One week, only one more week!

By now I am assuming that the vast majority of Americans are in the same boat as me. Eagerly awaiting November 7th so that we may do our duty and put a stop to the horrific "he said, she said" noise that permeates my sleep and causes endless nightmares. I don't care who you vote for or why anymore, just that it gets done and OVER with. I know, being in Ohio, that our voting probably won't be "finalized" until well after November 7th due to the massive amounts of absentee ballots that have been requested. That isn't even taking into account any possible debacle caused by "malfunctioning" voting machines or polling problems.

Even with one week to go I bet most of you have already made up your minds. An article in the new Good Magazine (which by the way is WONDERFUL) described Edward Tufte's Economic Theory of Midterm Elections which states "people vote for or against the president's party based solely on his approval rating and their disposable income." While that may be a little too simplified for my taste, I know a lot of people LOVE simple and mid 70's economic theories.

Regardless, there are a lot of issues out there that are not relative to specific political parties. At least not obviously so instead of not voting on an issue simply because you can't tell if it is red or blue for you, why not take a couple of minutes on your lunch break and check out Project: Vote Smart or League of Women Voters 411 both of which claim to be non partisan. Even if they aren't at least you will know what the issues are and that is something you can lord over your less educated co-workers.

Special thanks to More Party Animals for the cool banner I ganked from their site.

Fivelimes, green products and services: online!

Fivelimes, a product and service review site has gone (relatively) live. Showcasing products with a determined "eco-friendly" slant, Fivelimes works on a consumer rating system whereas individuals can submit a product and service where it will be subject to an online community rating system. The rating system is rather simple. A product is rated on a scale of 1 (one) lime being the lowest and 5 (five) being the best. Products are rated on quality AND sustainability. There are already plenty of categories, from apparel to food and booze.

There is a login required to participate in commenting on a product and service and creating an account allows you to also build a "wishlist" of sorts to share products with friends and family.

There is the problem that "green washing" could occur but since the system is self policed by what will no doubt be an extremely large audience, it remains reasonable to expect that products and services that fluff up their score will be caught rather quickly.

The site is still in its infancy but look for it to explode soon as word of mouth spreads and more mainstream green products arrive in the market place.

Excuses, excuses

Alright, I am back. I know it was only a day off really but it was hectic for me. See, the LEED 2.1 Professional Accreditation Exam was supposed to close the 2.1 format to transistion to the 2.2 format on October 31st so for the past 3 days or so I have been cramming so that I could sit for the exam this morning.

I am now a Leed Accreditated Professional. Finally. I guess I finally put my money where my mouth was. Now when asked about my what I do for fun I can say that I am an Accreditated Treehugger. Word.

Anyway, I was going through the USGBC website trying to see if there was a "LEED AP" icon I could snag for this post (I don't think there is, only the USGBC icon, for which I am a member through work but does that make it legal to display here? Probably not.) I saw an interesting headline.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: To accommodate unprecendented demand, the deadline for taking the current LEED Professional Accreditation Exam has been extended through November 30, 2006.

So, if you guys want to get in before the LEED format changes then you better hurry and register. As for the exam, let me just say that the phrasing on some of the questions wasn't the best but if you read EVERYTHING in the reference guide (and memorize about half) you will probably pass easily. It actually wasn't that bad, it was mostly that I hadn't sat for a standardized type test for over 3 years and it felt weird and nerve wrecking to sit and take one now. To be honest the worst part about it was that the testing center was in Mentor, Ohio which is about the worst laid out city I have ever seen populated by America's worse drivers. Seriously, the worst. I got yelled at by some lady going the wrong way who almost hit me after some chucklehead in a new Monte Carlo almost backed into me. Also, those blinking lights on the side of your car aren't Christmas lights, you can use them year round to indicate planned directional changes.

Good luck!

Architecture in Motion - FILM (and other ARTS) FEASTS part IV

Wednesday, November 1, 2006
MOCA Cleveland
7.00pm
$75.00 per guest

Well, this has been all over the place so I might as well jump on the bandwagon. I have to apologize for possible post slacking as I have an event coming up Friday that I have to prepare for and it is consuming all of my spare time (spare time to be constituted as time not used to make a living).

