Every little kid is vaguely cognisant of his or her surroundings growing up, but I have come to realize that I took true delight in seeing other cities and what made them different from where I lived even as a kid-o. And being keenly aware of this intangible "sense of space" I was deeply affected by the changes that were made in my city, be they for good or bad, even when I no longer lived there.
When I was in the third grade I went on my first trip (that I could remember) to a big city. I remember being enamoured with the city that is Minneapolis and being in awe of their skywalks, an ingenious invention in a city that is colder than it has any right to be in winter.
My passion for cities grew when I visited New York City for the first time as a high schooler when we moved out to CT. I had always wanted to visit New York and to be swept up into the hustle and bustle of the pre-holidays season was fantastic. But I loved it that much more when I visited in college on my own, for a job interview, and was able to navigate it based on its simple, and frankly intuitive, grid plan. This is coming from someone who can get lost in her own town with just two missed turns and no idea how to "just retrace her steps."
My interest in downtown revitalization, another key focus of mine, was sparked when my dad took me to the Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee. I've mentioned this before ("Gentrification," Tuesday, August 12, 2008)and Milwaukee is definitely the sweet, but dowdy cousin of chic, sophisticated Chicago, but that didn't stop them from creating a Historic Third Ward, which has created its own little flair in a charming city.
Another turn of events that affected my understanding of cities was when the city of Wausau, home of the majority of my childhood, location of the the beloved Franklin Street, and the "eh" library tore out a huge section of the downtown to make a downtown park (see John Michlig's blog, "Sprawled Out: the Search for Community in the American Suburb) for a picture of what it looks like now). I won't be back there until Christmas and when I do it'll be covered in snow, so, please enjoy his pictures (and hard work).
My dad, I think, is a latent, amateur architecture buff too and certainly a lover of beautiful things and we would go "downtown" on Saturdays and have coffee and donuts and look at the old pre-war buildings that have stood the test of time- and frankly had been immune to the need for historic preservation as rarely did anyone ever want to demo a building. And if so it'd be like wanting to send grandma out into the cold world with nothing but the clothes on her back- you just don't do it 'cause why would you?!
Even for the people of Wausau who have no idea what urban planning is, this was a change and a shock. We had moved away by the time this restructuring of the downtown occurred, but upon coming back it was a sliver of what it must be like to come home to one's house having burned to the ground or waking up after a car accident and seeing that you have lost a limb. I, in no way wish to diminish the unspeakable tragedy that such circumstances are to those who have experienced them personally. But I will say that seeing the downtown looking everything and nothing like how it used to is like losing a part of yourself. It did drive home the point that every place has a "sense of place" and if you change one thing, you change everything, no matter how subtlely.
I won't even go into detail about how my beloved high school was turned into apartments/condos. It was an ingenious move on the city developers' part, but it literally meant that one can't go home, or back to school, again. I'd be less affected if I'd attended Wausau West, an ugly relic of 1970's architecture- grey masonry globbed together in a vaguely circular form with little to no windows. But I attended a beautiful pre-war building that even served as a city bomb shelter owing to the fact that the walls were three feet thick! I haven't seen the new apartment complex so I have no aesthetic judgment regarding the renovation. Suffice to say I hope that the people who live there now enjoy living in a part of history.
I attended college in Savannah, GA, which constantly harps on its "Jewel Plan" to anyone within shouting distance. And while it was aurally fatiguing to hear, it is a beautiful city that I highly recommend to anyone. Each square is unique and beautiful, ugh, like a jewel. But it was previous events, experienced much earlier, that really made me aware of a city and its impact on a person, no matter how small the change, or the person that is affected by it.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A little slice of me & a library review
I don't like my blog to serve as a sordid tell-all kind of e-confessional. I prefer that it remains a more austere, academic type of exercise.
But while I have been composing my heart-rendering statement(s) of purpose for grad school I have been reflecting on how I came to fall in love with the concept of urban planning and I realize that my whole life has been building up to undertake this profession. Permit me, if you will, a minor, flagrant self-indulgence.
As I mentioned earlier, I was first made aware of the official, "academic" discipline while I was an undergrad in Italy and Professor Christian Sottile pointed out various architectural details that reflected different periods and significant events in a city's history. For a history dork and an amateur architecture historian that couldn't have excited me more- you can learn about the history of a city through architectural details- yowie zowie!
