Etheostoma Caeruleum

Has the main shaft of the tower been cleaned too? ..all the lower floors? How much more will be done..and what? The reason I ask about the lower floors and the stone cleaning is because it looks way better than in the first picture....NOW...But, I never witnessed the work on the lower floors and I wonder to myself.. "How did they do that???" Like magic! I also think of Rumpelstiltskin spinning the wheel way up in the top.... Isn't that how that story goes? I always wondered what it looked like way way up there!

Thanks for all who are helping with this project. Thanks to your enthusiasm....we will likely have 3 more places soon. Also, these people who wish to participate are spreading the word. I will contact/post immediately when the next clean session will be needed. I am also encouraging the windows to be lit up with the display lights for a few hours at night...so imagine walking downtown and having some lit storefronts at night! We'll get it done little by little! As a whole, it will definitely make downtown look more marketable. Also...great article above!

"In the end, we will be judged not only by what we build...but also by what we refuse to destroy...and we only save what we love and only love what we know" --- A combo of a couple good quotes I tweaked a bit that apply to this sort of stuff! By the way, can't some of that facade/facing tiles on the Cad Building be saved... That stuff would make some great indoor art or garden art... The faces are really nice. Anyone can get in there and save a piece for me....let me know. Better than having it buried in a landfill.

Here is something that makes me want to PUKE!!!!...... "cuz" (for because) "wuzzup" ...... "ur" (for YOU ARE) no "G" on "ing" end---ING words..... "Goin', fishin', huntin'...four wheelin'."... and all that asinine gibberish that develops rotten basic spelling, speaking, and grammar habits.... bastardizing of the language. I hate it...hate it... HATE IT!!!!! People spelling exactly as they speak!

The book was a series... The Browns one was written by "Jack Clary" I think...something like that.. It was just called "Cleveland Browns" It covered the team up until 1974, I think.... Great photos in it...interviews with all the greats! I purchased it in a small sports cards shop way back in 1982.

This whole theme for a display is just a concept that has just been formulated on this discussion today. There is nothing made/carved in stone saying it will manifest. However, I am sure there are some people who would love such a display in their window. The key is to find that person. If this idea happens, it is not getting too political to simply do something as described here earlier. Again, if it happens, we'll run it through UO for a review. Still there is no hiding the obvious that they have beaten the same old..same old into the ground on many occasions. Maybe more people should write to their opinion section about that. How about the use of THE "PAIN" DEALER as a name of a paper? We're not saying Plain Dealer.... Anyway, don't panic anyone... We're not going to hurt anything or ruin the project. I promise. It would be good, though....if more people held their local paper accountable for some of the crap spewed out over and over again. This one scares away investment and interest in this town.

That it went from the "Cleveland Plain Dealer" to "The Plain Dealer"? It would be good to show that contrast too. In how they dropped "Cleveland" I just received a call from two more fronts who want this program started. Again, if there is anyone out there who can gather these headlines and get them printed out...this would be a great contribution. I can get this done, but I am trying to not shove too much work on one person.

We'll see... Nothing will be presented without all approval. I just think the idea is worthy and should be integrated into the project. If anyone can come up with those 'paper format headliners' ....large enough for a window...that would be a help.

I don't even think we will have to mention the PD at all.... There will be no slandering. Posting something they posted and made available for the public for all to see isn't slandering them. This is no more slander than it is to write an opinion to the paper openly criticizing them. This isn't even that harsh. But the paper format is good.... I don't even know that I want to even say their name... Maybe something like "The Plane Duller" Just kicking around ideas. Plane, as in airplane! :-)

I picture a window theme that has all the best of the worst headlines and over-repeated phrases...rephrased with the same meaning and so on.... With "Hey...No wonder we have an inferiority complex!!!" posted at the top.... Surrounded by some of only the best Cleveland art and photography showcasing Cleveland and the area....All in an area of downtown that is really nice... When people read this...they might think.... "Why does their paper do this..it is not so bad here...it is actually kind of nice and has a lot of potential" Urban Ohio can also be advertised to direct people to a more progressive forum. How is that for starters gang? By the way, if anyone has happened to NOT have ever heard the Don Henley song... Have a listen and listen to the lyrics carefully.. Is this NOT what the PD does to this city most of the time?

