Heh. Was driving down Main Street in Elwood today and remembered back to a few people who were commenting on Al Jordan's site about people not mowing their yards on Main Street.

So, I called Al up at the newsroom and told him I had an idea. Half an hour later, Al, Almost Hank and myself jumped into Bessie and headed toward our first 'award winner.' It was a house Almost Hank told us about. With children next door.

I shot some pics and we talked to a few of the neighbors (forgot the audio recorder, but oh well...) Later that evening, Al put together the first post of the Ugly Yard Awards.

From idea to execution in less than a day. We'll probably add a Google Map and video to the mix eventually (with updates on past problems), but I told him we should launch early and often. ;)

This is an idea that's been used by the Rockford Register Star (recently sold by Gannett) and many other newspapers in the past. There was also a teardown mash-up ... maybe Baristanet?

In any case, comments welcome.

Technorati Tags: Circulation Cool Feature Editorial Grassroots Journalism New Media Independent Online PR/Marketing