 | | September 14, 2007
The May Report: 09/14/2007: Chicago & Sydney based Open Kernel Labs run by Steve Subar gets $2.15MM Series A; Who's on first -- or top? Are Howerton & Hoch the Abbott & Costello of Chicago high tech?
Editor and publisher: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com, www.themayreport.com 773-525-3944.
August 2007: Celebrating 19 years since the first column in the Chicago Computer Guide, 15 years since the first column in the Guide on Chicago high tech; and 10 years as an online newsletter and website
If you missed an article, go here: http://www.tmronline.com/A55951/tmrarticles.nsf/vwFullNewsletter
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Scoop section:
-- Chicago and Sydney, Australia based Open Kernel Labs founded by Steve Subar gets $2.15MM Series A
-- FCC hearing on media ownership scheduled for Chicago, Sept. 20
-- Friday, October 5th: TiECON agenda and only three weeks left to register
-- Bob Geras: Says he is flattered to be linked to Steve Miller
-- Jim Dugan: Responds to May on OCA Ventures
-- Invitation to Berkman Center Reception in Chicago, 9/28
-- Neil Kane: Looking for an RF MEMS guru
-- Obama, Durbin want to meet with B of A on LaSalle deal
-- Briefly noted, by Ron May
1. READER COMMENTS AND RESPONSES
1a. Gian Fulgoni: Congratulates Ron on his multiple anniversaries
1b. Blagica Stefanovski: Introduction & CondoPerks
1c. Sean Murdock: Would love to meet Ken Wasch, Ron's cousin
1d. Jeanne Heydecker: The view of outsourcing from Calcutta
1e. Jim Blinn: Securities Quote Xchange has new offices in Aurora
1f. David Dalka: Motodev / Boston Globe Facebook Article
1g. David Ferguson: Terra Starr
1h. Karolus Smejda: Introducing myself once again
1i. Craig Anderson: Wants a copy of the Grosky guilty plea re: Efoora
1j. Bob Marovich: Thanks to Ron for the publicity on his black gospel blog
1k. Cheryl Reimann: Reminds Ron to thank her
1l. Dan Ushman: Did not know that The Reader was sold
1m. Jeff Meredith: One additional thought...
2. COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
2a. The Done Right Directory helps homeowners/guarantees pros' work
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The Scoop section:
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Chicago and Sydney, Australia based Open Kernel Labs founded by Steve Subar gets $2.15MM Series A
Open Kernel Labs, provider of operating systems and virtualization
technology for embedded systems, has raised $2.15 million in Series A
funding from Neo Technology Ventures. Open Kernel has offices in both
Chicago and Sydney, Australia. www.ok-labs.com
Open Kernel Labs
200 South Wacker Drive
15th Floor
Chicago, IL, 60606 USA
t +1 650 331 1862
f +1 847 433 1514
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May here. I just called the company at 9:40am and it turns out that the entrepreneur is none other than Steve Subar. He chastized me for not going to shul this morning and he is getting ready for shul (a Yiddish word for temple) right now so we did not have much time to talk. Steve has been working on the firm for two years and registered it a year ago. The R&D was done in a lab in Sydney, Austrailia and the firm has 30 employees at this time. Steve also has an office in the TechNexus run by the ITA at 200 S. Wacker but I don't know how many of the 30 employees are there. We will talk more next week. I did check for Steve Subar in the TMR archives and Steve sent a note in 2005 saying "G'day from down under." He was in Australia at the time and his firm was z2m4.com.
The two firms appear from Steve's bio to be separate and unrelated. Here is Steve Subar's bio from the website: http://www.ok-labs.com/company/people/steve_subar
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Steve Subar
President & CEO
Steve cofounded Open Kernel Labs (OK) following his term as National ICT Australia’s 2005 Entrepreneur-in-Residence. He was chosen by partnering venture capital investors, from a select group of over 60 technology entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, to provide the leadership and commercial vision leading to a successful spinout. As an accomplished CEO, Steve has earned a reputation as a seasoned executive who builds winning teams, drives accelerated growth, builds strong customer relationships and creates shareholder value.
Prior to OK, Steve was a Managing Partner at z2m4, a management consulting company focused on delivering portfolio company performance for the managers of, and investors in, growth stage technology companies. Steve is a cofounder of Click-and-Done, a pioneer in e-business infrastructure and consumer client software for electronic billing and Relavis Corporation, a leading publisher of relational database tools used to accelerate application design, development and implementation. As a senior executive at Mobius Management Systems (NASDAQ: MOBI), Steve was instrumental in growing revenues 275% over four years, leading to the company's successful IPO. Additionally, Steve was part of the management team at Computer Associates (NASDAQ: CA) that drove revenues from $30 million to more than $1.2 billion over a five-year period.
Steve received his Bachelors of Science from Miami University's School of Business with a concentration in Computer and Information Technology.
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FCC hearing on media ownership scheduled for Chicago, Sept. 20
From: Mitchell Szczepanczyk [mitchell@szcz.org]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: spam: FCC hearing on media ownership scheduled for Chicago, Sept. 20
Sent: Fri 9/7/2007 4:11 PM
Details:
http://www.chicagomediaaction.org/news.php?id=565
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Friday, October 5th: TiECON agenda and only three weeks left to register
From: Samantha Borland [sborland2@comcast.net]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: TiECon 07--Three weeks from today!!! Register Now before it's too late!!!!
Sent: Fri 9/14/2007 8:29 AM
Ron, please post this on your website, as always TiE thanks you for your support and would like to give you a complimentary invitation to TiECon. Best, Sam
Sign-up now! http://midwest.tie.org/tiecon/index.htm
TiECON will take place from noon (lunch) through 6:30 p.m. (reception) on Friday, October 5 at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago downtown for, "TiECON 2007-Mentorship: Boosting Tomorrow's Business Leaders" organized by TiE Midwest. TiECON is a half-day event bringing leading Midwest entrepreneurs together for networking and discuss on innovation and entrepreneurial mentorship.
Join us for a Fireside Chat with Chicago's Tullman brothers, local, serial, successful entrepreneurs. Glen and Howard Tullman will provide an entertaining and interactive exchange. Learn intimate details regarding their businesses, doing business together, and on how each have turned around so many successful ventures in Chicago. Patricia Martin, President of LitLamp Communications, will moderate the discussion. Howard Tullman is currently President and CEO of Flashpoint Academy and Chairman and CEO of Experiencia, Inc. Glen Tullman now serves as Chairman and CEO of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc.
The program will also feature four panel sessions on topics aimed to increase entrepreneurial IQ.
Track 1: Right Dollars at the Right Stage
Michael Rosenthal Partner Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal
Gary Conkright CEO InformMed
Dave Wortman
Jane H. Martin General Partner Village Ventures
Patrick Morand Managing Director SWMF Life Science Fund
Track 2: Attracting and Retaining Talent
Michael B. Wyman Managing Director Carlyle Group, Ltd.