My interest continued when I learned that UC Irvine offered a master's degree in urban design and behavior, which piqued the interest of my internal amateur sociologist. My interests have since shifted, I now would like to pursue something with more of a sustainable architecture focus, but the metaphorical seed was definitely planted.
What I have failed to realize is that the seed was planted long and ago and perhaps the events of my life have been leading me to this. I have lived in 11 places (and counting) in 25 years and while I don't have any place that I can honestly say I would call home, except perhaps the Piazza Navona in Rome, I have always been interested in architecture.
For a while I thought that I would major in studying graceful arches, beautifully ornate windows, the romance of a porch that wraps around a stately Victorian home, etc., *swoon* In the town where I spent the majority of my childhood there was a street called Franklin that was flocked by gorgeous old homes that I often wished were mine.
I considered being an architect or a historic preservationist, as both majors were offered at my college. But I never took physics and the HP kids were all a little on the vanilla side.
But the concept of planning a town was exciting to me. My interest really started when the city of Wausau, WI, home to the aforementioned Franklin Street, constructed a new library. Now to most people this fact would not be met with much fanfare. But in the little town of Wausau it was a big deal because there wasn't a lot of major new construction that occurred.
As a little girl I had dreamed of coming to the library as a high schooler and being oh-so-cool, hanging out on the stately front steps, hanging out with my equally cool friends and maybe even my boyfriend. I think I was a cheerleader in these pre-adolescent fantasies and it stood to follow that my boyfriend was the star of the football team. Clearly, my fantasies were grounded in something out of a non-existent 1950's.
Regardless of the fact that I never became a high school cheerleader, it was quite a rude shock to me and my fantasy land of teeny-boppers and malteds when the new library was built and it possessed none of the grace or elegance of the old library. There was no grand staircase leading up to the Pantheon of Learning- just a level concrete walkway, which didn't exactly inspire visions of higher learning. Very ADA-approved, but not very Dead Poets' Society.
The new library was a giant red brick building, with a turret-like side. Not terribly graceful, but not ungainly. Certainly not "moderne," but not reeking of charm so classic that one could put quote marks around it. It's a true reflection of the feel of Wausau- basic, conservative, practical, safe, but not terribly innovative. Resigned, I continued to frequent it, but not with the giddy anticipation I used to. Who knew that something as routine as a new library would shape my career path?
(For a lovely new library, the New Berlin Public Library in New Berlin, WI, a suburb of Milwaukee is quite nice and has a freakishly good selection. I am highly critical of a library's contents, but this one passed muster with old, obscure, and new titles alike. And if you are there, go to Culver's, just down the street for burgers and custard- a little taste of heaven on earth.)
(And for a real treat for the eyes visit the Santa Monica Public Library, which is the first LEED-certified library and is an oversized, "green" version of Starbucks. Not pretentious, but definitely chic- there's an interior outdoor cafe complete with a little brook, an interior theater, and many private reading spots. Highly recommended. Dining recommendations I don't have, but there was a nice cupcake bakery a few streets over. Though I do caution you if you are to indulge in a sweet treat to eat it right away as even on a June gloom day, when I purchased my cupie-cakes, the frosting tended to move towards continental drift when stored in a black Nissan Versa. Still tasty, but not as aesthetically pleasing.)
But while I have been composing my heart-rendering statement(s) of purpose for grad school I have been reflecting on how I came to fall in love with the concept of urban planning and I realize that my whole life has been building up to undertake this profession. Permit me, if you will, a minor, flagrant self-indulgence.
As I mentioned earlier, I was first made aware of the official, "academic" discipline while I was an undergrad in Italy and Professor Christian Sottile pointed out various architectural details that reflected different periods and significant events in a city's history. For a history dork and an amateur architecture historian that couldn't have excited me more- you can learn about the history of a city through architectural details- yowie zowie!
My interest continued when I learned that UC Irvine offered a master's degree in urban design and behavior, which piqued the interest of my internal amateur sociologist. My interests have since shifted, I now would like to pursue something with more of a sustainable architecture focus, but the metaphorical seed was definitely planted.
What I have failed to realize is that the seed was planted long and ago and perhaps the events of my life have been leading me to this. I have lived in 11 places (and counting) in 25 years and while I don't have any place that I can honestly say I would call home, except perhaps the Piazza Navona in Rome, I have always been interested in architecture.
