MSA:Corkboard

Creating Cool Cities with the Sierra Club and TRU

Separate from Governor Granholm's program, the Sierra Club's Cool Cities campaign is creating another type of cool community by urging local leaders across the nation to implement innovative energy solutions. Attend this meeting to learn how local governments can use public transit and energy efficiency to help prevent global warming and create healthier, more sustainable communities. RSVP to (248) 435-5277.

Saturday, January 27, 2007. 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Baldwin Library

300 W. Merrill St.

Birmingham, MI map

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Redevelopment Ready Workshops

The Suburbs Alliance and the Michigan Association of Planning have teamed up to design two workshops aimed at enhancing the redevelopment readiness of local governments. RRC certified communities and cities currently participating in the program can now register for these events for just $15 (per person per workshop).

Workshop 1

“Enhancing the Development Review Process to Attract Economic Development”

Thursday, February 15, 2007. 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Registration begins at 4:30.
Instructor: Carlisle/Wortman Associates, Inc.

Workshop 2

"Creating a Redevelopment Plan Strategy"
Tuesday, February 27, 2007. 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Registration begins at 4:30.

Instructor: McKenna Associates, Inc.

Both workshops include dinner and will take place at the Michigan First Credit Union at 27000 Evergreen Road in Lathrup Village. Click here for a map. Interested staff from RRC cities can visit our website or email Melanie Piana for more information.

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Hot Food, Cool Cities

The first Mayors & Managers Breakfast of 2007 is on the calendar. This time we'll focus on energy efficient and the evolving economy. These quarterly gatherings are an excellent way to help shape our advocacy efforts, share new ideas and interact with local officials from across the region, so get the specifics on your radar. Visit our website to register.

Mayors & Managers Policy Breakfast: Energy Efficiency
Thursday, February 22, 2007. 7:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Warren Valley Golf and Banquet Center
26116 W. Warren in Dearborn Heights

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New Partners for Smart Growth

This year's Smart Growth Conference promises to be dynamic, and registration is now open! Professionals from virtually all fields – local and state government, architecture, building, planning, public health, real estate, crime prevention, and more – will gain insight into Smart Growth principles as well as tools and strategies for building safe, healthy and livable communities. Hands-on workshops, interactive breakouts, tours...the list goes on! Register today!
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SAVE THE DATE!

Our Regional Redevelopment Summit is quickly approaching! This event draws local governments, developers, realtors, and many others to learn about best practices in redevelopment. This year's topic is effective marketing strategies for cities. It will again feature the Redevelopment Marketplace where attendees can connect. Registration will open soon, but for now, mark your calendar. Those interested in sponsorship should contact Melanie Piana at melanie@suburbsalliance.org.

Regional Redevelopment Summit

Friday, March 23, 2007. 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
The Fairlane Club

5000 Fairlane Woods Dr.

Dearborn, MI 48126


Volume 2 Number 8: January 2007

On this Month's Corkboard... Director's Message: Lessons from Cavemen (and Women) Project Updates: Ring in the new year with revenue sharing In the News: Crossing the digital divide made easy by Digital Communities Upcoming Events: Hot food, cool cities. Save the date for our 2nd Mayors & Managers Breakfast!
A winter afternoon in Lincoln Park
Director's Message
This month we have a guest writer. Suburbs Alliance Communications Manager Sharon Carney reflects on energy efficiency and the economy. Lessons from Cavemen (and Women) “It’s the economy, stupid.” This timeless, blatantly intuitive piece of advice never seems to lose its relevance. Now, more than ever in Michigan, it’s the economy, and only somebody who’s been living in a cave for the past five years wouldn’t be able to tell you that. However, a cave dweller actually might have something to add to this debate. Secluded from the news of corporate bankruptcies, plant closures, and ubiquitous outsourcing, he or she – if bold enough – might counter our former president’s sage advice with, “Oh, no – it’s the environment, stupid.” Finish reading back to top

