Weekend tidbits: Why You Should Hate Cement And Love Oakland
Hayley Richardson | Mon, Jan 28th, 2008 | Category: Commentary | Tags: commentary, hayley richardson, new orleans, oakland, housing surplus, cement, green supportive housing, historic preservation philadelphia
Housing Surplus in New Orleans
“Thousands of people are looking for a place to live in this city. Many thousands of houses are vacant or for sale, and acres of land sit empty. But turning potential housing into inhabited homes is proving to be a major challenge, even for a city that survived the fury of Hurricane Katrina and the failure of the levees. For those who need shelter the most, these houses are out of reach.”
Chicago Seniors Psyched About Public Transport
“State officials say about 4,000 senior citizens have pre-registered for a new program that will allow the elderly to ride public transit for free.During a news conference in downtown Chicago, Governor Rod Blagojevich says response has been so strong that the state is adding a second toll-free number to accommodate callers who are registering for the program.”
Requiem For Philadelphia
“With a shiny new administration in City Hall, there’s every reason to be hopeful. And yet, Tuesday’s ruling by Commonwealth Court Judge Keith B. Quigley allowing the state to abrogate its agreement to preserve the historically significant Philadelphia Life Insurance Co. buildings at Broad and Arch to make room for the expansion of the Convention Center cuts deep into Philadelphia’s soul.”
“Fans of cement like to point out that it is the most widely used substance on the planet after water. Unfortunately it is also one of the most polluting.The main ingredient in concrete is cement, made by heating limestone and clay until they fuse into a material called clinker, which is then ground up and mixed with various additives.”
Green Housing Facility To Open in Oakland
“The facility, Crossroads, which will accommodate 125 residents, may be the only “green” homeless shelter built from the ground up. It has a solar-paneled roof, hydronic heating, artful but practical ceiling fans, nontoxic paint, windows that can be opened to let in fresh air, and desks and bureaus made from pressed wheat.”
And via Slate, introducing The Root , a new online magazine on African American politics and cultural commentary.