tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61701315272411195062024-03-12T20:01:48.722-07:00The Walking GreenThe Walking Green is a celebration of all things good and wonderful about urban living, including tools and opportunities for urban families, ideas for convenience and sustainability in the city, great design concepts for family homes, and news in and about our city--Cincinnati, Ohio.McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-3369448228002379802013-01-02T11:55:00.005-08:002013-01-02T11:55:47.927-08:00I've moved!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm467hf6UyfVNmcFn-jPR406ThEaaPfNHM45ndfunDhbTML27lDK7170FZKOzEdGtzeGagDPp70iaygDw1VRvuKb7PyMmcWAsV5SoDg3j4DpffwC8TVGb0x7L4oVHGCTep5Q2aKaSLeE/s1600/IMG_2792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm467hf6UyfVNmcFn-jPR406ThEaaPfNHM45ndfunDhbTML27lDK7170FZKOzEdGtzeGagDPp70iaygDw1VRvuKb7PyMmcWAsV5SoDg3j4DpffwC8TVGb0x7L4oVHGCTep5Q2aKaSLeE/s320/IMG_2792.JPG" width="240" /></a>To keep up with The Walking Green, visit me <a href="http://ejmcewan.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
I'm trying to consolidate my online "identities" and streamline my thoughts and ideas on one single blog.<br />
<br />
I hope you'll keep checking in!<br />
<br />
Catch you later--<br />
LizMcEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-35441606581562251222012-12-13T07:42:00.003-08:002012-12-13T07:42:58.552-08:00Go Play Outside: In The ColdIt's been a while since I've written anything but, boy, things have been busy!<br />
<br />
I've been wrapping-up the 2012 cleanup season at <a href="http://keepcincinnatibeautiful.org/" target="_blank">work</a>. My husband has been working on finishing <a href="http://www.cincinnatihabitat.org/" target="_blank">his hous</a>es before the end of the year. Our kids never stop moving and I spend all my non-working moments trying to keep up.<br />
<br />
On mornings that I don't work, when I ask my (almost) 4 year-old son what he wants to do with his day, my favorite response is "go for a hike!" My kids love exploring outdoors and I've tried to offer as many opportunties as possible for them to do so. Living in the city doesn't have many built-in opportunties, which makes it hard. But it's not impossible. If we want to play outside--whether we're looking for a playground or the woods--there are a handful of great places within walking distance and a few within just a few minutes' drive. If I'm willing to go an extra 10-15 minutes, we can find a million places to explore.<br />
<br />
With a few exceptions, this season has still been pretty warm. But I don't anticipate it staying warm all Winter! The trick to keeping kids happy outside in the cold? <strong>Layer-up, keep moving, and bring snacks.</strong><br />
<br />
Rather than wearing one huge, puffy jacket, invest in multiple layers of clothing that allow you and your kids the freedom to remove only one layer as the sun comes out or your body warms up. Bring hats, mittens, and wear a nice pair of wool socks. Kids who are used to being outside will usually be more adaptable than their parents, so you'll notice your kids become more comfortable in the cold as they get used to dealing with it.<br />
<br />
On colder days, find something to do that keeps you all moving (like hiking) so your blood keeps flowing. You might actually be surprised how warm you get! Standing watching your kids play on the playground is sometimes a bore. Every once and a while, pick an activity that gets you moving, too.<br />
<br />
As always, kids are very sensitive to hunger. Keep a few small, packable snacks in your pocket or backpack, as well as a bottle of water. If hunger strikes, and your child starts to whine, stop for a quick snack and then get moving again.<br />
<br />
Get your kids outside now, while it's still comfortably chilly. You'll be thankful for the practice later, when it's really cold!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In the past few weeks, in addition to our normal neighborhood playground expeditions, we went to Sharon Woods. It was a chilly day, but we took a lovely hike around the lake, which we've never done. We've also been back to Lindner Park in Norwood recently, and we explored a new place in Florence, KY.<br />
<br />
The other day, on our way home from running an errand, we visited a park on Linn St. in the West End. It's a tiny little pocket park perfect for my kids' age group. And there's a dinosaur!!<br />
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<br />
Enjoy the season and GET OUTSIDE!<br />
McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-3089321719767457292012-10-02T10:56:00.001-07:002012-12-13T07:43:25.715-08:00Urbanism, Sub-urbanism, and why I’m tiring of the Streetcar debate.<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve lived in Cincinnati for 8 years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My first job was at Kaldi’s on Main Street in
Over-the-Rhine. Those first few years, I spent a lot of time in the
neighborhood. I met my husband there and we were married a few blocks away. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our first apartment was in Over-the-Rhine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided to plant our roots downtown for multiple reasons,
many of which I won’t get into here. But, basically, we love Cincinnati and we
believe that a strong urban core is the foundation of a strong city. There are
other neighborhoods that we love, neighborhoods that might become our “home”
someday. But, Over-the-Rhine was where our heart was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first two years of our marriage made me an “urbanite.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We lived in a large, industrial loft space in a barely
habitable old brewery building. Both of our work offices were a mile away. Our
church was a mile away. I learned to shop on foot, in small trips. I got used
to the sounds of street life. We got to know our neighbors. We learned the
history of our city, the feel of the streets and alleys, the loom of the
buildings as we walked by.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We didn’t do touristy, out-of-towner things in our
neighborhood; we learned to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">live</i>
there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we first felt the call to purchase a home, we talked
about multiple options, and multiple locations. I had one simple request: I
must have either a walkable business district or lots of greenspace. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We tried to buy a monstrous estate on Dayton St. in the West
End, but they refused our offer. (A friend bought it, instead.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We looked into purchasing a dilapidated old estate tucked
away in North Avondale on 2.5 acres, but they weren’t interested in us as much
as we were interested in them. They wanted to “develop” the land.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We walked through a few homes in Betts-Longworth; we walked through
a few in Mt Prospect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then we got an email from an acquaintance saying that he
was selling his home in Over-the-Rhine and we called him right away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The short version of the story is that the owner liked us.
