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Wednesday, September 29th
All Things Must Pass...Please!
Thanks in great part to the influence of the Metro Station at Hollywood and Western, the neighborhood wehre I work is steadily improving. The plywood bar by the sex shop is gone--the bar, as one of its habitués whom I knew told me, where "people go to die"--though the sex shop remains. A block of ramshackle, dirty, and rather littered buildings across the street from the office is going to become nice new apartments with retail--as have already sprouted over and across from the subway stop.
On our side of the street, the next block over, a large lot that once housed a peculiar collection of plaster props--ranging from a matched set of gorillas to an Aztec temple--has been cleared for what I hear will be a Whole Foods market (which will compete in variety, but not freshness or price, with the little Armenian corner shops). Rather, it has almost been cleared, for they have left the sad little round stucco room that once housed what billed itself as the "Velaslavasay Panorama," involving a painting of early Los Angeles which surrounds the viewer in the room.
I have never seen the painting, but I did see the building (once an ice-cream parlor, and still bearing shattered remnants of its former signage); I see it every day, a dilapidated stub of cracked and faded plaster, surrounded by blue roof tiles that continue to fall regularly...perhaps the painting is wonderful, but the building is decidedly not. Yet it stands, untouched, in the midst of the cleared lot...I fear they are going to preserve it. Yes, it's unique...but all things, even the peculiar, must pass, and it would be best if this one passed sooner rather than later.
Not every odd building deserves coddling. Generally I'm in favor of old buildings, but some are just as ugly as any stucco monstrosity from the architecurally-dreary Sixties. This battered stovepipe of a shed won't add to the life of the neighborhood...unless...unless...they turn it back into an ice-cream parlor? Now that might work...!
Richard Risemberg (rrisemberg@newcolonist.com), on 09.29.04 @ 17:32PST
Monday, September 27th
FREE BE URBAN STICKER
Too much email? Miss snail mail? Be Urban and fill your snail box too by requesting a free "Be Urban" sticker from The New Colonist. Just send a SASE to Sticker Offer, The New Colonist, PO Box 661 Duncansville, PA 16635. Your sticker will be on its way! Additional stickers are available 3/$1 or 25/$5.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.27.04 @ 16:16PST
Sunday, September 26th
Answers to Questions About Our Family-Car-Free Lifestyle
Some people have commented (either to us or to others) on our decision in August 2002 to live without a family car, and get around on foot, bikes, buses, and light rail instead. Two years later, we're still family-car-free. Below are some of those comments and our responses:
1. But living without a family car will slow down your life. You won't be able to pack as much into your day.
Yes, we've found this to be true. Your point?
2. What about when it rains or during the winter?
We have the business van with two seats. For destinations where arriving dry is crucial, my wife and one child could drive the van. The other child and I will don rain suits or ponchos and get there on bikes. Or we could simply grab an umbrella and walk.
Although it does rain a lot in Portland, it doesn't rain every minute of every hour of every day. In the rainy season, there is usually a 2-3 hour "sun break" during the day when we can hop on a bike and do our rounds. Yes, the road will be wet, but all of our bikes have full fenders, so we won't get dirty wet stripes on our backs.
3. How do you get the kids to and from their lessons, soccer practice, etc.?
We place a premium on finding providers in our immediate community; somewhere the kids can get to under their own steam. For instance, the local high school is just a five minute walk away, and our daughter plans to join the debate team there. Our son is in a scout troop that is a 7 minute bike ride away. Also, we volunteer downtown. This is easily reachable by bus and light rail.
4. Your situation sounds great: lots of bike lanes, and a reliable public transportation system. Where we live we have neither. It's just not safe for us to do what you're doing. We simply couldn't exist without at least two cars.
I don't doubt for a second that many people live in communities which would make our bicycling lifestyle very difficult to implement. However, even in the most transit-starved, and bike-path-deficient places, there are baby steps a person could take to reduce car dependency. For instance, try walking for the shorter errands, even if just to return something you borrowed back to your friend who lives three blocks away.
Fact is many people live far away from services such as stores, clinics, schools, community centers, etc. And there are no adequate sidewalks or bike paths connecting these places.
This is unfortunate, and certainly highlights how sprawl limits our transportation choices. In far too many cases, families have no other option but to rely on a private automobile or two or three for their transportation needs.
