I'm writing for a new website, www.letssavemichigan.com My first blog includes an interview with ArtPrize - Grand Rapids planner Bill Holsinger - Robinson. The city-wide event is happening in Grand Rapids, MI right now. You all still have a chance to visit and vote on your favorite artworks.

Holsinger-Robinson helped make the decisions that went into hosting what they are calling "the world's largest art prize," (heck, they're giving away 500,000 green ones). The event was thought up by Rick DeVos, CEO of film website www.spout.com, entrepreneur, and member of the well-known, perhaps high-profile, DeVos family - who contributed the prize money. If the event is a success, it is predicted that Grand Rapids will benefit from it long after the 1,262 artists from around the world pack up shop, when it concludes October 10th, 2009.  

I picked out 6 "words of advice" from our conversation. They outline some of the practical, and not so traditional decisions that happened before planners set the event off on her maiden voyage. 

Read "How to plan the world's largest art prize" at www.letssavemichigan.com 

Ice covered Kentucky in late January 2009, causing massive power outages, downing trees and wires, and ravaging the landscape, during what was deemed “The Storm of the Century.” The city of Madisonville, located in Hopkins County, was hit hard. The county’s approximate 46,500 residents were left without basic services, and vast numbers lived in this darkness for weeks.

As soon as he got cell phone reception back, Madisonville Mayor Will Cox began using his Facebook account to reach out, by posting status updates and responding to direct messages from his iPhone. His proactive use of wireless technology in response to the crisis led to him being honored with a VITA (TM) Wireless Samaritan Award by The Wireless Foundation and The Wireless Association® in June.

Read my article in the Review to hear this unusual tale of ice, blackouts, and how to use Facebook in an emergency. 

Muskegon, Michigan’s downtown website, exemplifies how a crisp, user-friendly web interface with dynamic, up-to-date content, and the utilization of multimedia and social networking features can help cities achieve their promotional goals. As the web is reaching its maturity, it is critical for cities to harness its power and take advantage of the opportunities that it creates for reaching internet users and keeping their attention.

The website is run by Muskegon Main Street, a non-profit that set up the site after being designated as a Michigan Main Street program by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority five years ago. It features updated news stories on what is happening downtown, a downtown blog, links to subscribe to a biweekly email newsletter, a live downtown development webcam, a regularly refreshed events calendar, an interactive map, and links to external social networking sites, including YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, and Facebook.

Read my article in the Review to find out how Web 2.0 is working out for downtownmuskegon.org 

The September - December edition of the Crazy Wisdom Community Journal has hit stands. My contribution, the "What's New in the Community" column, includes interviews with holistic practitioners, therapists, instructors, and workshop leaders in the Ann Arbor area.

In this edition, the "What's New" column features information about two new comprehensive holistic health centers in Ann Arbor; an interview with Jewel Heart's founder Gelek Rimpoche on the occasion of his 70's birthday; insights from storyteller and author Rafe Martin; and the story of Ypsilanti-based community garden project Growing Hope. The "What's New" column also features profiles of new and established practitioners and businesses working in holistic-oriented fields. In addition, you will find brief announcements of new businesses, offerings, events, classes, and workshops that interest our readers. 

New and established holistic practitioners, instructors, and event leaders who have something new planned for January - April 2010 are invited to submit story ideas to the "What's New in the Community" column. Please email me for more information about submitting a story idea.

Read the Crazy Wisdom Community Journal