MayDay

In no particular order - well except the first: One of my best galpals lives in Cincinnati - and you can thank her for introducing me to most of the following: Orchids at Palm Court - I've been to some of the most outstanding Art Deco interiors in the nation (Rockefeller Center and Chrysler in NYC, amongst others) and this space is hands down my favorite. I rarely use the phrase "magical" to describe a space but getting dolled up and sipping a drink or three to the consistently great jazz acts here is just heaven. I've brought friends there - some particularly jaded folk and even they gasped "wow!" when they started up the stairs into the lobby: The city's Art Deco influence - from the waterworks on Kellogg (Columbia?) to Carew Tower, Cincy has embraced one of my favorite architectural styles: Residential Vernacular - Let's see... a street full of Cleveland duckbill doubles or a street full of these? Skyline - I love Cleveland's tallest but the gaps... well Cincy doesn't have many gaps: This Rookwood detail on the former Giddings-Jenny building. I want it. :evil: The food - some of the restaurants I've enjoyed: Orchids at Palm Court The Maisonette Shaky Puddin' The Phoenix Boca (when they were still in Northside) Diner on Sycamore Tellers Melting Pot The Precinct Beluga Sushi Ray Nicholsons (when they still wore kilts) Kaldi's Teak Bella Luna Hamburger Mary's Shanghai Mama's Amol First Watch (Downtown and Oakley... err Norwood?) Green Papaya Jaspers Mejana York Street Cafe (absolutely the COOLEST space for a casual eatery) Nightlife - some of the places I've had a great night out, or a lot of drinks (or both) at: DV8 The Comet Top Cats Spy (back when) The Dock Club Clau Havana Martini Club (both locations) York Street Sudsy Malones Bogarts The Stand So yeah... go ahead and question my appreciation for Cincy - I dare ya ;-)

Not at all, I think they're just right - 800x600 is good enough to show lots of detail without overwhelming bandwidth usage. Definitely one of those "who knew" photo threads - welcome to the forum!

From cleveland.com - good news about restoring the gang unit: Cleveland to target gun crimes in 2008 Posted by Mark Puente January 08, 2008 17:33PM Categories: Top Story Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson plans to unleash aggressive police officers for daily gun sweeps and restart the gang unit as ways to combat crime. Jackson cautioned the ramped up efforts could cause more confrontations between police officers and criminals. More at cleveland.com http://blog.cleveland.com/plaindealer/2008/01/cleveland_to_target_gun_crimes.html

Well I'd like to have my metabolism back, and a winning lottery ticket but ya don't see that happening do ya?!? ;-)

I wonder if I could rig up a walker to double as a tripod for my camera :laugh:

Now *that* I wasn't aware of. Bummer :-(

Taken at lunchtime on a lovely June January day:

I know it has to be done but ugh - scaffolding is going up on all the turrets :-(

There's one Indian spot - Indies (lunch kiosk/carryout only) in the Colonial Arcade food court - but it's outstanding.. They recently moved from one of the smallest spaces in the food court to the largest - they've been doing well ever since relocating from 200 Public Square. No Thai restaurants in the CBD, but with all the great restaurants in Asiatown not far away, I'm guessing they just prefer the lower rents outside of the CBD. There's also Phnom Penh on West 25th by the West Side Market.

One more shot while it's nice out:

^^Yes, fka Renaissance at Playhouse Square - thus the restaurant's name of "Hunan Renaissance".

There's China Sea across the street from Hunan Renaissance (the closing one) as well as their West 6th location, there's a buffet on East 12th in the Chesterfield... that's all I can think of at the moment.

Aside from having a potentially vacant storefront - what's to miss? It seemed pretty much like any other mainstreamed Chinese spot. :?

Of all people repeating Judy Garland lyrics... :-o

Growing up near Youngstown, when it comes to having someone whacked, we don't mess around. ;-)

People think it's unusual that I've never had roommates ever since my third year of college, aside from cohabitation with an S.O. Examples like this are why I'd be willing to pay a premium to have my own space than deal with dipsh!ts like Pete. Blanket party, David - do like "Full Metal Jacket" and put a bar of soap in a tube sock and use it like a blackjack (less risk of injury to your hands). Or, if you want to get really evil - wait until the next weather forecast calls for rain and put vaseline on his wiper blades the night before :evil:

"In sharp contrast to southwest Ohio's overall stagnant growth, its population has boomed a staggering 21 percent since 2000." Ohhhkay... so he's completely admitting that the overall market isn't growing, but the existing institutions should suffer in order to prop up rinky-dink operations in far-flung exurbs? He doesn't even realize how utterly repugnant he is. I wouldn't find boring white people so f#cking repulsive if they'd learn to not inflict their boring white peopleness on me. Looks like he's part of http://www.warrencountyarts.org/ and their site looks exactly as I'd expect - boring and uninspired - go figure.

Not just that, but to the south you have the Jennings Freeway (and ramps), to the west you have I-71 (and ramps) and MetroHealth, to the east ISG, and to the north a huge embankment topped by a street of homes in various state of disrepair. When you have so many other less-contaminated and more aesthetically appealing sites to choose from - who would want to live IN there?

^Yep, it's already starting to fade :-( Oh I know - the reviews for the ship all said "nice staff, good food, dated decor...". The main areas could best be described as "Tron meets Vegas" :laugh:

Another Tower City casualty - Godiva is closed. And yes, I actually DID shop there.

Here's a photo from my vacation - the "Touch of Class" (aka Touch My @ss) lounge aboard the Carnival Sensation:

From cleveland.com (though I disagree with the term "boys" being applied - they're acting like adults, and the little scumbags should be tried as such): Three boys arrested in beating Posted by Regina McEnery January 06, 2008 18:39PM Categories: Breaking News, Crime Three Cleveland boys were arrested on Saturday in connection with the New Year's Eve assault of a 52-year-old Shaker Heights man who was beaten while walking near the Onaway Road rapid transit station. More at cleveland.com http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/01/three_boys_arrested_in_beating.html

*ahem* "residential atop either a Daves or a Trader Joes fronting Clifton/West 116th" :-)

We're all just a tinge crazy on this forum - and I wouldn't have it any other way. ;-) Seriously though - I think the (soon-to-be-former) Giant Eagle site would be ideal for some Fries and Scheule-esque infill - 3-4 stories of residential atop either a Daves or a Trader Joes fronting Clifton/West 116th and the church converted to either a bookstore or at the very least, some sort of community event center.

What is it with heterosexuals insisting on playing the oldest of old songs when it comes to dance music? I'm not asking to hear Seamus Haji, Freemasons or Moto Blanco remixes at a wedding reception but good god almighty - C&C Music Factory?!? At least disco has been off the air long enough to have respectable nostalgia!