The question of whether CEOs should blog is still boucing around, so I was interested in a blog by Jeanne Meister on Workforce Week that put it in terms of ROI. CEO Bill Marriott's blog has been responsible in part for booking $4 million in sales for the Marriott International hotel chain.

But that pales in comparison when I read his blog entries about the bombing in Islamabad, Pakistan. The event was still unfolding as he wrote to people around the world, expressing his sadness and commending the security guards who gave their lives on the job. The blog provided a very personal way to reassure Marriott guests about safety during global travels, and an opportunity for people to do something positive, by contributing to the Islamabad Marriott Assistance Fund.

The many people who took the time to respond to his words show how blogs provide that sense of community that is so important in such times of tragedy.

Sep. 19 is Park(ing) Day, a global event that is happening tomorrow in Grand Rapids. The idea is to get us to rethink the way streets are used and reinforces the need for open space in urban areas.

Enjoy the creative ideas showing what could be, if this was not a parking space. Temporary parks will be built in metered parking spaces and occupied for the day, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., by people, organizations and businesses, in downtown Grand Rapids.

This a project I've been working on with Green Grand Rapids. Come join the fun! Here's a list of locations -- and an overhead map -- so you can plan your route.

Not to hunt deer, of course, but to open our brains to new ideas. School is now in session, and so the professional development season begins, too.

Today, Ad Club of West Michigan's event with Linda Girard of Pure Visibility (photo, left) was the speaker series opener. Did you know that 68% of people searching online never go farther than the first page? Here's where you can find the user's experience honeycomb by Peter Morville.

"Punk Marketing" is Ad Club's next event, Oct 16, which is co-hosted by Ad Club, West Michigan PRSA and the local American Marketing Association chapter. Register early to get a discount!

Tonight, which I'm missing right now, is the AimWest event, featuring "What are you doing? Twitter, UC and the Presence Revolution," about how organizations are using these technologies to stay connected. Sounds fun! Maybe next time.

Sep. 18 is West Michigan PRSA's, "My Candidate Said What?!," appropriately covering campaign communications from both sides of the aisle.

Stay tuned for a great year of fun learning in West Michigan!