Paulownia tomentosa

Paulownia_tomentosa
Summer in the City.

It is tolerant of pollution and it is not fussy about soil type. For this reason it functions ecologically as a pioneer plant. Its nitrogen-rich leaves provide good fodder and its roots prevent soil erosion. Eventually, Paulownia is succeeded by taller trees that shade it. It cannot thrive in the shade of other trees.
Paulownia is in honour of the Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia, with tomentosa being derived from the Latin meaning ‘covered in hairs’–Wikipedia

O’Hare

treat them like idiots
Chuck Marohn has an excellent podcast on the Strong Towns
site, a conversation with Ben Hamilton-Baillie, street designer and shared space advocate.
Marohn and H-B talk street design, traffic engineering and human psychology.

Streets and their sidewalks, the main public places of a city, are its most vital organs.–Jane Jacobs
The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Chapter 2

Streets define our cities. Learn about them…

Free

tire in the sidewalk
Free
1. enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery: a land of free people.
2. pertaining to or reserved for those who enjoy personal liberty: They were thankful to be living on free soil.
3. existing under, characterized by, or possessing civil and political liberties that are, as a rule, constitutionally guaranteed by representative government: the free nations of the world.
4. enjoying political autonomy, as a people or country not under foreign rule; independent.
5. exempt from external authority, interference, restriction, etc., as a person or one’s will, thought, choice, action, etc.; independent; unrestricted.
6. able to do something at will; at liberty: free to choose.
7. clear of obstructions or obstacles, as a road or corridor: The highway is now free of fallen rock.
8. not occupied or in use: I’ll try to phone her again if the line is free.
9. exempt or released from something specified that controls, restrains, burdens, etc. (usually followed by from or of ): free from worry; free of taxes.
10. having immunity or being safe (usually followed by from ): free from danger.
11. provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.
Dictionary.com
2007 Free
2010 Free
2012 Free