Angela Cinefro People Integration Leader Information Management Practice, HP Services
Michael W. Ferro, Jr. Chairman & CEO Merrick Ventures, LLC
Patrick J. Spain Chairman & CEO HighBeam Research Inc.
Track 3: Business Model Refinement
Jim O'Connor Corporate VP Motorola Early Stage Accelerator
Michael Baum President The Guild
Anne E. Ross Managing Partner Foley & Lardner LLP
Track 4: Executive Coach for the Entrepreneur
Donni Case Chair Vistage International
Bruce Cohen CEO / Founder Wrightwood Capital
Charlie Hoke Chairman Alfalight, Inc.
Clint Jones CEO / Co-Founder Norvax Inc.
TiE stands for Talent, Ideas and Enterprise and is a not-for-profit global network of entrepreneurs and professionals. Founded in Silicon Valley in 1992, TiE is an open and inclusive organization that has rapidly grown to more than forty chapters in nine countries. TiE Global is the world leader in cultivating and nurturing entrepreneurship.
The Midwest chapter, (www.tie-midwest.org) is based in Chicago, and serves Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kansas, Michigan and Iowa. Our local Charter Members include notable entrepreneurial and business leaders from organizations and institutions including: Tellabs, Motorola, Graduate School of Business University of Chicago, Kellogg School of Management, and several venture capitalists.
For the latest information about TiECon '07 including session topics, speaker bios, registration and sponsorship opportunities please visit http://midwest.tie.org/tiecon/index.htm
Sign-up now! http://midwest.tie.org/tiecon/index.htm
Fee: TiE Midwest Members $50.00: Non-Members: $75.00
For further information contact
TiE - Midwest
Email: tiemidwest@gmail.com
http://midwest.tie.org/tiecon/index.htm
Information about TiE www.tie-midwest.org
Samantha Borland
(847) 235-5150
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May here. Sam, glad to be of help. You guys consistently put on high quality events. I just hope the invite is not rescinded between now and October.
_____________________________________
Bob Geras: Says he is flattered to be linked to Steve Miller
From: Bob Geras [vcmaven@yahoo.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: Re: The May Report: 09/10/2007: The Reader plans a re-design Oct. 3rd; hearings on keeping IT jobs here; MOTO redirection; Steve Miller may be giving Bob Geras a run for his money
Sent: Mon 9/10/2007 7:10 PM
Hi Ron,
When it comes to a "run for the money" between me and Steve Miller and his partner Bruce Barron, I"m flattered by the comparison. They win. Those two are a top-notch, class act in every way. I've
known Steve much longer than I have Bruce, and have had much more contact with him over the years. I can say that I can't think of anyone I'd rather do business with than Steve. Bruce is cut from the same cloth.
They are men of their word, are bright and fair-minded, have an excellent track record and a well deserved reputation in this town. I feel priveleged to call them my partners as well as friends.
Bob
--- "ron@themayreport.com" wrote:
> September 10, 2007
> The May Report: 09/10/2007: The Reader plans a re-design Oct. 3rd;
> hearings on keeping IT jobs here; MOTO redirection; Steve Miller
> may be giving Bob Geras a run for his money
Bob Geras, President
LaSalle Investments
Chicago, IL 60611
312-440-0040
Bob@vcBob.com
________________________________________
Jim Dugan: Responds to May on OCA Ventures
From: Jim Dugan [jim@ocaventures.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: RE: The May Report: 09/12/2007: Madison-based OpGen raises $23.6MM third round of funding which is also a restart after losing two thirds of its employees; Local VCs; the MEF and more...
Sent: Thu 9/13/2007 6:59 PM
Hello Ron,
It has been awhile, and I see you have been busy. But please tell me it has not taken 7 years for you to learn that OCA Ventures is essentially
backed by the O'Connor and Dugan extended families ? Are you slowing
down - what's going on?
So, why all of these O'Connor and Dugan folks ? I guess the answer lies in the focus on entrepreneurship, which starts very young in our households. I am just now introducing my four kids (ages 7, 6, 5 and 3) to the basics of commerce and self reliance, and they can occasionally be seen making copies (stepladder need) or fetching sodas for the OCA
Ventures team. We think one key to successful entrepreneurship is
early indoctrination, which will help prepare one to stare down risk later on, and that is greatly enhanced if the family supports and even
encourages smart risk taking......again, from very early on. I was
thinking and encouraged towards entrepreneurship even before high
school, and I think that helps explain why OCA Ventures was launched.
Venture capital has been a little more complicated task to teach children, but this is a true apprenticeship business, and patience is
required. Candidly, children do not quite follow the liquidation
preference and participating preferred features - "Daddy, why do we keep
filling up this cup over here?!?! " Hmm.....pretty interesting kid,
let's talk about that later, just keep pouring. (that's a joke -
laugh). Anyway, as you detailed, my oldest brother and his wife timed
very well the private aviation trends, and that business has flourished,
for them and OCA Ventures. If you or your readers would like to
charter one these jets, please feel free to contact Natalie and tell them to mention OCA Ventures as referral for a nice discount - http://www.trego-dugan.com/Jet-Managment.htm
We have a cousin, a PhD from DARPA, who is commercializing tech for Homeland Security in a private venture, which is both economically compelling and patriotic, two things I love. Another cousin is a PhD and works on cancer marker detection tech at San Fran State University,
and we recently helped to spin that tech out into a new company. So,
this infectious entrepreneurship is beyond our immediate family - and most people we socialize with tend to share this DNA.....not sure if it is good or bad, just is....
As for our growth, OCA Ventures II now includes institutional and large family investors beyond O'Connor and Dugan, which extends our reach and brand. We seek the best technologies and the brightest minds, and our culture is highly driven towards identifying bigger ideas, with the best people to execute, and as you have observed OCA Ventures tends to invest
early. Starting this firm in Chicago with my partners and the backing
from O'Connor has been a true blessing, and OCA Ventures is thrilled to be headquartered in Chicago and hopes to represent our community well.
One note, while we are strongly influenced by O'Connor and Dugan families, our team is much more......although we did ask Eddie, Marc, Jason and Jason to change their last names.
In the future, you can save time and call - Happy Holiday.
Regards,
Jim Dugan
OCA Ventures / O'Connor Partners
141 West Jackson Blvd, 39th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
www.ocaventures.com
jim@ocaventures.com
312-542-8944 (Direct)
312-542-8954 (Andi Rozdzynski / Office Manager)
312-542-8952 (Fax)
________________________________________
Invitation to Berkman Center Reception in Chicago, 9/28
From: Rebecca Tabasky [rtabasky@cyber.law.harvard.edu]
To: rtabasky@cyber.law.harvard.edu
Subject: Invitation to Berkman Center Reception in Chicago, 9/28
Sent: Wed 9/12/2007 12:03 PM
Hello,
On behalf of John Palfrey, Executive Director of the Berkman Center for
Internet & Society at Harvard Law School, I would like to invite you to
a reception hosted by the Berkman Center and the Harvard Law Society of
Illinois. The reception will be held on Friday, September 28th, at The
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's offices in Chicago.
