Simba Information To Host Premier Education Industry Event, Featuring Analysts, National Experts and Educators: "Industry experts and educators speaking at the conference will include: Christopher Curran, Berkery, Noyes & Co.; Steve Dowling, Pearson School Companies; Robin Jarvis, Recovery School District, New Orleans; Estee Lopez, New Rochelle (NY) City School District; Julie McGee, Harcourt Achieve, Professional and Trade; Esther Monclova-Johnson, District of Columbia Public Schools; Peter Quandt, Haights Cross Communications; Lynn Spampinato; Pittsburgh Public Schools; Jessie Woolley-Wilson, LeapFrog SchoolHouse; and more. The full conference agenda and speaker list can be found at www.simbanet.com/conferences/.I guess the outgoing boss of CCAC will NOT be there, as the event has a K-12 focus.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Simba Information To Host Premier Education Industry Event, Featuring Analysts, National Experts and Educators
Pitt's and CMU's Greens and Libertarians meet tonight
The Pitt Libertarians and CMU Libertarians present,
Greens and Libertarians, the Yin and Yang of our Political Future.
at 7 PM, tonight, Tuesday, CMU's Scaife Hall Auditorium
A short presentation by Dan Sullivan will be followed by discussion that focus on how the ten key values of the Greens are compatible with the core principle of the Libertarians, and how the Greens have been pulled to the left of their values while the libertarians have been pulled to the right.
It explores how the two groups can keep their identities but create a "dynamic tension" by confronting each other directly on issues instead of letting the major parties and the power brokers work out compromises.
CMU's Scaife Hall is the first building on the left if you cross the bridge behind the Carnegie Library and then turn left just before you get to the Phipps Conservatory. Do not confuse it with Pitt's Scaife Hall.
Walking Home
Walking Home by Sara Kruger
When my husband and I decided to return to the US after five years abroad, we vowed to continue the car-free lifestyle to which we'd grown accustomed. We enjoyed the extra disposable income freed from the budgetary restrictions of car payments, insurance, maintenance and gas. Such savings enabled us to see much of Europe. We would be making our new home in Washington, D.C., and since I had never lived on the East Coast, I was excited to continue putting toward travel any extra money saved by resisting the temptation to own a four-wheeled ton of metal, this time for exploring the surrounding states. Friends were dubious about our ability to hold out. 'You'll fold in a week,' predicted one such naysayer. But, we were determined to survive.
Prove me wrong. Name one thing, just one.
I asked: "Can anyone name ONE idea that the Act 47 Team or the ICA Board has come up with? Just one would be nice."
I don't think they (overlords) get credit for anything. I'll go out on a limb and say, "The oversight board (ICA) and the Act 47 Coordinators have provided Pittsburgh with no benefits -- 'zippo.'
I've been to a few of their meetings. Mostly, meetings don't even occur.
Furthermore, having overlords costs the city. They come with some big bills that the city must pay. The work of the overlords doesn't 'translate well.' Yeah, right. A room full of monkeys and some typewritters could do a better job producing poetry than what the overlords have given the city's citizens in terms of goverance, oversight and management for a better future.
These overlords don't even provide us with good gossip nor photos for the 'seen' pages. Even with the PA Gambling Control Board gets more notice with its 'slime ball back-to-work programs' and the resulting arrests.
I don't think they (overlords) get credit for anything. I'll go out on a limb and say, "The oversight board (ICA) and the Act 47 Coordinators have provided Pittsburgh with no benefits -- 'zippo.'
I've been to a few of their meetings. Mostly, meetings don't even occur.
Furthermore, having overlords costs the city. They come with some big bills that the city must pay. The work of the overlords doesn't 'translate well.' Yeah, right. A room full of monkeys and some typewritters could do a better job producing poetry than what the overlords have given the city's citizens in terms of goverance, oversight and management for a better future.
These overlords don't even provide us with good gossip nor photos for the 'seen' pages. Even with the PA Gambling Control Board gets more notice with its 'slime ball back-to-work programs' and the resulting arrests.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Event Sept 15 -- interesting merger of events
Sep 15, 2006I've heard and respect Howard Woodridge. He come from a police force background and hates the war on drugs.
