Summer Update

Next week, Eastern Washington University will commence a new fall quarter, and my entrance into planning from an academic point of view will be underway. The planning courses I'm taking will be:

Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning (Mondays and Wednesdays 1-3:30);
Community Development (Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-3:30); and
Professional Planning Practice (September 25-26, 8 am - 6 pm)

These are the classes I will be blogging here, but I may also address other things which are related to the people involved and the program itself.

A couple of things have happened during the summer as the new year quickly approaches. First, I joined the EWU Association of Student Planners. (That's not actually a huge task, every member of the planning department is automatically a member.) I went to a meeting of the executive board at Zola. There are a number of events that the ASP is planning over the course of the year, including some traditions such as a Chili Cook Off (on November 6 this year).

Second, I created a web site for the EWU ASP at http://ewuasp.ning.com (UPDATE: The Ning site has been closed down). At the moment, the graphics are just standard, but we'll punch it up with some more interesting images and graphics later. The purpose was to get things rolling, and you can already join up and view some of the upcoming events.

Third, I asked the former project manager of the Spokane Light Rail Project and current president of the Inland Empire Rail Transit Association, K.C. Traver, to speak at a brown bag seminar for the planning students. Of course, everyone is invited. Details will be released on the EWU ASP web site when we have them. There will be several brown bag seminars on topics of interest in this area.

Fourth, I went to a tailgate party with several second year graduate students at a Spokane Indians baseball game (Spokane beat Yakima 3-0). It was a great chance to socialize with a really fun and intelligent group of people. I truly enjoy them.

Fifth, I escorted a city councilmember from Mountlake Terrace, Washington to the East Side Block Party and Sustainable Uprising this last weekend. I introduced her to Mariah McKay (The Spovangelist), Angie Dierdorff (of Community Minded Enterprises), Beth Mort (the immdiate past president of EWU ASP) and the Inland Rail crew. She was thrilled by the event, and mentioned to Beth that she'd be willing to host a field trip to MLT to walk the downtown and look over the planning documents. All in all, a great connection there.

Student orientation begins tomorrow. So, I was very pleased to get an email today saying that this quarter is fully paid, and I'm all set. I hope you enjoy my journey, too.