MuRrAy HiLL

Thanks again for posting and WELCOME! From the news release: Scheduled to be complete in spring 2009, the renovations include the creation of an all-glass exterior façade, a state-of-the-art exercise facility and a game room. Residents will also be able to take advantage of free Wi-Fi internet access, a street-level coffee shop and a full-service Laundromat that will be also be available to the general public. The work is being completed by Stephen Ciciretto Architects. Is all this still true? Could you give us anymore breakdown of the project? # of units, price range, timeline, facade details (very interesting!), future plans, etc. Sorry for some many questions, but so good to see the apparent progress.

Case in the White House... Obama picks Cleveland native/Clinton veteran to be chief of protocol by Stephen Koff / Washington Bureau Chief Wednesday May 13, 2009, 6:18 PM WASHINGTON -- Capricia Penavic Marshall's career, already impressive, just got more exciting. President Barack Obama today named her chief of protocol, which carries the rank of ambassador. The Cleveland native, a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law, will be in charge of all activities involving chiefs of state and their interactions with the White House. More at cleveland.com: http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2009/05/obama_picks_cleveland_nativecl.html

^damn...i always search and search "cleveland public library" "library" "libraries" and nothing ever comes up...! I swear to God I searched for a good 15-20 min to make sure since I thought I remembered starting one a couple years ago... EDIT: well at least this one is in City Disussion for other items...but still the article I posted is about events. I say keep it.

^^I've gotten similar reaction from a couple poeple too...like "I didn't know it was that bad...." or "why don't you come to me." However at least Positively Cleveland is trying. youtube response video contest - http://www.positivelycleveland.com/hastilymade AND youtube series on a Cleveland "Amazing Race" with a chance to win a free condo downtown for a year - http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1242203460199160.xml&coll=2 Maybe UO should enter a team and win us a true hangout pad for a year!! haha

I'm not knocking Johnny's Little Bar since they use the same kitchen as Johnny's Downtown, but you gotta try Cleats's wings downtown too. That's one of the main reasons I go there. They're tied in my opinion.

I'm gonna be in town this weekend...guess I can squeeze in a quick 10K. I'll sign up too.

Well, it appears we've never had a thread devoted to our great library system we have in Cleveland. (Cleveland Public Library website: http://cpl.org/ ) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First article: Neil Gaiman, Garry Trudeau, Kareem Abdul-Jabber among authors set to speak in Cleveland by Karen R. Long/Plain Dealer Book Editor Wednesday May 13, 2009, 12:01 AM Crack open your date book -- celebrated storytellers are coming to Cleveland, starting this fall. Seven authors -- including Neil Gaiman, Ann Patchett and Kareem Abdul-Jabber -- will appear for free as part of Cleveland Public Library's Writers & Readers series. Garry Trudeau, Christopher Buckley, Mary Oliver and Jhumpa Lahiri will form the Writer's Center Stage line-up hosted by the Cuyahoga County Library Foundation. Its tickets are $30 apiece ($100 for a package of four). More at http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2009/05/authors_scheduled_for_free_and.html

Reminder, if you haven't signed up yet! Sunday, May 17th. RUNNING Cleveland Marathon Wednesday, May 13, 2009 When: Sunday. Marathon and half marathon races start at 7 a.m. The 10K starts at 7:15 a.m. Where: Downtown Cleveland. Race starts at East Ninth Street and St. Clair Avenue in front of the Galleria, and ends near City Hall at East Sixth Street and Lakeside Avenue. Registration: Online at clevelandmarathon.com. Late registration in person Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Cleveland Convention Center, Hall D, 500 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland. No registration on race day. More at http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports-11/1242203436199160.xml&coll=2

What is its occupancy now? Lights are always on in the place currently...well at least enough to notice.

