Branding Our City

Grande Prairie is comming up with a new brand. A slogan that can be used to then update our logo. I think this is a wonderful idea, our logo is outdated and we have grown so much in the last few years. It was announced in the paper yesterday that the first draft was presented to council. "Opportunity for Entreprenurial ingenuity" was what was suggested. Wait, did I spell that correctly? A couple of the Alderman were skeptical of this, with good reason. Do we want to paint our city as just a place to open a business? Not to say that our unique and varied economy isnt a good thing, infact it is a great thing. Is this all that we are though? And what kind of logo are we going to get from this slogan?

Im glad that this is not the final result, there is definitely more work to be done. Grande Prairie is rich with talented artistic people and cultural programs and festivals. These things should not be overloo9ked, especially when some of the suggestions I hear are "Grande Prairie, a nice place to be from". People dont know about our creative side, it is something Id like to see highlighted for those who currently think Grande Prairie is an oil town and nothing more.

Buzz about the bees

I attended the city council meeting tonight and was impressed by a speech given about Honey Bees. When I first heard about the city wanting to declare a day for the Honey Bee I wasnt sure of my thoughts on this. After hearing the support from a federal researcher (who's name escapes me at the moment) I think it is a great idea! What better way to educate and excite a community about a cause so important. Im really looking forward to what council plans and how this day will unfold. It sounds like an event the kids will enjoy too.

The beginning...

I just came back from a vacation in Penticton B.C. It was fantastic. Clear cool lake on a hot day, making sand castles with the kids, what could be better? Well, the beach was clean, the public restrooms were clean, everything there seemed to clean and well kept. The city had a small town feel to it, much like Grande Prairie used to be. It seems that the oil industry brings revenue and a perception of being, well, dirty. When you look around though, we have done a pretty good job of taking care of this city. Maybe its that we've lost that small town feeling, maybe its that we are too busy putting in long hours and worrying about paying for our toys that we dont stop to say hello. Too often I hear "theres nothing to do", but there is plenty! Is it just that nobody talks? What can be done to get that sense of community back? How do we make Grande Prairie more welcomming and show people what there is to do and see here?