The Importance of Community: Good Friends, Ballet, and a Little Fraternity Spirit (Gen Z Confident in their Social Skills)

Today was an interesting day, with two very different social events—and a good reminder of why community matters.

I grew up around social clubs, including the Elks, Eagles, and various military clubs. One thing I've learned over the years is that you meet some genuinely good people through these organizations. Small towns are a little different. In a place like Escanaba, you can get to know people pretty quickly. In a place like San Diego, with so many people, it takes a little more time. But eventually, you start building those relationships.

I've been involved with a fraternity in both Michigan and California, and over time, I've developed some great friendships. Some of these people I've known for years, and it's always nice to get together.

I also attended an event at Point Loma Assembly. That's a pretty cool place. I enjoy the people there because they're genuinely interested in helping others and building a better community. They're intelligent, well-dressed, and carry themselves with a certain class. It's refreshing to be around people who care about their community and take an active role in it.

I think everyone should have multiple dimensions to their lives. I certainly do. I can work on a car like a grease monkey, hike through the woods, dress up for an evening out, enjoy a glass of wine, or have a cheap domestic beer. I'm pretty comfortable moving between different environments. And honestly, I think that's a good thing. It gives you a broader perspective and helps develop social awareness. Life is too short to limit yourself to one crowd or one way of doing things.

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The event included several ballet performances, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I've danced myself, so I have a real appreciation for the discipline, practice, and athleticism involved. You can see when dancers reach that higher level of performance. They make something incredibly difficult look effortless, which is part of what makes ballet so impressive. The San Diego Ballet put on a great show. There were also some good snacks, which certainly didn't hurt! (Pretzle buns were delicious! Chewy!)

A little later, I met up with some of my fraternity friends in Point Loma. Unfortunately, we've recently lost a few members, so we took some time to write letters to their families. Someone even brought out an old-fashioned fraternity seal. You know, the kind that goes with those old letters where you weren't supposed to break the seal? It was a nice touch and brought back some memories.

It's a meaningful tradition. We wanted the families to know that the fraternity is thinking about them and that we're here to support them. Death is part of life, but that doesn't mean people should have to go through difficult times alone. That's one of the things a good organization and a good community should provide: friendship, support, and a sense of belonging. The letter to grand children is especially valuable and that is what makes a traditional fraternity like this one important. 

And that's really the bigger point.

If you've never been involved in a social club, fraternity/serority, service organization, or community group, I encourage you to give one a try. You might be surprised by the friendships you develop and the experiences you have. 

We live in a complicated world, and I think we could all use a little more community. We need places where people can come together, get to know one another, share experiences, and do something positive for society. Not everything has to be about work, politics, or whatever crisis happens to be dominating the news that day.

Sometimes it's just about enjoying good company, appreciating a little ballet, sharing a beer, and helping a friend when life gets difficult.

That's not a bad way to spend a day.

I've included this 2026 article below that you might find interesting,

Gen Z Is Just as Confident in Its Social Skills as Older Generations, Despite Criticism

• 47% of Gen Z respondents say they are very confident in their in-person social skills.

• 62% of Americans believe young people struggle with active listening.

• 54% identify difficulty maintaining focus during conversations as a weakness.

• More than half believe AI is negatively affecting face-to-face communication.

• 91% support colleges helping students develop social skills through clubs, discussions, and internships.

Franco, I. (2026, September 21). Gen Z is just as confident in their social skills as older generations: CNBC survey. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/make-it/2026/09/21/gen-z-social-skills-confidence-cnbc-survey.html

Unemployent Insurance Weekly Claims Ending November 7th, 2026: Stable

 The U.S. labor market showed signs of stability for the week ending November 7, with unemployment claims remaining relatively unchanged. That is encouraging news, as stable employment with modest job growth would be a positive sign for the economy.

Michigan and California showed mixed results. California experienced an increase in unemployment claims, while Michigan saw a decline.

Unemployment claims are an important economic indicator because they help reveal pressures in the labor market. They also provide insight into whether businesses are expanding, maintaining their workforce, or beginning to scale back employment.

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report: November 12, 2026

• Initial unemployment claims increased by 9,000 to 200,000 for the week ending November 7, 2026.

• The four-week moving average remained unchanged at 195,250, indicating that initial unemployment claims have been relatively stable.

• Continuing unemployment claims decreased by 20,000 to approximately 1.697 million for the week ending October 31.

• Unemployment claims remain lower than a year ago. Initial claims were 228,000 during the comparable week in 2025, while continuing claims were approximately 1.946 million.

• State highlights:

  • California: Initial claims totaled 45,021, an increase of 5,047 from the previous week. Insured unemployment totaled 323,339, an increase of 18,204.

  • Michigan: Initial claims totaled 2,331, a decrease of 2,996 from the previous week. Insured unemployment totaled 30,071, compared with 44,849 the previous week.

  • California's insured unemployment rate was 1.7%, while Michigan's was 1.0% in the state rate table.

U.S. Department of Labor. (2026, November 12). Unemployment insurance weekly claims. https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf

S&P 500 Global Business Outlook a Little Lower October 2026

The S&P 500 Global Business Outlook weakened slightly in October, declining from 37 to 32, suggesting some erosion in business confidence. Rising costs and inflation continue to concern businesses. Expectations for corporate profitability also declined from 21 to 16, indicating that companies are becoming less optimistic about how much money they will make in the near future. Capital expenditure expectations, however, remained relatively unchanged.

