I was on the bus the other day with a jackass who kept hawking up major loogies and spitting them out the window, indiscriminately, as we moved along busy Prospect Avenue. 

 

On a different occasion, a woman was having some phlegm problems of her own, but instead of hurling her refuse out the window, she'd ring the stop bell and spit out the back door when the driver stopped, then go and sit back down.

 

Seriously, some people don't comprehend that there is anyone sharing this world with them.

 

EWW!

 

That reminds me of this Dave Chappelle bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdYhmR4lVQA

that's great!  everything I was ever told about public transportation is true! 

the whole hacking loogies extends beyond the bus. I love and shop at Daves, but it IS hard to try and sell OC to people over driving to Hienans when that actually goes on quite a bit. back in the day (1920's TB outbreak) there were punishable laws against this! And I believe this is when spitting was actually found to be uncouth by general society.

Well you'll all be happy to know that I did actually yell at a litterbug today.  The guy was waiting at a bus stop outside my apartment (as was I), and threw or dropped something on the ground.  I told him "you dropped something sir", but he refused to pick it up.  So I said, "please pick that up".  He refused, so I yelled at him, "Pick your trash up off of my street!  Pick it up!  Pick it up!" and he complied.  He seemed wobbly, probably wasted.  It was 10:00 AM.  I hope I don't get shot over litter, but I do get sick of seeing trash on my street, especially when they leave their garbage laying around.

i know it stinky too but was going to say that loretta's looked pretty cool from the street even all closed down in those pics, but then they showed a pic of the inside on that link --- eww, skanky!

^ Good for you X!  I hope more people start to take that attitude.  I say things to people as well when I see idiots do shit like that.  Maybe it will catch on....

^ I used to say say the old "excuse me, you dropped something...." thing and it worked, but these days (or maybe I have gotten older or wiser) I would be worried about pushing it beyond the first comment (ie no "hey a-hole, I said you littered, now pick it the f up!!!" )  unless I was wearing body armor and was fully armed. 

X, you made my day!

that's great!  everything I was ever told about public transportation is true! 

 

Well, I'm pretty sure it's all meant as a joke. Dave Chappelle is rich, and he drives a Prius.

that's great!  everything I was ever told about public transportation is true! 

wow did you realize that was dave chappelle sitting next to you?

that's great!  everything I was ever told about public transportation is true! 

 

Well, I'm pretty sure it's all meant as a joke. Dave Chappelle is rich, and he drives a Prius.

 

What business does Dave Chappelle have in making jokes? 

In all honesty (knock on wood), the only time I've ever been on a bus where there was a problem with a homeless person - I sh!t you not, the 246 Westlake Park and Ride :lol:

 

Some crazy-ass guy hopped on in a panic and the driver said "Sir?!? HELLO?!?" and he started yelling at all the soccer mom types "HELLO!" "HELLO!!!" "HELLO!!!!!!" :-( Thankfully he just walked right back off the bus.

that's great!  everything I was ever told about public transportation is true! 

 

Well, I'm pretty sure it's all meant as a joke. Dave Chappelle is rich, and he drives a Prius.

 

What business does Dave Chappelle have in making jokes? 

 

Chappelle's story reminded me of the time I thought I was going to have to punch a crackhead in the face on the A train going to the Cloisters in NYC. The guy was convulsing so bad he couldn't even talk. I was with my friend, a smaller girl, and I was trying to position myself so he couldn't get to her in the corner, so he was in my face just losing it. Luckily at the next stop, he staggered off. UGH. I was ready to blast him...It's probably a good thing because I haven't punched anyone since I was like 11.

STONEBRIDGE

Condominiums/Apartments/Commercial/Retail And the redevelopment of the West Bank of the Flats

Held on Superior Viaduct

4:00PM, Thursday, Sept. 21

Followed by a reception and party

 

4:00pm... hmm, they're trying to attract people to invest in their project. They're trying to generate interest in their project. 

 

Just like I had to explain to one of my galpals who scheduled her wedding rehearsal dinner in Hudson at 5pm on a Friday, knowing full well that most of the wedding party lives in Cuyahoga County, but couldn't understand why people were frustrated - SOME PEOPLE WORK. Mind you, I'm not in the market to buy a condo but I'm sure those who are, are employed. Why? So they can afford a condo. When do they work? I'm guessing that more often than not - 9am to 5pm.

 

I'm sure they'll get a good turnout but for the love of all that's holy - 4pm?  :whip:

My sentiments exactly. I need to schedule some phantom meeting so that I can get out of the office.

