![Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America by James Fallows and Deborah Fallows](https://www.charactertowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Screen-Shot-2018-06-04-at-10.33.25-AM.png)
Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America by James Fallows and Deborah Fallows
“Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America” provides important insights into the success of small cities and towns across America. The Fallows spent four years traveling, by small plane, across America visiting small cities and towns; 43 small cities. They not only visited but they engaged with each, meetings with business owners, […]
Books, Cars, Coffee and Ice Cream: The Basics.
WHY GO DOWNTOWN? Bikes, books, coffee and cars are enough; but add in shops, restaurants, diners, an occasional sports bar, a bakery and shops with ice cream,chocolate, popcorn and fudge…enough. Farmers’ markets, grocery stores, museums,libraries, post offices and art galleries add to the enjoyment of being downtown. [embeddoc url=”https://www.charactertowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Books-cafes.pdf” width=”100%” download=”all” viewer=”google”] FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail
![What I Found in a Thousand Towns by Dar Williams](https://www.charactertowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-28-at-10.12.22-AM.png)
What I Found in a Thousand Towns by Dar Williams
Dar Williams, who recently spoke to CNU, has produced a book that explores small cities and towns at ground level. Her observations are insightful, well-informed and grounded in love and respect for hometowns…and it reads really well. It’s wonderful when a “non-planner” delves into the fray and gets the story right. It’s a helpful gift […]
Museums: Launching Pads for the Future.
A REFLECTION OF DOWNTOWN VALUES. Museums can be about anything; mostly they are about the values of the host community. The local history museum is a great place to pass the values and importance of the town from one generation to the next. Museums can celebrate people and events that need to be honored; they […]
Internet Service Master Plans
Alternative Concepts for Providing Internet Service. Internet Service Master Plans are being developed, or at least explored, by communities across America. The two system configuration options are: internet service as a utility; or, internet service as a commercial service. In Florida, the state legislature has deemed it appropriate that internet service is a commercial activity […]
![The Great Good Places, Cafés, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community by Ray Oldenburg](https://www.charactertowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-21-at-12.10.23-AM.png)
The Great Good Places, Cafés, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community by Ray Oldenburg
Ray Oldenburg defined a place that defines a community. “Third place” is a concept that serves small cities and towns well as they strive to become and remain places where people want to be; welcoming places between home and work. [embeddoc url=”https://www.charactertowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/The-Great-Good-Place.pdf” width=”100%” download=”all” viewer=”google”] FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail
Main Street: The Ultimate “Third Place”.
THIRD PLACES IN THE 20TH CENTURY. Ray Oldenburg effectively describes gathering spots that serve as third places, especially in small cities and towns. His idea also extends to the “Cheers” bar in bigger cities. Members-only clubs do not qualify. Entry needs to be freely accessible to customers, visitors and a regular clientele, preferably by walking. […]
Simon Sinek’s TED talk, “Start With Why” makes an impression.
https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action Simon Sinek has made a big impression with his TED talk, Start With Why. He asks the basic question about why do we do projects, why do we start action programs, why do we initiate enterprises? We spend time and energy on strategies and action programs, but skip the step of asking why are […]
![Understanding Media, The Extensions of Man by Marshall McLuhan](https://www.charactertowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-21-at-12.29.20-AM-1.png)
Understanding Media, The Extensions of Man by Marshall McLuhan
Long before the internet, 1964 to be exact, McLuhan was one of a group of smart people thinking and writing about an Age of Anxiety; a time when communication was becoming instantaneous, when sequential activities merged into single events. Electricity was finally paying off with faster movements of information and communication and it was changing […]
![Wikinomics, How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything by Don Tapscott](https://www.charactertowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-21-at-12.34.13-AM.png)
Wikinomics, How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything by Don Tapscott
Wikinomics has become essential reading for business people everywhere. It explains how mass collaboration is happening not just at Web sites like Wikipedia and YouTube, but at traditional companies that have embraced technology to breathe new life into their enterprises. This national bestseller reveals the nuances that drive wikinomics, and share fascinating stories of how […]