Just got my first printed copies of Conquering Innovation Fatigue, our new book printed by the major publisher, John Wiley & Sons. This book focuses on the personal side of innovation and reveals the often unseen "innovation fatigue factors" that can shut down innovation. It's written for entrepreneurs, business leaders, inventors, and even government officials, showing these unseen and often unintended barriers and revealing how they can be overcome.

There are some local elements in the book that might be of interest to Wisconsin readers, including those here in the Fox Valley. Those elements include:

• a case study (entire chapter) on Sunrise Farms of Neenah, the innovative broccoli sprout farmer that was nearly shut down by a bad patent;


• a case study (entire chapter) on Orion Energy Systems of Manitowoc, the innovative energy-saving company that Pres. Obama publicly highlighted in a recent speech;


• a review of the decline and potential hope for the paper industry, with an introspective discussion of Appleton's former Institute of Paper Chemistry (now IPST at Georgia Tech) and its role as a microcosm to understand some of the "fatigue factors" in the industry;


• several discussions of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and unusual approaches to innovation we pursued there;


• a lesson from an experience at Appleton's Performing Arts Center; and


• several lessons from our work at Innovationedge in Neenah.

Here are some of my favorite hands in the Fox Cities. Can you tell me where I took this photo? For bonus points, can you name the Fox Cities artist who made them? Hint: We are long overdue for some kind of recognition event to honor this outstanding artist.

Click to enlarge.

One of Appleton's terrific traditions is the summer Farmers Market which goes from June into early October. It all begins this Saturday, June 20, on College Avenue. It's the second largest farmers market in the state, second only to the massive Madison market that lines the four sides of the State Capital building. This year we have 150 vendors signed up, much more than we've had before. There will be music, great food, lots of fresh produce, and plenty of art. Can't wait!

While downtown, be sure to stop in to a new hot spot of artistic excitement in Appleton, Downtown Designs, an excitement new boutique with art, decorations, and designs (113 East College Avenue). Just stopped in tonight with my wife and loved the place. Found the best pepper grinder ever, one that is made by Wisconsin artist John Hoffman. Beautiful and the most functional, easy-to-use design I've seen. Bought it as a birthday present for my wife. Sweet.

With my new Nikon D90 camera purchased as Murray Photography in Appleton, I went a little crazy yesterday at the big Flag Day Parade. Took over 1,000 photos. Whew! But had a great time. Many thanks to my new friends (and wonderful newcomers to Appleton) from Montenegro and Macedonia for joining me!

Here are a few low resolution versions of some of the pictures. More are available on my new web page about the event: the 2009 Flag Day Parade in Appleton, Wisconsin, where I give short descriptions. As always, click to enlarge (slightly).












Photos and text, as usual, are copyright Jeff Lindsay. Please obtain permission before using.

Appleton schools have faced a painful budget shortfall resulting in the loss of some of the best teachers in the area. Thirty-seven teachers, if my sources are correct, are losing their jobs because the Appleton School District is short $3 million. One of these teachers was voted teacher of the year at North High School, according to a recent article in the Post-Crescent. The teacher's union forces the layoffs to occur according to their seniority rules, not based on which teachers are most needed and most valuable for their schools. But whatever process is used to select the victims, it's painful and ugly.

But wait - isn't the School District being helped by all that stimulus money flowing our way. Yes, the District is receiving $4.5 million from the Federal Government, about 50% more than what is needed to protect the jobs of all the teachers being cut. Problem solved? No way. The money comes with political strings attached that limit its use to special needs students and other politically favored purposes. It doesn't help address the real problem the District is facing. As a result, I understand that NONE of the 37 being laid off will get to keep their jobs.

This is the awful thing about national redistribution of wealth and national socialism in general: it results in massive waste and loss because distant politicians calling the shots can't possibly know enough to properly spend all the money they siphon out of communities and out of the economy. Even if they were smart enough to understand local needs, their own careers and image tend to be more important than the needs of communities they don't know. They will tend to make decisions based on politics for their own good. Don't expect their help to be the help that is really needed.

Tax dollars are best managed as close to home as possible. Decisions about spending money in communities are best made by the communities. Decisions about what products or services to offer and how much to make or to charge are best made by the forces of the free market, not by elite politicians who think they know enough to tell businesses what to do.

Dozens of teachers are losing their jobs unnecessarily here in spite of wasteful federal "help."

Appleton voters were offered a chance to pay higher taxes to make up for the deficit, but rejected that opportunity in the form of a referendum they voted down, presented at a time of economic disaster and in light of ever increasing taxes at the state and federal level.

Appleton has one of the nation's best and longest Flag Day parades. Many dozens of floats, marching bands, clowns and politicians will entertain the crowds for nearly two hours today beginning at 2 pm. This is a big event, so get there early. I will try to park in Jones Park (Oneida Flats area) and then walk up the stairs to catch the action.

Join me and many friends of Greece and Serbia for a special cultural event (food! music! art! fun!) this Saturday at Pierce Park in Appleton. It's a free event open to the public, beginning at 11 am and continuing until about 7 pm. There will be traditional music starting at 11 am, with a troupe of Greek dancers performing around 12:30 and again at 2 pm. There will be terrific food you can purchase or sample, including food from the amazing chef of Apollon, the fabulous Greek restaurant that offers some of the best food you can find in Wisconsin.

In addition to Greek and Serbian immigrants, you can also expect to meet some Ukrainians, Russians, and perhaps some Poles at this event. And maybe even a few people of Scottish-Danish-Mohawk ancestry such as myself. This should be really fun. Please come!