Hey Everyone -

It’s been an exciting journey starting a co-working space.  Made a heckuva lot of new friends along the way — though I’d have to admit, it was much more challenging to gather a community around the idea of co-working than I had anticipated.  In hindsight, it’s consistent with many of the things I’ve seen develop in Wausau, slow adoption rate for new ideas around here.

Had I had more time to do it all over again, I would have first focussed on building up the local Web Community, like the idea of organizing the Jellys & a Web715 network (which should still move forward under someone else’s stewardship).  Getting a group of like-minded people together takes time - especially in a smaller market like Wausau.  My good friend Alex says all the time - community, community, community!  I suspect that’ll be the way I do it next time.

Which brings me to this - As of last Saturday, there will no longer be “physical” space called CitizenDesk.  We’ve shut down the office space.  For the time being, my wife and I are pursuing several new directions professionally, of which I’m not at liberty to post anything just yet.  But, if you’ve been following me on Twitter, then you’re bound to figure it out eventually.

So, with that in mind - this Evening, Emily & I will be gathering at Red Eye Brewing Company for casual

drinks and camaraderie.  You are also invited, so feel free to drop in and share some time together.  Brews begin pouring around 7pm.  Hope to see you there tonight - otherwise, maybe a more formal “going away party” may be in order some time soon.  We shall see.

Take care & we wish you well!

Hey all!!

Just posted our next Jelly Meet-Up information on the Jelly Wiki.  I’m looking at Thursday, April 17th as our time to meet.  As you can see from the schedule, we changed it up a bit - the co-working is during the day, and then a “Happy Hour” is from 6PM-10PM.  This is how other Jelly’s are being run, so we’ll give it a whirl.

Make sure to invite other web-related workers & designers - looking forward to another great meet-up!!!

marcus

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

“Wausau is a great place, a growing place, but with growth come the challenges of balancing lots of opinions and ideas, conflict and resolution, and all the rest. We hope to be a place where everyone can wrestle with these things openly – in a civil exchange.”

Introducing, Citizen Wausau

Just wanted to call you attention to the new splash page we’re using for Citizen Wausau.  In case you’re just joining us, Citizen Wausau is a new online blog for people of the Central Wisconsin area.  There’ll be news, commentary, coverage of area events and what’s even more interesting, the ability to create your own personal blogs within the site (kind of like myspace).  

Special thanks to Andy Laub for the design of our header! 

Go check it out - we’d love to hear your feedback.  If you’d like to be a contributor, please go to our contact page and let us know! 

If you’re here after reading the latest article written in this week’s City Pages, then stay tuned - there is much to tell

Announcing the opening of Citizen Desk - Wausau’s very own co-working space.

We’re in high gear preparing the workspace with new desks, fresh paint and all kinds of niceties — see for yourself at Washington Square, 300 Third Street suite 400, Wausau. Our space is on the fourth floor overlooking Downtown Wausau and Rib Mountain.

For more information, please contact us at (408) 888-2657 or info@citizendesk.com