Tis the season: Cleveland-area farmers markets open for business near you by Debbi Snook / Plain Dealer Reporter Monday May 11, 2009, 2:00 PM PEGGY TURBETT / PLAIN DEALER After talking to the managers of 44 regional farmers markets, I got off the phone, stepped away from the keyboard and wondered: How can I take a week of vacation to visit a different one every day? The idea of eating locally is in full bloom in Northeast Ohio. Farmers markets here are growing out of their original sites, adding services, music and other forms of entertainment. They are looking a whole lot more like community festivals. More at http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2009/05/clevelandarea_farmers_markets.html

Well whatever this means.. Cleveland Clinic Named One of World's Most Ethical Companies Ethisphere Institute Names Hospital to Exclusive List of 99 Companies Worldwide CLEVELAND, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Cleveland Clinic has been named one of 2009's World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Cleveland Clinic is one of just two hospitals to make the list of 99 companies. According to a statement by Ethisphere, winners were selected for "going beyond legal minimums, introducing innovative ideas to benefit the public and forcing its competitors to follow suit by consistently upping the ante for what it takes to be an ethical leader." http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-12-2009/0005024608&EDATE=

University Circle Design Review Board meets again this Thursday...no idea what's on their agenda this time. Here's the link to what they've approved/discussed in the past months: http://www.universitycircle.org/uci.aspx?page=28

From Cisco, but still interesting news being on the cutting edge or...err, test bed: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/case-western-reserve-university-to-turn-campus-facilities-into-smart-buildings,817764.shtml Case Western Reserve University to Turn Campus Facilities Into Smart Buildings Posted : Fri, 08 May 2009 20:00:25 GMT SAN JOSE, CA -- 05/08/09 -- Case Western Reserve University will be one of the first higher education institutions in the country to transform its campus facilities into an integrated smart building infrastructure implementing and utilizing the newest generation of advanced networking technology from Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. Technology affects every aspect of the way people live, learn, play, and work. However, in many cases today's building environments have not evolved to fully support these changing lifestyles. In addition, key trends are driving the need for building transformation -- trends such as the drive for environmental and social responsibility, cost controls, and a new generation of research tools and sensors coming out of university and industry labs. Campus leadership and researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Cisco are taking steps to transform the physical spaces of the future through technology innovation, delivering value-added real-time monitoring and building operations. With Cisco executives, Case Western Reserve launched the new Connected Real Estate project during the university's annual summit on technology and collaboration known as CollabTech, this week on the Case Western Reserve campus. The university will pilot the new technology solutions in its Frank O. Gehry-designed Peter B. Lewis Building, its world-class biomedical Wolstein Research Building and one of its largest campus residence halls, known as Pierce Hall. "Case Western Reserve University is a perfect test-bed for these new smart building technologies," said John Wheeler, senior vice president for Administration at Case Western Reserve University. "We have over one hundred buildings constructed over one hundred and fifty years which produce hundreds of daily challenges for facilities specialists across the campus. Cisco has been a long standing and trusted technology solutions partner at Case Western Reserve. We are excited to explore how we can take advantage of our investments to provide smarter, more economical and better spaces for our research, teaching and learning, and residential communities." "Connected Real Estate is about changing the way buildings, campuses, communities, and cities are designed, built and managed in the most efficient and economical fashion while maintaining environmental responsibility. Collaborating with thought leaders such as the Case Western Reserve University is another example of Cisco's commitment to create 'smart communities' which take advantage of the network as the platform," said Thierry Martens, vice president, Cisco Worldwide Connected Real Estate practice.

Preservation group identifies nearly 60 Ohio buildings in need Four central Ohio structures on list Tuesday, May 12, 2009 3:01 AM A statewide preservation group's latest "top opportunities" list includes nearly 60 buildings, including four in central Ohio. Heritage Ohio calls them "opportunities," said Executive Director Joyce Barrett, because it's more positive than saying the buildings are endangered. More at http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/05/12/historic_sites.ART_ART_05-12-09_B7_87DR8GH.html?sid=101

When I'm in town... Cleveland: Cleats (Downtown) Gusto (Little Italy) La Dolce Vita (Little Italy) Angelo's Nido Italia (Little Italy) Little Bar (Downtown) Algebra Teahouse (Little Italy...great breakfast on the weekends!) Teresa's Pizza (Downtown...I like the ownership)

Headquartered in Columbus, anyone know much about it? Any UOers involved? http://www.heritageohio.org/ I'm subscribing to their newsletter to learn more about them. From their About Us: Statewide Main Street coordinating programs assist cities and towns within the state with downtown and neighborhood business district revitalization. Statewide Main Street programs support local Main Street efforts through the following general ways: by creating economic development tools and resources according to the state’s specific economic conditions; by competitively selecting local Main Street districts and programs to participate in the state network by providing an appropriate scope of technical assistance to participating local Main Street programs in very few cases by providing financial assistance to local Main Street organizations by providing networking, advocacy, and encouragement to participating local Main Street programs by serving as a liaison with the National Trust Main Street Center by identifying local programs that annually meet the standards of National Main Street Accreditation.

