Interested in public policy, the DC budget, research and information to inform and improve the caliber of public policy discussions or advocacy? This is the place for you: information and intelligence that improves advocacy is the stock in trade of this blog.
Monday, June 30, 2014
List of free webinars, (again) brought to you by @WildApricot
Sunday, June 29, 2014
More new and old ebooks coming to libraries
All of Simon & Schuster's frontlist and backlist titles that are available as ebooks are eligible for the program, with new titles being made available simultaneous with their publication.
Simon & Schuster has more than 10,000 ebooks in its backlist although it's not clear which will be eligible for the library lending program.
The S&S library lending announcement also included news of an "innovative business model":
In order to help support libraries, and for the convenience of patrons who might not want to wait until a popular new title is available, Simon & Schuster's ebook program includes a 'Buy It Now' capability, which gives the patron the option to purchase a copy of Simon & Schuster eBooks through a library's online portal, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale going to the library.
To take advantage of this new and improved reading opportunity, get a DC Public Library card. Learn more about getting a card.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
TA: Social media timing and other tips from @WildApricot
WildApricot's post Is Timing Everything On Social Media? includes more than just what they did to better serve their clients. This fab group provides a list of resources in this post so check it out.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Even more on the #dcfy15 budget (and other leg)
- Catania Statement on Appropriations Committee Vote Impacting Marijuana Decriminalization in the District (June 25, 2014)
- Norton and Allies to Continue Fight After Passage of Harris Amendment Blocking D.C.’s Marijuana Decriminalization Bill (June 25, 2014)
- Norton to Fight Harris Amendment Blocking D.C. Marijuana Decriminalization Bill, Wednesday (June 24, 2014)
- Norton Alerts Residents to Expect a Fight Over Republican Amendment to Block D.C.’s Marijuana Decriminalization Bill, Wednesday (June 24, 2014)
- UHAR Applauds DC Council Vote Establishing 2018 Anacostia River Remediation Deadline (June 24, 2014)
- Anita Bonds Bill Designates “Good Hope Road” a Retail Priority Area (June 26, 2014)
- Norton Points out Members for Hypocrisy and Inconsistency on D.C. Marijuana Decriminalization Vote (June 26, 2014)
"Chicken Fat" lives on
There are two versions of the song. The long version (linked above) was played during the school day to "accompany the official U.S. Physical Fitness program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness." (Source: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum) The shorter version is known as the "disc jockey version." The lyrics of the long and short versions here.
In the 1990s, Dave produced the Chicken Fat Kids workout video (also below). The first segment is from the 1960s when President Kennedy introduced the program; you'll see children and young adults doing pushups, stretching, and other activities mentioned in the song.
Watch and Listen to the video below for the shorter version of the song. Interesting facts about the song and the president's effort pop up throughout the video.
And lest you think this song is no longer used, think again. In 2012, the University of Evansville cheer squad and university president Dr. Thomas A. Kazee appeared in a video to promote Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winneke's initiative to have Evansville stay fit. Watch the Evansville vid here.
Free learning opp: Why Collective Impact and Why Now?
Community Research also has some useful information, tools, and links. Naturally, Stanford Social Innovation Review has contributed to the knowledge base with Collective Impact. Another useful website is Innoweave's collective impact collection.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Engagement Tech for All webinar June 26
Background information, including Engagement Tech for All report, is online at Engagement Tech for All. The report, Engagement Tech for All: Best Practices in the Use of Technology in Engagement Underrepresented Communities in Planning (PDF) considers the best ways to reach low-income and other technologically underrepresented communities regarding using technology in civic engagement.
Great news: DC Free Summer Meals sites in a searchable map
For those new to the program, children and youth (0-18) who are DC residents can eat for free this summer. No registration, no paperwork required.
Can we apply the lessons from Why Students Don't Like School to adults?
A special shout-out to Scott MacClintic (@Smacclintic), teacher at Loomis Chafee and a member of the Class of 1982 along with yours truly. I follow Scott on Twitter and learn a lot from him.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Keep the hydrants closed!
Residents and visitors in the District can keep cool by staying in shade or air conditioning and drinking plenty of water. When the temperature or heat index reaches 95, residents are encouraged to take extra precautions against the heat. If they do not live in an air-conditioned building, they may take refuge at a District swimming pool, cooling center, recreation facility, senior center or other air-conditioned building. More information, and locations, can be found at dc.gov or by calling 311.
Monday, June 23, 2014
An entertaining and informative hour with Elizabeth Drew on Richard Nixon
If you have time, watch the hour-long Drew book talk. And if so inclined, buy the book at Politics & Prose (book page).
Sunday, June 22, 2014
DC Council Chairman Mendelson holds media briefing June 23
Saturday, June 21, 2014
DC Free Summer Meals PSA - watch and share
You, too, can embed the PSA in your blog or website. Just use the following embed code; instructions are in the box below.
allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hMmj09EIIJY?rel=0&cc_load_policy=1" width="500">
Friday, June 20, 2014
Help inform outreach plans about the new smoking-in-public prohibitions
The Community Wellness Alliance is conducting a survey to get the opinion of DC residents of the best ways to make the public aware of the law. Take the survey and encourage others to do so, please.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Mayor Vince Gray's June 19 sked
Then at 11:30 am, Mayor Gray will appear on Senior Talk on positivenergyworks.com/.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
What to do for those without AC when it's hot, hot, hot
The best way to beat the heat is to stay inside an air conditioned building. If you have to leave, check out these options to cool down:
- The Department of Parks and Recreation has opened spray parks a week early. These sites, located in all but Ward 2, are open from
Noon10:00 am - 7:00 pm. (UPDATED: 6/17/14, 9:15p) - The four cooling centers are:
- One Judiciary Square, 441 Fourth St NW
- Frank D. Reeves Center (Lobby), 2000 14th St NW
- King Office Building (Lobby), 3720 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave SE
- Virginia Williams Family Resource Center, 33 N St NE
- United Planning Organization (UPO) vans will be on the lookout for people suffering from heat-related stress and provide transport to a Cooling Center. If you need to call for transport, call DC Shelter Hotline at (800) 535-7252.
