Marine Industry Changes and Recreational Boating: Mystique Still Floats!

Boating for some is a hobby, for some a passion, still others inspiration, and for a lucky few an encompassing lifestyle! No matter what brings you to the world of boating and sailing it is now the time you spend on the water that counts. People are becoming more drawn to the world of boating and new investments around San Diego and places as far as Escanaba have experienced growing interest in their harbors. Whether you are on the Pacific Ocean or on the Great Lakes, the joys of sailing are not just for scallywags and salty dogs but also for those who enjoy the freedom of nature to unknown destinations.

Growth in Recreational Boating:

The future of recreational boating looks it is staying afloat according to this report. It discusses the issues facing the marine industries as well the 5-7% growth rate of recreational boating and a rise in alternative propulsion. Customers also seem to want customization, eco friendly boats, boat rentals for the experience, and technology on boats.   Navigating Marine Industry Trends: Financial Results and Market Outlook for 2025

The Story of Mystique:

The ship Mystique almost sun and was saved by dock hands. The damage to the wiring and bildge pump is going to cost a few thousand dollars. The people who sail Mystique in San Diego are very nice group of recreational boaters that are hoping to engage in some of the fun races in the future (Lots of fun races in the SD area. It is a type of lifestyle.). The captain has a Go Fund Me Page Here if you would like to contribute to their repair work. 

The captain enjoys taking her friends and club members out for leisure trips. She always has an open heart when it comes to good people and good fun. 

Escanaba City Council Regular Meeting Thursday (April 17, 2025): Grants and Arbor Day

The city had done a strong job maximizing grants and other value driven initiatives in their development and reemergence.

April 17th, 2025 Escanaba Agenda Review the budget, economics and costs.

Don't forget to plant a tree Arbor Day April 25th, 2025

The city is on a positive trajectory and effectively navigating wider market adjustments (It could actually be an opportunity if a few more businesses move to the area.). 

Honoring Pope Francis and His Contribution to Humanity

It is important to honor the loss to humanity of spiritual leaders such as Pope Francis who worked on the behalf of the poor, downtrodden and often those discarded by society. There are spiritual leaders of different religions that teach us the importance of treating each other well and living for something beyond the day. Some may call these Philosophers of God who teach people about the world. Most religious have their own spirtual leaders who reach for a higher more noble world. Such knowledge helps us put or own lives in perspective and the choices and actions we take every day. If you believe there is something more beyond your time here then you will be your own advocate for personal improvement. Vatican News: Pope Francis Passes Away

Delta County MI Board of Commissioners Meeting (4/15/2025): County Level Decision Making

The video highlights the variety of topics discussed at the meeting including the airport, parks, grants, processes, so on and so forth. The participants engaged in constuctive dialogue and brought forward ideas for the rest of the committee to ponder. Strong decision making relies on the usefulness of information that occurs through dialogue.

Just as an example, you must make a choice between A and B but have limited information. One might anchor their decisions based on long term objectives, development plans, market needs, citizen sentiment, etc.  

Thinking about the total ability to obtain data for informed decision making to achieve certain objectives can help in successful long-term management. What type of data one can collect, how often they receive such feedback, whether it's in useful form, etc. would likely have some influence on strategic alignment of such choices and in turn their total impact. 

Evidence Based Management County Level

Cross Sector Collaboration Study (Economic Cluster Development)

Understanding a complex phenomenon like an economic cluster requires the ability to continuously read and evaluate available research literature on related issues/topics. I'm working on an economic piece on the concept of transactional clusters so reading other's research helps to ensure appropriate context of those efforts. Hopefully to be published in a scientific journal somewhere (probably not groundbreaking). Likewise, some of the information will be used in the last chapter of a book discussing why entities might collaborate around a problem. The more studies one reads, generally the more knowledgeable one becomes on a topic, and more likely to understand how others as well as mine are formed (similarities and differences). For research studies this is used as a literary discussion which is necessary for complex theoretical models (For example, I have 15+ years of research but am writing it in smaller batches based on that information.) The background is important for research and theory development  (You can read What Are Literature Reviews?).