For a while I thought that I would major in studying graceful arches, beautifully ornate windows, the romance of a porch that wraps around a stately Victorian home, etc., *swoon* In the town where I spent the majority of my childhood there was a street called Franklin that was flocked by gorgeous old homes that I often wished were mine.
I considered being an architect or a historic preservationist, as both majors were offered at my college. But I never took physics and the HP kids were all a little on the vanilla side.
But the concept of planning a town was exciting to me. My interest really started when the city of Wausau, WI, home to the aforementioned Franklin Street, constructed a new library. Now to most people this fact would not be met with much fanfare. But in the little town of Wausau it was a big deal because there wasn't a lot of major new construction that occurred.
As a little girl I had dreamed of coming to the library as a high schooler and being oh-so-cool, hanging out on the stately front steps, hanging out with my equally cool friends and maybe even my boyfriend. I think I was a cheerleader in these pre-adolescent fantasies and it stood to follow that my boyfriend was the star of the football team. Clearly, my fantasies were grounded in something out of a non-existent 1950's.
Regardless of the fact that I never became a high school cheerleader, it was quite a rude shock to me and my fantasy land of teeny-boppers and malteds when the new library was built and it possessed none of the grace or elegance of the old library. There was no grand staircase leading up to the Pantheon of Learning- just a level concrete walkway, which didn't exactly inspire visions of higher learning. Very ADA-approved, but not very Dead Poets' Society.
The new library was a giant red brick building, with a turret-like side. Not terribly graceful, but not ungainly. Certainly not "moderne," but not reeking of charm so classic that one could put quote marks around it. It's a true reflection of the feel of Wausau- basic, conservative, practical, safe, but not terribly innovative. Resigned, I continued to frequent it, but not with the giddy anticipation I used to. Who knew that something as routine as a new library would shape my career path?
(For a lovely new library, the New Berlin Public Library in New Berlin, WI, a suburb of Milwaukee is quite nice and has a freakishly good selection. I am highly critical of a library's contents, but this one passed muster with old, obscure, and new titles alike. And if you are there, go to Culver's, just down the street for burgers and custard- a little taste of heaven on earth.)
(And for a real treat for the eyes visit the Santa Monica Public Library, which is the first LEED-certified library and is an oversized, "green" version of Starbucks. Not pretentious, but definitely chic- there's an interior outdoor cafe complete with a little brook, an interior theater, and many private reading spots. Highly recommended. Dining recommendations I don't have, but there was a nice cupcake bakery a few streets over. Though I do caution you if you are to indulge in a sweet treat to eat it right away as even on a June gloom day, when I purchased my cupie-cakes, the frosting tended to move towards continental drift when stored in a black Nissan Versa. Still tasty, but not as aesthetically pleasing.)
Monday, September 15, 2008
We Love LA! OK, I love LA. . .
I had mentioned in an earlier post ("It Never Rains in California, but We've Got Problems All Our Own," Tuesday, August 12, 2008) that Los Angeles has its own unique set of problems, which warrant its own unique metroppolitan policy, and had presented the summary report published by the USC Southern California Studies Center for their Urban Policy Seminar Series 2001–2002
[Moderated by Antonio Villaraigosa & Jennifer Wolch/ Principal Authors: William Fulton, Jennifer Wolch, Antonio Villaraigosa, Susan Weaver/ Co-Sponsored by USC Center for Sustainable Cities, USC Lusk Center for Real Estate with support from USC Urban Initiative, The John Randolph and Dora Haynes Foundation]
However, I didn't dwell much on the incredible eco-paradox that Los Angeles is and the regional specific circumstances that prompted my shift in focus from urban design and behavior research to sustainable land use. So, here's what intrigues me-
Los Angeles, contrary to popular belief, is NOT a sprawling, oozing organism that will continue to expand like the horror monster the Blob. Useable land is slowly but surely being used up. And along with it the consequences of slash-and-burn development with a disregard for environmental impact are catching up. Although this is a regrettable circumstance that we find ourselves in, I also like to see it as an exciting challenge.
