Elbert West, the real deal

Today’s guest post is from Brian Thies, retired educator from Hampton, Iowa.  Brian and  I live in a community that supports the arts and we often get to hear musicians from around the United States.  Brian is also a writer, and both of us had the opportunity to meet and work with the artists that performed…

Read More

Jason Falls Coming to Des Moines

Ben Smith is a friend of mine and I’m honored to be able to work with Ben on a project coming to Iowa.  Ben made it possible for Brian Solis to come to Des Moines to speak and he is now bringing Jason Falls here!  Here’s Ben, in his own words … Social: IRL is…

Read More

Fly In To Fly Over Country

Have you been to the Midwest for vacation? Most of the people who live in the Midwest have.  It’s a well kept secret.  This IS the place to be.  We want to let the secret out.  In May, National Geographic sent a blogger to travel the United States and blog about what he saw.  Aric…

Read More

Top Five Reasons to Attend the 140 Character Conference

Why am I so enthralled with the State of Now/140 Character Conferences? I get asked that a lot.  Always by people who have never been to one.  My first instinct is to get my hackles* raised up and wonder why they just ‘don’t get it’? Of course, having a conversation with your hackles raised is…

Read More

American Legion Breakfast

A month ago I bought two $5 tickets to the American Legion Omelet breakfast today. Today I was up early so I called my girlfriend Keri and asked if she wanted to go. We went the American Legion Hall and these guys were ready for us!  It was an omelet bar with eggs (of course),…

Read More

One Word: Change

The only thing constant in this life is change. A long standing catch phrase that reflects the truth in today’s communications for business.  Listen to what you are hearing around the groundswell of the internet.  You can’t keep up with all the changes! The term Digital Darwinism was coined by Brian Solis.  It means the…

Read More

Invisible Children in Hampton Iowa

Cornerstone Cottage Kids is a local business in Hampton, Iowa.  They cater to parents of children and provide toys, books, clothing and all with an educational bent and a lot of fun.  This weekend they were very serious.  We are honored to have this guest post.  Kony 2012 Hampton Iowa Memorial Day Weekend Action Joseph…

Read More

Students, smarter than the average bear

Today I had a Skype conversation with a group of students at Sioux Central in Iowa.  Their teacher, Mrs. Olson, helped to arrange it and sent me the above Fotobabble.  These girls will be helping to bring National Geographic to Iowa.  And yes, they DO MATTER.   (two points to you if you know what…

Read More

Road trip on the Internet

I’m a local girl who’s turning 57 on June 1.  What can I find in North Central Iowa to do? I set up a Google Alert for “Hampton Iowa” and here’s what I’ve found so far there. Finding Kind movie screening at the Surf . I googled ‘things to do in North Central Iowa’ and…

Read More

Locals Weigh In on #TravelMidwest

Many people have weighed in on the conversation with National Geographic on why they should visit Iowa in their trek across the United States.  Here’s just a few comments received from blog posts, facebook comments and twitter.    But none of the glitz and glamour found in the big cities feeds my soul like quiet…

Read More