Board Member, Howard Woodridge, will speak at this year's National Conference of Editorial Writers about the failure of drug prohibition. Working a booth for LEAP and talking to conference visitors will be Steve and Doreen Heath. Event location: Sheriton Station Square, 300 West Station Square Drive.
http://www.leap.cc/events
Panda Power!
SICHUAN, China -- One zoo in southwest China has its hands full with 16 baby pandas. The Sichuan Wolong Panda Protection and Breed Center is dealing with the results of a breeding boom -- 16 pandas have been born since July, 2005. The brood includes five sets of twins. The cubs are weighed and measured every five days by a special panda nurse.Pandas.
The heaviest tips the scale at just over 24 pounds, while the lightest weighs about 11 pounds.
Rest is good.
Abby and Catherine, with a panda in the background, from our trip to the Panda facility in the past. Abby is now a student at Pitt!
Advice for Luke
At Pittsblog, the question about the 'mayor matters' surfaced. The mayor does matter, mostly.
To be sure, Pittsburgh still has two oversight boards. The ICA and Act 47 folks are still here. Plus, we've got authorities out the ying yang too. Even the Gambling Control Panel has serious powers and influences now too.
Let's reflect a bit on the role of the overlords for a moment. I see the biggest role in the city for the overlords (Act 47, ICA, etc.) as insurance. They must make sure that the bond holders get paid. The city's debt is sky high. Pension promises are massive and still not fully accounted. URA Properties are not even listed in an inventory.
The overlords can't 'run the city' as the question asks. Nor do they try. Nor are they capable. The overloards are here to make sure that the city doesn't run on empty without the loss of serious flesh and blood first. The money interests don't want the city to go bankrupt. That would be a black eye. Rather have a kick in the teeth and rats running wild snf eatting what they can gobble.
Luke: The overlords should be shown the door. That should be one of Luke's biggest missions.
Bob didn't choose to kick any tailfeathers with the overlords. To each his or her own.
My first address if I had been O'Connor in January, 2006, would have been, "I'm here now. I'm in charge. Overlords, there is the door. Hit the road. We don't need you help, now. We don't want your help, as you've not been doing any heavy lifting anyway. And, nobody voted for you -- so take your high priced bills out of here. Morph back into citizens and grab a broom like the rest of us are about to do."
But, that song from Day 1 (January 2006) of a new O'Connor Administration would have been 'flat' as O'Connor was on council when quick fix after quick fix was approved and the city slid into its debt. Bob was on Grant Street, with powers, and then with the Gov, too, with powers, when Pgh did a lot of its financial bleeding. Overspending is the norm.
Luke wasn't. That's Luke's advantage. The new guy should be known as "Long Term Luke."
The spend now and pay later philosophy doesn't sit well with a (mature) 26 year old. The high spending ways works for a one-term chief executive who is about to retire.
Luke should be about 'Long-Term Vision' + Short-term power + and finding the ULTIMATE solutions for fiscal sustainability.
Now is not the time for a band-aid approach.
In Luke's 2007 budget address, Luke needs to talk about the work process for the 2008 budget. The 2008 budget needs to be the best budget any city has ever seen -- anywhere in the world. And in 2007, we build the monitors and enforement and accountability into our city's work culture -- round by round, department by department.
Luke needs to not only send the overlords a message to start packing, but then he needs to take his clipboard and computer over to the building next door. Luke needs to camp out with Dan Onorato for a few weeks, after this year's budget is handed off to city council.
Short term, Luke needs to be with Scott Kunka and Bill Urbanic and the present budget folks on the city side. Luke has to be prudent and go with the flow for now. Perhpas Luke can insert a few financial widgets and utilities for 2007 that make budget monitoring possible in the years to come. Then punt and put faith in the ones who have been in the administration all year.
When Luke goes out into the neighborhoods in the weeks and months to come, I hope he is with a calculator. Luke should be meeting with various employees about various spending and revenue matters at every turn. Luke should be dead set upon finding the best solutions possible. That is going to take a lot of research and hard work -- on paper -- and with the folks in the field.
