#171 Fall 2012 — Third Places

Ballin’ at the Graveyard

The documentary Ballin’ at the Graveyard looks at the hardball culture and strong supportive ties between players that have brought two generations of men out to the same Albany, N.Y., […]

"Ballin' at the Graveyard" still from filmThe documentary Ballin’ at the Graveyard looks at the hardball culture and strong supportive ties between players that have brought two generations of men out to the same Albany, N.Y., court for pickup basketball every weekend for decades. Starting with an action-packed exploration of this particular game and its history, norms, and rituals, Ballin’ at the Graveyard then examines the life stories of some of the key players and the community they have formed. Ballin’ is a moving and poignant yet respectful and unassuming portrait of the role of one “third place,” an informal yet longstanding gathering, in the lives of those who gather there.

OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE

  • A drawing of a house with a red roof and a red path leading from door is accompanied by text explaining reasons why shared-equity homeownership makes sense in weak-market areas. Image links to pdf version.

    Q: What’s the Point of Shared-Equity Homeownership in Weak Market Areas?

    February 12, 2013

    Shared-equity homeownership is best known as a tool to fight displacement in hot-market areas. But in fact, it has many advantages in weak-market areas too.

  • An Island Where There Is a Standard

    February 11, 2013

    Like so many of its counterparts across the country, Brick’s is more than just a barbershop in Albany, N.Y. It’s a haven in a troubled neighborhood.

  • Get Out of the Way

    February 11, 2013

    To create a great third place, one of the most important principles is to let users make it their own.