As the Berkman Center steps into its tenth year as a research center
focused on the exploration of cyberspace, we are excited to be in your
city with friends and colleagues, old and new. We welcome you to join us
in celebrating our collective successes, and we look forward to learning
more about your current and future efforts. As well, please consider
this an open invitation to be shared with your local friends and
coworkers in the field.
We will gather at the MacArthur offices, 140 S. Dearborn Street, 17th
floor, Chicago, at 6:00 p.m. on the evening of the 28th. Of course,
please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like
more information (617-384-9124 or rtabasky@cyber.law.harvard.edu).
Looking forward to meeting you in Chicago,
Rebecca Tabasky
Community Coordinator
Berkman Center for Internet & Society
Harvard Law School
--
Rebecca Tabasky
Community Coordinator
Berkman Center for Internet & Society
Harvard Law School
23 Everett Street, Second Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
Telephone: 617-384-9124
Fax: 617-495-7641
Email: rtabasky@cyber.law.harvard.edu
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu
The Berkman Center is a research program founded to explore cyberspace, share in its study,
__________________________________________
May here. Rebecca, thanks for the invite. I hope it does not get rescinded. I will be there.
______________________________________
Neil Kane: Looking for an RF MEMS guru
From: Neil Kane [nkane@thindiamond.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: Looking for an RF MEMS guru
Sent: Wed 9/12/2007 5:05 PM
If any of your readers has deep technical and market competency in RF MEMS, I’d love to hear from them about a potential consulting assignment. RF MEMS are components for mobile handsets and wireless basestations. We are interested in a market survey on devices like RF MEMS resonators, switches, SAW devices and FBARs. If you don’t know what the acronyms means, then you aren’t the right person for the study.
With all the people in the region from Motorola, Tellabs and Lucent, I thought perhaps some of your readers might be able to point me to a reliable resource.
Email is great. No phone calls, please.
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Neil Kane
President
Advanced Diamond Technologies, Inc.
Web: www.thindiamond.com
_______________________________________
Obama, Durbin want to meet with B of A on LaSalle deal
From Crain's Chicago Business, Friday, September 14, 2007
http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=26375
Sept. 14, 2007
By Steve Daniels
Obama, Durbin want to meet with B of A on LaSalle deal
(Crain’s) — Sens. Richard J. Durbin and Barack Obama are seeking a meeting with Bank of America Corp. CEO Kenneth Lewis to discuss the impact of B of A’s pending acquisition of LaSalle Bank Corp. — a move that signals a shift in what until now has been a largely mute response from Chicago’s political leaders to the prospect of thousands of lost jobs here.
In a letter sent Friday, the Democratic senators asked to meet with Mr. Lewis and other senior executives “at your earliest opportunity.”
The senators want to talk about the likelihood of retaining local jobs, the impact on local banking competition and the possible reduction of civic participation and community lending, the letter says.
“As you know, LaSalle Bank has long played an integral role in the local economy in Chicago, and has been greatly supportive of local philanthropic and community development initiatives,” the letter says.
The question is whether the senators’ action is too little, too late. Charlotte, N.C.-based B of A’s $21-billion deal to buy LaSalle is set to close at the end of this month or early next month, and the nation’s second-largest bank has refused to negotiate concessions on jobs, community lending and corporate giving with community groups. Indeed, a coalition of community groups has failed thus far even to persuade the Federal Reserve Board, which must approve the deal, to hold a public hearing in Chicago to air these concerns.
Chicago’s tepid political response until now to B of A’s buyout is in stark contrast to what was seen in Boston four years ago, when B of A moved to buy FleetBoston Financial Corp., that city’s biggest bank. Powerful Boston politicians from U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, then the top Democrat on the House’s Financial Services Committee, to longtime Mayor Thomas Menino called on the bank to protect local jobs, make loans in low-income communities and commit to charitable giving goals. The result: concessions on all those fronts, including a promise to keep Boston-area employment levels the same as they were before the merger.
To date, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has yet to weigh in on the deal. Before the senators’ letter today, the only local politicians who had signed on to the community groups’ concessions effort were Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who sits on the House Financial Services Committee, and state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
Also silent has been Rep. Rahm Emanuel, Illinois’ most powerful representative in the U.S. House. A spokeswoman said he wouldn’t be available for comment this week with family in town for the Jewish holiday. Rick Bryant, deputy district administrator for Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., explained his boss’s lack of public comment on the deal by saying that B of A had assured the congressman’s office that “there will not be widespread layoffs.”
A coalition led by the Woodstock Institute — a Chicago-based group that advocates for the availability of financial services to low-income communities — recently commissioned a study projecting that the B of A-LaSalle deal would result in at least 4,000 layoffs at LaSalle in Chicago.
Responds a B of A spokesman: “There will be cost reductions, and jobs will be part of that.” He adds, though, that specific layoff levels haven’t yet been determined.
In Boston, concessions wouldn’t have happened were it not for the broad opposition to B of A’s plans by numerous politically powerful people.
“I think it was critical to have really a broad array of voices expressing concern about the merger” of B of A with FleetBoston, says Thomas Callahan, executive director of the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance, a statewide advocacy group that participated in the talks at the time.
So, why does Boston deserve specific commitments on jobs and community lending and charity while Chicago doesn’t? The B of A spokesman says only, “Each (merger) transition is different. Each community has its unique priorities and needs.”
“We need pressure from Chicago politicians to persuade the Fed to hold hearings,” says Malcolm Bush, executive director of the Woodstock Institute, which is leading an eleventh-hour multigroup effort to win concessions from B of A before the LaSalle deal closes. So far, that group has met a few times with B of A executives, who’ve “listened and taken copious notes” but have promised nothing, Mr. Bush says.
_______________________________________
Briefly noted, by Ron May
* I wanted to get this out as close to noon as possible and I have a lot of material for you, but you know how it goes, it will be finished at 8pm tonight, so let me get this out and then have a mega-brielfy noted section first thing Monday morning.
* On again. Off again. File this under just plain weird. Apparently, the Nobel family may be ready to take legal action against one of its members, Michael Nobel, whom they consider to be way off the reservation. They want to stop Michael Nobel from going through with the Michael Nobel Energy Award, I am being told at this point and one of the reasons is that he has used the Nobel name to line his own pockets. That may fly in America, but it does not go over well in Sweden. Nobel is also known as a skirt chaser, a self-promoter and a publicity hound (sounds like he is ready to join the Chicago high tech community). Bottom line: He has used the Nobel name in a way that has reflected poorly on the family. I believe that he has been dismissed from the Nobel Family Trust. The announcement that was planned for the NanoTX nanotechnology conference in early October appears at this point to be dead based on communication between the Nobel family and the conference organizers.
* And update on the behind-the-scenes activity of the MIT-EF. My information is that Keith Waxelman of the MIT-EF, who has been in charge of the "Below the Radar" program, fouled up big time by inadvertantly inviting the wrong company to speak in October for the "Below the Radar Innovation Recognition Award." The September focus company, MSI, Management Systems Inc., will speak.