I dare say that the sillyness and silly spending has already been cut from the budget. But, now it is time to turn to the new and next chapter -- serious solutions with honest accountability. Luke can fix the framework for the city, and make the 2008 budget something to behold, if he and everyone decides to take that bull by the horns.
To be sure, Pittsburgh still has two oversight boards. The ICA and Act 47 folks are still here. Plus, we've got authorities out the ying yang too. Even the Gambling Control Panel has serious powers and influences now too.
Let's reflect a bit on the role of the overlords for a moment. I see the biggest role in the city for the overlords (Act 47, ICA, etc.) as insurance. They must make sure that the bond holders get paid. The city's debt is sky high. Pension promises are massive and still not fully accounted. URA Properties are not even listed in an inventory.
The overlords can't 'run the city' as the question asks. Nor do they try. Nor are they capable. The overloards are here to make sure that the city doesn't run on empty without the loss of serious flesh and blood first. The money interests don't want the city to go bankrupt. That would be a black eye. Rather have a kick in the teeth and rats running wild snf eatting what they can gobble.
Luke: The overlords should be shown the door. That should be one of Luke's biggest missions.
Bob didn't choose to kick any tailfeathers with the overlords. To each his or her own.
My first address if I had been O'Connor in January, 2006, would have been, "I'm here now. I'm in charge. Overlords, there is the door. Hit the road. We don't need you help, now. We don't want your help, as you've not been doing any heavy lifting anyway. And, nobody voted for you -- so take your high priced bills out of here. Morph back into citizens and grab a broom like the rest of us are about to do."
But, that song from Day 1 (January 2006) of a new O'Connor Administration would have been 'flat' as O'Connor was on council when quick fix after quick fix was approved and the city slid into its debt. Bob was on Grant Street, with powers, and then with the Gov, too, with powers, when Pgh did a lot of its financial bleeding. Overspending is the norm.
Luke wasn't. That's Luke's advantage. The new guy should be known as "Long Term Luke."
The spend now and pay later philosophy doesn't sit well with a (mature) 26 year old. The high spending ways works for a one-term chief executive who is about to retire.
Luke should be about 'Long-Term Vision' + Short-term power + and finding the ULTIMATE solutions for fiscal sustainability.
Now is not the time for a band-aid approach.
In Luke's 2007 budget address, Luke needs to talk about the work process for the 2008 budget. The 2008 budget needs to be the best budget any city has ever seen -- anywhere in the world. And in 2007, we build the monitors and enforement and accountability into our city's work culture -- round by round, department by department.
Luke needs to not only send the overlords a message to start packing, but then he needs to take his clipboard and computer over to the building next door. Luke needs to camp out with Dan Onorato for a few weeks, after this year's budget is handed off to city council.
Short term, Luke needs to be with Scott Kunka and Bill Urbanic and the present budget folks on the city side. Luke has to be prudent and go with the flow for now. Perhpas Luke can insert a few financial widgets and utilities for 2007 that make budget monitoring possible in the years to come. Then punt and put faith in the ones who have been in the administration all year.
When Luke goes out into the neighborhoods in the weeks and months to come, I hope he is with a calculator. Luke should be meeting with various employees about various spending and revenue matters at every turn. Luke should be dead set upon finding the best solutions possible. That is going to take a lot of research and hard work -- on paper -- and with the folks in the field.
I dare say that the sillyness and silly spending has already been cut from the budget. But, now it is time to turn to the new and next chapter -- serious solutions with honest accountability. Luke can fix the framework for the city, and make the 2008 budget something to behold, if he and everyone decides to take that bull by the horns.
It is 9-11. Oh my.
Creep stinks. I think it is silly to do a 9-11 flashback on September 10th. The 5 year date should be marked, but not the eve of 9-11, nor the week prior. Hell, if we knew 9-11 was to arrive then like we saw it approach this year, the entire tragic mess could have been averted. The surprise of 9-11 and shock then -- makes 9-11 events on 9-10 or earlier shameful and perhaps, hype driven.
