Finding ways to bring greater access to food and more food buying choices to Michigan residents living in "Food Deserts" is a challenge that enters into all sorts of conversations at both the government and community engagement levels - from discussions about city planning strategies, to business development efforts, to urban agricultural initiatives, to a variety of non-profit and community-based outreach projects happening right now. It's a good time to familiarize yourself with the term and the complexity of issues surrounding how lacking access to grocery stores and healthy food options negatively impacts not only human health but the health of neighborhoods. 

Research consultant Mari Gallagher has studied "Food Deserts" in Detroit, and I found her report, "Examining the Impact of Food Deserts of Public Health in Detroit," on Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity's website, which also features other food related information for you to browse. If you are more interested in hearing what the impact of "Food Deserts" is straight from the mouths of people living in them, take a look at this older Detroit News article, from 2007, which reported on grocery store closing in Detroit. This article, "Grocery closings hit Detroit hard: City shoppers' choices dwindle as last big chain leaves," includes a lengthly discussion about some of the issues related to the lack of food choices in Detroit, and it features public feedback from people who are personally impacted. 

I don't live in a "Food Desert," but when I hear about people living in these areas - mostly low-income, economically depressed neighborhoods - I try to sympathize and understand what it must be like for them. I think of my frequent trips to the corner gas station, which is the only convenient place within walking distance to run to the store for things like trash bags, paper towels, batteries, and cat food. I don't compare my lack of convenient dish soap options to the lack of food choices plaguing many people in places like Detroit - "Food Deserts" are a much more serious issue. However, it makes me think about how lucky I am that the corner gas station isn't the only place nearby that I can buy food. 

Jennifer Eberbach is a professional journalist and writer. Find contact information on her website www.jenthewriter.info

Michigan is home to many unique, diverse, and attractive cities and towns. From our picturesque lakeside communities to our urban downtowns. From our heritage sites to our natural wonders - our state is full of distinctive travel destinations. The Center for 21st Century Communities (21c3) likes to see it when Michigan communities are honored for their uniqueness, and acknowledges that promoting a "sense of place" attracts tourists and makes communities vibrant places where people want to live and work.

Each year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation honors U.S. cities, towns, and sometimes neighborhoods that "exude an authentic sense of place," by acknowledging a Dozen Distinctive Destinations around the country. The program pays tribute to places where one finds things like "attractive architecture," as well as "cultural diversity and commitment to historic preservation, sustainability, and revitalization," according to the program's website.

Nominations for the 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations are being accepted until September 10, 2010. Nomination Guidelines are available online. Nominations must be submitted by a Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau, National Trust Statewide or Local Partner, Main Street Office, Historic Hotel of America, or other tourism, preservation, or local organization, according to the guidelines.

Selected communities will receive online promotion, inclusion in a feature article appearing in Preservation magazine, additional promotional support, and the title of "2011 Dozen Distinctive Destination," which includes use of the program logo.

A number of Michigan communities have been honored with the title in the past. Last year, Marquette, Michigan was selected as the "2010 Fan Favorite," by public vote. 21c3 hopes to see more Michigan cities and towns join the ranks. So, get your nominations in before the September 10 deadline!

Jennifer Eberbach is  professional journalist and writer. Find contact information on her website www.jenthewriter.info

The Center for 21st Century Communities’ (21c3) “eight assets” that make cities and towns attractive places to live and work have been included among the “core values” of the City of Saline, Michigan’s 2010-2011 Strategic Plan for city governance! 

This means that the ideas, goals, and solutions presented on this website are really starting to have a tangible impact on communities that are looking for ways to become more vibrant places in the 21st Century. The Michigan Municipal League, which created 21c3 and identified the “eight assets,” is particularly pleased to see a community in Michigan so whole-heartedly embracing its effort to help communities “place-make.”

Included among Saline’s “core values” is a call to “Review Potential Components of 21st Century Communities,” and they are using 21c3’s “eight assets” as a model or a jumping off point. The “eight assets” that you can learn about on this website include; Physical Design & Walkability, Green Initiatives, Cultural Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, Multiculturalism, Messaging & Technology, Transit, and Education - all of which appear in Saline’s 2010-2011 Strategic Plan.

Beyond including 21c3’s “eight assets” in the plan, it also sets out a few other goals and objectives throughout the rest of the document that relate to 21c3’s efforts. The city wants to do things like “enhance downtown music activities,” “increase non-motorized traffic, including pedestrian and biking,” “ensure that Saline is a model for environmental efforts,” and improve city government's communications and online presence. If you’ve been keeping up with this site, you’ll notice that these are some of the topics we’ve been blogging about, and you can find many related resources, multimedia resources, and solutions on this site. 

Browse the “eight assets," by clicking around the flash image on the top of this page, or find out more about the Technical Services that the League has started offering communities in Michigan who want to develop as strong, vibrant 21st Century Communities.

Jennifer Eberbach is a professional journalist and writer. Find contact information on her website www.jenthewriter.info

Environmental consciousness and the desire to harness the power of the sun aren't new ideas - solar power was available to consumers in the 1950‘s - but the initial effort to go solar in America pretty much tanked. Solar power was too expensive for the average home or business owner.

There’s good news for people ready to make solar power really happen. In Michigan, people who purchase solar panels can take advantage of so many different rebates, incentives, and federal tax credits that the cost of going solar just melts away. What was once outside the reach of the average consumer has become, well, relatively cheap.

You may have heard the news that solar panels are more affordable now. Have you taken the time to consider if they would work for your home or business? There are a number of websites out there that give you the skinny on how to get a lot of your money back. DsireUSA is a database of incentives by state with links to information about federal tax credits and options in Michigan. You can link to Michigan’s Department of Energy Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) for another set of links. Don’t forget about DTE Energy’s Solar Currents program, which will save you loads of cash.

Jennifer Eberbach is a professional journalist and writer. Find contact information on her website www.jenthewriter.info