Posts filed under ‘Use Your Blocks’
“Beating Them By Eating Them”
Sushi chef Bun Lai created a tasty example of the Fresh Ideas strategy “Use Your Blocks” by turning an invasive species into … sushi!
“… Asian shore crabs, an invasive species that first showed up in the Sound in the 1980s. It’s made itself right at home, attacking the limited supply of plankton and larvae that native fish and shellfish need to survive. So Lai did what any sustainability-minded seafood chef would do: He excavated the crab meat from its shell and turned it into a sushi roll.”
You can read about more dishes he’s created with this strategy here.
Creating Community Connections
Pat Gallaway, 79, loves living in Mt. Lebanon, PA. But as she grew older, she started to grow concerned about her ability to remain in her home and community.
So, she provided an enduring example of the Fresh Ideas strategy “Use Your Blocks” – by using her impending blocks as the catalyst for creating Mount Lebanon Village.
The mission of Mount Lebanon Village is to:
“… give residents of Mt. Lebanon, age 50 and older, the practical means, confidence and peace of mind to enjoy life while residing in their own place of residence in the environment they value as they grow older, and to serve as a model and mentor for other such villages.”
As their website states,
“Mt. Lebanon Village is good for the entire community. We support families by providing a caring network of volunteers spanning from children to teenagers and adults of all ages, to assist you or your loved ones as they age; giving you peace of mind in knowing there is somebody else who cares.”
Thanks to Pat Galloway for an excellent example of making the problem part of the solution.
Sewing Felons
Have you ever thought that
- Embroidery is for grannies.
- “Out of sight, out of mind” best applies to convicted felons.
- Prison time is dead time.
What if the opposite
of each was true?
You’d see something like the very successful British charity Fine Cell Work. They teach prisoners embroidery and help them sell their work to clients that include hotel groups, English Heritage and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Their website notes that:
- Fine Cell Work is now done in 26 prisons,
- 80% of the stitchers are men,
- The inmates are taught by 50 volunteer instructors,
- And all their classes have waiting lists,
providing a beautiful example of the “Use Your Blocks” Fresh Ideas strategy at play.
