I think the rebirth of NHS's Masthead is wonderful news. I played a part in reviving my high school paper and it gave me an enticing first taste of journalism.
However, I've got to ask. In this day and age, when every kid and most parents have access to laptops and smart phones wouldn't an online version of the Masthead make more sense? An online version would give students more practical experience while also saving printing costs.
Just a thought.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Catching Up
I've spent the past 10 days far, far away.
I absolutely cherish the first seven days, having discovered and fallen in love with San Diego. This isn't an exotic location for many, but it was my first time south of LA. Unfortunately, I had to blend in some work with play, but I actually enjoyed both.
In so many ways, San Diego stands in a sharp contrast to Newburyport: West vs. East; New vs. old; Car Culture vs. Walking City. But we felt strangely at home there as well. Downtown San Diego managed to capture an essence of its East Coast counterparts with tight streets, mixed use buildings and a nice walkable feel. Even Petco Field, home of the Padres, is shoehorned in a squat set of city blocks ala Fenway.
The family came with me, so we found settled on a hotel outside the downtown right on Mission Bay. You can see the view from our room up above. The picture doesn't capture this, but the waterfront reminded us all of Newburyport in the summer time: warm waters, a sea of boats and the gentle arc of a bridge just off to the left.
At nearby Mission Beach we found an old amusement park complete with an old-style roller coaster that brought back memories of Revere Beach. (I never rode that roller coaster but I do remember it standing.)
We spent the eight day driving across the desert to Las Vegas where I had to work for two more days while the family romped around a ridiculously large hotel room. Vegas never reminds me of Newburyport although it did cause me to wonder if we should build a volcano on our waterfront.
We came back yesterday morning on the red eye. The boys slept in this morning so I've had some time to catch up on newspapers. Now I'm just reading about all that has kept my blog mates busy.
I hope you're all well. If you're headed to San Diego drop me a line. I'd love to share recommendations (Balboa Park and Luigi's at the Beach would be my favorites.)
Friday, February 4, 2011
Youth Commission Needs You
We members of Khaki-nation point to our parental responsibilities as reason one why we don't get involved in city activities. I suppose that's a fair justification, not one that I share entirely but I do understand the desire to be at home with one's kids instead of attending some meeting.
But here's where we all might want to make an exception.
The Newburyport Youth Commission is looking for new members. This is an important organization for those of us with children. The NYC helps identify, plan an execute communitywide experiences where those of us with kids - and those without - can gather, meet one another and enjoy as well as important programs like the after-school drop-in center.
Commission Member Jeff Ives says the NYC is at an important point. The group has successfully executed the five-year plan it crafted five years ago, and now it's ready to set a new course that will determine the community events/programs that will be held in the next five years. So if you've got kids you definitely have a horse in this race.
The meeting is Tuesday, 6:30 p.m at the Kelley School.
Jeff was kind enough to answer a few questions about the NYC. I'll print the short Q&A in a separate post so you can get an idea of the group's mission and expectations.
Oh and if you've got a beef with the commission, be a grown-up and email Jeff directly. Don't just drop a load of snark off in the comments section.
But here's where we all might want to make an exception.
The Newburyport Youth Commission is looking for new members. This is an important organization for those of us with children. The NYC helps identify, plan an execute communitywide experiences where those of us with kids - and those without - can gather, meet one another and enjoy as well as important programs like the after-school drop-in center.
Commission Member Jeff Ives says the NYC is at an important point. The group has successfully executed the five-year plan it crafted five years ago, and now it's ready to set a new course that will determine the community events/programs that will be held in the next five years. So if you've got kids you definitely have a horse in this race.
The meeting is Tuesday, 6:30 p.m at the Kelley School.
Jeff was kind enough to answer a few questions about the NYC. I'll print the short Q&A in a separate post so you can get an idea of the group's mission and expectations.
Oh and if you've got a beef with the commission, be a grown-up and email Jeff directly. Don't just drop a load of snark off in the comments section.
Q: What exactly does Newburyport Youth Services do? What events is it responsible for, other than the Winter Festival.
Jeff Ives: Newburyport Youth Services provides a combination of recreation and social services to children and families in the city. These services are being used by an increasing number of local kids, and they receive excellent reviews from parents and teachers. Thanks to the Youth Services department, kids are going on ski trips and coming to the Kelley School drop in center after school for homework help and mentoring. When the weather warms up local students can work as skate guards at the skate park and go to city-run summer camps. And when fall rolls around again there students can sign up for classes taught by local experts in everything from geocaching to movie-making. Students also have the opportunity to help guide the direction of these programs and run their own events by joining in the Youth Council.
All of these programs are designed and run by the Youth Services staff and volunteers to be exciting events that take place in an empowering and supportive environment. The youth who participate in them learn new skills and build lasting relationships with fellow students and staff. While portions of the Youth Services budget are funded by the city, they are also able to provide these services by running fee programs and holding fundraisers. This spring there will be a Rubber Duck Derby fundraiser in support of these programs to help keep them expanding and make them accessible to more families.
The Youth Services staff also manages grant-funded programs like The Beacon Coalition (http://beaconcoalition.com/) that has made real headway reducing drug and alcohol abuse among Newburyport youth by developing positive assets, such as honesty and integrity, in younger students that make them more likely to avoid these substances in high school. All of these programs have been built over the last five years, and additional opportunities are being developed.
All of these programs are designed and run by the Youth Services staff and volunteers to be exciting events that take place in an empowering and supportive environment. The youth who participate in them learn new skills and build lasting relationships with fellow students and staff. While portions of the Youth Services budget are funded by the city, they are also able to provide these services by running fee programs and holding fundraisers. This spring there will be a Rubber Duck Derby fundraiser in support of these programs to help keep them expanding and make them accessible to more families.
The Youth Services staff also manages grant-funded programs like The Beacon Coalition (http://beaconcoalition.com/) that has made real headway reducing drug and alcohol abuse among Newburyport youth by developing positive assets, such as honesty and integrity, in younger students that make them more likely to avoid these substances in high school. All of these programs have been built over the last five years, and additional opportunities are being developed.
Q: You mentioned you're looking for members. What are the responsibilities? Is there a commitment (i.e. appointment with a term.) And how much time month does an average member spend on projects?
Jeff Ives: The Mayor appoints members of the Youth Commission as needed, so the term is only limited by how long members wish to stay on board. The bylaws allow for up to 21 members of the Commission and currently there are only six voting members with the addition of two ad hoc members who work for Youth Services. These members meet for about two hours once a month, with the potential for longer meetings and get-togethers if needed. Their primary task is to provide input and ideas that will help Youth Services staff do their job in support of the Youth Commission's mission statement (below).
This is an important time for the Youth Commission because the existing 5-year-plan for Newburyport's Youth Services that was drafted in 2005 has been accomplished. That plan called for expanded youth programs (that now exist), the creation of an after-school drop-in center (now the Kelley school as well), collaboration with the Learning Enrichment Center (which is thriving), and to continue working with the Mayor's Task Force on Underage Substance Abuse (which has lead to the Beacon Coalition's comprehensive efforts).
The success of this last five year plan means that the community now has an amazing opportunity to set the agenda for the next five years, and the dedication of Youth Services staff means that this plan will very likely be implemented efficiently and successfully. Potential Youth Commission members should ask themselves: What opportunities do I want to see for kids in this city? What kind of trips and summer camps should be offered? Should the Kelley school facilities be improved? What local, state, and national organizations should Youth Services collaborate with to open doors for Newburyport Youth? What specific benchmarks should be in place, such as the number of youth participating in each program? What goals can be set to make these programs better funded?
If you're someone who cares about these issues and has ideas to contribute, now is the time to either come to the Youth Commission meeting on Tuesday or email me with your suggestions to bring up at the meeting. (jeffrey.ives@gmail.com)
Youth Commission Mission Statement
The mission of the Newburyport Youth Commission is to recognize and promote the importance of Newburyport’s youth as a trusted constituency, with rights, responsibilities and equality. The Youth Commission will work collaboratively and pro-actively with the community to promote, encourage, develop and provide appropriate activities to meet the apparent and underlying needs of the youth of Newburyport.
This is an important time for the Youth Commission because the existing 5-year-plan for Newburyport's Youth Services that was drafted in 2005 has been accomplished. That plan called for expanded youth programs (that now exist), the creation of an after-school drop-in center (now the Kelley school as well), collaboration with the Learning Enrichment Center (which is thriving), and to continue working with the Mayor's Task Force on Underage Substance Abuse (which has lead to the Beacon Coalition's comprehensive efforts).
The success of this last five year plan means that the community now has an amazing opportunity to set the agenda for the next five years, and the dedication of Youth Services staff means that this plan will very likely be implemented efficiently and successfully. Potential Youth Commission members should ask themselves: What opportunities do I want to see for kids in this city? What kind of trips and summer camps should be offered? Should the Kelley school facilities be improved? What local, state, and national organizations should Youth Services collaborate with to open doors for Newburyport Youth? What specific benchmarks should be in place, such as the number of youth participating in each program? What goals can be set to make these programs better funded?
