Well, some recent competition result announcements was all it took to spur me out of website inaction and forced me to attempt to clean up this site a bit.
I haven't had too much time to debug it, so if you happen to run across any dead links or whatever, please drop me a line. I already know that the topic sorter on the blog doesn't work, and that some images are insanely gigantic (well, not INSANELY but overly gigantic at least).
Regardless, if you have any comments or critiques, please feel free to drop me a line.
Cheers!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Required bike parking could pave way for easier commutes
Granted, Cleveland is part of the conglomerate of Northeastern Ohio Cities with the least traffic congestion which may be attributed to smaller population and relatively large existing vehicular infrastructure however as the city looks to reimagine itself and learn to grow I find the discussion of simply concentrating on pedestrian level commuting rather lacking.
Some areas such as Washington D.C. are looking into legislating minimum requirements for bicycle parking within the city. I know that Cleveland has added quite a few of those black 'U' racks for bikes in the city but there is still something that doesn't seem quite so safe about them yet. It could be a severe lack of cycling lanes (or deficiency in people's driving abilities) coupled with how sporadic the bike parking is (seems unconcentrated and not secure) that greatly cuts into it's use.
I do know quite a few people who bike from the inner ring suburbs into Cleveland. Most of them are blessed with being on the lower levels of a building (most larger buildings make cyclists use freight elevators which must be accessed from a loading dock) and being able to store their bikes securely in their offices.
I am not currently petitioning for a bike rack in my cubicle (although I would be fine if there were one) but if there were bike parking locations, centralized, safe and secure enough that I wouldn't worry about if my bike would still be there when I worked late then I promise you I would ride to work more and would surmise that others would be willing to do the same?
One would think that it would prove economically viable to cater to a demographic that is inherently younger, healthier and more mobile by allowing them to move around in a manner in which they have to pay intimate attention to the city around them. I am actually surprised that RTA hasn't started combining cycling with bus/rapid stations as a way to create intermodal transportation hubs around the city that interacts how public transportation should, by getting large, expensive, solitary modes of transport off the street and instead making it into a public corridor.
Some areas such as Washington D.C. are looking into legislating minimum requirements for bicycle parking within the city. I know that Cleveland has added quite a few of those black 'U' racks for bikes in the city but there is still something that doesn't seem quite so safe about them yet. It could be a severe lack of cycling lanes (or deficiency in people's driving abilities) coupled with how sporadic the bike parking is (seems unconcentrated and not secure) that greatly cuts into it's use.
I do know quite a few people who bike from the inner ring suburbs into Cleveland. Most of them are blessed with being on the lower levels of a building (most larger buildings make cyclists use freight elevators which must be accessed from a loading dock) and being able to store their bikes securely in their offices.
I am not currently petitioning for a bike rack in my cubicle (although I would be fine if there were one) but if there were bike parking locations, centralized, safe and secure enough that I wouldn't worry about if my bike would still be there when I worked late then I promise you I would ride to work more and would surmise that others would be willing to do the same?
One would think that it would prove economically viable to cater to a demographic that is inherently younger, healthier and more mobile by allowing them to move around in a manner in which they have to pay intimate attention to the city around them. I am actually surprised that RTA hasn't started combining cycling with bus/rapid stations as a way to create intermodal transportation hubs around the city that interacts how public transportation should, by getting large, expensive, solitary modes of transport off the street and instead making it into a public corridor.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Impetus behind Cleveland development - uncovered!
Yesterday I stumbled across a tutorial on designing and developing in the Greater Cleveland area. While most obviously the strategy behind Stonebridge and other finely crafted buildings one wonders if exactly who in the City has learned the most from this educational program.
I caution you, it is addictive! Soon you will be searching for the 'mixed-used', 'lifestyle center', 'green-design' buttons to maximize project marketability and capitalize the most on a lack of Design Review Board that has the power and integrity to stand against you!
