The United States is now home to 214 bicycle-friendly communities in 47 states, according to a new list released Monday by the League of American Bicyclists.

Municipalities are evaluated based on their efforts to promote bicycling, investments in bicycling infrastructure and bicycling education programs, the league said in a news release. They must apply to be considered for the list. Localities are also divided into four categories: platinum, gold, silver and bronze.

Boulder, Colo., Davis, Calif., and Portland, Ore., remained the only three communities to earn the platinum distinction on the 2012 list. All three ranked in the top 10 for their percentage of commuters who bike to work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 American Community Survey, as Governing previously reported.

The league also singled out Durango, Colo., and Missoula, Mont., which were moved up from a silver to a gold designation.

More than 7 percent of Missoula’s commuters bike to work, according to the league’s report, well above the national average of 1 percent. The city has recently installed protected bike lanes, added bike path signage and created more bike parking. Durango has constructed more than 300 miles of mountain biking trails and continues to invest in city biking lanes, the league noted in its release.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans who use bicycles as their primary mode of transportation has doubled in the last decade, up to 730,000.
 

With the summer months quickly approaching, more than 60 Cassidy Turley employees are joining forces with Indy Parks to make sure hundreds of Indianapolis children and families have a fun, safe and beautiful place to play. On May 16, Cassidy Turley’s Day of Caring will completely revamp Al Polin Park, located on the Near Northside of Indianapolis at 100 E. 29th Street.

“We estimate that 1,000 – 1,500 people use Al Polin Park each week,” explained Allen McClendon, Indy Parks’ senior manager for community partnerships. “Between neighborhood kids, basketball tournaments, family cookouts and our Summer Supervised Program, the park is usually a pretty popular place. That’s why we’re especially thrilled to have Cassidy Turley help give this park a much-needed makeover.”

CertaPro Painters of Indianapolis has donated supplies to repaint playground equipment, picnic tables and shelter areas to give the park a fresh, clean look. Mainscape Landscape Maintenance Services has also provided 50 cubic yards of mulch so employees can weed and re-mulch around the park’s trees and perimeter, helping the trees retain water and live longer.

In addition to hundreds of volunteer hours, the company will also pay for the installation of a new piece of playground equipment, as well as a new grill, concrete pouring for an ADA-accessible grill area and a fresh seal and coat for the high-use basketball court.

“It will be like a total 180 degree transformation when it’s done,” added McClendon. “We absolutely rely on our community partners like Cassidy Turley to do the aesthetic work that brings our older parks up to the standard of a brand new park. And it makes a huge difference in the community. People see we care about them and are inspired to take ownership of their parks.”

Cassidy Turley’s Day of Caring is not without benefit to the companies involved, though.

“Working with respected groups like Indy Parks is a perfect way for our team to gain more first-hand knowledge of the communities we serve on a daily basis,” said Michael W. M. Weishaar, SIOR, senior vice president and principal at Cassidy Turley and longtime board member of the Indianapolis Parks Foundation. “Events like the Day of Caring are very tangible, hands-on reminders that our work – not only in commercial real estate business and development, but also as volunteers – makes a real difference in our communities. It’s definitely worth the investment.”

This is the second year the company has teamed up with Indy Parks. In 2011, Cassidy Turley devoted a Day of Caring to the beautification of Stringtown Park on the city’s Westside.

PICTURED: Shown is a picture from last year’s Day of Caring, when Cassidy Turley staffers worked to beautify Stringtown Park in Indianapolis.

In relationships, we tend to get so comfortable that we let go of some of the behaviors we display on a first date. I am no expert on relationships, but I do know that a second date depends on the “success” of the first date.

This is much like the workplace—think how much more successful we could be if we employed first-date habits in our work environment. Below are some widely accepted first-date rules that we should incorporate into our workdays.

1. Be punctual. Showing up late to a first date, even just five minutes, shows that the other person is not a priority. The same message is sent to your employers when you arrive late.

2. Be kind to the server. Acting in a rude manner to people you wrongly think don’t matter (for example, the waiter) will ruin any chance of a second date. Be considerate to everyone: the secretary, the intern, the nerdy co-worker. It’s the Golden Rule. If that is not reason enough, just realize that those people might be a valuable connection in your future.

3. Don’t complain. I don’t want to hear how horrible your day was; I want to hear why it was fabulous. Be positive, and look at problems as challenges. Your first date and your bosses will appreciate the high morale and energy. The only time anyone wants to see Debbie Downer is in an “SNL” sketch.

4. Listen to me! Men, I know you hear this all the time, but it is true. We all just want to be heard. Basic guideline: If you are talking more than 50 percent of the time, then you are talking too much. This is also true for meetings. And it’s a two-way street. Listening is half of communication, which leads to my next point.

5. Communicate. Oh, so you don’t like “chick flicks”? You should have told me that before I bored you with a double feature of “Titanic” and “The Notebook.” I think that sums up this tip.

