Hi John, re: economy
I hear that a Silicon Valley fedex office recently cut hours for their workers/drivers because work is still pretty slow.
Quite a few businesses have gone under it seems. Even the non high-tech firms too: a coffee shop next to one of the larger high-tech buildings, some (or eventually all?) Good Earth restaurants are being sold, a couple of stores on Saratoga Avenue (furniture stores, etc.) are being closed.
I recently returned from a two week vacation from the state I grew up in (first time I ever asked an 'employer' for two weeks of vacation!) Businesses in one city were healthy and seemed to be booming somewhat (there were a lot of help wanted signs, no vacancies), which was nice to see. I don't think they've been affected yet. They have recently attracted many biotechs startups to the area (surprising for a small town that didn't even have a starbucks) and it was listed in Forbes as one of the top places for startups, so I suspect this is a contributing factor as to why their growth is doing okay even during a US-wide manufacturing downturn.
But while on this trip, I had a bit of an uneasy feeling that biotech is not just the new/current hot thing for a year now, but more of a very long, series of repeated waves over many years. Have you ever invested in biotech? Not something I'm going to try at this point in my life.
On this trip, I finally had a chance to go swimming in a warm lake (one of my absolute favorite sport activities, but unfortunately, it appears not something one can do in Northern California where the lakes are quite cold, spring fed.) It was the same lake that I have been swimming in since I was about 7 years old.
On the trip, I got in touch with some of my friends, one from seventh grade and through her a friend from second grade. Small cities are amazing this way - everyone seems to know everyone. Makes it a warm, friendly and cozy place to visit.
Regards,
Amy J |
