#by David Ohmer

[wordsmithnikki]

A Poem For All Seasons

A Poem For All Seasons popped out as soon as I saw David Ohmer's colourful photograph. It's short and sweet and I hope you like it.

Published And Written By Nikki WordsmithA Content Writer, Blogger and Journalist Summer leavesAutumn fallsWinter beckonsSpring calls Thanks to photographer David Ohmer, Cincinatti, USA, who kindly gave me permission to use his amazing photo. Click on his Flickr account for more colourful autumn photos. Thanks to Blogger Luisa Zambrotta for reminding me about this poem. Nikki Wordsmith Blogs…

[daughterofchaos]

Cincinnati - Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum "Burnet Mausoleum & Cypress Tree Knees On Ceder Lake" (Photographer: David Ohmer)

[newmic]

New York City - Radio City Music Hall

Explore David Paul Ohmer's 4059 photos on Flickr!

[thxnews]

Financial Empowerment: Top NYC Banks for Women

Welcome to the vibrant heart of ambition and opportunity, New York City, a place where dreams not only take flight but soar amidst the hustle and relentless energy of everyday life. For women, ranging from young professionals just embarking on their careers to seasoned leaders who are actively shaping their fields, mastering the intricacies of finance is not merely a skill—it's a superpower, a critical edge in navigating the complexities of both professional and personal spheres. In this city, a global hub of finance, finding a bank that aligns with your unique goals and challenges is more than just a convenience; it's a crucial step in carving out your own path to financial freedom and success. Embark with us on an enlightening journey through New York City's financial landscape, as we uncover and detail the services of the city's premier banks, each chosen for their commitment to addressing the distinctive financial needs and aspirations of women. Whether you're saving for your first apartment, planning for your family's future, or building an entrepreneurial dream, "Mastering Money: Your Guide to NYC's Top Banks for Women" is more than just a guide—it's your companion in navigating the financial avenues of a city pulsating with ambition. Join us in unlocking the secrets to financial empowerment and savvy banking in the city where anything is possible.  

New York - Wall Street sign. Photo by David Paul Ohmer. Flickr.  

Understanding the Financial Landscape in NYC

Navigating the complex and ever-changing financial landscape of New York City requires not just an astute understanding but a deep appreciation of its dynamic and multifaceted nature. The city's teeming streets, alive with activity, are home to towering skyscrapers that house some of the world's most influential and renowned financial institutions. From the iconic Wall Street to the bustling business districts scattered throughout, the pulsating heartbeat of the financial world resonates and echoes throughout the city. In this fast-paced and constantly evolving environment, it becomes crucial to possess robust financial acumen and a strategic, well-considered approach to money management. This makes it imperative, particularly for women, to become adept at navigating and managing their financial journey with confidence and foresight. In the vast labyrinth of financial opportunities that NYC offers, women are presented with a myriad of banking choices that cater to diverse needs and aspirations. From globally recognized banking giants to more local, community-focused institutions, the city unfolds as a rich tapestry of financial services, each offering unique advantages and specialized services tailored to various financial goals and lifestyles. Truly understanding the financial landscape means recognizing not only the prominent financial players but also identifying those institutions that prioritize and address the specific needs of women.  

National City Bank of New York. Photo by Eden, Janine, and Jim. Flickr.  

The Importance of Choosing the Right Bank

Selecting the right bank is a crucial decision that significantly impacts your financial journey, especially for dynamic and ambitious women navigating the eclectic streets of New York City. The ideal bank isn’t just a place to deposit your money; it becomes a trusted partner in your financial success, offering customized services that cater to your distinct needs and goals. Beyond routine transactions, the right bank acts as a financial confidante, providing essential tools and resources to empower women on their path to financial mastery. In the vibrant, diverse financial ecosystem of NYC, choosing the right banking partner is more vital than ever. It’s about finding a financial institution that truly comprehends the city’s unique rhythm, appreciates the varied financial goals of its clients, and provides a comprehensive suite of services specifically designed to meet the distinctive challenges and opportunities women face. From offering personalized financial advice and educational resources to fostering community engagement initiatives, the right bank plays a pivotal role in ensuring that women in NYC have the support and tools they need to realize their financial aspirations.  

Citibank, Great Neck, New York. Photo by D. Benjamin Miller. Wikimedia.  

