• In the Shenandoah Valley? Take this H1N1 Flu survey: http://bit.ly/biPIvi The VA Dept of Health wants your feedback! Pls RT #
• Meet the Mayor today at 5pm at Earth and Tea – Bring questions, comments, etc. #harrisonburg #
• Excited that PSAs for the Feb 18 #Harrisonburg Business Summit will be on local radio stations (thx Clearchannel!) & WMRA (thx Clementine!) #

• New blog post: Why Business-Related Web-Friendly Content http://www.whykai.com/why-business-related-web-friendly-content/ #
• Exciting 2-day Applied Large Group #Facilitation Training in VA. Produce a live #unconference on Day 2. Save $25: http://bit.ly/cHizDP #ncdd #

• Thoroughly moved by Rev. James Lawson's keynote speech at tonight's MLK Commemoration event at JMU. Thought: Nonviolence is not pacifism. #
• Drink coffee? In #Harrisonburg? Like local roasters, fair trade, organic? Order by midnight Wed! Link to save $2/bag: http://bit.ly/5z00Rz #
• Just flipped open Palin's Going Rogue to a random page. First words I read: "the golden goose still ruled the roost." Put it down. #
• Be careful #Harrisonburg – this icy weather is dangerous! #
• Just called 1-877-99-HAITI to donate to hopeforhaitinow.org – don't think I got a celeb, but I'm still happy I did! Have you? Will you? #
• What's the situation? RT @nicklauscombs: I think I'm at the jersey shore. help. #
• @hburgcook Over or under achiever?? in reply to hburgcook #
• Punt 'em! RT @genehart: 5 tvs in house; just turned off 4. No one watching any if them. Sigh. #
• About to ride around the Charlotte Motor Speedway on 24 degree turns – woohoo! (Probably not the same in a 16-person van, but still). #
• @nicklauscombs Yeah I was surprised at how much fun even the van was… my bro works for a NASCAR team down here, so good to see a track. #

• Woo Ravens!! Up 14-0 against Pats! #
• @paix120 Best game all year for the Ravens! Looking forward to next week vs the Colts. in reply to paix120 #
• Use "earlybird" discount code to save $25 and register as a partner for the Feb 18 #Harrisonburg Local Business Summit http://bit.ly/4KgYCj #
• City Council approves urban archery 4-1 (I was the 1). So, I'm at the Dodger practicing archery on the Wii. #
• Tune in to 550 AM WSVA for a question and answer with me and City Manager Hodgen now until 11am. Call in 549-433-9782. #
• Thank you, Governor Kaine, for your vision and accomplishments. #
• Good crowd gathering at the JMU James James Madison statue for the MLK March #
• Had a sneak taste of Harrisonburg's next downtown restaurant, Cuchi Guido's – finally a great NY pizza place downtown! #
• Ravens are here to play! #

• Business owner? Sales person? Service provider? The next #Harrisonburg Summit is for you: http://bit.ly/78mLTu #
• @dcthinker I'll turn today's 5pm Meet the Mayor at the Artful Dodger into a Tweetup. Topic: Should we allow archery in #Harrisonburg? Pls RT in reply to dcthinker #
• Vote for the #Harrisonburg Gus Bus kids program to help it win a $10,000 Power A Bright Future grant! http://bit.ly/4z5Jf4 Pls RT! #
• @ChefTassie I know! I just voted for the Gus Bus again at http://bit.ly/4z5Jf4 @kaidegner Don't forget we can vote EVERY DAY!!!! in reply to ChefTassie #
• RT @GeoffLiving: Think the cold spell debunks global warming trends? Wrong, very, very wrong. http://bit.ly/8K5rfb from @climateprogress #
• @dannyyoder I agree that a "no" vote on hunting is consistent with a "no" vote on chickens, given the main fears against chickens. in reply to dannyyoder #
• I enjoyed lunch at Pennybackers, #Harrisonburg 's latest downtown restaurant – it officially opens tomorrow! Focus is great sandwiches. #
• Indeed. RT @bfinnegan: "There's a big difference between being critical to the operation, and critical of the operation." #overheardinhburg #
• @TonyWeaver Show me a credible group of international (or national) scientists that have data disputing global warming. in reply to TonyWeaver #
• Topic for Local Business Summit RT @dcthinker:"Start-Ups Will Keep Struggling in 2010" (funding is still big issue) WSJ http://bit.ly/6iB0vs #
• Agreed. RT @SeanHolihan: Wow…@ChapPetersen with campaign contribution limitation bill. Hope this gets traction http://tinyurl.com/yjen7su #

