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Grex > Agora41 > #50: checkbook cover and related topics such as mass transportation | |
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| Author |
Message |
| 25 new of 143 responses total. |
russ
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response 100 of 143:
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Apr 16 11:36 UTC 2002 |
Re #98: AAMOF, I've read about a process to reduce mixed polymers to
their monomers, allowing them to be separated and turned back into
top-quality polymers again. (It would also allow food packaging to be
recycled into food packaging instead of carpets and cold-weather
clothing.) But I gather that it's too expensive to be commercially
viable yet.
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cmcgee
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response 101 of 143:
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Apr 16 12:09 UTC 2002 |
re 86, glenda: I'd be interested in your experience. What time did that
bus leave the downtown station? We do have a couple end-of-service runs
that don't complete the route. The time points are blank in the booklet,
but it is hard to read, and I missed it myself.
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keesan
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response 102 of 143:
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Apr 16 12:33 UTC 2002 |
Re contradancers, they drink lemonade, not beer. I did try phoning the number
in the paper and asking if they knew of anyone who could give me a ride - no.
The dances used to take place in the Union, the League (they both have nice
ballrooms), and the Law School. Perhaps they wanted some place with free
parking instead of access to non drivers. The current location is a tiny room
where tall people hit their heads on the ceiling. I suggested using the gym
at a local school, which is cheap, but I think it is an issue of atmosphere,
not convenience or cost.
The Sierra Club, which is supposed to be pro-environmental, insists on meeting
at the Botanic Gardens, which is inaccessible in the evening without a car,
because they like the view out the window. At night?
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jmsaul
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response 103 of 143:
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Apr 16 14:14 UTC 2002 |
Probably the locations they're using are a lot cheaper than the ones they used
to use. The Union and League aren't cheap, and the Law School (when they'll
let you use a room at all) is even worse.
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keesan
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response 104 of 143:
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Apr 16 14:19 UTC 2002 |
The local school gyms were under $100/night and they charge $6 or so per
dancer, which should cover that easily. But no atmosphere. Lots of free
parking and on bus routes. What do the Union and League cost?
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jmsaul
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response 105 of 143:
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Apr 16 14:27 UTC 2002 |
The rates are on the UM's websites, but any of the rooms that could handle
a bunch of dancers would be a lot more than $100/night. Especially if it
isn't sponsored by a UM organization.
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cmcgee
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response 106 of 143:
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Apr 16 16:20 UTC 2002 |
That cover charge also has to pay the musicians.
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keesan
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response 107 of 143:
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Apr 16 20:13 UTC 2002 |
Two musicians for three hours at how many dollars per hour? They generally
have regular jobs as well. Some time I may find out what Pittsfield Grange
costs to rent relative to a school gym.
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mooncat
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response 108 of 143:
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Apr 16 21:34 UTC 2002 |
I really rather like having a collection of pens around to write with.
While writing on the computer is all kinds of nifty and stuff- since I
don't have a lap top should I decide to go outside and scribble
something I really have to have a pen and paper. There's an aesthetic
involved in writing with particular pens. (If I'm writing with a
specific type of pen I really dislike later writing with a different
style- pathetic, I know) My favorites so far are a calligraphy pen my
sister just got me and a glass fountain pen that a former so gave my
for my college graduation (it's really really lovely). Though, if I
can't have those I rather like the simple micro uni-balls.
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scott
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response 109 of 143:
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Apr 16 21:38 UTC 2002 |
Musicians usually havne regular jobs because there's no money (or respect)
in music.
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cmcgee
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response 110 of 143:
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Apr 16 22:33 UTC 2002 |
The money they make during those three hours has to cover practice time,
transportation, buying and reparing instruments and equipment, and anything
else relevant to them being able to perform for three hours. Are you
suggesting they should donate all that time and money to their audiences?
I think the audiences owe them at least a living wage for the practice, travel
and performance time, plus enough money to obtain and repair the equipment
required to produce the goods you enjoy (the music itself).
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glenda
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response 111 of 143:
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Apr 16 23:26 UTC 2002 |
Re 102: What is wrong with wanting atmosphere? The SCA often uses the Grange
for events as well. High school gyms just don't make it when you want a
period atmosphere. Free parking has a lot to say for it as well, and when
things are downtown just finding ANY parking can be next to impossible.
Should 20-40 people have to inconvenience themselves for 1-2?
That being said my boss is an avid Contra dancer and lives not far from you
if I remember correctly. He lives on Miller near Maple. I can ask him if
he would be willing to give you a ride.
