Etheostoma Caeruleum

Folks, wait til you see this one!!!! It will blow you away! And... A possible giant mosaic Mona Lisa to come later on someplace else, and the Packard Automobile "Goddesses of Speed!" ...Stay tuned! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: A GIANT ART INSTALLATION AT 811 PROSPECT ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF A NEW SUPERHERO WHO CALLS CLEVELAND HOME. GET READY FOR APAMA! Watch the process unfold before your eyes - literally - at 811 Prospect Avenue this Saturday, September 11th at 11:30 AM. All the windows from both floors of the building will be filled with huge comic book images in an installation that tops out at nearly 35 feet high. The proposal's mockup can be viewed here. http://herotomorrow.blogspot.com/2010/09/apama-811-prospect-avenue-building.html The project came to fruition through a collaboration of Cleveland Storefront Art; the building's owner, Joe Ditchman of Ostendorf-Morris; and Apama's creator Ted Sikora. Cleveland Storefront Art is an all-volunteer group headed by Robert Carillio. The group has a mission of connecting owners of downtown vacant storefront windows with artists or non-profit organizations. CSA coordinator Joan Smith said, "This particular building created a serious challenge because of the sheer volume of the window space. When I saw the Apama art I realized it was a great fit. The building with its red-outlined windows lends itself very well to comic book panels." Apama creator Ted Sikora stated, "I remember being spellbound by the giant mural of Batman and Robin on the side of a building in downtown Cleveland during the 70s. This will hopefully give that same kind of feeling with an indie-local flavor." Issue 1 of Apama can be read free online at www.herotomorrow.com. ABOUT APAMA: Back in 1932 two guys from Cleveland Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created the world's first super powered crimefighter, Super-Man. Over the years thousands of characters have been created in the genre, but almost none have ever called Cleveland home. Now longtime friends and filmmakers Ted Sikora and Milo Miller have co-written and produced a new comic book series entitled "Apama - The Undiscovered Animal" whose adventures take place all over Cleveland. Apama made his debut at San Diego's Comic Con International, in the independent film "Hero Tomorrow" which has been an international film festival sensation, screening at festivals everywhere from New York to Montreal, Rome, Brazil, Australia, and of course Cleveland. In the Cleveland based film, David is a struggling comic book artist who can't sell his original superhero idea, Apama, to a publisher. His girlfriend, being an aspiring costume designer, makes him a costume of Apama for Halloween. Once David's life goes to pot, he decides to embark on various misadventures in real life dressed up as his own superhero. The comic book "Apama: The Undiscovered Animal" is a realization of David's dream that imagines what David would have created had he succeeded in his comic book creating career. So what is an Apama? With so many great super-heroes based on creatures from nature (Spider-Man, Bat-Man, Wolverine) the creators asked themselves, "What if there was another creature that was so powerful and stealth that is was still undiscovered by modern man?" That creature is the Apama. In the comic book, Hungarian ice cream truck driver Ilyia Zjarsky goes hiking one day and finds the ancient Native American scroll that reveals the key to enabling the Apama's spirit in a human. Says Sikora, "This isn't just some adaptation of a movie. Milo and I felt that we truly had something new to say in the genre. This book will stand on its own two feet without any knowledge of our film." When the team decided to make this into a comic book they put an ad out for an illustrator on the website ConceptArt.org. "To our shock over 100 artists from all over the world applied for the project. It was tough to narrow it down, but Spaniard Benito Gallego was our ultimate choice." "Benito's art reminded us of the classic '70s comic book style we all grew up loving." says Sikora. "His panel layouts give the story a very seamless flow - a very rare quality. He draws beautiful females, and does wonderful work with architecture. In the past he had done quite a bit of animal-monster themed comic art, so he was the perfect fit." Says Gallego of the project, "It's a very mature approach to the superhero genre, It goes from comedy to horror passing through romance. There are references to spiritual knowledge, ethnicities, culture, religion, and mythology." To help Benito capture authentic Cleveland, Sikora went all over town, photographing various locations to create the right feel. "It was just like scouting for our film all over again. I actually got permission to show some actual storefronts and apartment buildings as well." The 35 page first issue of "Apama" can be read free on the film's website (www.herotomorrow.com). The comic is expected to publish on a quarterly basis, and is intended for mature audiences. The DVD for Hero Tomorrow, which has over four hours of material, is available for purchase on the film's website and iTunes. For more information contact Ted Sikora 216-346-0307

Is the Lemon Tree Cafe open in there?

