| Vol. 1, Issue 4 | 
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| Bruce blog Welcome to the Bruce blog—a weekly update on news, events and issues affecting life in Cleveland. Reporting as it happens on transit, development, planning, environment and arts & culture. Basically, we write about creative ideas forming, talk to the people who have an inside track on the issues, and sometimes offer a commentary of our own. (For disclosure purposes, Bruce blog is a local, independent writer who also works part-time with nonprofit organization EcoCity Cleveland. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of EcoCity or any other organization).
Nov. 3-17, 2005 No bikes at the Dike ruffling some feathers Last month’s release of a draft master plan for Dike 14 has sparked a debate over whether bikes and birds (or more specifically, mountain bikers and birders) can co-exist on the proposed nature preserve at the lakefront. Cycling advocates are taking issue with comments from the Dike 14 Nature Preserve Committee, which seeks to restrict bikes (and dogs) from the planned paths. The cyclists take issue that a path around the perimeter of the 88-acre peninsula would disturb birds more than people hiking interior paths. “Several studies seem to assert that start-and-stop trail users, such as hikers, are more disturbing to wildlife than bicyclists traveling at a more constant rate of speed,” Chris Steffens, Ohio representative of International Mountain Bike Association, writes in an email. Steffens cites a 1990 study, "Effects
Of Human Activity On Bald Eagles Wintering Along The Boise River,"
along with IMBA's online body of trail-related scientific research. IMBA counters that, at its trail system at West Branch State Park in Ravenna, it would not be uncommon to encounter fishermen, hikers, hunters, and mountain bikers on the same trails. “Additionally, to my knowledge, we have not
encountered any rogue trail construction or off-trail bushwacking
problems at properties stewarded by CAMBA,” Steffens adds.
Bike station for Cleveland, too? Speaking of improving the lot of cyclists, word has reached Bruce blog that our item about Chicago’s Millennium Park Bike Station has sparked interest in pursuing a bike station in Cleveland. Sources inform Bruce blog that local players are interested in tapping planning sources such as NOACA’s Transportation for Livable Communities program for a feasibility study looking at sites, costs, and challenges. A quick Google search uncovers a nice breakdown of expected capital and operating expenses and sources of income. One idea is to combine the station with a bike co-op (like the Ohio City Bike Co-op) to also provide low-cost bike repairs and supplies.
City Fresh growing up and out The City Fresh program, where Cleveland residents are trained in horticulture and have a neighborhood market in which to sell their homegrown produce, is the very definition of sustainability. Its success last year in the Clark-Metro area is leading organizers at OSU Extension to expand trainings and launch another community food center in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood next year. The food centers offer information, cooking classes, and a market for both regional farms and neighborhood produce. A source involved with City Fresh shared with Bruce blog recently that one participant was selling as much as $150 a month in produce grown in his backyard this past summer. This micro-market idea is fresh. Market gardener trainings start in January ’06. An information session will be held on 12/6 from 6-7 pm at the Carnegie West Library, 1900 Fulton Rd. To register, call 216-429-8238.
A ‘renaissance’ for Waterloo When vintage shop Renaissance Parlour (RP) closed a couple of years ago, it was a sign of the times for local retail on Coventry Road. But, RP founders Pete and Deb Gulyas were recently inspired to resurrect their offering of vintage threads and accessories by another sign. In partnership with Beachland Ballroom owners Mark Leddy and Cindy Barber, a new store called “This Way Out” opens in the Beachland’s basement on Thursday, Nov. 17 (with a launch party in the Beachland Tavern that evening). Leddy initiated the idea, and the Gulyases agreed to supply the merchandise and work there part time. Dave P. (frontman of the band formerly known as The Perfect Guy and a former clerk at RP) will be operating manager. “The name came from a sign that was being stored
at the Beachland,” Deb Gulyas says. “It belonged to
a friend of Mark and Cindy's whose family collects old Euclid Beach
memorabilia. Dave P. saw it, and we all thought it was a great name.” Why now and why the Beachland? “We were burned out after 12 years on Coventry and really weren't thinking about opening another store until Mark called us. We are very excited. I think it is a new direction for how independent stores can survive today - by co-oping with other businesses.” Hours: Thurs, Fri, Sat 2-10 p.m. and nights of big shows at the Beachland. Deb and partner will also carry Tutu, their own line of clothing (50s dresses and tops with a twist, just as before). For more information, email.