Ok, let's make a little contest.... Think of a header...a catchy one that would be followed by all the headlines McCleveland was talking about... Maybe as I suggested... Let's get the ideas going and let's see if I can make them a reality in a window.

^ Yes, definitely... The key is to get a laugh and evoke some thoughts... without anyone not wanting it in their window.

^ Actually... you just may have a brilliant idea. So... Please save all the comments.... I can get them on a banner...and implement them into an art display with a theme that maybe could help the PD straighten up their act... Something like.. "No wonder we often have a negative self image"...Then all the quotes. So, McCleveland... Indeed..save each and every one. I sense a way to softly and tastefully embarrass the paper... The North East Ohio inferiority complex kills us socially, environmentally, and economically... And just because we want to be positive... does not mean that we are not wanting to hear the truths about matters that matter... and instead...only all the light and fluffy that is.. It is simply how the PD delivers that sort of thing with the Don Henley approach....and yet offers no solutions, other side to the story....Nor do they really ever cover a lot of the positives that are going on. I had to come here to find this and other sources.

Great idea! Haha!!! When you collect enough of those...you should send it back to the PD and ask if they can please get a little more creative in their writing and quit with these beaten down comments that are just plain tired...and as BAD as is the image they portray of Cleveland. By the way, all of the above discussion is part of the reason I am working on beginning an online radio station for the city..the neighborhoods and all that is a plus... I will eventually come out with the announcement here.

Maybe Urban Ohio can start a new newspaper. When I win some cash... I will fund its get go! Here is the new Plain Dealer theme song... YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

^ If you say something enough times...people start to believe it. Hitler and Bush and many others figured that one out.... In Cleveland/N.E. Ohio, there is an inferiority complex....almost as if parents teach their kids to hate it here. They don't know why... They don't know why they have to move either.. They were just told this...and they heard it enough times so they start jumping on the bandwagon to believe it. Cleveland's worst enemies come from within....and are typically those who cannot find one positive thing to say about their city/region....and usually those who never set foot outside the realm of the 'gray area' A.K.A. a lot of what entails post WW2 suburban world. Many people here have such a low self esteem.....they feel the same about their city....then project this repeated image over and over again until others---who may have never even been here, or have no opinion about it either good or bad----end up believing what these turds-in-the punch bowl repeatedly project. Point? People start seeing you for what you project....and if what we project is a "Schleprock...woe-is-me....wousy, wousy wooo wooo" attitude...then that will be how we are seen. The PD does all it can do to perpetuate that attitude to give angry frightened suburbanites verification in ink, of their often sordid opinions of their city. They play on the fear and this formula sells a lot of newspapers. Those who move away from here and like to get on PD blogs and post comments about how glad they are they left....seem to be almost jealous that others are actually trying to make a difference here....are successful here.....and have made it. It is almost as if they have failed...and then have to blame their failure on the city itself. These are just my observations.... But indeed, the negative images are by and large self generated...Mostly. My friend was here from Australia.... Sydney...and was really enjoying herself, seeing the great, the bad, and the ugly of the whole region....but could not, for the life of here, understand why anyone would ask her..... who was from here....a question like... "Oh, why did you come to Cleveland?" (with a scouring look on their face) Instead of saying something like "Welcome... how do you like it? What have you been doing here so far? Did you go to???..etc" I was really embarrassed of many of the locals dismal peasant-like attitude...especially when she lives in Sydney where civic pride is everywhere. This pride is FREE and it does wonders to generate a mentality that will produce citizens who will not allow their city to be dragged down to the point where things happen to make it a place people want to move away from. I think more Clevelanders need to try that logic on for size, starting with the PD and their sensationalist style (as echoed in the Don Henley song "Dirty Laundry"). Bottom line... you act like and project POOP...people will think you're POOP!

