globalbriefs


News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.


Eco-Kudos America Names Top Smart-Growth Cities


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Smart Growth Awards recognize innovation in everything from creating small public spaces in densely packed urban cores to investing in compact communities and preserv- ing forests and farmland. It all makes for greater livability. This past year, the Big Apple took honors for overall ex- cellence. “New York City has achieved a relatively small carbon foot- print, given its size, through its commitment to creating compact and walkable neighborhoods,” according to the agency report. The city has also built dedicated bike lanes and carved out public spaces in urban jungles like Times Square. Portland, Oregon, wins kudos for its realistic growth plan to accommodate an anticipated 600,000 population by 2030, strengthening employment and con- centrating commerce, while preserving its neighborhoods and connections with nature. In Maine, 20 towns collaborated in a commercial and tourist byway, while preserving the region’s rural character. San Francisco earned praise for transform- ing a previously neglected alleyway into the vibrant South of Market retail area, as did Baltimore for its green rehab of an historic building into a mixed-use space that revitalized the surrounding neighborhood.


Urban Psychology Where We Come From Counts


Making a life is about more than making a living, and a University of Michigan study has found that some cities lead with their heart, while others lead with their head. “The place where we grew up or currently reside… defines who we are, how we think about ourselves and others, and the way we live,” suggest researchers Nansook Park and Christopher Peterson. Hence the common query: “Where are you from?” With more than half of the world’s total population living in cities, the research- ers maintain that it’s time to assess what is right about urban life. So, they surveyed character strengths among more than 47,000 residents of the 50 largest U.S. cities. They report that heart-strong cities tended to be warmer, less crowded and more community/teamwork oriented, with more families with children, and perhaps kinder and gentler overall. The five highest scoring heart-oriented cities were: El Paso, Texas; Mesa, Arizona; Miami; Virginia Beach; and Fresno, California. Head-strong cities tended to be more intellectual, innovative and creative, with a greater number of patents per capita. They are often labeled as hot spots for talent and high-tech industries. The five top-scoring cities in this category were: San Francis- co, Los Angeles and Oakland, California; Albuquerque; and Honolulu. Some cities scored above average on both counts, including El Paso, Honolulu


and Detroit. Is it better to lead with your head or your heart? Each has its own advantages, the


researchers conclude. Life may well be good in other towns, too, simply in different ways.


10 East Bay Area | www.NAEastBay.com


Sonic Valentine Ninth World Sound Healing Day is February 14


Jonathan and Andi Goldman will lead a five-minute worldwide ton- ing for planetary peace and harmo- ny on February 14 at noon, Eastern Time, when everyone is invited to meet up in the toning chamber at TempleOfSacredSound.org to join in a heartfelt, “Ah.” Those without Internet access are welcome to join in the compassionate chorus with their own heart sound at that time, or to create or join a local sound- ing event. “We estimate that hundreds of thousands participate each year,” Jonathan says. They are encour- aged that independent monitoring of the effects of collective con- sciousness on worldwide energy fields by Princeton’s Global Con- sciousness Project and HeartMath’s Global Coherence Initiative, while not conclusive, showed simulta- neous upward spikes last year on Valentine’s Day.


For details, visit WorldSound-


HealingDay.org, listen live to a special radio program at Healthy Life.net beginning at 11 a.m. ET, Feb. 14, and find articles at HealingSounds.com/sounds.


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