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keesan
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response 112 of 143:
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Apr 17 00:25 UTC 2002 |
Along with atmosphere they get a room where people bump into the walls as well
as the ceiling, that is probably no cheaper than a high school gym and has
less parking (there did not seem to be enough the time that I got a ride).
I think it is rather inconsiderate to schedule events where only drivers can
get to them when there are places that would be accessible to anyone.
The gym was something like $30 plus something for the janitor and would have
been a lot less crowded.
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senna
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response 113 of 143:
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Apr 17 00:54 UTC 2002 |
I don't think a drive to the botannical gardens is going to ruin the
environment, and it sounds like they don't, either.
As a tall person, I don't think my ability to stand up straight without
hitting my head would be my chief venue concern, even lacking any other
attachments, so I don't think the height of the room is really that big of
a deal.
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keesan
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response 114 of 143:
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Apr 17 01:03 UTC 2002 |
The room was about 6.5' tall but one third of it slopes.
I think having 50 cars drive 10 miles is polluting and wasteful, and it is
ridiculous to schedule meetings about pollution and waste in locations that
nobody can get to without polluting.
500 car miles at 25 mpg = 20 gallons of gasoline at 8 pounds/gallon, or rather
a lot of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulfur oxides and other
things that are not good for plant or animal life.
The person I talked to about this agreed but said they needed a kitchen for
the meetings (to make coffee?).
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mcnally
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response 115 of 143:
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Apr 17 01:13 UTC 2002 |
It sounds like what would be ideal (from a Keesan perspective..)
would be some sort of Contra-Walking organization. Instead of
wastefully expending fossil fuels to get to the meeting and then
exercising while there, participants could get their exercise and
recreation while converging on a central location using ecologically
responsible human-powered transportation.
I find the logic behind Sindi's "50 cars x 10 miles" objection to
be suspect. Unless one is willing to stipulate that all of the
contra dancers live in the same area most are going to have to
travel some distance to reach an agreed upon location. Sindi's
apparent assumption is that the shortest distance for Sindi is
likely to also work out to be the shortest average distance for
everyone else. I rather doubt that's the case and wonder if she's
considered the possibility that a lot of the dancers live halfway
to Dexter or Saline or wherever and that travelling downtown might
be nearly as inconvenient for them as it is for Sindi to travel
outside the city limits..
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senna
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response 116 of 143:
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Apr 17 01:42 UTC 2002 |
Worse for the environment, too, when you consider that people waste a lot of
gas in city traffic.
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jmsaul
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response 117 of 143:
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Apr 17 02:55 UTC 2002 |
From Sindi's perspective, they all have a moral obligation to move next to
the school gym nearest to her so everyone can bike to the events.
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gelinas
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response 118 of 143:
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Apr 17 03:06 UTC 2002 |
Re 110: only if their music is good enough. ;)
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mdw
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response 119 of 143:
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Apr 17 06:17 UTC 2002 |
I actually work within walking distance of the botanical gardens. Now,
if only I contra-danced.
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keesan
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response 120 of 143:
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Apr 17 12:17 UTC 2002 |
It is the botanic garden that I was referring to . It is hardly a central
location for most people and it is not possible to get there by bus except
possibly in the daytime. There used to be a bus there in the morning and back
around 5:00. Nothing in the evening.
A bird-owner's group used to meet at the Botanic Garden but switched to the
North Main Community Center. Other groups meet at the NEW center on N. Main.
They are both on bus routes and also have lots of free parking, which gives
people a choice.
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jmsaul
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response 121 of 143:
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Apr 17 14:38 UTC 2002 |
So no group is ever allowed to meet anywhere that isn't on a bus route?
Seems to me you should be complaining to AATA, not to the groups.
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flem
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response 122 of 143:
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Apr 17 16:54 UTC 2002 |
I saw a Simpson's episode once where they visited Brazil and could take a
Conga line to anywhere in the city.
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jmsaul
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response 123 of 143:
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Apr 17 17:13 UTC 2002 |
Maybe Keesan should move to Rio.
Wait. It would take months to bike there.
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keesan
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response 124 of 143:
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Apr 18 00:18 UTC 2002 |
In most civilized countries businesses locate where they are accessible by
public transportation. I would like to see rules that require that all new
businesses and housing be required to be within a certain distance of public
transportation - instead of being required to have a certain number of parking
spaces, which only encourages further sprawl for which society will eventually
be sorry.
I think it is inconsiderate to schedule events that are accessible only
by private motor vehicle.
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