In addition to the the summary report published by the USC Southern California Studies Center for their Urban Policy Seminar Series 2001–2002 my interest in that which we call L.A. was also sparked by a book review of California: the Great Exception, which was written by Carey McWilliams and reviewed by Mitchell Schwarzer in the Harvard Design magazine, Summer 200, Number 11 and Los Angeles: Globalization, Urbanization & Social Struggles by Roger Keil, which was reviewed by Julie-Anne Boudreau in UCLA's spring 1999 issue of Critical Planning.
Yet another disclaimer: I have not read either of the aforementioned books yet, but the reviews of each proved quite informative, enough so that I shifted my master's subject concentration.
[Moderated by Antonio Villaraigosa & Jennifer Wolch/ Principal Authors: William Fulton, Jennifer Wolch, Antonio Villaraigosa, Susan Weaver/ Co-Sponsored by USC Center for Sustainable Cities, USC Lusk Center for Real Estate with support from USC Urban Initiative, The John Randolph and Dora Haynes Foundation]
However, I didn't dwell much on the incredible eco-paradox that Los Angeles is and the regional specific circumstances that prompted my shift in focus from urban design and behavior research to sustainable land use. So, here's what intrigues me-
Los Angeles, contrary to popular belief, is NOT a sprawling, oozing organism that will continue to expand like the horror monster the Blob. Useable land is slowly but surely being used up. And along with it the consequences of slash-and-burn development with a disregard for environmental impact are catching up. Although this is a regrettable circumstance that we find ourselves in, I also like to see it as an exciting challenge.
In addition to the the summary report published by the USC Southern California Studies Center for their Urban Policy Seminar Series 2001–2002 my interest in that which we call L.A. was also sparked by a book review of California: the Great Exception, which was written by Carey McWilliams and reviewed by Mitchell Schwarzer in the Harvard Design magazine, Summer 200, Number 11 and Los Angeles: Globalization, Urbanization & Social Struggles by Roger Keil, which was reviewed by Julie-Anne Boudreau in UCLA's spring 1999 issue of Critical Planning.
Yet another disclaimer: I have not read either of the aforementioned books yet, but the reviews of each proved quite informative, enough so that I shifted my master's subject concentration.
the Ethical City
My latest interest that I wished to expound upon has been traffic. My review of Tom Vanderbilt's book, Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us) is forthcoming, but I predict that it will be glowing.
In my research to gain a better understanding of this subject called traffic and how it affects people's lives I have also been thinking about what makes an ethical city?
And while we're on the subject, what makes a city?
The reason why my thoughts jump from traffic to ethics and the concept of the city itself is because traffic affects literally everyone. Not everyone will go to the new baseball stadium that the city is building or even the new shopping complex that they hope will increase revenue. But like it or not, your life will be affected by traffic, be you a pedestrian or driver/passenger.
A city is composed of so many elements and traffic is the common thread that binds it all togeter, for better or for worse.
Everyone is quick to jump on their high-horse and talk contemputously of those who refuse to "go green." But what about those who are less fortunate than us? Where are their prominent and highly visible advocates? Poverty continues to be an ugly stain on the cloth of society and regardless of whom you are voting for in the fall election and whoever wins, poverty and having an ethical approach to a city is vital if we want to be anything resembling the greatest nation on earth, for the right reasons.
I do not intend to imply that no one is doing anything to help aid the poor. There are so many people who tirelessly give of themselves daily. But unfortunately, poverty lacks that chic cache that being environmentally conscious has been experiencing of late. I would recommend the unlikely Mel Brooks movie, "Life Stinks" to see how truly degrading being homeless can be, an extreme aspect of poverty, but important nonetheless and from the most unlikely of sources.
It's no secret that most poor people are forced to use the less than glamorous public transportation system to get around. In fact, it's often implied in many towns, including all the ones that I have lived in that "only the poor and the crazy" ride the buses. A happy exception is Chicago, where one may rub elbows with a suit or purse that costs more than you make in a week. But like I said that was an exception. The socio-economic status of those who utilize public transportation should not have any relation to the determination of implementation of improvements to the public transport system.
