8ShadesofGray

Romanian co-workers are helpful. And yes, that's accurate. As an additional tidbit, Brasov has capitalized on vampiric rumors to increase tourism traffic; Vlad the Impaler reputedly lived in nearby Bran Castle. You're up, Buckeye1.

Hint #2: The bordering Carpathians provide ample lookout points over the city.

No and no.

Smoke Early, Smoke Often The County Wants Nicotine Addicts To Cough Up Even More...this Time, For the Arts. By Charu Gupta Cleveland Free Times Volume 14, Issue 21 Published September 13th, 2006 In November Cuyahoga County voters will weigh in on Issue 18, an arts levy that, if passed, will create a new 30-cents-per-pack cigarette tax. Proponents argue that it will raise $20 million a year to support the performing and visual arts throughout the county. This might sound vaguely familiar. In 1990, county voters were sold a public/private bill of goods — the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex, better known today as the Q and Jacobs Field ... ... More at http://www.freetimes.com/story/754

Has anyone heard any updates on Fantasy One Cleveland? I had heard that they were experiencing delays that prevented their scheduled July 1st opening, but it's now September and their website still hasn't been updated. Any info?

No, but right continent (Landstuhl, that is, not Magadan :-)). Clue #1: This city has a connection to one of Ohio's cities.

Here's the new one ...

Petropavlovsk? Out of fairness, that's my last guess. Can't help it ... all those Far East ports look alike to me :-P

Magadan?

It looks like a liberal arts school dormitory at Halloween ... Co-eds are dying to get in ... buhwahahahahah. That being said, I'm really looking forward to seeing this project move forward.

A lot of people have identified themselves as "fiscally conservative". I hear this term used frequently, but I'm not sure if we're applying a universal meaning to it. What does everyone mean? I, for one, believe in reducing administrative overhead, collecting taxes in equitable ways and in having evaluation measures tied to public expenditures. At the same time, I believe that considerable public investments in education, as well as workforce, community and economic development, particularly among the urban poor and in struggling neighborhoods, will have a higher social return than underinvestments in these areas and corresponding lower taxes. Does that make me a long-term fiscal conservative?

That tower is sooooo familiar to me ... it's killing me.

I think you'll love the Square, Littleblueskye. I was a resident for my first four years in Cleveland (recently moved to the Near East Side), and it really is a great little neighborhood. If you have time when you visit, I would also recommend taking the circulator bus that departs from the Square every 15 minutes (http://www.gcrta.org/pdf/821.pdf). Cleveland runs several circulator buses that are geared toward more neighorhood-oriented trips, and the one that passes through Shaker Square is, IMHO, one of the better ones ... although there has been some discussion about changing the route to something a little more suburban. If you stay on the circulator for the whole trip, it will take just over an hour before you return to the Square. In the meantime, you'll get to see several really great hot spots on the East Side, including Cedar Fairmount, Case Western and part of University Circle, Little Italy and Coventry Village. These are all great attractions, and thus the circulator will put the neighborhood in better context. I would also recommend checking out the North Union Farmer's Market that takes place on the Square every Saturday morning. While the West Side Market has a much wider selection of food, Shaker Square's market has its own feel and is a favorite event in the neighborhood. Shaker Square is most certainly beautiful in the winter ... for whatever reason, I definitely associate Christmas time with driving down Van Aken Boulevard from the Square. As for safety, I have never had any problems in the neighborhood. I lived a couple blocks north of the square initially and then lived just to the Square's west. While it might be a little rougher to the west and south, it isn't that bad. There's actually a great little arts organization at Buckeye and 128th that offers classes in guitar, capoiera, photography, salsa, belly dancing, hip hop, etc. (www.passportproject.org). I actually am really excited for you to see it! While I love my new neighborhood, I do get a little homesick for the Square.

I've slid around a lot on this scale, as I imagine a lot of Midwesterners have. I was raised hardcore Republican and didn't earn my liberal stripes until late in high school. By college, I was about as left as you can get before Indiana deports you. So I went up to Canada and worked for the New Democratic Party. That's when I realized that a political party could be uber-liberal without being soft and while being considerably concerned about government finances. Graduate school maybe brought me back to the center of the spectrum a little ... or at least made me a little more analytical of problems, rather than emotional. For me, Tamara Draut summed it up best when she came to Levin (paraphrased): "We need to get away from the constant bickering about small government versus big government. The discussion should be about good government. I don't think people are inherently opposed to big government ... they just want to see a return on their investment. And I don't think our society is getting that right now."

Djibouti?

^ Glass Bubble Project?

Moderately depressing, although I suppose we have a few more pressing issues in town. For the record, I believe we're actually replacing Mediterranean; Dallas beat us out for Baltic. Looks like Mediterranean will be replacing Marvin Garden as my favorite spot on the board.

^ Ummm ... yes. I'm not going to regale you with the details, as it is rather disgusting, but there is definitely innuendo involved. But you're in luck. While I'm a gentleman, the kind folks at Wikipedia are not: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Steamer.

^ I believe it is. Here's another fun tidbit for the geeky at heart. From the Cleveland Fed site (http://www.clevelandfed.org/about/History/twelve.cfm): When the Federal Reserve Bank was planned, the founders were concerned about possible attacks by mobs, anarchists, and the usual assortment of bank robbers. As a result, steps were taken to provide as much security as possible, with the emphasis placed on guns and firepower. The main vault is housed in its own building, constructed before and completely separate from the main bank because of its size. The concrete walls are 6 1/2 feet thick, reinforced throughout with an intricate, interlaced type of fabricated steel... It is said to be the largest vault-door installation in the world. The door is 5 feet thick and has a 47-ton, 19-foot-high hinge. Yet, despite its 100-ton weight, the vault door is so precisely balanced that one person can swing it closed. ... and knowing is half the battle.

Tours, France?

Meanwhile, I just want a shirt that says "What's good for the Michigoose is good for the Michigander." Actually, what I really want is my own Cleveland-based novelty t-shirt shop, but the first is probably a little easier to get.

Zurich?

Wrong part of the world, folks.

^ Or were displaced by the escalating rents they helped facilitate and moved to the Warehouse District ... and then Tremont and Ohio City ... and then Detroit Shoreway and the Near East Side :wink:

Okay, I know what city it is, but I totally cheated, so I'm not going to post the result. Had I not cheated, I never would have guessed ... not exactly a top-of-mind city but with an interesting history nonetheless.