Technology

The future is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct1_r_61sk8

Leslie Medieros and Bob Hansen discuss sustainable energy in Nevada.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR24_2kyQ98

The UC Davis’s Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) in partnership with the Tahoe Expedition Academy (TEA) will host the sixth annual Science Expo on March 16.

The fair features interactive experiments and demonstrations for children from the third to sixth grade, ages 8 to 12 and their families. The event is free and will run from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline Village. Ice cream will be provided by Susie Scoops of Incline Village and UC Davis TERC.

RENO, Nev. – A new, rapid blood test that could lead to early diagnosis and potentially save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people stricken with fungal meningitis, a leading cause of AIDS-related deaths in developing countries, is getting closer to market with a recent collaboration between the University of Nevada, Reno and Immuno-Mycologics (IMMY) in Oklahoma.

The CARD Nevada Autism Conference is hosted by the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), one of the world’s largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism, Asperger’s syndrome and related disorders.

By Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Ted McAleer says he’s got a silver bullet for creating jobs in the Silver State.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uLECuGK07U

Several people at yesterday's Board of Supervisors meeting mentioned the generosity of Mae Adams for donating land to Carson City for the proposed Knowledge and Discovery Center and public plaza, the centerpiece of the City Center/Nugget Project.

I've heard some critics complain about this donation, which does little to bolster their case. Despite the unorthodox lease deal, it really is a donation we should be thankful to have the option of using for a new library.

But this donation does come with one very large and expensive string attached.

After a marathon meeting today, the Carson City Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to allow staff to begin negotiations on agreements to develop the City Center/Nugget Project.

But the project may face hurdles getting final approval, as two of those voting yes expressed concerns about the project.

By Andrew Doughman / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Business leaders from several large technology companies said today that Nevada lacks the skilled workforce necessary for them to locate in Nevada over the long-term.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Secretary of State Ross Miller says the time is ripe to get a substantial campaign finance reform package through the Legislature, and with Gov. Brian Sandoval and lawmakers of both parties in agreement on the need for change, he may be right.

CARSON CITY – Mention government transparency and “Twitter” probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.
A communication technology that gives users 140 characters to share where they just had lunch or “Tweet” trivia about the weather and celebrities doesn’t immediately scream “politics” either.
But Nevada state legislators, lobbyists and journalists are finding more and more use in Twitter because the platform allows information gathering and governing at high speed.

RENO — A new streamlined system to enable University of Nevada, Reno and Desert Research Institute (DRI) faculty to begin start-up companies and seek entrepreneurial partnerships is part of a new plan launched this month.

The idea, now a part of the university's Technology Transfer Office, is based primarily on a new standard license agreement, the “NSHE Express,” available to faculty-based start-up companies.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval today said he will embark on a multifaceted approach to rebuilding Nevada’s economy by assisting in private-sector job growth, including the creation of a $10 million “Catalyst Fund” to provide one-time incentives to businesses that want to relocate to the state.

Ramping down Nevada’s dependence on the gambling industry (and associated consumer spending) through developing new job-creating industries was the main topic at last Friday’s Nevada 2.0 economic forum at UNLV.
Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki used the word “retooling” as he spoke of the need for diversity in his opening remarks, adding that he did not believe the vision of  an economically robust Nevada was “Pollyanna-ish.”

Carl Kuhl, a state Parole and Probation employee of six years, has created a plan that he claims will eliminate Nevada's budget deficit within two years.

In a news release issued on Tuesday, Kuhl said his plan not only will reduce the budget deficit but also help repair Nevada's economy at the same time. It is a pretty big claim, he admits, coming from an Accounting Assistant I, an entry level position.

Today China has confirmed that its J-20 stealth fighter jet has successfully completed its maiden flight. This is a big step toward the country's declared goal of military dominance in the Pacific region.

It is also a big step toward pushing American aircraft and defense companies out of the market, particularly in developing countries that will certainly appreciate the option to get destruction technology at discount prices.

