Ahhhhhh...

What's at the end? (It's worth it to seek it out, I assure you...)

...Summer.

Exploration time...

"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." --Doug Larson

Meanwhile, in Muskegon...

A warm, summer-like day ... Perfect time to bike the dogs.

"Become your dream." --James De La Vega

Hello again, world. That was a long slumber, wasn't it? A beautiful winter for sure, but definitely substantial. Perfect for hibernating...

Then, all of a sudden, BAM! Summer's here, shocking us awake. (I do enjoy spring, but I'm not complaining about the shorts-and-T-shirt weather). The dream of beach days is quickly becoming tangible again. The city, both man-made and natural, is rustling. And imaginations are running wild.

Coffee is downtown, breweries are coming, a clothing truck is set to open up shop at Pere Marquette, and at least three developers are imagining what the building that was most recently Captain Jack's could be ... and they've got some great ideas. 

What are you imagining for the warm-weather months? For the continued development of this gorgeous area? For yourself? 

Don't forget to dream, Muskegon. That's how it all begins. And every once in awhile, remember to look around and enjoy what's already started. There's quite a bit, and it's growing all the time. Promise.

See ya around,

Imaginer

Love. Muskegon. 

Been thinking about you, Muskegon, along with the rest of the state, the country, the world ... Seems as though you've entered into others' thoughts, as well, as we've had visitors here recently from Egypt, Malaysia, Brazil, Poland...

While I'm still processing the major news events of last week - horrific shootings in both Connecticut and Oregon - I'm also still trying to imagine a better world. What can we do? What can I do? 

I just don't know. The other night, I gave a homeless man $3. I said, "Merry Christmas. Enjoy the season." I think he said, "God bless you." I had been thinking about the week's tragedies all the way home from work, then, stopped at a light where I usually look the other way - not because I don't have compassion, but because I think there are better ways to help - I got the urge to give the man on the side of the road with the homemade cardboard sign some money. Did I help anything? I don't know. Did he spend it wisely? I don't know. Did I contribute to keeping him from finding a solution to his problems? I hope not. Logic dictates there are better ways to give money, to solve problems, to help. But this wasn't about any of that. This was about showing some kindness to someone who, for whatever reason, is in a worse situation than I am. 

Thinking about it, I hope that kindness radiated out, that he passed it on, but even if he didn't, that's okay. Because if we all just do some small thing every once in awhile, something to reach out to another human who may or may not be lonely, I believe the world will become a better place. 

But is this why I did it? I honestly don't know. All I can tell you is that I felt a strong urge to do it, and afterward, I started remembering kindnesses that were shown to me throughout my life. People who reached out when they didn't have to. People who made my day, my week, and, ultimately, my life better, for no discernible reason...

And then I got to thinking about places. Communities. People. Connections. I checked the ol' blog, and found people around the country, and the world, were still checking in. What were they finding? Hopefully, a positive representation of a beautiful and inspiring place.

I believe the world is still a beautiful and inspiring place, Muskegon. And I believe the old lumber town on the shores of Lake Michigan plays an important role, just like we all do. I can't wait to go to the beach on Christmas - and seriously, how many people can say that? And in a place that actually has seasons and the chance of a white Christmas? Not too many, that's for sure.

So, Muskegon, don't forget what an amazing place you, and the world, are. Today, think of a time when someone reached out to you in kindness, let it fill you with happiness, then either try to do something small for someone else, or, when you feel yourself getting angry or retaliatory, just remember the pain of loneliness, isolation, or frustration so many deal with during the holidays. The small things add up to making the world a better place - and sometimes, they aren't even things, but words better left unsaid or actions avoided.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Muskegon. Much love.

--Imaginer

Participate - and Celebrate! - Muskegon

How can you Not love Muskegon?

So, Muskegon, there's some really, really cool stuff going on here this week. I'll start with right now: Your neighbors are participating in a grant contest - with some very interesting ideas - put on by your community foundation to create fun and exciting events in your community. The best part? You get to help decide winners of the contest. Right now. Just go to the Community Foundation for Muskegon County's Facebook page, "like" it, then click on the "Love Notes" album. Here, you can vote for projects you like by "liking" them. Vote for as many as you want - I chose several of them - or just pick one and read about the rest. They're all innovative, thoughtful ideas...

One of last year's grant-contest winners ... Movies on the Beach Muskegon.

And if you'd like to participate in an idea that's already come to fruition, uniting nature, German traditions, and Michigan-made (and German-made) food and drink, you  need not wait any longer than Saturday: That's when The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex will host its inaugural "Oktoberfest." You thought the luge was just for winter fun? Think again. Pumpkins will tumble down the track as part of the "Pumpkin Roll,"  just one of the traditional German games planned for the whole family from noon-4 p.m. Then, from 4-8 p.m., the Muskegon State Park trails will come alive with music, bonfires, and libations ... Wander the trails and visit the various food and drink stations. What better way to enjoy the beauty of fall? The colors are out in their full magnificence, and you can wonder among them in awe ... Of course, the fun doesn't stop at 8 - there will be a beer garden until midnight with live music and more German and Michigan libations and comestibles...