I know you guys probably don't listen to Opie and Anthony, but they were broadcasting from where I work today, and they were causing chaos. It was a bit frightening that the fans who were there are potential regional citizens, considering they have the personalities of Ghengis Kahn. I could hear their chanting on the second floor. And when I walked by with a pink shirt on, they called me gay.

 

But during a comedy bit in a deli across the street, they had some good digs on Cleveland. They were being negative, of course (that's their schtick):

 

On crossing Huron behind the Halle Building, they said "You don't even have to look to cross the street. There's no traffic. It's creepy. There's no one around. Doesn't anyone work?"

 

"Do you hear that sound? It's another three stores closing."  They must have been given a tour of Euclid Avenue.

 

Not that Opie and Anthony and valid commenters, but this just got me thinking that maybe we DO need a GOP convention or something huge in town to get EVERYONE to understand how embarrasing some of the stuff is downtown. We're improving slowly, but come on, we need to make this a priority as a COMMUNITY.

It's repulsive. It is so dirty, it makes me sick when I walk by, and the smell is enough to make you gag even when you're a few storefronts away. This is seriously is shameful. I will even say I understand that the real estate market here is tough, that's why there are vacancies, but come on, why do WE, the pedestrians, have to be grossed out?

 

Man, this makes me SOOOOOOOOO mad. This building is OWNED by someone. Clean up the damn mess!

 

I couldn't agree more. I live in the Statler Arms and am disgusted by this building on a daily basis. I don't really expect this to get anything done, but you've inspired me to actually get off my lazy butt and write a letter (truly a rare feat!).

 

When I looked up Calabrese, Racek & Markos Inc on the Secretary of State's website it lists Steve A Calabrese as the Business Point of Contact, so that's who I'm addressing it to. If anyone's familiar with this company and can provide a better point of contact I'm all ears.

 

Here's what I'm writing:

 

---

Steven A. Calabrese

CALABRESE, RACEK & MARKOS, INC.

1110 Euclid Avenue, Suite 300

Cleveland, OH 44115

(216) 696-5442

 

Dear Mr. Calabrese,

 

I am writing you to express my concerns with regard to the property located at 1030 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. As Calabrese, Racek & Markos, Inc is listed as the property owner and you are listed as the business point of contact according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s website, I have addressed this letter to you. If that is incorrect, please accept my apologies. Otherwise, I hope you will indulge me with a few minutes of your time so that I may explain why this property concerns me. Specifically, I am speaking of Loretta’s Restaurant on the ground level the building. Let me preface my comments by telling you I live in the Statler Arms building almost directly across from this building, and walk by it almost every day. Undoubtedly this level of exposure has sensitized me to the subject, but I try to remain objective in all my points.

 

First, as can be plainly seen in the blog post located at http://lccleveland.blogspot.com, the area behind the gate of Loretta’s Restaurant is extremely dirty. It is littered with garbage, pigeon feces, and (I suspect) human urine. I am not a medical professional, but it occurs to me that this may be a significant health hazard. Particularly when recent health scares such as Avian Influenza have brought to the forefront the dangers associated with animal feces. Of course, I am not suggesting anyone will catch bird flu because of the disrepair of Loretta’s Restaurant, but I think it is reasonable to be concerned that there may be some health hazard posed when animal feces are not periodically cleaned up or not sealed off by an impermeable barrier.

 

Second, the general state of Euclid Avenue is quickly deteriorating. While this is somewhat due to the Euclid Corridor Project, it is also due to the spate of abandoned and unkempt buildings such as this one. I’m sure you are aware Cleveland has recently lost out on the opportunity to host the GOP convention in 2008. The rash of abandoned, unkempt buildings can’t help us win any future prospects.

 

For these reasons and more, I implore you to please clean up this property. I am writing on the off chance that you simply are not aware of the situation and will quickly remedy the problems in the interest of being a responsible property owner / manager.

---

 

Always open to better wording, within reason  :-D

 

*EDIT, fixed a couple typos

Other than correcting "minutes of youR time", I think it's great and will hopefully do the job!

^^ Holy crap!

 

You must have read my mind because I wrote up a letter LAST NIGHT about this SAME THING!!!!!!

 

Should I send mine off, too? I haven't yet.... Here's my letter:

 

Steven Calabrese

Calabrese, Racek & Markos

Real Estate Services

1110 Euclid Avenue  Suite 300

Cleveland, Ohio 44115

 

 

Dear Mr. Calabrese:

 

According to the for sale sign hanging over the property, your company currently owns the building at 1030 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.

