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