Happy Turkey Day From Greenville Forward

Govies!

So, I spoke to a bunch of Governor's School students on Wednesday night. I was asked to speak to them by my good friend, Anne Tromsness, and to my delight, about 50 of them showed.

Everyone ranging from visual to creative writing to drama to musical to dance were there. And, amazingly enough, they stayed awake! Imagine that. Even through my rambling about my "story" and my history with theatre and my job hopping from one agency to another and the forming of Greenville Forward. They stayed awake. So, hopefully, I wasn't too boring.

The thing I take away everytime I visit a school in Greenville is the immense talent that is housed under our noses. These kids are incredible. I mean, they are 17 on average, and they do what they do. They create life. They mold thier future. They develop the path that lays before them. Truly inspirational.

So, I asked who wanted to come back to Greenville. No hands went up. I asked them who wanted to come back to South Carolina. A couple of hands went up. Then, I asked why...

• "Nothing to do. I would stay if I had options...music...something."
• "It's not very cool. I mean, it's beautiful, but it lacks something that I want."
• "I want a big city. A city that supports artists. A city that supports arts, full fledged. Greenville has a good arts scene, but to make a living here..."
  

I've heard these comments before. I've said these comments before. So, I asked what we needed to do to make Greenville a place for them to come back...

• "More music. More accessible."
• "More people like me."
• "Diversity."

I especially hung on to the last comment. This is something that the younger generation looks for.

Baby Boomers looked for jobs that paid, and they didn't necessarily care about the city it was in. It was about the job. About the money. The Millenials (1982-2001) are looking for life first. 3 out of 4 young creatives under the age of 28 have said that a cool city is more important that a good job. What a change in dynamic since the 1970's and 80's.

These Govies (that's what they are called) are the future of Greenville. Or, at least, I certainly hope they are. What if they brought their talents back to our community? What if they came here to live, work and play? What if they challenged our way of thinking?

From 1990 - 2004 the United States experienced a decline of 8% in 25-35 year olds. Where did they go? The Greenville News stated, not long ago, that "baby boomers have been the fastest growing age group in Greeenville County since the dawn of the millennium, and adults age 25 to 39 were the slowest growing group."

Where are the young creatives going? It is projected that from 2008 - 2020 Greenville will lose over 7,000 25 - 34 year olds. This means that the current 25-34 years will get older and move into a different age bracket, but the younger people (high school and middle school) will graduate, move away, and not come back.

That concerns me. How can we be the place these kids want to come back to? How can we be a Portland or Austin. D.C. or a Nashville?

All I know is that we are working on it. And, I feel strongly that, if even one of these kids at The Gov. School would come back...we will be much better for it.

My dog is a happy girl...

So, this weekend I took my dog, Connolly, to Cleveland Park and Falls Park to enjoy the beautiful fall weather we are having. It was gorgeous! Leaves are turning. There is a bit of a chill in the air. And, the smell...

There is just something about that Fall smell, you know? It reminds me that it's football season and really makes me want to be outside doing something. I love it.

Anyway, on my jaunt on Sunday through Cleveland Park, I noticed that the new portion of the trail was open. This new portion is the City's portion of the Swamp Rabbit Trail and it runs behind Cleveland Street and the YMCA and 1st Baptist Church. If you've seen the portion that the trail put in about a year and half ago over by the Linky Stone Children's Garden, this is just like that. 8 feet wide asphalt. 4 feet wide rubberized asphalt. It's really great, especially to people like me who suffer from severe shin splints. My dog loved it too. She was a bit apprehensive about the rubberized part, but she soon got used to it.

We walked all the way down to Greenville Tech and back. Then, we stopped by the Dog Park. Of course by that time Connolly was worn out, but what a great way to spend a Sunday afternooon, you know?

So, check out the trail. If you are in Cleveland Park next to the dog park and are looking across the street, look to the left of the horse stables and you will see the trail. Have fun.

Honor is spelled V.E.T.E.R.A.N.

Happy Veterans Day to all!

Jones'n...

So, our PR wizard, Liza Jones, had her baby this morning. Seems like, in our effort to attract, engage and retain Greenville's next leaders, we are starting in the office. Our former Development Director, Mary Hunter, had her baby back in May and now Liza has added a new one to the Jones Clan. Congrats to her, her husband and their son Ty on the wonderful additon of baby Carson to their lives.

Carson Jones

Born: 10:15AM

Weight: 7.9oz

Rock the Vote!

In case you have been living under a rock for the past year, tomorrow is Election Day. No matter which way it goes, the results are going to make history and the political science major in me wants to be sure to remind you all to become a participant in our democratic process and vote.

Most importantly, do your research and educate yourselves on the issues that are important to you. Do your homework and head out to the polls on what is supposed to be a beautiful day. Though the lines may be long, this is your chance to use your voice.

As part of Vision 2025, we hope to reach the goal of 75% of the electorate voting in a general election. If early turnout holds true, we may edge closer to this goal and it is only 2007!

We'll see you at the polls.