Pick up the free May issue of the  Plain Press--at your local library.  Support the Plain Press with your advertising dollars.

I deleted the Venn Diagram post--it is the one factor that humble posters, not administrators, can control here. 

For some reason, it's okay to use REALNEO, but not to use Facebook or Twitter.  Fine.  I agree--it's insidious and the site recently sold all of our personal info dispersed there to Spokeo.com.  I didn't invent REALNEO or Facebook or Twitter or Spokeo.  It is important to find some way to enjoy one's life. If social media makes anyone miserable.  You have control.  Flip the switch.  OFF.

A photo montage of images taken en route to recently meet with Jennifer Brunner. 
The woman who will help us save NEO :)

I grew up with pot smoking, strung out babysitters, DDT clouds, the Vietnam War and Ecology Flags...so when Jessica showed me this site, it was a blast from the past.  I can remember coloring in banners for my radical babysitters...we are definitely living in strange times.

What if you lived in a neighborhood community surrounded by a moat???

Sounds far-fetched? This diagram shows a gated housing complex in Texas that is surrounded on three sides by a water detention basin system.  How can we make moats work for us in NEO??

I recently returned from Austin, Texas, with a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for the rich cultural landscape here in Northeast Ohio. 

The photo I have included here shows a family engaging in a Texas rite of spring--the annual blue bonnet photo.

Perhaps, those of us in NEO need to establish our own rite of spring as a reminder that life goes on.  Plant a seed.

Missing since 4/5/10 Taylor Rothschiller and Alexis Ipavec.  If you have any information on the whereabouts of these girls--please call 216-316-3820 and 911 immediately.

RELATED Links:

http://cecomstraffic.cuyahogacounty.us/amber.asp

I was marvelling over aviation design and birds wings just the other day--thank you for this amazing header!  Who gets the credit??

Some photos recently taken in and around Tremont and Brooklyn Centre. 

I know of three high level bridges that will allow you to cross the Cuyahoga River as a pedestrian or cyclist--Superior, Lorain and Harvard Ave. 

It would benefit all of us to have the Clark Ave. Bridge, again.

More hard hitting investigative journalism from the Plain Dealer...

Why do we even bother?

If we see blight, neglect and decay, instead of, "Tear it down," why not say, "Fix it??"

The CWRU community and REALNEO lost a great soul suddenly and without warning this past week.  Ruby Zuppert administered day-to-day operations in the Art Studio/Art Education department of Case Western Reserve University. 

The Norman Mailer Writers Colony and the National Council of Teachers of English will jointly sponsor the 2010 Norman Mailer High School and College Writing Awards.

As March comes to an end, I am personally reflecting on strong local women who make a difference in Northeast Ohio. 

Tonight, I marvelled at the efforts of Marcie Goodman, who directs the Cleveland International Film Festival.  This event defines Cleveland and uplifts our notoriously down spirits.  Bravo, Marcie--you are a personal hero.

This is an insane time of year for parents, kids and teens in the City of Cleveland. Besides the Ohio Achievement tests and the general chaos imposed upon our community by the senseless Transformation Plan--most are also scrambling for ways to keep their kids occupied during the summer.

Sadly, even jobs traditionally available to teenagers like camp counselors and lifeguarding are now desperately sought out by adults. 

Planning and predicting are part of every day--but just living should be part of the equation, too.  It's going to be a beautiful day.  Enjoy it.

Perhaps, my sisters can remember my ultra fine singing rendition of the Hoyt Axton/Three Dog Night classic, Joy to the World:)

For the uninitiated--here are the lyrics:

I was fortunate today to run into Gary Murphy--poet, troubador, griot--and always, the dapper gentleman. 

Mr. Murphy makes his living by helping folks find the words they need to express the joys, sorrows, trials and tribulations of life--weddings, funerals, birthdays.  He is a travellin' man.  We both enjoyed the ride today. 

Mr. Murphy has helped to work poetry sessions in my neighborhood--more to come.

Let's see--my name is Scottish-Irish...check...plus throw in quasi Eastern European mutt heritage Magyar, German, Turkish, Jewish, Gypsy...check...maybe even a little Slavic/Republican leanings...who knows, maybe even some other unaccounted minorities...check...so, given I don't lose my day job in the next twelve months...should I, too, consider a run for Cuyahoga County Council...

The history of this town astounds me...where are we going with this crowd of "leadership"??

Justice for all! Voters in 2001 passed a levy to support services IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS--Facilities plan has NOT equitably invested those monies and Transformation Plan will deny service to neighborhood schools.  

Denying service to the taxpayers who support the school system--by closing schools specifically in predominantly African-American neighborhoods is a gross civil rights violation.