I caution you, it is addictive! Soon you will be searching for the 'mixed-used', 'lifestyle center', 'green-design' buttons to maximize project marketability and capitalize the most on a lack of Design Review Board that has the power and integrity to stand against you!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Cleveland Goes Modern || Design for the Home 1930 - 1970
Cleveland Goes Modern
Design for the Home
1930 - 1970
September 10th - November 24th, 2007
Cleveland Artists Foundation at the Beck Center for the Arts
17801 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44107-3413
Phone: 216.227.9507
Fax: 216 228 6050
Mostly visible in large corporate of public structures the Modernist movement has also explored the more intimate and playful palatte of the common home. This exhibition, currently running at the Beck Center, aknowledges some of the modern movements influence was represented in works of Cleveland architects.
The bulk of the display concentrates on the work of six local architects, Don Hisaka, John Terence Kelly, Robert Little, William Morris, Ernst Payer and Fred Toguchi and offers a small collection of exploration into how the technology and idealogy of the modern movement personal meant.
Not just another progression of display pieces, the exhibit offers a glimpse into the personal evolution if one is willing to delve deep enough. The response to siting and the new sense of personal freedom and independence characterizes bold moves from material selection to furniture layout and shows a rather interesting contrast to the homogenity of the typical mid to late 1900's domicle design.
Throughout the running of the current show there will be a series of forum based conversations from some of Northeast Ohio's prevelant designers.
Thursday September 20th
6 - 8pm
The History of Modernism in Cleveland
How did Modernism come about, and how did it show up in Cleveland? A conversation on the history of the "aesthetic" of Modernism. At Cleveland Artists Foundation. Free and open to the public.
Thursday, October 18th
6 - 8 pm
Building Modern from the Architect's Standpoint
What was it like designing a "Modern" home in Cleveland during the mid-20th century? A conversation coordinated by Peter van Dijk and Richard Fleischman, with special guest architect Don Hisaka.
Thursday, November 15th
6 - 8 pm
Building Modern from the Client's Standpoint
What was it like commissioning an architect to build a "Modern" home? A conversation moderated by Nina Gibans, with Ted Welles (commissioned Fred Toguchi), Scott Inkley (commissioned Ernst Payer), and Douglas McDonald (commissioned John Terence Kelly).
All conversations take place at Cleveland Artists Foundation and are free and open to the public.
There are also a plethora of home tours available. Registration required.
Also: if you can find it, there was a packet for the Cleveland Goes Modern - Historical and Cultural Notes laying on the back table which provided an interesting primer for the show.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Battle for Great Lakes Water presentation
Battle for Great Lakes Water presentation
Thursday, September 13th, 2007
West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
20401 Hilliard Blvd.
Rocky River
7-9pm
$5 registration
"Water is the lifeblood
of forty million people
who live in the Great Lakes
Basin. This book should
be required reading for
anyone whose life depends
on Great Lakes water."
Michael P. Dombeck,
former chief, U.S. Forest
Service, professor, University
of Wisconsin-Stevens Point,
University of Wisconsin System
Fellow of Global Conservation
Peter Annin, author of The Great Lakes Water Wars will speak in the new series "The Environment II - A Green Future for Our Fragile Earth", presented by The League of Women Voters.
The forum style presentation will concentrate on the current controversy of diverting water from the Great Lakes to surrounding areas and upon the Great Lakes Basin Compact.
Thursday, September 13th, 2007
West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
20401 Hilliard Blvd.
Rocky River
7-9pm
$5 registration
"Water is the lifeblood
of forty million people
who live in the Great Lakes
Basin. This book should
be required reading for
anyone whose life depends
on Great Lakes water."
Michael P. Dombeck,
former chief, U.S. Forest
Service, professor, University
of Wisconsin-Stevens Point,
University of Wisconsin System
Fellow of Global Conservation
Peter Annin, author of The Great Lakes Water Wars will speak in the new series "The Environment II - A Green Future for Our Fragile Earth", presented by The League of Women Voters.
The forum style presentation will concentrate on the current controversy of diverting water from the Great Lakes to surrounding areas and upon the Great Lakes Basin Compact.
AMD Open Architecture Challenge
AMD Open Architecture ChallengeChallenge: To design a sustainable multi-purpose technology facility for under-served communities
Registration Begins: 09/12/2007
Submission Deadline: 01/15/2008
Open To: All. Design professionals and non-professionals alike are invited to compete to develop the winning technology center design. Student entries welcomed.
