I was listening to Steve Burns (of Blue’s Clues) podcast Alive, and he was interviewing an expert on play and playgrounds named Cas Holman. Besides it being lovely to hear the Steve of my kids’ youth, the conversation itself was great. The two of them discussed (lamented, even) the loss of Play for adults, the loose, experimental, open feeling we all had for a while in our early years. With age, we become afraid of looking silly or being rejected, we inherit a sense of how important work and seriousness are, and we struggle to play. But there are lots of things adults do that are play: making music, writing fiction and nonfiction, learning a new skill simply for the joy of it.

Holman says there are three hallmarks that describe the experience of Play that translate to adulthood: releasing judgment, embracing possibility, and reframing success. Each of these requires practice, because they’re not easy. Learning to let go of our own and other’s opinions of how we are doing and being willing to look ridiculous sometimes is a skill. Opening ourselves up to what might happen if we try the new thing—mess around and find out, if you will—these make sense. That third one, reframing success, might be much harder in a world that pushes us to do more and better every moment, that keeps us trapped in a rat race, reaching for a goal that keeps being moved away from us. Too intense? I don’t think so. Failing at a project can be a kind of success if you’ve learned something or if your team has understood each other better. Winning a game is nice, but the experience of playing the game, spending time with friends, that is itself success. Our health demands we play more and step back from cultural or vocational requirements that don’t bring us to life.

Ok, I’m stepping off my soapbox. But listen, board games are a great way to start practicing those hallmarks of play so you can let them show up in your work and home life, too. Come play a game with us!

Alice C, board game librarian

Support Hungry People

There are many members of our community faced with food insecurity on a daily basis. In this tumultuous atmosphere of SNAP benefits and other government programs being cut, so many are struggling to make ends meet. As a business focused on both food and fun, we are acutely aware of how hard things are.

In this season of giving and uncertainty, Free Parking is shining a light on the Freestore/Foodbank and inviting all our guests to join us in contributing to help our neighbors flourish. The Freestore/Foodbank in Cincinnati does truly heroic work, providing approximately 47.2 million meals annually. You can click that link or scan a QR codes in the bar to contribute.

ADDITIONALLY, Free Parking is donating 10% of our sales from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, amounting to $245! You can help raise that total by clicking the link above!

Play (and buy) one of the Magenta games!

This line of games from publisher CMYK are gorgeous in their matching slipcases and a delight to play. Each game in the Magenta line is a quick-to-teach card game with wild and beautiful art. From Figment’s cooperative color perception to I’m Out’s prismatic strategy to Fruit Fight’s fast-moving fruit, there’s something here for everyone.

We’ve got all of them on the shelf for you to try out, and when you fall in love, you can buy them on your way out!

Try our mocktail the St. Charles Place!

It’s got cranberry fizz Poppi, lime juice, agave syrup, and garnished with rosemary. The St. Charles Place is fresh and subtle, not too sweet. For those of you wanting a tasty drink but skipping the alcohol, give this one a try! Pairs well in color and vibe with the Magenta games!