On Stepping Up and Getting Involved

Whew! What a ride this has been. This whole school board mess.

For those that don't follow the goings on of the TPS - you should. After all, this is the basis for growth, understanding, hope and progress. Education - that's what it's called.

Recently the TPS had the opportunity to hire a top-notch Superintendent that could have helped our schools become true centers of learning. Dr. Bill Harner had had much experience in pulling poorly progressing schools out of the doldrums and turning them around. Making them into productive and encouraging entities.

Alas, the TPS has chosen to refuse to entertain ideas of growth and progress by wanting to (illegally) limit Dr. Harner's choice of residence and school for his daughter. Instead they have chosen a man that has been entrenched in the TPS for 29 years. Yes - 29 years. And in those years he has not taken the initiative to LEAD the schools into a positive future, but instead allowed himself to languish in mediocrity and ambivalence. This does not instill a feeling that this man is capable of LEADING us into a progressive future. Instead I fear more of the same. It's terrifying. It's disheartening. It's despicable. While John Foley may be a nice man, I do not have any faith in his abilities as a leader. I will pray that I am wrong. That our children's futures will not suffer from this decision. A decision made behind the masks of backroom politics and power plays.

In short - as long as we continue to do what we have always done we will continue to get what we've always gotten. And that's not acceptable. Not at all.

Our children deserve better. Our city deserves better.

Please, please, please - take the lead. Get involved. STAY involved. Let the TPS know that you won't allow the 'good old boy' system to sacrifice your children's futures for the sake of a pension.
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The Lone Ranger - and don't forget Tonto!

Do you remember the Lone Ranger? That beautiful white horse he rode?? How about his sidekick Tonto?

If you remember those things then you are probably close to my age.

Do you remember silvery pink lipstick, heavy black eyeliner, ironing your hair to make it straight, go-go boots, hot pants, mini skirts, micro-mini skirts and madras shirts? How about "granny dresses" and mini-prints? Or hip-huggers, maxi skirts, metal roller skates with a key, single speed bicycles, angel sleeved peasant blouses, and funky hats?

Well, let me tell ya ... those 'oddities' of yesteryear are back in style for the most part. And the kids wearing the 'different' styles now are no different than we were way back when. Sure, some of the clothes LOOK different, but they truly aren't. And some of the hairstyles and colors are different in appearance, but they say the same thing.

What are they saying?

How about something like, "I am under pressure." "I am SO wanting to be grown up, but I'm scared to death." "I have to fit in." "I CAN'T look different. Then the other kids will make comments about me!"

Those are the same fears and concerns we (us old farts) had back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. And those fears and concerns have not changed from generation to generation. The only difference is sometimes the physical presentation of those fears. That's where we straddle this chasm that separates the 'grown ups' from the 'kids.'

We don't want to admit that we've already been there, and the kids don't want to admit that they will have the same concerns we have, but in the future. You remember that the thought of actually becoming your folks was not something you aspired to. You always clung to that curve of individuality, that independent mindset. But we do become our parents - eventually. It's almost inevitable.

We (old farts) did not invent sex, drugs, peer pressure, etc. But we did live through it. And todays' kids will continue to think that they are the first and only generation that has come up with most of today's trials. The inner bewilderment that goes along with finally realizing that you didn't invent these things is quite an eye-opener.

Hopefully if we will be brutally honest with ourselves, all the while acknowledging that we are not different from the kids, we will be able to share and teach them without preaching to them. We will be able to have intelligent discussions with enough open-mindedness to listen rather than to just hear. And we will embrace the premise that mutual respect is paramount.

When was the last time you watched a group of kids and thought, "What are they up to?" Probably pretty recently. Instead, try saying to yourself, "I wonder what's on their plate today?" And then try to engage them in a respectful discussion. You just might learn something. I know I have.

Keep in mind - WE all wanted to be asked to do something instead of being told. And we all wanted someone to listen to us, not just hear.

Remember - one of the most constant things in life is change.



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Stuff, more stuff, and even more stuff

While it may seem as though our project is stalled, I want to assure you that it has not.

Some issues have surfaced in a few of our personal lives that have dictated that we attend to some fairly urgent issues that occupy quite a bit of time. I promise we will be back on track very, very soon.

That being said....let's take a look at what's happening around us. Spring is trying to settle in, the trees are trying to get re-established, and it's almost time for the young folks to be out of school for the summer. That means that boredom will take over if we don't figure out just how to occupy the time of the kids.

