What are You doing for Spring Break?
It’s hard to believe that the Spring Break season is almost here. If you’re planning on leaving your community for sites a little warmer or a little different remember there are plenty of wonderful locations not that far away from home. Visit Expedia Travel Trendwatch for a top ten list of popular local destinations for 2008 and travel cost comparisons.
If a trip like that is not in your budget this year, make sure to see what specials are being offered by key venues in your own community. There are likely some interesting things to do or rediscover close to home. Investigate now so you can book early for any popular events that will end up selling out fast. I speak from experience!
From interactive and compelling museum or art displays to jazz bands, book readings and tours–most urban centers and rural towns make the most of the Spring Break by highlighting the best that they have to offer that is unique to that town or city. Make sure to check out your local theaters, galleries, conservation parks, science centers, cafes, bookstores and universities for ideas of what to do with friends and family during this much needed respite from cold weather and work.
Pictured above is the “notorious” new addition to the very old, traditional museum in my town. The addition, designed by world famous architect, Daniel Libeskind, is called the “Crystal” and it is as enormous and imposing as it appears in the picture. For some it is unsightly and to others breath taking. One thing is for sure…it generates discussion about our museum and gets people in the doors. We’ll be visiting this spring break just to see what it looks like inside…
Winter Living and the “Urban” Element
From as far back as I can remember I’ve been in love with city life. I left the city when I was 7 but I have to thank my parents for keeping my love for the city alive. Their idea of a great Friday night family outing was to pack us into the car for a 45 minute ride to the city ‘s holiday skating rink.
There was a perfectly functional skating arena in our spanking new suburb, but my Dad figured it would be far more interesting to skate with the multitude of kids and parents who would be coming from all over our region to skate in our city.
It just occurred to me that my Dad was probably one of the first new urbanism advocates I would meet in life.
So as we settle into winter don’t huddle away in your home. There’s much to do before the spring thaw even if winter sports are not your thing. Look around your city, your local village or community and see what “people” are up to. Sometimes seemingly unappealing activities take on new life when you’re around people that you’ve set out to appreciate.
Diamond in the Rough
Whether you are a faith believer or not, there is no denying that things are different at this time of year. And I’m not talking about the buying frenzy. As a people and as communities, during the Holiday Season we are more focused on others than ourselves. Even better, many of us are more focused on those less fortunate and that focus can help to permanently change lives for the better.
One of the reasons I’m a new urbanism advocate is because of the impact of this movement on our day to day experiences, especially the experiences of our children. As a mother and as a human being I feel such grief when I visit a blighted urban area where children are surrounded by crime, neglect and sorrow.
There is too much wealth in this country to allow such decline–especially in the urban centers that helped to build this nation.
So when I read the recent series in the Columbus dispatch about rebirth and regrowth in one of Ohio’s grittiest cities–Cleveland–I had to share.
Cleveland is the fourth poorest city in the nation and has been in a steady population and jobs decline since the steel industry started to collapse in the 1950′s. The city is also in the top 10 for the cities with the most crime (it’s #10 right after Richmond, California). Throughout the 1990′s Cleveland’s public schools fell short on every state standard for minimum acceptable performance.
But the news gets better. Recently the U.S. News and World Report listed Cleveland and its surburban schools among the best in the nation. While Cleveland’s suburban area schools have always been at the top of national school ratings, this most recent report included four City of Cleveland public schools.
What made the difference – human initiative and heart.
One Saturday in November, educators from the school board knocked on 1,400 doors to talk to parents of every senior at risk of not graduating in the City of Cleveland public school system. This is not normal procedure but it speaks to the great effort of a community – those working there and living there.
There are many organizations and neighborhood groups in Cleveland working hand in hand with private companies and city government to attract new life to the city and to help bring back one of America’s greatest cities.
From the Columbus Dispatch:
“…Cleveland is no mistake on the lake, because there is so much from the past to glorify in the city where John D. Rockefeller built his oil enterprise, where early 20th-century Mayor Tom Johnson showed the nation a reform government that worked, where Bob Feller mowed down batters and Jim Brown ran over defensive backs.
In so many ways, Cleveland has remained a great city. Anchored by the Cleveland Clinic, it is fast becoming a beacon of wellness to the world. Its bustling airport and lake port provide access to global commerce. Its orchestra and art museum are world-renowned. Playhouse Square is a first stop for Broadway plays.
“When you think of that, when you think of all these amenities and you have all these people visiting here and you have transplants relocating here — they all fall in love with Cleveland because they see a gem,” said Mayor Frank Jackson.”
Diamonds in the rough…that’s a good way for us to think about our nation’s more challenged urban centers.
Moms and tots…and teens
The moment I delivered my first child was fantastic, blissful, etc. But the moment I got control of my hips back and mastered the use of the convertible stroller, I was truly a happy mama.
I took her to places I liked to visit in the city…the lakefront, lunches with friends, her dad’s office, her grandfather’s office, the post office. We strolled everywhere and she loved it!
