March 3, 2012 More info to come. It’s at Trilok in Brooklyn, Fort Greene. 143 Waverly Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205 map Sat late morning for a few hours. Vandra normally teaches the bokashi “compost” method there....This Is My Home from Mark on Vimeo.
(click link if not embedding well on blog)
Listening to elders. What is their role in community? Are we herding elders off to gated zones .. separating them form people because it s easier and more cost efficient? Can planners integrate them and can neighbors step up to check on them or a neighbor certified nurse can be assigned to elders. There must be solutions. The Elder Zones — some are good but so many? Mixed use… and mixed ages and mixed mixing. Thompkins Square Park in the East VIllage is all about zones: kids here, dogs here, people no pets here, walking here. Thankfully cruising through on a bike and skateboarding through the park is still okay. It is a small space so there is still lots of interactivity. I don’t have a big problem with that. Anyway, this short interview is reflective of an elder integrated into the fabric of the community … though it seems he is in a touristy spot.

Reston founder Robert E. Simon, Jr. after he celebrated his 97th birthday April 2011. He made remarks at Reston Association’s annual members’ meeting.
The most important thing about city planning is to enable community. The association of people between each other . And of course it is best when the aassociations are of people of different colors and races, different income groups — because having broader horizens makes for a more interesting way to live. – R.E. SIMON JR
Here is a clip of part of his talk.