This site is about my experiences while living in east cleveland a subrub in disrepair, showing the good things that happen against the negative reported.
There has been a lot of talk about a new stadium for the Browns and the debate is if it should have a dome. The overall opinion is to have a dome. Now add in a new city to the mix and we have a team playing not in the city that carries their name. I would like to weigh in on this debate, even if my thoughts don’t matter. I feel that we are being short sight red when it comes to building stadiums. I understand that the cost is always high, but the long-term benefits are always under stated. What I like to offer is this build Two Stadiums, one in Brookpark and one at the current site of browns stadium. I know you ask why. And I have these things that we should look at. Needs, the last time we built the stadium we rushed to get it built without looking for what other uses/functions it would serve. We have the chance now not to repeat that mistake. The Stadium is not just a place to host a game but there can be concerts, a place to organize large groups of people in time of natural disasters. And give the city and the state an option to compete for events that bring dollars in.
Why two stadiums, this would give us a chance to build two multi-use facilities that can meet future demands. Football, large concerts that would work injunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of fame, the chance to bring tennis, soccer and hockey back to the city. I am old enough to remember World team tennis. Let’s not forget Track and Field.
Who should pay for this, we all should there is no reason why the Browns, the cities and county and state should work together to build these stadiums as well as profit from the revenues from these stadiums. They should come together and develop a thirty-year plan that would look at all events coming to Ohio and ways to bring things like the Olympic trails to Ohio. I am sure that there are events that I have not thought of.
And I am sure that I am the only person in the country that thinks that Stadiums should be included in our infrastructure bill. Since most if not all the World War Two Bomb shelters have been torn down.
Those who know me and that I have been working with the East Cleveland Theater 0ver twenty plus years (over that but why tell my age). And I consider its Cleveland’s best kept secret.
But due to Covid we have been closed. We will be back but for now I want to tell you about a new space.
If you been watching the television, driving on I90 you have seen the ads and if you been following me, you have seen my post. Immersive Van Gogh an Exhibition of Van Gogh works, most think this is a CMA exhibit, but it is not, this exhibit is being held in an old factory building remodeled for this style of exhibition sitting at St Clair and 72nd street not far UC and MLK and one exit to the Rock Hall of fame. Great spot, yes?
Now I have been working here as an Exhibition Host and yes, I have viewed the show many times. It is well done Massimiliano Siccardi’s design and concept is wonderful and being immersed in Van Gogh work can be intense, that is not what I want to talk about. What I want to talk about is the space itself. Now we have many different art spaces here in Cleveland, but this space is unique as in Science Center unique.
The little background I can get is this building was built in 1926, Last housed an abrasive company, Even-Cut Abrasive Company when they left, and more history is not readily available so this what I have. The building was originally designed for manufacturing and warehouse.
The present design is a warehouse and a unique art space. You first walk into a large area for greeting guest and directing to the gallery space, this is a wall off area with high ceiling white walls and many projectors. If not using projectors the gallery can still host a standard art exhibit, the wall can house mural size art pieces, Not many galleries have this ability. Move from the guest area into an open retail space and just off that is a Lounge, and even more space that is currently use for sculptor pieces. Unique space.
As a Photographic artist I am excited about all the possibilities that a space like this creates, that I know of to date there are three or four artist that works have had an Immersive type of show created of their work, Van Gogh, Gustov Klimt and Frida Kahlo. While Cleveland has not received these shows they should.
They have started well with the hiring of staff that is local to Cleveland experience in the local community and the skills to get things done and make things happen. The problem will being able to maintain retain this staff over the long haul.
I see an Artist in Residence program, school programs, dance and fitness classes and a host of other events. The lounge and retail space provide for a good anchor of the space that can provide traffic even when the gallery space is dark.
How successful will it be only time will tell but since you put here, I say let them come, be open to all to all and watch it grow.
OK Shameful promotion for CLEVEland
This is a town of many different cultures and arts with a rich history from gospel, rock to R&B in music, to being the home of many theaters, professional and amateur. The city hosts the first black theater, the first color-blind theater in the nation and man small art galleries and museums. I could go on, but you get the picture. You will be hard pressed to find community so versed in the different arts not a bad test market.
Insert Shameless self-promotion
For me my artist of choice in creating an Immersive experience. I would work very closely with I think is a great American artist and her museum in Santa FE, I need not say her name.
The decision to place a facility like this is a great plus for the Cleveland art community, many have already begun asking in what ways the space will be available. And the location is perfect. This space can be used for a whole lot more than immersive shows. This space is screaming out for wedding, mini concerts, conventions and a host of other events.
They have started well with the hiring of staff that is local to Cleveland experience in the local community and the skills to get things done and make things happen. The problem will being able to maintain retain this staff over the long haul.
