fianchetto!

Ever Saturday morning through the early afternoon in my neighborhood coffee shop, while I take advantage of free wifi and bottomless cups of coffee, Worthington's young and old gather to play chess. I love it.



This photo was snapped long after most of the crowd dissipated, but you get the idea.

Similarly, one evening each week, a dozen or so gente gather here to practice their Italian and sip cappuccinos.

I wish there were more things like that back home in Youngstown. Developing sense of community is so vital in reviving our city. Informal gatherings like these are such an easy way to cultivate it, too. Maybe we can all get together for a little Scrabble the next time I'm home...

bad blogger

I'm a bad blogger. It's been a month since I've updated. I don't know how these other bloggers do it. At any rate, guilt has got the best of me so here a tiny update until this weekend when I tackle the mountain of information I've collected for you. (I apologize for the errors in grammar and spelling and typos, etc. I am blogging via phone on the bus in to work)

Last week the Ohio Departmentof Natural Resources released the receipients of their spring litter clean up grants. Mahoning County organizations(including the city of Youngstown) received 6 grants out of the 50 total awarded. Each organization received the full amount requested. The only county that received mre grants was Columiana with 7. The Valley is gonna get her clean on.

The local clean up efforts that these grants fund are required to take place in April and May and must involve the work of volunteers. Does anyone have the dates or details of these local projects?

1075 Billion Dollars

I have a hard time comprehending 1075 Billion Dollars, but whether my tiny mind can grasp it or not that's the size of The United States of America 2008 Federal Discretionary Budget.

To make things easier, Jess Bachman designed the super cool DEATH & TAXES poster. Mine is on its way.

Click here to see the online zoomable(if that's a word) version.

HEROES

Are Unions Destroying American Education?

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute and the John Glenn School of Public Policy, as part of the Cicero's Podium: Great Issues Debate series, will be discussing whether or not Unions are destroying American Education.

Do teacher unions create more harm than good in the American education system? Peter Brimelow and Richard D. Kahlenberg will explore this topic at a public debate moderated by Chad Kifer on the Ohio State University campus in February. This debate is co-sponsored by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and the John Glenn School of Public Affairs.

Feb 12 2008, 5:30pm
free and open to the public
Faculty Club Grand Lounge
181 South Oval
Columbus

more info here

legislators luncheon

I may come home for this event, especially if Tim Ryan is going to be there.

League of Women Voters
Annual Luncheon with Legislators
Saturday, January 19
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
At The Youngstown Club
$10.00 per person
reservations required
Call 330-788-4646

new columbus visitor center

The brand new Downtown Visitor's Information Center in Columbus will have its grand opening January 10 at 4pm. I have no idea if it's open to the public, but they are asking for RSVP's. I'm excited to see what they are doing and if any of it can be applied to Youngstown. I'll be heading over after work so expecting to get there around 4:30ish. Anyone else going?