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Twenty  years ago (1988) today, September 24 we started dating. And we never looked back. We met on the second day of college on the campus of UNR with Billy who I grew up with ski racing. He liked you. I poached on that. Sorry Billy. You were the sooper hot Italian Vegas chic who could ride a motorcycle better than most of the boys. I was a punk skier from Crested Butte who wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to be in college healing up a blown ACL/MCL/meniscus. Every football player on the athlete’s floor in Nye hall wanted to date you and were pissed that you hung out with a scrawny Knoxed bleached hair computer geek. Your parent’s were concerned about you. I was concerned about your Italian family with names like ‘Uncle Frankie, Uncle Mikey and Uncle Babe giving me the shake-down. I survived, even though you nearly drowned me knocking me out cold on a waverunner on Lake Mead and then sticking me in 110 degree heat ’till I got a heat stroke.

We met a lot of people that September of 1988. From the UNR Ski Team, we met Martin. In 1995, we became partners…and in many ways my second wife ever since LOL. Still partners. I ran into a juvenile-delinquent friend of mine from Colorado ski racing circuit in Nye Hall. Dylan! He was with Matt whom he went to GMVS with. Matt. We started going to Matt’s Mom’s house and we hung out with Justin. Matt and I tried to start a ska band and failed. He hooked up with your brother Kenny and the Mudsharks were born. We met Johnny via the Ski Team. I introduced him to your sister at the Tour de Nez party in 1997 coming back from Jim and my bachelor party in the BlackRock desert where we rolled/totaled Martin’s truck. Nobody got hurt. You rolled with it as usual. Johnny started dating your sister, they got married and now he’s my brother in law and they’ve got Otto who’s a nut just like Cody and they’ll certainly be best friends for life shredding everything they do together. Everyone owes me BIG for that introduction. Never forget it.

I met Lanbone who had a crush on your highschool best friend and we met in September. It’s good to have a doctor in the house. Jim went to highschool with you and your sister. He’s up the street too, married to his HS sweetheart. And Matt and Jim’s kids are our kids best friends. If they all end up friends in 20 years it’ll be a pretty cool stroy arc. And if I listed all the friends we made in September, in 1988, in college, it’d take me forever to write this. We made a lot of friends. A lot are seemingly entering the life-long category.

Fifteen years ago (1993) I graduated from UNR and was all set to go to law school. I went climbing in Yosemite with Matt and decided to not go to law school to stay to hang with you. And climb and fly and camp and ride some more. I got a job at Fitzgeralds Gaming group and started to pay off all those student loans I blew on climbing, skiing, paragliding and biking gear that fueled our time together. You started your last year of civil engineering school. We skied Randonee in the Galena bowls every weekend (and then some) on Ramer classics and helped name the runs. I bought you a new Pieps avvy beacon. We still use those beacons. Maybe we should get new beacons for Christmas? My mom died. We got a cat from Billy BadBones and named him Makita. Named him after the drill I used to make that climbing wall in the back of the house. I got a cell phone so we could go climbing on weekends when I was on call for PR emergencies. Ended up at the Beer Barrel and ran into Martin and we started talking about Mozilla and HTML and a business was born a ‘couple years later.

Eleven year ago (1997) we got married in Incline village and no one got arrested but the party got a “little” out of control. The Young Dubliners played the wedding. Dozens of people crashed our party. Over 200 people ended up with severe hangovers, people passed out in planters and in beaches and cars everywhere. We took our gift money and cruised the shoreline of northern California to mid-Oregon and back camping, climbing, fishing and riding bikes. Ate fresh oysters and crab in Shasta. Best honeymoon ever. We bought our first car that was new and had a warranty. You had my Caddy towed away.

Ten years ago (1998): I made you this video. My father died. We celebrated our first year being married. We partied like it was 1999 for the last time. We went to Burning Man. We threw huge block parties at our new California street house. We have lots of photos of people wearing dresses. We weren’t as broke as we were. Aztech started making money and I think we got our sushi on again. Matt and Melissa got married and somehow nobody got hurt. I did get hurt at the X-Games in Crested Butte saucer-crossing and ended up with a lot of stitches in my face. ESPN played it on TV for two years and you weren’t so proud when people called to say I was on TV bleeding. Good times. Blame Martin and Matt. Not me.