CARSON CITY – Brian Sandoval has announced his final cabinet appointments prior to being sworn in as Nevada’s 29th governor today, including naming Bruce Breslow to head up the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Breslow has been serving in outgoing Gov. Jim Gibbons’ administration as executive director of the Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects.

Violence on Sunday that led to near-tragedy ended today with the arrest of a 17-year-old Carson City boy. The incident is a reminder of how fragile children can be and how early intervention can prevent something like this from happening again.

A Lake Tahoe area public-private energy organization and the U.S. Energy Department have teamed up to make renewable energy more commercially available.

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Incline Village-based Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization today announced their collaboration to accelerate the commercialization of a clean technology innovation owned and developed by the Laboratory.

Carson City was among the top U.S. cities and the only city in Nevada acknowledged for its website by e.Republic's Center for Digital Government and the Digital Community Program.

CARSON CITY – Gov. Jim Gibbons announced today the retirement of Information Technology Director Dan Stockwell after 47 years in the field, including 14 years with the state of Nevada.
“I consider Dan Stockwell a consummate professional and a good friend,” Gibbons said. “He can be proud of his service to the citizens of Nevada.”
“I would like to thank all of wonderful public service professionals I have worked with over the years with the State of Nevada,” Stockwell said. “We have truly laid the foundation for a bright future for our state.”

One of the things that came out at Monday night's Nugget Project advisory was a setback for the business incubator part of the project.

It was announced by project consultant Mark Lewis that C4Cube, the business incubator in Reno that was considering operating the planned Carson City incubator, was no longer a part of their discussions. We don't know exactly what happened, but not having an experienced operator could threaten this part of the project.

By Nevada News Bureau staff
CARSON CIY — Average wait times at the Department of Motor Vehicles’ busiest offices have dropped to under 60 minutes due to upgrades to the agency’s computer system using federal grant money.

A breakfast Thursday morning hosted by the Northern Nevada Development Authority will feature a panel of experts who will discuss the business of energy, industry and innovation.
The meeting will be held at the Carson Nugget. Doors open at 7 a.m. with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $20 for NNDA investors with reservations and $35 for guests or at the door. Questions, contact NNDA at (775) 883-4413.

With the focus on business development, the discussion will focus on ways to make the region innovative and profitable.

The panel includes:

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., is defending his decision to seek stimulus money on behalf of constituents and Nevada government entities despite voting against the massive funding measure in February 2009.

With a new boss at Heavenly, onetime ski bum Pete Sonntag, things are humming there as they prepare for the upcoming season. I taught skiing there for several years and with all the new stuff and improvements going on I sometimes wish I were back on the hill there  — even if they never improve the ski school facilities are Boulder Base.

Sonntag is a real skier (and boarder) who was on the Vail demo team, so you can be sure he’ll be out on the hill checking things out himself. 

Ford Motor Company and Capital Ford in Carson City are partnering to help raise money in support of Carson High School as part of Ford’s Drive One 4 UR School program.

Members of the local Carson City community will have the opportunity to raise up to $6,000 for Carson High School by test driving a Ford vehicle at Carson High School on October 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

By Nevada News Bureau staff
CARSON CITY – With less than four weeks to go before early voting begins for the Nov. 2 general election, military and civilian voters located overseas are already taking advantage of a new online system that verifies their marked ballots have been received by local election officials.

Gun owners take note: The Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association will host the annual Nevada Carry Concealed Weapon Permit Holders Forum in Carson City on Sept. 30 at the Nevada Legislative Building.

A Green Living Festival will be held at Lampe Park in Gardnerville from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The event, sponsored by the Sustainable Living and Renewable Energy Roundup, features informational workshops, exhibits and an interactive Discovery Center with fun activities for kids — making smoothies with the bike blender, baking in solar ovens, making your own butter, beekeeping presentation, activities by Master Gardeners and the Great Basin Outdoor School. The event is free to the public.