Tonight’s Parks and Rec meeting was a bit contentious (or so I am told – that’s the only kinds I’ve witnessed so far). There are many stakeholders passionate about their views for the park. I came to accept the Strickland Park plan as probably the best that we could get. I hope the neighbors who will frequent the park will enjoy the finished product.
On a totally unrelated note, I need to start eating supper before dashing off to these meetings. Votes like tonight’s are not easy on my stomach!
Tickets for James Taylor’s free concert Tuesday go on sale tomorrow. You can pick them up at the following locations:
Raleigh for Change HQ
130 E. Morgan Street
Raleigh, NC
Friday, Oct. 17th, Saturday Oct.18th and Monday Oct. 20th
9am-6pm
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Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr recently posted a video on his website announcing he would no longer be autographing items mailed to him. Its bizarre enough that it practically begs for a response.
This could be the “Kenneth, what’s the frequency?” of 2008. Some have already begun parodying it, like this, this, this, this, and this.
I can’t sit on the sidelines, either: I’ve got to post a parody. Look for a goofy video soon: my first YouTube appearance.
If I didn’t get my fill of excitement last night I’ve got more fun tonight. Tonight’s the night the Parks and Rec board votes on the master plan for Strickland Park.
I’m not happy with how the public process was handled here, though I think the park will be a welcome asset to the neighborhood, ultimately. There are a few changes that I would like to see – and that I will ask for – but I’m not optimistic that these will be accomplished. I think some people have made up their minds and little will change their positions.
I attended my first Raleigh CAC meeting (as opposed to the East CAC ones that I lead). I sat at the City Council table for the first time and the meeting was televised on RTN channel 11.
The meeting was dull for the most part. Up until the end, that is, which came after the meeting stopped its scheduled airing on cable. That’s when some longtime CAC chairs unloaded about the perceived lack of cooperation they have been getting from the city’s community services department. Though I was missing half of the televised presidential debate I couldn’t pull myself away from the fireworks.
Yet another unexpectedly-exciting first meeting I’ve attended!
A friend of my coworker works at a local homeless shelter. He says homelessness is up 30% now due to the economy. Urban Ministries of Durham is warning of the same increase in homeless people.
“The current economic condition of our country is pushing many people into homelessness, and Durham will be no exception,” said Greg Rowland, Urban Ministries’ vice-chair. “We are committed to increasing our capacity to provide food, clothing, shelter and recovery to everyone who walks through our door.”
It might hurt to lose pretend money in the stock market but its important to remember those for whom the economic stress is painfully tangible: our homeless.
North Carolina legend James Taylor will play a free concert in Raleigh in support of Barack Obama’s campaign. According to what the N&O’s David Menconi has heard, JT will play Moore Square at noon Tuesday, October 21st.
My office’s WiFi signal just might reach that far. Or I’ll have a long lunch that day. Or something.
