What do you think of this?  A cartoon from 1948… is it as pertinent today as it was then?

Here at ILoveAltoona.com, we’re planning to start highlighting some local businesses. Interested in being featured? Write us at discover at ilovealtoona dot com or by writing us through contact us.

YOU can help keep Altoona’s top independent blog going…

Please eat at Hoss’s on Thursday to raise funds for the maintenance and improvement of this website.  On August 19, Hoss’s Steak and Sea House will donate at least 20% of your total bill to ILoveAltoona.com.

Here’s how the fundraiser works:
1.  Print a voucher now.
2.  Present it when you pay.
3.  Feel good about supporting a forum focused on local events, issues and ways to improve the City.

Thank you!

I just read a fascinating article on The New Republic’s website about the changes going on in our economy.  The author, Richard Florida, contends that the economic downturn we’ve been experiencing (and the faltering struggles to recover from it) indicate something much larger going on.  He believes our economy is going through a sort of seismic shift, comparable to what our country experienced in the late 1800s as we transitioned from an agriculture-based economy to an industrial one.

Image hosted by www.tnr.com

The idea that we’re moving from an industrial economy to a knowledge-based economy is nothing new, but the author’s ideas are at least worthy of discussion.  He notes that during economically difficult times in our past, innovation flourished — great inventions were created and many patents were filed.  He talks about the value of creativity and innovation in the new economy, arguing that our educational system ought to be adding a fourth “R” to reading, writing, and arithmetic — entrepreneurship.  He believes that the education system ought to be engaging students in hands-on innovation and teaching them how to write business plans and market their products, rather than preparing them for jobs in the economy we’re leaving behind.

Florida’s article is long — give it 10 minutes to read — but it certainly gets you thinking.  Who will be financially successful in the coming decades?  How should we or our children (or grandchildren) be preparing to be an active participant?  And what kinds of policies should the government be pursuing (or dropping)?  If these questions interest you, go ahead and read Florida’s article.   It’s controversial but he’s thinking in bigger, historic terms — good ways to think if you want to get a bigger view than just the politics of right now.

(Review by Matt Garber.)

Check these out… great photos of downtown.

Commentary by Matt Garber

ILoveAltoona.com is run on Wordpress, a commonly-used blogging software.  One of the things that happens invariably with most blogs is what is called “comment spam”.  It’s when you write a blog post (like this one), and someone replies with a comment that is not useful or constructive, but rather designed to advertise their own products without providing anything of value.

It’s not bad to link back to your own website if you have something decent to provide to the discussion, but you should see some of the spam I have to sort through!  (Fortunately, it doesn’t show up on the site until it’s approved by an editor.)  All kinds of junk… ads for certain drugs of choice seem to be prominent these days.  A few of the spam comments pretend to be engaged in the discussion (though even those ones are mostly obvious), but most don’t even make sense… they’re just words or phrases designed to get people to link back to their site to look at a naked celebrity or to buy a magic pill.

These annoying (and weak) attempts at marketing may score a few points here and there for non-moderated blogs, but by and large they’re a nuisance.  However, going through and deleting another round of them tonight got me thinking about the difference between “good marketing” and “bad marketing”.  I’ve got to say it’s so refreshing when I see businesses that just simply provide great, outstanding services or products.  A corner deli that makes fabulous subs.  A hardware store where the clerks know the answers to all of your questions.  A plumber that does a job well and cares about his reputation.

I contrast these examples with the not-so-great ones: Tricking people into subscription plans where the most important details are in fine print.  Pushing addictive behavior because you know you’ll get a customer for years to come.  Offering cheap construction services but making up for it with shoddy workmanship.

As a business person, I realize that sometimes marketing raises tough questions, and at times it can seem like effective business is pitted against the best interests of the customer.  But how encouraging it is when you have a businessperson who truly puts the customer first.  I’ve seen it with some local businesses.  They’re willing to lose a sale so that I’ll get the right product or service for my need.  But you know what?  It’s those kinds of businesses that quickly win my loyalty.  And I’m sure many customers like me.

Guess that depends how many of you eat there on Thursday, August 19th! That’s when you can raise money for this site simply by dining out…

Hoss’s Steak and Sea House will donate at least 20% of your total bill to ILoveAltoona.com! All you have to do is present a voucher when you pay.

Sound like a delicious way to show your support? Then print a voucher now!

This fundraiser applies to both the Altoona and the Duncansville locations.

Brooke Meadows
Community Reporter

A new non-profit has been launched in the region that is designed to help ordinary citizens make an impact in our government.

Blair County resident Jason High, who recently served as campaign manager for PA governor candidate Peg Luksik, has teamed up with Luksik to launch the American Heritage Academy.   The Academy is starting off by hosting a series of seminars designed to help Pennsylvanians learn the fundamentals of American heritage and government, as well as effective political activism.

Luksik and High are holding their first seminar this Saturday in Altoona.  The Academy’s website states, “At this seminar, you will be taught not only how to effectively get involved politically, but you’ll also be taught the fundamentals of our system of government so that you not only have a better understanding of the problems facing our nation, but you’re able to effectively communicate with your friends, family and neighbors.”

Information on the American Heritage Academy, including info on this weekend’s event, may be found at www.RestoreHeritage.org.

Can the Federal Government tell us what we can eat every day? Here’s a video of hearings of current Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. Senator Coburn questioned Ms. Kagan about the extent of Federal powers. What do you think?