Question is: Can we do better than that? Can we develop more intelligent transportation options?
I like to think so.
5. How do you do your grocery shopping?
Once a week, my wife takes the work van to the grocery store. In between, my wife and the children ride to the stores in the neighborhood. We have panniers that carry quite a lot more stuff than we would've ever imagined. Also, during my daily rounds in the work van, I've been known to stop at stores to pick up odds and ends.
6. How do you get around at night for all of the things that need doing after dark? Aren't bikes unsafe in the dark?
We are certainly more cautious after dark. We have great LED lights for the front, and red flashers for the rear. We ride in a pack, and keep close together. Also, we take pains to ride where there are street lights.
7. What if you need to get to the hospital in an emergency?
I always have the carpet cleaning van, and it always runs. It's my livelihood, and I therefore keep it well maintained. Being self-employed, I decide where I go, and when. If there's an emergency at home, I have the option of dropping everything, and getting there in a flash.
Luckily, we have an excellent outpatient clinic within easy walking distance, and a major hospital just 2 1/2 miles away. So in a worst case scenario, a taxi ride wouldn't break the bank. Certainly if there was a life threatening injury, the ambulance would get us there, and would be covered by our insurance.
8. [A disturbing attitude among some people:] Why do you care so much about the environment? Isn't the end of the world near, and won't Jesus return soon, and clean up the mess anyway?
We find it hard to reconcile such a view with the concept of stewardship, of tending that portion of the earth that has been entrusted to our care. If a religion does not foster a reverence for life, and for the earth, and a corresponding commitment to cherish and protect both, then we question the value of such a religion.
Clearly, common sense tells us that ravaging the planet isn't a good move; and that protecting the environment, and beautifying our surroundings, are wise things to do.
We feel getting around by pedal power is a small way we can do our part in that effort.
John Andersen (editor@unconventionalideas.com), on 09.26.04 @ 12:02PST
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The Wet Kind Of Water and Today's Sunshine
This morning a hurricane again threatened to wreak havoc in Florida. Here in sunny Pittsburgh the sunlight gleam on the buildings was no mask for the devastation that's possible, even here, when it begins to rain. The morning paper brought a little more gloom. U.S. Airways says that without labor concessions the company could liquidate by February, sending out a cloud that could bring the psychological rain of a 7,600 job loss to the region.
The headlines and the hurricane couldn't dampen the city's spirit today, however. Even as runners were kept away from the shores of flood-damaged Point State Park, the Great Race was back, and the city proud. After a break last year because of budget concerns, thousands ran this year's race across the city.
It's easy to get a false sense of hope from a successful event like this. It's this sense of progress I have for the city of Pittsburgh, however.
Yesterday I visited the developing area of the South Side for the first time. The changes amount to a new downtown rising on the South Shore. The buildings are of a larger scale than those in the pre-existing neighborhood, but they are a nice contrast and give a good sense of solidity (though when we find developments are able to happen on a small scale I think we'll have made it in terms of being able to create urban vitality and realizing wide-spread economic benefit).
I recently posted an ad for a rental and received numerous calls from people moving to Pittsburgh. I am starting to see many different faces here as well. Last night's performance of the Pittsburgh Symphony showed a large percentage of Asian faces in the audience (of course popular pianist Lang Lang was performing to a packed house). An article in today's Post-Gazette highlights efforts to bring more Latinos to know the Steel City. In fact, an information fair being held today will help newcomers and struggling immigrants navigate the health, housing, education, banking, legal and cultural systems, with advice as simple as how to open a bank account and get a driver's license. (It's at the the Hyacinth Church in Oakland if you want to go.) From 1990 to 2000, the Allegheny County's Latino population has grown from 8,700 to 11,166.
So the Point was flooded. To be sure it will flood again. U.S. Airways may liquidate. We've been hearing that for years--it's only meant smaller less expensive carriers entering the market. It may mean the loss of a few conventions, but for the average traveler, coming in and out could prove to be less expensive. It also seems clear more people are coming in and I suspect the next census report will show a small gain in population rather than a loss.
