The demolition of the historic Midland Terrace Rowhouses on Denison is probably occuring either today or tomorrow--See Denison Senior NRP housing posts here and here.

Drove by William Rainey Harper School on Cleveland's near west side. 

Looks like planned abandonment is the agenda for this school, too.  Along with the Cleveland School of the Arts, John Marshall and other local landmarks. 

This deserves your non-profit status in the community?  You pay no taxes to support our children?  Shame on the CLINIC.  SHAME.

Here's the 2009-2010 school supply list for Cleveland Metropolitan School District:

http://net.cmsdnet.net/EP/09_10SchoolSupplies.pdf

Please note that the district is holding two CMSD Parent Back to School Round-up workshops
Workshops 8-2 p.m  Family Carnival from 12:30 -4 p.m.

With state budget cuts, Cleveland Public Library and libraries across Ohio have lost vital operation funding. 

Despite the loss of revenue needed to cover staff costs and Sunday hours at the Cleveland Public Library, the acclaimed Writers and Readers Series will go on thanks to the endowment provided by the Founders Fund.  This earmarked legacy from library lovers remains separate from the general fund.
 

How will the 2010 census define our country? Is it time to change the way we census the United States?

Gerrymandering has and will continue to erode communities in the City of Cleveland core.  Is this all part of a design?  What defining issue should REALNEO focus on in the coming months?

I am very happy that friend and local artist Carol Anderson will help our neighborhood understand Mandalas and the art of PEACE.  The theme of this summer's reading club at the Cleveland Public Library is BE CREATIVE.  So much to learn about PEACE, Love and understanding...

Every Sunday the residents of Garden Court play a spirited game of kickball and share dinner al fresco at WC Reed Field in lovely Brooklyn Centre.  People of all shapes, sizes, ages and colors, and ethnic backgrounds.  Not such a hard thing to do.

Just a photo to lighten the mood--wouldn't it be great, if NEO became the first city in the world to reduce energy costs by actually observing interfaith sabbath on Friday, Saturday and Sunday?  No cars, just bikes and pedestrians :)

Maybe Gates just snapped. Just was having a bad day. Just couldn't take it anymore. It happens. Maybe he has a history of depression and anger issues.

I'm sane, employed and a productive member of society but stupidly argued with the cops twice in my life. They always win. Now -- even on my worst day -- I will do whatever they say...yes officers, yes, sir, how can I help you sir.....

I wish I could put this book in the hands of every American.  

What a wonderful day for a bike ride.  The All Access Fair is in progress right now.  Try to get there, if you can, to enter the raffle for some great local prizes like Honey Hut and Gentiles gift certificates!  

Lois Moss and all the organizers deserve a hearty round of applause.  It also helped that Mother Nature cooperated to give us a beautiful day after last night's torrential storms. 

Recently, it became obvious that a great site like http://www.urbanohio.com gets a lot of traffic with comments and lively dialogue on topics that include local politics. 

Why do people feel more comfortable with the forum format rather than commenting to the blog entry format?  Users at REALNEO grasp the blog format more than the forum format, but REALNEO does offer the option : http://realneo.us/node/add/forum

From the book jacket: Rooted in the true story of the US government's urban renewal policy and its disastrous aftermath, Black & White is a literary thriller, a family saga, and a searing portrait of institutionalized hatred.

Read this book to understand urban America and what we continue to do wrong today.

Yesterday, I happened to be off (I work Saturdays), so I got to take it easy and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cleveland.  Here are a few images from the Ingenuity Festival, to Tregoning Gallery (featuring the wonderful Matt Dibble), and, finally, to Sokolowski's University Inn.  A great day in the city.

Brooklyn Centre Naturalists Community Meeting

Sat Jul 11, 2009   2:30pm – 4:30pm
Cleveland Public Library-Brooklyn Branch 

Here is a photo of the Metrohealth campus taken less than a block from Lincoln West High School.  I work with some of the most bright, kind, warm, funny and beautiful young  minds in Cleveland. 

Tap into this community Cleveland.  Build a sustainable community here.

Who knew Cleveland?  Suddenly, I don't feel so blue.

Who can identify the locations of these pictures taken in and around my neighborhood on a beautiful Sunday?

The latest unwanted "project" for Ward 15 soon to be Ward 14...information provided from Councilman Cummins (thanks Brian):

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Disgusting.  The senseless destruction of wildlife in NEO as five hundred plus birds are killed by one person's thoughtless decision to pour cooking oil down a storm sewer.  This shouldn't be so hard for any one to figure out.  Kingsbury Run is a buried stream.  This past week, someone had a major event and did some deep frying.

The port's vote followed an 11th-hour appeal at the board meeting by two residents critical of the port's role in the move.

Photo credit: New York Times

Dust off your Jean Jacques Rousseau NEO--Google "social contract" Cleveland, and, then, "social contract," Atlanta.

The game here will all start to make sense--after you PLEASE READ:

Atlanta Is MakingWay for New Public Housing, New York Times

The landscape is a source of inspiration.  Here are some photos meant to inspire on a dreary Monday morning for the world and NEO.