Dave Markwell Wants You To Feel Good About Des Moines, At Least Every Friday

Dave Markwell is the driving force behind "Feel Good Friday."

by Josh Hart

Thursday morning (Feb. 26th) I met with Dave Markwell, the Vice President of Destination Des Moines, and an active member of the Des Moines community.

Dave has been looking for a way to engage the community and bring people together. He’s been trying to get the word out to people that there are things to appreciate in down times, and it’s really not that bad.

It is also something that to make you feel better about yourself and not get down on yourself.

So he started Feel Good Friday.

Today's "Feel Good Friday" spot is Marine View Florist, located at 21831 Marine View Drive.

Feel Good Friday is a way to do all those things mentioned above, and also Dave has a business be the special spot of the day, and that is the spot to feel good that day.

The spots in the past have been Corky Cellars, The Reuben and Auntie Irene’s.

This week the feel-good spot is Marine View Florist. The workers at the spot always enjoy the kindness and they are kind too.

Feel Good Friday is a way to bridge the gap between businesses and also neighbors.

Dave sends an email out every Friday to tell people about Feel Good Friday. Here are some snippets from his inaugural email:

Good day, all!!

OK, Feel Good Friday is here, again!! For those of you new to FGF, today is your day to make the world better!! Feel Good Friday is the day to make someone else feel good, through kind words and/or deeds, in the process you will make yourself feel better. As a life coach and long-time student and seeker of things that feel good, I guarantee that you are rewarded by your kindnesses. Giving to others is a way to give to yourself, a way to be kind to yourself. You will feel better, more hopeful and encouraged by giving of yourself in little, fun ways to others. It is without a doubt the surest win/win bet life can promise. Selfish-selflessness. So, be selfish and spread your little seeds around and watch them germinate on the faces of those you share with. Have fun!! Be good to yourself today!!!

Joke of the Week:
Walking into the bar, Mike said to Charlie the bartender, ‘Pour me a stiff one – just had another fight with the little woman.’

‘Oh yeah?’ said Charlie, ‘And how did this one end?’

‘When it was over,’ Mike replied, ‘She came to me on her hands and knees.

‘Really,’ said Charles, ‘Now that’s a switch! What did she say?’

She said, ‘Come out from under the bed, you little chicken.’

Des Moines Citizens – Special Feel Good Friday Alert:

In an effort to help boost some community spirit, I am beginning a new program of recognition and awareness especially for our little town. Each FGF, I will be designating a local business as the “FGF Special Spot”.  I ask that you make a special effort to visit this business each week, introduce yourself and if you have the need, buy something from them. If you don’t have the need, just say hello or if you already know them, stop by anyway to say hi!!! Personalizing the relationships between the people of Des Moines, citizens and businesses, is a certain way to help everyone feel better about the community in which they live in and/or do business. It gives a sense of pride and ownership. It makes everyone feel hopeful and optimistic about the future and can help Des Moines truly define itself as a community in which people will come together and support each other. We all share the same desire for more good things in Des Moines. Shopping and engaging with each other in town will benefit everyone. This concept of “Think Des Moines First” will help lead to a better, brighter, more vibrant, more fun place to be and make Des Moines a true destination for the people that live here!!

Lets join Dave in making Des Moines a friendly community for all of us to enjoy!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is our first Intern! He's also a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac. He also plays soccer.

You can read more of his writing here on sister site The B-Town Blog...]