Etheostoma Caeruleum

No one said anything about chains. I did! And I am just saying that I hope that chains are not invited...and instead... it can maintain a more local character and identity all its own on that street level scene.

^ Yes, and I like the idea of it in this building even better.

Absolutely! These little stores/shops define the individual character of any given city. Don't go homogenizing this area with crap like more Starbucks... How many more of those kinds of things do we need? If you can get original things like Algebras or Lucky's...etc..Great!.... But please...if not avoiding them at all costs...limit the chains. See one seen 'em all. Nothing special.

The butterfly is gorgeous..... Plant milkweed!

Oh.. Just noticed the extra thread.... I just wanted to remind people that I have a limited supply of bag/gloves. Any extra contributions are appreciated! :-)

^ Thanks.... Btw, people..... I have a limited supply of bags/gloves.... so it would help if people could bring some extras. I usually use them for pick-ups in Ohio City. :clap:

^ and are also among some of the worst chronic noise neighborhoods in Ohio. Just ask Denise Carlouff...or check out www.noiseoff.org Such is a major contribution to forcing decent people to move...to the point what is left behind is a concentration of many who do not know how to behave in a communal setting. Property values then take a poop.

Could be really nice if renovated into something...like an institution for "spray paint art" .... But I see no worth in its current condition...other than a dirt magnet for inappropriate activity, illegal dumping, and tagging...among the more milder of unsavory issues. Other than the door area, I never liked this building or others like it. It would be nice to see a rendering of it renovated. Knock it down and build a small neighborhood. It can be better, faster....stronger!

Environmentally/sustainably speaking...Ohio as a whole is actually populated enough. We don't need to increase population in the cities by getting more people in Ohio, overall... per se...we need to either annex...or reverse the shifting around of people who step over the imaginary line...... just outside city propers Now, I know that is so easier said than done with the parochial mindset establishment. Stats like this make it look, however, that people have left the region all together.

^ Yes, posting this on pages like that is a great help. Remember, for those just coming on this thread...scroll back to get the time and day... I know you're smart enough to figure that out... But just making sure everyone knows where the date/time is. It would be good to keep this thread...and get enough people to do this weekly...some can show up one week..and others can show up other weeks... If there is enough people...someone will always show up. Thank you... By the way, this could evolve into a group that helps other with their clean-ups as well.

^ I can arrange for that. Thank you for your help! :clap:

The problem is that if I propose any other day...someone will say it should have been on another day...and so forth. The time is only for a couple hours.... and having said that... it is really about how much time you can give when showing up. If you can work for an hour...and cannot come 'til noon..that is ok... I know people have things going on..work, family, etc..etc. But the point of this was to just commit..and set a couple hours aside and come help a situation that needs to be dealt with. Having it on a weekend where people are there...is actually a good opportunity to show examples of cleaning this up...rather than the example most kids see...of throwing it down. This first meeting was to basically break the ice and does not mean that future ones must be Saturday. Believe me, as I have organized these things before.... if I said 'Sunday, Monday,' or any other day...someone would have a reason they could not attend..I really do hope you can come. Maybe if all just meet...we can all agree on the best day between us all and take an on the spot vote.

Yes, Ohio used to have deposits on glass... I checked out this website.... It appears nothing is going on in Ohio about this. I know Sierra Club tried promoting this years ago...But it failed. It blows my mind why we're not doing this. I guess we'd rather spend the millions it takes to clean it up... Or worse, not clean it at all so our state or others like it.. becomes a dumping ground and national embarrassment.

^ There was a program called "Cleanland" or something to that nature...and city gardens.... But this is a good idea. You would be surprised at how much a difference just a handful of people can do in a couple hours...In Edgewater...2 strolling the upper path...2 on the lower...2 doing the beach..and 2 doping picnic areas. I planned on focusing on certain areas... if it is kept relatively clean regularly...the job is easy and fast. Speaking of areas needing kept clean....the areas under and around the inner-belt bridge in Tremont rains trash. I am also noticing increased litter, trash, debris along shoulders, medians, embankments, ditches, etc..on every single Cleveland highway--the gateways into the city. I wrote to ODOT several times about the lack of upkeep with this. If you look at where I-77 exits onto I-490 going west...Just take a look when you are on the exit curve...and all the crap laying on the side of the road......the slag is so deep you can dig a hole... This continues all the way until you hit 90 West. I know ODOT has "Adopt-A-Highway" ...But this may be limited to certain more rural right-of- ways If there is one thing I wish this city would be more proactive about is the trash/litter/illegal dumping. I am sick of the overall ignoring of this problem. Seeing this sort of thing pervasive along our highways entering into the city creates among the first impressions...and it is embarrassing as hell. I suggest every Urban Ohioan who cares....shoot ODOT some letters/calls. Myself and a few of my friends did last year. Especially to District 12. Last year, according to ODOT....it cost something like 4 million to clean up litter along Ohio highways...most of which comes from idiots who don't know how to use a trash can. Anyway, I am going off topic.... But your comments made me think of this as it is equally important. Maybe we can start a "Litter Along Our City Highways" thread too.... I feel everyone on this site has the ability to really make some visual differences here. Back to our regularly scheduled programming... Remember..anyone who arrives on the thread late...please scroll back to see the planned schedule for the Edgewater Litter Sweep.

Ok.....whomever can help..any help is good...... Remember..the planned schedule is listed above so if you know anyone who can help...we'd appreciate the help!

In Warren, Ohio...once section 8 was allowed....most of its older neighborhoods closest to the center of town...went to hell. Now it is spreading all over out there. Its wrong. People who get all the freebies and make it a lifestyle, instead of a tool to better themselves.... couldn't care less about the health of the neighborhood. Having more kids...to get more freebies...a rotten cycle...it becomes a lifestyle...and too often, along goes with it... an attitude of entitlement and carelessness about keeping something nice...that others have worked hard to keep that way. Then, the property value takes a poop. We cannot deny these links.

If you want to see the 'real south' get away from the 'the house that the north built' figuratively speaking. Schools? Uh uh... sorry.. I don't buy that one. Especially after seeing my cousins children and my very own brother. As for the notion that business can run itself...do what it wants...land is cheaper, etc.etc.. Last time we tried that philosophy of letting business run unregulated here...the river caught fire.

^ Yes...thank you... Interest has been increasing... Here is the agenda... strike the hammer while the iron is hot... I have gathered a list of people who I thought may want to assist with the Edgewater litter sweep. I sent this message to people off forum as well.... Who will commit to meeting next Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Edgewater Parking lot....at the TOP portion of the park in the small lot? I need about 5 to 6 people. I have bags and gloves...but I suggest bringing your own as well in case you don't like these gloves...also, bring a bag or two if you can as never know what may be useful. I have documents from the state that we can take a look at if we would like to make this a regular thing... Please RSVP with this ASAP. Your commitment of however long you can help...helps! Let's show some pride in our lakeshore. Call my work phone for questions...330-393-4448. So, I will then plan on next Saturday, August 22 at 11:00 AM and figure we can work 'til 1:00...or however long you can.... I'm sure you cannot miss us. Remember..the UPPER portion of the park in the small parking lot near the 'famous Cleveland view' overlook. Call if you get lost... Thank you so much!

^ agreed.

Been there and done this obsession with moving south thing a loooong time ago...the novelty wears off and frankly....the south is becoming one giant sprawl-burb destined for unsustainability... If it keeps up, you can kiss their river systems goodbye. And if that happens...it will eventually be the straw that breaks the camel's back....AND their economy too. And as Taylor said in the Planet of the Apes.."You can count on it Dr. Zaius."

