An Artistic Weekend...

So, Open Studios is this week. You need to check it out. Art studios from all around the county are opening thier doors and letting you in. Most likely you've seen the informatin on billboards, on tv, in the newspaper. You may have even seen brightly painted doors adorning certain locations around town. That's all for Open Studios. So, check it out.

Also, as a special treat, John Villani, author of "The 100 Best Art Towns in America", is here to enjoy the festivities. If we show him what Greenville has to offer, maybe he will be blown away like everyone else and add Greenville to his little publication. Certainly a step in the right direction...

So, check all the festivities....

http://www.greenvillearts.com/programs/open_studios.aspx

If You're Not Prepared To Be Wrong, You Will Never Come Up With Anything Original.

So, someone passed this along to me and I immediately felt compelled to send it out to those that I knew who cared about two things...
1. Education
2. Creativity
That basically meant that I sent it out to everyone I know. Please take some time to watch. It takes about 20 minutes. I say, 20 minutes very well spent...

How do you eat an elephant?....

One bite at a time. So, last week was Health Assessment Week. This week is Momentum week. The next couple of weeks are "Tomorrow Night" weeks (actually every week is a "Tomorrow Night" week). We are plugging away at the Vision 2025 thing everyday. Continually updating the plan and making sure we are doing the things that keep this community moving forward. Couldn't ask for a better job. You know?

So, that being said, here is more information on Momentum. If you want to come, call or email me and I'll put you on the list....

Entertainment in Greenville
CONVERSATION LEADER: Gene Krcelic
DATE: October 30th, 2008

As Greenville continues to develop into a vibrant, culturally rich community, the conversation often turns to how planners and county leaders can enhance the area's entertainment options. Whether it's providing more live music venues, increasing public entertainment choices for families or providing a better cross-section of entertainment options, Greenville Forward invites the public to engage in a small-group style discussion about these topics and more at this month's Momentum Series.
The event will feature conversation leader Gene Krcelic, formerly of OMG Music, and be held on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Innovate Building Conference Center in downtown Greenville.

Space is limited to the first 30 people who register at rsvp@greenvilleforward.com, and a box lunch and beverage is provided for $8.

This month's Momentum Series conversation topics could include:· How does Greenville compare to the rest of the Southeast in its entertainment offerings and venues?· What entertainment options are currently available? Is there enough to suit young professionals, families, etc?· What future plans exist for the development of Greenville's entertainment industry? As Greenville Forward continues its Momentum Series conversations, anyone interested in Greenville's future status as a burgeoning entertainment destination is encouraged to attend.

The Momentum Series emphasizes a different topic each month. Subjects range in scope and are designed to encourage conversation moderated by an expert at the table. Past and future topics include green building, Latino Greenville and arts in education.

WHAT: The Momentum Series' program featuring Gene Krcelic, formerly of OMG Music

WHEN: Thursday, October 30, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: The Innovate Conference Center, the third floor of the Innovate Building, 148 River St., Greenville, SC 29601

WHO: Anyone interested in learning more and contributing ideas about Greenville's growing entertainment industry

OTHER: $8 includes lunch; payable at the door; no credit cardsTo encourage small group discussion, space for each event is limited to the first 30 people who register. For more information on the event or to register to attend, contact Brock Koonce at (864) 233-8443 or e-mail rsvp@greenvilleforward.com.

Sometimes you just need to think...

about how much fun you have on a daily basis. I have a pretty cool job. Every now and then, during hectic days of task force meetings, developing reports, reading emails and doing Russell's laundry, I lose sight of that. I get stressed out. I act as if what I do rival's Jack Baur. Well, it doesn't. Even if he is just a fictional television character.

I have fun. I get to write. I get to meeting. I get to talk. I get to experience and learn about things I would never get a chance to if I didn't work for Greenville Forward. Which makes me, in turn, think about the importance of having Greenville Forward around (other than a paycheck for me.)

So, I was sending an email to a friend the other day who asked me how my day was going. This is what I wrote...

"I'm good. Took at tour of the Children's Museum they are building downtown and met with their exec. director, had a meeting with a group of people to discuss creating a poverty center for Greenville County, had a nice one on one meeting with Dr. Shi, president of Furman University, and met with Gene Krcelic to talk about entertainment in Greenville. Now I am getting ready to meet with an environment task force to develop an environment score card for Greenville County and then, I'm going to the school board community forum at the Hughes Library."

Their response was something along the lines of "that sounds very cool."

I had to sit back and agree. So, now when I have days that I feel overwhelmed, I stop for a moment and think about:
1. I am very lucky to have a job, at all.
2.How much more fun could I have at doing what I do?
3.What does tomorrow hold.

I have to sign off now. Russell is about to fill me in on some of his meetings about the future...

Blogs Are Like Sharks...

If they don't keep moving, they'll die.

Alright, I didn't make that one up. But, it applies to the fact that I haven't posted a thing on this blog in about a month. Actually, longer than that. I think Kate posted something last. Anyway, it's been too long for this blog to sit stale. But there is a good reason. Well, maybe...

The Greenville Forward World Headquarters has been busy. This is nothing really unusual, since we don't really have a "busy season." We pretty much stay that way all the time. But, the past couple of weeks/months/etc. have been full of planning, planning, planning.

Health Assessment...

On October 23rd, at 10AM at The University Center Auditorium in McAlister Square, Greenville Forward, along with The United Way, Bon Secours St. Francis, The Greenville Hospital System, Peidmont Healthcare Foundation and the South Carolina Business Coalition on Health, will release it's findings from the third area health reassessment. The study, conducted over the past year, shows that, despite increased expanding health systems and easier access to health care, the number of medically underserved and underinsured poeple is still growing in Greenville County.

Momentum...
On October 30th, Greenville Forward presents it's 3rd Momentum Series, focusing on Entertainment In Greenville. As Greenville continues to develop into a vibrant, culturally rich community, the conversation often turns to how planners and county leaders can enhance the area's entertainment options. Whether it's providing more live music venues, increasing public entertainment choices for families or providing a better cross-section of entertainment options, Greenville Forward invites the public to engage in a small-group style discussion about these topics and more at this month's Momentum Series.
The event will feature conversation leader Gene Krcelic, formerly of OMG Music, and be held on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Innovate Building Conference Center in downtown Greenville. Space is limited to the first 30 people who register at rsvp@greenvilleforward.com, and a box lunch and beverage is provided for $8.

Tomorrow Night...

On November 6th, Greenville Forward is hosting TOMORROW NIGHT, a celebration of Greenville's future at the Upcountry History Museum starting at 7:00. Featuring Greenville's hottest new band sensation, Hit Mob 7, and a few other surprises, this event will surely become one of Greenville's "must do" celebrations. We will also celebration the work of some "Heroes Next Door," people in the community who are unselfishly living the ideals of Vision 2025. If you would like to nominate someone, send us an email with their name and a paragraph or two of the work they are doing. If you would like to get an invitation, email us at mailto:bkoonce@greenvilleforward.com. An investment of $60 per person will get you into the extravaganza.


So, as you can see, we've been a bit busy. And, that is just the tip of the iceberg. We are hoping to bring many more things to Greenville, while we make sure that we are all thinking toward 2025...