 

I am writing you to make a request regarding Loretta’s Restaurant, the vacant restaurant space that sits next to Greek Express on the first floor of the building. The entranceway is quite dirty and foul smelling. As a pedestrian, I find myself dreading the few short steps I take past this space while walking to and from work. Although Euclid Avenue on the whole is quite ragged right now, I think small things like cleaning up a dirty, vacant storefront will do a great deal to uplift the people who walk along it. And, hopefully, it will help you in your search of a buyer for this property!

 

Your building itself is quite beautiful, and in the future I hope you are able to capitalize on such a fine investment. I also look forward to the day when downtown Cleveland finds its buildings at capacity. Until then, the best we can do is work together for a better future by making small steps forward.

 

Please let me know if I can ever be of service to you. And please know that your consideration of this request and my letter is truly appreciated.

 

With warm regards,

 

 

 

EDIT: This is freakin' me out that we hit a lot of the same talking points at the same parts of our letters. LOL. Maybe I shouldn't send the letter. He's going to think we're the same person, hahaha  :-D

JAX, welcome.  Great letters kids!

 

Might I also suggest copying the following:

Matthew Carroll - Cleveland Department of Health

Jackson's office

Ciperman's office

The county commissioners (County employees will be this persons new neighbor)

Dowtown Cleveland Partnership

Edward W. Rybka - Cleveland Department of Housing

 

And to be a real PIA, i would copy the building managers of residential buildings nearby and send it to the local TV stations. 

 

I'm sure Jax knows other residents that feel the same way.  Word of mouth will easily get the ball rolling.

 

 

^^ Holy crap!

 

You must have read my mind because I wrote up a letter LAST NIGHT about this SAME THING!!!!!!

 

Haha, wow you're not kidding! Some sort of weird jedi mind fu going on there. I think your letter is great and you should definitely send it as well. I hope anyone else that's exposed to this little patch of filth on a regular basis. The more the merrier the way I see it.

JAX, welcome.  Great letters kids!

 

Might I also suggest copying the following:

Matthew Carroll - Cleveland Department of Health

Jackson's office

Ciperman's office

The county commissioners (County employees will be this persons new neighbor)

Dowtown Cleveland Partnership

Edward W. Rybka - Cleveland Department of Housing

 

And to be a real PIA, i would copy the building managers of residential buildings nearby and send it to the local TV stations. 

 

I'm sure Jax knows other residents that feel the same way.  Word of mouth will easily get the ball rolling.

 

I considered cc'ing perhaps a couple people at the city, but I hadn't even considered the value of cc'ing neighboring bldg managers, DCP or county commisioners..  Those are all awesome suggestions, thank you!

 

You know, honestly I don't expect anything to come of this letter, but I thought I'd give them a chance to clean up their act on their own first just in case. I figured I'd give them a month to respond, and if not then start cc'ing the world. That way we'll be able to reference the fact that we already tried engaging the building owners on our own, without so much as a response. Thanks again.

 

 

 

JAX, welcome.  Great letters kids!

 

Might I also suggest copying the following:

Matthew Carroll - Cleveland Department of Health

Jackson's office

Ciperman's office

The county commissioners (County employees will be this persons new neighbor)

Dowtown Cleveland Partnership

Edward W. Rybka - Cleveland Department of Housing

 

And to be a real PIA, i would copy the building managers of residential buildings nearby and send it to the local TV stations. 

 

I'm sure Jax knows other residents that feel the same way.  Word of mouth will easily get the ball rolling.

 

I considered cc'ing perhaps a couple people at the city, but I hadn't even considered the value of cc'ing neighboring bldg managers, DCP or county commisioners..  Those are all awesome suggestions, thank you!

 

You know, honestly I don't expect anything to come of this letter, but I thought I'd give them a chance to clean up their act on their own first just in case. I figured I'd give them a month to respond, and if not then start cc'ing the world. That way we'll be able to reference the fact that we already tried engaging the building owners on our own, without so much as a response. Thanks again.

 

 

 

 

That's what I was thinking. I mailed my letter this morning. i think CRM is supposed to be well regarded locally, so I sort of have a feeling they'll clean it if we ask. All I can assume is they figure no one notices. That's what I'd like to think =) Of course, I don't live across the street, so it doesn't affect me in the same way as you.

 

 

JAX, welcome.  Great letters kids!

 

Might I also suggest copying the following:

Matthew Carroll - Cleveland Department of Health

Jackson's office

Ciperman's office

The county commissioners (County employees will be this persons new neighbor)

Dowtown Cleveland Partnership

Edward W. Rybka - Cleveland Department of Housing

 

And to be a real PIA, i would copy the building managers of residential buildings nearby and send it to the local TV stations. 

 

I'm sure Jax knows other residents that feel the same way.  Word of mouth will easily get the ball rolling.

