Preparing young students living in south Dearborn and southwest Detroit for college is the focus of a new collaborative pilot project. The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) and Henry Ford Community College will offer "a for-credit college preparation course," which "aims to help students successfully transition to and complete community college education," from September 21 - December 17, 2010, from 3 - 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, according to the class announcement. Instead of holding it at the community college, they will offer the class out in the community, at ACCESS Youth & Family Center, which might better access students living in the area.

"This geographic area was selected due to the high low-income and immigrant population in these communities," the announcement reads. It reports; "Data shows that youth and young adults in low income communities are less likely to enroll in college, and for those who do enroll, their chances of succeeding are low. The idea behind this initative is to 'bring the college to the community' to ease them into the experience, as well as to help them achieve academic success once enrolled."

The class is in no way exclusive to a particular race or ethnicity (they are targeting high school seniors and adults between the ages of 21 and 24 with a G.PA. between 1.8 and 3.2), however one could conclude from the fact that it is being held at ACCESS that the project will likely reach some of the Arab students living in South Dearborn, as well as students belonging to other minority groups in the area. For more information contact Justine Flores at jflores@accesscommunity.org.

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

An interesting series of articles from the Lansing State Journal on what it's going to take to grow business, Nearly every single article reflects the importance of the eight assets that are the key elements of the League's Center for 21st Century Communities.  Most important - a new attitude.

Former Lansing Mayor and outgoing CEO of Prima Civitas David Hollister, writes on how Mid-Michigan needs to harness already existing key ingredents found in other growing areas. Namely a university, entrepreneurial attitiude, regional approach to development, large numbers of knowledge workers and nimble and creative organizations.

Bob Tresize of the Lansing EDC discusses the need for a strong urban core at the center of revitalization. Doug Stites, President and CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works notes that its time for the old guard to get out of the way and make room for a new kind of enterprenuer.  Other authors discuss the need for greater regionalism as well as the need to celebrate and focus on successes and talk about what's good.

It seems more and more folks around our state in any number of disciplines -- private, non-profit, governental, education, etc -- are getting the message.  Its time for a new strategy, a 21st Century strategy that will invest in our communities and create a economic resugence in our state.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.