Top Banks in NYC for Women

Within the bustling and vibrant financial landscape of New York City, a select few banks distinguish themselves as exemplary in catering specifically to the unique and diverse financial needs of women. These top-tier institutions do much more than provide traditional banking services; indeed, they offer a broad spectrum of personalized solutions and empowering initiatives. These efforts are meticulously designed to assist women in achieving not just competence but mastery over their finances, thus enabling them to navigate their financial journeys with confidence and acumen.   1. Amalgamated Bank (Union Square): Focus on financial inclusion: Promotes access to banking for underserved communities, especially women and minorities. Community development: Invests heavily in programs supporting women-owned businesses and affordable housing. Strong commitment to pay equity: Achieved gender pay parity across all roles. 2. Chase: Women's Business Resource Group: Provides networking and mentorship opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Financial education programs: Offers free workshops and resources specifically for women on topics like investing and budgeting. Flexible work arrangements: Supports remote work and part-time options, facilitating work-life balance. 3. Citi: Citi Women Initiative: Supports female entrepreneurs globally through funding, mentorship, and training programs. Gender diversity goals: Committed to increasing women in leadership positions across the bank. Paid parental leave for all employees: Supports both mothers and fathers with equal leave policies. 4. Goldman Sachs: 10,000 Women Initiative: Invests in women entrepreneurs around the world, providing business education and access to capital. Diversity and inclusion efforts: Strong focus on attracting and retaining female talent at all levels. Mentorship programs: Connect rising female professionals with established leaders in the financial industry. 5. HSBC: Women's Network: Provides a platform for networking, professional development, and mentorship for women employees. Focus on flexible work arrangements: Offers various options, including remote work and compressed workweeks. Global diversity goals: Committing to increasing female representation in leadership positions throughout the bank. 6. JPMorgan Chase: Advancing Women Leaders program: Develops high-potential female leaders through training and mentorship. Investing in women-owned businesses: Actively seeks opportunities to invest in and support female entrepreneurs. Supporting equal pay: Committed to pay equity and transparency in compensation practices. 7. The New York Community Bank: Focus on small businesses: Provides loans and resources to women-owned businesses in underserved communities. Community reinvestment: Invests in programs that empower women and families financially. Strong local presence: Has branches in diverse neighborhoods, making banking accessible to women of all backgrounds. 8. TD Bank: Financial literacy programs: Offers workshops and resources focused on financial planning and investing for women. Commitment to diversity and inclusion: Actively recruits and retains female talent at all levels. Community involvement: Supports programs that empower women and girls in local communities. 9. Wells Fargo: Women's Leadership Council: Provides strategic guidance and support for women's initiatives within the bank. Focus on pay equity: Committed to closing the gender pay gap and ensuring equal compensation for equal work. Employee resource groups: Offers various groups for women, including the Women's Network and the Working Parents Network.  

Amalgamated Bank at night in Union Square, NYC. Photo by Brent Unkrich.  

Key Features and Benefits for Women

The top banks in New York City not only recognize but also actively respond to the importance of tailoring their services to meet the specific and unique needs of women. They offer key features and benefits that extend well beyond standard banking offerings. A particularly notable attribute of these banks is their strong and unwavering focus on financial education and empowerment. Understanding that knowledge is not just a potent tool but a critical asset, these banks invest heavily in equipping women with the resources necessary to make informed and confident financial decisions. They don’t just host seminars on investment strategies but also provide specialized and comprehensive resources on financial planning. Furthermore, they actively and consistently contribute to enhancing the financial literacy of their female clients, ensuring they are well-prepared for the financial challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Additionally, these top banks in NYC demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and diversity in both their leadership and services. By cultivating an environment where women’s voices are heard and represented at every level, these banks not only inspire confidence but also ensure that their offerings are finely tuned to the diverse needs of their female clientele. Whether it's through personalized advisory services, initiatives centered around women, or community engagement programs, these key features and benefits empower women to confidently navigate the financial landscape, setting the stage for long-term financial success.  

Tips for Maximizing Your Banking Experience

Maximizing your banking experience in the bustling financial hub of New York City involves a combination of strategic planning and fully leveraging the unique offerings of the top banks that cater to women. Firstly, make the most of the personalized services offered by these institutions. Many banks provide bespoke advisory services that take into account your individual financial goals and aspirations. Regular consultations with financial advisors are crucial to ensure that your financial plan stays aligned with your evolving needs and the dynamic economic conditions of NYC.   Educational Resources Moreover, don’t miss out on the educational resources and workshops these banks offer. Financial literacy is an invaluable tool, and many of the top banks in NYC organize seminars covering a wide array of topics, from investment strategies to retirement planning. Participating in these sessions can significantly enhance your financial knowledge and empower you to make informed decisions about your finances. Lastly, consider becoming involved in women-centric community initiatives hosted by these banks. Networking with fellow women who share similar financial goals and challenges can provide valuable insights and support. By actively engaging with the services and resources offered by the top banks in NYC, you position yourself to maximize your banking experience and lay a solid foundation for a successful financial journey in the city that never sleeps.  