 

I considered cc'ing perhaps a couple people at the city, but I hadn't even considered the value of cc'ing neighboring bldg managers, DCP or county commisioners..  Those are all awesome suggestions, thank you!

 

You know, honestly I don't expect anything to come of this letter, but I thought I'd give them a chance to clean up their act on their own first just in case. I figured I'd give them a month to respond, and if not then start cc'ing the world. That way we'll be able to reference the fact that we already tried engaging the building owners on our own, without so much as a response. Thanks again.

 

 

 

 

I'm sure one or more residents or workers or commercial tenants has said something along the lines of, "this blighted building detracts from my building, I wish someone would do something". 

 

At the same time those folks are waiting for someone else to do something; managers/owners/rental agents at (or working for) residential buildings downtown most likely think "eye sores" like this make it harder to convince potential residents and visitors coming into the city that downtown is safe and clean, therefore reducing income.

 

I commend you for taking a stand.  If you dont say anything...then nothing happens, and perhaps this building owner is hoping people wont say anything.  Something like this also, starts a "sense of community" since downtown residents dont appear to have "residential advocate groups" since the DCP sems to represent commercial owners.

 

I also would send this to the folks at Hunting bank, Halle's, The Wyndham Hotel and Playhouse Square Foundation.

 

Trust me your letter can do some damage and perhaps others convice others to take interest in the city they live in.  Our elected officials sometimes fail to remember...we voted them into office...we can vote them out!

 

Let us know what happens.

Is that Loretta's Restaurant actually still open?  If so you could contact that guy on channel 19 who does the investigative reporting on dirty dining...

^^ Nope good call. But Loretta's is not open. It and the Greek place next door are both closed. The greek place closed within the last few weeks, but who knows why.

 

All I know is, it's gross, and I hope they clean it up. If you look at the vacant properties directly across the street, they are clean. They bum me out because they are empty, but at least they don't make me sick to my stomach.

 

I have started my own private letter-writing campaign to folks all over the area. I want to write complaint letters and thank you letters to balance things out. I want to be a postive force in the universe, haha =)

 

:shoot: unsanitary storefronts

I got into a little bit of a disagreement today with people that made me so mad. The basic gist is, I couldn't convince them that moving downtown and back into Cleveland is a good thing and that there are awesome things happening inside the city.

 

I generally shrug this stuff off, but I've noticed that all my life growing up in NEOhio, every opinion I've ever had that's reasonable on this forum or anywhere else in the country is CRAZY in Akron/Cleveland.

 

"WoaH! Living downtown? Are you crazy? Putting stores there? That'll increase traffic! Who wants to go there to shop, anyway? And where will people park?! It's dirty downtown. There will never be stores down here again. What's the big deal about old buildings? They get dirty."

 

That's the kind of talk that drives people away! It's like a kid saying they want peanut butter and jelly every single day because it's what they like. And then the thing that REALLY gets me is, these same people go to New York and come back talking about how great it is there. Ahhh! How are we supposed to fix THAT?!

 

Maybe I'm too close to all this stuff somehow. I'm living on the edge of Cleveland planning ahead the next few years, thinking about what downtown will be like and whether I will be able to afford it. Meanwhile, it's almost like certain people are waiting for failure so they can gloat. That's just not healthy!

Never fear JamieC...these naysayers are the same people that follow trends wherever they appear.  They don't like to think for themselves, so they just let other people do the thinking for them.  So, when Downtown is hot (and it's already getting there), they'll hear the rumors, witness it for themselves and jump on the bandwagon!  One thing's for certain with them...they'll never get a deal on housing in an up-and-coming neighborhood before it blows up or discover a restaurant before the critics give it acclaim and the lines get long.  They're too afraid to take the risk!

how about the three Cleveland PD officers sitting in the portico of Tower City get off their lazy asses and actually enforce the "no loitering & smoking" signs in the two reduced exits leading out to public square...(more concerned about the loitering when its a game to try and get through there)

^are you complaining that they didn't bust you for smoking?

i'm complaining that i have to push my way through juveniles just to catch a train.

 

 

the one thing is that you don't really know if they are on-duty or off-duty b/c they can wear their uniforms either way. 

 

so, if they are actually off-duty (acting as private security) and following FCE commands (ie don't enforce everything, just be present) it is hard to complain. 

 

half the CPD you see downtown is acting as private, off-duty security in their normal uniforms.  in parking garages, at games, at bars, at restaurants, office buildings, etc.

I have to say they're doing much better about that during lunch. I usually would walk right up to them, complain about the morons blocking the vestibules and they'd shoo them out. It might be different in the afternoon when more of the kids are out. Still, I'd complain to FCE and the cops present because if they don't hear about it, they don't know about it.

well all they have to do is look for three seconds, they can see the "tower city sheds" from their chairs.

