Out with the old ...

Back row (l-r): Mary, Natalie, Stephanie, Bud, Ben and Amber.
 Front row (l-r) Lance, Bo and Shane

As 2012 winds down, many of us are looking for better things in 2013.
This was a Christmas to remember for me, though, for mixed reasons.
For the first time, my dad came down to spend the holiday with us. It was a wonderful visit and we spent a lot of time together.
He also got to spend time with his Alabama family: Shane and Amber came up from Livingston; Lance flew in from Fort Sill and he, Stephanie and Natalie had a great time; and, of course, Bo. For those who didn't know, my dad is Bernard Joseph McLaughlin III, I am Bernard IV and Bo is Bernard V.
Our emotions were mixed because this was also the first Christmas since my mom died in January.
Dad came down to relax and "kick back," as he said. We made sure he did just that, too.
This is also the first Christmas in more than 35 years that I haven't had a job of some sort.
Some have said this is a new adventure and I should embrace this search for a new job. I thought the same, too, for the first few weeks.
Now, though, it's been three months and the adventure, which sounded exciting at first, has become more of an odyssey, fraught with emotional ups and downs with more than a handful of rejections.
So, I am glad to see the end of a year that began with the loss of my mom and ended with me without a job.
This is why I believe - and hope - 2013 should be better.
My emotional well-being is tested with each passing jobless day but I have to believe that there is something out there with my name on it.
I must keep the faith ...

Huntsville Havoc owner reaches out to Newtown

The recent massacre at Sandy Hook School touched just about everyone of us.
Those of us with children; those of us who teach; those of us with a heart.

On Saturday, the Huntsville Havoc reached out to Newtown with a special jersey auction.
Team owner Keith Jeffries donated the proceeds of the auction of his jersey to The Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Connecticut.
The fund was established to help support the college costs for siblings of those killed, the dependents of the adult victims and students at the elementary school who are accepted to attend UConn.
"We wanted to do something more than a moment of silence," Jeffries said after the game, which was a 4-1 win by the Havoc over Mississippi RiverKings. "We heard about the scholarship fund and thought that was a way to help."
Jeffries' jersey brought $525 and was purchased by a couple who are season ticket holders, he said.
"They kept bidding because they wanted to do their part," he said.
For information about the fund, visit www.friends.uconn.edu/sandyhook. Or to make a donation by mail, the address is UConn Foundation, 2390 Alumni Drive Unit 3206, Storrs CT 06269-3206. Please note on the check the gift is for the Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Textron Systems, Bell Helicopter launch Huntsville simulator lab

Huntsville may have to change its moniker from "The Rocket City" to "The 'Copter City."
In a ceremony today, Textron Systems and Bell Helicopter opened a lab featuring helicopter and unmanned aircraft simulators.
The lab, on the third floor of 1525 Perimeter Parkway in Textron's site, is said to be one of the most unique labs in the country.
The simulator is of a Kiowa Warrior helicopter which is linked to unmanned aircraft systems.
The lab will combine live data feeds with high-fidelity simulated environments and field equipment.
"Our Department of Defense customers are facing a period of profound change," said Textron Systems President/CEO Ellen Lord. "Now, more than ever, they need affordable technologies that can be deployed rapidly against their most pressing requirements.
"These new lab capabilities enable our customers to achieve this while reducing program risk."
Massachusetts-based Textron Systems has been providing services and solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years.
Bell Helicopter is a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. and a leading maker of commercial and military vertical-lift aircraft - manned and unmanned.
"We are not only exploring next-generation concepts for situational awareness, we are rapidly developing both the solutions and cutting-edge technologies that bring them to life," said Bell President/CEO John Garrison. "Working together, we will drive affordable mission solutions for our customers and support the critical work they do - today and into the future.

A new version of 'trickle down' economics on horizon

My previous blog saluted Huntsville for being named by Pitney Bowes Software as a "metro magnet" - the latest in a long list of honors, economic and otherwise, for our city.
However, not to put a dark cloud over the honor, there is possible trouble on the horizon.
The city's recognition has been for its success over the last few years but it may be facing difficulty in the not-too-distant future because of the specter of sequestration and federal budget cuts.
We've been able to survive the devastating effects of the recession because of the diverse business base.
Now, though, whatever growth in employment or falling unemployment rates we've seen, the city's employment opportunities may stagnate.
You see, scores of companies - many small, woman- or veteran-owned businesses - are no longer hiring or are laying off employees.
Those companies' decisions are made because they are reliant on federal contracts or are subcontractors and are awaiting the outcomes of the awards.
I am among thousands of Huntsvillians either seeking employment with or are employed by these companies and are growing increasingly frustrated and anxious with the inaction of our nation's leaders.
Enough with the preening and trying to be the biggest badass on the Hill. Get to work to get our country moving. You were elected to serve Americans, not a party.
A side thought: Maybe we ought to lock the president in a room with Reid, McConnell, Pelosi and Boehner and no one comes out until a deal is reached. No meeting with reporters. No spinning their own version of the discussions.
Their lack of progress affects millions and millions of people, not just government contractors, either.
The "trickle down" from not hiring and cutting employees can affect other businesses, particularly retail, in the coming weeks and, maybe, even months.
Being dependent on Washington was for so long a strength of Huntsville.
Now, we may begin to feel some pain.
So, will it be a merry Christmas and happy new year for the area?
I hope so, but that remains to be seen.