But since they screwed up, they are not uninviting the October company even though that company did not even make the cut. The committee for deciding on the award winners is Joel Berez, Ted Walhaus and Keith Waxelman.
Now I find that contrast between the way the MIT-EF handles things and the way the ITA does interesting because as you will see below the ITA did invite someone to an upcoming and then went so far as to uninvite that same person once the initial mistake had been made. Not being invited is one thing, but being invited and then being uninvited is a different kettle of fish, don't you think?
Meanwhile, Joel Berez of the MIT-EF board claimed that he had a signed, sealed and delivered deal with the CTO of the Obama presidential campaign to speak in October. Obama does very well on the internet as you can see on www.techpresident.com. He dominates on the Democratic side as Ron Paul does quite well amongst Republicans. The Obama guy, it turns out, was never confirmed and it turns out that he said he would speak after the campaign.
Starting off the year as "The gang that could not shoot straight."
Nik Rokop is event manager for September. Melissa Kauck is once again in charge of marketing but she has not done much or even any marketing for September, I hear.
The program chair for the year is Adina Gwartzman, Neil Wyant's wife and an MIT grad.
* I was sitting on a bench in my hood when John Dallas walked by Thursday evening. He was with three friends, including a doctor and his wife. The other person was a friend of John's, David Turner, whom I met initially at IIT at the Grand Opening where Mayor Daley attended and cut the virtual ribbon. David owns a store front at Navy Pier called Family Heritage Research. John's doctor friend, Andrew Zinkel, is with the medical center at UIC, and is the president of the emergency medical residents association, an 8.000 member group and Drew talked about proteomics at the Tech Forum at the Union League Club when John Dallas ran that organization a few years ago. They were all carrying flowers and were in a hurry to get to a dinner party.
* In addition to the MIT-EF there may be another gang that can't shoot straight as well. Among other reactions to the situation that developed earlier today (Friday), I am highly amused.
The "Who's on first?" routine by Abbott and Costello may best illustrate the confusion we had this morning involving two of our fearless leaders, Terry Howerton and Fred Hoch. Who is calling the shots in that dynamic duo anyway? We could call it "Who's on top?"
Here is the Abbott and Costello routine. Read this and then then read the emails exchanged between Hoch and May and Howerton and May this morning.
So, who is Abbott and who is Costello? Howerton is Abbott, right? And Hoch is Costello, right?
Fred and the Howerton invite say Ron is invited, and Howerton says no, on second thought, he is uninvited. Which is it? "Who's on first?," guys.
Or you can watch it on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaKjRyPjVY
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.phoenix5.org/humor/WhoOnFirstTEXT.html
Abbott: Well, Costello, I'm going to New York with you. Bucky Harris the Yankee's manager gave me a job as coach for as long as you're on the team.
Costello: Look Abbott, if you're the coach, you must know all the players.
Abbott: I certainly do.
Costello: Well you know I've never met the guys. So you'll have to tell me their names, and then I'll know who's playing on the team.
Abbott: Oh, I'll tell you their names, but you know it seems to me they give these ball players now-a-days very peculiar names.
Costello: You mean funny names?
Abbott: Strange names, pet names...like Dizzy Dean...
Costello: His brother Daffy
Abbott: Daffy Dean...
Costello: And their French cousin.
Abbott: French?
Costello: Goofe'
Abbott: Goofe' Dean. Well, let's see, we have on the bags, Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third...
Costello: That's what I want to find out.
Abbott: I say Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third.
Costello: Are you the manager?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: You gonna be the coach too?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: And you don't know the fellows' names.
Abbott: Well I should.
Costello: Well then who's on first?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: I mean the fellow's name.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The guy on first.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The first baseman.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The guy playing...
Abbott: Who is on first!
Costello: I'm asking you who's on first.
Abbott: That's the man's name.
Costello: That's who's name?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.
Abbott: That's it.
Costello: That's who?
Abbott: Yes. PAUSE
Costello: Look, you gotta first baseman?
Abbott: Certainly.
Costello: Who's playing first?
Abbott: That's right.
Costello: When you pay off the first baseman every month, who gets the money?
Abbott: Every dollar of it.
Costello: All I'm trying to find out is the fellow's name on first base.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The guy that gets...
Abbott: That's it.
Costello: Who gets the money...
Abbott: He does, every dollar of it. Sometimes his wife comes down and collects it.
Costello: Who's wife?
Abbott: Yes. PAUSE
Abbott: What's wrong with that?
Costello: I wanna know is when you sign up the first baseman, how does he sign his name?
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The guy.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: How does he sign...
Abbott: That's how he signs it.
Costello: Who?
Abbott: Yes. PAUSE
Costello: All I'm trying to find out is what's the guys name on first base.
Abbott: No. What is on second base.
Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second.
Abbott: Who's on first.
Costello: One base at a time!
Abbott: Well, don't change the players around.
Costello: I'm not changing nobody!
Abbott: Take it easy, buddy.
Costello: I'm only asking you, who's the guy on first base?
Abbott: That's right.
Costello: OK.
Abbott: Alright. PAUSE
Costello: What's the guy's name on first base?
Abbott: No. What is on second.
Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second.
Abbott: Who's on first.
Costello: I don't know.
Abbott: He's on third, we're not talking about him.
Costello: Now how did I get on third base?
Abbott: Why you mentioned his name.
Costello: If I mentioned the third baseman's name, who did I say is playing third?
Abbott: No. Who's playing first.
Costello: What's on base?
Abbott: What's on second.
Costello: I don't know.
Abbott: He's on third.
Costello: There I go, back on third again! PAUSE
Costello: Would you just stay on third base and don't go off it.
Abbott: Alright, what do you want to know?
Costello: Now who's playing third base?
Abbott: Why do you insist on putting Who on third base?
Costello: What am I putting on third.
Abbott: No. What is on second.
Costello: You don't want who on second?
Abbott: Who is on first.
Costello: I don't know. Together: Third base! PAUSE
Costello: Look, you gotta outfield?
Abbott: Sure.
Costello: The left fielder's name?
Abbott: Why.
Costello: I just thought I'd ask you.
Abbott: Well, I just thought I'd tell ya.
Costello: Then tell me who's playing left field.
Abbott: Who's playing first.
Costello: I'm not...stay out of the infield!!! I want to know what's the guy's name in left field?
Abbott: No, What is on second.
Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second.
Abbott: Who's on first!
Costello: I don't know. Together: Third base! PAUSE
Costello: The left fielder's name?
Abbott: Why.
Costello: Because!
Abbott: Oh, he's center field. PAUSE
Costello: Look, You gotta pitcher on this team?
Abbott: Sure.
Costello: The pitcher's name?
Abbott: Tomorrow.
Costello: You don't want to tell me today?
Abbott: I'm telling you now.
Costello: Then go ahead.
Abbott: Tomorrow!
Costello: What time?
Abbott: What time what?
Costello: What time tomorrow are you gonna tell me who's pitching?
Abbott: Now listen. Who is not pitching.
