Written by Tom Durkin, a freelance writer lives in Nevada City. He can be reached via email at kmidboe@theunion.com.
In a public relations coup, Topeka, the capital of Kansas, has unofficially renamed itself Google, Kan. In response, Duluth, Minn., made a YouTube video admitting they wished they’d thought of it first.
Dozens of communities ranging from Chico and Modesto to major cities like Seattle and Washington, D.C. are competing in the wide-open contest Google announced Feb. 10.
As reported by Michelle Rindels in The Union, a Nevada City/Grass Valley coalition – 95959google – is looking to win the competition.
Part of Google’s selection criteria is an overt demonstration of the level of enthusiasm and commitment the community would have in working with Google to install and test the system.
And today is the day Nevada County residents get to show their desire – and need – for Internet speeds as much as 100 times faster than their current service.
Although there are technical and governmental requirements to winning a deal with Google, visible community support is a critical component of the application package, according to John Paul and Chip Carman of Spiral Internet in Nevada City.
Paul and Carman, with the help of a few dozen volunteers, have organized a rally, march and party for today. The event is free and everyone is invited.
The organizers are hoping to attract 1,000 people to march up Broad Street with beach balls, signs, noisemakers, and musical instruments. And they want everybody to dress in the bright Google colors of red, blue, yellow and green.
The demonstration will be videotaped and edited by Suzanne Warren of Silver Avenue Pictures. The final result will be broadcast on YouTube later this month.
The festivities are slated to begin at 12:30 p.m. with a rally at Robinson Plaza, opposite the Bank of America in downtown Nevada City.
The rally will feature informative speeches and entertainment by the Earth Rhythm drummers, juggling by Barry Friedman of the Raspyni Brothers, and music by guitarist/singer Kelly Fleming.
At 1 p.m., the Grass Valley Taiko Drummers, stationed on the balcony of the National Hotel, will signal the beginning of the march.
A contingent of bicycles will lead off the march followed by a group of Google enthusiasts with 12-foot beach balls. Rally participants will join the march up Broad Street.
Organizers will coach marchers in “spontaneous” demonstrations to make the event as colorful and creative as possible for the YouTube video.
The march will end at Miners Foundry for a party with food and music.
Mikail Graham of Nevada City will present two bands – Grease, Grit & Grime and the Power of Twelve – for listening and dancing from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The free party will also feature a community potluck. People are encouraged to bring finger foods to share. Food may be dropped off at Miners Foundry from 10 a.m. on.
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