Gordon Price
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thread 1/18
I asked a few weeks ago if people wanted to hear more about Patron Center, the dog shelter where I am volunteering, and there was definite interest there. I am gratified that there is, since making what is going on in Ukraine a bit more real & personal for people was and is a goal of mine.
12:27 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 2/18
So with that, today I want to start by talking a bit about where the shelter is.
Patron Center is in pavilion 11 of the Expocenter of Ukraine, aka VDNG, aka Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy of Ukrainian SSR.
12:27 PM - Nov 01, 2023 (Edited)
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Gordon Price
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thread 3/18
Opened in 1958 in the Teremky neighbourhood in south west Kyiv, it was a Soviet propaganda tool until Ukrainian independence. In it’s current incarnation it is a fun and interesting mix of things like a business incubator, science museum, urban park, kids play area and more.
12:27 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 4/18
There’s a petting zoo and sky park for young kids, a bigger sky park for bigger kids, a skate park, a stable, an outdoor gym, restaurants and cafes and coffee shops, even an old orchard that gets hung with hammocks in the summer.
12:27 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 5/18
You can rent a bike or scooter to get around, walk the many paths, or stick to the center with the original pavilions and fountains and such.
12:27 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 6/18
Art installations come and go, currently the central square is getting a temporary outdoor ice rink put in I think, and in general the weekends are VERY busy. And in all of that, there is also two animal shelters, of which Patron Center is the newer.
12:27 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 7/18
The physical infrastructure is in many cases what you might expect of a post Soviet republic with no budget for maintaining this kind of civic infrastructure. Lots of building are unused, some even falling down.
12:27 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 8/18
But the outdoor amenities are AMAZING, and many of the buildings are finding new uses that I think are much better than the oppressive propaganda they started as.
12:27 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 9/18
Here we are at the central fountain, looking down the long axis of the built up part of the Expo Center. The gold tower and star marks pavilion 1, which is now used as a bomb shelter.
The last building is the business accelerator in pavilion 5.
12:29 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 10/18
This little coffee place would fit right in in Portland, OR. They do a fine hand pour I have to say.
12:31 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 11/18
The green boxes are sponsored by a local bank. I use them as a little physical challenge for confidence building with dogs. Model: Tsepok, who was SUPER reactive with other dogs, but he’s making progress. He loves to chase birds too. Love that tail wag when he jumps up.
12:32 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 12/18
And the deck at Kaminsky’s Bakery (fantastic bread and pastries) has some pretty tame squirrels and birds. Cenya here will come right up and take a walnut from you if you are still and the walnut is good enough. And the little song birds will take seeds from some people’s hands.
12:33 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 13/18
This is a nice playground close to the outdoor gym, a bit on the periphery of the Expo Center proper. Model: Horse, who is a special dog and ready for socilazing in more varied scenarios.
12:34 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 14/18
Out of shape old man looks at this with... optimism. :)
12:35 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 15/18
Overstressed former Architect and Software Developer looks at this with... a different kind of optimism.
12:36 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 16/18
One thing that I think really needs to be said is just how much there is an appearance of normalcy, that isn’t real. I have had friends comment on videos with families strolling and joggers and cyclists going by and say “It’s like there’s no war”. And it does look that way.
12:37 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 17/18
Speaking of optimism. This is the typical quality of Soviet construction. Lots of pavilions are just falling apart.
12:40 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Gordon Price
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thread 18/18
And this is the recently completed work at Coffee Lovers, the cafe and roasters near Patron Center. It's so nice to see that even in the midst of war, businesses are looking forward to the future. My deepest hope is that the rest of the world steps up and helps as we can to ensure that future.
12:43 PM - Nov 01, 2023
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Pam Sourelis
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In response to Gordon Price.
Thank you for sharing this.
05:13 PM - Nov 10, 2023
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Alvin The Chipmunk
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In response to Gordon Price.
Thanks for the info, and for being there for them.
03:40 PM - Nov 10, 2023
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