I see an Artist in Residence program, school programs, dance and fitness classes and a host of other events. The lounge and retail space provide for a good anchor of the space that can provide traffic even when the gallery space is dark.
How successful will it be only time will tell but since you put here, I say let them come, be open to all to all and watch it grow.
With what is going on this season with the Browns the air is still lukewarm for me. Yes, I am excited about their season and I like every fan(stop)
I started to write this mid-season.
The season is over they made the playoff I can not be happier. For the first time in I can’t, no want counts the years that I am excited about football Browns football is back. Over the last years it was torture watching them play good players just bad mostly from the coaching staff up just bad. But now we are moving in the right direction Yeh. Thank you to Baker for hanging in there Clevelanders can be hard on you. I for one felt the Browns missed on Dak and Deshaun to get you not what I wanted but you have continue to show me that they made a good choice. Just continue to grow that’s all I ask. I won’t say what I/we want but the Browns have finally stop stepping sideways are moving forward. With a good leader at the helm. Yes, free agents maybe I am more excited by the draft is it here yet? H-E double toothpick I am ready for the season to begin. GO BROWNS.
On to the subject of Tom Brady.
I never liked him not because of his play it was just a Belichick thing. Really unfair to him as a player and a person. So, when he left New England it meant that the shadow of Belichick was gone, and I could be more objective.
So, let me say I am sorry to Tom Brady for being an ah***, and Congrats on your success.
I am glad you left NE before you were given the diminished returns label, which I felt was coming soon. And on being the GOAT well I am ok with that too. I will always be fan of Quarterbacks like Roger, Fran and Joe. But what you have done for me is great you have allowed me to move own from that dark cloud named Belichick. Thanks, and may you be bless with many more. Ps. If you ever decide to coach please consider Cleveland, I know who in their right mind would leave Tampa for here. Believe me I understand I would not want to take my boat out the water four mouths out the year either.
Yes, it is finally here the beginning of summer. Remember
when you were in school and all the buzz was who was going to be the Drum Major
leading the band on Memorial Day it would be a secret until he stepped out. Memorial
Day was a big day in East Cleveland all the groups business came out to be in
the parade. We had little league baseball teams. pal sports, ymca. boy and girls’
scouts’ men soft ball teams and street clubs.
The ROTC color Guard would form up at the cemetery at 7am to
raise the flag and the city’s church Pastors would host a pray breakfast. An
than a march down to superior to start the parade.
Not as much is done now but the spirt of the parade is still there. And to the citizens of East Cleveland it still is a big day.
Shaw High ROTC Young men and women keeping the tradition,
Hats Off to the Major Brandon King the last major did not quite understand what this day means. Major King went straight to the cemetery for the reef ceremony. The Last mayor I had to run down and remind him, not a happy moment for me. Also, a special Thanks to the East Cleveland Police that do a great job of keeping us safe every year, and to the surrounding cities that came to Honor our Fallen, thank you and May God Bless and protect you.
This is the first of my blogs in regards to my home town East Cleveland, Ohio. The title well I always ask can you love and hate something at the same time. Cleveland you can,love summer,hate winter see easy. And that’s what this blog is about.The many views about my home town good and bad.
Now I must say that if you do not live in the city then the truth is you don’t know. So guess what you get to learn something.
I have live in EC most of my life. I have lived in California for awhile and spent a year in Japan. So I think that I have a unique view of my city. It is because of me living in these different places that causes me to love my city. Never know what you got instill you do not have it.
History I will give and more look for local pics see if you know where they are taken? So keep your eyes open.
And if you are in public and I hear you bad mouth my city you better have a good reason and be full of facts or you might be the winner of my know-nothing award.
In the next few months I will point out some of Cleveland best kept secrets starting with it’s biggest secret. That it is a couldron of talent across all cultural fields. A pure training community that has created talents of all kinds from astronuts to chefs the talent is here.
A look at Hollywood history to see the Cleveland talent on the big screen, a look thru history you will find Clevelanders in major roles, the first Millioniares of this countrys Industrail revolution called Cleveland home.
I will point out little known places that have been the training ground for all this talent. As well as show you why it has been and still is The best location in the nation.
First the art community there are a large number of theaters in the city. This one is just the baby of the city just reaching the fifty year mark this years, Makes itm my first #cbks.
As I look back at how many years, I have been operating
lights the years seems to run together, I have been at East Cleveland Theater
for the last twenty-five plus years. And
it has been a major part of me most my life. I have seen Three Theater
Directors work hard to keep the Theater going and this has not been easy with
shrinking funds and shrinking volunteer force.