The Great Race is back (I finished the 5K in 29.5 minutes btw). Although the city is not out of its rough financial waters and more of the wet kind of water may be on the way, it's sunny today and there are a lot of people out there enjoying one of America's best cities. Conclude what you will, it seems today the future is brighter.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.26.04 @ 07:43PST
Thursday, September 23rd
Community College and Molecular Theory
I am taking a class at a suburban campus of the Allegheny County Community College. It wasn't offered at either of the intown (and therefore accessible by foot or transit in an acceptable amount of time), so I figured, what the heck, it's only for a month or two.
I went to the website and got directions. Taking the exit they suggested, I encountered a closed connector road. I took the detour-- and it was a deeeetour (Pittsburgh is like that, there's no grid. You get off course and you're over a bridge and through a mountain), and found my way. Having left home an hour before class time, I was almost late. On the way home I tried an alternate route--not much difference in time. Today I tried yet another route. Not much better.
What were they thinking when they built this thing here? So, I imagined myself as a bunch of county administrators (with mud-splattered Buicks and cigars) who have a big county. They have to serve the entire county and so they decide to build facilities in different parts of the county, say five--one for each direction and one in the center. So, say I live in the North and I am supposed to be served by the North Campus. Like my friend Jerry who does live in the North. Problem is, it's suburbia. Living closer to the campus than I, he reports he can't get there much faster. Unless there's a limited-access highway that's not used much, there's not likely to be a way to get there fast no matter where you are.
If the class had been offered in the central campus that's supposed to serve me, I could get there easily and in a few minutes by walking or transit. But the class wasn't offered here, so I had to go there. Some people like Jerry may be forced to go to the South or East campus. I can't imagine how long that would take. This adds cars to the roads and takes time out of everyones day.
What alternative did these administrators have? To build a regional transit system of course--one that serves all parts of the county, combined with a really big campus in the center. Everyone could get to school faster. More, the system would make it practical to live closer to the center.
Remember, we're only talking about one institution. Imagine how many institutions with these satellite systems could consolidate if there was an adequate (exclusive and fixed right-of-way) regional transit system. Imagine the synergy (what mid '90s word) at the central campus if all these molecules, as Mumford might call them, came together in one place. Imagine the energy if all the molecules in the county came together in the city.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.23.04 @ 18:48PST
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Misguided Kindness
Sunday, with my arm still in a sling from a shoulder dislocation, I went to a party in my old turf from years back, the hills of Silverlake. It was most pleasureable to walk the winding little roads from the bus stop to the party house, enjoying the shaggy trees that cover the low hills, the odor of sage and jasmine, and teh clever little old houses painted in bright colors, which are typical in that neighborhood.
The party was enjoyable despite an overload of Hollywood types; at least they were mostly screenwriters and composers, so we had a bit of common ground. I gorged on guacamole and hummous and melon and had a good time.
When I prepared to go after a few hours, the host was almost indignantly insistent that he drive me home, rather than let me take the bus and train as I'd planned. As he maundered on, he made a comment about "an injured white guy--you'll be prey on the bus," and I realized where his concerns really came from. He is not, after all, a truly dedicated car addict but uses bicycles and motorcyles most of the time to get around.
It was racism and plain old ignorance. The neighborhood's Latino--but then so am I, though I have white skin and blue eyes--"Latino" is a culture, not a DNA pattern. And the neighborhood is one I know well, as I'd lived there for a long time years before. The likelihood of trouble was very low--though it was highest in the quiet and very dark neighborhood near the house.
The bus, however--and this is a rather amusing irony--was probably the safest place I could be on my way home. The bus, for one thing, is full of people, that is, witnesses to to any potential malfeasance (who would probably also intervene if someone did attack). The bus is also full of recording cameras. And there's a driver who can press a button that both automatically calls the cops and flashes a "Crime in Progress--Call Police" message on the signboards. And drunk-driven autmobiles running into a bus generally just bounce off.
This last was a bit on my mind, since the host was nursing his fourth or fifth glass of wine as he pressed his argument.
I prevailed in the end, though. Had a nice walk down the hill, caught a #4 bus right away, got on the Metro by the college on Vermont, then grabbed a Rapid down Wilshire. The night was beautiful, and I enjoyed eavesdropping on some amusing conversations. Made it home in good time, still alive as usual.
Richard Risemberg (rrisemberg@newcolonist.com), on 09.23.04 @ 07:42PST
Wednesday, September 22nd
ALL NEW POSTCARDS
Twelve all-new designs. They're free to send and someone will surely enjoy hearing from you.