^ "Wal-Mart actually tends to come into the cities and reinvest in older shopping districts, since that's where they can get enough land at a low enough price to make it cost-effective to put a store there. " That is laughable! They 'tend' to sprawl.... The typical menu.. Wal-Mart as the main dish, flanked by Lowe's as the side...then Applebee's for desert. I wish they made a habit of re-investing in existing lands/older retail areas, brownfields (like Steel yards) but this is not the general rule of what they do.

Yes...and here's another...when they add the 's' to Anyway.. It is NOT "anyways!" It is just Anyway!

Bring on Chef Jamie Oliver.

I have witnessed people who will wait 20 minutes or more (judging from the number in like and an average of 2 minutes per order) in a drive-thru to eat crap....instead of taking 5 minutes to run into the nearest grocery store to grab an already made deli sandwich some fruit and a drink--and just something much better for them. Lazy...Lazy..Lazy... The results.... FAAAAAAATTTTTT!!!!

^ You're right...its not worth it... You are not going to get me to ignore the obvious. Say what you want... There are too many of these in Ohio...or we wouldn't be leading the nation in empty ones...or, where they have to keep promising growth for their shareholders...abandoning one store and building a 24/7 one across the street, where all kinds of nasty characters are attracted like flies to honey. I wonder if those who are so adamant in defending them, might work for them. Well, if so...its like U.S. basically said.. "Its hard to get someone to understand something when their paycheck depends upon them not understanding" (or something to that effect) Fooey on WM! They're poop.

Great shots! Did you get a chance to go to Lanterman's Mill in Mill Creek? There is some great natural beauty there...a nice natural gorge with a hiking trail. You can also take a tour through the mill. The park itself has some nice structures too. Also, did you get to Stambaugh Auditorium?

^ Yes, please check the other thread for news on this as well just in case. The "Who Wants To Help Clean The Shoreline" one in City Discussion. Also, if there are times I cannot make it...please, gang, go at it.... I think this will catch on. I also had a long chat with State ODNR H.Q about getting better maintenance on this park regarding litter control...... I made many suggestions--and the person I spoke with agreed totally. I also spoke with park office management and I did not get the enthusiasm they should be exuding. I talked about that with HQ as well..and HQ agreed that maintenance needs to make it a par of their daily routing, especially during cutback times to walk the paths and get all litter within eyeshot. To keep the parks as litter free as possible is...and becomes a number one priority even when staff is cut back. This is not happening at this park. I was told they need to get out of their vehicles more to get a connection with the park that can only be gained on foot---so they will see the issues close up. It is hard to see this from being in the vehicle, often, as it is like a cocoon. I am pushing to re-instate the 'walk the park daily' policy with their maintenance staff. Some calls to ODNR requesting the same would help. Thank You All.. Look forward to seeing you again. I also need a sort of assistant organizer. I am hoping this can be Hubz.. Where are you, man! :-)