Entry Fee: $25 per site before 12/15/2007; $30 after 12/16/2007; $0 for entries from developing nations. Group rates available for faculty and students.
Site Awards: Proceeds of the competition entry fees will be awarded to the top entry for each site.
Challenge Award: The winning design team will have the opportunity to work on site directly with the community partner and Architecture for Humanity to build their design.
Contact:
AMD Open Architecture Challenge
415 332 6273 ext. 320
Media Contact:
Architecture for Humanity
Laura Galloway - Galloway Media Group
laura (at) gallowaymediagroup (dot) com
AMD
Travis Bullard - AMD PR
Travis_bullard (at) amd (dot) com
512-602-5667
The Challenges:
SOUTH AMERICA CHALLENGEKallari Association, Ecuador: Connecting a cooperative of indigenous chocolate producers and artisans in the Ecuadorian Amazon with the global marketplace by building a chocolate factory, a fair trade exchange and off-site satellite technology hubs.
AFRICA CHALLENGESIDAREC, Kenya: Empowering the youth of Mukuru Kwa Njenga, an informal slum settlement of 250,000, to connect with other youth and create positive change in their community by building a technology media lab and library.
ASIA CHALLENGENyaya Health, Nepal: Enabling families in a remote rural area of Nepal where there is only one doctor for a population of 250,000 to access to health care from top physicians and medical professionals all over the world by building a telemedicine center.
About Architecture for Humanity
Architecture for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises and provides design services to communities in need. For more information, please visit www.architectureforhumanity.org.
About the Open Architecture Network
The Open Architecture Network is an online, open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. For more information please visit: www.openarchitecturenetwork.org.
About AMDAdvanced Micro Devices
(NYSE: AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative processing solutions in the computing, graphics and consumer electronics markets. AMD is dedicated to driving open innovation, choice and industry growth by delivering superior customer-centric solutions that empower consumers and businesses worldwide. For more information, visit www.amd.com.
About 50x15
The 50x15 Initiative, launched by AMD in 2004 at the World Economic Forum, is a bold and far-reaching effort to develop new technology and solutions that will help enable affordable Internet access and computing capability for 50 percent of the world's population by the year 2015. More than just goodwill, 50x15 is about fostering long-term economic progress and investment within high-growth markets in ways that benefit a wide range of people and businesses. For more information, visit www.50x15.com.
--
The Cleveland Chapter of Architecture for Humanity will do all we can to promote and coordinate entries from Cleveland. In the next month or so there will be a visible push to approach those in the design community to get involved or help spread the word about this amazing opportunity.
For more information or to find how to get involved please visit the Architecture for Humanity-Cleveland Google Group.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
21 Things you didn't know you can recycle
Garbage. Americans produce more and more of it every year, when we need to be producing less.
Even the most waste-conscious among us can feel overwhelmed by the amount of household waste that goes beyond what municipal recyclers and compost bins can handle.
That’s why our editors have spent the summer investigating the state of waste management in our country, and putting together information for you, our Co-op America members, explaining how we can get serious about the three R’s – reducing, reusing, and recycling. Supporting members of Co-op America can expect to receive this issue of the Co-op America Quarterly this fall. If you’re not already a supporting member, join us now to get this special issue mailed to you.
1. Appliances: Goodwill accepts working appliances, www.goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them. 800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org.
2. Batteries: Rechargeables and single-use: Battery Solutions, 734/467-9110, www.batteryrecycling.com.
3. Cardboard boxes: Contact local nonprofits and women’s shelters to see if they can use them. Or, offer up used cardboard boxes at your local Freecycle.org listserv or on Craigslist.org for others who may need them for moving or storage. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more each month, UsedCardboardBoxes.com accepts them for resale.
4. CDs/DVDs/Game Disks: Send scratched music or computer CDs, DVDs, and PlayStation or Nintendo video game disks to AuralTech for refinishing, and they’ll work like new: 888/454-3223, www.auraltech.com.
5. Clothes: Wearable clothes can go to your local Goodwill outlet or shelter. Donate wearable women’s business clothing to Dress for Success, which gives them to low-income women as they search for jobs, 212/532-1922, www.dressforsuccess.org. Offer unwearable clothes and towels to local animal boarding and shelter facilities, which often use them as pet bedding. Consider holding a clothes swap at your office, school, faith congregation or community center. Swap clothes with friends and colleagues, and save money on a new fall wardrobe and back-to-school clothes.
