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Poynter Institute – The Future of Journalism

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I am honored to have been asked to speak at the renowned Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, FL, on the future of journalism on Friday, October 28, 2011.  Poynter is hosting TEDx Poynter Institute to specifically discuss this critical issue from multiple perspectives.  My talk will emphasize the role of social media and emergence of “unofficial” actors in the arena which mirrors the rise of these same citizen actors in community development areas.  

For the Love of Akron

n August 23, 2011 we conducted the “For the Love of Akron” workshop at the University of Akron. The event was sponsored by the Akron office of the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation and drew over 200 participants. The event also featured Knight Soul of the Community lead consultant Katherine Loflin, the team from The Civic Commons who provided the video booth and graphic recording by Michelle Royal of HDYI .

Lots of great ideas were generated & shared.  Lots of blimp references as well as mentions of Swenson’s hamburgers and Luigi’s pizza.  Check out the photo set here.

We even had an earthquake!

For the Love of Akron

On August 23, 2011 we conducted the “For the Love of Akron” workshop at the University of Akron. The event was sponsored by the Akron office of the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation and drew over 200 participants. The event also featured Knight Soul of the Community lead consultant Katherine Loflin, the team from The Civic Commons who provided the video booth and graphic recording by Michelle Royal of HDYI .

Lots of great ideas were generated & shared.  Lots of blimp references as well as mentions of Swenson’s hamburgers and Luigi’s pizza.  Check out the photo set here.

We even had an earthquake!

For the Love of St Louis

Join me on Thursday, August 11th for a full day of activities in St. Louis.  Beginning at noon at the MOTO Museum, we have a lunchtime presentation followed by an interactive workshop on making St. Louis a more lovable and engaging city.  And that evening at the offices of the Regional Arts Council we will be doing an interactive Q&A from 6pm to 7:30pm.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=256790117671177

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People To Know – Katie O’Keefe of Cleveland, Ohio

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In For the Love of Cities I wrote about Katie O’Keefe of Cleveland, Ohio as an example someone in love with their city.  Katie’s story of coming back to Cleveland is powerful, but what caught my attention was her commitment to Cleveland exemplified by her magnificent sleeve tattoo of the Cleveland skyline.  I noted in the book that city themed tattoos are akin to “marrying your city” as they are semi-permanent – easy enough to get into but rather hard and expensive to get out of.

Last week Katie made the cover of Issue Media Group’s Northeast, Ohio publication Freshwater Cleveland.  Take a look here to see the tattoos and learn more about her and other “boomerangs” who have returned to Cleveland and are playing key roles in shaping its future.

People to Know – Tom Stewart of Lansing, Michigan

I met Tom Stewart in June when I spoke at his art gallery, Art Alley, in Lansing, Michigan.  Tom is one of those young co-creators that are critical to the success of cities.  Art Alley, which opened in 2010,  is a burgeoning creative space in the REO district of the city.  Tom is also part of a group of angel investors that is investing private money back into creative entrepreneurs.  And what impressed me as well was the fact that Tom was also getting involved politically by running for Lansing city council.

I am very pleased to note that Tom was successful in his primary election bid and has become one of the youngest ever candidates for city councilman in Lansing.  He is on the ballot for the November at large election.  Many of the the co-creators I write about eschew the traditional power channels because they don’t have the patience to work within the confines of those structures.  But it will take adventurous co-creators like Tom to take on those traditional institutions and change them from within.  Way to go Tom!

People to Know – Claire Nelson of Detroit, Michigan

Excerpt from For the Love of Cities – page 163-164

Co-creators are starters.  Starters are the first ones in the pool, the first ones on the dance floor and the catalysts that literally  make  things  happen.    Claire  Nelson  is  the  co-­founder of Open City, a forum  for  aspiring  and  existing small business owners  in  Detroit, and a drafter of the Detroit  Declaration.    She launched one of the first new retail businesses in her Midtown neighborhood when she opened the Bureau of Urban Living, a small design store similar to Crate Barrel, in the Canfield Lofts Building.      Not only did she start   her   own   business–   she   actively   recruited   friends   and   colleagues   to   start   other   businesses   in   the   area   as   well.   When   a   space   became   vacant   next   to   her   shop,   she   explains,   “I   begged   everyone   I   knew   to   open  something  there.”  Her  efforts  paid  off.  A  design  company   called  City Bird opened  next  door,  and  Claire  has  called  it  “my greatest  achievement  so  far”  because  she  gained  a  neighbor  and   someone  who  shares  the  same  love  of  place.

Workshop with City of St. Petersburg Leadership

On Wednesday, June 15th, it was my honor to present to the leaders of the City of St. Petersburg at their monthly learning session. The meeting brings together over 100 of the city’s department and divisional leaders for opportunities to learn and connect with each other. I was there at the invitation of St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, who has become a fan of the book and big supporter of the ideas.

The group was very eager to hear about ways they can engage with their citizens without having to spend resources they no longer have. We workshopped several ideas including the very popular “what is your city t-shirt” exercise that got everyone very engaged. Thanks again to Mayor Foster and City Administrator Tish Elston for the invitation.

With St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster

With St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster

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Surprising Life in America’s “Dying” Cities

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Here is the piece I wrote for Infrastructurist.com which challenges the way we think about statistics.  In cities that Newsweek magazine declared to be “dying” we have seen amazing amounts of life and activity.  Recall the recent post that showed New Orleans was the “coolest city for startups”; on Newsweek’s list, New Orleans was the #1 dying city.

Check out the piece which includes the amazing Grand Rapids Lip Dub – if you have not seen the video yet, you must check out the incredible response that Grand Rapids came up with to being declared a dying city.

High Line Park – Part Two

One of my favorite “love notes” is High Line Park. I describe it in the book from when I visited there in late 2009. This week heralds the opening of the second phase of the park just in time for summer. The park has created an enormous buzz around it, acting like an amplifier for property values and development. They say that this type of boom is usually only seen when a new subway or train station is opened.

Check out the coverage from the NY Times.

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Why Streetcars Are Better Than Buses – Infrastructurist.com

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Check out 36 Reasons Streetcars Are Better Than Buses – nice piece from Infrastructurist.com. My favorite reason – “unlike a bus, a streetcar informs and helps citizens to formulate an image of their city, even if folks don’t ride it. It is a feature of their public realm. Because of this, these streets get greater public attention.”

New Orleans – Coolest City for Start Ups!

In my book, I note that New Orleans “may be the most exciting city in America” right now due to the influx of talented, mission driven people who are rebuilding the city. Apparently the data and Inc. Magazine agree as they have named New Orleans “the coolest city for start ups” in the latest issue. Congratulations to New Orleans and all those amazing social entrepreneurs who recognize that they can make difference AND make a dollar!

Group Hug St. Louis

The owners of STL Style, Jeff & Randy Vines, whom I profile in the book, have come up with an ingenious idea to spread the love in their hometown. The are sponsoring “Group Hug St. Louis” which invites people from all over the area to take a picture of themselves hugging something they love about the city. Could be a building, a piece of public art, a sign or even a person.

I love the simplicity and genuine heart that this idea shows.  Way to go guys!