Category Archives: Civics
📕 Overdue, Part 1: the birth of public libraries via New_Public [Shared]
I am a great fan of libraries. I grew up using a Carnegie library in my small (<2000 pop.) town in Ohio and even worked in the University library in college. I still read most of my books from the … Continue reading
Citizen Science Opportunity: NASA GLOBE Cloud Challenge 2022: Clouds in a Changing Climate
Did you know that clouds can both warm and cool our planet? Keeping an eye on clouds helps NASA study our climate. We need your help capturing data about clouds where you live! The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the … Continue reading
Supermarket-Turned-Library Has Aisles and Freezers Stocked With Books [Shared]
What a great way to use unused space while building out a renovation. It is creative ideas like this that make life just a little b it nicer every day. — Douglas Supermarket-Turned-Library Has Aisles and Freezers Stocked With Books … Continue reading
Civics – 8 in a Series – January 6, 2021 – Sedition, Insurrection, and Treason
I never imagined when I started this series, that I would be ever writing about the horrors we have experienced as a nation in the last week. The Constitution clearly states, “We the PEOPLE of the United States of America…”. … Continue reading
Civics – 7 in a Series – Follow the money!
A wise man once said, many years ago, “Follow The Money” and it has always been true, especially when it comes to civics. If you want a clear indication of a government’s goals and direction, follow the money using this database … Continue reading
Civics – 6 in a Series – LA City Clerk Connect
Today I turn my attention back to my own backyard with this link to LA City Clerk Connect, the online information system and app for all things Los Angeles Government. Here you will find schedules, ordinances, agendas, committee information, voting … Continue reading
Civics – 5 in a Series – Tracking Federal Legislation in Process with GovTrack.us
Tracking in-process legislation, especially at the Federal level, can be a bit difficult, but GovTrack.us has made it easier by listing bills in chronological order, Trending Bills in the news, and those bills of most interest to their users. Too often we … Continue reading
Civics – 4 in a Series – Important Civic Notification and Alerts Direct To You!
One of the best ways of staying informed of civic information is by letting that information come to you — instead of searching it out each time. This week, I focus on 3 services that provide up-to-the moment info on … Continue reading
Part of our neighborhood as of 1955 [History]
I have been going down the rabbit hole of archives lately and came across this Sanborn Fire Insurance Map last updated in 1955. It is always fun to see what has changed and, in some cases, what has remained the … Continue reading
Civics – 3 in a series – Keeping aware of neighborhood activities with SFV Scanner and others on Twitter
On Nextdoor I often see posts like “What is going on? Why are there helicopters overhead? Why am I hearing sirens?” and others. This is natural, as we all want to stay in touch with what is happening in our … Continue reading
Civics – 2 in a series – LA 311 Calls and Status from LACity.org
Looking toward the new year, I am making an effort to be more civic-minded and taking more interest in my city, country, state, and country. Today aI am highlighting the wealth of data available at data.LACity.org. This is public data … Continue reading
More Civics in 2021
Looking toward the new year, I am making an effort to be more civic-minded and taking more interest in my city, country, state and country. Part of this involves being more aware of all the city meetings that take place … Continue reading
