Google announced recently that it is planning to launch an experiment to test ultra-high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country.
These networks will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today. Communities being considered will be between 50,000 and 500,000 people.
The thought of having such a blazingly fast service motivated a cadre of Mercedians to pool their efforts. So County and City officials, along with Merced Ahead, the Chamber of Commerced, and Merced Boosters got together to press forward with the initiative.
Whether we get this high speed network remains to be seen. However, a great thing was accomplished in the pooling of energy and creativity that occurred here. Take, for example, the 300 people that got together one Saturday to spell “Google” on a local football field.
There is no way to understate the importance of communities of people working together for the common good. We are always better together than we are apart.
The Letters to the Editor section of the newspaper was longer today than usual. Counting the editorial cartoon the letters occupied a full half of the “Perspective” page. Eight letters comprise what I like to think of as the therapy section of the paper.
We became friends because we were colleagues in the same group. It was a bunch of pastors from the same area of the state. We got together once a month for food and conversation and enjoyed the professional and collegial stimulation.
We went to a New Year’s Eve party at Playhouse Merced. The event started at 8:00 on Wednesday evening, and it was in full swing by the time we arrived. 
When I joined a business networking group, we were taught to be able to give a summary of our business or product in the amount of time needed for an elevator ride—about 60 seconds. It was tough learning to be that succinct, and even now I want to use a few more words.
Recently I got to participate in a two-day set of interviews for openings at a local agency. The candidates were each given a one hour appointment during which they would make their presentation and receive questions from our group.
My secretary ushered in a person I had never met before who had a folder in her hand. “Pastor,” she said. “I want to talk to you about a threat to our religious freedom.” 
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