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This isn't necessarily a terrible report, but it does suggest some concern about a potential slowdown in business activity. Business confidence is important because it influences decisions about future spending, investments, hiring, and purchasing. When businesses become less confident, they may slow their spending, which can reduce transactions throughout the economy and contribute to slower economic growth. Of course, this is just one indicator, and it's important to examine it alongside other economic data to get a more complete picture of where the economy is heading. 

S&P Global US Business Outlook: Business Outlook Weakens During October Amid Uncertainty and Elevated Inflation Expectations

• US private sector confidence dropped as the headline net balance for business activity expectations fell from +37% in June to +32% in October.

• Inflation was the key headwind, pushing non-staff input cost expectations to +33% and staff costs to +42%, which drove selling price expectations up to +42%.

• Corporate profitability expectations fell from +21% in June to +16% in October, reaching a near three-year low.

• Employment growth expectations sank to +9%, marking the weakest outlook for job creation since June 2020.

• Capital expenditure plans remained steady at +16%, while R&D spending expectations edged up to +4%, driven partly by service-sector AI adoption.

S&P Global. (2026, November 11). Business outlook weakens during October amid uncertainty and elevated inflation expectations [Press release]. https://www.pmi.spglobal.com/Public/Home/PressRelease/586139708c2b4544a0adec25e9ba53e7

Happy Veterans Day

 A lot of veteran stuff going on from Marine Corps birthday to Veterans Day and local free eats. This is what makes communities wonderful. 

You may be interested in the History of Veterans Day

Free Veterans Appreciation Dinner November 11th American Legion (Gladstone, MI.)

 If your in the Escanaba area you may want to attend this free dinner if your a veteran. 

October CPI: A Few Adjustments for an Expensive World: Making Inflation Work Around You

Well, consumer prices haven't come down yet, so people are still feeling that pinch. I don't know about the rest of you, but I've started adjusting some of my habits and priorities to deal with the rising costs.

I've got a few things I'm working toward, including eventually saving enough to buy some land for a hobby farm. As you get closer to retirement, you start thinking a little differently about what you want out of life and where you want to put your money. Unfortunately, inflation has a way of reminding you that dreams aren't cheap!

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Inflation what?

So I've started reorganizing things. If everything is getting more expensive, maybe it's time to cut back on some of the things that aren't really that important and build a little more financial cushion. Last year seemed to be all about cars, repairs, and keeping things running. This year, I'm trying to focus on new experiences and putting some money aside for something different.

One thing I've discovered is how much I enjoy cooking at home. I don't need to eat out every night, and frankly, the amount of money I used to spend on things I didn't really need is pretty shocking. The funny thing is, my quality of life has actually improved. I'm eating better, enjoying the process, and keeping more money in my pocket. Who knew saving money could taste so good?

The point is that sometimes we have more control over our spending habits than we think. A few adjustments can make a real difference. Maybe it's time to rethink some of those purchases and decide whether they really add much value to your life.

Anyway, good luck out there. Inflation hasn't gotten the memo that we're all trying to save money, so we'll just have to get a little smarter about how we spend it! 

U.S. Consumer Price Index: October 2026

• Overall inflation increased 0.4% in October, down from 0.6% in September, indicating a slight slowdown in price increases.

• Housing and food costs continued to rise, with shelter increasing 0.3% and food prices increasing 0.5%.

• Energy prices increased 0.7%, while gasoline prices rose 1.0%.

• Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3%, showing that underlying price pressures remain.

• Businesses and consumers continue to face higher costs, making inflation an important consideration in budgeting, pricing, purchasing, and financial planning.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, November 10). Consumer Price Index—October 2026. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi_11102026.htm

An interesting article,

US consumer prices rise briskly for third straight month

*If you like these free articles feel free to buy an art piece, product, or advertising space.

Happy 251 Years Marine Corps-Always Faithful!

 Today marks the birthday of the United States Marine Corps, an organization built on old-world principles and traditions but continually adapted to meet the demands of the modern world. It represents a commitment to service, sacrifice, discipline, and leadership.

Marines are often regarded as elite warriors, but their purpose extends beyond the battlefield. They are servants of society, committed to something larger than themselves. It can last a lifetime and that is honorable. The Marine Corps teaches strong values—values that stand firm even amid the changing attitudes and challenges of the times.

All branches of the military provide tremendous service to our country. However, there is something particularly meaningful about choosing to sacrifice for a cause greater than oneself. That commitment demands an extraordinary level of integrity, character, and leadership. These are lessons the Marine Corps instills in its members, lessons that can be difficult to find and develop elsewhere.

So, hats off to the United States Marine Corps and to the men and women who have served, sacrificed, and continue to uphold its traditions.

It is also worth taking the time to study the Corps' history. History does not exist in isolation. Events from the past shape the present, and understanding those connections helps us make sense of the world around us. We can better understand the present by studying the past, and we can better prepare for the future by learning to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

Happy Birthday, Marines. Semper Fidelis.

Marine Corps Celebrates Its Service and History on 251st Birthday