Canberra International Music Festival and the Griffins

The 17th Canberra International Music Festival runs from, 11-22 May 2011. The program is emphasises Schubert. It also commemorates the work of Canberra’s original architects: Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. The conference program features a series of remarkable graphics, overlaying the plan of Canberra, with mystical symbols.The Griffins were invovled in anthroposophy .Read… Read more »

Community Recovery from Disaster

Dr Rebecca Whittle from Lancaster University gave an entertaining and informative talk on “Flood Recovery in the UK” at University of Western Australia, yesterday. She described research into the June 2007 floods in Hull, England, where 8000 families were displaced. A longitudinal study using diaries and group discussion was carried out. As well as papersRead… Read more »

Telecommunications in Australia Podcast

The 30 minute audio Podcast “Telecommunications in Australia”, by Keri Phillips, ABC Radio National “Rear Vision” program, is available.This puts the National Broadband Network a historical context: “Everything to do with communications in Australia has always been highly political; the National Broadband Network provides the latest evidence. Rear Vision looks at the story of communicationRead… Read more »

Why government should be like Disney

Call me a sucker. I’m 42 and on my first visit to Disney World. Yes, it’s the happiest place on earth. Dreams do come true. Heck, it’s the land of milk and honey. And the Federal Government should run more like Disney. Why would I make such a bold audacious statement? Have I been drinkingRead… Read more »

I’m famous!

Okay, not really. But the American University School of Public Affairs, from which I’m about to graduate as the first person to earn a master’s in the school’s new political communications program, wrote a feature on me for the website. Not only that, but my sure-to-be-amazing GovLoop fellowship even got a mention. http://www.american.edu/spa/success/Political-Communications-Graduate-Student-Masters-the-Field.cfm

Scam roundup: asphalt pavers, fake payday loan collectors

Two scam alerts: Check N Go impersonators are contacting Washington residents regarding supposedly delinquent payday loans, reports the state Department of Financial Institutions. And the Department of Labor and Industries warns of a seasonal asphalt paving scam that may pressure you to repair your driveway. More details … Original post

Who has a cool job in government?

Feds do some cool work, and their work deserves to be showcased. Last year, Federal News Radio profiled some federal workers with more unconventional jobs as part of the series “Cool Jobs in Government.” We’re continuing the series – this time with more multimedia (think more photos, audio slideshows and video). I’m looking for suggestionsRead… Read more »

Upcoming Event on Section 508 Testing and Remediation: Application and Best Practices

On Tuesday April 26, 2011, there is a free workshop called, “Section 508 Testing and Remediation: Application and Best Practices.” Presenters include Paul Lloyd, USDA Target Center, and Nicshan Floyd, Office of Accessible Systems and Technologies, DHS. There will be seats in the Library of Congress, Montpelier Room, Madison Building as well as a webcast.Read… Read more »

The Secret to Giving 110%

The secret is… you can’t give 110%. It’s not possible, so you can stop trying. I think the misconception comes from a false assumption that we normally operate at 100%. So when we give more than we normally do, we naturally attribute that to going above our “100%.” More accurately, we don’t regularly operate atRead… Read more »