MayDay

At Monroe Orchards in Hiram: No, that is NOT flannel, it's a western-styled shirt from Banana Republic - yes, it's important that *that* distinction be made.

Alrighty, just a quick group of pics - as I stated in the Urbanbar http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,17557.0.html, my partner wanted to go somewhere that had an actual pumpkin patch, not just pumpkins for sale just chucked out in front of a market. I on the other hand, would need somewhere with good beer on tap - after all I grew up in small-town environs so the novelty is lost on me, but at least I'll have good beer. So he wanted an authentic "country bumpkin pumpkin" experience, I just wanted a place nearby with something on tap besides Coors and Bud. So after a little bit of googling and calling around we found Monroe's Orchard near Hiram/Garrettsville - a little picked over but there were still a few on the vine and we got what we were looking for. My partner chuckled when I grabbed a box cutter before we left, he wasn't chuckling when he grabbed a pumpkin by the handle and the "thorns" got him ;-) I guess you can take the bumpkin out of the country but you can never take the country out of the bumpkin ;-) Oh, and if you're in the area - Sean's Pub in Garrettsville - the Sweet Heat wings, and the $3.50 16-oz Guiness and Bass (and the $2.25 22-oz. Shocktop) get my vote! Onto the photos: Of course we first have to contend with the Vortex of Death (aka the roundabout on West 14th): Fortunately we made it and were treated to a decent view of downtown: Onto I-480 where we see the Sh!ttyCityView shopping center, built on top of a landfill - they've already lost some tenants because the methane alarms keep going off. Yeah, let's see - building this dreck in an oversaturated market, and then building it on a landfill - brillllliant!!! :roll: Anyway, off we go to the bucolic countryside... Oh that's right, this is ex-urbia where they rip out all the trees and then name the streets after them: Office-park dreck in Solon: "Residents of the most spread-out locale, Ohio's Geauga County, outside Cleveland, weighed on average 6.3 lbs. more than those living in the most condensed, Manhattan. Geauga County residents were also 29% more likely to have high blood pressure than New Yorkers. (So much for the stresses of city life.) One possible reason: people who lived in the 25 most sprawling counties walked an average of 191 min. a month, compared with 254 min. a month for those living in the 25 densest counties." http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/covers/1101040607/article/the_walking_cure_car_ce01a.html No idea, looked like it was the "community center" for a cul-de-sac: Alright enough freeway crap, off the Route 44 exit to Route 82... THIS is more like it! A brief zip through Hiram - sorry, no time to stop, we were hungry: Okay, we're getting closer - the main drag of Garrettsville: And our lunch destination! http://www.slimandjumbos.com/acorn.php?page=seans_pub&PHPSESSID=0f8008eff4eac6d7ddce0174b5ce3e84 A slightly out-of-place but utterly charming historic commercial strip: Off we go to get the pumpkins: Looking for Linus, Sally and Snoopy: I'm guessing the sign on the right... Is there for the people who live in places like those on the left (aka "let's move to the country but then b!tch when we're held up in traffic by a farmer") Looks lovely, right? Yeah, it's a public hunting area - my partner and I weren't sure if we were in season or not so we high-tailed it outta there! And back... To where we belong - hope you enjoyed!

On the first count, I guess it's one of those things where yes, everyone's probably elated but there's not much to add to it. On the second point - a-fricking-men. Big, cheap burritos - that'll revitalize downtown!!! :-p

Uhh, what *should* we say, aside from "Woohoo! More fixed up homes!" :?

Welcome to the forum. Please excuse MyTwoSense for doing something he's been reprimanded for - pouncing on someone the moment they dare make a statement or share their perceptions of a neighborhood. MyTwoSense, you're excused from this thread and please cool your jets. Anyway, there is one thing that he's right about (and I'm just saying this so it's said, I think you probably know better) - the N-word isn't to be used on this forum, ever. Moving on, I think you'd be better off actually walking around the areas in question for a better assessment. The preponderance of "crackheads" around Ohio City might have to do with the fact that there are several social service agencies located there. Sure, sometimes some rough *looking* types might congregate in Market Square park (Lorain and West 25th) but they usually keep to themselves. After all, you have the West Side Market, Great Lakes Brewing, Flying Fig, Bar Cento and other great spots around and a few rough characters aren't about to stop me from going there. It does seem though that once you get further west (say... West 50ish and up), things aren't quite as nice. Also, areas south of Lorain seem to be more spotty than overall "rough" - you might have brand new construction next to burned-out. Regardless, a lot of the crime that happens isn't random - if you don't go looking for trouble, trouble usually tries to find someone else who wants it. As far as Asiatown, I think you're probably passing judgement a little harshly there - I mean, as long as people leave you alone what's the big deal? We have several forumers who live over in that area and I've not heard them complain. Fwiw, my partner had looked at a unit in the Payne Avenue Lofts (about 5 blocks from Daves on Payne) before deciding on Tremont. He said that like any "inner 'hood" in most cities, it was a mixed bag but safety ranked high and the Daves does draw a mixed crowd but that's the city for you. I know that the Daves in Ohio City always has an off-duty police officer and I imagine the Payne location would as well. Anyway - the fact that you have Koko Bakery, Korea House, Seoul Hot Pot, and Siam Cafe (and others) in such close proximity - the restaurants alone are reason enough to choose Asiatown! Hmmm... did you notice the disconnect? ;-) "just an observation from the car, nothing more, nothing less." "Love your sig quote. The automobile ruined everything!"