Costello: I'll break you're arm if you say who's on first!!! I want to know what's the pitcher's name?
Abbott: What's on second.
Costello: I don't know. Together: Third base! PAUSE
Costello: Gotta a catcher?
Abbott: Certainly.
Costello: The catcher's name?
Abbott: Today.
Costello: Today, and tomorrow's pitching.
Abbott: Now you've got it.
Costello: All we got is a couple of days on the team. PAUSE
Costello: You know I'm a catcher too.
Abbott: So they tell me.
Costello: I get behind the plate to do some fancy catching, Tomorrow's pitching on my team and a heavy hitter gets up. Now the heavy hitter bunts the ball. When he bunts the ball, me, being a good catcher, I'm gonna throw the guy out at first. So I pick up the ball and throw it to who?
Abbott: Now that's the first thing you've said right.
Costello: I don't even know what I'm talking about! PAUSE
Abbott: That's all you have to do.
Costello: Is to throw the ball to first base.
Abbott: Yes!
Costello: Now who's got it?
Abbott: Naturally. PAUSE
Costello: Look, if I throw the ball to first base, somebody's gotta get it. Now who has it?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: Who?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: Naturally?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: So I pick up the ball and I throw it to Naturally.
Abbott: No you don't you throw the ball to Who.
Costello: Naturally.
Abbott: That's different.
Costello: That's what I said.
Abbott: you're not saying it...
Costello: I throw the ball to Naturally.
Abbott: You throw it to Who.
Costello: Naturally.
Abbott: That's it.
Costello: That's what I said!
Abbott: You ask me.
Costello: I throw the ball to who?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: Now you ask me.
Abbott: You throw the ball to Who?
Costello: Naturally.
Abbott: That's it.
Costello: Same as you! Same as YOU!!! I throw the ball to who. Whoever it is drops the ball and the guy runs to second. Who picks up the ball and throws it to What. What throws it to I Don't Know. I Don't Know throws it back to Tomorrow, Triple play. Another guy gets up and hits a long fly ball to Because. Why? I don't know! He's on third and I don't give a darn!
Abbott: What?
Costello: I said I don't give a darn!
Abbott: Oh, that's our shortstop.
Costello: (makes screaming sound)
_________________________
May again. Here are the letters from Hoch and Howerton.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The invite to Ron from Howerton is sent on Thursday at 2:55pm
Subject: Chicago TechNexus final summer Happy Hour?
Date: 9/13/2007 2:55:08 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: terry@fastroot.com
To: ronaldmay@aol.com
TechNexus, the ITA and FastRoot will close out the summer with another
"Down by the River" Happy Hour on Tuesday, September 18 from 5pm to 7pm.
We gather in the park at the base of 200 S Wacker, along the river.
Care to drop in, enjoy some live music, cocktails and socializing on one
of the last warm Chicago evenings?
This reception is exclusive to invitation only, and we'll have about 100
interesting folks from the local tech community. I'll watch the
registration list for your name, and look forward to seeing you if you
can join us.
Please RSVP at https://www.illinoistech.org/calendar.aspx/588
-TERRY
TERRY HOWERTON
CEO, FastRoot Technologies
terry@FastRoot.com
http://www.FastRoot.com
ON|DEMAND Software and Computing
200 S Wacker, 15th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Office Tel: 312-435-1000 x1060
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The ITA system registers Ron at 10:43am Friday morning
Subject: ITA Registration Confirmation: TechNexus "Down by the River" Summer Networking presented by FastRoot and ITA (Members and Invitation-Only)
Date: 9/14/2007 10:43:33 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: system@illinoistech.org
To: ronaldmay@aol.com
Thank you for registering for "TechNexus "Down by the River" Summer Networking presented by FastRoot and ITA (Members and Invitation-Only)" on 9/18/2007 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Your registration has been received and a place for you has been reserved.
Event Location:
Quincy Park (outside TechNexus)
200 S Wacker (lower level southwest side of the building along the Chicago River)
We look forward to your attendance at this event.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at headquarters@illinoistech.org.
Illinois Information Technology Association (ITA)
200 S. Wacker, 15th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 435-2805
headquarters@illinoistech.org
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
At 10:36am Friday morning, Ron sends the following letter to Terry and Fred:
Subject: Re: Chicago TechNexus final summer Happy Hour?
Date: 9/14/2007 10:36:18 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: RONALDMAY@aol.com
To: terry@fastroot.com
CC: fhoch@illinoistech.org
In a message dated 9/13/2007 2:55:08 P.M. Central Daylight Time, terry@fastroot.com writes:
September 14, 2007
Terry and Fred,
I will give you a preview of my article and if you care to respond now, that is fine.
What do the following people have in common?
Bruce Montgomery
David Smith
Nik Rokop
David Naylor
Terry Doheny
Penny Edecker
Paul Davidovich
Steve Susina
Chris Rollyson
Irv Michaels
Rich Kooy
Lanny Feder
John Mascarenhas
Rien Heald
Sheldon Rosenfield
Stuart Booden
Eugene Breger
Timothy Curley
Michele Davies
Mark Huber
Fred Kush
Bill Houston
Spencer Maus
Greg Padovani
Dave Van de Walle
Dick Mulvihill
Paul Sand
Ted Wallhaus
Robert Sansome
Art Brown
Kathryn Odell
Bob Brill
Mike Fekety
Scott E. Miller
Charles Dreher
Monica Metzler
Brad Spirrison
Ron May
Answer: They are a few of the folks who go to both ITA and MIT-EF meetings.
Therefore, by dint of your decision to schedule the ITA party for this coming Tuesday, September 18th at the same time as the kick-off meeting for the MIT-EF, these people and others will have to choose which event to attend.
That is inherently unfair. We just don't have enough tech events that we should have to choose one vs. another. I am going to propose that someone develop some scheduling software which will allow for collaboration between the very few organizations we have here. Those few organizations have a lot of voerlap and it should hot be rocket science for them to keep track of each other.
You were not happy when TechCocktail scheduled its party for April 12th, right up against the ITA's CityLIGHTS awards dinner.
So why should you do the same thing to the MIT-EF?
Your ever faithful buddy,
Ron
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[Editor's note: May here. I just realized that I should have also included Jason Jacobsohn and Neil Kane as two other people who have attended both groups and shouldn't we also add David Peak to the list?]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fred responds to Ron at 10:43am: "Our starts at 5 so you can do both."
Subject: RE: Chicago TechNexus final summer Happy Hour?
Date: 9/14/2007 10:43:40 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: fhoch@illinoistech.org
To: terry@fastroot.com, RONALDMAY@aol.com
Ron –
You’re always looking for some strategic political angle on our part as if we are Chicago based Karl Roves. We are not that smart. The fact is that we were going to do it Thursday but it would have gone against both the innovation awards and the silicon prairie social. It was totally inadvertent on our part as we hadn't seen the MITEF announcement. Our starts at 5 so you can do both.