6. Dress the part. Put some effort into a first date, or at least look like you did. I didn’t spend two hours 30 minutes getting ready for you, just so you could show up looking disheveled. For work: Be presentable enough for your calendar demands, such as meetings with clients and drinks after work.

7. Don’t order the most expensive thing on the menu. If you’re not picking up the check, don’t go for the Surf and Turf. This is an important lesson for all of us at work; don’t take advantage just because it’s not on your credit card. We are bound to get comfortable in relationships and at work. Comfort is great, but sometimes we need a reminder to put our best foot forward—and not in our mouth.

We’re happy to relay the Indiana Chamber suggested some of the items on the list and has contributed mightily over the years to many of the factors that have created an outstanding business climate. Most notably from the 2012 legislative session, we’re enthusiastic about numbers 12 ("Indiana is a right-to-work state") and 14 ("Indiana is eliminating the inheritance tax").

Kudos to the IEDC and all the contributors to this list. We live in a truly great state — and we’re always happy to show it off.

• WHEN: Wednesday, May 30, 2012
• TIME: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
• WHERE: Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, West Pavilion (1401 Teal Road, Lafayette)
• COST: FREE
• Businesses can sign up by calling (317) 554-0750, emailing jobfair@coats.senate.gov or logging onto our website at www.coats.senate.gov/jobfair.
• PARTNERS: Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis, State Senator Brandt Hershman, State Senator Ron Alting , the Greater Lafayette Commerce, Lafayette WorkOne and the Tippecanoe County Commissioners

1. Failing to smile when you pick up the phone. Just as customer service reps are taught, you come across on the phone better when smiling.
2. Not getting dressed. Looking good gives you confidence.
3. Having bad posture. It can lead you to acting too casually.
4. Looking like a terrorist on Skype……..don’t do that.
5. Having unflattering props around in a conference call. Beer mugs, kids’ toys, ashtrays, etc. don’t inspire confidence in your peers.
6. Saying "no" in emails. If you’re giving someone bad news, call them. The personal touch is appreciated.
7. Poor e-mail length. Be clear in what you’re asking others to do. Lengthy emails can lead to confusion of what’s expected, and short emails can appear stuffy (e.g. "Fine."; "Thanks.")
8. Ignoring the noises around your house. If you’re on the phone, hearing lawnmowers or kids yelling "Marco! Polo!" may not win your client over.
9. Forgetting the virtual handshake. Start a conversation with personal information to set a pleasant tone.
10. Thinking you’re alone. You’re still connected to the professional world, so don’t multitask too much with personal tasks like laundry.

View the Schedule Rating from the Indiana Compensation Rating Bureau to see what is available and if your company qualifies.

For more, check out the Drug-Free Hoosiers web site or contact Mary Wellnitz of The Figment Group Inc. at mwellnitz@figmentgroupinc.com.

Rhode Island legislators are considering whether to give preliminary approval for the country’s second for-profit osteopathic medical school.

The proposed Rhode Island School of Osteopathic Medicine would become the state’s only current degree-granting for-profit college if it also wins final approval from the state’s Board of Governor’s for Higher Education. It’s the second proposal for a for-profit college in the state this session, according to Larry Berman, spokesman for the House of Representatives. The first, Utah-based Neumont University, decided to shift its focus to Massachusetts after the House didn’t fast-track the plan, Berman said.

The osteopathic medical school proposal has already drawn fire. It’s opposed by Brown University, the state’s only current medical school, Berman said, and Daniel Egan, president of Rhode Island’s Association of Independent Colleges & Universities, called the for-profit sector of education “predatory and troubled,” according to the Providence Journal.

The bill is mum on details, but one of its sponsors, Representative Joseph McNamara, says the new college would have lower tuition than most traditional medical schools and be a boon to the state and local economy, particularly because of its for-profit status.

“The fact that a medical school would come in and pay taxes for the services they are receiving in my eyes is very impressive,” McNamara said.

Rhode Island’s deliberations come as more states are taking a harder look at the fast-growing for-profit college sector.

It’s always fascinated me how many common expressions originated or are contained in Shakespeare’s works. The same can be said for Benjamin Franklin. Talk about a jack of all trades! He invented the odometer, the lightning rod and bifocals, just to name a few.

Here are some of my favorite sayings penned (or uttered) by these famous wordsmiths:

Shakespeare

• Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
• All the world’s a stage.
• Sweets to the sweet.
• The world’s mine oyster.
• To thine own self be true.
• Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

Franklin

• A penny saved is a penny earned.
• A place for everything, everything in its place.
• Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.
• The doors of wisdom are never shut.
• Remember that time is money.
• He that rises late must trot all day.

Hope you enjoyed this little “history lesson.” As Shakespeare said, “Parting is such sweet sorrow!”