Nine years ago (1999): We had an ‘oops’ late New Year’s Eve in Crested Butte…nine months later Logan was born with the legs and lungs of a kid conceived on the wildest night of the century at 9,500 ft. and now loves the snow and the cold as much as his Dad. You worked until the day before you had Logan. You solo-climbed Matterhorn Peak eight-months pregnant in a day. While I was helicopter skiing in the Rubies with Adam you went and bought us a house in the coolest neighborhood in Reno that most of our best friends now live in. It was 850 sq.ft. and had a garage to hold all our toys. You’ve always been the CEO of the house. I hung up the paraglider and we bought a stroller that we could hike with. We went car-camping which was strange but we quickly adjusted to having lots food to camp with. I learned how to cast a fly-rod with Logan in a backpack and not hook him in the back of the head with a #14 Timco. You dropped your career as a civil engineer for full-time Momhood. A lot of your friends give you grief for not working, but I don’t. Our kids kick ass because of it. We may not be able to afford a lot of nice furniture and other useless stuff for the house because of that, but who cares about furniture when you’re never home. We’re bag people. Always on the go.

Seven years ago (2001): You were pregnant with Cody. His hyperactive impatience began at month seven when you went into pre-term labor. For the first of like 19 times we made trips to the ER. You’re Mom moved in with us while you spent seven weeks on the couch all drugged up to keep the little snot baking long enough to come out in good form. Logan started to ski. With your Mom, a dog, a cat and Logan starting to terrorize the house, we decided we needed a bigger house. I decided I needed a bigger business.

Six years ago (2002): Cody was born. Twelve Horses began to run. We started to design an addition to our house. I spent a lot of time on airplanes and in airports. Still do. We started to go to the Balloon Races which I’m still trying to come to grips with. TommyV was killed in an accident and I realized our kids needed to spend a lot of time in Crested Butte. Our gear moved from the living room to the garage and basement like most people and it seemed really strange.

Four years ago (2004): Logan started finished pre-school. We moved out of the house while Johnny and Kenny built our new home. We survived the last time we ever do that again. Our average helmet per family member went to 2. With cousins Aden and Otto, kids and dirty diapers were everywhere and everything was sticky. Logan began to ski well. Cody began to ski. Neve died.They both began to bounce…and bounce…and bounce…will they ever stop BOUNCING!? We got a trampoline…with a net. Great idea that was…it was yours. We spent our winter at Mt. Rose. 

Two years ago (2006): Logan started first grade and his second year of ski team. Cody started his first year of ski team and we bought more helmets and bikes and skis. You watched me hurt myself trying to learn how to ride rails. You ran a half-marathon. We spent two weeks in Crested Butte in the summer and we dusted off the climbing gear. We started to ditch the LoganCody and go for bike rides.We camped. A lot. We started made our second annual flyfishing trips to the Fall River with Lanny, Tim and Matt and others and that’s been our annual get-away from the kids.

One years ago (2007): Justin came back to Reno to shoot a video for a Modest Mouse ‘Little Motel’ song with Cody starring as a dead kid and we missed our first Memorial Day weekend camping trip for as long as we can remember. That was an odd and fun experience. Darin lost the fight to brain cancer and left Melissa and Max and Hudson behind. Logan was in second grade and Cody became a Kindergartner. Makita died. We started BMX racing and our helmet count went to 15. You won your first BMX race. Our gear started living in the house again. We spent 3 weeks in Crested Butte. We’ve still got the same furniture, but all new skis and some new bikes and we spent a killer winter living in Alpine Meadows.

Now: Now we start another 20…30..? Even if it’s half as fun as the last 20, it’ll be twice than most. Nothing’s really changed. We’re still pretty much the same we were twenty years ago, with pretty much the same friends — and a whole lot more, doing the same things we’ve always done…with two booger-eating kids…and I’m the luckiest guy.

