Category Archives: peace

It is Time to Ban Gas-powered Leaf Blowers!

Posted on May 11, 2018 by

Personally, I’m sick and tired of noisy leaf blowers disturbing the enjoyment of beautiful days. It has gotten to the point where one cannot keep their windows open or sit on the deck without these infernal things droning on and … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Alternative energy, environment, health, landscape architecture, nature, peace, planning, pollution, product design, seasons, Statistics, sustainability, technology | 18 Comments

Designate I-85 the “Civil Rights Freedomway”

Posted on May 3, 2018 by

It is my suggestion that Interstate 85 (I-85) Between Virginia and Alabama should be named the Civil Rights Freedomway. I make this suggestion because of the large number of important historical sites of the Civil Rights era located along or … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptive reuse, Advocacy, Bus transportation, charities, cities, civics, Civil Rights, civility, culture, diversity, geography, historic preservation, history, human rights, humanity, inclusiveness, land use, Maps, peace, placemaking, planning, politics, poverty, social equity, tourism, trails, transportation, Travel, volunteerism | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

No words…

Posted on April 26, 2018 by

…can possibly describe the sad and disturbing aspect of American history depicted by the new National Memorial for Peace and Justice (a.k.a. Lynching Memorial) that opened today (4/25/18) in Montgomery, Alabama. I will let these photographs of this solemn site … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, civility, diversity, history, human rights, humanity, inclusiveness, peace, pictures, racism, social equity, Statistics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is your community a bully?

Posted on March 29, 2018 by

The title of this post may sound odd, but I am convinced that the persona of certain communities is to act like bullies towards their counterparts on the local and regional stage. In reality, this assertion shouldn’t be so strange … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, cities, civics, civility, Communications, culture, education, health, human rights, humanity, inclusiveness, Love, peace, politics, social equity | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stand Up for Avra Valley!

Posted on March 25, 2018 by

Stand Up for Avra Valley! Midst a scenic desert valley a freeway is planned to flow more useless sprawl and chaos whose outcome we all know This Sonoran panorama is a treat for jaded eyes seducing all who view her … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, art, charities, cities, civics, civility, deserts, environment, geography, historic preservation, history, humanity, infrastructure, land use, nature, peace, pictures, placemaking, planning, Poem, politics, pollution, recreation, spatial design, sprawl, sustainability, topography, tourism, transportation, Travel, urban planning, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Advice from a Saguaro cactus

Posted on March 23, 2018 by

Came across this list on a bookmark of all things. A little fun on a Friday evening. Stand tall Reach for the stars Be patient through the dry spells Conserve your resources Think long term Wait for your time to … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Communications, Environment, geography, Nature, peace, Uncategorized, Wildlife | Tagged | Leave a comment

International Cities of Peace

Posted on October 17, 2017 by

The list below identifies the International Cities of Peace – currently 182. I’m very proud that my adopted home town of Traverse City, Michigan recently became the 175th such city on the planet and the third in Michigan along with Detroit … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Cities, culture, geography, humanity, peace | Tagged | Leave a comment

People can be so disgusting!

Posted on October 12, 2017 by

A recent report by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore highlights how disgusting humans can be, even when visiting a national park. The report identifies the extent and content of litter collected from beaches in the park this past summer … Continue reading →

Posted in civics, civility, education, environment, geography, health, infrastructure, land use, peace, placemaking, planning, pollution, recreation, Statistics, topography, tourism, Travel | 1 Comment

Happy 100th Birthday to the National Park Service!

Posted on August 24, 2016 by

The National Park Service is easily my favorite federal agency and the one that deserves so much more funding than Congress has been willing to give in recent years. If I were able to be transported back to the threshold … Continue reading →

Posted in civics, environment, fun, geography, Geology, government, hiking, historic preservation, history, land use, nature, peace, recreation, sustainability, topography, tourism, Travel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The “not-so good” war

Posted on August 19, 2016 by

Often, as Americans we are told that World War II was “the good war.” But, is that really the case or is it just an example of the victors writing history to serve their needs? No one is disputing that … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, art, book reviews, books, civics, civility, Communications, culture, diversity, entertainment, geography, government, historic preservation, history, human rights, humanity, literature, military, peace, politics, racism, social equity, writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment