October 30, 2013

damn that rahm emanuel

http://www.wbez.org/news/culture/national-arts-educators-meet-chicago-109032

October 22, 2013

what to do when you fb friend a childhood friend and

it turns out they are a wingnut.
i think after a few days of me on her feed she will at least figure it out. hope i can manage not to get into to many ugly arguments on her feed. i hate when i get sucked into that stuff.
should i just defriend her and put her out of her misery? (or is it my misery?)

October 18, 2013

Only 60 percent of students from Chicago's closed schools turn up at 'welcoming schools'

Far fewer students from Chicago’s closed elementary schools are enrolled where the district thought they would be this fall.

Just 60 percent of 10,542 students* from Chicago’s shuttered elementary schools ended up at so-called “welcoming schools,” despite efforts by the district to woo them with promises of improved education, safe passage to school, and sweeteners like iPads, air conditioning and new science labs.

http://www.wbez.org/news/only-60-percent-students-chicagos-closed-schools-turn-welcoming-schools-108907

the reason that i post this is that this is the first time i have seen actual numbers of student affected by school closings. the only closed school i really know well is trumbull. it is a huge 4 story building that was being kept open for 206 children. with available seats in very nearby schools.
i don't see a way to defend keeping this school open. look at the rest of the list. 100-200 kids in most cases.

i know everyone hates rahm, but he makes the hard choices, and gracefully accepts the crap.

October 13, 2013

we think we have found a "donor" barn.

a barn that is being torn down that we can reclaim for our little barn. way bigger than what we need, but we don't have to take the whole thing. already have a plan and all.
but she is quite a beauty-

October 3, 2013

yard long beans

i grew a lot of varieties of beans this year, and i think my fave was maroon yard long beans. they have a slightly more bitter flavor than most green beans, which i think is fine. they stay purple/maroon after cooking.
but the big thing is- they save a ton of time both picking and prepping. this will be my go to snap bean, i think.

October 3, 2013

frugal or stupid? making chili oil and

also have a few nice fresh potatoes from the garden. how stupid would it be to french fry these puppies in some good olive oil, then pour the hot oil over the chilis? (have tons of dried hot peppers. just pour hot oil over to make yummy chili oil.)
it seems like it would be fine, but i can't shake the feeling that it is a dumb idea.

October 3, 2013

occupy vacant schools.

the city of chicago famously closed 42 schools this year. i have to think this is happening in other places.
i would really like to see occupy take over at least the grounds of these buildings.
i think they should all sprout community gardens come spring.
(they also would make excellent transitional and supportive housing, but that is a bigger nut to crack.)