6. Compact fluorescent bulbs: Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling: www.ikea.com.
7. Compostable bio-plastics: You probably won’t be able to compost these in your home compost bin or pile. Find a municipal composter to take them to at www.findacomposter.com.
8. Computers and electronics: Find the most responsible recyclers, local and national, at www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html.
9. Exercise videos: Swap them with others at www.videofitness.com.
10. Eyeglasses: Your local Lion’s Club or eye care chain may collect these. Lenses are reground and given to people in need.
11. Foam packing: Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept foam peanuts for reuse. Or, call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800/828-2214. For places to drop off foam blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, 410/451-8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html
12. Ink/toner cartridges: Recycleplace.com pays $1/each.
13. Miscellaneous: Get your unwanted items into the hands of people who can use them. Offer them up on your local Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org listserv, or try giving them away at Throwplace.com or giving or selling them at iReuse.com. iReuse.com will also help you find a recycler, if possible, when your items have reached the end of their useful lifecycle.
14. Oil: Find Used Motor Oil Hotlines for each state: 202/682-8000, www.recycleoil.org.
15. Phones: Donate cell phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: 770/856-9021, www.collectivegood.com. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: www.donateaphone.com. Recycle single-line phones: Reclamere, 814/386-2927, www.reclamere.com.
16. Sports equipment: Resell or trade it at your local Play It Again Sports outlet, 800/476-9249, www.playitagainsports.com.
17. “Technotrash”: Easily recycle all of your CDs, jewel cases, DVDs, audio and video tapes, cell phones, pagers, rechargeable and single-use batteries, PDAs, and ink/toner cartridges with GreenDisk’s Technotrash program. For $30, GreenDisk will send you a cardboard box in which you can ship them up to 70 pounds of any of the above. Your fee covers the box as well as shipping and recycling fees. 800/305-GREENDISK, www.greendisk.com.
18. Tennis shoes: Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring. www.nikereuseashoe.com. One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti. www.oneworldrunning.com.
19. Toothbrushes and razors: Buy a recycled plastic toothbrush or razor from Recycline, and the company will take it back to be recycled again into plastic lumber. Recycline products are made from used Stonyfield Farms’ yogurt cups. 888/354-7296, www.recycline.com.
20. Tyvek envelopes: Quantities less than 25: Send to Shirley Cimburke, Tyvek Recycling Specialist, 5401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Spot 197, Room 231, Richmond, VA 23234. Quantities larger than 25, call 866/33-TYVEK.
21. Stuff you just can’t recycle: When practical, send such items back to the manufacturer and tell them they need to manufacture products that close the waste loop responsibly.
From Co-op America Quarterly which has all the links in working order.
Blatantly redirected from Treehugger
Even the most waste-conscious among us can feel overwhelmed by the amount of household waste that goes beyond what municipal recyclers and compost bins can handle.
That’s why our editors have spent the summer investigating the state of waste management in our country, and putting together information for you, our Co-op America members, explaining how we can get serious about the three R’s – reducing, reusing, and recycling. Supporting members of Co-op America can expect to receive this issue of the Co-op America Quarterly this fall. If you’re not already a supporting member, join us now to get this special issue mailed to you.
1. Appliances: Goodwill accepts working appliances, www.goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them. 800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org.
2. Batteries: Rechargeables and single-use: Battery Solutions, 734/467-9110, www.batteryrecycling.com.
3. Cardboard boxes: Contact local nonprofits and women’s shelters to see if they can use them. Or, offer up used cardboard boxes at your local Freecycle.org listserv or on Craigslist.org for others who may need them for moving or storage. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more each month, UsedCardboardBoxes.com accepts them for resale.
4. CDs/DVDs/Game Disks: Send scratched music or computer CDs, DVDs, and PlayStation or Nintendo video game disks to AuralTech for refinishing, and they’ll work like new: 888/454-3223, www.auraltech.com.
