Jacques of all Trades

On today’s Fresh Air, the spread of the informal off-the-books economy.

(via nprfreshair)

(Source: newyorker.com)

inothernews:

EMPTILY EVER AFTER    Sue Schmidt sorted through her purchases at a Borders bookstore in Solon, Ohio, Thursday. The chain is going out of business. (Photo: Amy Sancetta / AP via the Wall Street Journal)

We scored a great deal (19 books, most of which we already had on “to-read” lists, for an average of $3-4 each) this past weekend, but it’s still a bit sad to see Borders go under. 

(Puts on optimistic hat)… perhaps the crash of the big booksellers will reopen the space to small independents, to succeed in a market that still has people who enjoy, and will pay for, the browsing experience.  

My guess is that there’s hope for small booksellers in small towns and in cities, but not in the suburban strip malls that Borders—and probably B&N to follow—are leaving behind.

Maybe our new overlord Steve Jobs can raise the debt ceiling?

altidude:

internerd:

Apple now has more cash than the U.S. government - CNN.com)

Well that’s disconcerting.

The Bluth Family deficit reduction plan.

(via justinday)

A long way to go, but some slight good news for the nation re: unemployment. 

abcworldnews:

ABC’s Dan Arnall reports a bit of good job news today:
New government data shows that unemployment rates dropped in 39 of 51 states and districts measured in their monthly report on regional unemployment. Three states and DC saw upticks.

While Nevada still holds on to the top spot for unemployment rate, the state also saw the most dramatic drop in unemployment during April. It’s official jobless figure dropped by 0.7% last month. Since the beginning of the year, Nevada’s unemployment rate has fallen by 2.4%, an astoundingly quick drop that’s simply not fast enough for the folks who want work but cannot find it.

Of note, 32 states have unemployment rates lower than the national average.

The lowest unemployment in the nation remains the state of North Dakota – currently posting an amazing 3.3% jobless rate (and down 0.3% in the past month).

What’s happening in the Roughrider State that’s got unemployment completely whipped?

They’re enjoying an oil boom, thanks to the Bakken shale deposit. The estimated 4.3 billion barrels of oil  there becomes much more accessible when oil prices are high. During the last five years the oil industry has added some 13,000 jobs in the state. Doesn’t sound like much, but considering that only about 650,000 call ND home, it’s a big contribution of jobs.

85% of New College Grads Moving Home

Time:

The kids are coming back home to roost.

Surprise, surprise, thanks to a high unemployment rate for fresh grads, many with diplomas fresh off the press are making a return to Mom and Dad’s place. In fact, according to a poll conducted by consulting firm Twentysomething, Inc, some 85% of graduates will soon remember what Mom’s cooking tastes like.

Times are undeniably tough. Reports have placed the unemployment rate for the under-25 group as high as 54%. Many of these unemployed graduates are choosing to go into higher education in an attempt to wait out the job market, while others will go anywhere – and do anything – for work. Meanwhile, moving back home helps with expenses and paying off student loans.

(via abcworldnews)

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AN NFL LOCKOUT

What might the economic impact of an NFL lockout look like if negotiations between the owners and the player’s union continue to stall? In taking a look back at how much revenue each NFL season generates for local, apparel, and beer vendors, not to mention the jobs that support each NFL franchise, Focus.com has visualized the possible economic impact of an NFL lockout.

via columnfive

There’s a lot of potential economic impact, not to mention the emotional impact of millions of shiftless American males, unsure how to spend their Sunday afternoons (and Sunday, Monday, and sometimes Thursday nights).  

(via sunfoundation)

Looks like it’s time to support the arts across the river.

When Artisphere opened in Rosslyn in October, it seemed like it was filling a niche for art in Arlington. Arlington’s new cultural center has hosted a multitude of art shows, parties, performance art, theater, film, etc. However, it’s not doing as well as hoped: it will likely fall 75 percent short of its expected revenue. (via Artisphere Revenue Falls Well Short of Expectations: DCist)

My initial thought is that this is an economy and publicity-driven problem. I remember hearing a lot about the opening weekend events at Artisphere, but not much since then.  And given the limited dollars that many people (especially the younger crowd that seems to be the target audience) have to spend on entertainment, it’s tough to compete with the great products coming out of the newly-refinished Arena Stage, Synetic Theatre, and the doubled offerings from Shakespeare Theatre Co, it’s tough to break into the buzz.  

That, and it’s tough to build buzz on the DC arts scene when you’re based in Rosslyn…

Any thoughts out there?