Might I suggest that you make an effort now to recruit a neighborhood youngster to help with some of those summer projects. If you have need for an extra set of hands, more stamina, and more energy then make use of those kids down the street! And yes - you'll probably have to pay them - or you could barter with them. Perhaps there is something you have or can get that they would like to have. Might even be less than what you would think are acceptable wages! Give it a try.

I'm sure you are aware of the Mayor's proposal that the citizens adopt a piece of ground and plant flowers. This is an idea that is met with mixed emotions. While it would be nice to see lots of flowers and landscaping done we must keep in mind that it's expensive and time consuming. Perhaps if you have some perennials that can be split you could go ahead and split them and then place them along your yard as a border or in pots to accent your entry or patio.

If you find yourself saying things like, "There has to be another way." Or, "Why doesn't someone come up with a solution for that?" Or, "What in the world were they thinking?" Well, those thoughts tell me that you have considered options - different ways that any particular situation could/should be handled. In that case I would suggest that you share those ideas with whomever is in charge of the situation you're concerned about. That's the first step to instituting change. Real change. It takes OUR involvement. OUR dedication. OUR voices.

And finally...how did we become such a complacent society? Waiting for someone else to make changes that WE could make for ourselves. How did we become so ambivalent to the world around us? How did we become so self absorbed that we don't even know who our neighbors are? I, personally, have made a promise to myself to reverse all those things this year. How about you?

The true sense of neighbor and neighborhood has been replaced by the I-We-My frame of reference. We have become a ME society. This has to change in order for us ALL to be effective and informed. Won't you join in? Please.....

Thanks for reading the ramblings of a frazzled Monday morning mind.
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On Youth, Hope and the Wonders of Today

WOW! I am bowled over - yet again!

You see, today I attended a meeting of local activists and those that have an impact on the community from a public service perspective. And one thing really stood out in this 90 minute meeting. Actually, I should say one PERSON really stood out.

This young man is some kind of awesome. He's thoughtful, well mannered, articulate, comfortable, pure, innovative, determined, interested, interesting, dedicated, and full of hope. He's also bright, intelligent, savvy, socially acceptable, politically correct. He's a handsome young man, eyes bright with hope, exudes self confidence, holds education near and dear, and is on track to be one of Toledo's 'movers and shakers' in the youth movement.

Ladies and gents - meet Tye Alexander. He's 15 years old and a truly wondrous human being.

Tye is a leader of youth in North Toledo. And he's just what the doctor ordered in order to dissolve the stones of apathy that many of us are plagued with. Tye is the leader of his group and promotes civic involvement, participation in shaping the future, and promotes and perpetuates a peer group that just makes you smile all the way down inside.

Tye's energy is contagious. His smile is what hope is built on. And his sincerity and faith in his own abilities, as well as the impact he has in his community, are traits that I am envious of. I only hope his energy and commitment to improving his future and the future of other youth becomes an epidemic that infects us all.

Tye - you are a shining star. Thank you for being a leader, and for caring enough about your city and your future to step up to the plate.

I applaud you - more than you know!

If you would like to meet Tye then stop by the little park located at Huron and Locust on Sunday, April 22nd, for the Youth Rally. Tye will be there and you really should meet him. He's one incredible human being!

PEEPING TOM!!

Now that I have your attention...... :)

Did you ever sit in traffic and look at the faces of the drivers around you? Did you wonder what the heck they were thinking, doing, saying?

Did you ever truly look at the faces of the people you pass in the grocery store, the theater, the restaurant? Did you? Really?

Well, if you did then you're probably in the minority. It seems as though most people go through their day with blinders on. Walking, talking, but not really moving or saying anything. Not making eye contact for fear that they will have to engage in some kind of conversation. Avoiding anything that might interrupt their thought processes.

It dawned on me that we are truly too distracted to be effective. Totally effective. We wander around, taking care of our routine, making sure life is on target. Making sure that we have enough, do enough, think enough.....but are we really DOING enough?

I know that sometimes there are not enough hours in the day to perform all the tasks that we put on our plate, and then sometimes we drag these tasks out just to avoid taking on another helping of 'whatever' and then having to choke on it.

So, I was thinking.......just how do we get back on track? Back to facing the world head-on, looking others in the eye, listening instead of hearing, and DOING instead of kvetching about all the things we think we should be doing.

We have pretty much become a society of brow-beaten, word flogged, ambivalent folks. We succumb to the pressures of life simply because it's easier than bucking the system. We fold up like a cheap hammock instead of fighting back.

Well, the time has come. Time to fight back. Make a difference. Commit to something that is outside all that has traditionally been safe to get involved in.

