Word Marketing Blog

Birthdays and Basketball

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am a College Basketball junkie.

I'm sure mostly it comes from being born and raised in Kentucky. I remember when Ann Marie and I started dating, my brother was still in High School and playing. I took her to her first HS game in Kentucky. Her words? "This is nuts!"

Since my birthday is today and it falls so close to the end of the NCAA tournament, a lot of significant things usually happen on or around it.

On March 28, 1992...right after my birthday dinner at my parents house, possibly the most famous shot in college basketball happened. In the Kentucky/Duke Regional Final. My Dad's words still ring in my ears. "That didn't count did it?" It counted and the "Unforgettables" were eliminated. Today, a member of that team, John Pelphrey is the Arkansas coach...and yes, Jim Ragsdale...tell the Hogs fans to hang in there...because he will bring that program back. The wins over Oklahoma and Texas were not flukes. John was raised right and he knows what he is doing.

March 27th, 1978..I got a birthday present early...we beat them Dukies for the National Championship in none other than St. Louis.

March 28th, 1996...at Griffin's in Cape Girardeau...I received a UK birthday party and a very nice cake from my friend John Wayne Guetterman...then on April 1st..Kentucky won it's 6th National Championship. A nice late present.

In 1997 at Port Cape...UK lost a double-overtime game to Arizona...the only thing keeping us from winning 3 National Championships back to back...because in 1998, we beat Duke in the Elite Eight and we won National Championship #7 on March 30th. A two day late present.

Yesterday...Kentucky fired it's Coach after two years...sad to see. But, hey...Kansas lost last night and Duke got beat.

But, I'm hoping today on March 28th for two great College Basketball Birthday presents.

#1-We get Billy Donovan or John Calipari to be the UK Head Coach.

#2-AND...Missouri goes to it's first ever Final Four!

As ZZ Top famously said...I'm not asking for much....Thanks for all the birthday wishes....UK...Get Billy D or Johnny C and Go Mike Anderson and The Tigers!

Economic Indicators 12-4-08

Here are the economic indicators nationally for today:

Inflation: 3.66%
GDP Growth: -0.51%
Unemployment: 6.5%
Gold Price: $ 766.25 oz
Oil Price: $ 46.79 per barrel
Prime Lending Rate:  4.0%
Dow: 8591.69

Thanks be Given

In light of the financial crunch and tough economic challenges we've all felt this year I wish you a multitude of thankfulness for those things money can't buy.

I am thankful for...

• Safety - that I don't live in fear of harm to myself or my family
• Happiness - that even on a bad day, I am blessed with a a great amount of joy
• Aesthetics - that I am amazed by the beauty I see every day, all around us
• Relationships - that I cherish with my husband, family, friends and clients
• Time - every moment I've already lived, and every one still to come

Happy Thanksgiving, and best wishes for much to give thanks.

Thoughts on the economy

If you've been listening to the media the last two months, you'd think there would be no reason to get out of bed in the morning since we're all basically doomed.

Let's take everything with discernment, eat the hay and spit out the sticks.

Actually, some businesses are in trouble. When national banks are failing and major corporations are in the tank, there is going to be some collateral damage. I think the thing that bothers me the most is the constant referral the media makes to The Great Depression. There are great differences in what is happening now and what happened in the Great Depression. Most analysts predict this slowdown to be swinging back toward growth the middle of 2009 at the earliest.

No matter what is going on "out there", it's still up to business owners to maintain the mindset that will enable you to keep going. Having a plan, listening to your customers, looking at your business environment.

The overall economy can be experiencing a slowdown, but what about the local economy?

Keep your chin up, your attitude positive and your eyes looking forward.

Columbia Regional Airport

Columbia Regional Airport has a new airline-Northwewst Airlines!!!

If you live in Central Missour you know it can be quite a hassle to drive two hours or more to the nearest airport.  Tuesday morning the first flight landed from Memphis and took off to Memphis opening Columbia up to the world!  The airport was off to a great start Tuesday morning as the first flight landed early with a room full of Columbia, Jefferson City and Fulton community and political leaders as well as press. 

Remember when your company has a first or milestone to tell people! Press releases and emails are a great way to spread the word.  Below is a flight schedule I have received several times via email in the last few weeks leading up to the launch.  Frequency is key and getting the word out early.  Each time I receive the email I think about my next trip and how much easier it is to fly in and out of Columbia rather than a large airport several miles away.

Fly Columbia!

Columbia (COU) to Memphis (MEM):

Flight Number:	Departs:	Arrives:
NW3174*	6:00 a.m.	7:44 a.m.
NW3170	11:25 a.m.	1:09 p.m.
NW3173	4:25 p.m.	6:09 p.m.
*daily except Sunday

Memphis (MEM) to Columbia (COU):

Flight Number:	Departs:	Arrives:
NW3175	9:25 a.m.	11:05 a.m.
NW3172	2:25 p.m.	4:05 p.m.
NW3171*	7:40 p.m.	9:20 p.m.
*daily except Saturday

Tim Russert

What a legend and truly genuine caring man...It's amazing to hear and see on TV the number of people that considered Russert apart of their daily lives.  He touched so many people from all over the country, that are traveling long distances to pay their respects. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25186698/