Barack and Michelle Obama's gift to Chicago and America

[Botany]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=183&v=mt22NvsTRG0

Here's the most important thing: Michelle and I want this Center to be more than a building or a museum.
We want to create an economic engine for Chicago and the South Side, and a cultural destination that
showcases the South Side to the rest of the world. We want it to be a gathering place -- somewhere for all
kinds of people to come together and learn, not just from history or current events, but from each other.
More than a museum with stories from the past, we want this to be a place that helps and inspires all of us
to build our collective future. This Center is for young people on the South Side and for young people all
around the world -- the leaders of tomorrow who are ready to step up and build the world as it should be.
And Michelle and I are grateful to all of you for being a part of it.


******

The man is class and grace. BTW he remembered my name too.
Hello Tom,

https://www.obama.org/the-center/?source=20180110_OPCplans_10&utm_medium=email&utm_source=obamafound&utm_campaign=20180110_OPCplans_10&utm_content=2+-+Today+were+taking+a+big+step+towards+the

[mucifer]

1. I live in Chicago and I took a friend from out of town to the south side Hyde Park

we were looking at the sights. Hyde Park is a mixture of the University of Chicago and it is mixed racially and mixed by class. There are some run down homes on some streets and the next street over there are big mansions.

We were looking for the street with President Obama's home and I remembered it was close. A young African American girl figured out what we were doing and very proudly told us The President's home was on the next street over. She was beaming with pride.

The street was blocked off with secret service event though President Obama was in D.C. But, I was glad we went.

[George II]

3. If you know the actual location I'd love to know. Even though I'll never get there again....

....when I was younger I traveled to Chicago more than 50 times from NY, got very familiar with the city and really liked it.

(do you remember the old Crane Co. Clock Tower? That's who I worked for)

[left-of-center2012]

2. Right wingers are mocking the plans

I read a conservative website this past week that made fun of it because it will have an 'athletic center',
and a 'test kitchen' which would come up with healthy eating ideas for America's children (and adults)
furthering Michelle Obama's healthy eating initiatives.

They don't think exercise and healthy eating should be part of a 'Presidential' museum.

Looking at Trump, I can see why they'd feel that way.

[mountain grammy]

4. Our last legitimately elected president

doing good work.

[ehrnst]

5. Like the Clinton's Foundation/Library

They wanted it to not simply be a monument to their time in office.

It's there to help the locals, and do real good for world at large.

[Politicub]

6. It is going to be an active place, like the Carter Center and Library

The Carter center is a gem in Atlanta. It’s a place that looks forward and presents the past as something to learn from.

It sounds like Obama is heading in the same or better direction. The kitchen and rec center are innovations and will build strong community ties.

On edit - punctuation isn’t showing up in my subject lines. Grrrr. Changed it’s to it is

[northoftheborder]

7. I have much admiration for this....

...for the concepts behind it, for the architecture, the open space....just great! Love it! A testament to a great President and man and woman.