Who Gets What?

Organized in 2002, The Formosa Quartet recently "kickstarted" a CD. A member of the quartet is Jasmine Lin, competitor in an early edition of The International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, and a student of its founder, Josef Gingold.   In this conversation with Jasmine, we learn about revenue sources, the crowd funding technique, playing in subways, how classical music affects loiterers, the quartet's foray into the jazz of Stephene Grappelli, and Jasmine's visit to Indiana University.  

Greg Osborne ("Oz"), a wine and spirits vendor since 1980, talks about dynamics of the wine business. He purchases most wines sold by The 21st Amendment, and sells many bottles from a door on 86th Street.  

Urban transportation dominates this discussion between John, Morton, and Bob Kennedy, long-time Indianapolis resident, activist and observer who is architect, urban planner, former director of the Metropolitan Development Commission, former lead architect of our library system, and a founder of "Rethink 65-70," a volunteer citizens group offering ideas on the Indianapolis inner city interstate highway loop.  (https://rethink65-70.org)> Bob believes that future transportation efficiency involves "The Last Mile," services between destination and drop off, such as stations along the new Indianapolis Red Line bus system.  One solution is ride sharing.    

John and Morton talk about the function of The Federal Home Loan Bank system with Michael J. Hannigan, Jr., a director of the FHLB of Indianapolis, who served a term as vice chair. Mike proposes that liberalization of lending criteria led to the crash of 2008, and that related restrictions legislated since that time are too onerous.      

President Trump hinted at the content and direction of jobs data one hour prior to official release.   Morton believes this is an affront to the integrity of data, and a step toward political control of the accuracy and timing of information.

Owner, operator of Myprettybabi.com, Francisnelli Bailoni Santos Tuca, of Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, describes her two businesses.  The first is walking dogs by way of WAG, a program that matches dog owners with dog walkers.   Her second business is handmade embroidery and crochet, plus jewelry and accessories, for both living pets and for memorials.    

Our guest, Bill Briscoe, is a retired Monsanto product manager who, in 1970, helped to create and produce the world's first commercial plastic soft drink container.   Bill describes how the original product would have served well, but was taken off the market by FDA action, reversed five years later, but, by then, too late, because a different product dominated the market.  

Morton Marcus and John Guy interview real estate investor Laura Guy about gentrification, buying and selling properties, and improving our community.

Wide ranging discussion of railroad travel.

Does a negative balance of trade matter?

Why do service representatives stand all day? Does it hurt? Could not airlines, grocery stores, and others, allow employees to sit, as in Europe?

A discussion about the condition of roads in Indianapolis with consultant Allen Ray Davidson, a road pavement engineer with The Indiana Department of Transportation.

Problems with Indianapolis streets.  Solution?  A billion dollars or more.

Is inflation around the corner?  We do not know, but, looking back, it has been insidious.  That, plus advice on selecting a career or business.  

Are stock market providers misleading the public?   Are they asking the public to assume too much risk?  Should government act to reduce the sharp movements of the market?

John and Morton's inaugural podcast.