I subscribe to the Denver Business Journal and usually scan the Newsmakers section. The section includes press releases related to company promotions, changes on boards of directors, new hires, etc. I think this is the best one yet:

Manufacturing: Oskar Blues Brewery named Jim Weatherwax "minister of kicking down doors and getting 'er done."

By the way, Dale's Pale Ale (made at Oskar Blues) is really good.

I recently bought several electronic lockboxes from SentriLock. They are significantly more secure than the old style lockboxes and they track every person who enters the property. Much safer for vacant and occupied listings alike!

I've only run across a couple of these lock boxes before. Apparently, Denver and Detroit are the ONLY major cities that haven't fully adopted this technology. It sounds like they tried this type of technology in Denver several years ago and it failed miserably. I honestly can't think of one way that the old style is better than the new one.

Oh well, at least my listings will be more secure!

I wrote Santa a letter asking him if he could stop by the Denver area. Good news! He's free on December 4th from 10-12 so your kids can get their picture taken with him. Location will be determined later, but be sure to put this even down on your calendar now!

Interesting idea, but what about hail?!

(source: Forbes)

"When scientists at Dow Chemical looked at the possibility of manufacturing solar panels a few years ago, the company rejected it out of hand, says Chief Executive Andrew Liveris. Dow had no experience building solar panels. Yet their concept was alluring: integrate thin-film solar cells into roofing shingles. In place of traditional asphalt shingles, several hundred of these nailed onto the roof could generate enough electricity to power a home. Liveris sent them back to the lab, then decided to take the plunge.

Today those scientists are testing prototypes of the product, which Dow calls Powerhouse. Dow's aim is to start selling Powerhouse next year. Because they look like traditional roofing material, the solar shingles are more likely to get the nod from uptight homeowners' associations. Now, says Liveris, "I believe this will be solar for the masses.""

Read the rest of the story

(source: Forbes)

"OK, let me get this straight: The Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy reports that 27 million small businesses in the U.S. account for 50% of the Gross National Product and employ over 50% of the workforce, and Washington figures $30 billion in loan support and some tax credits will get things done.

What's that, $1,100 per company? Wow, where do we sign up!"

Read the rest of the story