There was an interesting article in the spring 1999 issue of UCLA's Critical Planning Journal, entitled, "Rethinking Bus Stops" by James T. Rojas, which points out the obvious, but important, concept that mass transportation isn't a high priority for the inhabitants of the suburbs, where the majority of people get around in their own personal car. But in the cities and especially in the poor sections of town, the majority of people rely on public transportation to get to their jobs and go about their daily business. However, the majority of these people not only lack personal means of transportation, they are also in lack of political power to put pressure on politicians to bring about needed change (this is a paraphrase from page nine in the section "Lack of Commitment Pressure")
UCLA's School of Public Affairs expands on this in their Masters of Arts (M.A.) in Urban Planning concentration section under "Transportation Policy and Planning"
"Transportation Policy and Planning comprises the whole context of economic, social, and political actions that determine the distribution of development, goods, and services. Economic development planning, environmental planning, housing and community development, and urban design are all linked by travel and transportation systems. Transportation access significantly affects quality of life, and differences in opportunities between rich and poor, men and women, young and old, and people of different racial, ethnic and social origins. Thus, the analysis of transportation policy includes questions of production and distribution - how efficiently are services provided, who pays, and who benefits. Such transportation questions in turn lead to more fundamental ones about the functions of planning and public policy. "
To say that traffic is just cars and roads and pedestrians takes a tunnel vision (pun intended) approach to a broad subject.
To be truly ethical in our dealings we must understand that traffic is only a section of what makes a city and each decision to where to put a roadway, a stop sign, a freeway ramp, etc., has a ripple effect on the rest of the city. Traffic definitely does not exist in a vacuum. Obviously, one shouldn't become paralyzed with over-analysis of each little sidewalk or painted road divider. But one should be mindful that each decision does have an impact on other areas.
In my research to gain a better understanding of this subject called traffic and how it affects people's lives I have also been thinking about what makes an ethical city?
And while we're on the subject, what makes a city?
The reason why my thoughts jump from traffic to ethics and the concept of the city itself is because traffic affects literally everyone. Not everyone will go to the new baseball stadium that the city is building or even the new shopping complex that they hope will increase revenue. But like it or not, your life will be affected by traffic, be you a pedestrian or driver/passenger.
A city is composed of so many elements and traffic is the common thread that binds it all togeter, for better or for worse.
Everyone is quick to jump on their high-horse and talk contemputously of those who refuse to "go green." But what about those who are less fortunate than us? Where are their prominent and highly visible advocates? Poverty continues to be an ugly stain on the cloth of society and regardless of whom you are voting for in the fall election and whoever wins, poverty and having an ethical approach to a city is vital if we want to be anything resembling the greatest nation on earth, for the right reasons.
I do not intend to imply that no one is doing anything to help aid the poor. There are so many people who tirelessly give of themselves daily. But unfortunately, poverty lacks that chic cache that being environmentally conscious has been experiencing of late. I would recommend the unlikely Mel Brooks movie, "Life Stinks" to see how truly degrading being homeless can be, an extreme aspect of poverty, but important nonetheless and from the most unlikely of sources.
It's no secret that most poor people are forced to use the less than glamorous public transportation system to get around. In fact, it's often implied in many towns, including all the ones that I have lived in that "only the poor and the crazy" ride the buses. A happy exception is Chicago, where one may rub elbows with a suit or purse that costs more than you make in a week. But like I said that was an exception. The socio-economic status of those who utilize public transportation should not have any relation to the determination of implementation of improvements to the public transport system.
There was an interesting article in the spring 1999 issue of UCLA's Critical Planning Journal, entitled, "Rethinking Bus Stops" by James T. Rojas, which points out the obvious, but important, concept that mass transportation isn't a high priority for the inhabitants of the suburbs, where the majority of people get around in their own personal car. But in the cities and especially in the poor sections of town, the majority of people rely on public transportation to get to their jobs and go about their daily business. However, the majority of these people not only lack personal means of transportation, they are also in lack of political power to put pressure on politicians to bring about needed change (this is a paraphrase from page nine in the section "Lack of Commitment Pressure")
UCLA's School of Public Affairs expands on this in their Masters of Arts (M.A.) in Urban Planning concentration section under "Transportation Policy and Planning"
"Transportation Policy and Planning comprises the whole context of economic, social, and political actions that determine the distribution of development, goods, and services. Economic development planning, environmental planning, housing and community development, and urban design are all linked by travel and transportation systems. Transportation access significantly affects quality of life, and differences in opportunities between rich and poor, men and women, young and old, and people of different racial, ethnic and social origins. Thus, the analysis of transportation policy includes questions of production and distribution - how efficiently are services provided, who pays, and who benefits. Such transportation questions in turn lead to more fundamental ones about the functions of planning and public policy. "
To say that traffic is just cars and roads and pedestrians takes a tunnel vision (pun intended) approach to a broad subject.
