Nikki Weinstein's blog

Got a Sugar Daddy?

Submitted by Nikki Weinstein on November 5, 2009 - 11:25am

Editors at the New York Times recently asked, will parents be bankrolling their 40-something child? A good question given that many baby boomer parents are doing just that for their 20-something kids by paying for college, summer overseas adventures, and even post-graduation apartments. Sure, times are tough, but what happened to independence? To sinking or swimming on your own?Read more

Is Your Blood Supply Safe?

Submitted by Nikki Weinstein on October 13, 2009 - 12:54pm

For as long as most of us have been old enough to donate blood, the American Red Cross has been under a federal court order to improve the way it collects and processes blood. That is because the organization repeatedly fails its reviews by the FDA. (Because it provides a critical health service, it is allowed to continue to supply blood to patients.) Unfortunately, the problems with the Red Cross do not end there.Read more

Outsourced Again: Looking Abroad for Quality Teachers?

Submitted by Nikki Weinstein on September 15, 2009 - 10:05am

One would think that teaching is one job that can’t be exported. But apparently, it can be imported. In this time of job loss and a more down economy than many of us have ever seen, many school districts are recruiting new teachers from places like the Philippines and other foreign countries.
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Old School

Submitted by Nikki Weinstein on August 24, 2009 - 4:48pm

I was raised in a family of public education proponents. My parents sent me to public school for all of my schooling, and I even went to a public university.
 
Of course, the public schools I attended were in fairly well-off communities.  My school district had high test scores and graduation rates (98 percent went on to higher education), as well as dedicated parents and excellent teachers. I received the quality education one should from a public school.
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Nature Versus Nurture on Intelligence

Submitted by Nikki Weinstein on August 18, 2009 - 9:49am

Nature versus nurture is a timeless debate. Which more influences our behaviors, thoughts, actions, even looks?
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Take Healthcare Decisions Away from States

Submitted by Nikki Weinstein on May 19, 2009 - 3:11pm

Here is why we need a national healthcare plan that works for everyone. Last week, in the final days of the Missouri legislative session, Republican House members defeated a bill that would have expanded the state’s Medicaid rolls WITHOUT costing the state anything. Does this make any sense?
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Mixed Messages for Immigrants

Submitted by Nikki Weinstein on May 12, 2009 - 10:44am

I recently went to a session about the new “Newcomer School” which St. Louis Public Schools plans to open in the fall. For all its many woes … and there are many … St. Louis Public Schools has always been in the forefront of providing high quality educational services to immigrant families.
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YP Talent Going Untapped

Submitted by Nikki Weinstein on May 11, 2009 - 2:17pm

OK, here’s my big soap box: everyone around here talks about recruiting and maintaining “young talent.” There’s a problem with Brain Drain. We need the young, creative class to revitalize our region.
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Inclusive Gov't Coming to Your City?

Submitted by Nikki Weinstein on May 11, 2009 - 9:43am

The Obama administration is putting new emphasis on participatory democracy. Seattle’s City Council is committed to open government. Is yours?
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Enough Stuff?

Submitted by Nikki Weinstein on May 10, 2009 - 9:37am

The Story of Stuff is “just spreading and spreading” according to its creator, Annie Leonard, and with this story in the NY Times, it’s sure to just spread more.
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