I don't mind the low income...I do, however, mind the obvious behavioral associations with it which might stem from too many freebies to the point the help becomes not a tool to get someone out of a tough life situation....but a lifestyle instead, that often leads to an 'entitlement' attitude that disrespects rights of others. It is just that for decades we've been conditioned to accept and maybe even pacify or excuse the inappropriate elements that often accompany low income projects/inhabitants/and guests of inhabitants. Just because you're "low-income" does not mean you have to also have to be filthy, loud, disrespectful to neighbors...invite friends over who do not know how to behave in a civil community...and who impose their behavior on others in the name of 'rights', 'entitlements'...'freedom' If you're financially challenged... you can still be clean, respectful, humble...Most low income people generally are...But it takes a few hot sparks to create a fire. Too bad that too often, the former accompanies the low income housing scenario. I have lived by it too many times to not be so naive to ignore the obvious associations/links. But it does NOT have to be like this. Ok, now here is a laugh....and some may call it a bit extreme...But it just might work....If I were "King" I would require a mandatory test, both on paper and in action....that before an individual is allowed to live with the rest of society in a reasonably peaceful communal and civil setting...that they show they grasp the basic common sense concepts such as not throwing trash down in your neighborhood...not carrying on with excessive noise at totally inappropriate hours when the rest of the world is usually needing their rest..... That they can speak more words than just the four letter one that so conveniently serves as a verb, gerund, pro-noun, adjective, etc..etc... They would demonstrate that they will respect their neighbors right to reasonable peace in their own home.... Even more...would demonstrate that when you invite friends over, that YOU are responsible for their actions in YOUR home... That you do not use your car horn as a door bell...that you do not park in the middle of the busy street for mere chit chat... and expect the entire world to adapt to you and swerve around you.... You would demonstrate that your personal conversation between friends is YOURS...not something you invite the whole neighborhood into by talking/shouting so loudly that you can be heard in Cairo! You would learn/respect that living in a good neighborhood is a privilege, something that was worked hard for to achieve and maintain...and is not an entitlement...Good neighborhoods become bad in a big way because of simple BAD behavior. You would demonstrate that you recognize absolute ownership and property lines by not walking up and casually playing, fighting, or swearing in someone else's yard or sitting on their front porch to have a smoke... You would learn to not impose illegal excessive/unnecessary noise on everyone else... or use your car window as a trash dispenser for your McDonald's meal, alcohol containers, cigarette/cigar butts, condoms... or Cheetos bags.. And last...a good test to pass would be that you understand that just because you have a challenged income does not mean you have to like act an idiot... or will it be bought as an excuse for really bad behavior... Oh..and also... that your humble abode does not have to look like a hole. Basically, you would have to show you can grasp the concepts of what it means to behave appropriately and respectfully with thy neighbors in a civil communal setting... Good caring neighbors go a long way to keep a neighborhood strong... Bad ones are a big part of tearing them down. All this is nothing really extreme.. It is just basics and common sense that is not so common anymore. Now, how can we teach a new way...a new game to nurture a new more productive and healthy generation of neighbors... Well... Instead of throwing money around for years treating a symptom....why not use it to establish a school and more institutions that will teach future generations ALL the things of basic getting along in society and the meaning of the word 'neighborhood'... that they never learned from dysfunctional parenting...no parenting...and to not to buy into the things that are self destructive...even when mass marketing, for the sake of millions in profit, makes it look like what you're buying into is about your 'self expression' So, do I think we can de-concentrate public housing by infusing affluence... Sure...but they in public housing will need to live somewhere... and this will not do anything to address the behavior many think has to be, and often IS associated with public housing----that usually is the pervasive belief in the USA---that just even a small dose of, is the seed that contributes to the broken window theory which sends neighborhoods into a downward spiral creating crummy neighborhoods again. It is a bad cycle. Bottom line...is reasonable and respectful behavior in a communal setting. I could care less how much you make, what walk of life you come from, your name, color, ethnicity, etc... If you or your friends you invite over act like uncivil, or disrespectful idiots... I don't want to live like that. I hope no one says me expecting what SHOULD be expected from neighbors behavior...is about being in the suburbs. There are idiots there too. Since when did expecting people to respect laws become about living in a particular area.. I thought such logic needs be strived to be applied everywhere.

New team in town called "The Cleveland Grays"