5. Clothes: Wearable clothes can go to your local Goodwill outlet or shelter. Donate wearable women’s business clothing to Dress for Success, which gives them to low-income women as they search for jobs, 212/532-1922, www.dressforsuccess.org. Offer unwearable clothes and towels to local animal boarding and shelter facilities, which often use them as pet bedding. Consider holding a clothes swap at your office, school, faith congregation or community center. Swap clothes with friends and colleagues, and save money on a new fall wardrobe and back-to-school clothes.
6. Compact fluorescent bulbs: Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling: www.ikea.com.
7. Compostable bio-plastics: You probably won’t be able to compost these in your home compost bin or pile. Find a municipal composter to take them to at www.findacomposter.com.
8. Computers and electronics: Find the most responsible recyclers, local and national, at www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html.
9. Exercise videos: Swap them with others at www.videofitness.com.
10. Eyeglasses: Your local Lion’s Club or eye care chain may collect these. Lenses are reground and given to people in need.
11. Foam packing: Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept foam peanuts for reuse. Or, call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800/828-2214. For places to drop off foam blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, 410/451-8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html
12. Ink/toner cartridges: Recycleplace.com pays $1/each.
13. Miscellaneous: Get your unwanted items into the hands of people who can use them. Offer them up on your local Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org listserv, or try giving them away at Throwplace.com or giving or selling them at iReuse.com. iReuse.com will also help you find a recycler, if possible, when your items have reached the end of their useful lifecycle.
14. Oil: Find Used Motor Oil Hotlines for each state: 202/682-8000, www.recycleoil.org.
15. Phones: Donate cell phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: 770/856-9021, www.collectivegood.com. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: www.donateaphone.com. Recycle single-line phones: Reclamere, 814/386-2927, www.reclamere.com.
16. Sports equipment: Resell or trade it at your local Play It Again Sports outlet, 800/476-9249, www.playitagainsports.com.
17. “Technotrash”: Easily recycle all of your CDs, jewel cases, DVDs, audio and video tapes, cell phones, pagers, rechargeable and single-use batteries, PDAs, and ink/toner cartridges with GreenDisk’s Technotrash program. For $30, GreenDisk will send you a cardboard box in which you can ship them up to 70 pounds of any of the above. Your fee covers the box as well as shipping and recycling fees. 800/305-GREENDISK, www.greendisk.com.
18. Tennis shoes: Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring. www.nikereuseashoe.com. One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti. www.oneworldrunning.com.
19. Toothbrushes and razors: Buy a recycled plastic toothbrush or razor from Recycline, and the company will take it back to be recycled again into plastic lumber. Recycline products are made from used Stonyfield Farms’ yogurt cups. 888/354-7296, www.recycline.com.
20. Tyvek envelopes: Quantities less than 25: Send to Shirley Cimburke, Tyvek Recycling Specialist, 5401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Spot 197, Room 231, Richmond, VA 23234. Quantities larger than 25, call 866/33-TYVEK.
21. Stuff you just can’t recycle: When practical, send such items back to the manufacturer and tell them they need to manufacture products that close the waste loop responsibly.
From Co-op America Quarterly which has all the links in working order.
Blatantly redirected from Treehugger
Cleveland Museum of Art 17th annual Chalk Festival
CMA Chalk Festival
Saturday, September 15th, 2007 11am - 4pm
Sunday, September 16th, 2007 noon - 5pm
Coinciding nicely with the Sparx Gallery Hop thingy (see previous post you slackers!) the Cleveland Museum of Art is hosting their 17th annual chalk festival on the grounds around CMA's amazing lagoon. The event is open to all ages, from professionals to people like me who just like to make pretty.
For $16 you get a large square and a 24 color box of pro chalk. For $8 you get a small square and a 12 color box of pro chalk (admittedly not as 'pro' as the 24 box). Sign up when you arrive (best be all signed up by 1pm on Sunday to make sure you get a square).
Chalk Fest pdf
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Tremont Art Walk and Sparx Gallery Hop this weekend
Friday, September 14th, 2007
Tremont Ohio
Whether it still is the Tremont Art Walk or the Tremont Art Hop there are still gallery walks going on in Tremont this Friday.
You should probably go.
Also
Saturday, September 15th, 2007
Sunday, September 16th, 2007
All around Cleveland (.pdf)
Yup, Cleveland is chock full of art. Crazy stuff. Go see if you like some.
