Fighting Complacency

Travel is not only broadening I’ve realized, but burdening too. I carry these lives and places with me but I’m grateful for the ballast. It’s keeping me from tipping into total complacency. Judith Stone It’s been almost ten years since I saw my first wild elephants in Kenya. They took my breath away. Having only beenContinue reading “Fighting Complacency”

The Sustainable Living Fair 2012

Each September the Sustainable Living Fair is held in Fort Collins. We look forward to it. It is one of those organic events that appeal to lots of different kinds of folks. You can wander down the bike trail and then walk the last hundred yards to the entry gate or drive and park inContinue reading “The Sustainable Living Fair 2012”

If The Plants Could Talk –

Actually the plants, the landscaping and the grounds do talk. How we plan and care for the landscape at nature centers, zoos, museums, aquariums and communities tell our audience more than we think. We see organizations that interpret nature, history and anthropology whose buildings have the same landscaping as the mall nearby or an urbanContinue reading “If The Plants Could Talk –”

My Fantasy Reality Show – Ranger 2.0

I have never played Fantasy Football and would not know how to start. I do watch some reality shows on TV (American Idol, The Amazing Race, America’s Got Talent, The Voice, Survivor) and that has led to my own fantasies about a new reality show, Ranger 2.0 . The premise is to take unemployed youngContinue reading “My Fantasy Reality Show – Ranger 2.0”

Digital Publishing – A New Opportunity for Communities

Digital publishing is democratizing book publishing much the way digital video recording has done with video storytelling. Anyone who is driven to write a book can self-publish without a big investment. A digital book can be put on Amazon, Apple or Smashword for the cost of having your book professionally edited, proofread and formatted forContinue reading “Digital Publishing – A New Opportunity for Communities”

Location, Location, Location

It’s a cute aphorism about the three most important attributes of real estate. It may be true, but think about how it relates to SIGNS for a minute. They can be well-written, well-illustrated, and have a strong message and still be useless. Just put them in the wrong place, too high, too low, between theContinue reading “Location, Location, Location”

Underpromise, Overdeliver

We were on the Big Island of Hawaii last year and tried out a night swim with manta rays with a local company. We suited up with full wet suits, listened to the safety talk and then the photographer/naturalist gave us a pep talk. “This is going to be the best outdoor experience of yourContinue reading “Underpromise, Overdeliver”

Songs Make a Difference

I’ve been listening to Allison Krause, Neil and Peggy Young and Celine Dion today. Songs, good songs, cast a spell. I feel them more than hear them, in my heart instead of with my ears. Sometimes the melody matters most and sometimes the lyrics dominate. The best songs, the ones that seem to live foreverContinue reading “Songs Make a Difference”

The Nonprofit Roller Coaster

I invested thirty-one years as executive director of two nonprofit organizations, a community nature center and a professional association. Both were somewhat like riding a roller coaster. You experience ups and downs each year, financially and emotionally. The predictable recession economies can lead the organization onto tracks that end in midair, making you wish youContinue reading “The Nonprofit Roller Coaster”

Made in America

Friends visiting us recently commented that they stopped in several shops looking for gifts for their kids back home, but memorabilia in the parks and tourist towns all seem to be made in China, Thailand or Vietnam. How does that recall the specific place, the experience?   Pine and Gilmore, Harvard professors and experience economyContinue reading “Made in America”