• @bfinnegan Missing Circuit City, wanting Best Buy. in reply to bfinnegan #
• Heather Bowser did a great job kicking off First Night Harrisonburg with Glick and Phillips tonight and… #
• You know you've made it when Glick and Phillips write an entire song about you and a missed inspection sticker! #
• Happy New Year #Harrisonburg! #

• I wonder if the Merry Christmas v Happy Holidays proponents would support an ordinance requiring the former. Or is that govt intrusion? #
• Wow, picked up Grounds for Conversation coffee order in Luray! Smells amazing – can't wait to try! One Dec order left http://bit.ly/6rSikJ #
• 500th Tweet: Announcing Three 2010 #Harrisonburg Summit Dates and Themes at http://www.harrisonburgsummits.com ! #
• Feb 18: Harrisonburg Summit on Strengthening Our Local Businesses — http://hburgbusinesssummit09.eventbrite.com/?ref=estw #
• Santa Claus spotted on Court Square in downtown Harrisonburg #hburgnews #
• Nice to buy/make all my Christmas gifts in downtown Harrisonburg! Really impressed with OASIS and Laughing Dog. #
• Goodbye Shenandoah mountains and snow, hello Florida beaches and sand! #
• Merry Christmas everyone! #

• We're selling coffee! Summit Sensation, Mediator's Medium…. Stocking stuffers support the Community Mediation Center! http://bit.ly/5dZi8Y #
• @dcthinker Thanks for the idea to create a new coffee line for the #Harrisonburg Community Mediation Center: Grounds for Conversation! in reply to dcthinker #
• Harrisonburg Democratic Committee reorganization meeting at 7pm tonight at council chambers. #
• $2 discount until Thursday for all Twitter followers on locally roasted, organic, fairly traded coffee! Use secret link http://bit.ly/5z00Rz #
• @nicklauscombs I can make special arrangements for after work pick up! in reply to nicklauscombs #
• Cool! RT @hburgjeremy: Gxojan Zamenhof-tagon! You can hear my message from last year on WMRA's Civic Soapbox http://bit.ly/4FLuNx #Esperanto #
• All Grounds for Conversation coffee sales thru Twitter or Facebook today! Thanks @lleischner – and was that @hburglinz? http://bit.ly/5z00Rz #
• Great TED talk by founder of Transition Towns (post peak oil world). There's a reading group on this in #Harrisonburg http://bit.ly/7DZDT6 #
• Looking forward to the Summit Soiree tomorrow – we'll announce the topics for the first two 2010 Harrisonburg Summits http://bit.ly/73hDf4 #
• Wow! 40 orders for Grounds for Conversation so far. Remember $2 discount until Thursday for all Twitter/FB followers http://bit.ly/5z00Rz #
• Brooke and I Just started glass pieces for the Moms at You Made It…Dave Miller is a great teacher! We'll go back to finish Saturday. #
• We expect 2 feet of snow in Harrisonburg by Sunday morning. #hburgnews #
• Snowplowsasaslopsaslips. #hburgnews #

The Washington Post reports today that Staunton native and JMU graduate Army Staff Sgt. Linsey Clark received the Silver Star on Wednesday for actions to aid wounded soldiers during an attack in Afghanistan.

Let this be a reminder for all of us that there are heroes from the Shenandoah Valley, fighting bravely overseas during the holiday season.  Consider getting involved with Operation Show We Care, a local effort to send care packages to our troops abroad and at Walter Reed.

From the WaPo article:

Clarke graduated from James Madison University in 2005 and then enlisted in the Special Forces as a medic.