Congratulations Huntsville ...

The honors and salutations continue to roll in for Huntsville.
The Rocket City is No. 23 in the 50 fastest growing areas, according to a Pitney Bowes "Metro Magnets Index" data study released Tuesday.
No other Alabama city made the top 50 and there were 384 U.S. metro areas studied.
Here's the excerpt from the Chamber of Commerce's "ChamberLink" newsletter:

Huntsville Metro Area is moving on up

According to a Pitney Bowes Software “Metro Magnets Index” data study released on Nov. 27, Huntsville is No. 23 on a list of the 50 fastest growing areas. The city's projected population growth rate of 5.8 percent over the next five years means it's growing faster than some other Southeastern metros, including Nashville and Atlanta. 

The Huntsville area is predicted to grow by nearly 10,000 households between now and 2017. This year’s growth rate is down at just 1.2 percent, which is almost half of its 2.3 percent annual growth rate between 2000 and 2010. The Pitney Bowes report stated that more than 75 percent of U.S. metros are experiencing slower growth than in the previous decade.

Projections have Houston, Atlanta and Washington, D.C., poised to see the most household growth through 2017. The number of households in the Huntsville area will jump from 170,819 to 180,791, according to the company's estimates.

No other Alabama city made the Metro Magnets Index's Top 50; the study analyzed 384 U.S. metro areas.

"Projected household growth is a critical indicator for the economic prospects of a specific geographic area, and this data can help real estate, retail and a range of other businesses, plan their growth strategy scientifically," John O'Hara, President of Pitney Bowes Software, said in a statement about the report. 

"It is no longer acceptable to make strategic business decisions on gut feel alone. Given the plethora of data, and the advanced tools for analyzing it, business leaders can stay ahead of real estate trends for planning."

Priorities and game plans in place for hectic holiday shopping ...

With the hustle and bustle of a family get-together on Thanksgiving and the frantic Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shopping, Sunday is a day of rest, respite and reflection.
Until midnight ... when the clock strikes Cyber Monday.
Working at Sports Authority part-time, has been an eye-opener on the spending and shopping habits of men, women, boys, girls, teens and pre-teens.
Starting with the rush at midnight Thursday when the doors opened, the business pace was much like dropping a pebble into a pool of water. There is the initial big splash, followed by several ripples.
Customers come in with their "game plans" drawn on the advertising flyers. This is for Johnny, that is for Joan. Dad wants this and mom asked for that.
They'll travel in pairs, couples (there is a difference), groups of four or five (teen-age boys favor this strategy) and the occasional solo shopper will come through.
"Here it is!"
"They've got some over there!"
"Oh crap. They're sold out ..."
Jackets. Running wear. Footballs. Baseball gloves. All being checked on and checked off.
A couple of boys, maybe 11 or 12, were walking through the footwear section toward a display of socks.
Standing next to the display was a girl, herself maybe 11 or 12.
"Wo!" Boy A said.
"Wo, wo wo!" chimed in his counterpart. "That's what I'm talking about."
They continued walking toward the display ...
... pass the girl
... to the socks.
"This is what I need: Nike Elites!"
"That's what I'm talking about."
Well, there are priorities ...

Support small businesses on Saturday

You've seen all the commercials and the uproar over Black Friday and how it has trickled over to Thanksgiving.

A lot of the "big box stores" and discount retailers are opening their doors to those who just can't wait a day to shop.
Well, in the midst of all that, there is a day that is just as important, nay, more important to the local economy: Small Business Saturday.
It started just a few years ago, with the help of American Express, to honor and support the small businesses which seem to get lost in the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping.
But these shops and stores are the lifeblood of the community. They are owned by our neighbors who put their own money - and lifestyles - on the line in hopes of meeting some needs and doing something they love.
Here, in Huntsville, there are several businesses, each with their own niche and each with their own story.
JV Diamond Center is owned by a rocket scientist, which is fitting in this town. By day, owner Ziba Smartt works for a local high-tech NASA contractor and, after work and on weekends, she can be found behind the counter with some hand-crafted works.
If you want to play a round of golf - nine holes of par 3; drive that white, dimpled ball a couple hundred yards (straight or crooked); or relax with a game of mini-golf, Richland Golf Center is a good place to visit. Memberships are available (great stocking stuffers) and Charlie and Melissa Richardson also operate a pro shop which provides an abundance of gift ideas for the hacker or duffer you know.
Along Cleveland Avenue in midtown or uptown, there is an eclectic collection of shops that include The Toy Place, which is a step back in time for those childhood memories; the Switch House, which sells locally made soaps, candles, bath candles, art and one-of-a-kind gifts; and the Sandwich Farm. For post-shopping relaxation (or recovery) there are a couple of "watering holes" such as the Lone Goose Saloon and Furniture Factory.
These are just a couple of examples of the variety of businesses we have.
Though they are called small businesses, they are a big part of the local economy. The money stays here; it doesn't go to a corporate headquarters across the country or around the world.
No matter where you turn, there is a small business owner waiting to greet you with a smile - not forced, either - and offering personal service because he or she wants to and is proud to serve you.