So, CSU would start D I-AA, correct? If they can't make Krenzler Field work initially, how about bringing in some extra seating/bleachers at CWRU Village for at least he first couple years. Day game CWRU, night game CSU. It would benefit both schools. That would have a much more intimate feel than trying to rent out Browns Stadium for a couple games, if that's what it would have to come down to....maybe one game at Brown's Stadium would work. Again, if all this comes to be...

^^I think I'm gonna have to ask the mods to DELETE that post!!!

Well even after the tribe rankings came out today... SI's King says Lions are not the worst -- only second-worst in NFL Detroit News staff King ranked Cleveland as the worse team in the NFL heading into the 2009-10 season in his latest Monday Morning Quarterback column on SI.com. King writes that Cleveland has "too many holes" and plays in "too tough a division" to succeed this year. More at http://www.detnews.com/article/20090511/SPORTS0101/905110425/1361/SI-s-King-says-Lions-are-not-the-worst----only-second-worst-in-NFL

Ouch! MLB Power Rankings: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/172523-mlb-power-rankings-week-five

Reminder...this weekend. I'm going to be in town this weekend so I'm planning on stopping by.

Man what a good day for us Ohioans. Rockets slam Lakers (series 2-2) and Boston beats Orlando to extend the series even more (also series 2-2) But just win tonight baby!

Sort of a confusing read, but the blog touches on numerous areas and topics: EDIT: very interesting blog...can't believe I've never come across it before. http://thegldc.com/blog/2009/05/09/transforming-clevelands-west-side/ Transforming Cleveland’s West Side We hope to begin restoration of our office building very soon. We have had more than 25 contractors through the building in the last few months. Many of the contractors who saw the space were not interested in a project of this scope. Many didn’t understand our goals of adaptive re use and historical preservation. Most knew little or nothing about building to sustainable standards. It really has been up to us to educate the contractors on what we want. The entire experience has reassured me of the validity of this project. In case you haven’t followed my blog, I will let you know about the most exciting part of our office project. There is a small cottage that sits on the property that is attached to the main building. It will be surrounded by an educational green space that will teach builders and the general public about some of the basics of sustainable landscaping. It will feature native plants and ideas that will encourage native wildlife. We are planning a rain garden to handle some of the stormwater runoff and will install permeable pavers to help manage the rainwater. The cottage building itself will be an educational space that will be open to the public. It will feature exhibits on sustainable ideas and building techniques. The idea is to encourage a two pronged educational approach toward fostering sustainable building ideas. Both the construction community and property owners will be able to learn a little bit about things like dual flush toilets and R values (insulation). Our philosophy is that if Cleveland is going to keep up with the times, it is going to be necessary for builders to learn and educate their clients, and for property owners to learn and demand from their contractors, greener ideas that will save them money and resources. We hope that the next guy who wants a low flow fixture, or ideas about saving on energy costs can come and start at our “Eco Park.” I have also begun the process of talking to retailers and business owners. We plan on having a 950 square foot office space, in a LEED building, and a 750 square foot retail space. The goal is to attract like minded companies to the area. We hope to work with neighboring property owners to establish a coffee shop. There is plenty of open real estate in the area and we want to attract new investment that will make the Eco Village neighborhood more than just housing and community gardens. As I met with one retailer, she asked me the hard questions. Where would her employees eat? What would attract consumers to the area to shop at her store? Where was the nearest grocery store? I took all of this in, and it made me realize that there was plenty of work to be done outside the scope of our project. Detroit Shoreway is a dense urban neighborhood with shopping, restaurants, and services. There are still gaps to fill along Lorain. Lorain Ave was once the home of a vibrant business and residential district. The streetcar was laid and the street regrades to make use of the existing development. Now, huge sections of this main corridor lie vacant or underutilized. We hope to work with other like minded businesses to attract new investment and new businesses to the avenue. The infrastructure already exists, and while some buildings are being renovated and rehabbed, new ones are popping up as well. The Urban School is a gem in the area. Closer to the West Side Market, there are buildings being made into showplaces. There are antique stores and small businesses, but we need more. I would like to see a small grocery, like a Mustard Seed or Web of Life. There should be a coffee shop that serves organic and fair trade coffee. A good quality deli that has healthy foods, a vegetarian restaurant, garden store, and eco friendly home supplies and furnishings would all be welcome additions to the area. There is plenty of room for a fitness center that could focus on holistic health, instead of a store front of treadmills and stationary bikes. The old Nautilus Fish buildings would easily house an Eco Mart. Cleveland is ripe and ready for a vibrantly healthy walkable business district, and we want it to be here. The established bicycle store and RTA station make this a perfect fit. I have a vision for the area, would you like to take part?