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If you’ve ever wondered what kinds of random images wander through the creative minds of well-known artists and performers, now’s your chance to take a peek behind that magic curtain. Saturday night (Sept. 13) Holland Project will exhibit and auction off photographic musings from the likes of Pearl Jam, Sonic Youth, Death Cab for Cutie/Postal Service, Band of Horses, Les Savy Fav, the artists of Dischord Records, Rocky Votolato, Sonny Smith, Matt Messina (Juno), Hot Lixx Hulahan and others. Called the “Indisposable Auction and Exhibition,” this is a pretty cool concept - artists from across the country were sent disposable cameras and asked to shoot the roles in whatever way they wanted. There’s no telling what will end up on the walls, but it’s definitely worth checking out, and it benefits a great local arts org. Work from local favorites will be on display too. SATURDAY, SEPT. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Holland HQ (30 Cheney Ave).

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Mark your calendars -  the 2009 NCET Las Vegas Entrepreneur Expo will be on Friday, February 27, 2009. The Entrepreneur Expo is designed to provide small businesses — and aspiring business owners — with the information needed to start or grow a successful business. The Expo will feature 75 - 100 exhibitors and a series of 45-minute educational seminars. For more information CLICK HERE.

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NCET’s September 9 Tech Tuesday will be held at The Bosma Group, 5575 Kietzke Lane in Reno.  Tech Tuesday is Greater Reno-Tahoe’s premier technology and entrepreneurial networking event. In addition to making new business connections you’ll also have the opportunity to check out The Bosma Group’s new offices – the company provides a wide range of accounting, tax, consulting and other services to entrepreneurs, investors and individual and business clients.

Tuesday, September 9;  5:30 - 7:30 p.m.; $10 donation

RSVP by Monday, September 8 Online or to Emily@NCET.org

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If you’re an entrepreneur looking for venture capital investment,  there’s no better opportunity than the The 8th Annual Silver & Gold Venture Capital Conference. Presented by NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, and Golden Capital Network, the conference introduces a dynamic network of active investors to exciting early-stage growth companies.

The conference features a full day of innovation showcase sessions as entrepreneurs pitch their business plans to panels of angel investors and venture fund partners who will evaluate their presentations. Categories include:

* Seed Stage Startups

* Software and Internet Services

* Communications Technology

* Life Sciences & Biotechnology

* Clean Technology

* New Media/Web 2.0

Plan to Present

Entrepreneurs wishing to present at the conference should apply now. After screening by a selection committee to ensure quality, qualified entrepreneurs will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a $695 presenting company fee, which includes complimentary conference registration, a 10-minute presentation to a panel of qualified investors, and one-page summary in the conference binder. A maximum of 40 companies will be selected, so it is important to complete your application as early as possible.

PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

Plan to Attend OCTOBER 21

* 8th Annual Silver & Gold Venture Capital Conference Only $325

* Dinner Only $75

* Combined Conference and Dinner $395

Plan to Sponsor

Become a sponsor and enjoy privileged access to investors and entrepreneurs. Please contact Dave Archer at Dave@NCET.org or (775) 315-7635

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE

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Do you know an incredible individual or tech company deserving of some recognition for their accomplishments? The NCET Awards will honor those who have “greatly enhanced the growth and prestige of Greater Reno-Tahoe’s technology community.” Nominations are now open, with a deadline of October 1. An awards dinner will be held at Reno’s Peppermill Hotel on October 21, 2008 following the Silver & Gold Venture Capital Conference.

Download Nomination Forms Here

Categories:

People

• Technology Entrepreneur of the Year
• CIO / CTO of Year
• Technology Educator of the Year

Companies

• Technology Company of Year
• Technology Start-up
• Green Company of the Year

View awards criteria here

Awards Dinner – October 21, 2008
Peppermill Hotel Casino, Reno
following the Silver & Gold Venture Capital Conference

Please submit each nomination on a separate form. Nominations must be received by October 1, 2008.

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With all eyes on our uncertain economy, we’re hearing a lot these days about “Innovation-Based Economic Development” – in short, looking to entrepreneurs and tech companies to jump-start our economy. The U.S. Department of Commerce and its state partners are working together to re-focus economic development organizations on these areas. On Wednesday, Sept. 17, TBAN (Technology Business Alliance of Nevada) will host a program titled, “The Idea Economy, Coming Soon to a Community Near You.” Nevada Commission on Economic Development (NCED) Executive Director Michael E. Skaggs will be the featured speaker. If you want to learn more about what Nevada’s ED pros are doing to foster innovation, this is definitely a program worth checking out.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2008
11:30 AM – 1:20 PM
LAWRY’S THE PRIME RIB - 4043 HOWARD HUGHES PKWY

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The City of Reno 2008 Green Summit is scheduled for September 20. I’m stoked that Rocky Anderson is speaking. As many of you know, Twelve Horses has a significant and growing presence in Salt Lake City and because of that I’ve spent a lot of time in the SLC vicinity over the last two years. With every day I spend in Salt Lake City, I become more and more impressed with the accomplishments of that city and the business community. Reno can definitely learn from their success. Rocky Anderson had a lot to do with that success.

