In an age of in increasing dependence on our online interconnectedness, it’s nice to see the occasional example of community building that still involves real people and real community – the kind of organizing that came before the internet, but now perhaps is informed by it as well. For Newark, Ohio, a town of 45,000 people that typifies the plight of so many manufacturing cities in the U.S. – loss of jobs, shuttered businesses and lack of innovation – the decision to fix their own economic woes has centered around one book or 1,400 to be exact.
The slim volume, “Community [...]

When we were in New Orleans recently, PSFK met probably the most important person setting the avant garde agenda in the NOLA art scene. By buying up abandoned homes in the St Roch neighborhood and converting them into galleries, Kirsha has built one of the most exciting art spaces in the country, if not the world. We spoke to her about her work at the New Orleans Biennial, her plans for her gallery and the importance of supporting New Orleans.
Recently you supported the Biennial where you trolleyed tourists and art lovers around some of the most desolate parts of New [...]

Gallery owner and artist Jonathan Ferrara, from the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery in New Orleans, is pushing the city’s creative forces to the edge while relying on the strong foundation he has built for over a decade. While allowing young artists to exhibit their individual voices, Ferrara’s gallery is speaking volumes nationally with sales reaching 80% out of state.  The gallery is currently showing Camouflage by artist Sidonie Villere, whose minimalist paintings are a portrait of self-preservation. The all-white collection reflects ideas of blending in and masking oneself, which is relevant in a time where privacy seems to be near extinction.  [...]

When we were in New Orleans recently we learned about plans by an organization called Free Flow Power to generate electricity by harnessing the power in the deep Mississippi river close by. As part of our ongoing NOLA Changemakers interview series we talked to Jon Guidroz, Director of Project Development at Free Flow Power, about his clean energy project and the unique spirit of NOLA.
Can you tell us a little about what Free Flow Power does?
Free Flow Power Corporation was founded to produce clean renewable energy, using the force of rivers, streams, ocean currents, or tides, to generate electricity, without [...]

When PSFK found itself at the far end of Magazine Street in New Orleans, we visited one of the creative businesses helping to reinvigorate the city. Dirty Coast is a design company best known for their graphic tees. As part of our ongoing NOLA Changemakers interview series, we talked to co-founder Blake Hanley about how the city inspires his company and how he spreads awareness about NOLA across the country.
It was great coming across your store on our recent trip to New Orleans. How would you describe your business?
We are a merchandise company that concentrates on custom-designed shirts, posters, stickers [...]

Thought the Cash 4 Gold Superbowl ad was strange? Turns out a lot of you didn’t: suburbanites from Oregon to New Jersey are trading their stereotypical Tupperware parties for gold-selling parties. Guests bring their unwanted jewellery (from previous fashion fads or ex-husbands) to a MyGoldParty, enjoy the company and maybe a glass of wine, and leave with a check. USA Today investigated:
[MyGoldParty founder January Thomas] says many women don’t like going to pawn shops. “At a party, they’re less embarrassed about asking how much their jewellery is worth,” Thomas says. “Besides, it’s a form of recycling and [...]

Today Denver joins the ever-increasing list of cities with only one newspaper: the Rocky Mountain News has published its last issue. But Editor John Temple hopes its readers will take pride in the final edition and its 52-page wraparound section, noting “This is our last shot at this. This morning (someone) said it’s like playing music at your own funeral. It’s an opportunity to make really sweet sounds or blow it. I’d like to go out really proud.” The paper’s very existence was in limbo for the past three months and operated at a $16 million loss. The only potential [...]

A collection of restaurants, quirky stores and galleries offers a trendy new take on Southern hospitality in Charlotte, NC. NoDa (North Davidson Street) has evolved from a historic mill village to a small but vibrant arts district. Most of the buildings are clustered around 36th Street, which makes the gallery crawl on every other Friday evening more of a “pit stop.” But that leaves patrons more time to hang out at the Dog Bar, where owners can mingle with their mutts, appropriately located a stone’s throw away from the Smelly Cat Coffeehouse. The area also houses the Neighborhood Theater, a [...]

Ever since the slow food movement came to prominence in the 90s, there has been a general shift in the way we perceive food and how we expect it to be produced. First, there was the whole fair trade thing, then it was all about being organic, now, it’s all about being local – and one of the latest trends we’ve been noticing is young urbanites taking matters into their own hands, and growing their own food.
The Greenhorns is a documentary currently in production focusing on the lives of America’s young farming community. Speaking with farmers from Maine to [...]

We’ve mentioned the Snuggie a couple times (here & here) this past year, so we thought it’d be appropriate to mention our invite to the Snuggie Pub Crawl in New York City. Similar crawls are going on in 15 other cities across the country, with Chicago’s, one of the most popular, already having racked up 2153+ registrants for their April 18th crawl.
The site says that proceeds will be donated to an orphanage in Tanzania, so we assume there is a minimal participation fee for crawlers. The events are not affiliated with the company, but keep in mind the blankets are [...]

In December 2008, Phoenix, Arizona opened the first 20 miles of its new light rail system, a first for the largely car-dependent city. Stretching from Central Phoenix through the neighboring cities of Tempe and Mesa, the rail provides alternate transportation while encouraging the development of the cities’ downtowns. Over 30,000 riders took to the rails the first month, exceeding expectations.
Though the system was mainly built to serve commuters, people have also used it to get to sporting events, gallery openings and Arizona State University. After learning the ropes of navigating the new system, the next logical question for many riders [...]

We reported earlier this year about the increase in sex toy sales as the economy took a dive. And we’re finding that in Nashville, Tennessee, the same goes for live libidinous entertainment: Jason Helson, manager of popular strip club Déjà Vu, says business has actually improved with the economic downturn. The venue, which advertises “hundreds of beautiful girls and three ugly ones”, has witnessed a boom while most other businesses have suffered. Helson says: “Times are tough, but with any type of vice, people will always find a reason or a why or a how to do it… And everybody [...]

Milwaukee’s danceypant hipsters have found a haven in The Get Down, reportedly one of the city’s best and truest dance parties. DJs Andy Noble, Brent Goodsell, and Nesh entertain the sweaty masses with rare soul finds at various bars throughout the city, while Mad Planet serves as its regular host.
[via The Decider]

Las Vegas is one of many cities trying to develop its downtown. But, as it’s Vegas, it’s not necessarily business as usual. Along with plans to open a new city hall, the mayor has proposed using federal funds to build a museum dedicated to the mob’s involvement in Vegas. Other plans include building a casino resort and an office, retail and residential space, but in the economic downturn, it will be a tough sell. Downtown has never been as popular as the Strip, and has lost business to Indian casinos closer to patrons’ homes.
[via NYT]

I’ve just been co-presenting (with Rachel Botsman of OZOlab) and attending Feast Social Innovation Conference in New Orleans. If you don’t already know the smart team of ‘Millennials’ behind it, you should know: they are Alldaybuffet and this was the second in their next generation conferences and social entrepreneur events. What marked their event on Friday, February 6th as special is a combination of things, which may in some ways all add up to a loose definition of the term “Social Innovation”. Never before have I been to a conference where the ‘place’ was equally relevant and rich as the [...]