He liked that we are people of faith (like him). He liked that we were going to
be raising a family in his old home, where he raised three children with his
late wife. He liked that we are committed to a similar vision for the city as
he had been for his 40+ years in the neighborhood. So, he reduced the price of
his home to something we could afford and sold it to us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That summer, we made the transition onto Orchard Street,
which is perhaps the most beautiful street in the city. The house itself if a
labor of love and a work-in-progress, but it offers plenty of space, room to
grow, and everything an urban family could desire including a backyard (which
will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">someday</i> be functional as such). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love our life in the city. I love the wealth of
opportunities and experiences that it offers our children. I love the warmth of
neighbors and passers-by. I love the architecture and parks and noise and
lights. As a severe introvert, I love the ease of daily contact with other
people, both friends and strangers, and the feeling of a city alive about me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Living in the city is not always fun. It sometimes requires
more work, especially with kids. So, I am sympathetic to those who say, “Oh! I
could <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i> do that!” And I am very
sympathetic to parents who want a neighborhood where their young children can
play outside unattended, where they can unload groceries from inside their
garage, and where they don’t need to worry about issues like lead paint and air
quality. And I believe that there are many legitimate reasons to live in
sub-urban areas—closer proximity to family or work, for example. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are times when my husband and I stare at each other
from across the room and quietly suggest: Wouldn’t it be nice to park <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in front of our own house</i>? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And we often dream together of leaving the city far behind
and relocating to a rural space where our kids can be wild and reckless in the
woods and come home at sunset with dirty hands and muddy boots.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But, at the end of the day, I am officially an urbanite. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And though some wild, faraway place may be in the cards for
us someday, choosing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">against </i>the
suburbs is now a matter of principle for me, not simply preference.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What does this have to do with the infamous, polarizing
issue of the Cincinnati streetcar?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s become pretty clear to me that Cincinnati residents are
not only divided on the issue, but that no one is budging. We’re at an impasse
and the only deciding factor at this point is that the public voted a majority
of pro-streetcar City Council members in the last election, which is why the
streetcar continues to move forward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The difficulty of the debate is that one side sees the
development of a streetcar system as a legitimate investment in the future of
the urban core and the other side sees it as frivolous spending on a pet
project—“a streetcar to nowhere.” These are ideological issues, not issues of preference.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Basically, we don’t simply live in different neighborhoods;
we live in different worlds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are legitimate reasons to oppose the streetcar. Heck,
I’m a Conservative! I understand the need for fiscal responsibility and
responsible spending. But even a fiscal conservative believes in the importance
of sound investments, building a future, and creating a foundation. And even
the hesitant supporters—those who support pursuing the streetcar project at a
future time, though not now—would agree that a project like the streetcar has
the potential to strengthen the urban core, bring economic prosperity, and
offer opportunity for further development.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem is this: the majority of those in opposition to
the streetcar have a fundamentally different view of the urban environment, its
infrastructure, and lifestyle, than do its supporters. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They see the city as a holding place for poor, homeless drunks
and a recreational facility for wealthy yuppies. They do not believe that
normal people actually live here. They do not believe that people with their
level of wealth or education would <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">choose</i>
to live here.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They do not understand the design of cities and do not share
the vision of car-lite, rail-strong city. They do not care about the thousands
of Cincinnati residents whose lives would someday benefit from affordable,
convenient public transportation. (How other people find their way to home and
work does not worry them, so long as those people don’t end up living in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">their</i> neighborhoods.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Their lives are dependent on cars and highways. They have
not conceded the high costs (physical, social, and environmental) of
car-dependent communities. They do not know a world without a 30-minute commute.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They do not share parking spaces, driveways, sidewalks,
front porches, or front yards; of course they cannot imagine sharing
transportation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They are willing to invest billions of dollars in improving
over-used highways and bridges <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">surrounding</i>
the urban core, while neglecting characteristically <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">urban</i> transportation options which bolster urban life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They do not see the streetcar as a sound investment because
they do not believe that a pedestrian, urban life is a legitimate lifestyle
choice of rational people (and families). So, they refuse to relinquish their
control of the urban core to those who actually live, work, and play there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And no one is going to change their minds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not, nor have I ever been, a die-hard streetcar
supporter. As I said earlier, I believe there are legitimate reasons to
oppose—or perhaps postpone—the project. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But, I am an urbanite. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I believe that a strong urban core is the foundation of a
strong city. And so I have to trust the history of cities and contemporary
experts of urban design. They both agree that a streetcar system is a solid
investment for our city.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I am tired of the debate. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We don’t simply live in different neighborhoods; we live in
different worlds.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I have chosen to invest in a historically-significant
shared built environment. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Many others took out a half a million dollar loan for a private,
.25 acre plot of former farmland. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I have already said that there are legitimate reasons to
choose a sub-urban lifestyle. But, to oppose urban development because you do
not believe that there is fundamental, inherent value to the urban core of our
city shows a complete lack of understanding. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The strength of our urban core is the only thing that
makes your comfortable life in the suburbs possible. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And, until you believe that, we have nothing more to
discuss.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And, by the way-- </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Stop calling it a “trolley,” for pete’s sake.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It’s a damn streetcar.</div>
McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-60857008039860229592012-08-30T13:15:00.004-07:002012-08-30T13:15:59.189-07:00Wait. What Happened to Summer?You may have noticed we've been a little MIA this summer on the blog, but we've been plenty busy!<br />
<br />
What have we been up to?<br />
<br />
Like the rest of the neighborhood, we've been enjoying the new <a href="http://washingtonpark.org/" target="_blank">Washington Park</a>. Between the fabulous playground, the water features, and the great public events, we've spent a lot of time exploring our new backyard. <br />
<br />