I’ve spent about two weeks there over this summer. Between the Utah Transit Authority’s rail system, my bike and some creative carpooling I didn’t have to drive to one meeting, or even to our offices in Draper. It was like living in San Francisco yet surrounded by mountains and ski resorts. Every time I hang out in downtown catching great music shows (like Lucero and Langhorne Slim) I can’t help but think that Reno is but 20 years behind in size yet poised with the opportunity to focus our town’s growth curve with more emphasis on land resource planning, mass transit and all the green-in-between. Where Salt Lake will suffer is that their hockey-stick growth phase occurred during cheap gas and real estate. Consequently their town is a very car-dependent culture where people live dozens and dozens of miles from their place of work.

So back to Reno:

Jason Geddes kicks ass. Not only does he share in my penchant for cowboy boots, shirts with mother-of-pearl buttons and chasing Chukar, but he’s local visionary leader that’s dragging Reno (sometimes kicking and screaming) into a future that I want to live in. A Winnemucca/Gabbs native, petroleum chemist and former State Assemblyman, Jason assisted Chuck Alvey take the patchouli-edge off of “green” in the EDAWN business development and economic diversification dialog and made huge progress in his time there. Currently he’s a Regent with the University of Nevada and serves the City of Reno as our town’s Environmental services Administrator. He’s also married to Cindy Geddes who’s one of the best writers here locally.

Jason got the Green Summit off of the ground last year. The first Green Summit was held in April of 2007 and served as a dialogue between Council, staff, and citizens on what the City could do to make Reno more “green”. There were almost 400 people in attendance. The 2008 Green Summit is intended to be a report back to the community on action taken since the last summit, and a continued dialogue on what the City should have as priorities in the 2008-2009 Green Action plan.

[Side note: Jason works with another great organization in this community, Nevada EcoNET. Every Wednesday night this summer the City of Reno's West Street Market features “Eco-Nights” produced by Nevada EcoNet. Click here to read about it. Props to Lauren Siegel and the City of Reno for putting this on!] 

Here’s the deets on the 2008 City of Reno Green Summit:

Location: Joe Crowley Student Union-Ballroom, University of Nevada, Reno

Time: 1-5pm, Date: September 20

Program:

• 1:00-1:45 Welcome by Mayor and Council and Report to Community
• 1:45-2:30 Keynote Speaker- Rocky Anderson, Former Mayor of Salt Lake City
• 2:30-3:00 Break
• 3:00-5:00 Concurrent Break-Out Sessions –Moderated
• A- Single Stream Recycling and Plastic Bag Bans
• B- Education/Youth Programs-EnAct/Youth City Council
• C- Green Building and Sierra Green Guidelines
• D- Transportation

Keynote Speaker - The Honorable Rocky Anderson, founder of High Road for Human Rights, practiced law for 21 years; representing plaintiffs in antitrust, securities fraud, professional negligence, and civil rights cases. He then served as mayor of Salt Lake City from 2000 to 2008.

His comprehensive environmental programs, including an aggressive climate protection campaign, achieved a 31% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Salt Lake City’s municipal operations.

For his leadership on climate change, Anderson received the Climate Protection Award from the EPA, the Distinguished Service Award from the Sierra Club, and the World Leadership Award from the World Leadership Forum.

Anderson is now working to achieve municipal and regional support for climate protection initiatives and to provide grassroots education and advocacy opportunities in the areas of human rights and climate change.

  Incidentally, here’s some photos I snapped on the ‘ol trusty Nokia N95 while I was roaming downtown Salt Lake City with @leilanis during National Ride Your Bike to Work Week campaign. Obviously I thought it was brilliant!

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