• Thanks for the early positive feedback on the Harrisonburg Times! Happy to see 3 ppl already applied to write@hbtimes http://bit.ly/bJgWVv #
• @tncaldwell subscriptions are more like donations. No content will be blocked. in reply to tncaldwell #
• #Harrisonburg United Way press conference starts now to detail cuts to local services #hburgnews #
• WHSV's lead evening story is on the #Harrisonburg Times. http://bit.ly/9pdMiU #
• I'm leaving tomorrow with 6 others from #Harrisonburg, VA, to visit Davis, CA and learn about their nationally recognized bicycle system. #
• The #Harrisonburg bicycle delegation to Davis, CA, will be blogging here: http://harrisonburgdavisbiketrip.blogspot.com/ #hburgnews #
• The #Harrisonburg delegation to Davis leaves now from Court Square, taking the Green Shuttle to DC. #
• Just touched down in Sacramento, now a van to Davis… #
• Ok, settled in at the host homes – I'm staying with Leo, a major community bike advocate. We'll wake and be on bikes at 7:45am to downtown! #
• I think I'll be live on WSVA 550am to talkn about the trip to Davis. We just gathered to start our bike tour.. #
• In the next 15 min, I should have said. Waiting for their call.. #
• Does this count for parking? http://yfrog.com/ed9i1j #
• No word yet on WSVA…will let you know. Bike tour through UC Davis campus now, definitely educational. #hburgbikes #
• Tweet us questions at #hburgbikes or post on the blog (link at http://www.hburgnews.com) #
• @LucasRoasting Good ? Tour guide says no, that's mainly for tourist cities. Too expensive to provide easy access to many places #hburgbikes in reply to LucasRoasting #
• UC Davis campus is bike only. Disabled/injured get golf cart rides. Buses bring people to outer area, many leave bikes on campus #hburgbikes #
• Whew. We just finshed a 15-mile bike ride through Davis. Time for lunch. #hburgbikes #
• About to meet with Davis police for an hour for Q and A. What are your Q's? #harrisonburg #hburgbikes #
• Davis police see no increased crime incidence with new bike paths. Criminals want escape routes for car, so crime is near roads. #hburgbikes #
• Police officers get called out to help with UC Davis protests about cuts to education funding and increased tuition proposals. #hburgbikes #
• Now we're with a panel of parents of children who bike to different schools, a teacher of a jr high, parent advocates #hburgbikes #
• Learning about Save A Gallon http://www.saveagallon.org, a competition between schools to save gasoline by riding bikes or walking. #hburgbikes #
• Get this: there are no school buses in Davis (there are transit buses, but no school bus system) #hburgbikes #
• finishing up a much needed dinner, about to hear about the history of the Davis bike story. #hburgbikes #
• Great dinner and reflection – and 3 mile bike ride home – completes an exceptionally educational day. About 25 miles traveled! #hburgbikes #
• Listening to Mayor Pro Tem Don Saylor at 9am in Davis, CA. Learning about city council policy related to biking & infrastructure #hburgbikes #
• Davis city council meets in "community chambers", not "council chambers" to indicate breadth of use #hburgbikes #
• Davis, CA, had the first bike lanes in the country in 1970. Their lanes specifications became state then national standards #hburgbikes #
• Davis' principles for good bike planning: engineering, enforcement, encouragement, evaluation, and equity. #hburgbikes #
• Mayor Pro Tem Saylor makes all of #Harrisonburg delegation honorary citizens of Davis, CA #hburgbikes #hburgnews #
• Davis has standard requirement of 10% "greenbelt" for all new developments, primarily to provide corridors. for bike/ped #hburgbikes #
• Planning staff member says there isn't much "bike planning." There's just planning, and people understand that includes biking. #hburgbikes #
• Obesity rates are much lower in Davis than surrounding areas #hburgbikes #
• @paix120 They said you can be obese and live here, but there is a lot of self-selection (fit people choosing to live here) #hburgbikes in reply to paix120 #
• OK, what are your funding questions? We're speaking with the finance guy now #hburgbikes #
• We're going to need to get budget info to you in a different way than Twitter/FB. Will post it to blog later (after trip?) #hburgbikes #
• The funding mechanisms are a completely different world here (taxes, developer impact fees, state grants, etc). Really, wow. #hburgbikes #
• Surveys of parents in #Harrisonburg show they over estimate how far their homes are from school. Ex: think 2 mi away, really 0.5 #hburgbikes #
• Davis school district saves about $1,000,000 / year by not having school buses. #hburgbikes #
• @LucasRoasting Yes, some jobs were lost. #hburgbikes. All transit drivers are students, too – bus system run by student govt in reply to LucasRoasting #
• @LucasRoasting I'm not proposing it, just reporting what we're hearing. #hburgbikes in reply to LucasRoasting #
• Our FIRST break since leaving the burg! #hburgbikes Boy, our hosts have really allowed us to get the most out of this trip. Dinner at 6. #

