Marc Christensen comment-40350 2010-11-10T22:56:10Z 2010-11-10T22:56:10Z This "holistic approach" - in which the totality of the individual is taken into account - is a big piece of the puzzle that is currently missing in our understanding of ourselves, our institutions, our society. I think we have gone as far as we can go without this missing wisdom. Technology can take us only so far; society will not move forward without greater understanding of individual human identity. Marc Christensen 2010-11-10T22:56:10Z Marc Christensen comment-18272 2009-11-25T17:48:17Z 2009-11-25T17:48:17Z When the pedicab industry was getting started in 2006, we lobbied city officials for permission to operate on K Street between 2nd and 4th, and 7th and 13th. To their credit they said "yes". Allowing all bikes here is another positive development. Little steps ... To K Street cyclists: beware the tracks and yield to pedestrians. Marc Christensen 2009-11-25T17:48:17Z Marc Christensen comment-14707 2009-09-30T16:32:04Z 2009-09-30T16:32:04Z A new arena in the old downtown railyard that is accessible by public transportation makes alot of sense. I'd like to see that happen in the not-so-distant future. Marc Christensen 2009-09-30T16:32:04Z Marc Christensen comment-14601 2009-09-28T23:01:53Z 2009-09-28T23:01:53Z Let's hear it for good news! And evoking the better angels of our nature ... Marc Christensen 2009-09-28T23:01:53Z Marc Christensen comment-12497 2009-08-23T20:00:46Z 2009-08-23T20:00:46Z I really enjoyed District 9 -- there's so much substance there. It is a good story that is well-told and well-rendered on screen. I am looking forward to the sequel which is sure to follow. One story line that interested me is how the human species is shown to be overly violent and concerned with weapons and their power. This trait was common to the scientists at MSU testing the alien weaponry, their brutal security force who lived by it and the Nigerians who took an ancient approach at acquiring the use of the alien technology. All levels of society demonstrated the violence trait, which I suspect will become a fatal flaw as the story unfolds... Marc Christensen 2009-08-23T20:00:46Z Marc Christensen comment-12486 2009-08-23T16:54:43Z 2009-08-23T16:54:43Z I can relate to this because I use the same game-approach technique for teaching soccer to kids. Take dribbling the ball, for example -- a fundamental soccer skill. Instead of telling young players constantly to "keep your head up and the ball close to you" as they tap it along, we play dribble across the square -- a game that forces them to do these things inherently. Games are more fun, more engaging, more effective and creative and the list goes on and on. I think you are on to something here, Lee. Marc Christensen 2009-08-23T16:54:43Z Marc Christensen comment-11842 2009-08-10T16:02:18Z 2009-08-10T16:02:18Z This well-written article gives local relevance to a global story -- nicely done! Marc Christensen 2009-08-10T16:02:18Z Marc Christensen comment-11798 2009-08-09T01:17:40Z 2009-08-09T01:17:40Z I'd like to be there for your tour -- looking forward to the details. Marc Christensen 2009-08-09T01:17:40Z Marc Christensen comment-11788 2009-08-08T18:39:43Z 2009-08-08T18:39:43Z Yes - we would form a velocab convoy. Two are comfortable; three are cozy in a cab. Marc Christensen 2009-08-08T18:39:43Z Marc Christensen comment-8192 2009-05-23T14:39:17Z 2009-05-23T14:39:17Z Was the tree a mature elm, by any chance? The elms around the downtown/midtown grid are excellent shade trees, but they were planted around the turn of the last century and are at the end of their lifecycle. At this stage they tend to lose their main branches -- with the effect you witnessed. Drive around after a windy day and you will find elm limbs spraawled on streets and yards and anything that gets in their way. Hot days are a problem for tree integrity as well because the tree is storing up water and the added weight can result in a shattered limb. I am no expert on the subject of trees and frankly out on a limb here with the precise facts, but this has been my observation as a resident of downtown Sacramento. Marc Christensen 2009-05-23T14:39:17Z Marc Christensen comment-7116 2009-05-04T18:30:23Z 2009-05-04T18:30:23Z Love it! Is Christopher the guy with the green bucket on his head? Marc Christensen 2009-05-04T18:30:23Z Marc Christensen comment-6743 2009-04-27T02:56:43Z 2009-04-27T02:56:43Z I work across the street from the Capitol and almost daily it seems there is a celebration, a demonstration, a rally or an event happening. I am looking forward to learning more about the details of what's happening there. Glad you are covering it, Jonathan. Marc Christensen 2009-04-27T02:56:43Z Marc Christensen comment-5976 2009-04-12T15:31:34Z 2009-04-12T15:31:34Z I bought a bag of oatmeal cookies from a young entrepreneur pulling his ware in a wagon around 20th and J under the watchfull eye of his dad. It is great to see people putting out their best and having fun. There is alot of positive energy at Second Saturdays! Marc Christensen 2009-04-12T15:31:34Z Marc Christensen comment-5090 2009-03-26T04:52:21Z 2009-03-26T04:52:21Z Bikeramento is soooo groovelicious! Marc Christensen 2009-03-26T04:52:21Z Marc Christensen comment-3773 2009-02-23T00:09:30Z 2009-02-23T00:09:30Z Efficiency and justice are not in opposition. Both can be attained. My final posting on this topic includes a number of questions for you, the last of which interests me most: Is there always tension between the public good and business interests? Have modern businesses recognized the need to become more ethical? Is government in cahoots with business in Sacramento? Is it governments’ primary responsibility to protect the public from business or vice versa? Should government officials be trusted? If the public does not trust government officials, is that healthy for the community? Is greed, mistrust, infighting or other larger cultural issues the real problem? Is the mob ever enlightened? When a decision is made by a government entity, can every constituency be heard? Be pleased? How do you feel about “paternalistic” entities such as the church and the state? Would public input have changed anything regarding streetcar line sails in the 40s or was ridership so low due to the advent of the automobile that rail was a zero-profit business when it was sold? Could the city have purchased a few lines for its citizens … if they had voiced their strong desire for it? How did other cities in the US manage to keep their rail systems? Can we develop a model for a modern healthy city that includes details like how to design a decision-making body that approves citywide development? And finally, why don’t you seek some public office (or lead an advocacy group) where you can really get onto the front lines and maybe solve some problems (rather than just mitigate them)? Cheers. Marc Christensen 2009-02-23T00:09:30Z Marc Christensen comment-3770 2009-02-22T20:51:57Z 2009-02-22T20:51:57Z Somewhere in your zeal to “relay the facts” you missed my point entirely: does an additional layer of citizen involvement bring any clarity or wisdom to the decision-making process? More specifically: The Jan 6 letter to the Mayor from Holger Fuerst, chairman of the DOC, asking to combine two commissions into one states “This assessment is based on the need to ensure that the City’s hearing processes are effective, transparent, predictable and cost efficient.” Do you doubt Mr. Fuerst’s motives or widom? If so, why? Honestly, it sounds to me like he is trying to make his corner of the city government run more efficiently. Marc Christensen 2009-02-22T20:51:57Z Marc Christensen comment-3768 2009-02-22T16:58:52Z 2009-02-22T16:58:52Z Citizen awareness, activism and involvement is surely a good and commendable thing. If only we could turn back the clock and have Mr. Burg - and other diligent citizens - present at the time some key decisions were made in the capital area which in hindsight have not served us well: tearing up ALL the city street car and rail lines in the 30s and 40s and the placement of hwy 5 (where it currently is) are two mistakes that come to mind. But were these decisions influenced by nefarious motives or were they simply unwise in the long run? Would increased citizen involvement have brought clarity and wisdom to the final decision and spared the community some pain or would it have only lengthened the decision-making process with the same eventual result? The decision-making process is important and encouraging citizens to be involved is part of our democratic heritage, but isn’t the goal here an enlightened result – one that works best for the entire community in the long run? Marc Christensen 2009-02-22T16:58:52Z Marc Christensen comment-3763 2009-02-20T20:45:11Z 2009-02-20T20:45:11Z The meeting with the Mayor went smoothly. II was able to talk with KJ and present the idea after a few minutes of discussion with members of his team. They were receptive ... we shook hands and they referred me to a Parks and Rec manager with whom I discussed the event in more detail. Is it going to happen? Is someone at the city going to take it and run with it? I don't know. Something like this takes months and months to put together and promote so this summer is not going to happen ... if it is done officially. Hhhmmm ... maybe something can happen UN-officially ... a spontaneous celebration ... hmmmmm Marc Christensen 2009-02-20T20:45:11Z Marc Christensen comment-3328 2009-02-10T16:35:52Z 2009-02-10T16:35:52Z Inside scoop: on Saturday, Feb 14th stop by 13th and N downtown. This is the straightaway on the course where cyclists will be reaching maximum speed. There will be free balloons for the kids and Velocab cycling caps for adults (while supplies last) and the best breakfast burritos in town from Fluid cafe (not free) !!! Marc Christensen 2009-02-10T16:35:52Z Marc Christensen comment-3184 2009-02-06T19:49:18Z 2009-02-06T19:49:18Z This citywide electorate knows KJ is not a career politician. We know he is a local sports hero who returned to his community with a desire to improve it. His election can be viewed as a mandate (or an opportunity) to bypass the business-as-usual methods many people feel have not worked. If I recall, even the defeated mayor expressed frustration at not having the authority to accomplish what she wanted under the current charter. The Mayor’s current attempt at adjusting the charter are consistent with his being elected, his dynamic personality and his desire to get things accomplished in a timely manner. I don’t think this electorate is as timid and mistrusting as some postings here might indicate. Checks and balances are in place and would continue to be under a strong mayor model. And you can always go to City Council meetings and speak your mind – for about three minutes. Marc Christensen 2009-02-06T19:49:18Z Marc Christensen comment-3050 2009-02-03T23:16:59Z 2009-02-03T23:16:59Z It is a common misconception that wisdom or propriety resides solely among the folk. And those with power or a will to power are not to be trusted. It is a potential failing of our democratic model if the people become too cynical to let their leaders exercise genuine leadership. We have voted KJ into the mayor's office. Why not adjust the city charter to give that office enough power so that he can accomplish what he envisions? We can voice our opposition or support for his efforts in four years time. There comes a time for the people to trust their leaders or simply reserve judgment... that is our part of the political contract. Marc Christensen 2009-02-03T23:16:59Z Marc Christensen comment-2970 2009-02-02T21:48:21Z 2009-02-02T21:48:21Z I enjoy reading articles and discussions like this because philosophy and psychology are important. These topics are difficult to talk about for a couple of reasons: while the search for meaning in life and an understanding of "who am I" are universal, the experiences are ultimately very personal; the terms and concepts used in these fields are slippery and difficult to define precisely. So misunderstandings are rife when discussing philosophy and psychology and one must be careful not to fall into semantic posturing. So what is intuition? Not feeling. Not intellect. Not gut. Ever have the "awareness" that someone was watching you .... like eyes on your back? Or - try staring at someone walking down the street and see if they glance back. People do have an awareness that isn't pure intellect or pure emotion. There are many words that are approximations of "intuition" - if not synonymous: conscience, spirit, holy ghost, gut, feeling, impulse... Does the author's understanding of intuition fall somewhere on the awareness spectrum between intellect (brain) and emotion (heart) or is it not on the spectrum at all? Marc Christensen 2009-02-02T21:48:21Z Marc Christensen comment-1671 2008-12-24T20:36:11Z 2008-12-24T20:36:11Z Mayor Johnson is seemingly everywhere these days! With his unflagging energy, enthusiasm, vision and sense of purpose, Sacramento is surely headed in the right direction. Way to go! Marc Christensen 2008-12-24T20:36:11Z Marc Christensen comment-1547 2008-12-17T23:50:03Z 2008-12-17T23:50:03Z I'm not out of the wilderness yet -- maybe this group can throw me a life line. Marc Christensen 2008-12-17T23:50:03Z Marc Christensen comment-1264 2008-12-09T04:26:27Z 2008-12-09T04:26:27Z I have a Liquid Amber tree in the front of my house on 10th street. It was planted by the city about five years ago. I don't believe there are plans to remove it. The city would definitely let me know if there were. Marc Christensen 2008-12-09T04:26:27Z