Project Updates
Ring in '07 with In the Ring Our new publication, In the Ring, is out! The first issue examines Michigan's revenue sharing formula, which expires this year. Thanks to all the participants at our Mayors and Managers Policy Breakfast in November who helped shape the policy recommendations that appear in In the Ring. Read it here. In the Ring is just one benefit of becoming a member of the Suburbs Alliance, so if you want to continue receiving this quarterly publication, join today! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8-Minute activism For all you busy folks in need of your activism fix, here's a suggestion: help shape Michigan's transportation future by completing MDOT's online questionnaire about its long-range transportation vision and goals. The Preferred Vision for an Integrated Transportation System can be found on MDOT's website along with the questionnaire. Enjoy your 8 minutes! For more 8-Minute Activist ideas, visit our website. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Word on the street The new state Legislature is almost assembled, and it has more than its share of challenges to tackle. What do you think state leaders should try to accomplish in 2007? Let us know what you think, and you could end up in our next issue of The Suburban Hubbub! Email sharon@suburbsalliance.org with your response. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sight to see Take a virtual tour through southeast Michigan's inner-ring suburbs with our online photo album. Thanks to contributions from metro Detroiters and Suburbs Alliance supporters, we've compiled a photo collection of charming, unique and just plain special places in our member cities. You can flip through it here. And don't forget – if you have photos you'd like to add, email them to sharon@suburbsalliance.org. back to top

In the News
Want to stay up-to-date on emerging technologies and innovative practices for local governments? *Digital Communities* magazine helps local leaders navigate the technology opportunities existing for communities. Check out a sneak preview of the magazine today. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The University of Michigan - Dearborn became the first official Affiliate Member of the Suburbs Alliance last month. We've been strong partners in the past, and we're thrilled to make it official! Thanks for the support! Click here to learn more about affiliate membership in the Suburbs Alliance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pleasant Ridge City Manager Sherry Ball joined our Board of Directors last month. Welcome, Sherry! back to top

Upcoming Events
Creating Cool Cities with the Sierra Club and TRU Separate from Governor Granholm's program, the Sierra Club's Cool Cities campaign is creating another type of cool community by urging local leaders across the nation to implement innovative energy solutions. Attend this meeting to learn how local governments can use public transit and energy efficiency to help prevent global warming and create healthier, more sustainable communities. RSVP to (248) 435-5277. Saturday, January 27, 2007. 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Baldwin Library 300 W. Merrill St. Birmingham, MI map ------------------------------------------------------------------- Redevelopment Ready Workshops The Suburbs Alliance and the Michigan Association of Planning have teamed up to design two workshops aimed at enhancing the redevelopment readiness of local governments. RRC certified communities and cities currently participating in the program can now register for these events for just $15 (per person per workshop). Workshop 1 “Enhancing the Development Review Process to Attract Economic Development” Thursday, February 15, 2007. 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Registration begins at 4:30. Instructor: Carlisle/Wortman Associates, Inc. Workshop 2 "Creating a Redevelopment Plan Strategy" Tuesday, February 27, 2007. 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Registration begins at 4:30. Instructor: McKenna Associates, Inc. Both workshops include dinner and will take place at the Michigan First Credit Union at 27000 Evergreen Road in Lathrup Village. Click here for a map. Interested staff from RRC cities can visit our website or email Melanie Piana for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hot Food, Cool Cities The first Mayors & Managers Breakfast of 2007 is on the calendar. This time we'll focus on energy efficient and the evolving economy. These quarterly gatherings are an excellent way to help shape our advocacy efforts, share new ideas and interact with local officials from across the region, so get the specifics on your radar. Visit our website to register. Mayors & Managers Policy Breakfast: Energy Efficiency Thursday, February 22, 2007. 7:30 - 10:00 a.m. Warren Valley Golf and Banquet Center 26116 W. Warren in Dearborn Heights ------------------------------------------------------------------- New Partners for Smart Growth This year's Smart Growth Conference promises to be dynamic, and registration is now open! Professionals from virtually all fields – local and state government, architecture, building, planning, public health, real estate, crime prevention, and more – will gain insight into Smart Growth principles as well as tools and strategies for building safe, healthy and livable communities. Hands-on workshops, interactive breakouts, tours...the list goes on! Register today! ------------------------------------------------------------------- SAVE THE DATE! Our Regional Redevelopment Summit is quickly approaching! This event draws local governments, developers, realtors, and many others to learn about best practices in redevelopment. This year's topic is effective marketing strategies for cities. It will again feature the Redevelopment Marketplace where attendees can connect. Registration will open soon, but for now, mark your calendar. Those interested in sponsorship should contact Melanie Piana at melanie@suburbsalliance.org. Regional Redevelopment Summit Friday, March 23, 2007. 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The Fairlane Club 5000 Fairlane Woods Dr. Dearborn, MI 48126 back to top Sign Up for the Corkboard © 2006 Michigan Suburbs Alliance, All Rights Reserved

Ring in '07 with In the Ring