"Unregulated" capitalism?! I certainly hope this was an attempt at humor. Does <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html#page1">this</a> or <a href="http://codes.ohio.gov/oac">this</a> look like "unregulated capitalism" to you? As for the original topic: If Wal-Mart is still paying their leases and their taxes, yes, they have the right to keep their "dark" stores. However, given that they are a fairly rational, capitalist company, they're not going to want to keep those things on their books forever. Someone will find a use for them eventually, and the price will come down to what the market will bear. Wal-Mart's spokesperson in that article said basically as much, and I believe it, because it makes sense: they'd even be willing to sell or lease to a competitor. They're not doing the company any favors just sitting there. Personally, I shop at Wal-Mart on a fairly regular basis--probably at least one trip per month. I'm often forced to shop late at night, and the Wal-Mart Supercenter near me is open 24/7; almost nothing else in the Canton area is. There are some things I don't get from there, because they don't have what I want--produce and clothing, primarily. For just about everything else, though, I just don't get the hate. Also, while they apparently do at least sometimes leave an old store empty to build a new, larger one nearby, I know that the Wal-Mart nearest my parents' house--the one in the Crosscreek Center in Heath, OH--actually basically saved the shopping center it was in, buying up enough additional space that otherwise would likely have stood vacant to expand the regular Wal-Mart into a Supercenter. You keep telling yourself all that.... Whatever helps you sleep at night... Keep repeating... "They are my benefactor" Hey, that's swell by me. Still, we don't need one on every block until the retail market is saturated to the point where there is little choice of anyplace else after we see a domino effect of closings in their wake...and to the point where they even cannibalize themselves and leave communities with the burden of filling another huge empty box in an auto-centric sea of wasteland. I always thought a diverse economy breeds a stable one--instead of relying on this big entity to provide for all our needs as you somewhat were indicating to a point (how much you depend on them for this or that). Connect the dots how this costs your community. And no....the comment was not an attempt at humor.... but I was actually amused by yours. It was rooted in the notion that there are who some seem to think that we should just allow big business to do as they wish and all will fall into place.....let developers dictate local land use planning...(which is like putting loggers in charge of forest management) etc. That brings us unwanted or needed sprawl...and even a burning river! Communities did this with with Wal-Mart and their developers in basically homogenizing the entire retail landscape coast to coast. Like I said... you want to shop there fine...Knock yourself out. I can think of a myriad of other enterprises at which I would rather chose to spend my money to keep it local. I am healthier than 99.99% of the people who go there...so I must be doing something right...and I am living proof that the human race does not need a Wal-Mart on every corner. Your opinions are common of those who have never run a small family type business.....or of those just worried about saving that dime no matter the consequence....so I understand. There are those who don't care. I don't mean that insultingly, either. Personally, I don't want my state to look like a train wreck heap of empty big box stores to the point it makes headlines like OHIO LEADS NATION WITH EMPTY BOX STORES (Just more fodder for negative publicity on sites like Cleveland Dot Com) I would also not want to simply reassure myself that eventually they will be used for something. That's ridiculous. I have a better solution...adopt a better comprehensive land use plan for the state and avoid getting into the 'if we build it they will come' gamble. They are the most fought entity to keep out of communities coast to coast by efforts spearheaded by a lot of smart forward thinking people in very progressive communities. There are good reasons for this in such terms as sustaining and preserving a communities identity, local economy, and diversity...and character. I refuse to think they ALL have it wrong, and Ohio has it right. The market won't fix everything as comforting a thought it may be. Check out a little bit more about what is underneath the facade of their propaganda and you may better understand the 'hate' They are what they are...and the cheap price comes at a cost. I just don't want it to be my state's economic, social, and environmental integrity. I am not saying there is no place for them..... We just don't need one on every block...and I don't want Ohio to be their hapless experiment where they need no market study to prove the need for so many--and instead, just take a 'throw the cards into the air' approach where all the ones that land face up, will stay open...and all the ones that land face down will close. (cards representing a WM store) I think we deserve better. By the way, I don't know if you're aware...but a lot of the name brands such as appliances (particularly vacuum cleaners--I know because I have been in that business for several years) you see in these stores are actually a lower grade than the given company's superior grade they may sell to fair sized independent retailers. Yet, the deception is when they get you to think you're getting the same thing. So when it breaks and winds up clogging more landfills, and we replace it three more times...the bargain wasn't such a bargain afterall. We see a label of a name brand and think we're getting something great...and that is not always the case. Like that bumper sticker said....MALL WART-your source for cheap plastic crap!

^ Well, I am not a phone book advocate either...But two things we must remember... 1. To not to forget how to actually look something up in a book. (Have a niece who didn't even know how to use an encyclopedia when the net server was down) 2. Make sure you write important numbers down in case of power outages when the internet or cell phone is not an option. You never know when we will be attacked by zombies.