To be truly ethical in our dealings we must understand that traffic is only a section of what makes a city and each decision to where to put a roadway, a stop sign, a freeway ramp, etc., has a ripple effect on the rest of the city. Traffic definitely does not exist in a vacuum. Obviously, one shouldn't become paralyzed with over-analysis of each little sidewalk or painted road divider. But one should be mindful that each decision does have an impact on other areas.
One Trick Pony
At this time I do not have to commit to a concentration in my studies yet my thoughts have been all over the place. Urban planning on a whole fascinates me so much that I get distracted by each shiny new tidbit- disaster relief housing, post-industrial cities, community development?! Bring it all on!
As mentioned earlier my emphasis in learning had originally been community development, especially within post-industrial cities and downtown revitalization. I extolled the promise and regenerating energy a new shopping center (or other major development) could and has provided to many cities.
However, an interesting point was made in a book called, the Livable City: Revitalizing Urban Communities by Partners for Livable Communities, editor Paula Park (McGraw-Hill: New York, New York, 2000: 121-122)-
"Very often (121) city officials fall in love with a single megaproject and become overly reliant on the tax revenues that such projects promise.
In turn, many cities may feel obliged to throw good planning out the window in order to accommodate the demands of the megaproject.
In the end the city runs the danger of having a poorly designed downtown and a city hall dependent upon the fortunes of a single project."
My fallacy would probably have been pointed out by a professor should I mention this in a classroom setting. However, at this time I am entirely self-taught (with the exception of the generosity of the planning staff at the city of Visalia and their invaluable real-world experience advice)
Irregardless, it is food for thought. Just like we would all like to find a miracle cure that would stop and reverse aging, AIDS, cancer, MS, bad boy/girl friends, underdog sports teams- take your pick- urban planners secretly put on their wish list for Santa a magic Band-Aid that could fix a city in trouble.
But a city is composed of many facets and to throw a one-size-fits-all solution over everything hoping it will do the trick is both a disservice to the city and to the people who live in it.
I'm not saying that a new shopping center, sports stadium, park, aquarium, etc., wouldn't benefit a city, but to put all of one's hopes in one proverbial golden goose is more foolish than risky.
I would also like to mention an article in slate.com that casts a doubtful eye on the city-wide redeeming power of a sports stadium. "Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks also some hotels and low-income housing by: Daniel Gross
As mentioned earlier my emphasis in learning had originally been community development, especially within post-industrial cities and downtown revitalization. I extolled the promise and regenerating energy a new shopping center (or other major development) could and has provided to many cities.
However, an interesting point was made in a book called, the Livable City: Revitalizing Urban Communities by Partners for Livable Communities, editor Paula Park (McGraw-Hill: New York, New York, 2000: 121-122)-
"Very often (121) city officials fall in love with a single megaproject and become overly reliant on the tax revenues that such projects promise.
In turn, many cities may feel obliged to throw good planning out the window in order to accommodate the demands of the megaproject.
In the end the city runs the danger of having a poorly designed downtown and a city hall dependent upon the fortunes of a single project."
My fallacy would probably have been pointed out by a professor should I mention this in a classroom setting. However, at this time I am entirely self-taught (with the exception of the generosity of the planning staff at the city of Visalia and their invaluable real-world experience advice)
Irregardless, it is food for thought. Just like we would all like to find a miracle cure that would stop and reverse aging, AIDS, cancer, MS, bad boy/girl friends, underdog sports teams- take your pick- urban planners secretly put on their wish list for Santa a magic Band-Aid that could fix a city in trouble.
But a city is composed of many facets and to throw a one-size-fits-all solution over everything hoping it will do the trick is both a disservice to the city and to the people who live in it.
I'm not saying that a new shopping center, sports stadium, park, aquarium, etc., wouldn't benefit a city, but to put all of one's hopes in one proverbial golden goose is more foolish than risky.
I would also like to mention an article in slate.com that casts a doubtful eye on the city-wide redeeming power of a sports stadium. "Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks also some hotels and low-income housing by: Daniel Gross
Friday, September 5, 2008
Change is in the air- literally!