Anyway, most of you might have noticed that MOCA is planning a big move to University Circle, the Akron Art Museum is undergoing a minor renovation (You can still make the Wolf Prix presentation tonight if you hurry!) and the Cleveland Museum of Art is also undergoing some changes. What do these three projects have in common? Besides being in Northeastern Ohio? They are all art museums! Crazy stuff eh?

Some are calling these undertakings an "architectural renaissance" but I won't make such pretty statements. The times, they are a changing which leads to some rare opprotunities to marvel at the connections between art and architecture. If only there was some sort of Forum with which the public could learn about these changes, the directions taken and the considerations that were taken into account while these changes were planned.

Oh wait, there IS!

Join
Jill Snyder -Executive Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art [MOCA Cleveland]
David Deming -President of the Cleveland Institute of Art
Timothy Rub -Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Museum of Art [also panel moderator]
Mitchell Kahan -Director of the Akron Art Museum
Terry Stewart -CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

for a lively discussion of where they are, what they envision and where they are wanting to go. There will be a dessert reception following the program and seating is limited to 50 guests so hurry up and order your tickets.

- Architecture in Motion is the fourth FILM (and other ARTS) FEASTS series put on by the Cleveland Film Society as a fundraiser to support the Cleveland International Film Festival.

Earth Day Coalition's 9th Annual Fall Benefit - Instrumental Evening for the earth

Thursday, November 9th, 2006
Cleveland's Trinity Cathedral
2230 Euclid Avenue
6.00pm - 9.30pm

Is one supposed to capitalize "earth"? For some reason I am unsure. The Earth Day Coalition (EDC if you are hip) is presenting it's 9th annual fall benefit. There will be food by Mustard Seed Market and Cafe, a silent auction and a candle-lit concert.

"Daniel McKelway and Lembi Veskimets joined by renowned pianist Hyunsoon Whang and friends from the world-famous Cleveland Orchestra will perform Mozart's Piano Quartet and Mozart's Quintet for Piano and Winds."

Read more about this wonderfully environmental and possibly romantic evening here.

You do have to purchase tickets and there is limited space so you better get a move on to get your groove on. Oh my, I can't believe I actually typed that out.

Milan of the Midwest vs. Millions for land; no new jobs for city

I don't honestly know where to begin. Last Tuesday I was at the Stark lecture/forum at CSU and got all excited about the city and what direction it was wanting to take. I didn't want to disseminate Stark's forum yet because I was mulling it over like a fine wine. I love the idea of his vision for the warehouse district, however, this is the person that brought up Crocker Park which I find one of the most vile places on the face of the planet outside of Wal/K mart. Anyways, Mr. Stark got me all riled up in a good way.

Fast forward to Sunday when I opened the Plain Dealer and first read an article about how it appears that the city was hoodwinked (HOODWINKED I say) and that neighborhood around E 80th and Kinsman was getting the short end once again. You can read all about it here, I fear my attempt at a proper summation would do little justice to the amount of disgust and betrayal that I felt.

I know, it is all politics. Whatever. When I hear or read stuff like this all I can think in is four letter words. I feel bad for Mayor Jackson for going along with this mess. I feel bad for Belinda Pesti for the most awful quote I have ever read:

"Pesti was the city's point person tracking the use of public dollars on the Kinbess project. But the economic development veteran said she was not told that CMHA and Kinbess had signed a purchase agreement, and was not included in crafting Jackson's legislation facilitating the sale to CMHA.

Pesti gasped when told during the interview that Kinbess sold the land for $150,000 an acre. "I didn't know how much they asked for that," she said. When asked how it was in the public interest for Kinbess to sell the land to CMHA, she responded: "I don't have an answer for you."

I mostly feel bad for the people of Cleveland who's tax money went toward remediating a brownfield site in the hopes of creating a developed retail/office park to create local jobs and instead paid a grossly exaggerated price for a no-bid development that will relocate existing jobs instead of creating new ones.

I may not be a smart man, but I know that isn't what people signed up for. Hemisphere Development must still believe they are on the right track, it seems they are promoting their Forgotten Triangle Development as an example of what THEY can do FOR YOU.