Fred
Fred Hoch, President
Illinois Technology Association (ITA)
fhoch@illinoistech.org
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Terry responds to Ron at 10:52:36am: "First, my apologies for including you on the invite list. It was an unintentional oversight."
Subject: RE: Chicago TechNexus final summer Happy Hour?
Date: 9/14/2007 10:52:36 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: terry@fastroot.com
To: RONALDMAY@aol.com
CC: fhoch@illinoistech.org
Ron –
First, my apologies for including you on the invite list. It was an unintentional oversight. The ITA Happy Hour tonight is limited to members and invited guests only. As you know, our goal is to keep these events private and pretty low-key. Sorry, but you’re not invited tonight. You know there are other ITA events where you are invited, so I hope you won’t feel too slighted and carry on like it’s a big deal.
Now, to your point, yes it does seem the Happy Hour event was scheduled on the same night as an MITEF meeting. That was brought to my attention yesterday, and we apologized for the incidental conflict. It was our mistake, and usually we do a much better job of coordinating with local groups where there may be a conflict in schedules. ITA conducts more than 150 events a year, and most are on our calendar (https://www.illinoistech.org/calendar.aspx) well in advance. The Happy Hour’s are a bit more informal, and scheduled (regrettably) a bit more carelessly (at least in this case).
Chicago’s big enough to handle multiple events for the community… remember that on the night Tech Cocktail and ITA City Lights coincided, more than 1,000 people combined to attend. Enjoy yourself at MITEF, we’ll see you some other time at an ITA function.
From: RONALDMAY@aol.com [mailto:RONALDMAY@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 10:36 AM
To: Terry Howerton
Cc: Fred Hoch
Subject: Re: Chicago TechNexus final summer Happy Hour?
In a message dated 9/13/2007 2:55:08 P.M. Central Daylight Time, terry@fastroot.com writes:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ron responds to Fred's note at 10:49am
Subject: Re: Chicago TechNexus final summer Happy Hour?
Date: 9/14/2007 10:49:32 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: RONALDMAY@aol.com
To: fhoch@illinoistech.org
Fred,
I was planning to go to the Silicon Valley social on Thursday and I still need a ride out there. I have a ride home.
What is the innovation awards event?
I am not imputing any motive here.
I just think that it should be possible for local tech organizations to keep track of what their colleagues are doing.
Fred, it is Karl Rove, not Roves, by the way.
Fred, I can agree with you on one thing: You are not that smart.
Hey, you have to admit, you set yourself up for that one.
My point still stands as valid. The people I listed must choose or try to go to both or neither, regardless of your intentions and I take your word here that you were trying to navigate the perilous shoals of event scheduling.
L'Shana tova.
Ron
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fred responds to Ron at 10:53:06am
Subject: RE: Chicago TechNexus final summer Happy Hour?
Date: 9/14/2007 10:53:06 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: fhoch@illinoistech.org
To: RONALDMAY@aol.com
Only you need to go to some many events. [smiley face]
Roves – plural referring to the both of us. And yes I know how to spell his name, I lived 3 houses down from him in DC. Sometime I’ll tell you a funny story about him and my dog.
Fred
Fred Hoch, President
Illinois Technology Association (ITA)
200 S. Wacker Drive, 15th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
+1.312.924.1062 | +1.312.804.2183 (c)
fhoch@illinoistech.org
______________________________________
May here. There is really nothing more to say. This pretty much speaks for itself.
You decide what to think. And who is running that show anyway?
OK, maybe one more thing. Terry, if you want to create an air of exclusivity and superiority for your group, instead of dissing a pisher, a nudnik and a noodge like Ronnie May, let me print a cheat sheet for you on Monday which is how the ORBIS folks did it back on April 5th, 2000 with some panache.
These guys knew how to belittle with style.
On their proposed invite list, they created a special category for some really important people like Howard Tullman and it read, in one of the classic disses of all time: "Not invited -- but relevant."
Terry, if you are going to pis* on the rug, or as they say in Adlerian psychology, spit in the soup, at least do it with some class and savoir-faire. See ya at a future ITA event.
BTW, just to add to your Yiddish and French vocabulary:
PISHER: A bed-wetter, a young inexperienced person, a person of no consequence.
NUDNIK: A pest, a persistent and annoying person.
NOODGE: To bother, to push, a person who bothers you.
sa·voir-faire (săv'wär-fâr')
n. The ability to say or do the right or graceful thing.
_____________________________________
1. READER COMMENTS AND RESPONSES
1a. Gian Fulgoni: Congratulates Ron on his multiple anniversaries
From: Fulgoni, Gian [GFulgoni@comscore.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: RE: The May Report: 09/07/2007: Virent Energy in Madison gets $21MM Series B; If I heard Ken Coats right, he got $250K angel funding for arrestfree.com; A very long Briefly noted
Sent: Sat 9/8/2007 10:33 AM
Hi Ron:
Congratulations on your anniversaries! Here’s to many more.
Regards
Gian
_______________________________________
1b. Blagica Stefanovski: Introduction & CondoPerks
From: Blagica Stefanovski [blagica@condoperks.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: Introduction & CondoPerks
Sent: Fri 9/7/2007 8:52 PM
Hi Ron,
Blagica here, of CondoPerks.com.
My past dot com life includes three years @ Giant Step, three years
at Orbitz, and some time at Q Interactive...
I just read up on your latest report and it reminded me to send you a
note. One of your past reports (I think it was after the last Tech
Cocktail) mentioned you heard of CondoPerks, but didn't meet me. I
was milling around the party and had to head home early. I'll stop
by and introduce myself on the next tech event go round. :)
That said, here is a link to some write ups/video about CondoPerks.
This should give you a better sense of what the site is and how it
works. Let me know you if you have any questions! http://condoperks.com/blog/?page_id=2
Cheers,
Blagica-
Blagica (blah-gee-tsa) Stefanovski
Founder
CondoPerks.It Pays to Own.℠
http://www.condoperks.com
Press and News Updates:
http://www.condoperks.com/blog
office: 312.341.2911
mobile: 312.543.1870
blagica@condoperks.com
____________________________________________
1c. Sean Murdock: Would love to meet Ken Wasch, Ron's cousin
From: sean@nanobusiness.org
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: RE: The May Report: 09/10/2007: The Reader plans a re-design Oct. 3rd; hearings on keeping IT jobs here; MOTO redirection; Steve Miller may be giving Bob Geras a run for his money
Sent: Tue 9/11/2007 7:51 AM
I was reading... Would love to chat with you cousin sometime.
-----Original Message-----
From: ron@themayreport.com
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 4:06 PM
To: sean@nanobusiness.org
Subject: The May Report: 09/10/2007: The Reader plans a re-design Oct. 3rd; hearings on keeping IT jobs here; MOTO redirection; Steve Miller may be giving Bob Geras a run for his money
_____________________________________
May here. Fred Hoch, how 'bout if you set that up? Ken is more likely to respond favorably to you.