When walking through this place I cannot imagine---and this is just my taste---why anyone (besides being disconnected via auto from their city and those aspects) would want to trade what was this setting for shopping or doing business in a real downtown setting....which offers an experience, in exchange for the big box, clone zone sterile strip mall, etc. scene. Walking under there exuded the feeling of class and was like stepping back in time. I actually felt like I was in this setting in another time....and it was welcoming. Maybe that's just the magic of architecture/art at work. Anyway, I thought to myself... people just don't know what they're missing or what they have given up. Then this leads to the quote.. "We only save what we love and we only love what we know" I will post another best kept secret tomorrow.. This time having to deal with greater Cleveland's natural heritage. Something pretty impressive. Stay tuned!

Broadway was having sewage work done in the middle..but the sides have not been stripped and are barely drivable. I hope they plan on resurfacing this.

Interesting. Hidden indeed. Observation at WSM? Where can I find this one? Something came to mind today....when I was in it for the first time in a while, yesterday....The Huntington Building. Most of us know the splendor of the lobby areas.... BUT, how many people have ventured below the street level to see the labyrinth of hallways all with storefronts? The design is beautiful....there is a history of the building window...and many small stores still in this area. It is like a series of indoor mini underground streets!

They cannot afford a bike lane because they need the money to weed wack and mow insignificant places along the highways.... :-P Seriously, this is not so bad...It could be better... But the bridge we have standing is looking like a piece of crap rusting to bits, filthy and not well maintained... But I question how long this generic one will last.

I did not really know where to appropriately post this question/comment. It concerns Broadway Ave. in Cleveland. Sometimes I have to travel down that road for work related reasons and have not been in around 6 months until today. The road was apparently getting some sewer work done for several miles. It was virtually un-drivable, bikeable, or busable due to the surface being so bumpy. Does anyone know if this road is going to be re-surfaced when this project is completed? I mean it was utterly terrible....and I am concerned as I may have to drive it more these days...and if I do, there will be nothing left of my vehicle!

Gee whiz....thanks.. I think... :? I just stumbled across this. I must have been suspended while it was posted. Great photo of EC. They're stunning when viewed in person, of should I say "in fish" :-D They also have wonderful "fishanalities!" "Fish worship... is it wrong?"-- Ray Troll

^ Absolutely correct, they indeed...are... and one of my biggest peeves. I hope we can get some examples of slogans on some trash/recycling cans as a part of Gardens Under Glass to serve as an example for all of downtown. I have been suggesting the Sydney, Australia slogans... "Don't be a tosser...bin your butts" or ..... "Our city is not an ashtray...bin your butts, its not that hard"

Thanks... and yes, there are messages on many storm drains.

I hope that some of you can attend this meeting and presentation. It has been announced by a few block clubs and neighborhood associations. Remember, it is next Tuesday, September 14th @ 7:00 pm at St. Paul’s Community Church, located on the corner of W.45th and Franklin. Thank You!