I found it interesting to read that an entrepreneurial mom in New York has made the cultural interests of moms with babes her business. Former Manhattan investment banker, Molly Snyder has traveled across the country promoting her now popular “Metropolitan Moms.” MM serves as a sort of event planning outfit coordinating all kinds of neat activities for moms with babies.
The thinking is that there are so few opportunities for women to maintain their interests while caring for newborns. According to Philly.com, these groups offer city activities like gallery tours, ghost-themed architecture tours and behind-the-scenes tastings at several chocolate shops. Mmmm!
The only drawback I see is the cost. Some of these events are pricey. For instance, I see the group offers a series of 4 weekly cooking classes for $220!
Of course there are so many more affordable ways that you can do something that is appropriate for a baby but still appealing to your adult tastes.
Do your own tour of the sites in your town (museum, gardens, local farms, etc.). Now that the holiday’s are here, there are special displays and markets, craft shows and any number mom networking groups at community centers and places of worship. I know many moms still take their babes to book clubs they attended pre-baby. Talk it over with the intended group.
I have teens now, but I still include my kids in my interests. I drag them take them to conferences that I’m interested in and I am always so overjoyed at how thrilled they are to take a day off school join their dear old mom at these events.
The Season for Dressing Up and Going Out
Are you taking advantage of the wonderful evening events in your town new urban mom?
After we had kids our evening social life took a serious dive. We’d make the odd feeble attempt to go out on the town but between arranging for baby sitters and me slowly growing out of my slinky evening clothes, “stepping out” became “staying in.”
During the last few years we’ve re-awakened our glamour puss selves and made the effort to dress up for a night out.
During the holidays there are even more wonderful opportunities to make it a dressy family night out. Before you start frowning just think about it…
First there’s the Nutcracker Ballet. Don’t worry about falling asleep…there are outstanding productions out there to be seen and if you haven’t gone out much you’ll be so busy looking at all the new fashions and improvements they’ve made in theatre chairs that you should be able to survive the performance without napping.
I did a quick scan of some of the other neat Holiday activities going on in cities across the country that may give you more ideas. Read more
New Businesses Bring Stability to Neighborhoods
For many of us, the decision to move to an older neighborhood is due to:
- Affordability – in some cities, older urban homes cost less than new homes (especially if you are in a city where foreclosures are the talk of the day – not good news for some, but opportunities for others).
- Activism – you’re a new urbanism advocate and choose to live closer to older urban centers (you’re not a fan of urban sprawl).
- Good Taste – you like the architecture, character and feel of “seasoned” older communities.
Okay, so those are the good reasons. But there is one concern many of us have when we start considering the move to older communities. Are they stable? Is the community in a state of decline or are residents there activily working to boost the viability of living and working in that community? Are there “new urbanism” champions among residents AND city officials to support the redevelopment or enhancement of this neighborhood?
I just read an article in the Indianapolis Star that focused a spotlight on one of the city’s older neighborhoods called Fall Creek. A number of ambitious and excited new business owners have staked their careers and precious investments on new storefront businesses in this part of the city.
Indianapolis Deputy Mayor, Steve Campbell, who lives in the Fall Creek neighborhood “sees the commercial ventures as part of the bigger picture — they bring stability and appeal to the redeveloped area.”
So, if you’ve got that business idea that has been nagging you for years but you didn’t think you had the funds to get it off the ground, think again. You just might be able to launch your business in one of your region’s urban centers. There are often government incentives to help entrepreneurs choosing to invest in certain urban centers. Federal funds have been specifically targeted to help those cities in need of new ideas, vision and the confidence of people committed to making cities good places to live, work and thrive.
Be a Tourist in Your Own City
It seems that each time I visit another city someone is able to point out to me yet another site or fact about my home town that I was unaware of! That tells me that I’m not taking the time to appreciate what is in my own community. With that in mind I thought I’d draw up a list to help remind all of you new urban moms to become a tourist in your own city! It’s cheaper than a real trip to say Paris or some other place you’d rather be as a tourist, and it’s um…well as I said it’s cheaper.
How to Be A Tourist in Your Own City
- Visit your local art gallery
- Visit your local art museum
- Hop on one of those very touristy trolley cars – I did it and I had a great time!
- Visit your local zoo
- If you’ve got a great university campus, take a stroll through it and get coffee at one of the graduate student hang-outs.
- If you’re not already a subscriber, get tickets to the symphony (gives you a good reason to dress up!)
- If your city has a pleasant waterfront, take a stroll with the family…it really puts everyone in a great mood.
- Take a neighborhood tour – contact your local Convention Visitors’ Bureau for information.
- Take your husband, partner, date or best girlfriend and stroll arm in arm through the snazzy, or jazzy part of town at night…sounds dorky but you know you’ll enjoy yourself!
- Have a late night dinner at one of those restaurants at the top of towers or hotels – even if the food isn’t spectacular the view usually is! I’ve done that in great cities and not so great cities – enjoyed it every time.
There are so many more things that you can do by just thinking about what makes your community unique. So don’t be a stranger to your home town gems…be a tourist!
I’m Also Here…
