MayDay

"Maybe I'm just pissy because I know what you can do, even in a short time frame and with a limited budget, if you have business owners that really realize that a successful business comes from caring about every aspect of what you do." Not pissy - just maybe a little jaded, and that's natural given what we know and what we do. I absolutely love designing something for a small upstart - they have enthusiasm about what they're doing, and by giving them what they need (aka a successful brand/identity), they are some of the most grateful clients.

^Oompa is a lady, not a "dude". I'll move this thread to the appropriate section, though :) Oompa, my suggestions would be the following: Antiques-wise, you could head over to Larchmere near Shaker Square where you might find Roseville Pottery. You could also try some of the antique shops on Lorain between West 60s and West 70s but be careful as that area is kind of dicey. I've been to Bijou and they have some nice (occasionally pricey) stuff: http://www.discoverlorainave.com/lorain/business_info.jsp?id=134 Suite Lorain is cool vintage stuff: http://www.discoverlorainave.com/lorain/business_info.jsp?id=202. With Bijou, park directly in front if you can, and with Suite Lorain, park in their dedicated lot. Friday: During the day, there's an arts/galleries event at the Galleria: http://www.pluggedincleveland.com/events/13023/the-galleria-fine-craft-holiday-gift-s.html Maybe for lunch you could hit up one of the inexpensive spots in the Arcade (Greek Express, etc.). Friday evening, maybe a quiet dinner out at Minh Anh (Detroit-Shoreway)? Saturday: Breakfast and a stroll through the West Side Market and environs. Cheap breakfast at any of the market vendors that offer prepared foods. Inexpensive tchotchke shopping at City Buddha, Bookstore on 25th, grab coffee at Talkies. Lunch at the Diner on Clifton, check out Clifton Web and Flower Child for shopping. Evening out in Ohio City at Great Lakes Brewing, McNulty's Bier Markt, etc. Sunday: Quick brunch at Melt in Lakewood?

Here's the problem folks - you have people trying to start a business and while they might not be the most marketing-savvy people on the planet - they know they need SOME kind of signage. CornerCurve, I hear you loud and clear. However, when you're trying to start a small business venture on a limited budget, a full-blown properly done sign starts at a minimum of several thousand dollars. God knows you'd love to have enough revenue to put up some high-end backlit signage, but you either do that or you eat. Some might have the option of applying for storefront renovation funds (a fantastic program) but not every small business (or their specific location) is eligible. Now imagine yourself in the city's position - you have people poo-pooing the vinyl banners, so you feel obligated to crack down. All of sudden, you have small business owners crying foul and saying the city is being anti-business, etc. I really think it's a matter of both parties (the city/Design Review and the small business owners) wanting to do what's right but having their hands tied.

Nice shots - and this pic in particular absolutely rocks!

Tremont is easier to navigate via landmarks than by street names/numbers, especially the further east from West 14th you get. It was the first neighborhood I lived in when I moved to Cleveland proper and once I realized which church was St. Theodosius, St. John Cantius, Pilgrim UCC, etc., it became sooo much easier to get around. For example, Lucky's is next to St. Theo's, Treehouse is near St. John Cantius, Lava/Lincoln Park Pub/West 14th spots are near Pilgrim UCC. The one thing that seems to throw people is how to get from Ohio City to Tremont - that little dog leg from Lorain-Gehring to Abbey really seems to trip people up.

Not a bad shot considering it was taken from a bus :)

Another ring or two of scaffolding has come off of the Terminal Tower (from Nov. 10):

Updated pic from November 10:

Does anyone like Lansing? :lol: Great photos Rob - it's been a while since I've been back to Canton, but it's looking decent.

I figured one of those might get your attention! ;) Just some random shots from the past few days while the nice weather was around: My folks came to visit, and in what has become a tradition we stopped at Slymans. My Dad saw their famous corned beef sandwich on one of Rachel Ray's shows and ever since, he's found a new favorite sandwich. This thing is absolutely colossal - see what I mean by stacked? Next stop was the Botanical Gardens to the "hot" greenhouse - no idea what this thing was: Blue! Bird! But not a bluebird! Funky flora! Headed up to the top floor of my office building for a few shots. Looking east towards Midtown in the foreground and University Circle in the background: blinker12 and 8ShadesofGray's hood: Back down to the ground: Progress continues on the Corner Alley bowling complex: And a fuzzy bonus from when we had some dense fog downtown:

Grrrr...

That triangle of streets (Elton, Colgate, etc.) bounded by Lorain Avenue, West 65th, and Madison has been bad news for a while. Good to see the residents trying to turn the tide.

^I'd be happy to use my Admin powers to "encourage" them :-D

An update on the Terminal Tower renovation - looks like there's some sort of protective covering for the cone portion beneath the cupola:

"The one down by the Industrial Valley, it's known as "The Tremont Dog Park". Technically it's Clark Fields and in addition to a dog park there are some ball fields, etc.

Wow, over 70% of Cuyahoga County voted for Strickland and Brown - I figured they'd do well but yeesh!

Any designers out there who know Maya, and have a desire for some very high-profile work? http://cleveland.careerboard.com/cgi-bin/a/highlightjob.cgi?jobid=151650

subclavius, here is a very rough map of my personal recommendations (and non-recommendations) for Tremont and Ohio City. These aren't meant to be absolutely accurate but for the most part the areas shown are relatively gentrified, and finding a decent place shouldn't be a problem. The areas in red have experienced an uptick in crime (a regrettable result of the gentrification). Tremont is pretty much decent around Lincoln Park, Ohio City is pretty decent north of Lorain, and close to West 25th: Be aware of any landlord who says their place in the West 70s is "in Ohio City", or if they suggest a place near MetroHealth Hospital is "in Tremont". Most landlords are good but a few try to pull that.

Alright - everyone's had their fun, now back to the topic :whip:

"This is like the third newbie to want to move to the Westside." No - this is like the third newbie to want to move to Cleveland. :) "Can the Eastside get some love?!" Sure - it can also get the snow that the west side doesn't get :lol:

And you've found a place where people don't look at you like you're some kind of freak simply because you notice stupid little things like another ring of scaffolding being removed. :-)

"1. Pittsburgh (This one's for real ... don't rain on my parade)" Honestly, other than sports rivalries I don't know anyone from Ohio who dislikes Pittsburgh. In fact, most people I know (myself included) appreciate the topography, the cultural institutions, etc. What I have noticed though is that quite a few Pittsburghers/Pennsylvanians have a bizarre dislike for anything Ohio, especially Cleveland. The few I've asked never gave any answer other than "I dunno - I just don't like it". :wtf:

I looked at lunchtime and I could see something just beneath the uppermost ring of scaffolding. It was hard to see given the weather, but I want to say that it looks like another ring of scaffolding has come down.

The existing Cleveland skyline: The existing Cleveland skyline with the following buildings heightened: - Eaton Center, from 356' to approx. 550' (I've always felt it was too short) - Penton Media Building from 289' to approx. 380' (I work there, and I wish it was taller for better views) - Fifth Third Center from 446' to approx. 550' (to make for a less drastic drop from 200 Public Square/BP Tower) And the heightened skyline with new towers in places that need them: - 515 Euclid (showing behind top of Rock Hall) - Convention Center hotel (between Key and Terminal Tower) - New tower at Public Square (triangular crown) - Tallest of the buildings in the Stark/Warehouse District proposal (showing between Justice Center and Courthouse Tower)

It's not too far from places in the city like Tremont (hop on I-77), so that's a plus.