Other people's business Nov. 5

Financial guru Jeff Thredgold, who has appeared on CNN and CNBC-TV, will speak at a breakfast 7 to 9 a.m. on Nov. 19 at Carson Valley Inn.

The Northern Nevada Development Authority, the Business Council of Douglas County, and the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce have arranged for the speaker, who will discuss the changing economic environment of 2009.

He will discuss the competitive position of U.S. companies and the effects of the rescue package recently passed by Congress.

With 23 years of experience, Thredgold now serves as an economic consultant to the $55 billion Zions Bancorporation with affiliate banks in 10 states, including local affiliate Nevada State Bank, which is sponsoring the event.

Thredgold is the author of a weekly economic and financial newsletter and has authored a number of books, including "On The One Hand...The Economist's Joke Book."

For more information or to reserve a seat, call the Northern Nevada Development Authority at (775) 883-4413.

Country Financial agents Rhonda Moore, Sean Marler and Sandy Hannah are working to support the men and women who have been deployed for war.

Letters and care packages collected at their Minden office will be sent to military personnel using guidelines provided by Any Soldier, Inc., an organization that supports military personnel who don't regularly receive mail.

"Not all military personnel receive letters and/or packages," said Moore. "They all deserve recognition, and this is our way of giving back."

"It's important to encourage our troops who are in harm's way," said Marler. "Any Soldier, Inc., supports thousands of military personnel. Working with their guidelines ensures letters and care packages from our communities will be given to those who need them most."

Items collected at the Country office will be sent to the Army 163rd M.I. Co. and a new Marine unit.

The military contacts for these units registered with Any Soldier, Inc., can deliver packages to 200 males and 25 females.

According to Any Soldier, Inc., soldiers request letters more than any other item.

However, acceptable food items include raviolis/canned foods, nonchocolate candy items, Otter Pops, sunflower seeds, beef jerky, cookies, nuts, gum, herbal tea bags and powdered Gatorade.

Acceptable nonfood items include baby wipes, toothpaste, mouth wash, lotion, nonaerosol bug repellent and deodorant, shaving cream, razors, magazines, books, and music CDs of any genre.

Country Insurance & Financial Services is located at 1664 Highway 395, Suite 104, in Minden.

Call 782-8363 for more information.