This holiday season or any season....a birthday, wedding or special event planned? Looking for something nifty and earth friendly too? Looking for some produce for your cooking year round? How about making your green business idea come true? Looking for some really nice art? Maybe some obscure item only a great thrift store can offer (trying to recruit one--a good one at that!) How about something to eat that is a bit more healthy? Are you looking to environmentally enhance or "green" up your classic or trendy urban home with some really cool ideas that could utilize rainwater barrels, creating backyard wildlife friendly (hummingbirds/butterflies/colorful native plantings) small gardens on the roof or on the ground? How about coming to a place where you can view interesting environmentally related/sustainability related documentary presentations not usually seen on TV or in mainstream theater? Have a Meet-up event you'd like to plan here? How about learning a bit more on some of the local aquatic life in Cleveland or improving your indoor air quality/environment for you and your pets? How about enjoying all this in an oasis type atmosphere...under one roof... on what is essentially an indoor downtown street? If so, come on down and re-discover this place and help make it work as a national example. There is plenty of parking on 12th....and plenty underground...as well as this facility being easily accessible by foot, bike, personal transportation via highways....or public transportation. Not far from Asiatown, hotels, and a short walk from Public Square and E.4th or WHD. See you at this "Field Of Greens" in the making!..... By the way, volunteers are always welcomed. Students looking for such are welcomed...or if you're retired, or have some extra time on your hands and would like to lean a lot in the process.

JBorger, I agree. Good points...and some of the photos should be updated to include the best. I have seen so many on this forum that would be perfect. This washed out Edgewater view they had on there is sloppy. We have so many photos here that do the place much more justice. I would also emphasize more on population of the greater metro area as well...and maybe neighborhoods. Maybe even a Gardens Under Glass mention.

Did they lose the game yesterday with the Angels?

Let's not forget about the grand opening night of the learning/retail center at the Gardens Under Glass Project. This is happening September 22nd. Please come by and learn about what the whole scope of the project entails and how it can serve downtown and surrounding neighborhoods well in being functional/walkable. See the website for the details at: www.gardensunderglass.net Grand Opening Link: http://web.me.com/gardensunderglass/gardensunderglass/Grand_Opening_Invite.html

^ Unfortunately the stupidity/dysfunction that reigns so much probably calls for a need for something like that at the checkout---or, warrants a decision to stock them there. There are probably a lot who run through the line who are probably pregnant, aren't really sure...so the test is a great bait, store makes money.

Interesting photos. One of the Arcadia books has many featured photos and text about "Big Italy" It is the "Little Italy" book of course.

Good point. A lot of travel within the continental US can be served by rail instead. I see this as more enviro. friendly than spewing jet fume fall out across the skies each day in every direction imaginable. (reminds me of an article I recently read about watermelons having been found to contain what can be traced back to jet fuel) While you can't account for all the variables, I would only travel by plane if it is father than 1000 miles, if indeed, we had a comprehensive quality network of rail in this country, which we do not currently have. So, one is left with not much choice.

^^ Or, Chicago is "Cleveland jumbo!" ;-)

^ This scenario may be even worse because too many locals in N.E. Ohio already have an inferiority complex... This seems to compound the problem, no?

Did anyone see the new...or should I say "old" ranking about Cleveland ...NOW featured on Yahoo news front page as Cleveland being one of the most "stressful" places in which to live? It seems there is some kind of major bias this kind of media has against Cleveland and has done everything to further perpetuate negative images and attitudes. What makes this worse is that it just happens to be featured on Yahoo front page news.

Did you see 'the world's largest geode?' Also, isn't that a Lake Erie water snake? Those are a protected specie.

I agree. On another note the cleaning looks good in the photo above. I wish the same would be done for the stains on the back of the Landmark office buildings behind T.T.

^ Yes.

Agreed... To me, this is no great loss. No matter what anyone says or how they rationalize it, we have built too many of these big box retailers in N.E. Ohio. Cannibalization, etc. was imminent. Besides, we have a host of real and locally owned/independent stores where the experience is totally different and unique---not a clone zone experience with the big boxes trying to piggy back off of the atmosphere, feel, and themes the small stores created in the first place. Want to see the neighborhoods stay vibrant with such stores? That may be the reason it pays to spend a few extra cents if you have to. They're not museums, they're real businesses. Now, if they open in Uptown, there is no loss. The monstrosities surrounding Severance never needed to be built in the first place.