22-25: Four Thoughts From New York

25: Silent Saturdays

Such is the din from parents on the sidelines watching their kids battering each other on the soccer pitch that parts of New York have introduced Silent Saturdays.

The parents have to keep their thoughts (and encouragements!) to themselves. Most parents are not happy and apparently it makes for dull matches – but at least the ref gets off the pitch without a spew of swear words in his face and the kids can keep their heads held high.


24: What’s In Your Rubbish?

Ruling on whether rubbish put out on the street is anyone’s property the US supreme court deemed the following: ‘A single bag of trash testifies eloquently to the eating, reading and recreational habits of the person who produced it’.

so be warned.


23: Exchange your ornaments

In New York I saw a store that simply produces invitations – great idea. One in the window caught my eye and I think we’ll be nicking the idea this Christmas. An ‘Xmas ornament exchange party’. We’ve had the same things on the tree for the last ten years – so has everyone else. So why not use this idea as a good way to get to know your neighbours. I’ll let you know how it goes.


22: 311

New York has a sinle phone number: 311, that you can ring to find out absolutely anything to do with the city; which theatre a play is on at, which day your rubbish men are coming round, where to buy a parking permit, how to buy a ticket for a concert, where there are traffic jams and roadworks etc.

The city uses the information from the callers for market research in order to provide the city with the most effective and efficient services. Excellent idea for Ken to steal.