surfohio

There's an old joke with West Coasters calling it "Lake Atlantic." It's certainly not like California where there's waves every day, but the East Coast gets good when the hurricanes sweep by. Or during winter storms. That's when places like Rockaway really shine, and it will break there as well as anywhere. Jones Beach always looked fun, but Ditch Plains/Montauk is definitely the place! It's been a beacon for Eastern surf culture since the 60's. Beautifully scenic, clean water. The waves there get really really good. My friend's neighborhood is still very much "pioneer" territory. His next door neighbors did a fantastic restoration of their bungalow - they're surfers from Hawaii. And another surfing pal of his is a hilarious bald tattooed maniac who used to jam with the Ramones. Definitely a lot of characters in that hood. But they all pointed over to the projects and warned "Do NOT ever walk in that direction." Wake up call for sure. If you get the opportunity, I'd love to see some pics of your friend in Brooklyn making a board. Shaping, well, I'm in awe of people who can do that. It takes a good amount of knowledge, artistry and ability to build surfboards. Plus it's usually very photogenic!

Great job!!! The beach improvements look great. For a while surfers have been co-opping houses to store boards, wetsuits, and proximity to a quick hot shower in the cold months. Boards on the subway are a pain in the butt. It's led to a pretty neat underground culture there. My buddy has a beautiful modern house, two blocks from the beach with a yard that's like an oasis. One night I stayed over and I couldn't sleep because of a lethal, noisy combo of JFK airport, the train and a prostitute who yelled "I'm workin' my business" about 4,000 times in a row. I'm pretty used to city noise but the noise level there is ridiculous.

Yep! American Flyers was pretty fun also. It's written by Steve Tesich, who did the screenplay for Breaking Away. If you don't know that's pre-stardom Kevin Costner on the left: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Flyers

Even worse, the Help Line the CMSD provided (say, just in case the school was instead actually a hole in the ground) was a non-working number.

Hey mrnyc, did your trip back into town involve the Yankees, or was that just a coincidence? You don't have George Costanza's old job do you?

Had the chance to stop by Rising Star last weekend. That's a very cool little spot!

Bit of an update on Westin. Last week contractor Marous has finally been paid for the work they've completed. However, there is nothing firm about when they'll be able to continue with the additional work.

I read "stunning" a couple times, I believe I'll add one more stunning! to the mix!

^ It happens in eminent domain all the time. Not saying it's always right. But when it makes sense financially then it's the right thing to do. And you do it in a sensible way, perhaps the way KJP suggested; you don't just throw people into the streets. Done the right way, everyone will benefit.

K&D - for whatever reason - they just can't figure out how to correctly address space at ground level.

Completely agree. I'm so sick of reading or hearing that an entire development or neighborhood should be turned over and bulldozed because of the actions of one or a few. Give it a rest! I think the fact that it's public housing is what makes it vulnerable; the residents don't own it.

Agree it's not Lakefront, but proximity to the river, Wendy Park and Flats West Bank has considerable value. I don't know what's so displeasing about the Garrett Morgan Water Plant. It's really interesting architecture. The mounds of sand and ore etc. don't bother me at all. It's not like the place is filled with Tanneries or Steel Mills. This entire area should be redeveloped with better waterfront access asap. "Proximity" perhaps... but no "access" to any of that. LT and the river are divided by a strip of industry. As ridiculous as it is, you are closer to access to Wendy Park if you live in D-S than if you live in OC and FWB. I probably would disagree about the proximity to the FWB because the amenities down there don't really offer much of an attraction to urban-oriented folks..... i.e. the people that would want to rent/buy here. FWB is more for 21 year old surbaban frat boy binge drinkers, boaters, and old perverts who 'ain't gettin any' at home. And, FWIW, the mounds sure would bother me if I was looking to purchase a place to live. Access to all of our waterfront is a work in progress, and shouldn't be discounted simply because present conditions suck. This area is all about potential; about the future of our city and ideas of what can be accomplished. I think that's the root of our disagreement. It seems in your mind the nature of the place (ugly, filled with d-bags, industrial strip, project housing) is cemented forever. If people were to subscribe to that viewpoint we may as well write off 80 percent of Cleveland right now because of crime, bad architecture, d-bags, etc.

If we're going to be supporting people I think KJP's plan is the way to do it.

Agree it's not Lakefront, but proximity to the river, Wendy Park and Flats West Bank has considerable value. I don't know what's so displeasing about the Garrett Morgan Water Plant. It's really interesting architecture. The mounds of sand and ore etc. don't bother me at all. It's not like the place is filled with Tanneries or Steel Mills. This entire area should be redeveloped with better waterfront access asap.

I think parent involvement has far more implication when you're dealing with younger children. It's more than simply ignoring your kids education. Working in Slavic Village (poor section of CLE) my wife has been heartbroken, having to send students home or to children's services countless times because their hygiene wasn't taken care of. And perhaps even worse than neglect are the parents who actively dissuade their children from learning because "my son's going to the NBA/NFL/etc. anyhow" or because "minorities can't get ahead even with an education." I've heard these things said and can't believe it. Then of course there are the kids who are outright abused at home. Unreal. The entire classroom is affected by these kinds of things.

Well now, there is a question worth answering. How indeed? Policing, social services, community organizing, economic development? These tools would work better at increasing safety and building a better city than just shunting around the poor from neighborhood to neighborhood. I have compassion for the majority of LT's residence who are honest, law abiding people. I just don't think keeping public housing on the waterfront is very smart.

It feels so weird to read the cleveland.com comments section and and actually agree with half of them.

Love those houses!

Most Americans have no absolutely no idea what you're talking about. p.s. I thought to call the photo thread "evil personified" to be funny. Those people look just like us.

Great thinking. Also there's the baseball crowd that currently has little incentive to venture down E. 9th.

^ One of our greatest assets. Interesting note from wiki: The Big Darby Creek is one of the most biologically diverse aquatic systems in the Midwest.[2] It is the site of the only known population of the Scioto madtom, a fish which is now thought to be extinct.[3]

Not sure if this is in KJP's big list, but Lake West on Lake Ave. in CLE welcomes dogs, they have a big sign saying so. I know it looks haunted, but I can assure you, only the elevator is haunted. Nice neighborhood too. A block to Edgewater Park, walkable, and convenient highway access.

Or, you could've given me the benefit of the doubt. :wave:

Some terrific city shots here: http://imgur.com/a/OrkDh#47

Gag me with a spoon you're sooo condescending.