Just add beer, or food...

If you'd rather head to the heart of the city as night falls, the Frauenthal Center will host the annual Buster Keaton Film Festival at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7...

Whatever you're doing this week, don't forget to take in all of your surroundings: The kaleidoscope of colors, the gentle falling of the leaves, the crunch underfoot ... and go get some cider, apples, or fall donuts while you're at it! So much fun...

See ya out in the beauty, enjoying all the fruits of autumn...

--Imaginer

Show Your Love (We're All Waiting...)

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little. ~ Edmund Burke

Okay, Muskegon, we've all been imagining and loving our beloved area - now it's time to make some of our dreams reality. To push Muskegon forward. To make that first step...

Got an idea, big or small, to make your city better? A community-focused event you'd like to see happen in the Port City? Something you've always thought would be fun? Well, you've got three days - until Friday, the 21st, at 5 p.m. - to get your idea down on paper and submit it to the Community Foundation for Muskegon County for the chance to receive one of six $500 "Love Your Community" grants.

Here's the deal: Get a picture and a 300-character description onto the application from http://www.cffmc.org/blog. The community foundation will post all of the projects on its Facebook page Oct. 1, and by Oct. 12, the six with the most votes will receive grants.

It's that easy, Muskegon. Just get something submitted. Last year, these grants funded a series of movies on the beach, a benefit concert for the Snurfer sculpture, and a White Lake photography class and exhibit - all of which were well-received. All of these ideas sprang from the minds of community members just like you.

ArtPrize, which starts today in downtown Grand Rapids? (And is totally worth a trip...) Started as an idea in a GR community member's mind. The Snurfer? Same deal, but from the famous Muskegonite Sherm Poppen. You get the drill...

Share your idea with your neighbors, Muskegon. Too big? Break it down. Too small? Beef it up a bit. Too weird? Doubt it. The weirder, the better sometimes. Too "normal?" Doubt that, too. Some of the best memories I have growing up are from block parties on my street. Some great memories as an adult in big cities are from street parties. Get the picture? Just get it out there.

Truly can't wait to see what's submitted. 

See ya on the other side of your idea...

--Imaginer

Love and Embrace - and Imagine! - Muskegon

“The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence and educational advantages; the question is what he will do with the things he has. The moment a young man ceases to bemoan his lack of opportunities and resolutely looks his conditions in the face, and resolves to change them, he lays the corner-stone of a solid and honorable success.” --Hamilton Wright Mabie

So, Muskegon, there are a lot of Port City imaginers, and hard-workers, out there, moving the area forward. Countless individuals and groups give their time, effort, and energy in their own ways to improve the community and help out their neighbors. I'll list some of the visionary Skee-Towners here, and hopefully, one or more of 'em will inspire you to picture the city you'd like to see (and to appreciate the pretty impressive one that's already here)...

These guys have the imagining thing down: http://www.facebook.com/LakeHarborTrail.

I've imagined a bike trail along Lake Harbor, and one connecting to the Spring Lake/Ferrysburg trail, for years ... So glad I'm not the only one.

Also, Love Muskegon and I found this on an adventure about town recently:

This is more than a cool name; this organization's got some awesome initiatives going. Check it out: embracemuskegon.org.
 

And don't forget Love Muskegon's family, the Love Muskegon group.

And for some already-realized fruits (flowers) of community members' imagination: the Monet Garden of Muskegon. Beautiful year-round, and it really does look like its counterpart in France!

As for other forms of art - and culture - the Muskegon Area Arts Council promotes and conceptualizes arts opportunities in the area. 

Read Muskegon is working hard to increase the opportunities for a good chunk of area residents. The organization has quite a lofty goal: "To exist until every adult in Muskegon can read at a functional level." Read Muskegon estimates that between 22-33,000 adults can't read in Muskegon County. Check out its website to see how you can help, or just to find out what inspiring work your fellow community members are up to: readmuskegon.org.

As for individuals, like I mentioned, there are many forward-thinking and hard-working Muskegon-lovers. One of the most innovative ones is Lake Effect Boat Time. Lake Effect does a lot of imagining and dreaming about Muskegon - and promoting it! Check out his website: lakeeffectboating.com.

As for myself, I've been imagining a brewery, more public transit options, and a more compact, walkable downtown, among other things ... The brewery is on its way, which will hopefully spur more walking downtown - along with the new flats project - and hopefully, eventually, more transportation. I'd also LOVE to see a coffeehouse downtown, and a bakery, a wine bar, some upscale restaurants ... The Depot area is perfect for creating a brewery cluster, or a combination like coffeehouse-ice cream shop-bakery ... 

The possibilities are endless, Muskegon. The renaissance has already begun. Let's keep it going.

See ya in the ever-evolving Muskegon...

--Imaginer