Week of Dec 15 in NYC

Let's have an NYC update this week, ok?

So, if you didn't read this mid week because it is crazy long, do it now.  Save it for the holiday break.  But it is worth the read.  And there is now a trust set up for the children in the article.  Can't help but think of those NOT featured in an article like this, right?

If you prefer a visual tribute to the varied place that is this Manhattan, try this.  Of course, I know, we'd all like it better if it were an homage to Brooklyn.

I would love nothing more than to have my family here.  But I'm not sure that I could handle them in my house.  Anyone? 

The last PEP meeting under Mayor Bloomberg. 

I don't know anything about Carmen Farina, do you?  (no, right?)  If it ends up happening, I'll find out more. 

And, speaking of, this is a bit late but I wanted to pay tribute to the end of the Bloomberg era.   Perhaps we are all a little bit healthier?

Apologies-- Neglectful lack-of-updte

I would like to offer a humble apology on behalf of All the News Christina Knows.  I missed an important time period in neglecting to send last weekend's update, leaving Christina completely unaware of the fact that Nelson Mandela died last Thursday.  Who knows what kind of cultural references she may have completely missed over the past six days as a result!  If she were walking down the halls of my own school, for example, she might have thought it odd that the 3rd grade students created a tribute in Mandela's honor.

Or, she might have heard the phrase "Apartheid is not Obamacare" and had no understanding of where it originated.

She may have missed the scrutiny Obama was placed under regarding his every move in reference to Mandela's passing, including this and this.

Christina, I sincerely apologize.

--
While we are on the midweek update-- have you seen this article?    Really powerful.

Thanksgiving Weekend

                                              Happy Thanksgiving, and Post-Black Friday!

Hope you stayed away from angry mobs.  Looking at a picture like this I always find it amazing that there are really SO many people who are so completely unlike me and have this urge to do something I find it hard to even imagine ever having a desire to do.

I feel the exact same way watching the marathon.  On the spectrum of awesome to terrible things to want to do, I guess that puts me right in the middle.

Here are stores that wouldn't open on Thanksgiving.

Ok, Christina-- by special request, Stop and Frisk:
What is it?
This kid secretly taped his encounter.
Politics and controversy
Di-Blasio will be making changes

Like police related controversy?  This American Life did a story this fall about an officer who secretly taped his coworkers in Brooklyn for 17 months.  You need a spare hour for this, though.

 In other news:
Where will Obama go next?  It is up to Sasha!

My mom and I went to Kinky Boots last week and she commented on how progressive we've become that the theater is filled each night.  Here are the less progressive voices.

Do you know enough about this to be polled?  Or is more information needed next week?

Sat Nov 23rd's Not-Really-News (Just stuff people are talking about)

This is a non-news edition.  Just some stuff.  Interesting, maybe, I think.

This.  Being poor in America.  And- now she has a book deal!

Did you know it was just the 50th Anniversary of Kennedy's death?  My parents were telling me this weekend their "where they were" story.  I think everyone over 55 has one.

This.  Becca, you can weigh in here.  But I think it's funny cuz it's true!

And this.  You should get the Flatbush Brick House.  Right?  But Aaron would rather this for 1/3 the price!

Ehem.  Tracy....Christina and I will go walking with you! 

Is this something that everyone universally thinks is adorable?  Just wondering!

Super NEWSY edition to follow after thanksgiving!!!

late for the news, Sunday Edition

Have you been wondering what is happening all weekend?

Special request this week, for Christina, from Christina.  Tell me about this Obamacare, you wrote.  Here is some info to tell:

Obamacare in a nutshell:

A pretty simple "all about" page.  If you feel like you missed something this week, note the "if you already have insurance, you can keep it if..." section.  This is what the most recent scandal is all about.  I am trying to show you both sides, but you know I am biased.  (If you don't want to read that whole last link, here is my favorite quote: If we want to play Fox News, President Obama also promised people they could keep their doctor. Since 2010 tens of thousands of doctors have retired or even died. Guess the pledge that people could keep their doctor was yet another lie from the Obama administration.)

In order to keep an unbiased feel, here is an image that I took from some jerk's blog:


Want a longer guide?  This one has sections and chapters!  My money says you aren't going to read it!

In other news:
There are two other subjects that will come up in your life that you should be able to talk about.  One is, of course, the typhoon in the Philippines.  We are starting a coin drive at our school, so I have kid friendly talking points if anyone needs them.    This is bringing up a lot of talk regarding climate change.  Did you see this video of the Filipino negotiator at the UN conference on climate change in 2012?  Heartbreaking.  And this happened today in the midwest. 

