Replicator Printer ?

Look out, Captain Kirk, the Replicator is Ready

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZboxMsSz5Aw

Here is the link to the web site of the company in the video.

3D Printers and Rapid Prototyping | Z Corporation

YouTube -

Gift Catalog for a Community

You can create a simple Gift Catalog for your community. The Gift Catalog can be a simple one page flyer. You simply provide a way for a citizen who wishes to give a gift to the public a way to send money or real estate to the Village Clerk. 

The following is sample language for your own community gift catalog. Adjust the gifts to fit your community and add your own logo and graphics. Please feel free to use it.
______________________________

GIFT CATALOG

            Citizens can give gifts for public improvements for the people of their community. The gifts will enhance the community while providing a way for citizens to memorialize a loved one. The following are some possible gifts and estimated costs.

Trees $ 350

Park Benches $ 500

Landscaping, Evergreens, Flowers, Trees $ 750

Ornamental Lighting $ 2,500

Sculpture and Outdoor Art $ 20,000

Jogging, Bike and Nature Trails $ 100,000

Parks and Nature Preserves $ 700,000

City Hall Park Improvements with small fountain $ 900,000

Streetscape & Beautification $ 2,000,000

Swimming Lagoon Pool / Skating Rink $ 3,000,000

Farm $ 5,000,000

______________________________

The Village Manager of Beecher, Illinois just advised me that a citizen gave the Village $50,000 for a Veterans Memorial. The Village used that gift as the match for another State $50,000.   Nice to see the Gift Catalog work.

Click to Read About the Memorial

Click for a Word Version of a Sample Gift Catalog

Downtown Revitalization

Good article on downtown revitalization by Chuck Eckenstahler


Click to read the article

Very Nice Work by InVISION STUDIOS

In This Issue OSF 3D Campus Map Shopping Center Facelift Message from the President Diverging Diamond Interchange Quick Links Architectural Renderings Campus Maps Architectural Design  QuickTime VR Highway Visualization Product Visualization Lighting Studies Technology Simulation Object VR  Request a Quote About Us Featured Projects OSF St. Francis 3D Campus Map inVISION Studio's completion of OSF St. Francis Medical Center's new on-line dynamic campus map has revolutionized the way visitors find their way to around the complex campus facility. Following a recent multi-million dollar expansion, OSF was in need of an updated campus map. inVISION Studios, known in the architectural and engineering field for their highly detailed and realistic visualization media was contracted to meet that need. Our solution was to provide a revolutionary map that would visually communicate directional information in a way not possible with color coded shapes of the building's foot prints or even with perspective drawings of the campus. Instead we created a photo-realistic three dimensional model that represented the campus the way that we see it in real life and we gave the on-line viewers the ability to rotate that model and study it from any direction. When requested, the route information to the new parking structure and new main entrance is depicted visually, immediately understood and retained in the viewer's visual memory for later use in finding their way once they arrive on campus. Westlake Shopping Center Facelift Westlake Shopping Center owned and managed by Cohen Development has been an on-going project for inVISION Studios since 2003. Originally built in the 1970s, this shopping center has undergone an incredible facelift. Originally contracted to produce photo-enhanced images for a canopy removal study, inVISION's president Thomas Waldschmidt eventual took on the role of architectural designer and has worked with the developer on nearly every aspect of the exterior design. Visualization production over the last several years has included digital landscaping and lighting studies. Facade design scenarios for each and every tenant space has been digitally represented for presentation to both potential tenants as well as zoning authorities. New way-finding signs and pylon sign studies have been created in 3D to study the visual feasibility at various locations. Interior spaces have been conceptually designed and presented in detailed renderings and QuickTime VR applications allowing the developers and their potential tenants to explore various flood plan layouts. Dear Colleagues, Now in our 13th year in business, we have continually been blessed with opportunities to work with and assist our valued clients and friends despite this unfortunate state of the economy. In the past, simple word of mouth and the production of an exceptional product has been more than enough to keep us thriving. However, this success has also kept us from adequately showcasing the work that we have done and acknowledging the clients that we have served. Before we get too busy, and I know we will again, I'd like to make a concerted effort to initiate the publication of a company e-portfolio. The contents of this publication will highlight projects from a variety of industries that we have had the pleasure of doing business in. In the coming issues, I intend to provide content that is relevant to each of your interests and will hopefully spark some ideas of how we can assist you in a similar manner. Thank you for taking the time to review our work, and please don't hesitate to contact me if we can be of assistance. Best wishes, Thomas Waldschmidt President, inVISION Studios Inc. Diverging Diamond Interchange Missouri Department of Transportation's first in the US diverging diamond interchange was being planned for the intersection of I-44 and Rte 13 in Springfield, MO. Prior to construction, MoDOT contacted inVISION Studios to produce a public relations video that would visually explain the unique traffic flow concept to the public. With only 2 1/2 weeks to complete the task, inVISION translated traffic data from MoDOT's VISSIM traffic model through a proprietary application and integrated it into a detailed site model complete with synchronized traffic lights and moving pedestrians in the crosswalks. "Invsion Studios was hired through CBB (Crawford, bunte, Brammeier) and completed the 3D animation model for the diverging diamond interchange located at Route 13 and I-44 in Springfield, MO. The model had to be completed within 3 weeks after the MOU contract was signed. Invsion Studios was given an extremely tight deadline and completed the work with outstanding results. Their work has been highly complemented by people who watch the animation. I highly recommend them for any animation work you need to have done. To view their work for the Route 13 and I-44 project, visit the MoDOT web page for the Springfield district or to see other samples of their work, visit their web site at InvisionStudios.com. I have not seen a better animation/simulation model for roadway work completed. Invision Studios was very reasonably priced and they worked many late nights to get the animation completed. Working with Tom Waldschmidt was outstanding. He was available at all times, including late evenings and weekends and I was able to get a hold of him at any time. Invision Studios went way beyond what most businesses would do to complete this type of model." Don Saiko, MoDOT - Dist. 8, Project Manager For more information contact inVISION Studios at or visit us on-line at: 309.579.3500  |   twaldsch@invisionstudios.com  |  www.invisionstudios.com

US Census

Click on the map above or the link below and then on the County to see the 2010 census demographics.

Click for the detailed map and info

Thanks to Taffy Cannon for sharing. Now why does a mystery writer come up with useful information about the Federal Government?  Perhaps because our government works in mysterious ways.


It is a mystery to me.


She writes great mystery books by the way.

http://taffycannon.com/

Good News on Detroit

Detroit has been the poster child for decline of older American Cities. But decline and loss also provide opportunities. Nice to see some good news.


"Young creative people are moving to Detroit, launching new businesses and civic ventures that are creating a new identity for a city plagued by associations with decline."
"These days the word “movement” is often heard to describe the influx of socially aware hipsters and artists now roaming the streets of Detroit. Not unlike Berlin, which was revitalized in the 1990s by young artists migrating there for the cheap studio space, Detroit may have this new generation of what city leaders are calling “creatives” to thank if it comes through its transition from a one-industry."

Click to Read More:

Richard_Florida writes that 

"We need to remake our shoddily-built, far-off exurbs into denser, more- connected, more livable communities. #greatreset #neighborhoods"

- My thoughts?  I am an admirer of Richard Florida. But his criticism of shoddily-built suburbs in inaccurate, at least for modern suburbs. Most recent suburbs are well constructed. But it takes a long time for commercial and civic development to catch up. Older cities took a long time to reach mature development and suburbs likewise take a long time.