OpenSpace

Due to weather, our Holiday Mix & Mingle has been canceled. Stay warm and be safe!

IncMagazine compiled a list of items for every entrepreneur’s 2010 wish list.

Number one on the list? More time! It was the most requested gift by @IncMagazine followers. We agree.

An exec at Tumblr tweeted that he’d love an amazing office

Another @IncMagazine follower tweeted that he’d like to fill his company’s kitchen with stockpiles of Subway cookies.

Read the rest of the article here and see what other entrepreneurs put at the top of their holiday wish list!

What’s on your wish list?

Interested in being apart of a focus group for a new iPhone app?

You’re perfect for the focus group if on your personal device you have 100+ apps (over 100 apps does a power user make).

Join Charles Knight at OpenSpace THIS Wednesday, December 8th from 6:00-7:00pm. You’ll receive a $10 Barracks Road Shopping Center gift card for your participation. You’ll only need to bring your iPhone!

Space is limited, so RSVP quickly to Charles Knight: [email protected]

Hope to see you there!

Have you ever looked at your iPhone (or Droid or Blackberry) and wondered what was involved in its production? What about how much energy was expended in the production of the aluminum and plastic? Or what emissions were released in the process?

Martha Stevenson, an environmental scientist and OpenSpace member, is a consultant  to public interest and specializes in sustainability and life cycle analysis.  In short, Martha knows the answers to the previous questions about your phone.

She’s able to research and analyze the environmental damages of products and supply chains.  All of our conveniences affect the earth.  Some are necessary, like food production, but knowing the consequences can help reduce future processes and lessen our environmental impact.

Self-taught Martha began her career at GreenBlue and now works with various government agencies to see what little tweaks in their systems could make a big difference. Martha explained that sustainability is all about long-term thinking. If a company is using a water-heavy process but there isn’t going to be any water in 10 years, she helps said company find a new strategy. Her hope is that more people will look to companies like DuPont and Walmart. These are companies that Martha pointed out as “getting it”. They’re thinking 20+ years down the road and making decisions that allow them the best product with the least environmental damage.

Why OpenSpace?

Though Martha has been in Charlottesville for six years, she’s often thought of moving to D.C.  since her work takes her there once a week. However, the ability to be in the mountains in a matter of no time is a draw for her.  Another deciding factor in staying in Charlottesville? OpenSpace. (Seriously, that was a genuine answer. I swear.)  She appreciates being able to separate work and home by working at OpenSpace. Martha also mentioned the sunlight that fills OpenSpace,  friendly staff and interesting members as reasons she’s happy to be here–  “It grows you here, beyond your little niche”.

Conversation Starter: Martha and I, both being foodies, enjoyed chatting about some delicious meals we’ve had recently. Ask Martha about her ideal Charlottesville meal. You’ll thank me.

Do you ever find yourself wishing for more hours in the day?

Well, OpenSpace is hosting the Inaugural Charlottesville Nightowls meetup for you! OpenSpace will be open on December 7, 2010 from 9pm-2am for those of you that like to make the most of your nights (as well as your days).

Bring your laptop and latest project and we’ll provide pizza, drinks and music!

To learn more and signup, visit this site. Hope to see you there!

(photo by Joel Sartore)

Remember that time we celebrated OpenSpace’s birthday? Here’s a photo of some of the folks who joined us for the festivities. A big THANK YOU to Billy Hunt for making this great photo fun to take!

We’ve heard multiple testimonies from Virginia business owners that posting a deal on Groupon greatly increased interest and cliental. Unfortunately, Charlottesville isn’t a listed city for offering/receiving deals on Groupon. Good news? You can visit this page on the website and suggest Charlottesville as a future Groupon location! We’ve suggested C’ville and think you should, too. Who doesn’t want half-off dinners and theater tickets? Plus, if you’re a local business owner, it could help get the word out about your company!

It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is just a few days away! Our Thanksgiving hours are as follows:

Wednesday: OPEN 8am-8pm

Thursday 11/25: CLOSED

Friday 11/26: OPEN 8am-8pm

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

(photo)

Have you seen the city guides on Design Sponge? It’s such a fantastic idea. Folks create a guide  for their city (or in a few cases, a guide for a city they love) and let people know all the places they’d recommend for a meal, a stay, some entertainment, etc). We know so many great, local creatives, we can’t help but suggest one of you take on a Charlottesville City Guide. Think about everything Cville has to offer…an abundance of delicious, independently owned restaurants, historic landmarks, an amazingly unique coworking space (hint, hint ), an outdoor music venue, sporting events…do I need to continue?

Happy designing!

illustration credit: Julia Rothman

Today OpenSpace had the joy of celebrating its first birthday! Our members joined us for lunch, dessert and remarks on the past, present and future of OpenSpace.

So, where were we a year ago?

November 12, 2009

• 743 minutes of usage for the day (12.38 hours)
• 5 people using OpenSpace during the day

Now?

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

• 13,801 minutes of usage for the day (230.02 hours)
• 64 people using OpenSpace during the day

It’s hard to believe how much we’ve grown in the last year. Thank you for your support! We couldn’t have done it without our amazing members.

Sincerely,

The OpenSpace Tribe