I've been taking the kids hiking around town, both on our own and with some other local families. I just strap baby E on and we take to the trails! It's amazing how many natural spaces there are in and around the city, so we've been working on familiarizing ourselves with the variety of options.<br />
<br />
At the end of June, we took a week-long vacation in SW Michigan, where my family has spent
summers since I was a kid. My oldest brother lives in the area now, so
my kids were able to spend quality time with their cousins. And we took a
sidetrip to Chicago, where the rest of my family lives, at the end of
the vacation. <br />
<br />
We've spent a lot of time at my mother in-law's house in Northern Kentucky, where my husband grew up, rainy days at the Museum Center, and the cooler mornings and the Cincinnati Zoo. We took the kids to a Florence Freedom baseball game and spent plenty of time at the public library. (I think my son has now seen every book they have about firetrucks, firemen, and fire safety.)<br />
<br />
At <a href="http://keepcincinnatibeautiful.org/" target="_blank">work</a>, we did a ton of beautification projects leading up to the World Choir Games in July. It as amazing to see such a transformation in our city and fun to have so many people visiting for the event. <br />
<br />
The perfect capstone to the summer was my beautiful baby girls' first birthday party. (You can see it featured on Apartment Therapy <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-kids-parties-garden-block-party-my-party-176331#comments" target="_blank">here</a>!)<br />
<br />
Summer is great, but I don't like the heat and I'm looking forward to fall, when we pull out our sweaters. Next season I will (hopefully) have the energy to work on a few projects around the house before winter hits.<br />
<br />
Time goes quickly, doesn't it?<br />
<br />
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McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-29027996476656745082012-06-03T21:54:00.000-07:002012-06-03T21:54:12.943-07:00Go Play Outside: the 45202 Family Hiking Club<br />
<b>The 45202 Family Hiking Club: Out to prove that you don't need to leave the city to GET OUTSIDE.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_J2FLvLL4mKcD6mR1ZqfERS9NHvma1nbIpXfdIUSp0TyxEg_y61O1voDOz_7oFVwzPhJwfMwYcc2oWDVeHPcYpmwxRK6oLy1Wj5udJhdnynjS782GRh4cPu64R8e-FxONTjERuh073M/s1600/IMG_4285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_J2FLvLL4mKcD6mR1ZqfERS9NHvma1nbIpXfdIUSp0TyxEg_y61O1voDOz_7oFVwzPhJwfMwYcc2oWDVeHPcYpmwxRK6oLy1Wj5udJhdnynjS782GRh4cPu64R8e-FxONTjERuh073M/s320/IMG_4285.jpg" width="240" /></a>Last month, I initiated a hiking club for families (and friends) in and near downtown. We'll be hiking together once a month, year-round (yes, four seasons), and the goal is to stay within the city limits or in urban Northern Kentucky. Every month, a different family will choose the location and lead the hike, to help the rest of us familiarize ourselves with places we may have never been before. <br />
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In May, for our first meetup, I led us on a hike through the trails at <a href="http://www.imagoearth.org/" target="_blank">Imago</a> in Price Hill.<br />
This month, we'll be meeting at <a href="http://cincyparks.com/parks-events/west-region/fernbank-park/" target="_blank">Fernbank Park</a> out west on River Rd.<br />
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If you are a family committed to both urban living and to providing your children with experiences in nature, even if you can't make it every month, you are welcome to join us. As of now, the event details are being communicated via Facebook, and the group is invite-only so there is some level of confidentiality about locations, times, and such.<br />
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Let me know if you'd like to be included!McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-54277754724200694142012-05-17T12:28:00.002-07:002012-05-17T12:28:37.796-07:00My Boy's a Star!A month or so ago, the kind folks at <a href="http://laurenedward.com/" target="_blank">Lauren Edward</a> (a husband/wife film production company currently residing in our neighborhood) spent a few hours filming my son for the opening video for this week's <a href="http://www.ceosforcities.org/" target="_blank">CEOs for Cities</a> conference, hosted in Cincinnati. Not only does the conference look awesome, but the video really makes our city look like magic, doesn't it? (And my son looks pretty awesome, too...)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/42338514" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
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This week, our city also hosted a <a href="http://www.good.is/post/join-us-for-good-ideas-for-cities-in-cincinnati-on-may-16/" target="_blank">GOOD Ideas for Cities</a> event. I RSVP'ed for the event, but did not end up attending. I opted, instead, for letting my son play with the kids on the street while my husband and I chatted with our neighbors.<br />
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It's a great time to be in Cincinnati, isn't it?<br />
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Did anyone attend either of these events?<br />
Tell me what happened!<br />
Any good ideas going around?McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-24633944819776258122012-05-02T14:29:00.001-07:002012-05-17T12:28:52.067-07:00Check This Out: Humans of New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.designmom.com/" target="_blank">Design Mom</a> just turned me onto this wonderful Tumblr feed...</div>
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<a href="http://humansofnewyork.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"> Humans of New York</a></div>
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As if we needed to be reminded the depth of people-watching available in cities.McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-13394920205718420022012-04-30T21:49:00.001-07:002012-04-30T22:01:43.814-07:00Go Play Outside: Sharon WoodsDid you know that it's only $10 a year for access to all of Hamilton County's amazing parks!?<br />
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Since I moved to Cincinnati nearly seven years ago, I've only gone two years without a Parks pass. But, to be honest, I haven't used any of the passes very often. I usually just consider it a $10 donation to the Park District. This year, though, I'm making an effort to explore the parks with my kids.<br />
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Recently, we took two trips to Sharon Woods, which is the park I know best because we have some good friends whose property abuts the park.<br />
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Wanna see some photos of trips!?<br />
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<br />McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-87733552193205517042012-02-17T19:43:00.001-08:002012-02-17T19:46:44.496-08:00Check out this AWESOME blog.I discovered a new(ish) blog a while back and am LOVING it. It chronicles a family's relocation to Manhattan and their adventures as they acclimate to city life. Not only do I love their style, but I absolutely love that they are a family of five!<br /><br />Check it out: <a href="http://nyctaughtme.blogspot.com/">nyc taught me</a>McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-66791884957770601862012-01-26T19:17:00.000-08:002012-01-26T19:31:05.559-08:00Go Play Outside: Sculptural Playground<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm5ndMXqJAFAeZWbwlOWK6uWl8p3CcwcvMWJykzGgIpkl2_ijipns190pvJbiUxF5I4aaAqJJrMiQcJdzMPYtk4CXjyVZYvf3pUCeDSBuin8gcneS_kk0dpRs1FV2ZPgUnzIxZZXyGDQ/s1600/playground.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm5ndMXqJAFAeZWbwlOWK6uWl8p3CcwcvMWJykzGgIpkl2_ijipns190pvJbiUxF5I4aaAqJJrMiQcJdzMPYtk4CXjyVZYvf3pUCeDSBuin8gcneS_kk0dpRs1FV2ZPgUnzIxZZXyGDQ/s320/playground.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702148479271190338" border="0" /></a>Check out this amazing <a href="http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2011/05/sculptural-playground-in-schulberg-by-annabau/">playground</a> in Germany. Amazing.<br /></div>McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-71927326513199212082012-01-07T19:58:00.000-08:002012-01-07T23:34:07.221-08:00The "F" Word.Here in the Twenty-first Century, there are still a few taboos that our enlightened society can't seem to rise above. One of them: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Faith. </span><br /><br />This seems particularly true in areas like architecture and urban planning, where it's presumed that all "people of faith" have bad taste, are afraid of progress, hate cities, and want to live in McMansions in the suburbs. These stereotypes are not completely unwarranted; there are factions of the Christian faith that are in opposition to contemporary voices in culture and urban life. But this small percentage does not speak for the whole.<br /><br />Faith is particularly taboo in the academic realm where students are told to check their religious lives at the door and, consequently, never have a chance to develop the relationship between their private faith and their career. (Check out Ben Stein's <span style="font-style: italic;">Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed</span> for his perspective on how this plays out in the realm of science.) <span style="font-weight: bold;">This produces a lot of young people who believe they have to choose between two things they are passionate about: their faith and changing the world.