Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

Editor’s note: The other day I ran into Robert Trent, executive director of Sierra Commons, and asked him for an update on the nonprofit’s activities. The information he provided underscores the group’s benefits.

Some survey results that Robert included were “music to my ears,” a reminder that amid all the “gloom and doom,” we are creating some new, exciting businesses — and jobs along with them. Next week, I’ll publish a list of some businesses that were “incubated” by Sierra Commons. Meanwhile, here’s the activities update:

•A new Sierra Commons offering, E*Spark class, starts on January 10. Information about the course is here:

Spark the Entrepreneur in You
E*Spark

Are you ready to strike out on your own, but haven’t quite figured out what you want to do? Have you considered the Business Ignitor class but aren’t quite sure what your business is? Are you ready to have your inner entrepreneur sparked? Right-Click, in partnership with Sierra Commons, is offering a course in just that: a viable business that aligns with who you are. In ten sessions over four weeks, you will identify your talents, develop your understanding of entrepreneurship, embark in creative brainstorming, do market research, and develop and present three preliminary business concepts. This course will make you “shovel ready” for the Sierra Commons Business Ignitor.

Course Description
Where does entrepreneurial inspiration come from? We typically picture entrepreneurs as part genius and part workaholic; the superhuman among us. Successful entrepreneurs, contrary to conventional belief, are not wild
risk takers. They are methodical thinkers who use an understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses to communicate and lead us towards a common vision of valuable products or services.

This course will show us that creativity is in all of us, and that we can develop and present viable business ideas that meet our personal criteria using a combination of creativity strategies, problem solving tools, and structured
practice.

In this 4-week, 10-session class, we will quickly develop a close working group as we identify our core strengths and professional goals. We will then use brainstorming activities and a bit of field work to develop three short business proposals: practice runs for the final pitch session. The final pitch session will be made to the class and to the Sierra Commons business team.

Objectives:
You will develop a viable business concept that meets your personal goals. You will get a head start in developing your business concept and making the most of Sierra Common’s Business Ignitor course.

At the least, even if no business concept comes directly out of your participation in this class, it might indirectly. You will move further along your own road of discovery, have the support of like-minded people during the process.

Course Elements:
Short Readings, homework, and classroom discussion
Classroom exercises in creativity and developing possibilities
Field and office research; preparation for short business presentations
Presentations and Peer Critiques

•Sierra Commons is starting its third Ignitor class on Feb. 22. Interested people should email info@SierraCommons.org

•Here are the draft survey results for 34 business launched @ Sierra Commons
*Not all businesses reporting financials
- Full-time employees: 27
- Part-time employees: 15
- Contractors hired: 49
- Plan to hire in the next 3 months: 19
- Total current monthly salaries and wages: $65,600
- Gross revenue for the most recent month: $80,720
- Gross revenue for the most recent full year: $710,500

Sierra Commons by the Numbers
- Founded: August 2009
- Current members: 26
- Past and present members: 67
- Startups launched/Launching: 34
- Members with Bachelor or Master’s degrees: 80%
- Located in Nevada City or Grass Valley: 81%
- Gross revenues increased since joining Sierra Commons: 46%

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I received this email:

Friends of Meadow Farm Yarn Studio are hosting a fundraiser Art Sale
and Silent Auction for the Gammelgard family. Longtime local educator Kenneth Gammelgard, 61, was killed in an automobile accident a month ago, as was previously reported.

Barbara Sue Kuvet, who knits and spins yarn, is a member of the Foothill Fibers Guild. They all are coming together to put on the fundraiser to help the
family in the wake of the tragedy that occurred while the Gammelgards were traveling in Kyrgyzstan.

“We’re going to have all kinds of wonderful things available for sale: local handspun yarns, hand knit and hand woven afghans, handmade jewelry, garden art, fused glass, ceramics, and much more,” said Barbara. “There’s also going to be a silent auction with many wonderful items and gift certificates donated by local businesses.”

The event will be Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 101 Argall Way in Nevada City, which is next door to Meadow Farm Yarn Studio behind SPD Market and down the street from California Organics. All proceeds will go to the Gammelgard family.

More background on the Gammelgards is here.

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The Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCos) of Placer and Nevada Counties invite you to attend a workshop on LAFCo law and procedures. The session will cover annexations and spheres of influence and will be presented by Bill Chiat, CALAFCo Executive Director. Bill has served as Executive Director of CALAFCo, the State Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions since 2004 and has considerable experience in all aspects of local government.

WHEN: 5-7 p.m., Monday, December 12
WHERE: Town of Truckee
Council Chambers
10183 Truckee Airport Road
Truckee, California

This session is designed for public officials and interested community members, including County Supervisors, members of the Town Council, Special District Directors, Grand Jury Members, as well as local government staff.

Attendance is free, but space is limited; those interested in attending should reserve a seat by calling or e-mailing Nevada LAFCo or Placer LAFCo at:

Nevada LAFCo – Phone: (530)265-7180 E-mail: kate.duroux@co.nevada.ca.us
Placer LAFCo – Phone: (530)889-4097 E-mail: lafco@placer.ca.gov

Class may be subject to cancellation due to weather conditions.

Free parking available

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Our nation today marks the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor with memorial services, the Stars and Stripes at half mast and a moment of silence (at 7:55 a.m.).

About 2,400 Americans died on December 7, 1941 when Japan attacked the U.S. Pacific fleet. In two hours more than 20 ships were sunk or damaged and 165 planes destroyed. President Roosevelt called Pearl Harbor “a date that will live in infamy.”

Our family and others heard a Pearl Harbor survivor, Lou Conter, speak at the Veterans Day ceremony at the Grass Valley Vets Hall just 3 1/2 weeks ago. Conter vividly remembered the day, sharing his memories.

This week the USS Arizona survivor and Grass Valley resident is at Pearl Harbor with his family, taking part in the remembrance ceremonies. Only 18 Arizona survivors are still alive, and seven traveled to Pearl Harbor.

Conter read the names of sailors who died aboard the USS Arizona during a tour of the Arizona Memorial.

“The 1,177 killed (on the USS Arizona) that day, we’re the ones who are here for them,” Conter told Scripps Media from the Memorial. “It’s always a sad day when you go aboard the memorial.”

In his comments at the Vets Hall last month, Conter drew an eerie analogy: He likened the Kamikaze attacks at Pearl Harbor to the terrorists who crashed planes into the World Trade Center on 9/11.

On Friday our family is going to visit the 9/11 Memorial during a long weekend trip to New York City. Mr. Conter has helped frame the visit for us.

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