Are you up for the challenge? Can you devote a little time to a coffee gathering to put our heads together and come up with some sound ideas? Sure - I know ya can! Sign up now - let us know if you would be able to participate in a very informal coffee klatch to share your ideas about how to make our city better for the youth we have and the adults they will grown into.

Post here and leave an email address in your profile so we can get in touch with ya!

Thanks for playing along!


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WOW! The Big-Time Awaits!

I just had time to actually look inside this weeks edition of the Toledo Free Press. I have to tell you - I am just tickled to pieces! In Lisa Renee's Blog it, Toledo! article is mention of Groundz 4 Change!

I have to say - this feels like the 'big time' to a fledgling grass-roots group!

But, in all fairness, I think that the public deserves to know what kind of people make up the driving force behind this site and its' desired result. It might surprise most of you to know that we aren't any different than you. That we are residents of Toledo, residents of some of the most ignored neighborhoods in Toledo, and convinced that the only way to achieve change in the same old song is to lead the band in a new one.

Who we are (by backgrounds): sociology majors, single moms, law enforcement/public service, self employed, pastors, activists, coordinators, and just regular folks. We are just like you. With one difference in vision. We have put ourselves in position to effect change in Toledo. We have decided that in order to begin to turn this mess around we have to commit to sharing our time, our ideas, our contacts, and our dreams. Dreams of a vibrant, safe and respectful city.

If you would like to discuss these dreams, learn how to help, offer suggestions, offer to help, or are just curious as to what makes us think we can pull this off.....then email either Roo (email in profile) or Tiggrr2. We'll make sure to set a time and place to sit down and let you in on the best kept secret Toledo has had in years! What have you got to lose?

We want your input. We want your concerns. We NEED your participation.

Come on! We see you reading the blog. Take the next step and make a comment! It's easy! It's painless! And, best of all, it would be appreciated if you would share your thoughts!

Positrain boarding now!!!!! Allllllllllll abooooaaaarrrrddddd!!!!!!!!!






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A question to ponder...

If, in the grand scheme of things, you were granted the opportunity t host a dinner party with 5 guests who would you put on your invitation list and why?

Sometimes taking a peek at the people we admire tells a lot about us. Take the challenge - post your invitation list!


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If you're having problems...

with trying to respond to posts on this blog, please try creating a new blogger account with the NEW Google blogger option.

I've received a couple messages that folks can't respond to these posts because it won't let them in.

If you have problems with responding, please email us. We need to know so we can correct any problems.

Thanks! And it's a great day here at Groundz 4 Change!
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Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda

After talking with a few young folks yesterday I experienced a serious revelation...

I had become one of those 'old farts' that I had always sworn I would not become!

After having a few discussions on what could be better here in T-town, I heard comments like:

"We always get questioned just because we're hanging out."
"When I tried to ask for directions the guy turned and walked away!"
"I'm so tired of people saying I look like a freak!" (This from a young man with multiple piercings)
"They think because we're skateboarding that we're thugs!"
"This old woman yelled at us just for sitting on the curb!"

And the comments went on and on.

Where did I encounter these youngsters? They were in the outreaches of a parking lot I was going through and I stopped and asked them if I could ask their opinions about a few things. They were truly unprepared for one of us 'old farts' to stop and ASK them anything. They, obviously, are more used to one of us stopping and TELLING them something.

A few of the things I ASKED them about were:

What kind of response/comments do you get when you're just hanging out?
Do you think that people from MY generation (that would be grandparent age for these kids) are reasonable and fair when talking with you?
What do they anticipate as being the future of all the piercings and tats?
What were their opinions on what's taking place in Toledo?
What are they afraid of? (This took them by surprise)
Do they think that school is a waste of time?

The conversation lasted almost 30 minutes. And I have to tell ya - I learned ALOT. I learned that as I have gotten older, my mind had gotten narrower. I learned that while these kids looked different, they WERE NOT different. They are creative, inventive, intuitive, anxious, concerned, scared, insecure, and feeling lost.

In retrospect, they are feeling what I felt some 40+ years ago. Amazing! The looked different than we did back then, they had a language that was SO different than the slang we used way back then, and they were all carrying these weird boards with wheels. BUT - they were the same kids I had hung out with 'way back then' and will grow to be one of us 'old farts' that will question another generation's youth.

I related the theory of the Positrain to these youngsters and they were enthused! They lit up in hope that somewhere, somehow, someone will TRY to understand that while their emotions are no different than those experienced by US in our youth, that we can get past the superficial stuff and really make a difference when it comes to approaching, coaching, supporting and encouraging our kids.

