BUT IT’S BASIC DESIGN

The new wave of plans approved for Sydney “are mediocre at best, and often simply ugly. Instead of ‘living’ they are creating a rather ‘dead’ city, endorsing undesirable development, particularly on small blocks. Rising like smoke stacks through the city fabric, they diminish the order and clarity of Sydney streets as enunciated in city council urban policy. Some show an ignorance of the most elementary textbook design principles, such as continuation of facades, cornices, roofscapes, consistency of fenestration, and pattern use of compatible materials. – Sydney Morning Herald

ALL IT TAKES IS BELIEVING

In a public school system that teachers routinely flee because of low pay and other concerns, one music teacher has outlasted seven principals and myriad budget cutbacks – even splitting her days between two schools during one three-year stretch. During that time, she’s fashioned one of Washington DC’s most successful elementary school music programs, one that sends students to perform at sporting events (including Capitals and Wizards games), sells out a local church at its annual musical (this year’s offering: “Brigadoon”) and lures professionals to join their performances (most recently, folk singer Tom Paxton). Oh yes, and the kids won a Grammy, too. – Washington Post