Financial Empowerment and Long-Term Goals

Financial empowerment goes beyond achieving short-term objectives; it's a journey that lays the groundwork for long-term success, particularly for women navigating the multifaceted financial landscape of New York City. The top banks in NYC play a pivotal and crucial role in this journey, as they offer a comprehensive range of services and initiatives that specifically empower women to set and attain their long-term financial goals. These services range from personalized advisory services, meticulously tailored to meet individual needs, to an extensive wealth of educational resources. Consequently, these banks equip women with the necessary tools to make informed and strategic decisions that align seamlessly with their evolving financial aspirations. A key element of financial empowerment is the focus on long-term financial planning. The top banks recognize that women, like all individuals, have varied long-term goals, whether it's securing homeownership, funding education, or planning for retirement. By providing extensive financial planning services, these banks ensure that women have the support they need to navigate the complexities of long-term financial management effectively. As women in NYC take control of their financial destinies, collaborating with these top banks becomes an integral part of achieving not only short-term financial milestones but also securing a stable and prosperous future.  

Empowering Women through Financial Choices

The journey of mastering money in New York City's vibrant financial landscape is significantly enriched by the presence of top banks that prioritize and cater to the unique needs of women. These financial institutions go beyond merely offering traditional banking services; indeed, they provide a plethora of empowering initiatives, personalized services, and educational resources. From Citibank's global dedication to diversity to JPMorgan Chase's focus on closing the gender wealth gap, the top banks in NYC actively contribute to the financial empowerment of women. As women navigate the bustling streets of the Big Apple, the importance of choosing the right bank becomes increasingly evident. The combination of key features and benefits, coupled with a focus on long-term financial planning, creates a solid foundation for success. By maximizing their banking experience and actively participating in community-centric initiatives, women in NYC can take control of their financial destinies. Empowered by informed financial choices, women not only achieve their immediate financial goals but also lay the groundwork for a stable and prosperous future. In the heart of the financial world, these top banks become invaluable allies in women's journey towards financial empowerment.   Sources: THX News & Wikipedia. Read the full article

[thenighteternal]

“Foggy Morning At Old Oak Tree”

[delicatuscii-wasbella102]

David Ohmer - Cincinnati – Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum “Mighty White Oak Tree - Acorns”

[max-e-doodle]

Acorns.

By David Paul Ohmer.

[middleland]

Cincinnati - Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum "White Pine Chapel - Windows Lit" by David Ohmer

[breathtakingdestinations]

Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco - California - USA (by David Ohmer) 

[about-usa]

Washington D.C. - USA (by David Ohmer)

[plurdledgabbleblotchits]

Cincinnati - Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum "Flieschman Mausoleum Inside Winter" by David Ohmer

[chronicvoiceofhope]

New Orleans - Garden District by David Paul Ohmer on Flickr.

[pharology101]

LOTD: Marina District

(from: http://www.ibiblio.org/lighthouse/ca.htm)

Marina District

1931. Inactive for many years; charted as "stone lighthouse." Approx. 35 ft (11 m) octagonal unpainted stone tower with lantern. David Ohmer has a photo, Nick Zi Chen has a photo, Lighthouse Digest has a 2017 article on the lighthouse, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This lighthouse was built to be a navigational aid guiding vessels into the yacht harbor. The stones are cobblestones salvaged from city streets. It was never an official light and it's not known how long it was active. Located on the breakwater of the yacht harbor off Marina Boulevard. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: City of San Francisco.

(photo found here; ©Deborah Peterson)

[svbd7574ebrywev4fntr4ebftyje6dnf]

The Covid Censorship Discussion / Disqus Posting Installment Four

I see that USA Today has listed our riverwalks as the ninth best in the country. I would question that ranking, and indeed the very concept of the ranking. "Ninth best" leaves us with the question "best at what."

Let's take a look at some shots taken along Chicago's riverwalk. The photos I've found on Flickr are used under a common creatives license given by the photographer, and link back to the locations I found them at.

"Awed by Chicago" by Chris O' Brien.

“Chicago Riverfront” by R Boed

Another photo, same title, same photographer

“Chicago - Centennial Fountain ‘Water Arc’“ by David Ohmer

There is an older riverwalk in Naperville, a sort-of suburb of Chicago, that was set up way back in 1981. (*) If I told you to go out to it, and you did, you'd probably be disappointed and feel that your trip had been wasted. While the place has a mild, pseudo-historical charm, there's nothing so distinctive about it as to justify a trip out from Chicago to it, much less a trip from another state. Yet ...