</span><br /><br />Is it possible to have both?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some of us believe so.</span><br /><br />A friend of mine, an urban planner in a moderately large city, recently asked me how I navigate my work in the public realm as it relates to my faith. Her experience is that Christians (especially of the conservative vein) are, at best, a joke in the city planning world. Now, <a href="http://keepcincinnatibeautiful.org/">my work</a> in community improvement is not nearly as "public" as her position with the city. But, she has heard me speak (and write) quite a bit about how my faith informs my views on politics, community development, and urban life. And she was curious how I manage being an "eco-friendly, urban, transit-loving, libertarian Christian" (her words--not mine) without feeling emotionally crushed while working with my peers.<br /><br />A blog I frequent--<a href="http://www.urbanophile.com/">Urbanophile</a>--recently posted a link to an interesting podcast on this issue. You can access it <a href="http://www.urbanophile.com/2012/01/06/faith-and-city-planning/#comments">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The basic gist of the podcast is this: historically speaking, faith has always been a prime motivator in public life, for progress and justice. So, why do we ignore this connection when training those to whom we entrust our public life? </span><br /><br />There is a lot of discussion in Christian circles these days about urbanism and how the Church should address issues related to city life and urban culture. But, the secular arena doesn't seem very educated about the contemporary Christian perspective--and they definitely ignore the historic one.<br /><br />I'm fairly new to the conversation and definitely don't claim to have all the answers for how faith and public life are supposed to intersect, but, I am convinced that I need not "check my faith at the door" in order to have something to contribute to the broader conversation.<br /><br />And I would encourage any young, passionate "people of faith" to pursue the health of their faith <span style="font-weight: bold;">and</span> the welfare of their city.<br /><br />Maybe we can have both.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span> on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." - the prophet Jeremiah, Old Testament.<br /><br /><br /><cite></cite>McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-40552589106085381732012-01-02T08:33:00.000-08:002012-01-02T08:37:21.782-08:0045202 FamiliesParenting in an urban area can be a little isolating.<br />90% of the peers you see on a daily basis are either child-less or live 20 minutes away. It can be hard to make friends and stay active in your own community.<br /><br />But most of us are on Facebook these days, right?<br />A few weeks ago, I started a Facebook group for "45202 Families."I'm hoping this group will be a way to connect folks who live, work, or play downtown so we can share recommendations and plan events.<br /><br />The group is "invite only," so let me know if you'd like to join!<br /><br />And I'll try to get around to blogging again eventually...McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-69443101616615701912011-10-14T08:13:00.001-07:002011-10-14T08:46:51.958-07:00Starting "School"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp6SGpW9cYeUYPmhGPOJeHKpBURWmebPKz0aAVSVLtc8cm7Tvv1WoyVfxWzqcMQyoPzk1wg3icOHRzAN3LXXsIshY2vDyx7N4pxEGtY2pF7RQEn0oJKn-f_3lo1D6qukdZldeBZ8PgtA/s1600/School02.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663372559416013170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp6SGpW9cYeUYPmhGPOJeHKpBURWmebPKz0aAVSVLtc8cm7Tvv1WoyVfxWzqcMQyoPzk1wg3icOHRzAN3LXXsIshY2vDyx7N4pxEGtY2pF7RQEn0oJKn-f_3lo1D6qukdZldeBZ8PgtA/s200/School02.jpg" /></a>My son is 2yrs and 8 months old. He's super gregarious, energetic, and has a great sense of humor. He also corners the market on creative play these days. But, about a year ago, I noticed that some of my son's peers were surpassing him in learning things like "the ABC's," colors, numbers, and shapes. My son might be able to guide you on the mile long walk through the streets of Over-the-Rhine to the public library, but he can barely count to ten.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div>Many of my son's peers are learning these basic skills (counting, identifying letters, etc.) from either watching television or attending daycare/preschool. Since my son does not watch television, nor attend daycare, it's going to be my job to teach him.</div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We already read a lot. And we talk a lot in normal conversation about animals and colors and such. But, last week, we started our first official week of "school." And for the next eight months or so, we will spend 3o minutes, 1-3 days a week, learning basic preschool things--letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and lifeskills.</div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-rhKo-t9-yT2jdDlQ8diE4-kBTvGdjvNT3MYmO6VHSXdjkLb8FBwyxht-UuKNuvZ1Jlh-2LrHcxVH_8GoGBieeI31jEy52CPyKENf4ZbcbOjWPTShPuOktfXoqRQnc6S2bcLJr3uPBU/s1600/School01.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663371217642393538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-rhKo-t9-yT2jdDlQ8diE4-kBTvGdjvNT3MYmO6VHSXdjkLb8FBwyxht-UuKNuvZ1Jlh-2LrHcxVH_8GoGBieeI31jEy52CPyKENf4ZbcbOjWPTShPuOktfXoqRQnc6S2bcLJr3uPBU/s200/School01.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm really excited to share the experience of homeschooling in the city where it's possible to have a rich, exciting education, as well a socialization, apart from attending a standard school. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My son loved his first day.</div><br /><div>Now I just need to prep for Day 2!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-23332993138403914202011-09-27T12:11:00.001-07:002011-10-01T15:02:15.524-07:00Midpoint Music Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRLwAkK1eeLBKCvyeu3b-53m0lTll-Ct0GERQvtKsCOzoB6yXhBwxfFETJEUNtrEiRoQkF-Nlp0YkdUF4wRs1DvPH3UyPQQ98DORFtfmFHPBEK1nXfzQ4kQVizjwFyu2N09lIbQBHXvk/s1600/IMG_1728.jpg"><br /></a><br />I have had mixed feelings about the local phenomenon of <a href="http://mpmf.com/">Midpoint Music Festival</a>, but they really redeemed themselves for me this year with their Midpoint Midway and CAC-sponsored acoustic stage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9QtePaiG8ENPh9nh3RzscPyjWWcNOpRUElJjxa02bN12hgCszMoOIB3kJ6785sDOwtyk-kRin6BMsSklF-kg4nC00ScHE1Zr79rr3BBNuugtkn9q0k04aVdyLKs8FRshJPCJt17WYtk/s1600/IMG_1727.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9QtePaiG8ENPh9nh3RzscPyjWWcNOpRUElJjxa02bN12hgCszMoOIB3kJ6785sDOwtyk-kRin6BMsSklF-kg4nC00ScHE1Zr79rr3BBNuugtkn9q0k04aVdyLKs8FRshJPCJt17WYtk/s320/IMG_1727.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657121530218927170" border="0" /></a>For folks like me who live in the neighborhood, it was a great way to get out of the house and enjoy the event without spending money on a ticket. With two kids at home, the ticket would have been mostly wasted. And, considering the way MPMF takes over our neighborhood for a weekend, it was nice to have this early evening, all-ages, free part of the event. It definitely made up for the noise and parking issues that weekend!<br /><br />We made it down to the Midway three nights in a row. We listened to some acoustic music, watched the skateboarders, and ate some fabulous soft pretzels. The weather was great and my son is still asking me if he can go "see some music" again tonight.<br /><br />Thanks, Midpoint. Maybe next year I'll buy a ticket.McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-89334077852929263052011-08-15T11:58:00.000-07:002011-08-15T12:07:19.542-07:00City Walks with Kids
<br />I would love to see a book like this published for Cincinnati. We do, after all, live in one of the most walkable cities in the country!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbJynwVOar_k-LXLj8sbZorXYeTThFQUodNbf90zWZ8tU8wJqfBiBW-lmfT0uUPL-26f4bRHi9RudVTD-xv4K4yrLHf3bEqoYJguGNXXw7aCbCk32p7y84HDStxaySPPFwg3rD_jMyxs/s1600/City_Walks_with_Kids_Washington_D.C..jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbJynwVOar_k-LXLj8sbZorXYeTThFQUodNbf90zWZ8tU8wJqfBiBW-lmfT0uUPL-26f4bRHi9RudVTD-xv4K4yrLHf3bEqoYJguGNXXw7aCbCk32p7y84HDStxaySPPFwg3rD_jMyxs/s320/City_Walks_with_Kids_Washington_D.C..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641160824598122370" border="0" /></a>the <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/city-walks-with-kids-washington-d-c.html">City Walks with Kids</a> series, published by Chronicle Books
