Friday, May 11, 2007

Chuck D. vs Peter Lawson Jones : Steel Cage Death Match 2007!!!!

Oh, I know, you are all confused by that one. Good. Two events in one post. Is it even possible? Oh, I think it IS!

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

Chuck D. at Akron Public Library at 7.pm

Called “the Bob Dylan of Rap”, Chuck D is one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful rap artists in history. Born Carlton Ridenhouer in Roosevelt, Long Island, Chuck D formed Public Enemy in 1982. The group rose to international fame with their explosive debut album YO! Bum Rush the Show in 1987, redefining rap music and Hip Hop culture in the process. Following up with It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back in 1988 and Fear of a Black Planet in 1990, along with the soundtracks to several Spike Lee films (perhaps most memorably, Fight The Power from Lee’s Do the Right Thing).

Public Enemy continues to make music, win fans, and make people think. Chuck D is a contributor to a number of mediums. He has published a best selling autobiography, and hosted his own segment on the Fox News Channel. Chuck D has served as a national spokesperson for Rock the Vote, the National Urban League, the National Alliance of African American Athletes, and the partnership for a Drug-Free America.

Chuck D will be speaking on rap, race, reality, and technology at the Main Event. Don’t miss it!
Following the presentation, there will be a question and answer session, and book signing. Books will be available for purchase.

-OR-

Peter Lawson Jones & Meet the Bloggers from 6.pm - 7.30pm.

Once a month Meet.The.Bloggers, Midtown Brews and I-open host a community forum. Our theme this year is based on making Cleveland a global leader in lessening our carbon footprint and using it as a goal to drive economic development in our region.

Since we have an issue confronting us here in Cleveland concerning the Breuer Building and its Carbon Footprint vs. the Carbon Footprint of a brand spanking new county administration building, we thought that a special Community Roundtable to discuss the county's plans for East Ninth and Euclid was especially approriate. Our discussion will include the "green" initiatives included in the plans, the embedded energy at the site and how the plans will lessen our carbon footprint. In essence, how do these plans benefit our regional community and economy?

We have invited all three county commissioners to participate in this forum. Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones has accepted our invitation. Commissioner Jimmy Dimora has a prior commitment but Joyce Burke-Jones will be attending as his representative to the forum. We have yet to hear from Commissioner Tim Hagan.

Our conversations are usually lively, and everyone benefits from the exchange of ideas and opinions. We would love to have you participate in this discussion. Ample parking is available behind the building.

What a frickin' star studded night! Take someone you love the event of your choice. Just make sure you 'represent'. I would most likely go see Chuck D.

William McDonough comes to Cleveland

Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
Bank of America Conference Center InterContinental Hotel, Cleveland Clinic

I don't know what to say except hurry the heck up and register! I know I had linked to his conference at Bioneers and am sure to have mentioned Cradle to Cradle at least a billion times (not an accurate figure) so perhaps you may find me in the crowd, glassy eyed and doe faced with WONDER.

Please come and clap loudly.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

"Calling Out the Planners" - evening reading

LA article

Most recent Cleveland planning explorations have not been as impressive nor seemingly condusive to helping our city grow as a regional community as one would have hoped. There have been some major improvements, a high speed transit corridor reclaiming downtown as a major destination, ordinances creating zoning to protect and create urban green spaces and discussion about improving pedestrian and cycling access to downtown from some of the inner suburbs.

I suppose my greatest concerns regarding city planning has been the constant disregard for the area surrounding the river and utilizing public works or small scale projects to re-invigorate the area instead of large sweeping plans which seem to want to devour existing neighborhoods and supplant them with a cariacature of what urban living could be. At times I find the explosion of development driven large scale condos/lifestyle centers/new-urbanistical not only counter intuitive to contributing to the creation of neighborhoods but as a catalyst that actually destroys the historical fabric and recognizable imagery of our beloved city.

At some point I would hope that our review and planning boards are taken over by some who want to contribute more to the city then cardboard cutouts of good buildings by attempting to create a more livable place and through that solve our social issues in one fell swoop.

Related questions that rattle around my skull late at night...
Are denser areas really more walkable?
Which comes first, the inhabitants or the infrastructure to support them?
Are historical buildings really so unable to adapt to our current needs that they are best left empty or as hostile lots rather then being retrofitted?
If rent downtown is going to be more then in the suburbs, what is going to make me choose to live downtown?
Can community building solve the woes of our disharmony?
Can you build a sustainable community (Economic and environmental)?
Who will speak to this?

Tremont Artwalk 2007.05.11

Friday, May 11, 2007
6.00pm to 10.00pm

updated for May card!
updated for May listing!

With the weather as amazing as it is you have NO excuse for not wanting to take a stroll around the wonderful neighborhood of Tremont. Besides, you should probably get your lovely MOTHERS something for their SPECIAL DAY!

I wonder how long it would take to bike there from Lakewood. I also wonder if you need a special skill set to be a bike messenger. I am very jealous of that particular vocation lately.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Cleveland Garden Zoning Hearings

Friday, May 18th - 9am
Wednesday, May 30th - 1pm
Cleveland City Hall (must have ID to attend)

Cleveland city council recently passed legislation to create a new and special zoning district specifically for urban gardens. What the legislation does is protect community gardens by officially designating them as community lands meaning that is a developer would like to acquire said lands for development the the general public has a right to voice their opinion in form of a public hearing to change the zoning of the property.

The aforementioned meetings are to discuss the creation of the first city zoned urban garden at W45th and Franklin commonly known as St. Paul's Patch. Please come and show your support or at least write a letter if you believe that public garden's and greenspaces are integral to the well being and connectivity of a neighborhood.

"Community gardens play an important role in our city
and its neighborhoods. They are a source of fresh
produce for those who don't have the space at their
own residence. Gardening is a great form of
exercise. Being in contact with nature and the soil
relieves stress. A strong sense on community grows
quickly in a shared gardening space. Crime levels
drop around community gardens. These are just a few
of the reasons to support community gardening."
- from NAC News

thanks to MarJ for the heads up