- The Department of Human Services opens cooling centers for homeless residents; the list of the sites is on pages 1 and 2 of the plan.
- DC Housing Authority open buildings as cooling centers for seniors who live in a non-air conditioned buildings. The locations are listed on page 2 of the plan.
Finally, DC government posts an alert on the DC government home page during heat emergencies. The alert links people to resources.
Public Education and the D.C. Federal Courts June 19
The Historical Society of the District of Columbia Circuit's June 19 panel presentation is "Sixty Years After Bolling v. Sharpe: Public Education and the D.C. Federal Courts." Panelists include DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson and DC Circuit Court Judge David Tatel. A reception will follow.
The event is free and open to the public. Additional information is on the historical society website.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Technology and learning, the PIL interview with Katie Davis
young researcher on the rise. She investigates the role of digital technologies in the academic, social, and moral lives of modern youth and works with educators, parents, business leaders, and policymakers throughout the U.S. to put her research into practice.
The University of Washington's iSchool interviewed Davis to learn more about those who will be learning in the future. Katie Davis: Who is the Learner of Tomorrow? examines how Davis believes learning is changed by technology and whether technology can promote learning across all ages.
The interview starts with a question about Davis' book The App Generation: How Today's Youth Navigate Identity, Intimacy, and Imagination in a Digital World (for sale at Politics & Prose). Davis is asked about what defines learners of tomorrow; the response is that "the app" is a metaphor for the various themes from the underlying research. Want to learn more about the book? A video featuring both authors is below and reviews are all over the internet.
The PIL interview asks Davis about other technology-related research and presentations and is worth a read if you are a teacher or interested in the power and implications of technology.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Snippets from Health for Tomorrow
The first was that with Toby Cosgrove, president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic. Cosgrove described the steps Cleveland Clinic took internally and in the community to improve health outcomes and change behavior to improve outcomes. One takeaway was from moderator Elisabeth Rosenthal of The New York Times: In reaction to an intervention described by Cosgrove (engage more people in their own health care and reducing incidence of diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol, Rosenthal said she had heard from every day people that they wanted to be compliant, they wanted to eat better and healthier food. The problem was they couldn't afford it.
The second stand out was the session The Future of Individualized Medicine with Eric J. Topol of Scripps Translational Science Institute, Scripps Health, and The Scripps Research Institute. What resonated with me was the affordability of personalized medicine and how quickly the world of medicine and science is changing, further challenging the widespread adoption of personalized medicine.
The videos of Cosgrove and Topol are below. To view the other videos, click here.
Haven't read Dream City? Then this is for you.
The Cheater's Guide to Dream City will continue next week, on Friday, and Fridays thereafter.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Friday, June 13, 2014
Third Annual New Heights Summit June 25
The summit will highlight the New Heights' efforts to support expectant and parenting students and celebrating the achievements of New Heights students, including those who are graduating or have graduated. Workshops include Growing, Learning, Playing: Your Child's Development, Healthy Cooking, Family Literacy, and Parenting in Action.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Inspired Teaching Fellows share action research June 12
- Can a teacher use kids discussions about fashion to spur student learning?
- What can teachers do to create a classroom culture that encourages empathy? Can art bolster literacy?
Teachers will engage attendees and explain their findings using posters and visuals at the open-to-the-public event.
Photo by Inspired Teaching.
New human services committee staffer
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Sunday, June 8, 2014
2014 Conversation Changers Award nomination deadline June 28
Saturday, June 7, 2014
CM Evans has new comms staffer
Friday, June 6, 2014
Update on Capper June 11
- Close to 475 people in the Capitol Quarter neighborhood participated
- Of the approximately 475, more than 85 percent were from within a 10-block radius of the proposed facility
- About 46 percent of those surveyed indicated they rented their home
DCHA will share the deets of the survey results June 11 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will take place at 200 I St SE.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Got interns? Share these valuable tips from WaPo
DC Council Chairman Mendelson on NewsTalk June 5
If you have questions or comments, call (703) 387-1020 or email the show.
TA: More on infographics
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Just Neighbors - making your corner of the world better
Help make our corner of the world better. In partnership with Calvary Baptist Church, this new initiative advocates for justice and aims to serve the underserved in the surrounding Chinatown and Penn Quarter communities.Clergy from Calvary Baptist, Trinity Lutheran Church, and Rabbi Scott facilitate a discussion on the issues that matter most to you as a Washingtonian, including gentrification, poverty, rising housing costs, homelessness, or other problems you wish to see addressed. The conversation aims to help you create a connection with neighbors you never knew by working to remedy these pressing issues.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Legislative meeting June 3
Monday, June 2, 2014
TA: The value of content (aka editorial) calendars
Do you know what you're posting, sharing, and blogging this Thursday?So starts The Complete Guide to Choosing a Content Calendar: Tools, Templates, Tips, and More. The post explains the value of such calendars, chief among which is the visual content calendar (below). Three of the benefits of using a content calendar:How about two Thursdays from now? Thursday of next month? Thursday of next year?
- Take a bird's-eye view of your content and fill in any gaps
- Plan and organize around key events, dates, and launches
- Ensure plenty of prep time to get content ready to publish
The Buffer piece also provides links to online content calendar apps, examples of calendars from Forbes and others, and templates. Be sure to read the comments since there are links and other useful nuggets.