Let’s start out this entry with a confession.

I am a hypocrite.

In the spirit of wishing to unify the local Web community, I got sidetracked. With opportunities, work, etc. - I make no excuses - Should have stayed the course and built the community. In that respect, I’ve done little to perpetuate it’s momentum. So admitting that, it’s time to change and get back on track.

Earlier this month, I was hugely re-inspired by my good friends in Philidelphia & Milwaukee — Wouldn’t it be cool to see Central Wisconsin Web people getting together and making Sh_t happen like that? It’s exciting to see what people are doing around here - and I’m sure you agree — But in many ways, we’re not doing enough in supporting each other’s efforts.

It’s time to get people meeting, talking, and dreaming out loud. I know most of you - but you may not know each other — yet! Off the top of my head, I can think of several people who should be in the same room together:

Aaron Saray - PHP RockStar
Grant Dobbe - Drupal Expert
Melissa Sullivan - Blogger - Central Wisconsin Mommy
Zina Harrington - Marketing & Design - Data Dog Marketing
Eric Sorensen - Designer & Entrepreneur - PushMedia.info
Adrian Balfe - PHP Ninja
Dino Corvino - Writer, Podcaster - Citizen Wausau
Dave McMahon - Thinker, Tinkerer - Eastbay
Jim Carlson - Search Engine Guru - Eastbay
Patrick Hills - Designer
Nick Sweeney - ColdFusion & Entrepreneur - Big Fat Designs
Dan Guite - Code Monkey - Fiserv
Rob Mentzer - Writer & Blogger - Daily Herald
Peter Philleo - ColdFusion & Entrepreneur - Digital Dialogue

And there are sooo many more — All of these people should be talking and creating together — which is why I’d like to introducing something - it’s called “Jelly” - which will be the first of many bi-weekly meet-ups at Citizen Desk. Put people in a place and see what happens!

What is Jelly?

Jelly is casual co-working / social interaction. We invite people to work from Citizen Desk for the evening (or all day if you wish). We provide chairs, desks and sofas, wireless internet, and interesting people to talk to, collaborate with, and bounce ideas off of.

You bring a laptop (or whatever you think you need to work), a six-pack of beverage or some sort of chips - and a friendly disposition. Just don’t come empty handed!

Who can come to Jelly?

Anyone! We want to see designers, developers, and internet types, but we’d also like musicians, cooks, sound designers, tea sommeliers, product designers, photographers, writers, and more. Feel free to invite others!!

Some of us are entrepreneurs or freelancers. Others work in an office most of the time, but we’re hoping that by working at a Jelly, you’ll gain fresh ideas and experience a change of pace. No matter what you do or what you create, you’re welcome to come to Jelly and share your talent and learn from others.

When Is It?

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 – 6PM-10PM
300 N. Third Street - Fourth Floor (penthouse)
Washington Square, Wausau
715-203-4125

Telecommuters and the self-employed avoid isolation by renting shared workspaces.

By Chris Gaylord
The Christian Science Monitor
Published: March 3, 2008 edition

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. - When Mike Jones signed on to be marketing director at an e-book publisher, one of the advertised perks was the chance to work at home full time. Two years later, he loves the job, but hated the location.

“I was totally cut off from the world,” Mr. Jones says. “I was only working four or five hours a day because I’d keep looking for things to do just so I could get out of the apartment.”

After months of searching for alternatives, Jones found Office Nomad, a shared workplace in Seattle that sells itself as “individuality without isolation.” The studio plugs into a new and flourishing philosophy called “coworking.”
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