My Page: Kate Downen
Notes From Silicon Valley
The Karma of Creativity, Diversity and Youth in Your CommunityI returned a couple of days ago from a technology conference in San Jose, California. The 'silicon' element of Silicon Valley is now pretty much obsolete, but the area’s been through a boom, a bust and at least four or five economic and technological rejuvenations and reinventions that have kept it more than alive and kicking. Silicon Valley houses software and technology companies galore, along with its Bioscience Incubator and Innovation Center that will undoubtedly be a driver of future prosperity. Cisco, eBay, Adobe and Hitachi are just a few of the companies that call Silicon Valley home, but the big names and dollar signs pale in comparison to the creativity and innovation that built those companies. [more]
Oh What a Night
A Belated Thanks to New West Flathead Valley Party-GoersOver 50 of the Flathead Valley's movers and shakers showed up last Thursday night at the Great Northern in Whitefish to celebrate the New West Valley kickoff with us. The sun was shining, the conversation and the microbrew were flowing and the party was just a great time. [more]
Heat Wave
Glacier Park Melts Fast and Early, Rivers May FloodSummer—actual summer—doesn’t normally hit Northwest Montana until mid- to late June, at which point lakes are warm enough for swimming and Glacier Park’s temperatures are fully tourist-friendly. The past week’s ultra-hot weather seems to have hurled us into a premature Actual Summer, triggering avalanches in the Glacier Park and runoff problems on the park’s famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. [more]
How Growth Hurts
Valuing Human Capital in the Midst of a Hiring and Housing CrisisAsk just about any employer in the Flathead and you’ll get the same story: hiring and retaining employees is a nightmare. Unemployment rates are lower than ever, open jobs at the Flathead County Job Service are over 600 (compared to 300 at this time last year), construction continues to boom and housing costs are sky high. These issues are defining business in the Valley as development unyieldingly marches on and able workers seem to be more and more scarce. [more]
Come One, Come All!
Flathead New West Party, May 18 at the NorthernIt's party time in the Flathead. On May 18th we're throwing a bash to celebrate the launch of New West in the Flathead, and are hosting an evening in downtown Whitefish to introduce New West to the Valley. We'll be hosting, buying brews and appetizers, and giving away great door prizes from some of our amazing sponsors. Here are the details: [more]
Talkin' 'Bout Energy
Geothermal Scholar to Discuss Renewable Energy ResourcesAt a time when gas prices are going through the roof and everyone wants a piece of the pie that is alternate energy, Dr. John Lund, director of the Geo-Heat Center in Klamath Falls, OR and president of the International Geothermal Association will speak at Fairmont Hot Springs resort on Thursday, May 18. [more]
For True Local Flavor
Conrad Mansion’s “Death by Chocolate” Murder Mystery is a Scream
Kalispell’s historic Conrad Mansion presents a night of elegance, haute cuisine and—gasp!— MURDER, for its 5th Annual Death by Chocolate fundraising murder mystery this Saturday, May 6th from 7-10 P.M. Guests will enjoy lots of locally-donated hors d’oeuvres, wine, microbrews, and of course, chocolate desserts as they solve the evening’s mystery of “Who Killed Conrad?” [more]
Hotels, Movie Theatres and Mallrats
Kalispell Retail Development Moving ForwardConstruction on the 46-acre site on U.S. Highway 93 called Hutton Ranch will begin in July after a final approval by the Kalispell City Council on Monday to develop about 30 acres of the land. [more]
Neil Young's "Living with War"...and More
The Protest Song is Not DeadOne of the first songs I heard criticizing the current administration and the Iraq War was John (Cougar) Mellencamp’s “To Washington” in 2003. It claimed to "[borrow] its melody and arrangement from folk/country icons Woody Guthrie and the Carter Family.” [more]
Flathead Weekend
Weekend Sounds and ScenesTonight (and Saturday)
Head to Reds Wine’s and Blues (30 2nd St. E in downtown Kalispell) and have a drink, some great eats and check the tunes of Tom Catmull, performer of just about everything under the sun (pop, blues, country and ballads). Come on, just go; everyone will be there. Tom Catmull will also be at Reds on Saturday, if you can’t get enough of him or the chicken lettuce wraps.
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