Match this with a membership that is getting older it is a wonder ECT is
still here many of the small theaters have closed. Blessed ECT has survived and
a new generation of theater performers is here totally dedicated to the craft
and the mission. I have been blessed too, having worked with some of this
city’s most talented Actors, Actress, Directors and
Musicians over the many years. I have watched children grow and mature at the
theater. I have watched Actors first time on stage go from knowing nothing to
commanding the stage like they own it.
This is a small sample of my years here at ECT.
watching children grow up on stage is a sight to see.
Over the years we have done a few cleveland premires
Played host to cleveland playwrights and directors.
Dear heavenly Father there has been a lot of killings these past few months, all of them senseless. On this Memorial Day I pray for all the men and women that have given their lives so that we can remain free. I ask that you continue to watch over our military, and give strength to those who work day in and day out as Fireman, Police and Doctors, Nurses. Lord it hurts my heart when I hear the news of these killings. So I pray to you to bless those whose lives have been touched by this madness I pray that you touch the heart of those whom might wish to do harm, that you bring love back into their lives. For that is what is missing. I pray that you restore the love of life into their lives. I pray for those with so much hate in their heart that it blinds them to love.
Cleveland Mounted police reflected in mirror outside CMA.
Our own Police force in Cleveland has had their problems too, but when you take the time and talk to them you will find a group of men and women that really care about their city. The guys and girls of our mounted police outside the Cleveland Art Museum take the time to show their horses off. People flock to them to pet the horses and ask questions. Watching it is hard to tell who’s excited the most the children or their parents.
This Year we have seen a lot of violence in the streets, from police shootings to the police themselves being the targets. This is all brought about by the continuous messages of hate and separatism in the media and in our government. The content push by government to remove the middle class, I say this because most of the policies of the past fifteen to twenty years have done nothing to improve the middle class. Now we are at cross road we can continue to do what we have over the past few years or we can change and move toward a future where opportunity to be successful is open to all not a few. As a Vet. I see things a little different than most, having been to countries that civil and human rights are limited you get to treasure your rights here at home.
Now I was never an angel growing up and I have had my own run in’s with the police. In some cases I was in the wrong and in some cases I was not, but in each case I gave the officers the respect they where do even if the respect was not returned. Why because that is the right thing to do. Just like the Military, the Police, Firemen and those in the medical field all take an oath to do their job above all else to protect those that are in need. Most take this oath seriously, others not so. And here is where we get into trouble, it is those few that capture our attention of late. They view their job as a seat of power vs its true role of servitude and guardianship. They take on an attitude of it us against them, why because our policies have been rewarding this attitude with promotions and protections. Leaving us with what we have today. The time has come and passed that those that choose a road that is not inclusive of the overall population be pushed aside. For they are an anchor holding us back keeping us from the bright shores of our future. I say this to all if the message is negative it is not meant to unite us as a people than its only point is our destruction.
I am writing these words in hope that one person will read it and say to themselves, am I the problem or am I the solution? Do I promote a positive environment or am I that guy that keeps the storm going just because it make me feel important. This is what each of us should do. As MJ said to make a change you have to start with that man in the mirror.
So when you see that policeman, fireman, nurse/doctor remember they are there for when you need them, so smile and let them know that you care.
It has been fifty-two years since Cleveland has had a major league championship. Long overdue many upsets and it seemed like none of our teams would ever make it over the
hump. Then comes a kid raised here with big dreams of being the one to bring that championship home. But not all dreams come true so he left adding to the pain the city had suffered so many times before but dreams near die and he returned and against all the odds the dream is no dream no more this championship is his it is ours. And it is one for the records. We have always been a proud city very fan faithful. Now you can see it in their faces .
Over a Hundred years old it was one of the oldest Parades in the country
Sad that it was so small in 2016
Myself and many other citizens and city workers have worked on this parade over the years. The AFW, Than Commissioner Hughley when AFW Left, after that his Daughter Amber and several other City workers and citizens worked every year to put it together. What has happen is that many of these same people whom did the ground work have left the city they are working in other cities or are retired. This is the reality, the truth is that I could see this coming. The current Mayor has little value of importance to this Parade. So each year I could see less and less coming from his office. The truth is having not grown up in EC he had no Idea of the importance of the parade from a historical stance, and I predict that he will realize this only to late. The parade went on this year with a even shorter route, the homecoming route for those of you who grow up here will know that it goes to the Stadium.
For My Part I present to you the photos taken by me of this past Memorial Day Parade. For me the greatest thing about the parade is the people, The citizens of this fine city that make up the parade and come out to see it.This years parade put together by our men in blue, many are vets themselves. Work hard daily protecting our streets.
Cleveland Mounted police reflected in mirror outside CMA.