Click here: Send A Postcard
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.22.04 @ 06:13PST
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Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.22.04 @ 06:03PST
Monday, September 20th
Poverty, Wealth, and Transit Efficiency
So now Karachi, Pakistan is building a massive subway-and-light-rail transit system covering most of the city, and at one fell swoop...while here in Los Angeles, the wealthiest city in the wealthiest state in the wealthiest country on earth, we "can't afford" to push the Wilshire Red Line ten miles down the road to its natural terminus at the beach--nor even halfway there to UCLA--and inexpensive light rail projects hang fire while politicians argue over half-cent tax allocations for them. Meanwhile, expensive and inefficient asphalt continues to spread itself and its consequent gridlock over what's left of the landscape...you just gotta wonder....
Richard Risemberg (rrisemberg@newcolonist.com), on 09.20.04 @ 07:46PST
Friday, September 17th
SPECIAL REPORT: PITTSBURGH UNDERWATER
I was happily (well, sort of) painting my kitchen today when the power went out. Oh well, I thought. Who needs power? The boredom would keep me painting longer anyway. It was raining pretty hard at that point and I figured a transformer was flooded or something. I've experienced minor flooding in Pittsburgh before, it was no big deal.
The measure of how big a deal it was went up a notch when I heard water running, not dripping, but running upstairs. Peeking my head into my office the ceiling lamp was a strange orange color. Lucky the electricity was off because it had filled up like a fish bowl. (No, Rick, it is not a good idea. We should not market ceiling fish bowls).
Just to be safe I went down to the basement and shut off the main power supply. I figured when the sound of the emergency generator across the street went silent I'd know the power had been restored. I removed the ceiling fixture and let the water drain into a waste basket (it's still dripping by the way).
The phones weren't working (at least not the cell phones), but I finally did reach Dave, who came to my rescue. He had been sitting in traffic for an hour and a half. Dave helped (or did himself) put plastic on the roof. He said the problem was minor, but of course he wasn't about to attempt a repair while it was raining (so the drip continues despite the plastic).
What a day. Still with all that I couldn't believe the situation at-large. Right now there are still folks trapped on a bridge in Carnegie, an old industrial suburb of Pittsburgh. It reminds me of 1977 or so, whatever year the latest Johnstown flood occurred. It's still raining and despite warnings from tav crews, I'm going out to return a movie.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.17.04 @ 19:27PST
Tuesday, September 14th
You thought the Hummer was big?
Give me a break. GM is introducing a new monster that's like having your own mini semi. I am speechless. Really.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.14.04 @ 12:22PST
Sunday, September 12th
Presidential Election
Pittsburgh is a curious city politically, once observed Rush Limbaugh, it's filled with Democrats who hate the government. That said, it's not been hard to figure out politically for quite some time: solidly Democrat. Yet old industrial cities are leaning towards if not leaning Republican these days. A recent article about Johnstown, an old steel city that's seen its population cut by two-thirds and industry disappear, hasn't been visited by a Republican president since Herbert Hoover. Until a few days ago that was- when George W. Bush made a campaign stop. These places (Pittsburgh included) have a fading interest in industrial jobs and with an aging population, a greater relation to really conservative values.
That seems to be combined with an assumption on the part of the Democrats that they'll win here. I say this because it's apparent they just don't have it together. The political machines they have relied on for decades are stuck in the mud and any hope for effectiveness seems lost in disorganization, nepotism and infighting.
A talk show I listen to regularly (Lynn Cullen, 1360 WPIT--I'll say it because its a damn good show even though there's little chance of getting our web address on the air), regularly receives calls from folks saying the Kerry campaign office isn't open (at least not when they stop by). Today I was at an open house and a friend who had volunteered to work for the Kerry campaign reported that she hadn't been called to attend an event which only drew a pathetic handful of picketers or campaigners. More, she said she'd volunteered to work at a telephone bank, showed up and found locked doors. Calling the organizer she was then informed the event had been cancelled. Not even a "sorry."
Can't yinz get it together? Where is Joe Trippi?
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.12.04 @ 19:33PST
Saturday, September 11th
Wal Mart Rememberance
This morning at Wal Mart a voice on the loud speaker announced there would be a moment of silence for the victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. The carts kept moving. The automated Halloween Frankenstein kept dancing. Reminded to remember, but how could we forget?