He deployed to Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province with the 3rd Special Forces group in January 2009, but soon after his 12-man team arrived, its senior medic was killed by insurgents. Eight days later, on Feb. 20, Clarke and his team were on patrol when insurgents struck again.

A massive roadside bomb ripped into the team’s rear vehicle, setting it ablaze and fatally wounding three servicemen. Insurgents then attacked the lead vehicle with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy gunfire.

Clarke ran through a barrage of gunfire to the vehicle, finding Staff Sgt. Eric Engelhardt lying near the wreckage, his legs broken and back fractured. The burning vehicle was loaded with ammunition and explosives that were detonating inches away, but Clarke applied a tourniquet to Engelhardt and then pulled him away from the vehicle to a safer position.

He then ran back 100 yards through gunfire to aid other wounded.

“Sergeant Clarke’s actions on 20 February went well above and beyond the call of duty,” according to an official military narrative of the action. “He repeatedly faced imminent danger and at no point, did he show any regard for his personal safety.”

Nevertheless, Clarke said he felt he didn’t deserve the medal.

“I feel guilty for being recognized for this award,” said Clarke, who has extended his enlistment to be able to deploy again with his unit.

Certified Organic, Fairly Traded Coffee Roasted in the Shenandoah Valley

When I was in business classes, we learned about “complementary goods and services.”  These are products that are consumed with other products.  For example, if you’re in the business of selling hot dogs, you might also offer buns and ketchup.

For the longest time, I’ve thought about what are the complementary goods to the conversation and listening promoted by The OrangeBand Initiative, Harrisonburg Summits, and the work at the Community Mediation Center (soon to be renamed the Fairfield Center).  Well, yesterday we announced a perfect complement to any conversation:

Grounds for Conversation

Yes, our own line of coffee!   Read the rest of this entry »

• I think the saved stress and disappointment from not being a Skins fan will keep a few extra years on my life. #
• Start 2010 strong: We’re offering a new 90-Minute Strategic Planning product via the Community Mediation Center – PDF: http://bit.ly/8oGtr0 # Read the rest of this entry »

• You are Invited to the Summit Soiree on Dec 17! – http://eepurl.com/fusS #
• 5 @OperationFree Veterans for Clean Energy to #SecureAmerica to be in #harrisonburg Friday Dec 11 http://opfree.eventbrite.com #
• Holiday Parade Tonight at 7pm in Downtown Harrisonburg! Music already playing! Mayor lights the tree! http://bit.ly/8qNHg1 #hburgnews # Read the rest of this entry »

• Enjoying a Chilean cuenca dance at the Promise Group’s Celebration of Hispanic Education today http://yfrog.com/1edpjqj # Read the rest of this entry »

Put plainly, I don’t think there’s anything more important to practice and promote than listening.  Earlier this year, I worked with a number of local friends and colleagues at the Community Mediation Center to design and pilot Listening 101, a one-month course that focuses on this all-important skill and mindset, which I’ll write more about in the future.

So, I’m thrilled to learn about the National Day of Listening, which occurs the day after Thanksgiving.  The project is championed by StoryCorps, which is working to record people’s stories – with willing listeners (you’ve probably heard examples on National Public Radio).  The idea is simple: record an interview with someone in your life – and be listening as they share.

There is a Do It Yourself Kit on the website, and there is information in this video.

Here’s a Great Questions List to get your conversation started!

Who will you listening to?

I’m halfway through the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Challenge.  The first month went well, but two of the last three weeks have been a struggle in terms of getting into the gym.  I guess that’s something to expect: extra busy weeks once in a while.  I got through the rush of the last Sustainability Summit, the Turkey Drive, and insulating my house, so I’m seeing opportunity to get back into the gym more regularly.  Before, I might have just given up because I didn’t keep my intended schedule of being in the gym 2-3 times per week, but the added accountability provided by everyone and the RMH Wellness Center – with the unexpected urge to want to work out – is motivation to stay committed.

Whether in the gym or not, making healthy food choices is a daily (hourly?) opportunity to avoid the Read the rest of this entry »