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The Insider Notebook

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NOTEBOOK: Crosbie’s top-notch trademark

Rowena Crosbie’s business training firm, Tero International, was one of the sponsors of the Business Record’s June 1 Power Breakfast on how businesses can prepare for waves of retiring baby boomers. Not surprisingly, Crosbie pitched …

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NOTEBOOK: Tollakson hears from Siri during meeting

Hubbell Realty Co. chief Rick Tollakson apparently was multitasking as a string of speakers updated dozens of Des Moines leaders about Tomorrow Plan achievements the other day. “I didn’t quite get that!” Siri exclaimed loudly, …

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NOTEBOOK: Crowdfunding makes an appearance in Greater Des Moines

You can’t call it a trend or even a big movement yet, but investors who pool their dollars to buy commercial real estate are showing up in the Greater Des Moines market. While some national …

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NOTEBOOK: Kent picks up honorary degree at Simpson

Simpson College recently gave one of its trustees, Gage Kent of Kent Corp., an honorary doctorate for his service to the school. But a quick read of his activities shows he’s active in innovation circles …

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NOTEBOOK: Watch another type of nest egg hatch at Wells Fargo

The ospreys have returned to their nest atop a 55-foot pole on the Wells Fargo campus, and there are already three eggs on the nest, Wells Fargo spokesman Steve Carlson said. The live osprey cam is up …

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NOTEBOOK: Did you know? New global trade strategy

  The Greater Des Moines Partnership has launched a new global trade strategy this year. It is working with the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase after a study showed Greater Des Moines lagging in foreign…
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NOTEBOOK: Tomorrow Plan Year Three

  I sat in on the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Year Three kickoff event and review of the Tomorrow Plan initiative, a voluntary plan for the sustainable development of the region for the…
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NOTEBOOK: Did you know: Tomorrow Plan grant origins

Chalk this up to the “did you know” file. The Tomorrow Plan is entering year three of implementation, but it might not have ever taken off if not for the keen grant-seeking eye of Aaron Todd. Todd, now the …

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NOTEBOOK: Pinky Swear Foundation increases Iowa presence

The Pinky Swear Foundation, which has partnered with HyVee Inc. to host the Hy-Vee Kids triathlon fundraising events the past two years, wants to increase its ties with Iowa community leaders and businesses. In April …

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NOTEBOOK: Tiny homes for the homeless video

You might have heard about an effort that Central-Iowa based nonprofit Joppa Outreach, which serves Des Moines’ homeless population, is currently working on to build a village of roughly 50 tiny homes.


The tiny homes would each…