Washtenaw and Oakland Counties --Tops in Information Technology

Washtenaw County and Oakland County have earned honors from the Center for Digital Government for exceptional use of information technology.

Oakland placed sixth for communities of 500,000 or more and Washtenaw placed sixth for communities of 250,000 to 499,999 residents.

Community governments are rated based on responses to a survey from the Center that evaluates "more than 100 measurements and data points about online service delivery, infrastructure, architecture and governance models."

Can't Keep a Hipster Down

Ann Arbor, Cool City, home to thousands of peace loving armchair liberals, recently took a blow to the gut from Pfizer. But that will not keep Ann Arborites from pursuing diversity and celebrating Spring. This weekend will see the first annual FestiFools, a parade on Main Street Sunday from 4p.m. to 5p.m. including, I have heard, huge puppets. Laugh in the face of uncertainty; thumb your nose at bad news.

Ann Arbor will also be hosting the 35th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Pow Wow at Crisler Arena. This event takes place Saturday and Sunday (click the link above for more details) and features traditional Native American dancers and drum circles from around the US and Canada, fabulous food, and a huge number of vendors.

Quench your thirst for fun and diversity in Ann Arbor this weekend.

Flip It! Strategy: Getting Through Bad News Days

When you feel slammed by the news, try to flip it into a positive.

Global Warming
National Arbor Day Foundation reports that hardiness zones are shifting northward reflecting a warmer climate. Global warming is real and measurable in our environment. Our worst fears are true.
Flip: Time to investigate and propagate a completely different set of plants.

Depressed Real Estate
Property values are plummeting, at 6 year lows in Washtenaw county.
Flip: It is a fabulous buyers market. Renters might be able to afford owner-occupied housing.

Family Values Meets Diversity Training
James Tignanelli, president of the 14,000-member Police Officers Association of Michigan, said the group is backing the former New York mayor because of the leadership he showed after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Flip: Thousands of Michigan tough guys are officially okay with Guiliani's public appearances in drag and multiple marriages. Hmm.

Next time you get bad news, flip it for sanity and fun!