Oh, and then to add an air of disbelief to the whole event, whilst I was still angry about the above debacle I flip to the Metro section (I usually read this second right after the comics but I was overdosed on caffeine and my morning routine was torn asunder) and read that Experts [are] designing a plan for downtown Cleveland. Yay, experts! No, seriously, I am excited. See, when people sit down and start planning out an area, especially an area that is so central to the arts and design and then people start getting the word out early enough so that the community knows then good things can happen. Good, glorious, well thought out, clever things.

And the area is primed for it. The addition of the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project (which I have not dwelt on enough) will create easy, non personal automobile access which would allow the district to redesign itself for pedestrians. Imagine, people walking about in downtown, window shopping and just enjoying a stroll instead of the heads down bustle-have-to-get-my-lunch-and-back-to-the-office-quickly sort of muss we have going on now.

At least an important lesson is to be learned here. Dissemination of information can lead to halting bad projects before they go south while community involvement may be the root to revitalizing urban areas that felt once forgotten. Was that too dense? How about this then? "Utter lack of design makes crappy stuff".

Rustle the Leaf goes ANIMATED!

I know I have mentioned Rustle the Leaf before. It is a goofy little treehuggin' web comic that has some pretty good articles about the planet and environmentalism and they are pretty good for a chuckle. I am sure my friends are about sick to death of me forwarding comics on to them. I am trying to quit any sort of forwarding habit. I have heard the one legged waitress joke WAY too many times.

Well, the good folks over at Rustle the Leaf are doing their webcomic one better. Yup, they are going ANIMATED with sound and music and funny little movements and after seeing the first one I have to admit I am excited for more.

ps. sorry for "borrowing" the banner for this post guys, hope you don't mind too much, I just think it explains everything pretty dang well.

The Home House Project: Green Cleveland

Exhibit: Affordable Housing for the Future
Reinberger Galleries, Cleveland Institute of Art
November 3, 2006 - December 22, 2006

Panel Discussion: Affordable Housing for the Future
Aitkin Auditorium (Cleveland Institute of Art?)
November 3, 2006
7.00 pm

Exhibit Opening Reception
Reinberger Galleries
5.15 pm
November 3, 2006

In 2003 the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) held a competition based upon affordability, design and sustainability in housing. The open competition drew 440 multinational entries which were based on the typical layout of Habitat for humanities three and four bedroom designs. Then, in an effort to grab more attention to the idea of living in well designed and environmentally friendly homes they published a very pretty book.

Whilst I was away this weekend visiting my family I noticed the above postcard sitting on my mother's kitchen island. "I was saving that for you" she said when I picked it up and waved it about with an inquisitive look on my face. No doubt inferring that I would glance at it and respond with my usual "Oh, yeah, I saw that (insert location here) and am really excited about it."

Well, that didn't happen. I don't know why as the opening is only a couple of weeks away. One would think that the Reinberger Galleries would at least have some notice up. Or maybe E4S, I mean, it is a whole exhibition of 100 sustainable, affordable houses for criminy's sake.

Regardless, the whole thing has me very excited something like this is coming to Cleveland but also really upset that it isn't being broadcast more. Maybe it is. Maybe it lurks in the archives of Green City Blue Lake and I just haven't found it.

What I want to know is where are the 100 award-winning designs from? Are any local? Are there more competitions coming up that we should be made aware of? Who do I go to for answers? Dear God, don't say I have to become self reliant!

I admit when I was a lad that the thought of the Olympic Games would get me a bit excited. I think most of it had to do with the plethora of sports and participating countries, all seeming so new and exciting to me. We had only a small black and white TV back then so I suppose the full grandeur was lost upon me.

The Beijing 2008 Olympics are coming up quick and will be taking the world into the relatively contained and protected country of China. Typically seen as a gigantic economic engine the World Olympics can seemingly overnight spotlight an obscure city and turn it into an international giant. I for one am extremely interested in seeing what the Olympics does for China as far as cultural exposure. An entire nation that for so long existed behind a wall of secrecy and is already exposed bit by bit will be thrust into the limelight and scrutinized by the entire world. There is already talk of their massive investment into energy production infrastructure including coal and nuclear plants but this is tempered by massive programs for energy efficient technologies. I am interested to see what they can teach the world.

The 2010 Olympics are scheduled to be held in Vancouver, a rather progressive environmental city, one that I admit to not having the chance to really visit yet. I have the fear that if I went I might not return.

