Here They Are: The 10,000 (or so!) Things We Love About Fort Collins:

Comments will open at 12:01am on Friday and close at 11:59pm on Friday.


Click on the word COMMENTS immediately below this entry to submit your thoughts:

Are You Ready? We're Ready!!

Don't know about all of you but we've got our lists ready to post on Friday!

Good Example: "I love Old Town Square! It's a great place to go for a stroll in the summer time." (Positive, tourist appealing tip.)

Not Such a Good Example: "I love Old Town Square. It's a great place to go for a stroll in the summer time - except when people don't clean up after their dogs!" (Ewwww...!)

We can't wait to see what we'll learn about Fort Collins tomorrow!

You've Got Questions - We've Got Answers!

Lots of feedback and questions about this BlogJam. Here are just a few:

1. Yes. Comments will be moderated. Inappropriate language and off-topic comments will not be approved for submission. An off-topic comment would include rants, personal attacks and any other submission not suitable for inclusion in a promotional pitch to tourists. (Tip: very few promotional pitches we've seen lead with "you know what really stinks....?) You're probably old enough to get the inappropriate language reference...

2. Why are we doing this?
- We thought it would be fun and interesting to see what the community would like to share with visitors to Fort Collins.
- Many hands will help to make short work in our quest to inspire increased visitor activity in Old Town.
- Increased activity in Old Town = increased spending = economic stimulation = fewer vacant storefronts = more employment opportunities, and so on. It's an economic development thing.
- We're nosey.

3. No. You don't need to have us preview your comments to be sure a visitor would be interested. If you love something special about Fort Collins - you should share it. Don't be shy. Chances are others will be excited about it too. We think that a wide range of little things will add up to delightful experiences for visitors! Trust your instincts.

4. Yes. 10,000 things is a lot of things. We decided to aim high. (That, and it would be a little weird for us to say we were inspired by a quote that references "10,000 little things" but tell you we only needed 100!) We'd like to see what happens. It also gives you an opportunity to put on your thinking cap and give it your best effort. If you think you can come up with at least 1,000 on your own - knock yourself out (but call in to let your boss you won't be in on Friday!)

5. If you don't want to participate, that's fine. We'll still wave to you across College and say "hi" in line at the BeanCycle. Of course, it would be more fun if you choose to join us!

6. Just remember - there are no wrong answers. If it makes your heart sing share it with the world!

Free WIFI in Old Town for BlogJam!

Amazing news!

Thank you to FRII - Northern Colorado's Experts in IP Based Digital Communications - for providing 24-hour free WIFI access in Old Town in support of BlogJam 2008!

Join us on Friday, April 25th by logging anywhere in Old Town.

Courtesy of our friends and supporters at FRII.

It's The Little Things In Life That Add Up To Deliver Remarkable Experiences!

In his book The Systems Thinking Approach to Strategic Planning and Management, Stephen Haines outlines the case for instigating and managing change from a systems point of reference. If we extend his premise, we can easily apply this approach to a community because, well, a community is comprised of a wide range of far-reaching, inter-connected and focused systems.

Our favorite passage in this book provides the framework for our little BlogJam:

“Excellence is in doing 10,000 little things right. A strategic management system is a continual improvement in execution: a constant agitation and dissatisfaction of the status quo and a desire of finding new and better ways of doing everything.

Your assignment?

Help us to identify the 10,000 little things that Fort Collins does right.

What is it that makes our city an amazing place to live, work and play -- and the perfect location to vacation? What are the fun or distinctive places, features and insider secrets that would excite and inspire guests of our community? What are the fascinating little facts that no one else knows about who we are and how we celebrate life?

Our ground rules are simple:

1. Enter one comment per entry to help facilitate our tally. Enter as many observations that come to mind - just enter them as a separate comment.


2. You may sign your comment as an anonymous participant OR just use your first name.


3. If you are a local blogger, please provide an address for your blog so we can include in our BlogRoll (local directory.)


4. Send your questions to info@beetstreet.org prior to April 25th

We reserve the right to moderate comments that are off-topic or use inappropriate language.

Your comments will become a part of Beet Street's website - offering an insider's perspective to our guests about what they should know or not miss during their visit. Your participation will indicate your willingness to make your comments available to the public.

We will flip the switch to open the site for your comments and perspectives on Friday, April 25th at 12:01am. The site will close for comments at 11:59pm the same day.

You have 23 hours and 58 minutes to tell your side of the story. Be brief. Be specific. And, be inspiring!

Blog away, fellow Fort Collinsians, blog away!

Get Ready to Blog!

On Friday, April 25, people from across the country will join in the first ever Fort Collins BlogJam.

Please post your comments about our topic. Share your insights with the world! Your comments will become part of a feature on the Beet Street website and shared with other similiar websites in Northern Colorado.

At the end of your comments. Please include the web address to your blog. You will become a destination for cultural tourists who are web-savvy and will link to you from our site and blog.

Limber up your typing fingers and let the blogging jam!

c