Newfangled Dad

I've had several discussions lately with critics of food system reform that have recurring themes. 1) "Let's quit focusing on GMO vs organic because there are bigger issues." I actually agree somewhat with that statement though not going where they usually want the discussion to go. The controversy over GMO has become a symbol of the larger problems in the food system not because there's anything so horribly wrong with GMOs. And most moderates in the debate will tell you that organic is not the end goal per se. Organic is simply the best all-around system at the moment. But it has shortcomings. GMO are simply a convenient stand-in for the ethical problems of industrialized, modern food production. By no means should they be the focus. They're just easy to target. And it's very difficult to identify a totality of what we should be aiming for...much easier to identify what we should NOT be aiming for. 2) One of the things I've written about previousl...

I've read several items lately--including news from Indiana where they just passed a new Keep Right law--that makes it sound like one of the huge problems facing our nation's highways is people in the left lane. Clogging our interstates with slow vehicles. Slowing down law-abiding drivers. I suspect that this isn't actually the case. But first, a couple of explanations... 1.) It should be obvious, but if you're in the left lane on a divided highway going less than the speed limit with room in the right lane, you're a lane blocker. You're wrong. Move over. 2.) Speed limits exist for a reason. Don't speed and whine. Yes, if you're going 5 mph over you're unlikely to be pulled over and given a ticket for speeding. What about 10 mph over? More of a gray area. But is it really necessary to do 85 in a 65 mph zone? If you get the book thrown at you for this kind of dangerous driving, don't complain. You deserve it. Please obey posted speed limits! ...

With the rain on Memorial Day, our goal was to find something cheap, indoors, fun for the kids, and not horribly crowded. We're actually pretty good as a family at finding free, obscure museums. Call it a hobby. Sometimes I'm afraid to even mention them because they're often hidden gems that we like to have all to ourselves. But this one was so impressive that I'm highlighting it. It's called the Raupp Museum  and it's located...well...in the middle of a suburban housing subdivision. The land it sits on was donated with the stipulation that it be turned into either a library or museum so the Buffalo Grove (northwest suburbs) Park District runs it. The galleries, especially the Main Gallery, are top notch for such a small, local museum. There's a mix of low-tech hands-on with artifacts and displays telling the--weird, fascinating, unique?--history of Buffalo Grove. (I think our village is more interesting with an even better story and here's to hoping o...

"Review" sounds so harsh, maybe. But I didn't want to use "report" because that sounds more like a simple account of our visit. Which this post is not. I don't want to be overly critical of this amazing place. But I also want to paint a realistic portrait of what your family is in for if you go. It's a mixed bag, but in the balance I'd say it's a fantastic addition to Chicago. Definitely give it a try...just read this first. The Basics: Maggie Daley Park is the new recreation area to the east of Millennium Park with Randolph to the north, Columbus to the west, Monroe to the south, and Lake Shore Drive to the east. This past fall, parts of the park opened for ice skating with a meandering ribbon. There's a rock-climbing wall, playground, tennis courts, picnic tables, etc.. For the purpose of our time there on Friday, this review is going to mostly be about the large playground in the southeast corner. It's a major draw and very crowded ...

When I was last at Walt Disney World in the early 2000's, it was a completely different experience than today. If it's been a decade since you were there and you're a parent planning a first visit with the kids, you're going to want to pay attention. Gone are the days when you could walk up to a favorite restaurant without a dining reservation and hope for an open table. Leaving aside third parties even (those have exploded), Disney's own online experience has changed your day in the parks due to the ability to reserve Fastpass for rides in advance. (Or even switch them on the fly depending on lines.) Recent promotions like Free Dining in the fall have created Black Friday type frenzy where vacationers are on hold for hours with travel agents hoping to score a free food plan. And, frankly, there's a lot more to do...partly due to those Fastpasses. More entertainment, more character interaction, more opportunities to book special tours or extras like dessert whil...

First, a disclaimer...I speak for myself on this blog. Obviously. My views are my own and I do not in any way speak for anyone else .    When I first moved to Oak Park, Marion Street was still a pedestrian mall. With plenty of empty storefronts at that. I remember when the cheese market was across the L tracks where the electronic cigarette store is now. So there's no denying that the streetscape project that opened Marion Street back up to auto traffic has had a huge impact. It's now a crowded, bustling corridor that makes a great backdrop to community events and business is thriving. Would I have used bricks? No, they're horrible to ride a bike on. Would I have suggested Marion be made a one-way street because two-way traffic doesn't quite fit? Yes. It's not perfect but certainly better than what was there. The same can be said of the Phase II project that streetscaped South Marion on the other side of the L. And the same can be said of what was presented to u...

About the last place you'd expect to catch my family on a Saturday morning is...fishing. I think the last time I had fishing gear in my hand was when I was about the same age my kids are now. My grandfather took me a few times. He had a small boat, bought me my first pole and tackle box, and I have recollections of the old Styrofoam cooler he used. You'd think that in all the years I was a Boy Scout, I'd have gotten some fishing experience. I remember camping, sledding, shooting, horseback riding, canoes, archery--no fishing. Ever. One of the dads in the group was nice enough to sponsor the day...complete with pizza for lunch afterwards at a nearby restaurant. They had plenty of extra poles to use and provided bait in the form of live worms and bits of hotdog when we ran out of those. The event took place at the Busse Reservoir. For those unfamiliar, Busse Woods is a 3,558 acre forest preserve to the northwest of O'Hare airport. In addition to the picnic areas and 10 ...