The 2012 London games have recently grabbed my attention. The city does not usually conjure up images of sustainable practices wit large, even though there is a definite and rather obvious movement to the contrary. An array of well publicized international sustainable architecture firms, urban automobile restrictions and taxes and now in an effort to make a gigantic public statement the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has unveiled plans for a 120m tall turbine capable of generating enough electricity to power 1200 homes.

Current plans call for construction of the turbine to be completed and fully operational by 2010, supplying power to the grid for 2 years before the Olympics take place. The ODA is also considering including "solar power, ground water cooling, small scale hydro/tidal power, biomass and a CCHP (combined cooling and heating plant)". The turbine will be the first and most noticeable step and will hopefully push towards rebranding London as a "Greener" city.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said:
'We want to make use of as many innovative renewable technologies as possible to power the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and will be looking to industry to provide us with creative solutions in the months ahead.

'The wind turbine on the Olympic Park will be a symbol of the sustainability principles behind the Games. As the first large scale wind turbine so close to Central London it will also act as a "green" beacon for the Capital.'

Will London attain the goal of making the 2012 Olympics the most "environmentally friendly ever"? If not at least they are making some definite steps in the right direction.


This is Hertfordshire - "Green beacon" for 2012 Olympics

London 2012 Unveils Wind Turbine Plans

London 2012 Olympic Parkto be Powered by Wind Turbine

Beer; good for the planet.

Alright, I know I am not the first one to bring this up but bear with me. At dinner tonight I noticed the nice little beer coaster thingy under my beverage stating that the beer of the month was brewed in a brewery run on wind power. The brewery was the Brooklyn Brewery which had been running on wind power since 2003 (I think).

First off I get all warm and fuzzy inside when I think about wind power. I just do. I love the study of aerodynamics and the simplicity of the idea behind wind power and basically how beneficial and cost effective it is. Then, THEN, I find out people are using it to make beer.

I do like beer.

So, who else is using wind power to make beer? Is there a list? Some sort of great "Green Powered Alcoholic Beverages" site? I mean, we have to be able to relax and enjoy the gifts of our wonderful planet once in a while, right?

The best I could do was this article from "Wired" magazine from March 2006. I couldn't find an online list. I have to admit that I am amazed that I stumbled across something that no one made a web site for yet. This got me thinking, "What else is out there?" How about a Solar powered brewery? I'll be danged, Anderson Valley Brewery is using its "solar powered beer" as a huge selling point. How huge? Well, it is right there on the top part of their main page.

Excellent.

So far I haven't been able to find any geothermal, biodesiel or hydrogen powered breweries. I have no doubt that one or two should pop up soon enough. Until then, find some nice eco-friendly beers to guzzle as you contemplate how to save the planet.

What do you say for Coop?

Wolf Prix Lecture
Wednesday, Oct. 25th, 2006
Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main Library Auditorium
60 South High Street, Akron, O(h)io
6.30pm

The Akron Art Museum broke ground for the Co-op Himmelb(l)au's [whom I shall now lovingly call "Coop"] long awaited, sought after, exciting, remarkable, unbelievable addition way the heck back in March of 2004. I know, I know, you have probably "googled" it and said mostly "Where the hell is Akron?" or something along the lines of "They are doing that WHERE?" and then stared in awe at the sweeping forms (clouds?), skewed lines, balance of composition and coupling with the existing brick structure and then snorted in disbelief. I pretty much did the same.

I paid close attention to the Gehry addition to Case Western Reserve University campus, happy that something new and exciting was going up to challenge the local vernacular but also a little tired of seeing the Bilbao Gug. show up over and over again. I know that isn't fair, but I am sure that is what the school asked for, what they knew and what Mr. Gehry had to create to make everyone happy. It is an amazing building, I still look at it and see details that amaze me and for that I can appreciate it for what it is, a rather brave and gallant structure that gives at least a wink to the context without bowing in submission. I know I will catch hell from the "Western Reserve Style Architecture" lovers out there but to be honest, when they start talking I usually hum the Dr. Who theme song in my head and drown them out. Oh, and here is the Peter B. Lewis Building for you to reference.