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.11.04 @ 14:51PST
Friday, September 10th
Mexican War Streets House Tour
I wanted to let the New Colonist readers out there see a bit about a great area known as the Mexican War Streets here in Pittsburgh. A house tour will showcase these homes this coming Sunday, Sept. 12. While some may consider those who live there today "pioneers," they are to a much lesser degree than when members of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation started saving these gems in the 1970s.
A little more on gentrification and renewal. It just occurred to me how "urban pioneer" has a positive connotation, but when more follow your lead, it becomes "gentrification."
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.10.04 @ 10:00PST
God, Greed, & Physics
As hurricane after hurricane bears down on Jeb Bush's Florida this year, you have to start to wonder: Is it the global warming chickens coming home to roost in one of the sprawl-maddest states of the Union? Or is this mini-Apocalypse God's punishment for election-stealing?
For more on the practical effects of gluttony, profligacy, and greed, as expressed in atmospheric phenomena, see Chip Haynes's report on Hurricane Frances...or is it Bonnie, or Charley, or Ivan...?
Richard Risemberg (rrisemberg@newcolonist.com), on 09.10.04 @ 07:34PST
Thursday, September 9th
Public Art In Cleveland Rocks
Been to Cleveland lately? You should go. I know, it's in Ohio--a state that seems to be moving so far right it'll soon fall into the Atlantic. Hell, the Mayor of Youngstown is supporting Bush! Just when you thought nothing would surprise you that comes along.
Cleveland never fails to delight though. On my recent trip I made my usual trek to the Fountain of Eternal Life. North of the fountain I noticed two rows of urns placed on pedestals. They looked classic enough until I got close enough. The wind apparently swept in off the lake, or a strange force from that magical fountain sucked them in because these were no boring urns. I'm here to say the public art in Cleveland rocks.
Go to Cleveland. Don't tell anyone or they inevitably ask "why?" They'll say it's a pit. Don't listen to them. See for yourself. Go to Terminal Tower. Go to Edgewater Park. Go to the Cleveland Chop House. See Euclid Avenue come back to life.
That's another thing. What a monumental undertaking that seems to be happening at light speed compared to Pittsburgh's attempts to redo a couple forlorn buildings on the Northside or even nail down a plan for a block or two downtown. Building by building, Euclid Avenue is coming alive again. From the restored Arcade to new shops, lofts and restaurants.
Why are you still sitting there? go, go, go...
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.09.04 @ 17:48PST
Correction: Pittsburgh is cool enough to have crepes.
Take that Pittsford. Yinz up there on those hoity toity canal boats that don't really ever move thought yinz were all that because yinz had crepes. Ha! There are crepes in the 'burgh. (Preveously I told yinz I didn't think they were available in Piksburgh). Crepes Parisiennes, in Shadyside n'at, apparently specializes in them, thus the name. I'll have to try and give yinz a report.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.09.04 @ 17:23PST
Wednesday, September 8th
Not Rush Hour for Me
Sitting in my morning coffeehouse on Hollywood Boulevard, watching the people on the outside tables sip their coffees, read their papers, look up to greet the passersby...glowing, glowing in the clear slant of late summer sun. Their mouths move silently beyond the glass, while bicycles and cars blur past behind them, while the artificial breezes of the ceiling fans play over me in the tranquil dimness of the room. I'm relaxed from the train ride to the corner and a short walk in the sun.... Morning in LA: it really doesn't have to be rush hour....
Richard Risemberg (rrisemberg@newcolonist.com), on 09.08.04 @ 09:07PST
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Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York is not a city that stirs the imagination, at least not enough for me to ever wonder what was there. High hotel rates in Buffalo/Niagara Falls took me to Rochester for the first time recently.
At first glance I was disappointed, or I could say it was what I expected if I had thought much about what to expect. The streets and sidewalks had a few scattered pedestrians, but hardly enough to support a slogan I saw in a brochure that boasted of big city vitality and small town charm or something like that.
As I expected there was a large building with the words "Kodak" on the top. A gold and yellow sign at the bottom provided an ironic place to have pictures taken.
A visit to High Falls had me a bit more excited about the city. I have never seen an urban waterfall. I suppose were it not in close proximity to Niagara Falls, this place would draw countless more visitors. The place is well decorated with explanatory historical markers and pathways provide dramatic views from a variety of angles.