I have many suggestions.... But I will share tonight one topic of suggestion. I posted something I wrote about it on the DCA Advocate Blog. It deals with storefront maintenance. As I walk downtown, I notice how well the ambassadors keep litter picked up and walks periodically washed, etc. There is one thing I feel that is lacking, however, but not really their responsibility....sooo...it would be nice to start seeing a better ethic promoted by the business owners or building owners themselves....and that is, how well the actual storefronts are maintained with simplest of maintenance. I notice that it appears that on many buildings....the windows or the street-level storefront itself looks seldom followed up on basic routine maintenance. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent to restore these facades to a beautiful curb appeal gleam but are allowed to collect a thick layer of dirt which leads to the storefront looking neglected again. I know this is impossible to keep perfect and I am not at all suggesting this...But at least once a week a quick thorough spraying down of the frontage with plain water would do wonders to keep dust and grime that undermines the facade, to a minimum. I hate seeing beautifully restored facades allowed to become dingy from lack of simple maintenance like a bit of washing or painting. Something like this should especially be done after the grime of winter leaves its mark......the salt, slag...road grime ends up spattering the lower parts of the facades. Below is a piece I wrote about this subject. I used to operate a small storefront and what I am describing was just a part of a weekly routine... Cleaning the windows on the door where everyone touches when entering was done daily. Anyway, feel free to spread the idea. It goes a log way in making good impressions. I would like to see this city look just as good in person, as it does in the pictures. Anyway, if anyone wants to read below...feel free... Thanks Making The Core City Storefront Scene More Attractive The Old World Shopkeeper Way To Start The Day! Remember when the old downtown shopkeeper used to have a daily routine before opening the shop that would consist of a 20 to 30 minute chore session which would include jobs such as quickly washing/sweeping the front walk, washing windows, spraying down store facades with the hose, picking up litter and viola!---then the open sign would be flipped over? On a regular basis, many merchants would even apply a fresh coat of paint to preserve and beautify the store facade . This made the core city old storefronts last forever and maintain their charming architectural appeal. How often do we see this happening these days? I don’t see it very much or at least as much as it really should be done! Many storefronts are allowed to deteriorate to the point they become unattractive to patrons. Such storefronts, with their old world charm, coziness, and romantic allure, are what separates the core city from the suburbs. When left to decay by not doing the simple things mentioned above, we witness one more element of the kind of urban decline that contributes to sending life in the city packing or going elsewhere. Simply put, it is a symbol of neglect and lack of pride that does not exude confidence in our town. By doing simple ‘little shopkeeper’ daily routines, we can assure out retail core in Cleveland remains attractive and competitive--hence attracting more urban activity inward toward the urban hub, and not sprawling outward and becoming a part of energy consumptive sprawl. Places like Crocker Park and Legacy Village are great retail centers, but are mere paper tiger imitations of what we already had in the Central Business District--but still, those areas are heavily shopped mainly because patrons are attracted to the fresh look and feeling of safety they offer. When urban retail cores are allowed to slip beginning with not doing the small things mentioned in this article, or even by law enforcement not nipping potentially small crimes that could lead to bigger ones, in the bud----more and more potential patrons will opt for supporting the suburban mega store---or the imitation downtowns like C.P. and L.V. At the very least, picking up litter on a daily basis around your property makes a world of difference. Even something as simple as refreshing vegetation planters with native wildflowers is a sign of attentiveness, pride, and care. As I walk through the Flats and Ohio City, in many places it looks as though none of the above is ever done---or at least not nearly enough. It’s time we all pitch in and do a better job in performing all of the above; especially the commercial buildings and properties., because these are among the first areas visitors see --- and will help shape the first impression of our city. Another idea to improve the downtown storefront scene revolves around better presentation of downtown empty storefronts. Places that stand empty, have sat empty long enough with the basic "shoe polish smeared on windows with a 'For Rent' sign hanging on the door" Perhaps a more attractive way to present such space until it becomes rented out would be to allow local artists/designers and window merchandiser displayer to create art murals, and samples as to how such a downtown empty storefront COULD look when done up right. Many malls implement such a plan. The Galleria does it now. I think it would exude a much better and more positive atmosphere than seeing, for example, the place on the corner of 4th and Euclid sitting so long with dirty windows and an array of construction debris and equipment scattered all around within. Additionally, if done well, I think this would help to inspire more passersby who may be business inclined, to consider the possibility of opening up shop downtown. Having storefronts prepared and presented like this--and with a "FOR LEASE/RENT"--or "OPEN YOUR BUSINESS HERE!!!" posted as well.... Sure beats the old show polish method as described earlier. I think the best it offers is the aspects of presenting a more rejuvenated atmosphere, rather than a empty and desolate one.

^ Hi, thanks for your interest... If you can empty your PM box so I can send a note so that you can contact me personally to get on the email list, I would appreciate it. I tried to send a note and the box is full. Thanks!

C'mon folks... this is a challenge to discover just how much Cleveland cares about it's beach and green waterfront environment... 3 people so far... I'm recruiting... WE NEED YOU! Edgewater/Lake Erie NEEDS you! Read the above posts to find out how to help... Thanks...