July 2007 · Volume 89 · Number 6

Revenge of the Right Brain Scientists have long known that a neurological Mason-Dixon line cleaves our brains into two regions—the left and right hemispheres. But in the past 10 years, thanks in part to advances in functional magnetic resonance imaging, researchers have begun to identify more precisely how the two sides divide responsibilities. The left hemisphere handles sequence, literalness, and analysis. The right hemisphere, meanwhile, takes care of context, emotional expression, and synthesis. Of course, the human brain, with its 100 billion cells forging 1 quadrillion connections, is breathtakingly complex. The two hemispheres work in concert, and we enlist both sides for nearly everything we do. But the structure of our brains can help explain the contours of our times.   Daniel H. Pink, Washington, D.C. Read article

Serving Diverse Communities — Cultural Competency *

Local government officials are learning to adapt to culturally and linguistically different populations.  Abraham David Benavides, Denton, Texas, and Julie C. T. Hernández, San Jose, California.. Read article

Wi-Fi RFPs and Vendor Evaluation: Ask the Right Questions When You Prepare for Wireless Internet *

As long as the wireless industry controls the dialogue, local governments will not be informed enough to make accurate Wi-Fi buying decisions.  David Evertsen, Phoenix, Arizona. Read article

Recognizing the Emotion Work of Public Service *

Emotion work is at the heart of service transactions, and most public service jobs require it.  Meredith Newman, Miami, Florida; Mary Guy, Tallahassee, Florida; and Sharon Mastracci, Chicago, Illinois.. Read article

Hurricane and Storm Season 2007. . . Is Your Community Ready?

Local governments need to take actions in advance of that first-named storm that hits landfall.  Samuel Oppelaar, Jr., Panama City Beach, Florida. Read article

Street Naming: Not as Easy as You Might Think *

Two articles focus on naming streets, a process that often takes place through public debate and controversy.  Steve Spina, Zephyrhills, Florida; Derek Alderman, Greenville, North Carolina; and Preston Mitchell, Nashville, North Carolina.. Read article

Ethics

Quick Quiz on Ethics 

Letters *

On Retirement

It’s Never Too Late to Save 

Commentary *

This Ring a Chime for You? 

Profile

Sheryl Sculley 

Performance Matters

Performance Measurement Is Rocket Science, and Citizen Surveys Provide the Lift 

FYI *

Avoiding the Commitment Dip: Seven Ways to Keep Your Employees Focused on and Committed to Change