When does Christmas arrive? And 9-11 isn't Christmas, OMG. So, Post-Gazette editors, all that 9-11 stuff should have gone into today's newspapers, because it is 9-11.
Jon Delano hosted a talkshoe event today at 9 am. A 30-second moment of silence came, along with some interesting talk.
Personal safety is important. To be safe provides a huge animal need. We need to be safe in our neighborhoods. We want to be safe in our schools, in our travels, in our communities.
I'm a 'lifeguard.' I understand that prevention counts. I keep certifications current in giving first aid. It is hard to discount wellness and safety.
However, being safe isn't the end all and be all question for me nor for our society. To be safe raises 'primal concerns' -- such as in a 'fight or flight' response. But other concerns and ambitions within the human experience make 'safety' factors less than the number one priority.
As we ponder 9-11, we are reminded by some that we are 'at war.' There are 'bad guys' who want to take us (the United States of America) down in flames. They are real. They'll strike again. They are driven. They are planning. We can expect additional actions, gross ones, against humanity, again. No doubt.
This isn't a new lesson. We are all aware of the threats. The possibilities are endless. And what comes next might be unthinkable for most of us.
One guy said that 9-11 came about because of a failure in our intelligence. And, nobody has been held accountable. None got demoted or fired. Rather, most who fumbled got more responsibility and raises even.
My point is that there isn't accountability -- just like there was none in the war on drugs. We were at war, a decade or two prior to this one, with a 'drug culture.' We had and still fight a 'war on drugs.' And, we are not winning that one either. And, I don't see folks there being the fall guys for that campaign either. More and more is spent in those battles too.
(more to come)....
When does Christmas arrive? And 9-11 isn't Christmas, OMG. So, Post-Gazette editors, all that 9-11 stuff should have gone into today's newspapers, because it is 9-11.
Jon Delano hosted a talkshoe event today at 9 am. A 30-second moment of silence came, along with some interesting talk.
Personal safety is important. To be safe provides a huge animal need. We need to be safe in our neighborhoods. We want to be safe in our schools, in our travels, in our communities.
I'm a 'lifeguard.' I understand that prevention counts. I keep certifications current in giving first aid. It is hard to discount wellness and safety.
However, being safe isn't the end all and be all question for me nor for our society. To be safe raises 'primal concerns' -- such as in a 'fight or flight' response. But other concerns and ambitions within the human experience make 'safety' factors less than the number one priority.
As we ponder 9-11, we are reminded by some that we are 'at war.' There are 'bad guys' who want to take us (the United States of America) down in flames. They are real. They'll strike again. They are driven. They are planning. We can expect additional actions, gross ones, against humanity, again. No doubt.
This isn't a new lesson. We are all aware of the threats. The possibilities are endless. And what comes next might be unthinkable for most of us.
One guy said that 9-11 came about because of a failure in our intelligence. And, nobody has been held accountable. None got demoted or fired. Rather, most who fumbled got more responsibility and raises even.
My point is that there isn't accountability -- just like there was none in the war on drugs. We were at war, a decade or two prior to this one, with a 'drug culture.' We had and still fight a 'war on drugs.' And, we are not winning that one either. And, I don't see folks there being the fall guys for that campaign either. More and more is spent in those battles too.
(more to come)....
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Green defense in City Paper
Growing Green
In “Political Deform” [Aug. 16], Chris Potter chooses to mock the Green Party, quoting someone who is no longer a Green.
He should have interviewed Ed Boortz, Allegheny County party secretary, and Titus North, candidate for Congress in the 14th Congressional District, who spent last week in Harrisburg explaining to a judge how they spent day after day along with other Green Party members, collecting thousands of signatures, working hard to see they were meeting requirements. Potter does not focus on the injustice of denying a voice to people who feel betrayed by Democrats and Republicans, held hostage to the “military-industrial-petrochemical-nuclear complex” for the past 50 years.
In spite of this, the Green Party of Allegheny County continues to grow, and we are waiting for an intelligent analysis of the present system that will bring about campaign reform by the local media.