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<br />McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-18566353574363411722011-07-18T08:06:00.000-07:002011-07-18T09:50:10.608-07:00They Did Everything Right<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Last week, news broke in New York City that an 8 year-old boy had been abducted, then killed and dismembered, after getting lost only blocks away from the place he was to meet his parents that afternoon. His error: he asked the wrong person for directions. That man took advantage of the situation and it ended tragically.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’d rather not recount all of the details. You can <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/nyregion/thousands-mourn-boy-killed-in-brooklyn.html">read them for yourself</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a parent raising children in an urban area, I am already well-aware of the perceived dangers of city life. I know that many of my peers, with children of the same age, think I’m nuts for planting our family here. And I will admit that I sometimes question this decision, as well, counting the cost of all the extra work my husband I and I have to do to keep our family safe and healthy in the city.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But the more time I spend here (we’ve lived in Over-the-Rhine for over three years now and I worked here for the three years before then), the more I am convinced that <span style="font-weight: bold;">although there are certain dangers inherent to urban life, many of the dangers inherent to <span style="font-style: italic;">childhood</span> transcend location.</span> No matter where you plant your family, you run the risk of encountering danger. The likelihood of my children being abducted, breaking an arm, drowning in a neighbor’s pool, or getting hit by a car does not significantly decrease the further we are from the city. In fact, depending on where you live, some dangers will increase while others decrease. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">On the issue of child abductions, some basic statistics:</p> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">Family members account for the majority of these reported cases (82 percent)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">Non-family abductions account for 12,000 of these reported cases (18 percent)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Of non-family abductions, 37 percent are by a stranger<span style=""></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; line-height: normal;">Link: <a href="http://kidsfightingchance.com/stats.php">http://kidsfightingchance.com/stats.php</a><span style=""></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In more tangible terms, for every 100 children abducted, <span style="font-weight: bold;">82 are taken by a family member</span>. 18 are taken by a non-family member. And, of those 18, <span style="font-weight: bold;">only 6-7 of them are taken by a stranger</span>. Call me crazy, but this says to me that, if your child is ever the victim of abduction, there is 93% chance they are abducted by someone you already know. And, the people you know will be the people you know <span style="font-weight: bold;">no matter where you live</span>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And this is just one example.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">As an aside, consider this: as soon as summer hits, the news is littered with tragic stories of children drowning in a neighbor’s pool. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a single property within two miles of my home that has a backyard pool. And the two public pools within those two miles are surrounded by high security fences and manned by lifeguards when open for business. So, this childhood danger is actually greatly reduced by living in the city.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The most tragic thing about the boy killed in Brooklyn was not that he was abducted, or that he was killed, or that it happened only blocks away from his intended meeting place. The most tragic thing for me, as a parent, is knowing that his parents did everything right and it happened anyway.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The family lived in an insular Orthodox Jewish community, a community where you’d assume residents were safe and adults were trustworthy. The boy was a month shy of 9 years old and had been begging his parents to allow him to walk home from summer camp alone. This was the first time they’d allowed it and they even walked the route with him, to insure he knew exactly where to go. Somehow, he got lost anyway. And when he stopped to ask for directions, the man he asked happened to be the one person within who knows how many miles who would take advantage of the situation.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I think about my hometown, in the SW suburbs of Chicago. And I think about the twelve or so blocks between my childhood home and my middle school. I think about the millions of times I must have walked that mile when I was eleven years old. And I think about how “safe” it seemed, even though it involved crossing multiple lanes of traffic in a pedestrian un-friendly area.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And then I think about my friend Karen’s home, in Blue Island, IL, which was a far cry from my suburban neighborhood only seven miles away. And I think about riding our bikes around her neighborhood when we were probably no older than ten years old. I think about the first drug deal I ever witnessed. And I think about the stories she told. And I think about the first time I drove through Blue Island as an adult and thought: <i style="font-weight: bold;">I can’t believe her parents let us wander around this neighborhood alone!</i></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">But now I think I understand. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I think about my neighborhood. I think about the ten blocks between my home and the public library and I think: My son already knows this route and he’s not even three years old. Of course, by the time he’s ten years old, I would assume he’s competent to take this walk alone, even if I wouldn't yet allow it at that point.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The truth is, a good parent knows their child well enough to know when they are ready to “face the world alone.” And the best they can do is trust that they’ve given their child every tool necessary to take care of themselves on that walk down the block, then the walk around the corner, then eventually the walk down to the library. <span style="font-weight: bold;">And when something goes wrong, </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">if something goes wrong</i><span style="font-weight: bold;">, chances are that it was nothing the parents could have foreseen and that </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">they did everything right</i>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is why it’s tragic when something terrible happens to a child. Regardless of what normal, natural, everyday thing they were doing when the tragedy happened, there is only so much we can do to protect them. And it doesn’t matter where they live. <span style="font-weight: bold;">At a certain point, we need to allow them the freedom to take steps out the door alone.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I fear for my son’s life at least a dozen times a day. And my daughter, who is still about three weeks away from being born, is <span style="font-weight: bold;">already</span> stressing me out. But I know that, as they grow, the best thing I can do is provide the tools they’ll need to navigate this city without me. And the tools they’ll need here are different than the tools they’d need if we lived in the suburbs, but they are no more or less important. And my neighborhood is no more or less “safe.” It’s just different. The dangers are different. The people are different. The streets and houses and stores are different. And my children will be different because of it. (Heck, that’s part of the reason we’re here.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The sentiment spoken at the boy’s funeral is perfect for the situation:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><blockquote>“He got lost, he got lost,” he said... “There’s nothing to say, he got lost. God wanted it.”</blockquote></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a person of faith myself, I can understand what he means. For others, it’s a difficult thing to take in. But the sentiment is something we can all appreciate because it’s true: <span style="font-weight: bold;">when something like this happens, there is often a simple explanation for </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">how</i><span style="font-weight: bold;"> it happened. In this case, “he got lost.”</span> I’ve been lost before. And you probably have, too. And it happens in the city and in the suburbs and on the hiking trail and in a foreign city. And sometimes you stop to ask the wrong person for directions and you end up more lost than you were before. Or sometimes it ends in tragedy.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Often times, there's simply nothing you should have done differently.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I hope that little boy's parents know that.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-57332677377825465722011-06-20T13:57:00.000-07:002011-06-20T18:38:12.633-07:00QuickeningThe past six months are a blur.