Today my thoughts stray to renewable energy. If I hear one more person chirping about saving the earth like they're telling you to floss or drink 64 ounces of water a day I'm going to scream. This is serious stuff people! not a fashion trend.
I've been serious about saving the planet since the second grade. My mom can attest to this and my compulsive habit of turning off the light in a room pretty much the instant one leaves a room, even if one is going right back in. Just doin' my part! This is added to my badgering her to buy the biggest conceivable bottle of dish soap instead of the handy little bottle she insists on buying. I don't mean that she has to use the gallon sized Joy to wash the dishes- just to refill her container! Every time she goes shopping I think she says a little prayer of thanksgiving that I no longer live at home.
For more on the lesser of two evils see the insightful book, Hey Mr. Green: Sierra Magazine's Answer Guy Tackles Your Toughest Green Living Questions by: Bob Schildgen available at amazon.com and many major book sellers.
But all joking aside, I've decided to learn more about sustainable and renewable energy resources. I figure if I'm going to study sustainable land use, it would help if I didn't call wind turbines "those windmill-like thingies," or solar panels, "those really big car sun shields, but cooler."
According to Esquire a company called Verdant Power, a Virginia-based energy start-up was given $1.5 million by the state of New York to see what kind of tidal energy is possible in the depths of the East River between Queens and Roosevelt Island, which is pretty cool. Fear not animal lovers, it's not an underwater food processor for the fishes. The motion of the eight-foot blades and fish interaction was compared to "pedestrians strolling through revolving doors."
I also found a really interesting magazine, OK, sortof interesting magazine called Home Power. It reads like Popular Mechanics, heavy on technical details, light on well, shiny objects and sparkly graphics. But it definitely helps lay people get a better understanding of how to literally incorporate wind, solar, and hydro power into one's daily lives.
My aunt and uncle have talked about living "off the grid" for a while, as they are latent hippies and my dad, in his sporadic "take the guns and run for the hills" moments has also researched alternate energy sources.
I have to admit, I'm not exactly enthused at the idea of padding Big Business's pockets just so I can turn on my TV, especially when there is so much exciting new possibilities out there. Power from potatoes? Bring it on! I already like what spuds did for alcohol and the spirit of progress.
I've been serious about saving the planet since the second grade. My mom can attest to this and my compulsive habit of turning off the light in a room pretty much the instant one leaves a room, even if one is going right back in. Just doin' my part! This is added to my badgering her to buy the biggest conceivable bottle of dish soap instead of the handy little bottle she insists on buying. I don't mean that she has to use the gallon sized Joy to wash the dishes- just to refill her container! Every time she goes shopping I think she says a little prayer of thanksgiving that I no longer live at home.
For more on the lesser of two evils see the insightful book, Hey Mr. Green: Sierra Magazine's Answer Guy Tackles Your Toughest Green Living Questions by: Bob Schildgen available at amazon.com and many major book sellers.
But all joking aside, I've decided to learn more about sustainable and renewable energy resources. I figure if I'm going to study sustainable land use, it would help if I didn't call wind turbines "those windmill-like thingies," or solar panels, "those really big car sun shields, but cooler."
According to Esquire a company called Verdant Power, a Virginia-based energy start-up was given $1.5 million by the state of New York to see what kind of tidal energy is possible in the depths of the East River between Queens and Roosevelt Island, which is pretty cool. Fear not animal lovers, it's not an underwater food processor for the fishes. The motion of the eight-foot blades and fish interaction was compared to "pedestrians strolling through revolving doors."
I also found a really interesting magazine, OK, sortof interesting magazine called Home Power. It reads like Popular Mechanics, heavy on technical details, light on well, shiny objects and sparkly graphics. But it definitely helps lay people get a better understanding of how to literally incorporate wind, solar, and hydro power into one's daily lives.
My aunt and uncle have talked about living "off the grid" for a while, as they are latent hippies and my dad, in his sporadic "take the guns and run for the hills" moments has also researched alternate energy sources.
I have to admit, I'm not exactly enthused at the idea of padding Big Business's pockets just so I can turn on my TV, especially when there is so much exciting new possibilities out there. Power from potatoes? Bring it on! I already like what spuds did for alcohol and the spirit of progress.
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