Here is what I found in the study,

Cross Sector Collaboration Study

Notice from the study why and how organizations will sometimes collaborate with each other to achieve certain goals. The authors also mention the community as a major influence and that is important. Community is a primary source of economic growth but is often neglected in economic theory. This is also why our previous discussions on the blog include the social development of community as a major input factor and benefactor of economic growth (This is becoming increasingly important as wealth gaps rise and zip code as a major factor in life quality. Finding ways to increase quality of life for local residents in our model is part of community support, individual effort, and purpose that underline all sustainable economic engines.).

There is also a level of discussion on data and data collection. Data is used to assess an issue and evaluate such information for possible cause and/or association. Within the model I have been working on it is possible to collect data and measure the value of that data in a way that provides a dashboard health of an entire cluster that would allow for better policy development and overall cluster management. Because elements interact within a cluster they also should be measure in different ways to better understand the flow of such elements within a system.

The study provides some interesting information on mutual learning and blaming loops. There are going to be agreement and disagreements about when and how things function, so some organizational framework is likely needed to handle lack of interest on certain projects that still need support (i.e. a fund on cluster-based research not specific to any study or industry but to general cluster problems as one possibility). Different interests come into play when collaborating on key objectives, projects, etc. The areas where entities in the study collaborated are around education, economic development, and public safety. The manuscript also discusses what happens under a blaming loop. In collaborative efforts you want to avoid non-constructive engagement.

Santiago Pulido-Gómez, Jorrit de Jong, Jan W Rivkin, Cross-sector collaboration in cities: learning journey or blame game?, Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 2025;, muae026, https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/muae026

Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Full Remarks at Economic Club of Chicago

This discussion provided an excellent broad overview of the economy through the Fed Chair's perspective. Dr. Powell offered some key insights and viewpoints. Surprisingly he comes up with some quick witty answers to tricky questions. The ability to answer questions on the fly comes from years of experience and knowledge. 

This event was hosted at the Economic Club of Chicago (I am also putting the Detroit Economic Club because that is another site to bookmark. I included the YouTube Links to both in the right hand column because they have some pretty good videos.)

If you own a business or are an executive try and stay on top of the economic news because it helps you make better business and investment decisions.

Visions Museum of Textile Art Fundraiser April 26th, 2025 (Moral Economies and Matrilineages of Quilts)

Quilting was once a requirement for families that wanted to conserve cloth by making blankets and other useful tools of life. Quilting also is sometimes a masterful show spanning the full color spectrum. The Visions Museum of Textile Art provides an eye sensory experience of robust colorful displays and hand-crafted work that could take a month or longer to finish. The time and expertise needed to complete one of these dazzling works is significant and the skill necessary to create quilted pieces of textile art were years in the making. 

There is a story behind quilt making. Quilts are more than something to throw over a bed. Moral and matrilineages stories are often woven into some pieces. You may read about the history of quilting in Moral Economies and Matrilineages (pdf).

The museum offers some unique quilting displays, education, and information, Their purpose is, "Visions Museum of Textile Art celebrates and advances contemporary quilting and textile art through exhibitions that explore cultural traditions, contemporary relevance, and innovative creativity."

They also do a few nice things for others such as,

• Support the families of LA fire victims with art pieces.
• Further they partner with Liberty School to teach kids about art and showcase their work for visitors. I saw two pieces that I thought were done by professionals. Liberty School Program

Upcoming Threads of Time Art Auction and Fundraiser Event

Because of the value such quilting offers to society you may want to support the Visions Museum of Textile Art by attending the April 26th art piece auction. Purchasing items helps supports the museum and the artists.

Consider joining the Threads of Time Auction
April 26th, 2025 5:30 to 8pm

• Wearable art show featuring Mesa Fashion Program
• Art engagement
• Food and drinks
• Silent and live auctions of artwork.

If your more interested in a donation you can do that HERE