<br /><br />For one thing, the weather in Cincinnati has been... disappointing... and has kept us inside more than I wish to admit. The perpetual rain has made it hard to feel motivated for the walk to work. And these recent, sudden hot/cold temperature fluctuations have been exhausting. Cincinnati has such fickle weather and I guess I'm more of a fair weather pedestrian than I'd like to admit.<br /><br />Also, work got really hectic the past few months. Thankfully, my schedule has started to ease as June hit, but my husband is in the midst of the long, busy building season. Lots of late nights. Tired bones. And the end is nowhere in sight. Not for a few months, at least.<br /><br />Oh, yeah. And I'm pregnant. I'm seven months pregnant at this point, which makes everything just a bit harder and each day a bit longer and every walk feel a bit more exhausting. And having a toddler has made this pregnancy different in every way from my last. And as I anticipate this new arrival, I am mourning how little time I have left to spend alone with my son, my first favorite baby, who will no longer be my "only" in just a handful of weeks.<br /><br />As far as our city is concerned, the past few months have been a crazy time. The issues of the infamous streetcar and the casino, recent homicides in our neighborhood, businesses opening and closing. If I had not begun reading a Twitter feed with local news and neighborhood conversations, I would be clueless. And still, even with the Twitter updates, I always seem clued-in too late.<br /><br />I just can't keep up--physically or mentally.<br />And emotionally, I'm still a few months behind.<br />And when life moves so fast it can start to lose its charm.<br /><br /><br /><br />Some friends came for a quick visit a few weeks ago on their way through town.<br />They are urban dwellers, living in Elgin, IL, a small city near Chicago that I used to call "home." They asked about our work, the politics of the city, the changes in Over-the-Rhine.<br /><br />My friends seemed so enchanted by our home, our neighborhood, and our family life here in Cincinnati. And when you stop to think about it, I guess we really do have something special here. Sometimes we just move too quickly to notice the small, subtle changes that make this city what it is.<br /><br />We want change. We want better grocery options, an end to the hostility and violence among neighbors, less litter, fewer loiterers in the public parks, etc. But, <strong>sometimes we are so anxious for the big changes in our neighborhood that we forget to notice the small breaths of life that peek up around every corner. Day by day, this city--and the downtown area specifically--is becoming more healthy, viable, and safe. There may be a million naysayers living outside the city limits, but those of us who are here in the thick of it know the truth. </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><br />In pregnancy talk, there is a word for the moment a woman can feel the movements of her unborn child. It's called "quickening," and it's a fabulous experience. Personally, it's been the point when I can mentally accept that the thing growing inside of me is REAL, is LIVING, and is becoming more and more AMAZING every day.<br /><br />As I type, I can feel this baby spinning circles inside of me.<br />And, while people outside our city are looking for quantifiable changes to prove the viability of Over-the-Rhine, those of us who live here can feel its "quickening."<br />In fact, this city has been moving for years. But to understand it, you've got to crawl inside it, or put your hand up to its belly and feel it kick. You've got to walk its streets, play in its parks, explore its local flavors and colors. You've got to be willing to know it the way a woman knows her child, the way she nurtures it, the way she leans in and whispers "I know you're in there," and the way she anticipates its birth.<br /><br />It's a great time to live in this great city.<br />I hope I can slow down enough some day to take it all in before everything has progressed so far that we can't believe its been so long since those first days when we felt it move.<br /><br />How long have you been waiting?<br />And when did you first feel it?McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-8716436573524705732011-05-16T14:50:00.000-07:002011-05-16T14:53:44.082-07:00Ode to New York KidsI found this today on <a href="http://strollertraffic.com/">Stroller Traffic</a>. It's quite charming for those of us who have chosen the urban life for our children:<br /><a href="http://strollertraffic.com/new-york/traffic-log/article/if-you-can-make-it-here-.-.-.-/"><br />If You Can Make It Here... 100 reasons to raise kids in NYC</a><br /><br /><br />Now, I know that Cincinnati is no New York City, but what's your favorite thing about raising kids here? I gonna start making my list...McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-74308308823811521862011-04-02T10:59:00.000-07:002011-04-02T11:05:03.634-07:00My Other Identity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnLI6ZFOUj4NygqxV-sTpvS15Xnj9MUht0amF8F6OQijQLOEDH3tFXxzD5-yF57ac8CS7ZsUXx-CcdOP9OYPR5D19iAR5vEjDqZYff8U15VTAeVkrPHVDuja3Ul4eZhjgAMwDFSBqqcs/s1600/posterimage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnLI6ZFOUj4NygqxV-sTpvS15Xnj9MUht0amF8F6OQijQLOEDH3tFXxzD5-yF57ac8CS7ZsUXx-CcdOP9OYPR5D19iAR5vEjDqZYff8U15VTAeVkrPHVDuja3Ul4eZhjgAMwDFSBqqcs/s400/posterimage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591048714464283122" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm raising money to complete my long-awaited album.<br />Check out my <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lizbowater/since-i-left-home">Kickstarter</a> campaign!<br /><br /><br /></div>McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-28324335932753854642011-03-15T18:22:00.000-07:002011-03-15T19:17:40.168-07:00Things to Love: Winter Survival ToysOn most days, if my son has not left the house by 10am for either a walk, playtime at the park, or a few moments on the front stoop to watch the neighbors walk their dogs, I start to sense he might go crazy. He's an extrovert with a lot of energy and curiosity. And I try to make sure I provide as many opportunities as are reasonable for him to get out and explore our city. But, let's face it, no one really wants to take a walk when it's 20 degrees and freezing rain outside. So, there have been a few days these past few months when we've never left the house.<br /><br />Here's my list of things that have gotten us through the Winter and kept us busy on the days when a walk around town is just not an option:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvds4bp00jSJawyuDRSG_vtihOlObx6d90yiFEA5jlWmh5B5xab3gMd5tHL6t-QIYhEwUGNHax_Y6SUZX_qNlQHPuLmz-L3B60LCdMjEhJF8CYK9bxn7w2flzcURbVbPiDjDjVc4SGEkU/s1600/balancebike.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvds4bp00jSJawyuDRSG_vtihOlObx6d90yiFEA5jlWmh5B5xab3gMd5tHL6t-QIYhEwUGNHax_Y6SUZX_qNlQHPuLmz-L3B60LCdMjEhJF8CYK9bxn7w2flzcURbVbPiDjDjVc4SGEkU/s200/balancebike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584494758892871538" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_bicycle">Balance Bike</a><br /><br />Granted, this toy would not be as effective if my son were already a pro. But, since it's a new toy--his big gift for his second birthday in January--he is only just learning how to ride it and he moves slowly and carefully enough to ride it in our home. Our version of the balance bike is similar to the one shown in the photo and those available at this <a href="http://www.kidsbalancebikes.com/">link</a>, but is not labeled with a brand name. I purchased it on a whim about six months ago when I saw a listing on Craigslist with an unbeatable price for one made by "some European manufacturer" that the seller couldn't recall. (Local favorite <a href="http://www.parkandvine.com/">Park + Vine</a> sells a version, too!) Either way, we love the bike. It's very well made, looks great, and will be awesome for playing outside this Spring. Also, since the seat moves up and down, it could last us another year, easy.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9judIwAxexg35zPY9SsDai-kTb3qQdKPpln6ZBuHjsCTObUVWWUrnDxyDdqu__WrvA350d3gNYr2sqqHfHl-5Fm0bAKgC4vdwyX2xySPN4gA-_P9Ah1pcT6sRE5f9wiqkMRJkD7HXFY/s1600/playdoh.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9judIwAxexg35zPY9SsDai-kTb3qQdKPpln6ZBuHjsCTObUVWWUrnDxyDdqu__WrvA350d3gNYr2sqqHfHl-5Fm0bAKgC4vdwyX2xySPN4gA-_P9Ah1pcT6sRE5f9wiqkMRJkD7HXFY/s200/playdoh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584494872121069218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Play-Doh</span><br /><br />My husband said his mother never let him play with Play-Doh as a child. She was an art teacher and her taste in materials was far too advanced for the stuff. Heck, I'll admit it. I would have never purchased it for my son. But, a friend gave it to him for his birthday and he ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT. I cannot overstate this: he's crazy over Play-Doh. I, on the other hand, cannot stand the smell of the stuff and have been hunting around for homemade versions to take its place. Since there are a million <a href="http://www.naturemoms.com/play-dough-recipes.html">recipes online</a>, I trust I can find a kinder-scented alternative. But, in the meantime, it's kept him happy for hours these past few weeks.