Uploaded by michigandeathfest on 2009-11-28.
Uploaded by michigandeathfest on 2009-11-28.
UM and city of Jackson collaborate to connect citizens – Michronicleonline
Details Category: News Briefs – Original Published on Monday, 10 June 2013 15:10 Written by Michigan Chronicle Staff
A partnership between the city of Jackson, Mich., and the University of Michigan School of Information aims to develop information tools such as mobile apps and social media sites designed to help citizens interact with their local government in new ways.
The project is pending the Jackson City Council’s approval of a resolution at 6:30 p.m. June 11.
The three-year project, Citizen Interaction Design, takes lessons learned in the business sector-namely that social media and technology can help people communicate and work together effectively-and applies them to local civic life.
“In recent years, we’ve seen an explosion of new information and communication technologies that have proven to be very effective in business settings,” said project leader Clifford Lampe, assistant professor of information. “While some of these tools have been used in individual projects in government applications, there haven’t been many systematic efforts to use new information tools to improve interactions between local governments and citizens.
“Our goal is to implement new information tools that help inform citizens, help them become engaged in local issues and get their feedback to policymakers in effective ways. We believe these efforts could revolutionize local citizenship.”
While a few larger cities have attempted similar endeavors, Lampe says he knows of none in communities the size of Jackson, which has 33,000 residents. He hopes the project can serve as a model for other places. What makes Citizen Interaction Design especially unusual, officials say, is the sustained, three-year partnership between the university and the city.
“With this initiative, the city of Jackson is working to address 21st century challenges with 21st century solutions,” said Derek Dobies, city council member and sponsor of the resolution supporting the project. “As the challenges for municipalities become more complex, we have to adapt and find new and better ways to interact with citizens.”
Today, city officials typically communicate with residents on an individual basis through phone calls and emails, and in person at city meetings. By leveraging mobile, social and web-based platforms, Dobies hopes to broaden the conversation-reach more citizens, hear from more of them and engage in more two-way dialogues.
“After all, communication is the foundation of a strong democracy and a strong community,” Dobies said.
Lampe says the U-M team is excited to work with Jackson.
“Jackson is in the midst of some changes in their planning, which creates a great context for these types of services,” he said. “In addition, they have a rich civil society layer, and some excellent groups working together already. We see our role as making the collaboration between these citizens and their government more efficient.”
Once approved, the project will begin immediately. The School of Information will hire a project manager and graduate students to work on projects over the summer. One goal for the summer would be to determine how Jackson’s residents currently use information tools-how many use smartphones, for example.
The U-M team would also work closely with the city to identify needs and solutions that can be implemented in the short term.
Jackson Republicans for Pat Robertson featured on NBC Nightly News on January 14, 1988 – crowd shot of many from MStar
, May 17, 2013 8 a.m.
JACKSON, MI – When Jackson High School girls soccer coach Phil Maurer uttered the words, “scarf of doom,” it sounded like something out of a bad horror movie.
For the Vikings, the scarf of doom carries a much more uplifting meaning.
A tradition that began seven years ago, the players sport the scarf in pre-game warm-ups with the idea that it brings good luck.
MORE ON JACKSON SOCCER, THE MLIVE JACKSON TEAM OF THE WEEK: Junior Lexy Roty making herself at home as Jackson’s goalkeeper Madison Kyro overcame leg injury to make varsity squad as a freshman Inside Scoop: Check out the warm-ups, routines and a meet and greet “(Jackson graduate) Jessie Bury brought this scarf to a game one day, and someone wore it during warm-ups, and next thing you know someone else was wearing it,” Maurer said. “Now before every game, someone will be wearing this scarf of doom – it’s supposed to bring doom to the other team.”
The story behind the tradition was that the first person who wore the scarf scored their first goal of the year. Since then, the scarf has been passed down from team to team in hopes of bringing good fortune. The scarf is even embroidered with Scarf of Doom.
One player each year is given the responsibility of taking care of the scarf and making sure it finds its way to the field every game.
