As you can tell by the post below, something is amiss here at BFD. A few days ago, the server this blog is hosted on took a dump.
While they’re working diligently to restore service, please head over to NortheastOhioBlogs.com, where’ you’ll find a stream of tweets and the latest blog posts from your neighbors, as well as the resurrected Northeast Ohio Blogroll.
I’m talking about the BlogWorld Expo. Have you made your plans yet?
Don’t miss this brothers and sisters:
So a self-described homeless guy approaches me yesterday, tentative in his ask while I am obviously deep in laptop work cafe side. I immediately flash back to hearing John McKnight’s case for the exchange of gifts, including our stories, instead of the clientization of the so-called marginalized.
He’s slightly taken aback with full eye contact request for his name and story, which he unravels like threads off his worn coat. I thank him for his story and give him some money, which he returns full eye contact thanks, and as he turns to walk on, he turns back and with a taciturn pause, says in a most sincere tone, “You know, I really hate doing this, asking for money. What I really want is work.” The sidewalk turns into a brief brainstorm session, and he makes his way into the neighborhood.
This seems like as good a time as any to mention to book Jack and I are working on together, that will include “ingredients” for community change. I think this one should be included.
Mel of Music Saves circulated the above flyer. My neighbor Nan Kennedy sent one with these details:
You’ll see the first rehabbed house in NSDC’s Model Block program at 428 E157. This 4-bed gem is freshly painted, roofed, electrified and plumbed, and comes with a fenced backyard, 2-car garage and $1500 appliance allowance.
You’ll also see live/work space at the Zaller Building (16006 Waterloo): two stunning apartments on the second/third floor, plus potential studio space downstairs (early tenants will be the Waterloo Seven group of artists led by sculptor Jerry Schmidt, whose studio is at the back of the building, and Little Jacket press, best known for its high-end music posters). And don’t miss the outdoor sculpture garden.
Then you can buy high-end leather products and other fun stuff at ShopARooni (15813 Waterloo), shop for discs at MusicSaves, take in the closing reception at the Arts Collinwood gallery AND the opening at TRUEArt (details below).
Cafe Marika will be serving high-end snacks and pastries, coffee and wine; the Arts Collinwood gallery will be holding the closing reception for Razzle Dazzle (Jeffry Chiplis and Jacob Wesley Lang), with refreshments and poetry reading. 6-9. Call 216-692-9500.
TRUEArt will be opening a show of new work by Joan of Art and Joe Day: stained glass pieces themed “Keyholes and Effects,” and surreal montages incorporating meticulously handcut pieces of magazines and sheet music. Music by Theodore Vril and Scarcity of Tanks. 7 to midnight. Call 393-0230.
Lifted this from a Cleveland Colectivo update:
Due to a variety of factors, the Parish Hall recently held its last performance. Founder and Director Ryan Weitzel decided to move on, in order to focus more time on his successful recording studio, Exit Stencil, as well as his band, Mystery of Two. Ryan recently leased a space for his studio on Waterloo Road in North Collinwood, down the street from the successful Beachland Ballroom…
Just now as I was reading all the comments and props George is getting for BFD being recognized as Cleveland Scenes Best Blog 2007, I thought about all the great people I’ve met and new friends I have now because of him. I think it’s time we all celebrate George so I hope you’ll join me at my first Cleveland Weblogger Meetup:
THE CLEVELAND WEBLOGGER MEETUP:
Wednesday, October 17th
The Happy Dog @ 7:00PM
5801 Detroit Ave Cleveland, OH 44102
(216) 651-9474
From Cleveland Scenes Best of 2007:
Best Blog (2007)
Brewed Fresh Daily
www.brewedfreshdaily.comThe great thing about blogs is that anyone can write one. What sucks about blogs is, well, anyone can write one, so getting to the good stuff means sifting through a lot of garbage. That’s why Brewed Fresh Daily is so useful. Instead of ruminating on his own big ideas or breaking down his morning breakfast, Brewed Fresh blogger George Nemeth rifles through Cleveland’s blogosphere so you don’t have to. Focusing on Cleveland-based news and opinion, Nemeth includes the best posts from Cleveland’s most consistent blogs, from Callahan’s Cleveland Diary to Political Science 216 to Writes Like She Talks. Nemeth also helps run the Meet the Blogger series, wherein bloggers sit down to BS with local politicians and other players.