Also, have you heard about this tragic story?  My friend from college published this terribly sad account. Don't read the comments! Too depressing-- Want to make light of it?  Here you go. 

Week of November 9th

This week features PLACES, near and far.

Terribly devastating news from the Philippines regarding the recent typhoon.  No witty comments for this one, just thoughts and prayers.

We haven't talked world politics much-- here's news from Iran.

Closer to home...social inequity measured not only by schools but by parks.

Kind of interesting-- Boston just changed mayors for the first time in 20 years and the new mayor is a co-founder of a charter school.  So, if NYC charters dry up, I guess we can head there!

If I leave NYC....should I go to Detroit?  Or is that totally nuts?  This makes me NOT want to go to Virigina.  And look where I end up when I look up best places to live!!!

These items are hot on the facebook circuit: 
A new US map, kind of interesting. Not going to lie- I skimmed and should re-read though!

Here, I created my own map of where I've been....and realized I don't remember much of my life so I'm entirely unsure as to whether or not it is accurate!  Does that happen to you?  I don't even remember what I did last weekend, so I cannot recall if I've ever been to Nevada!  Want to make your own? 

Entering November

Well, there will have to be a mid-week update this week as well, since I think it is important that Christina find out who the mayor is!  Last couple days of mayoral madness.  I, personally, do NOT think de Blasio should switch his sports allegiance- do you? 

Marathon!  Winner = 2 hours, 5 minutes, 6 seconds.  Most of the rest of us can't even DRIVE 26 miles that fast around NYC! 

For whatever reason I find this really funny-- apparently Rand Paul lifted portions of his speeches from Gatacca and Stand and Deliver.   Not from the movies themselves but from the wikipedia entries?  Is that funny to you?  Here's Rachel Maddow on it.

Hilary 2016.  You in?

Clemency for Snowden?  Christina, do you know who Snowden is?   Just in case.....  (Don't steal any of that and put it in a speech!)

In world news-- In Afghanistan, drug addiction has become a major crisis. 

In life news-- I need to bump up my coffee drinking time! 

Week of 10/26

Okay, there were no comments this week but I know you said you read this when I saw you in person, CFro, so one more chance!!

So, there was real news this week.  I was reading about the tech problems with the Obamacare website, the shooting of the teacher in Nevada, and the civilian deaths from drone strikes in Pakistan.  Those are happening.  And important.

But I decided that this week's Weekly Update gets to have a lighter feel.  Just because I felt like it. 

 

So, here are some more fun and/or interactive highlights:

Pics and highlights of Obama's visit-- just down the street, I could almost feel his motorcade going by!  And apparently he "called Brooklyn cool."  (shouldn't it really have been news if he didn't?)

Top names by year and state.  Jennifer.  Crazy.

Did you see this yet?  What state you match?  I'm Utah!  Who knew? (It is the most agreeable and least neurotic, so I'm happy.)  It is like they made a giant spectrum!!

This can either make you feel proud of the potential of America's youth or totally disappointed in the potential of yourself.  Glass empty/Glass full....

And this article is interesting....not even current (from March) but I just read it for the first time.

Enjoy! 

Week of October 19th

Welcome to the first Weekly Update, blog edition.  This blog will become useless and irrelevant if by putting the Weekly Update into blog form Christina stops reading it.  On the other hand, it will be dynamic and engaging if Christina not only reads it but leaves comments, therefore making it interactive.  Christina, do you know how to leave comments?  If so, show me!

Here are some updates from this past week:

Yes, Christina, the shutdown is over.  For now, anyways.  It officially ended Thursday and lasted 16 days, and now the debt ceiling is extended until Feb 7th.  I gave you the talking points, so you may not even need to read the article.


Reactions from the right?  Have you checked in with your conservative pals to see how they feel about this whole thing?  I don't really have any, except for my husband's cousin based on his facebook status updates, so I read this instead.

In mayoral news (which, I just learned, is also an adorable international children's clothing company), de Blasio and Lhota had a debate that I read highlights of on Gotham Schools, and I think this quote means that Explore Schools might be ok:  “I’ve said I’ll work with the charters that are doing a good job, that are including every child."  That's us, right?  This is interesting, I think.

Don't let Aaron see this-- it pretty much sums up why we have to eventually leave NYC.  I want the historical home.  

And I'm linking this article because my friend from college wrote it, and it is also entertaining-- and because I think haters are kinda funny, and I can't stand Starbucks. I feel like Marni will either love it or hate it.  Sometimes I miss in that department, but it is one or the other.