— Liz Hughes, vice-chair
Allegheny County Greens
Lane 9 News Archive: Creative Financing To Save a College Swimming Program
Lane 9 News Archive: Creative Financing To Save a College Swimming Program Creative Financing To Save a College Swimming Program -- September 8, 2006Clever swimmers. Unprudent footballers.
The book | OpenLife.cc
Put this on your back to school reading list.
I think I'll take parts or the whole work and make it available as I make new CDs for handouts to others. It would be part of my TV show, HON, (Heavy Or Not) if I had a TV show. :)
The book | OpenLife.cc Open Life: The Philosophy of Open SourceYou can get a copy without charge for online reading. Download it and give it a peek.
I think I'll take parts or the whole work and make it available as I make new CDs for handouts to others. It would be part of my TV show, HON, (Heavy Or Not) if I had a TV show. :)
kdka.com - Will Bob O'Connor's Legacy Fade Or Continue?
Question:
No.
Furthermore, the ideas of from Bob were not grand. Bob was grand. But his ideas were basic. To clean up is core to what government should do. Pick up the trash. Redd up. Move junk cars off the streets. That's 'sticking to the knitting.'
Bob was grand in his ambitions to to the basics. Bob was grand in his personality and willingness to serve. Bob was grand in his ability to connect with people.
The O'Connor legacy is but a day or two old. It hasn't even hatched yet. There is no way under the sun that Delano can ponder the O'Connor legacy -- yet.
Delano might be able to ponder the O'Connor tenure and the short six months of his agenda as mayor. I think Delano might be able to review O'Connor's legacy as President of City Council and as a councilmember.
Bob didn't aim to 'rebuild downtown.' Bob's approach was more of a localized approach. He wanted to build upon what we already had. Bob wanted to have smaller projects rather than 'grand, mega projects.' Bob was more about being organic -- or more about an step-by-step evolution. Not a 'rebuilding.' More keep building, and a re-establishement of the building.
kdka.com - Will Bob O'Connor's Legacy Fade Or Continue? But without his driving force will those grand ideas fade away?Answer:
No.
Furthermore, the ideas of from Bob were not grand. Bob was grand. But his ideas were basic. To clean up is core to what government should do. Pick up the trash. Redd up. Move junk cars off the streets. That's 'sticking to the knitting.'
Bob was grand in his ambitions to to the basics. Bob was grand in his personality and willingness to serve. Bob was grand in his ability to connect with people.
The O'Connor legacy is but a day or two old. It hasn't even hatched yet. There is no way under the sun that Delano can ponder the O'Connor legacy -- yet.
Delano might be able to ponder the O'Connor tenure and the short six months of his agenda as mayor. I think Delano might be able to review O'Connor's legacy as President of City Council and as a councilmember.
Bob didn't aim to 'rebuild downtown.' Bob's approach was more of a localized approach. He wanted to build upon what we already had. Bob wanted to have smaller projects rather than 'grand, mega projects.' Bob was more about being organic -- or more about an step-by-step evolution. Not a 'rebuilding.' More keep building, and a re-establishement of the building.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Rebirth of the New Idea Factory -- with second life at The Sprout Fund
Today, it seemed to me, The Sprout Fund re-launched the New Idea Factory. I was there. It felt good the second time. More open. More dazzle. More digital.
James C. Roddey championed the "New Idea Factory" back in the day. I don't know what was first, that or the Sprout Fund. So, in a way, it is like the Sprout Fund calling back to its roots.
All in all, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Hundreds of good ideas were shared. Lots of doodles developed.
Sorry, I'm skeptical. I'm a guy who wants to go out of my way to wear a black hat, and that's not allowed in a 'brainstorming session.' To say the least, as I did, I can mostly claim tonight that I have a sore tongue. But, I didn't try to be a party pooper. No way. I did have fun and it was a feel good structure and I'm very hopeful of the outcomes yet to flourish.
This type of meeting is right up my alley. The cycle of 'weed and seed' without the inclusion of 'harvest' has been under my skin for more than a decade. We need to do more than weed and seed -- and lots of those ideas were getting out there today. So, in some instances, I'm thrilled.
