“The nation has lots of “walkable” places, but can we give up the automobile?” This is a topic of a New York Times blog today.

But we live in a city built around the car (for at least for the last 50 years). For us the question is even more challenging. While we press for more “walkable” spaces, new development continues toward peripheral, suburban areas. Development remains harder to foster in the very parts of our city–like downtown, or near the university–that now seem most apt for walking and biking. Are we going to end up with “walkable” little areas which we reach mostly by car?

See "Car-Free in America?" http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/carless-in-america/

"If your local newspaper shuts down, what will take the place of its coverage? Perhaps a package of information about your neighborhood, or even your block, assembled by a computer. A number of Web start-up companies are creating so-called hyperlocal news sites that let people zoom in on what is happening closest to them, often without involving traditional journalists." (Source: Gainesville Sun, "‘Hyperlocal’ Web Sites Deliver News Without Newspapers," April 13, 2009, http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090413/ZNYT01/904133011 )

"Pushing for a greener Gainesville, the Good Earthkeeping Project is helping businesses certify their environmental efforts. This nonprofit organization was started in June 2008 by former University of Florida professor and environmentalist John Paling to recognize businesses making strides toward reducing energy use." (Source: Gainesville Sun, "Group helps area businesses certify their green efforts," May 3, 2009, http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090503/ARTICLES/905031007 )

"A newly formed Gainesville business group aims to encourage the community to "Think Local First" when doing business." (Source: Gainesville Sun, "Business group eyes sustainability Local group forms," Gainesville Sun, June 24, 2006, http://www.gainesville.com/article/20060624/BUSINESS/206240306 )

"A newly formed Gainesville business group aims to encourage the community to "Think Local First" when doing business." (Source: Gainesville Sun, "New Gainesville business group forms," June 24, 2006, http://www.gainesville.com/article/20060629/GUARDIAN/60628050 )