DNA, NA 1st, trust, verification, and boy, I'm in a cynical mood this morning.

I've received information from Develop New Albany, but first, let's turn to Wikipedia for valuable interpretive advice.

Trust, but verify

Trust, but verify is a form of advice given which recommends that while a source of information might be considered reliable, one should perform additional research to verify that such information is accurate, or trustworthy. The term was a signature phrase adopted and made famous by U.S. president Ronald Reagan. Reagan frequently used it when discussing U.S. relations with the Soviet Union. The phrase was originated by Russian leader Vladimir Lenin.

The phrase was learned by Reagan from Suzanne Massie, a writer on Russia. She told Reagan, "The Russians like to talk in proverbs. It would be nice of you to know a few. You are an actor – you can learn them very quickly". The original Russian proverb is a short rhyme which states, Доверяй, но проверяй (doveryai, no proveryai).

After Reagan used the phrase at the signing of the INF Treaty, his counterpart Mikhail Gorbachev responded: "You repeat that at every meeting," to which Reagan answered "I like it."

There is a "Be Local" expo on April 1, ostensibly as co-sponsored by Develop New Albany and New Albany First ... and detente's fine by me. It could be worse. One Southern Indiana's "Think Local" abomination could be part of the mix.

Vendors must pay $50 to display, and there's nothing wrong with that, except that it's "$75 for non-members," and so perhaps some verification is on order: Are these classes of membership and non-membership  applicable to DNA, NA1st, or both?

What about my forthcoming new downtown business alliance, which is to be called the Pants Down Eat Me Axis of Unaffiliated Bastard Children?

Hmm, does it say somewhere in the fine print that we pay $150? I don't care about the damned money ... I just want official credit for paying it.

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New Albany's "Be Local" Expo - April 2nd:

Develop New Albany and New Albany 1st invite you to participate in the 2013 "Be Local" Expo. The Be Local Expo is a business Expo and celebration of our locally owned New Albany Area Businesses. If you would like to register as a vendor for this event please see the registration form below. The event will be held this year at the Calumet Club Bliss Ballroom. Admission is free. Come out on April 2nd and get to know your locally owned New Albany Business community!

2013 Be Local Expo Vendor Application