If you live or are staying nearby, the riverwalk in Naperville offers an experience that almost anybody would probably prefer to the one offered by the Chicago riverwalk, after a similarly brief hike over. This assertion might astonish many of our visitors, who've enjoyed walking along that path, and looking up at the buildings around them. For a first visit, our riverwalk holds a visitor's interest in the way a suburban walk can't, because what is one seeing on the suburban one? Trees of a sort probably not so different from those one sees at home, and a shallow river of no great power, crossing a landscape only a little hillier than that of Chicago. Which is to say, slightly bumpier than a pool table.

Why, then, would I say that our little Western neighbor has a better riverwalk than we do? Because as a local resident, the typical resident had his first day in town a long time ago, often as his parents pushed him around in the stroller. Those huge buildings looming overhead are big - and there's some pleasure to be found in the little bit of drama the look of a structure can get just from rising so high above us - but big is really all that most of them are. That breathtaking, distinctive, creative architecture you see in old photos of our city was almost all demolished a long time ago, and replaced with non-descript glass blocks, downtown. There are a few stetches that are still worth looking at, along Michigan and La Salle, but most of the Loop and a great deal of River North just looks like urban everywhere, USA.

This is not like wandering through an intact historical city like Rome, where you can walk through again and again, and always find something new to see. If you're living here and the novelty of seeing something that big, that close has worn off, the Riverwalk has a way of turning into something you use as a shortcut to get to the Lake, while silently cursing your ancestors for leaving you stranded in this drab place. They could have stayed in Europe, with all of its history or gone out West, where there is some real nature to see, but no, they stopped here, in the middle, and so in this area you were born.

When one takes away interest, which isn't going to be maintained on this river that nobody would ever mistake for the Tiber or the Seine, all that remains is comfort, and in this, the Chicago river walk fails, miserably for the locals. Let us consider the so-called "River Theater," seen in the second photo from the top. A tourist might sit on one of those steps, and watch the river traffic go by. A local knows that if he gets in the habit of doing that, he's going to wear a thin spot in the seat of his pants very quickly. Notice how the seating doubles as the walking surface on each of those steps? The city can squeeze more people in that way, which perhaps was the idea, but in order to be safe to walk on (especially when wet), that surface has to be a little rough, so people don't slip and fall.

If the city would have been willing to reduce capacity, perhaps they could have placed some wooden seating on a number of those levels, but they didn't, so those who would rest there are left sitting on concrete, without much shade during the summer, or any real windbreak during colder weather. There is nothing comfortable about this. I've never seen that "theater" ever approach even 10% occupacy, which under the circumstances is not surprising. Aside from the discomfort and damage to our clothing, we've seen the boats. We seem like seeing the boats, but not so much as to spend much time doing so. As for activities that might hold a crowd, like say an actual theater event, one can see the river right at the bottom. To hold a play there, one would need a floating stage, which would be expensive and would get in the way of river traffic.

We do not linger there, very often. Why would we? The street noise from Wacker is reason enough to flee. We are left with an attraction that somebody was able to make look good on paper, but does little for us. Now, let's take a look at that other, smaller riverwalk, the one that the tourists probably won't go to.

"Shepherd's crook streetlight 1" by Brendan Riley

"Geese on the Path," ibid

"Sunday Morning" by David Jakes

Looks a little more peaceful, doesn't it? Picture sitting on a relatively soft wooden bench, down by the softly roaring rapids undeneath a wooden covered bridge. You're not worried about falling in, because you've seen a duck standing at midriver without gettings its feathers wet. You're not right on top of the water, there's a deck stretching out about 15 feet, giving you a little added peace of mind about the book you brought to read, and the journal into which you are writing. No sound of traffic, just the ducks, the sound of some birds singing as they fly over the tops of the trees that shade this place, a thick canopy of leaves shielding one from the Sun, with only a few small bits of sky showing through. You look to the small sandbar under the bridge, on which has grown a miniature forest only a few feet across, and see a family of raccoons leaving, splashing across the river and scampering up the trunk of a tree behind you. They are neither fearful nor aggressive, because the thought of giving them a reason to be never occured to the local people and probably never will.

The dining choices aren't as extensive as on the Chicago riverwalk, because there is just one little place that sells something that is really not much more than fast food, but just north of the middle of the walk, not so far away, are a few affordable restaurants, if you're hungry. If you feel like hiking, there are no skyscrapers to see, but there is another forest, a real one if a small one, a short distance down the path, with a tiny marsh and more benches, these made of metal, but relatively soft metal that yeilds a little as one sits.