Allllllllll Aboard!!!!! The Positrain is boarding on Track 1! Destination: Groundz 4 Change



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Dreamers, Doers and True Believers

After surfing around some of the local blogs it seems as though the general consensus is that Toledo is in a (yet another) quagmire. We are forced to downsize, blend departments, restructure programs, and do away with services.

Some may say that this is just another bad year for Toledo. I say BUNK! Toledo has had many bad years, and in the end of the budget crunch the programs that seem to be expendable are the ones that were put in place to support the youth of our community. This is not a good thing.

So now we have a situation where we (those all knowing adults) who are frustrated with the kids roaming the streets, hanging on the corner, etc. are saying, "fine, sacrifice those programs, just don't raise my taxes!" Then we call Gov. Ctr. and fuss that the kids are breaking curfew, skipping school, hanging in the park, hanging on the corner.... It's a vicious circle - and a vicious cycle.

Now your question might be.....OK, so how do we keep the kids busy and still manage to balance our budget? Kind of a catch 22 thing. BUT - if we (you know - the village that's supposed to raise a child) take some initiative, and some responsibility, and encourage our neighbors to support community based programs we just might find that there are many out there with like concerns that are confused as to how to go about participating in a program that is 'outside the box' of government control.

I was always told there are three types of people:

1. Dreamers - the ones who will always have an idea, but don't ever follow through. They are content with having an idea. That's all it takes.

2. Doers - those that are willing to try something new, but sometimes when that idea doesn't produce instant results they grow weary and move on to something else.

3. True Believers - These are the Dreamers and Doers with a smattering of "not gonna give up" thrown in. They keep plodding along, ever hopeful that our world will change for the better, and aware that they will walk into brick walls on occasion. But they keep going. Focused. Intent. Devoted. Believing.

If you have ever thought about taking on a challenge, about helping to encourage change, about being part of a progressive thought process, seeing a project through to completion, basking in the warmth of success, or just taking an interest in the world around you.............then it's time. Time for you to realize that there are Groundz 4 Change and that you can be a part of it.

Get on the Positrain. The True Believers car is in the front. This is gonna be one helluva ride, folks!
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On listening, learning, and forging ahead...

How to start?? Saturday (the 24th) morning, a time when most kids would be 1) still sleeping, 2) hanging with friends, or 3) sitting around like a zombie trying to do the slow wake up thing. Not THIS Saturday!

A workshop was held in South Toledo that included the youth of the area, a few facilitators, Councilman Mike Craig, Sherrie from Parks & Recreation, and some dedicated residents of the area. The purpose of this workshop? To encourage the youth of the area to identify the needs of the area, make suggestions as to how to improve the area, and then learn who and how to approach in order to make progress.

While listening to the facilitators and the panel speak it became evident that the one lesson that we ALL need to learn is that nothing gets better instantly. That to be a part of progress takes time, dedication, belief, perseverance, and hope. The young people in attendance were encouraged to identify assets of the area, issues affecting the area, and needs to continue improvement to the area. This was all done by the young folks using brightly colored sticky notes and writing their own suggestions/ideas on them and placing them on a map of the area.

The ease of participation in this project was amazing. The young people didn't seem to feel pressured into writing down the 'politically correct' answer that someone in authority may be wanting to hear, but instead they put down in words what was in their hearts. They set forth ideas and concerns that we, as adults, may not see. They were willing to speak up, and the adults were more than willing to listen. It's amazing what happens when we (the all knowing adults) will take just a little time and listen to the youngsters that are our future. I believe that used to be called mutual respect. Something that has been sorely lacking under the guise of control, power and political correctness. Not to mention the fear that goes with relinquishing even a small portion of control and/or power.

While we, the all knowing adults, are quick to label, define, dispute, and negate the worth of todays' youth, WE should take a step back and realize a few very important things:
1) Things have changed. They will continue to change. It's called progress - or social evolution - whichever term you choose.
2) Because someone wears baggy clothes, has piercings, tattoos, etc. does not instantly make them bad. It quite possibly makes them young and under pressure to conform to all the ideas that the media pumps to them on a daily basis to look like the rest of their peers. This does not render these youngsters incapable of independent thought.
3) We, the all knowing adults, are SO guilty of stereotyping. Think back - we hated it when we were teenagers (no matter which generation THAT might have taken place in) and the 'old folks' would label us because of hairstyle, clothing, etc. and didn't take us seriously. Things haven't changed.
4) If we, the all knowing adults, encourage the leaders in a group (those with the instinctive leadership trait) to lead the followers in a POSITIVE direction, then those that are on the fence about their life choices will feel left out and most likely tag along on the positrain. This could happen. It really could! But it's up to US - it's up to US to encourage, teach, listen, console, inspire, repair, participate, cooperate, instigate, guide, and do away with blanket condemnation of thoughts that are 'outside the box' just because they come from a mind that is struggling with todays pressures.

