits to the cities and communities through smart city solutions that can be replicated and deployed in as many cities as possible.

 

Those interested in attending the tech jam can find more information here

http://www.nist.gov/cps/gctc-tech-jam-and-iot-enabled-smart-city-framework-workshop.cfm


Sign Up for 2016 Global City Teams Challenge Tech Jam | Department of Commerce