^Me either unless there's a campfire and smores involved, and hay bales will leave marks on exposed flesh if you aren't careful. That's the thing, to me - I grew up with a small pumpkin patch in our backyard, and failing that - there were farm markets aplenty that had pick-your-own patches. But those were (and some still are) in Columbiana County and that's too much of a schlep. My partner didn't have that growing up (in inner city Cleveland), so he wants the authentic "country bumpkin pumpkin" experience aka going out into the field/patch and getting what you want. I had plenty of authentic "country bumpkin" growing up, so the novelty is lost on me but as long as there's a nearby lunch spot with good beer on tap, I'm game for whatever. I think I found a place near Hiram that'll work :-) Most of the places around here - well, people scoff at the idea of 1. walking onto actual dirt, 2. ruining their shoes, and 3. dirtying their hands, so they'd rather "pick" pumpkins off a shelf or even better a piece of "primitive farm equipment" with the pumpkins nicely washed and arranged on it. I went to one place where some Richfield soccer moms were ogling what they thought was an old farming cart. One said aloud "I'd love something like this by the entrance to my driveway!" I was all too happy to tell them that they were marveling at a good ol' fashion sh!t spreader (manure cart for you fancy types). :laugh:

Okeydokeysmokeys, my partner wants to find a place that has "pick your own" pumpkins, preferably within an hour drive of Cleveland. I've looked up plenty of websites and whatnot, and most places are either farm markets or they're advertising "FUN FOR THE KIDS!!!! FACEPAINTING HAYRIDES AND JACK-O-LANTERNS!!!!!!!!". Yeah, the former is lame and the latter is basically torture. Any suggestions for a plain old pumpkin patch?

"Corner video arcades would be great but I haven't seen one since the 80s. I don't associate them with economic turmoil at all. And socially, they're better than having each kid play separately in his basement." I believe those are in reference to the places that have the "games of skill" like Tic Tac Fruit with cash payouts, not video games that the kids are into.

"Chocolate shots at a Greek wedding" I *knew* I liked you! Chocolate AND booze together? I like your style!

Keep it comin' off, keep it... Comin' off!

"You guys can't be THAT busy." Designing seven thousand square feet of tradeshow signage, judging six editorial/design reviews, designing three media kits for three different magazines, getting a monthly magazine and several supplements out along with getting things online in a timely fashion... I wish I had the time to take a crack :-|

"How many miles on the eliptical would that require, Mayday?" Too many - just go with bulimia. :lol:

ACTually, I picked up a pair of Paul Smith pug cufflinks at Barneys for $50.00 for my partner - not dirt-cheap, but not astronomical either. :-)

^Yes. The original: The sequel:

That the 1717 East 9th Building (aka East Ohio Gas). It's about 20% vacant but was bought about a year ago by a firm that had planned to renovate it.

The architects for these renderings is DeStefano and Partners http://www.destefanoandpartners.com/ - they've designed quite a few highrises in Chicago.

^To the best of my knowledge, their occupancy rate is pretty shy of 40%.

Okay, even *I* don't support THAT idea!

Not sure how recent this is, but someone at skyscraperpage.com tipped me off to renderings of a redesigned Courthouse Plaza (three different concepts, actually). I have my doubts about it actually happening, especially with the current economy but it's an impressive and decidedly different approach than the renderings posted before:

^I'm pretty sure they have a limited "55+" menu which has discounted pricing on select items. For people on a fixed income, I'd imagine that plays a big role in their decision.

^Yes, but judging from the photo I posted - the scaffolding that's being removed (if it's just the one level) didn't reach the "pegs". If they're tuckpointing, etc., they'd need to be on scaffolding right next to them, right? So, I'm wondering if it will be more than the one level.

^Anyone who wants to share some space next door in the Penton building, just let me know - normally I'd charge $1000 a square foot but I'll cut ya a deal! ;-)

I believe they're removing more scaffolding from the Terminal Tower today. I don't have my camera with me today, but I can say for sure that they've definitely removed scaffolding around the (help me with the technical term folks) "pegs":

"Homosexuality angers God just about as much as anything possibly could." Those who truly understand and believe the teachings of Jesus need to vocally distance themselves from cherrypicking bible-bigots like this at every opportunity.

OH.....You're on our team? Who knew?! I did, but I'm the HBIC so it's part of my job description ;-)