Todays' youth. What a wonderful and plentiful asset we have. And WE are overlooking it.

Yes - it takes a village to raise a child - or at least that's the saying. I'm more inclined to believe it takes a child to inspire and 'raise' an adult.

There truly are Groundz4Change. Jump on the positrain, join in the effort, become a part of the solution instead of griping about the problem. I dare you!


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Powerful words to empower our minds...

Proverbs, quotes, Mahatma Gandhi

The thoughts of a man of peace, a visionary....

The Desiderata

The Desiderata

While pondering the falling snow and the quietness that it promotes, I got to thinking about an old verse that I have come to love - like an old friend.

The words and thoughts behind The Desiderata are mind-boggling when you consider the frame of mind of the author when it was penned.

Watch the slide show, reflect on the words, and know that there is a wonderful world out there. A world that is ready for change and acceptance. Ready for peace and understanding. Ready for all of us to live together and understand that the things that make us different are also those things that make us the same.

Poynter Online - Writing Tools

Poynter Online - Writing Tools

powerful powerful stuff....

NPR : There Is No Blame; There Is Only Love: "There Is No Blame; There Is Only Love"

Change and the Human Factor

Once upon a time a wise man said:

Change your thoughts and you change your world.

Norman Vincent Peale (1898 - 1993)

If we change how we think about ourselves and our environment we can change how the rest of the world thinks about us. We can make those changes with gusto and sincerity, with devotion and dedication, and with love and acceptance of those that may be different from us.

We are one. Plain and simple. We all feel, hurt, laugh, cry, breathe and bleed. Our wrappers do not define us as people, it merely makes us look different. Intent, intensity and purpose are all building blocks in the effort of Groundz 4 Change. :)

Warm fuzzies and wild things!

What happens when you conjure mental images of a warm fuzzy? What equates to a wild thing? What happens when you put the two together? Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Whether you're good or bad, sad or mad, scared or fearless, rich or poor, smart or not, tall or short, round or square, exacerbated or exasperated, striving or thriving, living or gettin' by, fearful or fearless, radical or compliant, a dreamer or doer.......there's always somethin' that makes ya go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Be happy, be well, be aware, be patient, be kind, be willing, be flexible, be accepting. Most importantly..........JUST BE!!!

Hmmmmrrrr... king w on the proper use of the royal weeeee-sies

GEORGE's CAMPAIGN LITERATURE SD:

If we are going to save a generation of young people, our children must know they will face bad consequences for criminal behavior. Sadly, too many youths are not getting that message. Our juvenile justice system must say to our children: We love you, but we are going to hold you accountable for your actions.

the dates would imply that this was before we shipped a generation of young people to Iraq. When did we decide that the generation was expendable?

...

SNOW DAY DIVERSIONS---

1400 AD Personality Test --- check it out if you're interested.

No interest in seekin for dates in the real world, but this personality eval may have drawn an accurate?? charicature of me?---except for the boundless tiggrr bounce-r-r-rin...

HEY LOOK EVRY1! I've been ordained (well, not exactly)

"The Monk

You scored 34%
Cardinal, 66% Monk, 23% Lady, and 24% Knight!

You live a peaceful, quiet life. Very little danger comes your way and you live a long time. You are wise and modest, but also stagnant. You have little comfort, little food and have taken a vow of silence. But who needs chatter when just sitting in the cloister of your abbey with (-the-) A VEWWY, VEWWY Good Book makes you perfectly content.

You scored higher than 61% on Cardinal
You scored higher than 90% on Monk

You scored higher than 0% on Lady--
(OK, that's funny, Right??!-- even my mom might agree with that one)

You scored higher than 2% on Knight"

bounce-rrrrin right (or left)along....

***MANAGEMENT NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INCIDENTS OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DUE TO BEIN BOUNCERRRRRRRIZZZZED***

HAPPY SNOW DAY!!!!!

Happy snow day!!! the worlds been closed due to an over abundance of white crystalline powder...mixed with currents of air that can be very intimidating...

If ya don't have to go out, this is a great excuse to stay in and warm and dry....

be well everyone
and be safe....