Quick takes – January 6th

Boring? No way

Business Insider, a national website, last month rated Columbus the most boring metro area among the 15 in Indiana. We politely disagree with that determination.

The ranking was based on 2015 Census Bureau data, such as the number of establishments for 66 different types of businesses — ranging from breweries to art dealers and museums — that supposedly make a metro area more interesting.

Data-only analysis without in-person inspection falls short of a true picture of the community, however. Ask the thousands of residents and visitors who experienced Exhibit Columbus  last fall and learned more about the city’s architectural heritage. Or the thousands who take the architectural tours each year.

You could also ask any of the thousands who have attended Ethnic Expo — a celebration of the community’s diverse cultures — each year since 1984. Or people who visit The Commons and its Luckey Climber attraction, or the kidscommons children’s museum across the street.

Columbus offers quite a bit, and is anything but boring.

Kind gesture

Kindness and generosity are to be cherished. We hope people will demonstrate such characteristics on a regular basis, but that’s not always the case. That’s why highlighting the deeds of some people provide good reminders.

Recently a good Samaritan named Mary (whose last name is unknown) gave Columbus resident Paula Alvis a new bicycle to help her get to and from work at a local restaurant. Alvis had to work on a Sunday when city buses do not run, and the bike she tried to use became inoperable. The bike Mary gave Alvis was originally intended as Christmas present for a grandchild, but she figured Alvis needed it more.

We applaud the good Samaritan for the kindness and generosity shown, and hope others take a cue from it.

Sign of success

CivicLab, a program of the Community Education Coalition that teaches collaboration among community stakeholders to solve problems, has earned a special designation from an educational nonprofit that will make it an integral part of a nationwide effort to raise educational attainment.

It was named a Priority Partner of the Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation. It shows that “Columbus Way” of using collaboration to achieve results has merit and is viable anywhere. Using CivicLab in a nationwide effort to raise educational attainment levels to meet workforce needs and help people gain well-paying jobs is a sound idea.