And, only a moron can't love AlphaChimp Studios! Peter is great. We need more integration and more graphics to support our stories. We've got too many stories that are NOT strung together.
One of the ideas that I helped to poke along the pathway in our homeroom to the final stage was called "Bob's Bean." The concept builds upon the legacy of Bob O'Connor's of going into the neighborhoods. We need to build bigger, bolder routes along the pathways he blazed from Grant Street to neighborhood spots.
Bob's Bean is a temporary, mobile, coffee truck / chart, that causes civic engagement and has a digital support infrastructure, much like an internet cafe. It can go from place to place, as scheduled much like the Citiparks Art-Cart or the Library's Bookmobile. It has a moderator or facilitator. Expect urban hikes in that neighborhood that day so as to engage everyone.
Huddle, Hike and Hypothesize.
We need to get politicians off of Grant Street. We need venues of common ground. We need to say "free food" and / or drink (coffee, tea, hot chocholate, cider, lemonaid, etc.) and have casual places to mingle, get to know one antoher. We need to hear of successes and failures in various places -- while those places are present.
Think of a traveling internet cafe. Think of a meeting place that isn't owned by anyone -- but by everyone. Think of a place where the shirts get rolled to the elbows -- and sip to admire a mural and then start to lock horns and plan for new actions for the weeks to come.
This would be a monthly, (or so) scheduled function. Sessions would go for the day -- and then go away for another place and another time.
There is $100,000 of funding that is due to hit the streets in "several months" -- complete with RFPs (Requests For Proposals). Yes. That makes the exercise more than just an academic letter grade.
In the past, I knocked The New Idea Factory because it was elitist and more about being 'invited to participate' and less about an attitude of open door inclusion. This event was held at a public school (great) with a $10 fee (more than fair) and lunch was provided (goodie).
The 'New Idea Factory' could have been great boon for the mass production of cookie cutter stuff. I don't want to mass produce fun. I don't want certain specs applied to all aspects of our lives. We've been a 'factory town' for many generations. It has its hang-ups from my point of view.
However, a 'New Idea Distillery' -- that is different. That 'distilling' effort seems to have a much better ring to the concepts that we crave around here.
Case in point: Tom Murphy could take a stretch of land and figure out how squeeze a lot of tax breaks into its infrastructure and how to get new development onto either greenfields or brownfields. He was a mastermind at making new retail developments. And those goals go counter to what I think we need and really want in the end. Let's take a new idea -- and then take it apart to study if it is sustainable, if it is helping our urban core, if it is just, if it is what government should be doing.
Along these lines, I don't want to see something such as this "Bob's Bean concept" be turned into a "dog and pony show" that exists to leverage grass-roots support for hidden agendas. Many have seen and lived through the Tom Murphy styled "Power Points" for various "projects." Spare us of that top-down type of song and dance. Bob's approach wasn't about the computer presentation and vision that fit into a series of bullet charts.
Bob's way was to be there in person. Look folks in the eye. Share a cookie and/or coffee. Shake hands and spill out with an attitude that includes, "just do it." But, there needs to be more if we are to institutionalize this approach. We can't be Bob. We all can't be there at the same time. We can't just 'show up' -- mostly unannounced. We can't always host roving meetings and pull strings so something is always getting done.
I think the Bob's Bean venture could work. The concept builds a mini town-hall that travels and includes digital assets.
As the social following the event I heard a bit from John Allison of the PG. Expect something to run in a week or so that catalogs some of the ideas. I also saw a reporter from the City Paper as well.
Let's roll out the red carpet for these ideas on the internet.
Perhaps many of the ideas, if not all of them, can be pulled into the Platform.For-Pgh.org wiki as well. Some have been there for some time. We'll need forums and FAQs and wikis and in turn, RFPs and real folks to pick up the project and run with them.
Pittsburgh has something to get Jazzed about. Did you hear about the new Jazz concept???
James C. Roddey championed the "New Idea Factory" back in the day. I don't know what was first, that or the Sprout Fund. So, in a way, it is like the Sprout Fund calling back to its roots.