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFQuoPIZWZ9ar0xtwAhjr4WVXMuC5DOLGKLS_FGE6qfR6ZBSXBcKQw_tLIga8djWQd6AwvrL99pu9_TKq1IMftB13KeVMOSsSGu6KRhA8gIG466Vw7jaDJp2AOOgRfMJUgNa59qKkMA0/s1600/babytrain.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFQuoPIZWZ9ar0xtwAhjr4WVXMuC5DOLGKLS_FGE6qfR6ZBSXBcKQw_tLIga8djWQd6AwvrL99pu9_TKq1IMftB13KeVMOSsSGu6KRhA8gIG466Vw7jaDJp2AOOgRfMJUgNa59qKkMA0/s200/babytrain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584495141415038626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Library Books</span><br /><br />One of my favorite things about living in Over-the-Rhine is that awesome cultural amenities like the public library are only a short walk away. My son's recent borrows include: a book about Curious George and a firetruck; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dino-Parade-Thom-Wiley/dp/0545208815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300241335&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dino Parade</span></a>; a really advanced "Learn German" read-along CD (which we laughed at and then put back in the bag to return on our next trip); Woodie Guthrie's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Baby-Train-Woody-Guthrie/dp/0316072036"><span style="font-style: italic;">New Baby Train</span></a>; another adorable book to prepare him for being a big brother called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Theres-Going-Baby-John-Burningham/dp/0763649074/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300241310&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">There's Going to Be A Baby</span></a>; and a book about tubas (at his request). The library isn't only good for books, though. We attend a storytime there on the Monday mornings when I don't work. And there is a computer for him to use (since I won't let him fiddle with mine). Even on cruddy-weather days, the 10 minute walk is bearable when we can spend a ton of time wandering around the library hunting for books for me and books for him. Sometimes we bring a snack; sometimes we stop for a snack on the way home; sometimes we wait until we get home and can crack open a new book while we eat our lunch. Either way, we try not to go more than two weeks between visits to the library to freshen-up on books for both Mama (sometimes Daddy) and son.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8m1gFsrEUWJY-YCcyzy9fO3m13MtcxVDCUZxaiFAN4f2ga2yOIeM-_b0eY79DoBsV-DjltKjwOEpxrcVsc1uJuGIbGS3ALm5FmQ7FwR2RWEA3TOWNWsxL_bK5kc-KzmAEUid8Vk9zak/s1600/sprig.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8m1gFsrEUWJY-YCcyzy9fO3m13MtcxVDCUZxaiFAN4f2ga2yOIeM-_b0eY79DoBsV-DjltKjwOEpxrcVsc1uJuGIbGS3ALm5FmQ7FwR2RWEA3TOWNWsxL_bK5kc-KzmAEUid8Vk9zak/s200/sprig.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584495214986893618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sprig's Eco-Trucks</span><br /><br />Last year, my mom purchased my son an amazing toy made by <a href="http://www.sprigtoys.com/index.html">Sprig</a>. This company produces toys made from "Sprigwood," a composite of recycled wood and reclaimed plastic. The toys have no painted surfaces, minimal packaging, and don't require batteries for fun. I absolutely LOVED the toy she bought him last year and mentioned that she could purchase him as many toys made by the same company as she wanted. For his birthday this year, she brought him two more of their toys--the <a href="http://www.sprigtoys.com/products/eco-trucks/eco-trucks.php">Eco-Trucks</a>. Just like their predecessor, he loves them. Learning to manipulate the digger and dump truck's movable pieces has taken some time, but it has also kept him occupied and requires brainpower and coordination. Unlike some other brands of environmentally-friendly toys, we have been impressed by how well the Sprig toys roll and move. And I think they look super cool, too!<br /><br /><br />What about you?<br />What has helped you keep your kids occupied during cold and rainy stay-inside weather?McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-57510606599513502522011-02-28T08:17:00.000-08:002011-02-28T08:29:08.936-08:00Do This: Clean the Highway and Get a Free Trip to the Zoo!<span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span>This year, <a href="http://keepcincinnatibeautiful.org">Keep Cincinnati Beautiful</a> will again kick-off the <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Great American Cleanup</span> with the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ohio State Roadway Cleanup</span> on <span style="font-weight: bold;">March 26th. </span>On this day, hundreds of volunteers will take to the highways to clean and beautify our city's dirtiest exit and entry ramps.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why should you volunteer?</span><br />The first 500 volunteers will receive a <span style="font-weight: bold;">free admission ticket to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden</span> for participating in the event. (Volunteers must be signed up with KCB prior to the event and at least 16 years old with a parent or guardian present if under 18.) This is the perfect opportunity for a parent or two who want to plan a trip to the zoo, but would rather not have to pay for multiple admission tickets. If both parents volunteer at the State Roadway Cleanup, their tickets will be free! Find a sitter for the morning and come volunteer!<br /><br />You can also help choose the cleanup locations by <a href="http://www.keepcincinnatibeautiful.org/index.php/main/show/611">submitting your pick</a> for the dirtiest highway exit or entrance ramp in Cincinnati. Voting ends on March 11th.<br /><br /><a href="http://keepcincinnatibeautiful.org/index.php/main/show/394">Sign up now</a> for details about meeting times and locations!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span>McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-73731208934655469372011-02-18T12:39:00.000-08:002011-02-18T13:09:11.586-08:00Positive ReinforcementBecause I'm generally not a fan of forced ethics on a governmental level--i.e. outlawing plastic bags and the such--I do appreciate all forms of <strong>positive reinforcement</strong>.<br /><br />Take, for example, the way the City of Cincinnati re-worked their <strong>curbside recycling program</strong> to reward residents for their participation.<br /><br />Thanks to a new partnership with <strong><a href="http://www.recyclebank.com/">Recyclebank</a></strong>, a rewards program similar to a frequent flier program, residents can now earn tangible rewards for each pound they recycle. With new, high-tech (and massive, I might add) recycling bins and fancy recycling trucks with scanners and scales, Recyclebank now keeps track of how much is recycled per household and allots points to the residents. Then, registered families log on to their online account and, once they've reached a certain level, can redeem their points for online rewards from local businesses.<br /><br />Many folks, myself included, took advantage of the City's curbside recycling program without this rewards program. And, so, receiving rewards for our efforts are only an added bonus to the work we were already committed to do. (In fact, I'll be honest and say that, although I'm registered online at Recyclebank, I haven't checked my account for a few months. And, because those new bins are so huge, I only put out my recycling every month instead of every two weeks, which is when it is now collected.)<br /><br />I know there have been some complaints about the size of the bins (especially in historic row house districts like the one in which I live), or about the switch from weekly to bi-weekly pickup (because people like me are absentminded about this sort of thing), but I think the program is much stronger than it was a year ago--due in part to this partnership with Recyclebank.<br /><br />Hopefully, the City has seen an increase in recycling since the program kicked off a few months ago. If nothing else, maybe the appearance of a large, green recycling bin on the doorstep made some residents wonder why they'd never recycled before. Either that, or there's some lady in Over-the-Rhine hoarding dozens of the new recycling bins in her backyard... <span style="font-size:85%;">(oh, wait, that's totally true...)</span><br /><br />Visit the <a href="http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/recycling/">Cincinnati Recycles</a> website for full information. Then, when your bin arrives (or if it has already), log on to the <a href="http://www.recyclebank.com/">Recyclebank</a> website and register!McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-286619540947253752011-02-14T11:36:00.000-08:002011-02-14T12:00:51.550-08:00Do This: Blue Manatee kids' programmingMy plan today, due to the warmer weather, was a walk to the downtown branch of the library for the weekly storytime. But, because I had another side-trip to make, we decided to try something new and get out of downtown.