If you're someone who cares about these issues and has ideas to contribute, now is the time to either come to the Youth Commission meeting on Tuesday or email me with your suggestions to bring up at the meeting. (jeffrey.ives@gmail.com)
Youth Commission Mission Statement
The mission of the Newburyport Youth Commission is to recognize and promote the importance of Newburyport’s youth as a trusted constituency, with rights, responsibilities and equality. The Youth Commission will work collaboratively and pro-actively with the community to promote, encourage, develop and provide appropriate activities to meet the apparent and underlying needs of the youth of Newburyport.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Pitting Residents vs. Employees
I'm sorry, but I'm not buying this equity argument about parking fees being discussed in the Daily News and elsewhere.
I'm sympathetic toward lower-wage workers who may have to pay for parking. I truly am. But I don't think comparisons can be made between people who spend 8-10 hours a day in this town versus those of us who live here and, in most cases, already pay thousands in taxes toward the city and additional hundreds or thousands of dollars to the shops and businesses downtown.
To be clear, I wasn't a proponent of lowering the resident fee to $5, but the issue of equity to out-of-town workers never entered into my thinking. (And let's be honest, would the out-of-town workers have been any happier with the $100 fee if residents were paying $50?)
As critics of the paid parking plan remind us, people have choices and they may choose to shop elsewhere if they don't want to pay for parking. I don't agree because I think Newburyport offers something few places can.
But this argument may apply in the case of employees. Workers do have choices. To work here or someplace else. If the parking costs prove to be too burdensome and outweigh the salaries they'll earn downtown then they'll choose to work someplace else.
And let's be clear, we residents - and out-of-town customers - will ultimately be paying their parking fees anyway. If the parking fee cause shops and restaurants to lose employees, they'll have to raise their wages to cover the costs of the fee. Or, as Mayor Holaday suggested on Monday night, the employers themselves will buy passes that can be distributed to employees.
In either case, that's going to be a cost of doing business that will be reflected in the price of goods and services. And we residents - the lucky ones who only have to pay $5 in parking fees and a thousand times that in property taxes - will ultimately pay their parking fees as well. My hope is that visitors - who have been paying nothing directly into the system - will help cover those increases.
To close, we've got some great employees downtown and the Daily News article identifies some of my favorite businesses as signatories of the petition. But this all goes back to the simple fact that there is no such thing as a free lunch - or free parking. (Ironically, there is such a thing as Park Lunch, which will still offer free parking....and great fried clams.)
I'm sympathetic toward lower-wage workers who may have to pay for parking. I truly am. But I don't think comparisons can be made between people who spend 8-10 hours a day in this town versus those of us who live here and, in most cases, already pay thousands in taxes toward the city and additional hundreds or thousands of dollars to the shops and businesses downtown.
To be clear, I wasn't a proponent of lowering the resident fee to $5, but the issue of equity to out-of-town workers never entered into my thinking. (And let's be honest, would the out-of-town workers have been any happier with the $100 fee if residents were paying $50?)
As critics of the paid parking plan remind us, people have choices and they may choose to shop elsewhere if they don't want to pay for parking. I don't agree because I think Newburyport offers something few places can.
But this argument may apply in the case of employees. Workers do have choices. To work here or someplace else. If the parking costs prove to be too burdensome and outweigh the salaries they'll earn downtown then they'll choose to work someplace else.
And let's be clear, we residents - and out-of-town customers - will ultimately be paying their parking fees anyway. If the parking fee cause shops and restaurants to lose employees, they'll have to raise their wages to cover the costs of the fee. Or, as Mayor Holaday suggested on Monday night, the employers themselves will buy passes that can be distributed to employees.
In either case, that's going to be a cost of doing business that will be reflected in the price of goods and services. And we residents - the lucky ones who only have to pay $5 in parking fees and a thousand times that in property taxes - will ultimately pay their parking fees as well. My hope is that visitors - who have been paying nothing directly into the system - will help cover those increases.
To close, we've got some great employees downtown and the Daily News article identifies some of my favorite businesses as signatories of the petition. But this all goes back to the simple fact that there is no such thing as a free lunch - or free parking. (Ironically, there is such a thing as Park Lunch, which will still offer free parking....and great fried clams.)
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