What started with Bury was passed down to Alexa Malone, followed by Annie Aubrey.
This year, the task remains with junior Morgan McCloughan, who took over the scarf obligations from Aubrey her freshman year.
“I think it’s kind of fun and it’s interesting, but it’s kind of a responsibility, because we have to wear it before every warm-up, and supposedly whoever wears it will score a goal,” McCloughan said. “I’m a defender, so I don’t score many goals, but it seems to work for the forwards and infielders that use it.”
While McCloughan has the rest of this season and next to maintain her scarf-of-doom duties, parting ways with it won’t be so easy.
“I keep it overnight and I will hold on to it until next year,” McCloughan said. “I probably will miss it, because this thing has been with me throughout high school.”
The scarf is one of many traditions with this year’s team, as the Vikings have a long list of rituals passed down from prior teams.
Before every home game, the players relax in the team clubhouse, which sits about 40 feet from Mehall Field.
In the confines of the clubhouse, there are drawings, motivational phrases, team goals, nominated players of the game and even a wall lined with empty Cheez-It boxes. Cheez-Its are the team’s favorite pre-game snack.
Sophomore Kelsey Dods does a majority of the drawings, which most of time has a comical feel to them.
“I’ve been drawing animals that are supposed to represent people on the team or any funny character,” Dods said.
The New Moon L636 has 3 beds, 2 baths and is 1156 sq. ft. This manufactured home is built by Redman Homes in Ephrata, PA and is available in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states. For more information about how to buy a manufactured home, please visit http://www.championhomes.com
The Avalanche 4663K has 3 beds, 2 baths and is 1760 sq. ft. This manufactured home was built by our factory located in Weiser, ID and is available throughout Idaho and the surrounding states. For more information about manufactured homes, visit http://www.championhomes.com
How to Dig Down for Extra Living Space (8 photos)
Where to put the stairs? If you already have a basement, you probably have interior or exterior stairs for access. But just because that’s where someone else put it doesn’t mean that’s where you need it. Relocating the stairs will take up main level space but could free some up as well. Your architect or designer can walk you through the options.
My Houzz: A Surprisingly Light Lakeside Log Cabin (22 photos)
Houzz Contributor. Hi, I’m Jeff, a Midwest-based contributing writer/photographer for Houzz, living in the Great Lakes region, photographing people, places and things. I admire well-designed architecture and interior spaces. I believe a house doesn’t need to look like it came out of a catalog to be beautiful. Instead, it should be an expression of the people who live there and the things they love, displayed in a way that is aesthetically pleasing.
Houzz Contributor. Hi, I’m Jeff, a Midwest-based contributing writer/photographer… More “
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Log cabins tend to be dark. It’s just often a fact when the space is all wood; the interior tends to be moody. That’s what Sam Wotring and Nicole Ray were expecting before they stepped inside this 1920s log cabin on a quiet lake near Ann Arbor, Michigan. Boy, were they wrong.
Because a previous homeowner used a superlight gray paint to cover every log surface inside the house, including the vaulted wood-plank ceiling, the space is far from dark. “We were so surprised by how light and airy it was inside, so quaint and charming,” Ray says. Meanwhile, bright colors and original artwork – Ray is an illustrator and artist – further lighten the space, as do vintage chandeliers that hang in every room.
Houzz at a GlanceWho lives here: Sam Wotring and Nicole RayLocation: Brighton, MichiganSize: About 1,600 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1½ baths
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Can’t-Beat Style: Candlestick Clusters (11 photos)
A cluster of crystal candlesticks, or in this case tea light holders, is soft and pretty, and a great complement to the dark and elegant neutral palette of this New York showroom.
There’s something about candles placed directly on a surface that doesn’t seem quite right to me. So place a collection of candlesticks like these on a gorgeous round platter so you won’t have any regrets. A base for this collection would actually enhance the look too. I’d go for a round silver-leafed tray or something Moroccan to add a touch of mystery.
Legendary Homes Inc.
10197 S Meridian Rd
Clarklake, Michigan 49234
517-206-2435
