This week in BiS magazine:
• John Curry, the third generation of his family to own Curry Dry Cleaners, says they’re successful because they’re passionate about people and try to build friendships with their customers.
• Sarah Woolwine, the owner and lead stylist at Dragoncut Studio Salon, finds being the owner both exciting and nerve wracking as she tries to build a staff that emphasizes quality over quantity — “I’m not just building a team; I am building a family.”
• Economist Kenneth Zapp writes that one of the few issues on which economists agree is that education is the most effective tool for reducing poverty or enhancing economic opportunities but local and state policy makers don’t see short-term benefits.
• Tax accountant Brian Prevatt suggests — as long as we have an income tax — creative and ethical tax professionals will seek ways to achieve effective income deferrals.
Home prices in Savannah increase
In Savannah, home prices, including distressed sales, increased by 6.2 percent in August 2014 compared to August 2013, according to information released Tuesday by CoreLogic, a property information provider.
On a month-over-month basis, Savannah’s home prices, including distressed sales, decreased by 0.1 percent in August 2014 compared to July 2014.
Excluding distressed sales, year-over-year prices increased by 2.2 percent in August 2014 compared to August 2013. On a month-over-month basis, excluding distressed sales, the CoreLogic HPI indicates home prices decreased by 0.5 percent in August 2014 compared to July 2014.
Home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased 6.4 percent in August 2014 compared to August 2013. This change represents 30 months of consecutive year-over-year increases in home prices nationally.
Geekend’s keynote speakers announced for finale
The creators of OhHeckYeah, Brian Corrigan and Justin Gitlin, will be the finale keynote speakers at Geekend 2014, scheduled for Nov. 13–15 in Savannah.
OhHeckYeah was an interactive, immersive urban gaming experience held in Denver in June. Using giant LED billboards as larger-than-life game screens, players interacted with the games using their bodies, with every foot shuffle and arm wave moving the characters on screen.
At Geekend, Corrigan and Gitlin will discuss how to integrate play and tech into the built environment to produce communities that are more connected, creative and vibrant.
OhHeckYeah joins previously-announced TechShop CEO Mark Hatch and True Ventures founder John Burke as keynote speakers at Geekend 2014.
Registration to Geekend is $225, including access to speakers and workshops, lunches and admission to all receptions. For more information and registration, log onto www.geek-end.com.