September 20 Updates

 College Application Changes

Interesting article here on changes to the Yale application forms and what this may say about what they (and other colleges?) are looking for in their applicants. These three questions might be good for all of us to consider:

1. What is a community to which you belong? Reflect on the footprint that you have left.
2. Reflect on a time in the last few years when you felt genuine excitement learning about something.
3. Write about something that you love to do.

http://qz.com/785030/how-to-get-into-an-ivy-league-yales-new-application-questions-show-the-key-things-elite-colleges-want-from-students/

Helping your kids gain independence

Maybe those kids working on their college applications could have used some independence opportunities a little earlier in life than we tend to allow them:

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/10/let-your-kids-roam-free/381303/?utm_source=atlfb


Neighborhoods do benefit from affordable housing  

http://blog.agorafy.com/agorafy-blog/neighborhood-affordable-housing-property-values

...but there is opposition from some who see parking spaces being taken away

Is this unreal or what? Very, very sad.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/18/nyregion/parking-concerns-take-a-back-seat-in-pursuit-of-affordable-housing.html?_r=2

You can do your part...yes, you!

101 ways that individuals or small neighborhood groups can make a difference in their own communities; some great ideas here.

http://www.curbed.com/2016/9/22/13019420/urban-design-community-building-placemaking 

Or how NOT to change your neighborhood

This is a wonderful site for seeing architects and designers tear apart the worst of McMansion building. Not for the faint of heart if you might live in one of these kinds of houses.

http://www.mcmansionhell.com/post/149563260641/mcmansions-101-mansion-vs-mcmansion-part-2?is_related_post=1