Sparx in the City.
Tremont Ohio
Whether it still is the Tremont Art Walk or the Tremont Art Hop there are still gallery walks going on in Tremont this Friday.
You should probably go.
Also
Saturday, September 15th, 2007
Sunday, September 16th, 2007
All around Cleveland (.pdf)
Yup, Cleveland is chock full of art. Crazy stuff. Go see if you like some.
Sparx in the City.
Brookings Institution says protecting Great Lakes could provide economic boom
There is just something enormously satisfying about reports like this.
The Brooking's Institution recently released a cost/benefit report of A Program to Protect and Restore the Great Lakes (.pdf).
In a nutshell the Institution stated that with a $26 billion dollar investment to halt sewer overflows, combat invasive species and clean up toxic spills (all major issues now) Great Lakes communities (such as Cleveland) could share a $50 billion long term economic benefit projection and that the spending of the money could infuse from $30 to $50 billion into the local economies.
Stating that these restoration activities are not 'just nice things to do for the enviornment they are crucial things to do for the economy of our region."
This seems to fly in the face of the current idea that evironmental actions would hamper the economy but perhaps some decent leadership and strong decision making could result in a change of direction.
more resources:
Great Lakes Information Network
Problems and Issues confronting the Great Lakes system
Great Lakes EPA
The Brooking's Institution recently released a cost/benefit report of A Program to Protect and Restore the Great Lakes (.pdf).
In a nutshell the Institution stated that with a $26 billion dollar investment to halt sewer overflows, combat invasive species and clean up toxic spills (all major issues now) Great Lakes communities (such as Cleveland) could share a $50 billion long term economic benefit projection and that the spending of the money could infuse from $30 to $50 billion into the local economies.
Stating that these restoration activities are not 'just nice things to do for the enviornment they are crucial things to do for the economy of our region."
This seems to fly in the face of the current idea that evironmental actions would hamper the economy but perhaps some decent leadership and strong decision making could result in a change of direction.
more resources:
Great Lakes Information Network
Problems and Issues confronting the Great Lakes system
Great Lakes EPA
Monday, September 10, 2007
Permaculture - Keyline Design Workshop
Tuesday, September 18th, 2007
Wednesday, September 19th, 2007
George Jones Farm
There are plenty of urban agriculture projects already in place in Cleveland, Ohio that are attempting to not only reconnect people to the land but also to supplement our local diet and create a greater sense of identity for our communities. Blue Pike Farm and Kentucky Gardens
While the option of becoming a self sustaining urban center are limited, one of the greatest dilemmas is the rapid use and destruction of the necessary soils in which to grow our crops. Most classic agrarian systems utilized pesticides and fertilizers to speed up the growth of plants, deplenting the necessary nutrients from and quickly destroying the soil.
There are new technologies and techniques however that are arising to combat these problems. Some of which will be demonstrated at the New Agrarian Center by Darren Doherty, a permaculture designer from Australia who has developed the keyline method to restore degraded landscapes in Australia and around the world.
Workshop fee, $125 for 1 day and $250 for 2 days. Scholarships available. For more information, contact Eric Stewart at eric.stewart@oberlin.edu or 440-775-4047 just to name a few, offer centralized urban farming (Blue Pike is a market garden and Kentucky is a community garden).
Wednesday, September 19th, 2007
George Jones Farm
There are plenty of urban agriculture projects already in place in Cleveland, Ohio that are attempting to not only reconnect people to the land but also to supplement our local diet and create a greater sense of identity for our communities. Blue Pike Farm and Kentucky Gardens
While the option of becoming a self sustaining urban center are limited, one of the greatest dilemmas is the rapid use and destruction of the necessary soils in which to grow our crops. Most classic agrarian systems utilized pesticides and fertilizers to speed up the growth of plants, deplenting the necessary nutrients from and quickly destroying the soil.
There are new technologies and techniques however that are arising to combat these problems. Some of which will be demonstrated at the New Agrarian Center by Darren Doherty, a permaculture designer from Australia who has developed the keyline method to restore degraded landscapes in Australia and around the world.