Downtown Rochester seems a bit on the quiet side. My friend took a photo of a building labeled "Times Square" with a limo parked out front. He laughed when he named the photo "Limo at Times Square." There were enough buildings of interest to keep our interest for an hour or two. A stop in a Chinese take-out called He's provided a source for refreshing bubble tea. I noted the stainless steel in the place was spotless--usually covered in grease in places like this. If I had been hungry, I suspect the food would be carefully prepared just as the bubble tea was. It doesn't seem to be listed on Yahoo, and I am not sure of the street. It's off St. Paul, perhaps on Exchange Blvd.
A trip to Pittsford was also a pleasant surprise. There we expected a ride on a replica canal boat through part of the Erie Canal. The canal boat was there, so was a sign that said there would be a ride at 6:30 p.m. The ticket booth was closed, however. Asking in the gift shop, the salesperson displayed an amazing unawareness of the canal boat rides several feet from her door. No one seemed to know about the rides. Another canal boat docked and I asked the folks there. They had rented that boat for their private use. The town was picturesque and there were enough pathways and shops to occupy time despite not having a canal ride. A restaurant called Simply Crepes provided tasty examples of a food not available in my hometown of Pittsburgh to my knowledge.
One more note on downtown Rochester. A radio talk show on real estate explained many buildings in downtown Rochester are being converted to condos. More residents would certainly liven the place up. Maybe by the time you get there it'll live up to its "big city vitality" moniker. For now, it does seem to have reasonable hotel rates.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.08.04 @ 08:22PST
Tuesday, September 7th
Annual study shows cities losing the race against traffic gridlock growth
In the effort to catch up with the effects of traffic congestion, American cities are falling farther behind with each passing year, according to 20-year trends announced on Tuesday.
The 2004 Urban Mobility Report , published by the Texas Transportation Institute, shows traffic congestion growing across the nation in cities of all sizes, consuming more hours of the day, and affecting more travelers and shipments of goods than ever before. We can only expect more of the same, say the study’s authors.
"We can see pretty clearly what 20 years of almost continuous economic growth can do to us," says Tim Lomax, one of the study’s authors. "If we’re lucky enough to sustain this growth and the funding levels and options do not increase from current trends, we shouldn’t be surprised if we see even more congestion."
The TTI study ranks areas according to several measurements, including: Annual delay per peak period (rush hour) traveler, which has grown from 16 hours to 46 hours since 1982, Annual financial cost of traffic congestion, which has ballooned from $14 billion to more than $63 billion since 1982 (as expressed in 2002 dollars), and Wasted fuel, totaling 5.6 billion gallons lost to engines idling in traffic jams.
This year’s installment increases the number of urban areas studied from 75 to 85, and includes all urban areas exceeding a population of 500,000.
The report also measures the mobility improving contributions of public transportation service and techniques to improve roadway operating efficiency. These and other techniques can be used – nationally and locally – to more successfully reverse a national trend of ever-worsening traffic problems. Researchers say that the problem has grown too rapidly and is too complex to be addressed by a single solution. In addition to new road and public transportation projects, they say we need more efficient use of current roadways, better demand management, and a diverse set of land use options.
"We’re facing an increasingly urgent situation," Lomax says. "To make real progress, it’s critical that we pursue all transportation solutions – short range, small scale projects and policies, mid range efficiency programs, and longer term, more significant projects and programs that require more planning and design time."
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.07.04 @ 09:48PST
Monday, September 6th
More on Productivity & Income
More on the changed relationship between productivity and income, from Bob Herbert of the NYT:
An Economy That Turns American Values Upside DownI fear that US businesses are again becoming incapable of understanding the connection (first made among their class by Henry Ford) between their own employees' wages and the consumer "ecocomy's" purchasing power. Or perhaps they just count on the China market to keep them going forever...even as Peak Oil will make export/import less profitable....
Richard Risemberg (rrisemberg@newcolonist.com), on 09.06.04 @ 01:44PST
Sunday, September 5th
"Timeless Trades"--thoughts about urban livelihoods
For the next couple of days you can go directly to this link in the September 3, 2004 Portland Tribune:
www.portlandtribune.com/business.shtmlAfter that, check the archives in the "Business Section," or simply put the words "timeless trades" in the search box.
