Vol. 1…No. 28
Observer: Lifelong Learning
Macky’s New York: The Beautiful Silence
Livestream With Coco Hough: How To Make Spanakopita
RHS Class of 1974 Artifacts
RHS Weekly View—9 April 2021
Kasschau Memorial Shell
Observer:
Lifelong Learning
It may sound cliche to hear someone mention that they are a “LifeLong Learner.” You might say to yourself, “Of course, we will spend our lives learning new skills.” Whether it’s for a profession, or a hobby, or more importantly, to be an active civic participant. We all want to keep learning to remain relevant for a long life and a possible six decade career.
We pleasantly describe the forces at work compelling us towards this reality with terms like “digitization” and “re-engineering.” The more obvious manifestations of this process are the job losses and job transformations which business automation and a greater use of Artificial Intelligence will demand. Not to mention, a lifetime of changing employment which will not be optional.
It’s not all bad. Many tedious jobs will be eliminated as well as long commutes. I believe we can grow to accept the challenges of learning, especially if it means we can do away with many soul-destroying tasks like sitting in one office from 9 to 5.
Our best counteraction to this immutable force will be to ride the wave together and realize as a society, or as a smaller alliance like our RHS Alumni Association, we’ll have to work together. This likely means providing support for each other when these job losses inevitably occur. It will come to be known as being part of a virtuous cycle of life with no shame or stigma attached. The only shame will be believing in the quaint notion about Americans having to be rugged individuals, who should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. Maybe the trust fund babies and people who chose parents who left them plenty of money will be able to do this, but I doubt it.
Better to read this report then simply accept my summary:
The 60 Year Curriculum: A Strategic Response to a Crisis
Whatever models emerge, they must include strategies that help those involved in education—both providers and students—to transformatively change their behaviors.
Two strategic efforts which many people I predict will find helpful are currently being advanced by our RHS Alumni Association. They are aimed at strengthening the lines of communications between high school students and current job holders. We see this in the Alumni Lecture Series and the forthcoming Ridgewood Externship Program
The RHS Alumni Externship (RAX) program is a new and exciting opportunity for current RHS juniors and seniors to receive career mentorship from RHS alumni & parents working in diverse professions. Students may apply now to reserve a spot in the program. This year over 75 different 1-hour mentorship sessions will take place virtually between May-June. The RAX Program was started by the Ridgewood High School Alumni Association as a means of helping current RHS students network with alumni & parents as they begin planning their careers.
Both these RHSAA programs are the precursors for better know-how to come. The idea being that teaching and training will hereafter be a process between people of all ages. It will occur in a mix of informal and formal settings. Teachers and students will learn from each other. If you are a teacher you already this. You are well aware of how much you learn from your students at the same time you are teaching them. This won’t change. It’s as old as Socrates and Plato.
The new 60 year curriculum is being developed right before our eyes and we are most certainly all in this class together. It won’t just involve more Zoom meetings or collecting data for some inscrutable CRM* database. No, we fortunately have an alumni association charting a course to make significant contributions to lifelong learning. It will then be up to each of us to participate and contribute what we know.
*Customer Relationship Management
Macky’s New York:
April 8, 2021 - Herald Square.
The Beautiful Silence
As the sounds and people pass by...I see a silent figure in the window and as I get closer...everything goes silent and as I raise my camera and hit the button...everything got noisy again but for that one instant...I was emmerced in her beautiful silence.
Shot just north of 34th street looking west into Macy's window with the square, cherry blossoms, people and 6th Avenue in the eastward looking reflection.
Time 315pm.
#mackysnewyork
Livestream With Coco Hough:
How To Make Spanakopita
On tonight's livestream, we made SPANAKOPITA - that delicious spinach pie you see at Greek restaurants! This is one of my favorites and very easy to make once you get the technique down. It's easy to make ahead and can be served as an appetizer or a main dish!
In addition to the traditional Greek spinach filling, I thought we could try the Armenian version I grew up with too (called Boreg) with a cheese filling.
Ingredients and equipment list below.
INGREDIENTS: Dough: 1 lb Filo (Phyllo) sheets 1-1/2 sticks butter Spinach filling: 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry 8 oz feta cheese 1/2 onion 1/2 bunch scallions 1/3 c chopped fresh parsley 1/3 c chopped fresh dill 1 egg Salt and pepper to taste Borek filling: 8 oz cream cheese or farmers cheese 1 lb munster cheese, coarsely chopped or grated 3 eggs 1/2 tsp sugar plus additional sugar to serve 1/2 c chopped fresh parsley 1/4 c chopped fresh dill 1 T Flour
EQUIPMENT * For this recipe, I prefer pastry brush with real “bristles” instead of my silicone one to paint the butter on more smoothly. Here’s the one I used: - Oxo 1-1/2” Pastry brush: https://amzn.to/3sUMwIj You need a nice dish towel to slightly dampen and cover the phyllo sheets so they don’t dry out. I ended up ordering these: - Kitchen dishtowels, navy: https://amzn.to/3a1AJ3c We lay the finished triangles out on a half sheet pan to bake. - Half sheet pan: https://amzn.to/2IO1xtF
* I recommend only products I own, use or love. Some of these links may generate a commission at no cost to you which allows me to continue to create videos so I thank you! See you on Tuesday and thank you for cooking with me!
xo, COCO
RHS Class of 1974 Artifacts
These photos were posted on social media:
Robin Kay: I don’t know why I’ve kept this for all of these years. Probably because it represents so many wonderful memories, valuable life lessons learned, and great times with my friends. Class of ‘74
Larry Greene: guess it's appropriate that '74 had beer mugs....afterall, we had "smoking" and "non-smoking" boys and girls rooms!
RHS Weekly View
Find out what's happening at Ridgewood High School through their weekly newsletter:
Kasschau Memorial Shell
After a year without live performances, the Kasschau Shell Committee is proud to be kicking off our 2021 Summer Concert Series with our own Ridgewood High School musicians, artists, acapella groups and more!! We will also be featuring some local choral groups, symphonies and, of course, many fan favorites!!
The schedule is coming out soon!
Peace