<br /><br />When my son was young, before he was fully-mobile, we drove out to the <a href="http://www.bluemanateebooks.com/">Blue Manatee Bookstore</a> in Oakley every so often so I could grab a cup of coffee with a friend and our kids could peek through some books. Sometimes we'd make it a day trip and stop in to <a href="http://www.thespottedgoose.com/index.html">The Spotted Goose</a> and <a href="http://www.kingarthurstoys.com/">King Arthur's Court Toys</a>.<br /><br />I haven't been to the bookstore for the past six months or so but, early this morning, I checked the schedule and registered my son for the art class at 10am.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-1-KMzKBnjWeFl3G2wAvcMdNLlUAyVoQPwTB4ejPB_RwvvbP3fjf9GbPtU6FjA15LcwMnhh_vMCc2PIkiHdS52OnIr2XxdUbz1dKMr-67dCC3qjOqmlFBnG_vuLW5KxEhEA45GtvbqY/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-1-KMzKBnjWeFl3G2wAvcMdNLlUAyVoQPwTB4ejPB_RwvvbP3fjf9GbPtU6FjA15LcwMnhh_vMCc2PIkiHdS52OnIr2XxdUbz1dKMr-67dCC3qjOqmlFBnG_vuLW5KxEhEA45GtvbqY/s200/IMG_0017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573637300877188322" border="0" /></a>The class cost me $5, lasted a half hour, and we came home with two art projects. Izzy loved his first official painting experience, and it was fun to watch him alongside his peers. The class was for ages 2-4, with eight kids total.<br /><br />For Cincinnati parents, I would highly recommend a trip to the Blue Manatee, either to browse, catch a storytime, or take a scheduled class. (I believe they host private parties, as well, which I'm going to keep in mind for my mid-winter birthday boy.) Check out the <a href="http://www.bluemanateebooks.com/">website</a> and find a time to stop in. Heck, you can spend the whole day in Oakley--books, toys, boutique goods, and even a trip to a good ol' soda and <a href="http://www.aglamesis.com/">ice cream shop</a>!<br /><br />Enjoy your trip!McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-53738563020606769592011-02-01T14:03:00.000-08:002011-02-01T14:09:22.565-08:00I Couldn't Agree MoreI definitely haven't said much lately on this blog. Rest assured, it's not for lack of ideas or desire. I've simply been too busy and overwhelmed to sit down and write.<br /><br />Until I get my act together and write something original, chew on this:<br /><br />A great <a href="http://www.good.is/post/85/">article</a>, courtesy of <a href="http://www.good.is/">good.is</a> about the value of planning cities with families in mind.<br /><br />Thanks, GOOD. I couldn't have said it any better.McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170131527241119506.post-18780035749137747142010-11-14T12:57:00.000-08:002010-11-14T16:24:50.517-08:00Pitching a Tent for Magnet SchoolsIn Cincinnati, parents have the choice about where their children attend school. In the public school system, children can default to attending their neighborhood schools, or apply for enrollment in one of the magnet schools. Many of these magnet schools are designed around a specific educational pedagogy--Montessori or Paideia, for example--or a certain focus of education--foreign language or fine arts, for example.<br /><br />The competitive nature of enrollment in these magnet schools is understandable. First of all, Cincinnati magnet schools are free for city residents. And because they are sometimes much higher ranked in academics and a bit more culturally refined than neighborhood schools, these schools are a great option for parents who would consider private or parochial schools if it were not for the price.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">There is a catch.</span><br />Some of these schools are so desirable that they attract too many families. To keep enrollment manageable, CPS has developed a system that requires some pretty serious dedication from the family.<br /><br />A <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20101112/NEWS0102/311120026/1058/NEWS0102/CPS-magnet-signup-attracts-crowd">recent story</a> in the Cincinnati Enquirer covers the phenomenon of the CPS magnet school enrollment process:<br /><blockquote>"The magnet schools, which generally have high academic ratings and focus on specialties like foreign language or the arts, accept students on a first-come first-served basis. At most schools there is no problem getting in. But at Fairview and a handful of others, lines form days in advance."</blockquote><br />I have mixed feelings about this "first-come first-served" policy.<br /><br />On the positive side, CPS can rest assured that only the most committed families will enroll their children in these highly competitive schools. This obviously contributes to the high academic achievement of such schools, as well as the shared commitment to success. This policy also gives parents the opportunity to provide the best education possible for their children, regardless of financial restraints.<br /><br />On the negative side, it's not an equitable policy. "First-come first-served" policies like this take a lot for granted. First, that all parents have the possibility of taking 3-5 days out of their lives to camp out on the school's front yard. Second, it presupposes that a child's worthiness in not inherent, but is dependent upon their parents' willingness to go to such lengths.<br /><br />Another major inequality built into the policy is the way it effects the neighborhood schools. In this system, the children privileged enough to have parents willing to sacrifice for their children are the only ones offered an option outside of their own neighborhoods. Where does that leave the rest?<br /><br /><br />So, if this system is not an equitable system, what other option do we have?<br /><br />I do believe that committed parents should be rewarded for their commitment. And I also understand that any parent who wants the best for their child would (hopefully) do whatever necessary to make it happen--i.e. make certain they can be in line when they need to be to secure that spot in their desired school. So, completely tossing out the policy doesn't make sense.<br /><br />I guess one simple question is this: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Why doesn't CPS reserve a certain percentage of the open spots for those who are not able to make it to the front of the line?</span> It seems like this would make everyone happy. The parents at the front of the line would get theirs spots. And the folks at the back of the line would be entered into a lottery for the remaining slots.<br /><br />Is this already happening?<br />Am I missing something?<br /><br /><br />And maybe there is another question to ask:<br />What is the point of magnet schools?<br /><br />According to Wikipedia's article on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnet_school">Magnet Schools</a>:<br /><blockquote>"Districts started embracing the magnet school models in the hope that their geographically open admissions would end racial segregation in "good" schools, and decrease <i>de facto</i> segregation of schools in poorer areas. To encourage the voluntary desegregation, districts started developing magnet schools to draw students to specialized schools all across their districts. Each magnet school would have a specialized curriculum that would draw students based on their interests. One of the goals of magnet schools is to eliminate, reduce, and prevent minority group isolation while providing the students with a stronger knowledge of academic subjects and vocational skills. Magnet schools still continue to be models for school improvement plans and provide students with opportunities to succeed in a diverse learning environment."</blockquote>Can someone with more personal experience in the Cincinnati magnet schools tell me if this is working? My fear is that instead of desegregating the more under-served and impoverished neighborhood schools, magnet schools actually pull the most opportunistic families out of all of the neighborhood schools and leave even mid-income neighborhood schools culturally impoverished. The children who end up in the magnet schools benefit; everyone else suffers.<br /><br />I don't know that I can offer any better solution to the problems in our public schools. I can understand a parent's desire to provide the best opportunity for their children, so I'm not willing to fault those who stand line for days to secure those coveted kindergarten seats.<br /><br />My last question:<br />What would happen if, instead of hand-picking the best regional opportunities for our children, we invested our time and energy in our own neighborhood and community institutions, whether they be educational, cultural, or religious? How would the most disadvantaged children in our city benefit from this local investment by the parents of the most privileged ?<br /><br />Perhaps what I'm suggesting is not the economic concept of the "redistribution of wealth" but, rather, the <span style="font-weight: bold;">redistribution of educational opportunity</span>.<br /><br /><br />As for our family, my husband and I have some crazy schemes for the education of our children. And I'm not ready to discuss them here. For now, I'm simply going to hope for good weather for those camped out on Clifton Ave, and pray for the welfare of the children whose parents won't show up, but who deserve something better than their neighborhoods can provide.McEwanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107134213896350187noreply@blogger.com2