Oh, I know it should be obvious - but b!tching to them seems to have worked for me.

I agree, the situation at TC is getting to be unbearable.. Not to mention the constricted sidewalks up and down Euclid. I'm an ex-smoker (once a smoker always a smoker), but even for me it's a bit much to have someone unleash the entire volume of their smoke filled lungs into my face as I try to squeeze between the orange barrels and masses of children hurling threats and challenges at each other in faux bravado, wondering if anyone brought daddy's gun to school today.

 

Heh, maybe we should start a "Cleveland-random praising" thread to offset the bitching karma surplus here  :wink:

 

Oh, and still no reply regarding my Loretta's Restaraunt letter. I mailed it via certified mail, and verified they have indeed received it. I found this article in the PD today interesting though --

 

Cleveland's chief of building and housing agreed with a consultant's report that the department is in shambles and told City Council on Tuesday that the city would demolish 220 of the city's most decrepit buildings as one of its first steps in rehabilitating the department.

 

The demolition targets are dilapidated vacant structures, but many have never been cited by housing inspectors, often because inspectors hesitated to do the necessary, complicated paperwork, said director Edward Rybka.

 

See the whole article here, it's kind of funny: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1160555627105360.xml&coll=2

 

Guess we shouldn't bet on any help from the city to enforce anything..

 

Heh, maybe we should start a "Cleveland-random praising" thread to offset the bitching karma surplus here ;)

 

You HAVE seen the *I Love Cleveland* thread, right? ;)

You HAVE seen the *I Love Cleveland* thread, right? ;)

 

Oops, I must've been blinded by my venting rage that I somehow missed it! Great, now I can complain to my heart's content and not feel bad about it!  :evil:

 

 

*EDIT: BTW, anyone want a DJ Shadow ticket for tonight @ HOB for $20 (cost $32.50)? My friend bailed last minute, so I figure this is still on topic since I'm "venting" about it  :roll:

^i heard the new dj shadow was absolutely horrible.

 

so no.

^i heard the new dj shadow was absolutely horrible.

 

so no.

 

It was.. and so was the show.

Cleveland Public Power has new leadership. 

 

anyone have the back story on this?  can we expect the street lights to actually work downtown?

vent: why do the bums typically target males? (i.e. me).

This year, I've been called the following by them: "Sexy-@ssed n____" and "Uppity motherf#ckin' b!tch". I was flattered by the first one, the second one was simply an affirmation for me :)

 

now I know how to compliment mayday.

This year, I've been called the following by them: "Sexy-@ssed n____" and "Uppity motherf#ckin' b!tch". I was flattered by the first one, the second one was simply an affirmation for me :)

 

 

I bet it was the $4.98 pants!  :wink:  LMAO!!!!

vent: why do the bums typically target males? (i.e. me).

 

I don't know. I think females get their share. In the North East quadrant of Public Square over the summer, I watched a man say this to every female that walked by, "hey pretty lady, how's your day going? I've seen you by before. Hope your day is going okay." I guess its pretty harmless, but I'm sure the manner in which he said it made a lot of people uncomfortable. I think I saw him doing this more than once during the summer.

^Oh no - he says that to EVERYBODY who walks by. I usually go to lunch by myself and my first encounter with him was on the southwest quadrant.

 

The first time, I thought "okay, he's just talking to himself" because there was NOBODY around. The next time, I got the same thing - "Hiiii cutieeee!!! You're looking sooo pretty!!!" - and again - no one was around  :-o

vent: why do the bums typically target males? (i.e. me).

 

I don't know. I think females get their share. In the North East quadrant of Public Square over the summer, I watched a man say this to every female that walked by, "hey pretty lady, how's your day going? I've seen you by before. Hope your day is going okay." I guess its pretty harmless, but I'm sure the manner in which he said it made a lot of people uncomfortable. I think I saw him doing this more than once during the summer.

 

In the smokers paradise at 200 Public Square, its almost guaranteed that if there's a handful of women and only me out there, if a person is going to try and bum a cigarette, they always ask me and never anyone else. Its happened quite a few times and I can't figure it out.

I get panhandled for everything, but never for a cigarette. I can be with a group of people where someone smokes and out of all of us  they make  a bee line for the smoker (regardless of whether they are smoking at the time) must be as Kramer says, a "face like a catcher's mitt" that sets them apart. BTW I am not saying you have a face like a catcher's mitt, I have never seen it. Maybe some other cue is setting them off, like a hacking cough or something