Workshop fee, $125 for 1 day and $250 for 2 days. Scholarships available. For more information, contact Eric Stewart at eric.stewart@oberlin.edu or 440-775-4047 just to name a few, offer centralized urban farming (Blue Pike is a market garden and Kentucky is a community garden).
Friday, September 07, 2007
2007 Urban Harvest Community Garden Tour
Garden Tour .pdf
2007 Urban Harvest Community Garden Tour
Saturday, September 8th, 2007
-Presented by Ohio State University Extension, Cuyahoga County
Check out Cleveland's growing (literally) urban gardening scene!
Check out the tour of community gardens, market gardens, and find out
how neighborhoods across the city are coming together to beautify
their places and grow food for local consumption.
There are 18 gardens listed on the tour (check out the above .pdf with map) and will be open from 9.00am to 4.00pm.
For more information contact the Ohio State University Extension - 216.429.8224.
2007 Urban Harvest Community Garden Tour
Saturday, September 8th, 2007
-Presented by Ohio State University Extension, Cuyahoga County
Check out Cleveland's growing (literally) urban gardening scene!
Check out the tour of community gardens, market gardens, and find out
how neighborhoods across the city are coming together to beautify
their places and grow food for local consumption.
There are 18 gardens listed on the tour (check out the above .pdf with map) and will be open from 9.00am to 4.00pm.
For more information contact the Ohio State University Extension - 216.429.8224.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Homogenous history
Saturday I took the necessary time to take a stroll through the rotunda. I had just come from the Veteran's Memorial Bridge street car tour, which was as typically amazing as it usually is.
So I was in a fairly positive mood. I drove downtown to East 9th with the girlfriend, bent on comparing the grandness of the Rotunda with the accessible area of the Breuer Tower. With this in mind we used the Breuer tower as our entry into the Rotunda.
Let me just mention that I was amazed at the detailing, the clean lines and the feeling of the AmeriTrust lobby. I had always imagined it to be dark and foreboding but it was actually quite nice, if not a little sterile. It had probably the only 'popcorn' ceiling that I had ever seen that I didn't find repulsive. The black granite was amazing and so glossy that even though it was black it bounced light deep into the recess of the space and the extremely tall windows made the lobby feel much larger then it was. I was so overjoyed to see such an amazing example of moddernism and good materiality that I was a little saddened knowing that it was to be torn down.
The Rotunda was also an amazing space, albeit from a distinctly opposing standpoint. The white granite almost glowed under the 60 foot Tiffany dome skylight which is surrounded with small murals by F.D. Millet based on the theme of the 'rise of civilization in America'. The Rotunda building has all the typical railings, arches, columns and other assorted details that give the illusion of being in a truly historic building and I assume that it was in noticing this abundance of detailing that I grew almost weary of it.
I wonder, during what course of our history, does a collection, a conglomeration of standardized historic detailing, become more important or more interesting then something new and groundbreaking. I am not suggesting that the Rotunda be the building with which the brunt of the County should have been felt, it is that I honestly don't think I would have minded so much if it had been the one threatened with demolition.
The Rotunda is amazing. It has it's wonderful moments, but most of those are reflections of ideas that had already been implemented and explored in other buildings around the country. In essence, the Rotunda is nothing more then a gallery for what the ideals of a historic building should be, disseminated from successful structures and tossed together in an attempt at a cohesive assemblage of ideas. I suppose that one could argue that it is rather successful in those regards. That throughout one could find prominent examples of different styles and techniques and that makes the Rotunda a repository for historical notions. I would like to argue that it is this false historic ism that degrades the structure. At no time was it ever meant to be an honest example of ideas or thought, that instead it was a grasp for false stature that is even now being used in the extremely similar and degrading manner to attempt to lift the spirits of the city.
Don't exhume this diatribe as meaning that I dislike the Rotunda building, I don't. I honestly rather enjoy passing it almost every day. The detailing is exquisite and the manner and methodology of it's construction is what elevates it among it's neighbors. I am only simply stating that I find it horrible that so many base our heritage, our history, on nothing more then symbols, constructed to falsify our past when really, we should be celebrating the chances we took, the choices we made and the mistakes that occurred along the way. That is what really defines a city, not a monument to a glory that we falsely possessed.
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