Tim Hagan will leave Cuyahoga County just as George Bush left the country – broke, broken and deep in the hole. They both arrogantly made decisions without much thought or concern for the public.

I picked up the book Catch a Fish, Throw a Ball, Fly a Kite : 21 Timeless Skills Every Child Should Know (and any parent can teach!) and first thought to myself, "Wow, what a wordy title!." and, then I thought, "How would I rate against kids today on the 21 skills?."

Here are the recommended skills:

The cutbacks at the Plain Dealer will include Teamsters and Pressmen in addition to editorial staff.

It looks as though the Plain Dealer will suffer more editorial cutbacks soon as management looks for ways to cut costs.

The talk is as many as 22 more people will be let go.

Who got screwed on the Med Mart deal? Well, you did as taxpayer, definitely. However, so did the city despite the $20 million deal for its properties - 18.5 acres of prime downtown land.

When I was in junior high, suddenly, card games were all the rage. I have never been good at games.  It was a hard time for me to get into poker, blackjack, and, especially, bullsh*t. 

For those unfamiliar with the game, here is wikipedia's explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullshit_(game)

Meet up with Joan Southgate as she returns from her journey from Canada to University Circle. 

One woman's journey to make change and to restore Cleveland to HOPE!

READ about the mission to help Clevelanders remember the historic role played in the abolition movement in this month's Essence Magazine!

Cuyahoga County taxpayers have now “contributed” $55,664,264 in sales taxes for the not-yet-settled Medical Mart and Convention Center.

The Hot Spots for Organic Food

• May 2, 2009 NYTimes metrics section of the business pages

The graphic linked here surprised and pleased me. I have driven through western Ohio and seen the ditches sprayed with killing herbicides. I have seen the miles of herbicide and pesticide sprayed croplands and I have read about the confined animal feeding operations in Ohio.

Heritage Ohio was developed as a statewide, not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and assisting people and organizations to protect and preserve our heritage. Historic preservation and downtown revitalization are vitally important in the movements to protect the buildings, landscapes, art, artifacts and landmarks we have inherited.

Historic preservation and downtown revitalization enrich our quality of life, enhance our neighborhoods and revitalize communities as better places in which to live, work, celebrate and visit!

Sen. George Voinovich voted with the big banks today to reject President Barack Obama’s attempt to help bailout victims of foreclosure.

The Plain Dealer made another big story out of nothing with the spin that Cleveland is city on the verge of becoming… what… Hollywood?

The Cleveland Foundation and Gund Foundation push inequality again with two grants to the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) for a road to by-pass poverty. The game goes on. You pay because they say.

Yesterday was a special day for me - a beautiful day in the region - so I ended it with my good friend Ed Hauser, as I often do. Alone on his own island, he is always easy to find. I was photographing the sunset right by where Ed's boats belong. They are gone... he is now walking on water.

Because of Ed, my heart lives on Whiskey Island too, and I have photographed there scores of times.

The Plain Dealer circulation figures continue an unfortunate dizzying decline in the tens of thousands over a short period of time. No answers seem available to stop the drain.

George Voinovich has been on government health care for 42 years. Guess who won’t vote to extend health care to us?

Cleveland Bicycle Week is coming, May 11-17! Join us for Northeast Ohio's biggest gathering of diverse cycling interests and activities, with events all around town! 

Come listen as these four amazing, award-winning women grace the Fine Arts Department at Cleveland Public Library. The Cavani String Quartet has been featured on the ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS networks. Enjoy the easy sounds on Saturday, May 30 at 4:00 p.m.

Location

The Cleveland Public Library Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, May 21, 2009, at 12:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Louis Stokes Wing, 10th Floor of the Main Library, Louis Stokes Wing, E. 6th Street and Superior Avenue. The agenda will be made available at the meeting.

Location

Dust off your bike and RIDE.

Mark your calendars and check out this super cool new drupal website...

http://www.clevelandbicycleweek.org/about

We tend to think that life in the city is not a happy place to be.  Let these photos remind you, otherwise.

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HUD is unloading vacant homes in the City of Cleveland.  Call your council representative and demand some accounting for the fate of these homes. 

Community Development Corporations (CDCs) are picking up these HUD homes for $100.00 ($1.00?).  The CDCs are evaluating these properties for restoration and demolition.  Most will be demolished quickly and with little recourse.  Demolitions will take place using Community Development Block Grant funds (your money).  Ask who is getting these demolition contracts?

From our friend Barb Clint: