Coaching Perspective, Kids and Parents.

This excerpt is from a local high school football coach's season preview. He coaches in a district that has had a lot of success on the football field, and because of that, a lot more is expected. He offers a very refreshing take on football, competition, kids, and life. I especially like this paragraph:

In closing, all of us, coaches included, need to constantly remind ourselves and each other throughout this year that football is a very difficult and challenging game both physically and mentally. And that it is played by the likes of mostly 16 & 17 year old boys. Encourage them in the challenging times and make it a point to see the good in their efforts, successful or otherwise. Although this team has lofty goals for itself, the players need constant reminders to enjoy the great experience of the journey that is about to take place. Successful coaches should never be put on a pedestal based on a win/loss record. Likewise, a player's value to a team should never be solely determined by performance in a game or based on the amount of playing time a person gets. So my advice to parents of players, wives of coaches, and true Kings Knights fans -- "Love'm up! They're the only ones you got!"
Best wishes to all for another safe and successful season!

That is the kind of understanding and perspective we as parents, coaches, and teachers need more of...

Dogs and Downtown

Finally we're talking about important issues in downtown Cincinnati... our dogs deserve more.

This article - about forming a committee to figure out where we can have another park downtown where dogs can be allowed to exist in peace and harmony - tells all about this vital and important issue.

I am concerned about the representation on the committee though:

Members of the committee include representatives of the city park board, Downtown Residents Council, the Cincinnati Kennel Club, League for Animal
Welfare, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals.

Maybe a dog should be placed on this committee? Snoop? Underdog? Snoopy? Lassie's nephew? How about some real representation? Just trying to keep it real.

Cincinnati Blogging

I just added Cincyblurg to my list of local blogs. The author of this blog is pretty clever and extremely open about her feelings and thoughts about things.

I thought this line in her 'about me' section was hilarious: "Think of this as Cincinnati Blog, but WAY more crass. And with better spell-checking." This in an explanation of her 'blurg.'

I think it's the English teacher in me that likes a subtle smack talk about poor grammar in blogging.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ranked seventh

This is a report about the ranking of our own Children's Hospital Medical Center...

I like these reports. I think it keeps these hospitals continuously improving. This is why the media is so important.

I like that our Children's Hospital is one of the best in the country.

"JPMorgan to add jobs, space"

I like articles like this because it is a sign the core is on the grow. The word that comes to mind is solidifying. The core is becoming more solid, healthy.

I'm definitely not an urban growth expert, but when I hear some big time company will be investing in people and space in downtown as opposed to Mason, West Chester, or New Delhi, I think to myself, "that must be a good thing."

Go Cincinnati!

Western & Southern Financial Group Masters... Follow-up

It's been a great tournament this year. I got to see the super-tall John Isner lose in a competitive doubles match, watch Roddick give a match away to an inferior opponent, and today will watch the finals. The following is from "Any Suggestions" on the "Unforced Errors" blog on Cincinnati.com:

That's what James Blake asked the Center Court crowd in trying to figure out how to beat Roger Federer on Sunday. Actually if Federer misses as much as he did today 36 unforced errors), and Blake keeps ripping winners (match point was an incredible passing shot), the American will have a chance.

And with the crowd behind him, which it will be, Blake could be positioning himself for his first win ever against Federer and his first Masters Series title....Or is that just crazy talk?

This is still Roger Federer he's got to play, right?

Federer in two sets is my prediction, although I'm rooting for the American. Go U.S.A.!

The Banks and Some Minor Details.

"There are plenty of unresolved issues, including financing. The developers will bankroll $600 million of the $800 million project, but the city and county have not yet said where their $200 million portion will come from."

I don't know why statements like this stand out to me. Seems like a slightly important detail. It's almost comical to me, then I remember I live in Hamilton County and will probably have to come up with the $200 million, well, not all of it, but some anyway.

In all actuality, I'm all in favor of the "The Banks." I think it's something the downtown is majorly lacking, you know, like, somewhere to go... I like the idea of hanging out in a nicely developed setting, a flowing river, lots of people around, and lots to do. It's like what big cities have.

Yay, we're going to have a grown-up city!