This is an impressive piece, with fantastic shots of Cleveland. In the era of globalization, marketing is king, and perception drives reality.
The world at large is open for a new Cleveland story. Polls show the outside world is rather agnostic in opinion. This is a tremendous opportunity to redefine ourselves as the negatives connotations have largely passed.
America wants to believe in Cleveland’s resurgence. It is against our national ethos and the “American Dream” for a city to die from stagnation and a lack of innovation. The narrative of Austin and Portland is old, and America is waiting for the next big thing, and we hold the potential for a real Horatio Alger story.
“These days Clevelanders laugh along. They know that the region is turning itself around in a big way. After all, President Bush was indeed in Cleveland, spotlighting the area’s cutting edge work in health care and energy technology. Northeast Ohio’s economy is beginning to boom again, and the rest of the world is taking it seriously.” http://www.usairwaysmag.com/2007_10/profiles.php
Significantly the story highlights water, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, alternative energy, nightlife and culture. Add this to recent press with the Indians, Cavs, and No Reservations, we actually have real momentum for good press outside of the region.
If only we did not have parking lots downtown and Public Square as a vibrant public space. Too me that is the last big key to get in place to send Cleveland over the tipping point.
As for the first comment to say humbug, our only headline is a tragic school shooting, not true. Not one colleague mentioned it this morning. The reaction to the shooting is a general sadness of the problems in our urban centers that can happen anywhere, not a reflection on Cleveland specifically.
What do you think would happen?
I’ve got a way to reduce global poverty, decrease the number of workers crossing our borders illegally, save American taxpayers money, and cut your supermarket bill — in one fell swoop. How? Get rid of US farm subsidies and tariffs.They were supposed to be a temporary remedy for small farmers during the Depression. But, renewed every five years regardless of which party controls Congress, farm subsidies keep going and going. They’ve been costing taxpayers some $11 billion a year. The Senate is now considering the latest version, and it’s hardly better than what’s come before.
Look, I have no problem insuring small farmers against major losses. But farm subsidies go mostly to big agribusinesses that hardly need them…
NE Ohio economy growing but not as fast as nation’s
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The core issues are relatively low educational attainment and relatively low rates of innovation. See Sandy Pianalto’s speech: Innovation and Education: Renewing the Northeast Ohio Economy
See also from the Fed: Altered States: A Perspective on
75 Years of State Income Growth
From Mel:
6. Why are there no fucking jobs in Cleveland?
This is by FAR my favorite search in the lifetime of checking out my stats! How awesome that not only does someone pathetically search for a story about jobs in Cleveland (Ask Jeeves no more!), but the PASSION and ANGER in “no fucking jobs” is absolutely classic. Good work, Cleveland! You’ve pissed off someone else enough to check out the lemming-esque city to our west.
Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Your Boyfriend: Google Says What?
Norm:
I was there to get gas as I was patrolling East Cleveland looking for such crises in my neighborhood (I live a few blocks from here), to begin thoroughly documenting the failures of our community. There are many forces and tools available to end such outright lawlessness, and in the process educate the community on proper conduct and provide valuable resources and services, not to mention much higher quality of life, property values, health and prosperity for residents.I believe effective use of Information Technology (IT) holds the key to eliminating the blight of such lawlessness and I am in the process of proving that. In this instance, the fact that I was taking photos made everyone at the Marathon very nervous, and one thug asked me why I was taking pictures and I said “for the Internet” - his buddy said “You’d better watch yourself…”
Inquiring Thug Minds Wonder “Why You Taking Pictures, Man?” | REALNEO for all