If one sees a storm coming, not to worry. There are solidly (but not massively) built rectangulae gazebos with ample seating underneath in which one can ride out the storm, remaining dry while staying outside and listening to the sound of the rain. When the clouds break, perhaps somebody might be playing in the tiny ampitheater located in a dip in the bank, or perhaps in one of the shelters, not because the city hired anybody, but because unlike Chicago, the city of Naperville will let people gather in these public places without dispersing them for "loitering." Left in peace, they are free to be their own spontaneous, amateur selves.

Which group of local residents sound like they're having a better experience? Fodors will probably never write about the Naperville Riverwalk, but so what? Is the true purpose of such a place to be somewhere tourists will walk through, once, usually to never return, or to be a place where the people of a city can escape the confinement of their homes and simply relax?

What we're seeing in this comparison, in part, is a cultural difference. The Naperville Riverwalk was created with the quality of life of the people living in that city, in mind. The Chicago Riverwalk would seem to have been a resume building exercise for former mayor Rahm Emanuel, the same mayor who was in the habit of merging the already crowded public schools in his city, shutting down mental health centers and even going so far as to end the Independence Day fireworks in Chicago, pleading the poverty of the city as an excuse for these unpleasant and unpopular actions, yet managing to find the funds for projects like this, that never live up to their hype, because they're done without any real love for those who would supposedly benefit from them, or for the projects themselves. What results is far more striking, likelier to stick in the memory of a one time visitor, but it's soulless. Which is to say, a reflection of the spirit in which it was created.

This is why I question the entire concept of such a ranking of riverwalks. Such a ranking inevitably turns into an apples and oranges comparison, that fails to take the desires of the differing groups of visitors into account.

(*) Not a lot of history in this area, I'm afraid.

[forgottenruins]

David Ohmer

[pagansquare]

The Balance of Light and Dark

We hope you enjoyed the autumn equinox! Over at Witches&Pagans the equinox caught us a little flat-footed but we’ve made sure to collect all our content relating to it all the same.

Celebrated throughout many cultures as either the midpoint or beginning of autumn (also known as fall), the autumn equinox is the point at which the balance of daylight and night shifts from the exuberance of summer to the darkness of winter. In the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth, this time has come though in the Southern Hemisphere the opposite is happening: the days are now getting brighter!

Here’s all the content we’ve gathered, including not only all our relevant posts from the last month, but also others from outside websites we thought you might appreciate. Enjoy!

--Aryós Héngwis

Autumn Equinox / Mabon Posts:

We’Moon. “Autumn Equinox”

Steven Posch. “Come Ye Thankful People, Come”

Leni Hester. “Fire and Flood, Wind and Rain”

Karen Clark. “It’s Time for Your Awakening”

Bee Smith. “Mabon Musings”

Agriculture / Farming / Harvest Posts:

Nimue Brown. “Elder and Harebell” 

Steven Posch. “Harvest Hymn”

Tiffany Lazic. “Lakshmi’s Feet”

Joanna van der Hoeven. “Reaping and Sowing”

Autumn / Fall Posts:

Eileen Troemel. “Autumnal Moons”

Bee Smith. “Feeling Eclipsed” 

Diotima. “For I Am Involved”

Diotima. “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”  

Bee Smith. “Ride the Wild Eclipse Weather”

Nimue Brown. “Searching for Owls”

Tasha Halpert. “Tasha’s Astro Planner for September 2017″

Molly. “ Welcoming Autumn”

Darkness Posts:

Eileen Troemel. “Dark Side of the Year”

Laura Tempest Zakroff. “Making Dark Art”

Genn John. “Yin/Yang Quartz Crystals”

Cool Stuff We Found:

Cozy Tea for Autumn

Finding Balance as the Cycle Ends

Flavors of Mexico, Old and New

Great Horror Games Can Scare You No Matter Where The Camera Is

Happy Autumnal Equinox

The History of Rosh Hashanah Which Wasn't Always the 'New Year'

Hong Kong’s Most Decadent Mooncakes Add Opulence to Mid-Autumn Festival

How Much Do You Know About the Seasons?

How To Pack for Summer in Antarctica

Irish-American Witchcraft: Honoring the Álfar on the Equinox

Kill Me Please Is a Dazzling Teen Nightmare, and the First Great Horror Film of Fall

Leaves

Mabon!

Mexico, France, Greece Lead Destinations to Enjoy This Fall

The Rise of Pumpkin Spice

Twenty-Five Must-Read Books This Fall

Victoria Weizsäcker

A Victorious Happy Ethiopian New Year

What’s Hot for Spring/Summer 2017 in the Southern Hemisphere

Top image by David Ohmer