All in all, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Hundreds of good ideas were shared. Lots of doodles developed.
Sorry, I'm skeptical. I'm a guy who wants to go out of my way to wear a black hat, and that's not allowed in a 'brainstorming session.' To say the least, as I did, I can mostly claim tonight that I have a sore tongue. But, I didn't try to be a party pooper. No way. I did have fun and it was a feel good structure and I'm very hopeful of the outcomes yet to flourish.
This type of meeting is right up my alley. The cycle of 'weed and seed' without the inclusion of 'harvest' has been under my skin for more than a decade. We need to do more than weed and seed -- and lots of those ideas were getting out there today. So, in some instances, I'm thrilled.
And, only a moron can't love AlphaChimp Studios! Peter is great. We need more integration and more graphics to support our stories. We've got too many stories that are NOT strung together.
One of the ideas that I helped to poke along the pathway in our homeroom to the final stage was called "Bob's Bean." The concept builds upon the legacy of Bob O'Connor's of going into the neighborhoods. We need to build bigger, bolder routes along the pathways he blazed from Grant Street to neighborhood spots.
Bob's Bean is a temporary, mobile, coffee truck / chart, that causes civic engagement and has a digital support infrastructure, much like an internet cafe. It can go from place to place, as scheduled much like the Citiparks Art-Cart or the Library's Bookmobile. It has a moderator or facilitator. Expect urban hikes in that neighborhood that day so as to engage everyone.
Huddle, Hike and Hypothesize.
We need to get politicians off of Grant Street. We need venues of common ground. We need to say "free food" and / or drink (coffee, tea, hot chocholate, cider, lemonaid, etc.) and have casual places to mingle, get to know one antoher. We need to hear of successes and failures in various places -- while those places are present.
Think of a traveling internet cafe. Think of a meeting place that isn't owned by anyone -- but by everyone. Think of a place where the shirts get rolled to the elbows -- and sip to admire a mural and then start to lock horns and plan for new actions for the weeks to come.
This would be a monthly, (or so) scheduled function. Sessions would go for the day -- and then go away for another place and another time.
There is $100,000 of funding that is due to hit the streets in "several months" -- complete with RFPs (Requests For Proposals). Yes. That makes the exercise more than just an academic letter grade.
In the past, I knocked The New Idea Factory because it was elitist and more about being 'invited to participate' and less about an attitude of open door inclusion. This event was held at a public school (great) with a $10 fee (more than fair) and lunch was provided (goodie).
The 'New Idea Factory' could have been great boon for the mass production of cookie cutter stuff. I don't want to mass produce fun. I don't want certain specs applied to all aspects of our lives. We've been a 'factory town' for many generations. It has its hang-ups from my point of view.
However, a 'New Idea Distillery' -- that is different. That 'distilling' effort seems to have a much better ring to the concepts that we crave around here.
Case in point: Tom Murphy could take a stretch of land and figure out how squeeze a lot of tax breaks into its infrastructure and how to get new development onto either greenfields or brownfields. He was a mastermind at making new retail developments. And those goals go counter to what I think we need and really want in the end. Let's take a new idea -- and then take it apart to study if it is sustainable, if it is helping our urban core, if it is just, if it is what government should be doing.
Along these lines, I don't want to see something such as this "Bob's Bean concept" be turned into a "dog and pony show" that exists to leverage grass-roots support for hidden agendas. Many have seen and lived through the Tom Murphy styled "Power Points" for various "projects." Spare us of that top-down type of song and dance. Bob's approach wasn't about the computer presentation and vision that fit into a series of bullet charts.
Bob's way was to be there in person. Look folks in the eye. Share a cookie and/or coffee. Shake hands and spill out with an attitude that includes, "just do it." But, there needs to be more if we are to institutionalize this approach. We can't be Bob. We all can't be there at the same time. We can't just 'show up' -- mostly unannounced. We can't always host roving meetings and pull strings so something is always getting done.
I think the Bob's Bean venture could work. The concept builds a mini town-hall that travels and includes digital assets.
As the social following the event I heard a bit from John Allison of the PG. Expect something to run in a week or so that catalogs some of the ideas. I also saw a reporter from the City Paper as well.