In a nutshell, this section features short and interesting descriptions of the livelihoods of eight tradespeople. Included are a silversmith, cobbler, plasterer, luthier, automotive machinist, organ builder, oriental rug repairer, and pizza man.
Read their stories, and perhaps ponder the following questions:
1. Are these people happy?
2. Are these people intelligent?
3. Could I find satisfaction as a tradesperson in a large city?
For some time now, I've advocated the trades as a viable alternative to college. Unfortunately, the trades too often get overlooked by people who would otherwise enjoy working with their hands.
And when we consider the notion of living and working in urban areas, small businesses that employ skilled tradespeople are an important part of the mix.
There's something about manual work that has always inspired me, and always felt right. We need it, and a healthy urban economy thrives on it.
Worthy work?
You bet!
John Andersen (editor@unconventionalideas.com), on 09.05.04 @ 08:55PST
Friday, September 3rd
What Kind of Place Makes It Easy To Live?
Things that make life easier have always been attractive to Americans. Watches, kitchen appliances, vacuums that operate by remote control, computers that turn the clothes dryer on and off, automatic coffee makers, dishwashers, doors that open and close automatically and cars with every imaginable feature and accessory.
With the advent of each of these items, eventually we come to ask ourselves if life wouldn’t be easier without them. In the new millennium, we’ll likely continue to see work days stretching around the clock. The days of free time with a lemonade on the porch are over. Baseball games, freelance projects, shopping, movies, tennis, biking, hiking and ice skating. Each day fewer people are wondering what to do with their time.
Time, in my opinion, other than life, is the most precious commodity. As we find more to do and are able to get more out of life, it's all the more important to use time wisely and efficiently. If not we’ll never have time to write that novel, remodel the kitchen, spend time with friends and family or have that rare precious spare moment when we actually wonder what to do.
To do this it's important to take a critical look at how we spend our time. No time for this? Make time. If you don’t, forget about losing those love handles--it's not going to happen.
A survey by a team at the University of Berkeley found that Americans surveyed spent 170 minutes a day watching TV and movies. The average time spent driving was 101 minutes a day.
Without two of these inventions, the car and the television, we’d have an extra five or so hours a day. That’s a about 32 percent of our waking hours.
While we may spend too much time watching television, let’s assume we all have an exercise bike in front of our tube and exercise during that 170 minutes. Or perhaps we’re busy in the other room and just keep the TV on for company. This isn’t about how bad television is.
There’s not much we can do while driving, and since most of us are alone when we are in a car, it’s not very often that we can relax with a book while our poor friend in the driver's seat takes on the frustration of the highway.
Before there were cars, people lived near where they shopped, worked and played. Almost a century of the car has made this all but impossible today, because cars take up space, and things are now built far apart.
In the old days, people did travel to work, and that too takes time. Free from the wheel, however, as many in the select few places where its possible to live without a car can attest to, travel time can be spent reading, talking or even making new friends.
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.03.04 @ 13:12PST
Wednesday, September 1st
Tired of Paying $40 a Month For High-Speed Internet?
Move to Philadelphia. Yes, Philadelphia. It'll soon be easier to find cyber love in the City of Brotherly Love. That's because Philadelphia wants to provide high-speed wireless access to the entire town.
Tired of looking for a Verizon hot spot? Just unzip the case and pull out your lap top anywhere. Tired of sneaking a peek online by using someone else's wireless? It'll not only be legal in Philadelphia, while a committee is still ironing out the details, it could be free.
Hundreds or thousands of transmitters on lampposts will make this possible and cost the city $10 million. A small price perhaps to create the world's largest hotspot--and certainly allow this eastern crawler of a city to rank at the top of tech savvy and well wired places.
Imagine, this means high-speed wireless will be available to all the schools, community centers and church basements in one of America's biggest cities.
A side note, Philadelphia would not be the first city to be wireless, but certainly the biggest. So far, Minneapolis suburb Chaska provides wireless for $16 a month. New York is considering selling transmitter space on lampposts to carriers. Corpus Christi offers it to government employees. Cleveland provides wireless transmitters in its University Circle, Midtown and Lakefront districts--for free. "We look at this like PBS or NPR," chief information officer at Case Western Reserve University Lev Gonick told the Associated Press, "it should be a public resource."
Eric Miller (editor@newcolonist.com), on 09.01.04 @ 17:26PST
