President Bush, kickin' the tires and lightin' some fires

Friday President Bush met with spokespeople brandishing two shiny examples of how new automobile technology will help meets the President's goal of reducing America's gasoline demand by 20% over the next 10 years.

What were the examples of shining technology rushing to America's aid?

Why a Toyota Prius with upgraded Canadian battery pack (in Mass. at least) and a converted South Korean truck (converted by a Californian company) of course. When asked if the President would consider purchasing either vehicle for his ranch the President politely excused himself.

Perhaps the reception would have been a little warmer if some domestic products had been available, they were too busy making SUVs that roll over and catch on fire when going over 10 miles an hour.

Source (for the non-sardonic portion):
New York Times

Alright, I admit, this is a loaded topic

A few years ago, back in my youthful college days, I remember watching a delightful romp through the vinyl industries backyard entitled Blue Vinyl. I found the story and film wonderful and horribly amusing as the documentary traces the toxic history and production of vinyl. Since then I have refused to specify it on projects (even getting into wonderful discussions with "green architects" about how even though they thought the product was awful and poisonous, it was affordable, which, I suppose, was their bottom line) and even go way out of my way to mention to developers and builders that I meet just how horrible a product it is. I also think it looks crappy.

So, I admit, I harbor a resentment for the vinyl industry as a whole (except I love records, I must be a hypocrite) and relish when large conglomerate industries (who poison ecosystems and their employees with abandon and then attempt to spin it) get all tripped up in their crazy money making endeavors. Remember vinyl is only poisonous when it is being made or burned/thrown out but totally safe when applied to the outside of your home.

Unless of course your child's lunchbox is made from it.

In a fantastically slanted article from Healthy Building Network entitled Vinyl Institute Defends Lead In Children's Lunchboxes I discovered that LEAD is used to stabilize the PVC in lunchboxes.

I don't want to ruin the rest for you. Or ruin your lunch. You should use an insulated reusable bag anyway, the Velcro tops can really annoy your cube-mates.

Reading assignment

First the lame excuse. I had food poisoning yesterday and am not going to have time to really write anything substantial tonight as I plan on climbing back into my warm, comfy bed and resting my sore, achy muscles.

While I slumber and dream of happy things please take the time to read Planning on Walking, an interesting article about how pedestrian movement and ease of circulation is not only considered a valued amenity but also a vital commodity for personal and communal health.

Think about this on your drive into work tomorrow.

WalMart wants to win my heart!

Alright, I feel like I am in "Bizarro Land". Mostly because Wal Mart has agreed to not receive the 10 year tax break that the great state of Ohio decided to give to the chain to apply against the city of Cleveland.

I suppose it makes economic sense. Don't destroy the community you mean to have purchase goods from you. But while this not only appears to be a feather in the cap of the chain that for years has undergone scrutiny and become a popular target for concerned citizens it also seems to be a moment of strength for the entire Steelyard Commons project.

I admit while I may not endeavor to support the idea behind the shopping center I will admire their ability to attempt to support the surrounding community which, by the way, is a tenant of what many people would consider "new urbanism" (take THAT Legacy Village).

Now we just have to get on the case of Home Depot and Target to see if they care as much about the community as Wal Mart does. Go ahead, use that exact line. I bet it will make some ears twitch a little.

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Transit Oriented Development

Thursday, February 22, 2007
8:00-12:00 p.m.
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
Glickman-Miller Hall, Atrium

There seems to be quite a few improvement projects going on or slated to begin around Cleveland that are either directly connected to or influenced by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. The Euclid Corridor Project and the rail stations at W. 117th and the update for the one at E. 120th come quickest to mind. The Euclid Corridor mostly because I deal with the construction everyday and hope and pray that it will inject some life into downtown. The W. 117th station because it is close to my house and I pass by it every week day and shake my head wondering about how that final design was arrived at. The E. 120th station piques my curiosity rather fiercely, both because I find it rather hard to gather any information about it but also because it could be one of the most important rail stops serving Cleveland and probably the easiest one to drop the ball on.

Regardless, with all the new attention upon moving people in and out of the city in an efficient and safe manner one can see the import of meetings and public discussions such as this.

Agenda:

* 8:00-8:15 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
* 8:15-8:30 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
Kathryn W. Hexter, Director Center for Civic Education, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University
Joseph A. Calabrese, CEO/General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, moderator
* 8:30-9:30 a.m. Keynote Address - Best Practices in TOD
Jeffery Tumlin, an expert in the TOD field and Principal with the San Francisco-based transit consulting firm Nelson\Nygaard
* 9:30-9:45 a.m. Questions and Answers
* 9:45-10:00 a.m. Break
* 10:00-10:15 a.m. Presentation of Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, TOD Guidelines
Maribeth Feke, Director, Programming & Planning, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
* 10:15-11:30 a.m. Panel Discussion
John Buttarazzi, TR Advisors LLC, moderator
Michael J. Schipper, P.E., Deputy General Manager, Engineering & Project Management, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Abraham Bruckman, AICP, Director of Real Estate Development Ohio City Near West Development Corporation
Joyce Braverman, Director of Planning, City of Shaker Hts. Mandy Metcalf, AICP, EcoVillage, Project Manager, The Detroit Shoreway Development Organization

Transit Oriented Development Forum Flyer (.pdf)

Re: Breuer Trust Tower

I have been receiving some emails and comments from people wanting to know if there is an organized effort underway and if so, who the heck is in charge of it. Well, I would love to be the one waving the flag and hollering to the rafters but to be honest I don't have much in the way of spare time and would not be able to give it my own full support. I would love to act, however, as a minion in someones army, perhaps standard bearer, or mess hall captain, fighting for such a noble cause.

I have sent out feelers to people whom I think would be in the know more then myself and to the best of my knowledge those people have sent out feelers.

I will let everyone know what gets felt back.

Cleveland Competition 2007 - Prelim jury announcement!

The Cleveland Competition 2007 has released a preliminary list of jurors for their competition.

I am extremely proud of those kids putting this thing together, amazingly by their little selves. It almost gives one pause to ponder on what one can accomplish oneself if one were so inclined to get off one's duff.

Get off your duff.