This cracked me up. Philly was reporting on the "top cities" for new college graduates...and the Philly station kept the Cleveland Skyline in the backround for the entire piece: http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/real_deal/050609_Best_Cities_For_New_College_Grads Very subtle, but still mad me smile.

http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article.aspx?articleid=13591 The Hotel Group Officially Opens Doubletree Cleveland Downtown After a $15-million renovation, the new Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside celebrates its Grand Opening with music and style. Friday, May 08, 2009 The Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside celebrated the completion of a $15-million renovation and rebranding yesterday with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony held at the property, located at 1111 Lakeside Ave. Hotel owners Edmond and Barbara Lee, along with management company The Hotel Group of Seattle, Wash., and a host of Cleveland dignitaries were present at the milestone event. Immediately following, a “Get Your Groove On at the New Doubletree Hotel” gala was held to introduce more than 500 local businesses and politicians to the new 379-room hotel. Formerly a Holiday Inn®, the Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside is operated by Cami Hotel Investments, LLC and managed by The Hotel Group under a franchise agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation. Douglas Dreher, president and principal of THG, said this is a solid time to be investing in Cleveland and its lodging market, especially with development of the Medical Mart on the horizon. “Doubletree was the ideal brand to bring to this flagship hotel because it represents quality, comfort, and class – qualities this property had been lacking in the past, and key attributes of hospitality,” Dreher said. “Harboring the best location in downtown Cleveland, this revitalized hotel sits at the gateway to some of the best music, sports, arts and entertainment venues in the nation, not to mention a growing medical community. “We encourage all travelers, meeting planners, local businesses and residents to come and see what our new Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside has to offer,” he said. “The multi-million dollar transformation is sure to ‘wow’ everyone who walks through our doors.” Tamera Brown, vice president of marketing for Positively Cleveland, a destination marketing organization that promotes greater Cleveland to convention and meeting planners and to leisure travelers, acknowledged the work that was put in to transforming the hotel. “It’s the only hotel in downtown Cleveland with lake views,” she said, adding that the hotel looks great. “The upgrade to the Doubletree brand fits the prime location. The Hotel Group has brought the hotel up to a higher standard with the Doubletree brand.” The hotel also is poised to take advantage of several high-profile demand generators. It is ideally situated within walking distance of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland National Air show and a variety of summer festivals. “The hotel and its management team have been a huge part of our efforts to promote Cleveland,” Brown said. “They have hosted a U.K. writers group, sales and training seminars for local businesses and a familiarization tour for the Roll and Rock Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s been great working with them.” The Doubletree Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside hotel features more than 11,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 5,600-square-foot grand ballroom. Seven breakout rooms are retrofitted with wired and wireless Internet access, whiteboards, projectors and wireless microphone system. A state-of-the-art fitness facility and indoor swimming pool with whirlpool also are provided. The contemporary guestrooms feature the Sweet Dreams® by Doubletree Sleep Experience; complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access; MP3-compatible, stereo alarm clocks; Wolfgang Puck® in-room gourmet coffee service and 32-inch, flat-screen televisions. Guest bathrooms feature new marble vanities, Neutrogena® bath and body products, upgraded lighting and a curved shower rod that allows for 20 percent more space in the shower. As an added amenity, the hotel has added a new lounge on the 18th floor, where executive guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast in the morning and complimentary appetizers in the evenings, while taking in spectacular views of Lake Erie. Just one-half mile from the Burke Lakefront Airport and 12 miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside is located at 1111 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, United States 44114. For more information about the property, visit www.clevelanddowntownlakeside.Doubletree.com or call l-800-222-TREE or direct at 216-241-5100.