Anyway, when Case's building was going up all I heard about was budget concerns and civic concerns and concerns about concerns and questions about whether concerns were concerning enough folk. It drove me crazy with concern. I was fearful for any other signature building to be attempted, any other great piece that attempts to blend art and architecture, would be approached with more caution. When the Coop addition was approved my hopes for the region soared. When they broke ground I giggled with delight, relishing that it was "too late now" for it to be changed.

I got to walk through it while it was under construction last spring. Someone took pictures and was going to send them to me but never did. Jerks. Anyway the place was so incredible back then when it was unfinished. Some of the large sweeping superstructure was in place and you really have to see it in person to really appreciate it.

I don't know what you kids are up to later, but if you have the time free around 6.30pm on Oct. 25th Mr. Wolf Prix of Co-op Himmelb(l)au will be giving a lecture. You can download the sweet .pdf right here. It will be held at the library right across the street and there is a cost. 5 bucks for students and museum members, $10 for the rest of us.

So far I believe that the museum addition is slotted to open in Spring of 2007. Whilst searching for a more definitive answer I stumbled across a little notice about a little project I got to work on while in school in response to the shenanigans of the Akron Art Museum's addition.

Oh yes, and I might as well mention

That due to me having a rather annoying Type 'A' personality I have taken it upon myself to start posting events that pander to my interests on a Google calendar from which you can find in a link on the left under the graphic-type links. I don't expect everyone to stand in wondrous amazement upon my grasp of simple technology, instead I expect some of you slackers to participate in said events, representing your views and hopes, your dreams and your city.

Anyway, I am off to dinner, so peruse and take heed. Also, if you are of the notion that you would like your event on the calendar go ahead and leave a comment and I will try to get to it. Since this is all new there is not the mad rush of people wanting their stuff on there as you would like to believe.

I can't go one day without the Breuer tower shoved in my face

Thursday, October 26, 2006
5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
Glickman-Miller Hall, Atrium
Light refreshments will be served!!!!!!*

Well, that isn't exactly true. I didn't think about it at all this weekend while I was in Columbus enjoying some fine folky music and non-smoking bars and an old pal's new feline roommate. I mostly just think about it on the way to work, when I see it from the train and then the walk into my building. Then again as I wander around my office attempting to look busy and see it ominously outside the window, it's dark portals staring unblinkingly at me.

I don't love it. I don't hate it. I have become indifferent to it mostly. Well, not indifferent, just concerned that Cleveland will lose one of it's few tall buildings (our skyline is going to look like the five fingers of Kansas City soon) rather then a piece of architectural history.

Don't get me wrong, as a designer and environmentalist I usually think that resolving existing solutions in a clever manner is far more difficult and therefore more impressive then working with a clean slate. However I suppose we must make concessions if the existing building doesn't fulfill the necessary functional requirements. Of course I am not privy to the dealings of the county with regards to programming requirements so I cannot fully judge. Nor am I a great fan of asbestos filled brutalism. I love me some brutalism but I fear the punctured skin takes the strength away from the stark form enough to almost consider this a sad attempt of heavy "international" style structures. I could be wrong. I admit that most usually that is the case.

Regardless there will be a forum at the
Maxine Goodman Levin college of Urban Affairs and sponsored heavily by the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects and will no doubt be attended by Steven Litt whom is fun to both agree with and find totally baseless. Mr. Litt may or may not be against the county tearing down the Breuer building. It would be hard to tell.

*extra exclamation points added by me~ ed.

Cleveland Museum of Art- Partially Open!

First off, I just got back from Columbus so sorry for missing a couple of days. Secondly I am having a heck of a time with blogger uploading images. I am going to have to go around it the ol' fashioned way, which isn't making me happy and is sort of killing the fun of adding pretty pictures. I hope to sort out my stupidity soon.

Cleveland Museum of Art, after closing all of it's doors for (what seemed to be) ever, ifsopening back up TODAY for Barcelona and Modernity: Picasso, Gaudi, Miro, Dali which looks to be a very interesting and exciting show. I grew up with a Picasso book (as a baby) and became an instant lover of Gaudi and Dali once I reached high school. Now that I am old and bitter few things make me giddy with excitement like the reopening of PART of CMA coupled with an exhibit around which I am sure will motivate me to save up the cash to finally go to Barcelona next spring.

There is a charge because it is a special exhibition. However, if you are a member you can get in for free.

Anyway, this is cause for celebration! MUCH celebration!