__________________________________
1d. Jeanne Heydecker: The view of outsourcing from Calcutta
From: Jeanne Heydecker [jeanne.heydecker@gmail.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: Re: The May Report: 09/10/2007: The Reader plans a re-design Oct. 3rd; hearings on keeping IT jobs here; MOTO redirection; Steve Miller may be giving Bob Geras a run for his money
Sent: Tue 9/11/2007 6:08 AM
Ron:
RE: "I can get 10 engineers abroad for every 1 in the US." Help! Fundraiser on September 18th
Just to give you a response from Calcutta on this situation, the perception is far different from the reality. There are significantly less H1B visa holders now than there were 10 years ago. There is more outsourcing because quality is great and price is fabulous, but the biggest part of the equation is time to market. Send the requirements docs to India at the end of the day, and you'll have a working prototype in the morning.
People who are pushing protectionism don't see the bigger picture. They only care about their own personal livelihood and don't see or understand the business case behind this. We could have saved all those Pony Express riders' jobs through an initiative like this, who needed the telegraph anyway? Next thing you know we'll have those horseless carriages taking over milk delivery...
Why don't they make the move to where the tech jobs are? We could certainly use project managers over here. :-)
All the best Ron...
--
Jeanne Heydecker
Email: jeanne.heydecker@gmail.com
http://american-in-calcutta.blogspot.com/
_____________________________________
1e. Jim Blinn: Securities Quote Xchange has new offices in Aurora
From: Jim Blinn [JimB@sqx.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: RE: The May Report: 09/10/2007: The Reader plans a re-design Oct. 3rd; hearings on keeping IT jobs here; MOTO redirection; Steve Miller may be giving Bob Geras a run for his money
Sent: Wed 9/12/2007 5:13 PM
Ron,
Securities Quote Xchange is working out of new offices at 452 N. Eola Road, Suit 102, Aurora, IL 60502 – 630 870-1100.
SQX provides dealer originated security prices for mutual funds, hedge funds and insurance companies for valuing their portfolios.
SQX has been in business for over 6 years. We provide a secure environment along with redundant power and Internet access.
For further information please go to our web site www.sqx.com.
Thank you,
Jim Blinn
James K. Blinn
Securities Quote Xchange, LLC
452 N. Eola Road
Aurora, Illinios 60502
Ph: 630 870-1101
Fax 630 692-6045
www.sqx.com
________________________________________
1f. David Dalka: Motodev / Boston Globe Facebook Article
From: David Dalka [david_dalka4gsb@yahoo.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: Motodev / Boston Globe Facebook Article
Sent: Thu 9/13/2007 7:16 AM
Hi Ron,
I thought your readers might appreciate this write up from the Motodev Summit in San Jose.
http://www.mobileslate.com/blog/2007/09/11/motodev-summit-san-jose-tu-207-funding-your-business-with-motorola-ventures/
Also, I'm attaching my breakdown of an article that discusses aspects of the recent Boston Globe article that discussed Facebook's migration from Boston to Silicon Valley. I'd be interested in seeing you look at that article line by line as well.
http://www.daviddalka.com/createvalue/2007/09/11/like-many-in-chicago-facebook-moved-west-to-silicon-valley/
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/09/09/why_facebook_went_west/?page=full
Take care.
_____________________________________
1g. David Ferguson: Terra Starr
From: David Ferguson [DFerguson@bankrate.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: Terra Starr
Sent: Wed 9/12/2007 4:19 PM
Hi Ron,
I just found this link online from your site from 6/07/2004:
http://www.tmronline.com/A55951/tmrarticles.nsf/b2d8cb9dc8ff27d286256916006c8c74/f162aaa1fec3128e86256ead00230a99!OpenDocument
I worked for Jeff Baron, and worked with Bob Somberg, and am also a former employee of the Tribune and the AMA (tell Harvey Daniels I said hello too.)…
Ironically, I left the Tribune to join Terra Star, and then the Tribune bought them, so I was right back where I came from.
Working for Jeff was definitely the best of times.
I was impressed reading about young Kyle’s success also.
If you're able to get in touch with Jeff or Bob, please forward my contact info to them.
I'd love to hear from them and see how they are doing.
I may have met you before as well. Weren't you the guy that brought WGN's Linda Kollmeyer to the Terra Starr Christmas party held at Jeff’s house?
Regards,
North America's largest national mortgage information provider!!
David Ferguson
Account Executive, NE
Bankrate Print
One North Wacker Drive
Suite 4343
Chicago, Illinois 60606
DFerguson@bankrate.com
toll/direct:
fax:
mobile:
800-509-4636 x14375
630-782-4886
415-216-3221
____________________________________
May here. I put David in touch with my brother who put him in touch with Jeff Baron.
__________________________________
1h. Karolus Smejda: Introducing myself once again
From: Karolus Smejda [smejdak@powersuasion.com]
To: Erin O'Connor
Subject: Introducing myself once again
Sent: Thu 9/13/2007 2:08 PM
Dear Ron,
You may or may not remember. I presented at the "Rant Fest" last fall on the topic of writing. You had encouraged me to get in touch with you to demo my writing assessment, but I just now am gettintg around to it.
Perhaps we can set up a short teleconference (20 minutes) and I can demo it for you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Karolus
Karolus Smejda
President, PowerSuasion Incorporated
Direct/Landline: (312)242-1799
Cell: (312)371-7088
Fax: (866)252-0048
E-mail: smejdak@powersuasion.com
Web: www.powersuasion.com
PowerSuasion turns information into action.
We improve work performance through custom
interactive communication learning and consulting
using actor-based and technology-based platforms.
Find out about by downloading the following brochures:
PowerSuasion (www.powersuasion.com/pdfs/pkgpwrlg.pdf)
The PowerSuasion Players (www.powersuasion.com/pdfs/pkglmalg.pdf)
My Writing Assessment (www.powersuasion.com/pdfs/pkgwaslg.pdf)
One-on-one consulting (www.powersuasion.com/pdfs/pkg1o1lg.pdf)
_________________________________________
1i. Craig Anderson: Wants a copy of the Grosky guilty plea re: Efoora
From: Craig Anderson [craig_anderson40@yahoo.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: Grosky Plea
Sent: Mon 9/10/2007 3:17 PM
Hi Ron,
Nice job with covering the Efoora mess. Do you have a copy of the guilty plea that you mentioned last week?
Craig Anderson
West Lafayette, IN
___________________________________
May here. I forwarded the plea to Craig and by next week will have it for the report.
__________________________________
1j. Bob Marovich: Thanks to Ron for the publicity on his black gospel blog
From: cpwfour@aol.com
To: ron@themayreport.com
CC: ldelaney@globetrade.com
Subject: thanks much!
Sent: Thu 9/13/2007 9:53 AM
Ron, many, many thanks for including The Black Gospel Blog and "Gospel Memories" in The May Report. The publicity is much appreciated; thanks for spreading the "gospel!" I'll let WLUW know that the show was featured, as well.
Take care and continued best wishes for your work.