Let's roll out the red carpet for these ideas on the internet.
Perhaps many of the ideas, if not all of them, can be pulled into the Platform.For-Pgh.org wiki as well. Some have been there for some time. We'll need forums and FAQs and wikis and in turn, RFPs and real folks to pick up the project and run with them.
Pittsburgh has something to get Jazzed about. Did you hear about the new Jazz concept???
Baby-Faced Mayor Takes Over an Aging Pittsburgh - New York Times
Baby-Faced Mayor Takes Over an Aging Pittsburgh - New York TimesNow comes the hard part.
Luke, fear not. I don't give a flying fart what you wear to the Steelers' games. You'll get a pass on that from me.
Nice quote from fellow blogger, Carbolic Smoke Ball!
Tip: The best way to raise downtown development is to tax the land. If you tax the land -- then you reward those who build upon it. We have a dense downtown because we have had a legacy of a land tax.
We'll empty the tall buildings, get folks to move out of the city and continue the downward slide if we keep up with the recent policy of taxing the buildings and taking the burden off of the land.
A dumb public policy would reward the one who tears down a building and makes a surface parking lot.
A better public policy would be a blanket reward for those who fix up their properties.
Luke's biggest problem is NOT the uncertainty surronding him. I'd say that is Luke's biggest asset and strength.
Some say Luke would be a fool to NOT use O'Connor's playbook. I say Luke would be a fool to ONLY use O'Connor's playbook. And, if LUKE executes from O'Connor's playbook -- he'll never be able to be known as a smart leader with his own leadership style.
Luke's got the luxery of being able to build upon the O'Connor playbook and greatly expand it.
A Charlie Batch Encounter
Last night's meeting: Charlie and I talk after he got an award from the Jerome Bettis and the Bus Stops Here Foundation. Charlie has the man of the hour and is a superstar in his community work in Homestead with the kids.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Daly, NBC: 'Show' us your stuff
Daly, NBC: 'Show' us your stuff Daly, NBC: 'Show' us your stuff
NBC and Carson Daly plan to reward those with a penchant for storytelling on the Web with an interactive contest dubbed 'It's Your Show,' the network said Thursday. The online competition, which began Thursday, will encourage users to create and submit their own user-created video with the help of clips and a 'video tool kit' and the lure of $100,000 in cash. 'We want to give people a chance to show us what the next level of user-generated content can look like when given the tools and the opportunity,' NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly said. Reilly also indicated that a television component of 'It's Your Show' is in development, with plans to integrate the best and worst of content into a broadcast. Daly is set to host.
Among those paying their respects - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Among those paying their respects - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review What's up with this as a news story?
Thursday, September 07, 2006
More on my summer vaction
The food was good. An army marches on its stomach -- and mine had no complaints. (Left to right: Les, Mark, J.P, Zack)
Staffers. Bob and Les are kneeling. Dick Bower and Barbara are center. I'm far to the left in the jacket.
At the Chikopi swim meet. I'm the one without the hat to the left of the guy (Dick Bower) with the hat. Bob D is starting the race at the far right.
Staffers. Bob and Les are kneeling. Dick Bower and Barbara are center. I'm far to the left in the jacket.
At the Chikopi swim meet. I'm the one without the hat to the left of the guy (Dick Bower) with the hat. Bob D is starting the race at the far right.
Water Polo in a lake at Camp Chikopi, Canada
The water polo course we built at Camp Chikopi. The kids are warming up in this photo.
Another angle of the water polo warm-up. In this shot I'm off to the left. In the prior, I'm off to the right. I was able to coach the polo from a row boat or else I stood on a wooden, but aged docking of sorts.
Closer action shot -- as we had lots of balls in the pool to dribble, shoot, pass and move about with.
Another angle of the water polo warm-up. In this shot I'm off to the left. In the prior, I'm off to the right. I was able to coach the polo from a row boat or else I stood on a wooden, but aged docking of sorts.
Closer action shot -- as we had lots of balls in the pool to dribble, shoot, pass and move about with.
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