Brief Moments

     The Southwest Michigan sunlight today with a soft breeze coming off Lake Michigan perfectly suggests beach, park, dunes or some other time amidst the wonder that is nature around us.  Most weekend posts for me are musically inclined as a breather from the intensity of the work week.   A little Farkle and Scrabble on Facebook very early this morning (a habit) before writing an unfortunately stern response to an offending professional led to laundry and dishes with a visionary background audio.      There are some who would call what Paul Hardcastle creates elevator music.  That for me would be an instrumental version of, say The Beatles, which I would immediately shut off.  I want the original artists, not some drippy sax version of a classic.  I'll also listen to Mozart, Metallica, Marillion and Methany when the mood strikes.  Here's the link to Hardcastle's biography if you're interested.  In the...

     Yesterday was very exciting for me.  During many years of serving in both economic and human development organizations I had great hope for the rejuvenation of Southwest Michigan. I still do. With phenomenal community partners in Whirlpool , Lakeland Regional Health , and AEP (Indiana-Michigan Power) among many other much smaller businesses there has been steadfast growth in both programs and development to serve regional needs for change.  For years we worked to purchase the land which has become the Golf Club at Harbor Shores , host 2012 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid in a few weeks. During those years continual meetings and plans were drawn up for what at that time was the most underutilized waterfront property in the entire Great Lakes region.      For those that aren't familiar, the economic downturn hit Michigan long before the global financial crisis and the great recession.   There's no lack ...

     On an overcast Monday we're Chicago bound this morning.  One of the many benefits of living in St. Joseph, Michigan is the access to transportation.  Sitting at the crossroads of I-96 and I-94 in Berrien County on Lake Michigan the cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo in Michigan as well as Chicago are but an hour's drive.   South Bend is only a half an hour.   Besides the two highways the active harbor and port in St. Joseph and the fun of Amtrak are also available, though neither fits today's trip.      So as I prepare for a day and evening full of meetings with great anticipation for productive meaningful work, enjoy this moment with Colour Club , a group I used to play on the air when I had a jazz show on WHFB AM years ago. And if you've never seen this project by Status Creative shot in downtown Grand that's approaching 5 million views on YouTube, here's your chance. Happy Monday.