All the best, Bob
____________________________________
1k. Cheryl Reimann: Reminds Ron to thank her
From: cheryl201@aol.com
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: well being check
Sent: Tue 9/11/2007 12:15 PM
OK Ron what happened with you? Discharged already Sunday? I read it in TMR. You forgot to thank me for rifling through all of your personal stuff and rushing out to meet the ambulance. Don't forget my name is Cheryl Reimann.
So glad you're OK.
_____________________________________
May here. Yes, Cheryl, thanks a million for helping out in my time of need once again. You are the Rock of Gibralter.
_______________________________
1l. Dan Ushman: Did not know that The Reader was sold
From: Dan Ushman [dushman@midphase.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: Re: The May Report: 09/10/2007: The Reader plans a re-design Oct. 3rd; hearings on keeping IT jobs here; MOTO redirection; Steve Miller may be giving Bob Geras a run for his money
Sent: Tue 9/11/2007 2:23 PM
Did not know that. Thank for your the note--and thanks for the note about the ads, it is good news.
On Sep 10, 2007, at 11:29 PM, Ron May wrote:
Yes, Dan, they were sold about two months ago, the last week of July.
Ben Eason is a really nice guy and I met him at the CIMA party on July 31st for AdTech.
Ron
PS. Your ads have been getting more click throughs lately.
Ronald May
ron@themayreport.com
773-525-3944
-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Ushman [mailto:dushman@midphase.com]
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 8:59 PM
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: Re: The May Report: 09/10/2007: The Reader plans a re-design Oct. 3rd; hearings on keeping IT jobs here; MOTO redirection; Steve Miller may be giving Bob Geras a run for his money
Ron,
Was the Chicago Reader acquired??
On Sep 10, 2007, at 6:06 PM, ron@themayreport.com wrote:
_______________________________________
1m. Jeff Meredith: One additional thought...
From: Jeff Meredith [jallenme@yahoo.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: One additional thought ...
Sent: Sat 9/8/2007 8:47 AM
I should probably expect this, but you published a
number of my remarks which were not for publication --
and I indicated as much.
I can't imagine your audience would have any interest
in the cost of tuition and I made clear that personal
financial details (this was a conversation between
friends -- I try to be transparent, but I don't want
my life spilled out on paper) were not for
publication.
Yet you forged ahead, careless as usual.
Jeff
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2. COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
2a. The Done Right Directory helps homeowners/guarantees pros' work
From: Kristi Mendez [kristi@kmpr.com]
To: ron@themayreport.com
Subject: Re: New directory helps homeowners/guarantees pros' work
Sent: Fri 9/14/2007 1:46 PM
Hi Ron -
My colleague, Cassie, spoke to you earlier this week about the Done Right directory and she asked me to forward some additional information to you.
This weekend, Chicagoland homeowners will receive the Done Right directory, a unique directory of home improvement professionals in more than 100 categories. The directory is printed and available online and, unlike other databases of home improvement pros, the Done Right directory rigorously reviews all of the pros and guarantees their work.
As area homeowners begin to do their fall repairs or plan renovations, the Done Right directory offers them a reliable place to turn for recommendations on who to hire. Done Right directories are available in more than 21 cities across the country and the book will make its debut here on Sept. 16th.
To that end, I’ve pasted our release below and we’d like to put you in touch with Paul Ryan, Done Right’s CEO. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or need more info.
Many thanks,
The Done Right! PR Team
Kristi Mendez
630-859-7401
kristi@kmpr.com
New Directory Ensures
Home Repairs are ‘Done Right!TM’
Free Directory Helps Chicagoland Homeowners
by Pre-Screening, Guaranteeing Home Improvement Pros
in More Than 100 Categories
CHICAGO, Ill., Aug. 21, 2007 – Chicagoland homeowners will soon have an advocate in finding trusted and reliable home improvement professionals. The Done Right! DirectoryTM of Guaranteed Home Improvement Professionals will be delivered on September 16th and offers concise, standardized information on professionals in more than 100 categories, from plumbers and roofers to painters and landscapers.
Done Right!’s comprehensive directories are available in 21 major markets across the country on the Web and in print. They are the trusted, free and easy way for consumers to find, select and hire local guaranteed home improvement professionals.
Done Right! actually guarantees the work of their pros (details available at www.DoneRight.com). If there’s a problem, Done Right! acts as mediator to facilitate a solution. Should the situation not be recoverable, Done Right! will pay for another pro to do the work correctly or will reimburse the customer up to $500.
The Done Right Directory will be distributed to more than 750,000 homes in Chicago and the surrounding areas, reaching out as far as Schaumburg, Naperville and Tinley Park. The directory is already available online at www.doneright.com .
“It used to be that we all lived in a tight-knit community and we knew exactly who to call for plumbing repairs or to paint the house,” says Paul Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Done Right! “Today, this is rare, making it difficult to get a good recommendation about who to hire to do home repairs. Done Right! simplifies this process by conducting the research that most consumers don’t have the time or resources to do themselves. And, thanks to the Done Right Guarantee™, consumers can rest assured knowing they’re hiring a quality company that will do the job right the first time.”
Every home improvement pro in the directory is scrupulously researched and reviewed on an ongoing basis – including the status of their licenses, insurance coverage and history of complaints with the State of Illinois and the Better Business Bureau – to ensure the best and most up-to-date directories for consumers and their local communities.
Additionally, Done Right! pros must also garner recommendations from Realtors, home inspectors, civil engineers and other related professionals in order to be backed by the Done Right Guarantee.
Done Right!’s directory and its guarantee remove the worry and anxiety normally associated with finding and hiring a home improvement pro.
“Our directory, along with our unique guarantee, is precisely what homeowners need when hiring someone for their home improvement projects,” adds Ryan. “They need a good recommendation and a guarantee that the work will be done correctly. A lot of other directories and websites offer opinions and reviews, but none of them guarantees the work and the professionals being reviewed.”
$25,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes*
Chicagoans are also eligible to enter a $25,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes being held by Done Right! One winner will be chosen from all of the entries and will receive a $25,000 credit to be used with any qualified Done Right! home improvement professional.
About Done Right!
From general contractors to plumbers, electricians to landscapers, Done Right!’s directories feature guaranteed home improvement pros across more than 100 categories in 21 major U.S. markets.
Done Right!’s free directories are available in print and on the Web, both being updated constantly to ensure the best and most up to date directories for consumers and their local communities.
# # #
Note:
*The Sweepstakes is open and offered only to legal United States residents residing in the greater San Diego, CA area or in the greater Dallas, TX area or in the greater Houston, TX area, or in the greater Denver, CO area, or in the greater Chicago, IL area (“Eligibility Areas”) who are 18 years of age or older at date of entry as determined by the entry's postmark or the sponsor's computer, the official time keeping device for all elements of this Sweepstakes. Void outside Eligibility Areas and where prohibited.
Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. All taxes, including but not limited to sales and income taxes, are solely the responsibility of winner. Sweepstakes ends 5/31/2008. Subject to complete official rules, which can be found at http://www.doneright.com/HomeMakeoverSweepstakes.cfm .
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END OF REPORT
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