LA Light

Nice Video on Los Angelos

"There’s a school of thought at that net domestic migration is the primary statistic of urban health. I believe I’ve even said something of the sort myself. In this logic, people are “voting with their feet” about which cities and states are implementing the best policies."

"Of course, this creates a challenge for urbanists because the migration data is all away from major dense urban cores towards the South and various Sprawlville, USA’s. Hence when these numbers are thrown in their faces, they dismiss or discount them."

Click to Read the Article

http://www.urbanophile.com/

Rural US Disappearing?

Rural US disappearing?

Population share hits low

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rural America now accounts for just 16 percent of the nation's population, the lowest ever. The latest 2010 census numbers hint at an emerging America where, by mid-century, city boundaries become indistinct and rural areas grow ever less relevant. Many communities could shrink to virtual ghost towns as they shutter businesses and close down schools, demographers say.

Click to Read

ICMA - College Towns

Community Relations in College Towns

22 July 2011

In about a month, college towns across the country will be gearing up for a new school year. It’s an exciting time as colleges and universities welcome a new batch of freshmen, host alumni and fans for Saturday football games, and support activities to ensure a successful academic year. The school year will also mean traffic, loud parties, and alcohol violations.

College-town jurisdictions face a unique set of opportunities and challenges.

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Crepuscular Rays

Crepuscular rays (pronounced /krɪˈpʌskjələr/, also known as God Rays), are rays of sunlight that appear to radiate from a single point
in the sky.

Click for More Info

Click For More Images

Images from; http://skychasers.net/wade_clark.htm

Thanks to Ken Zalga for Sharing.

Wikapedia - Poverty

Excellent discussion on Wikapedia on Poverty. I am always amazed that Wikapedia manages to present so much interesting information by unpaid volunteers at no cost to the consumer. And the fact that the writers come from all sides of the political spectrum usually results in an even handed discussion.

Proves the theory that all of us are smarter then some of us.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_United_States

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_percentage_of_population_living_in_poverty

City Manager's Theme Song and Jokes

They’ll Stone Ya

Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re trying to be so good

They’ll stone ya just a-like they said they would

They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to go home

Then they’ll stone ya when you’re there all alone

But I would not feel so all alone

Everybody must get stoned

Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ ’long the street

They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to keep your seat

They’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ on the floor

They’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ to the door

But I would not feel so all alone

Everybody must get stoned

http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/rainy-day-women-12-35

I am a recovering City Manager. I did not like to get stoned so I spent a lot more time being a City Planner or Economic Development Director or Consultant. That way I got to work for a usually rational City Manager.

Over the years I developed a few jokes to help my city manager friends through a tough day.

City Management - an oxymoron

City Management - a contradiction in terms

City Management - Falling off the cliff everyday

Of course it is your fault - you are the City Manager

City Management - an unnatural act

City Management?

City Management? Really?

City Management? Your kidding, right?

City Management is like assisting at the birth of an elephant. It is a big job, it is messy, and you can definitely get hurt.

Would you want your city to be managed by a person who had such poor judgement that he would move his home and go to work for locally elected officials who can fire him at any time for any reason?

City Management is like riding a fast rolling greasy ball, with the Manager running fast trying to keep from falling off the ball.

City Managers and Planners are always telling you how good thing will be in the distant future.

City Managers are like band aids - the City Council uses them to bind wounds and then discards them.

City Management - A Can of Worms

You are the new City Manager ? Rent

Why Plan, When You Can React?

I always enjoyed my city manager jokes more when I was not the manager.

Hoary Aphorisms Appropriate For Local Government

http://whyplanwhenyoucanreact.blogspot.com/

Planet Planning