• Water Street Cafe: most under-exposed restaurant downtown in #Harrisonburg – great breakfast! #
• @andyfluke Tickling cat? in reply to andyfluke #
• FOR Panel on Better Strategies Against Crime starts now at the library in #Harrisonburg – great panel, good attendance #
• Sheriff Farley says of 320 inmates, it's hard to find the 10 to put into the public for work detail at the recycling center in #Harrisonburg #
• Asst Commonwealth's Athorny Bailey recognizes punishment isn't the only answer to avoiding drug-use-related crimes, need rehab #
• Gene Hart, defense attorney, speaking – cites alternative sentencing programs have been cut by General Assembly. NOW is time to advocate! #
• Hart suggests Home Electronic Monitoring Program and drug treatment programs as two solutions. "There is a cost to the money saved today." #
• Judge McGrath says, "The real problem is not agreement about value of alternative sentencing and treatment – the problem is money." #
• Judge McGrath says we can lobby the General Assembly (good luck) , but there are small, local ideas we can work to make happen now. #
• Howard Zehr says what's really important is who is making the decisions about the programs and what is the accountability. #
• John Fairfield asks why the disconnect between the many obstacles (money, time, ongoing crime) and the savings Zehr cites are possible? #
• Bailey: If people want change, the people must advocate and vote to force it to happen. Politics & policy-makers shape the system. #
• Judge McGrath: You have to convince the people in Richmond to vote the way you want. All we know that's near impossible. Start small here. #
• Zehr: Victims have many needs that are not met in this offender-centric system.. Some are "justice needs", which are important to consider. #
• @hburgcook What would be a worthwhile next step after this discussion? in reply to hburgcook #
• Jennie Aimeson asks would we consider implementing in the jails re-entry and therapeutic community programs? She volunteers to set one up! #
• Sheriff says we have a logistics problem: time and space constraints. Many programs exist, there is no room available for such a program. #
• Audience member expresses outrage at lightened sentences for offenders, cites dramatic and local examples of light sentences #
• Sheriff empathizes and reiterates: It's the criminal justice system. It's not called the victim justice system. #
• Also makes you question quality of local news. RT @hburgcook When reporter is playing solitaire, you're talking too long. #
• Zehr: Statistics show the restitution payments are MUCH more likely after a restorative justice process (where victim and offender discuss) #
• @FairfieldCenter is currently reinvigorating its #RestorativeJustice program #
• Audience member thinks we're just scratching the surface. This is a multi-billion dollar industry that supports the fat cats. #
• Hart: Yes, we've have some gang problems. But there's a lot more talk about it since we got a grant to run an anti-gang task force. #
• Hart: We have the highest incarceration rate in the world. Do we really think we have the worst people in the world? #
• Next comment: I think if each community would itemize how much $ goes to keeping people in jail, people would choose to fund new programs. #
• So pleased #Harrisonburg City Council passes support of the DREAM Act with 5-0 vote. #dreamact #hburgnews #
• Your Business Summit Survey – http://eepurl.com/iz-y #

• Got this local photographer's Kline's piece for Brooke for V Day, from the art show at the Artful Dodger http://yfrog.com/33qogjj #
• Harrisonburg Local Business Summit session on marketing on a shoestring at Dave's http://yfrog.com/2ejkihj #
• Full summit schedule at HarrisonburgSummits.com #hburgnews #hburgbiz #

• 99 people are registered for the Feb 18 #Harrisonburg Strengthening Local Business Summit – will you be the 100th? http://bit.ly/aQHHvj #
• @nicklauscombs Have any suggestions? in reply to nicklauscombs #
• This looks like an awesome conference – wish I could swing the registration! Check it out: http://personaldemocracy.com #
• New blog post: Why Richmond Gets an "F" from Local Government So Far http://bit.ly/aB0N2E #
• New blog post: City Declares Local Emergency http://www.whykai.com/city-declares-local-emergency/ #
• Unnerving – and yes RT @bfinnegan: Pending commercial real estate collapse? http://bit.ly/bai3gp @kaidegner, fodder for Biz Summit? #
• Virginia localities put up over $3 billion to meet education standards mandated by the General Assembly #vml #
• Haha: "State delegates and senators will act rationally once all other options have been exhausted" #vml #
• @paix120 Rational thinking in the General Assembly is indeed a hysterical thought at times, esp w what we learned 2day @ VML. I'll blog ltr. in reply to paix120 #

• 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 »