Yes, Cleveland needs a signature Innerbelt bridge From Cool Cleveland & the PD - The Ohio Department of Transportation is planning a $700 million makeover for Cleveland's Innerbelt Bridge. The question is, will the new bridge be an ugly eyesore or a beautiful signature bridge such as those in Bratislava and Kuala Lumpur, the PD’s Steven Litt asks. Unfortunately, ODOT is fast-tracking this decision, one which will affect Cleveland's image for the next 50 years or more. By the time they hold their open house on Thurs. 11/17 at 4:30 pm at CSU Wolstein Center the decisions will already be made. Don’t wait. Call ODOT at 584-2007 or provide your comments here, or better yet, e-mail to ODOT Project Manager Craig Hebebrand. See full story here,
and check out the county's presentation here
for an outline of the preferred solution. The county also posts information on its concept for the bridge here. Since this week's posting, we've heard from a number of you who are emailing ODOT and/or mailing letters to Congress. Bruce blog is in the latter category, convinced that a letter will have a magnitude higher impact. While it's no masterpiece, feel free to use our letter or write yours and find mailing addresses here and here.
Calendar "Working Locally,
Thinking Globally 2: Critical Infrastructure"
– The Cleveland Institute of Art hosts this presentation
on Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. in the Institute’s OBA Auditorium. The
program will focus on the role of professional criticism in an artist’s
career and in developing Northeast Ohio’s art culture. Panelists
include Free Times art critic Lyz Bly; Angle magazine’s Dan
Tranberg; New York artist and critic Joe Fyfe; and author and CIA/Case
professor David Carrier. Discussion will be moderated by Saul Ostrow, The Jewish Journey – The newly opened Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Rd., scores an impressive first traveling exhibit with, “The Jewish Journey: Frederic Brenner’s Photographic Odyssey.” A Frenchman, Brenner’s images chronicle more than 40 years of Jewish Diaspora across five continents. The show, organized by the Brooklyn Museum, is on view from Nov. 12 to Jan. 8, 2006. Community gardening conference – The Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus hosts on Nov. 19. Topics include youth gardening, neighborhood impact, and health. Speakers include directors Betsy Johnson (American Community Gardening Association), Michael Metallo (National Gradening Association), and Dan Stark (American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboretums). For more information, email. Youth garden grants – The National
Gardening Association and Home Depot will award grants to schools
and community organizations with child-centered, outdoor garden
programs. The grants are focused on social aspects of gardening,
including leadership development, team building, and community support.
Application deadline is Nov. 30. Year of the Dog art competition – February 2006 will usher in the Chinese New Year, which will be the Year of the Dog. In celebration, St. Clair Superior Development Corporation is sponsoring a public art competition to design, paint or somehow dress up a pack of 31”x 41” fiberglass dogs that it will then display throughout the community. Selected artists receive a $550 honorarium upon completion. For more information on the application process, contact Katharyne Marcus at 216.881.0644.
Reader Letters I appreciate your updates on Dike 14. I am a science instructor at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and representative member of the Dike 14 Environmental Education Collaborative. Not to be confused with the separate organization with a similar name, The Dike 14 Nature Preserve Committee. We are a collaborative of environmental education organizations leveraging our resources to create awareness and promote the use of Dike 14 as a nature preserve and environmental education asset for the Cleveland community. Members of the collaborative include staff members of Audubon Ohio, the Earth Day Coalition, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, the Cleveland MetroParks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, Cuyahoga County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. The Dike 14 Environmental Education Collaborative activities include guided tours in conjunction with the spring and fall migration, classes, workshops and community outreach. The collaborative recently published the “Getting Ready to Visit Dike 14 Nature Preserve Field Guide,” a supplement for grades four through six that highlights the geography, industrial history and natural history of the site. We were invited to join the Public Advisory Group to work with the City Planning Commission, and Biohabitats Inc. in drafting a master plan for Dike 14. As you reported, the Dike 14 Committee offered the comment that, “Doan Brook reconstruction is totally unrealistic…” Put into the larger context, they follow up with, “day lighting Doan Brook on the Dike itself, for the foreseeable future would not be permitted by US Environmental Protection Agency or the Army Corps of Engineers.” We cannot forget that this structure was engineered in accordance with federal law under the Clean Water Act. There should be questions and concerns in regards to breaching the engineered structure that was designed to prevent those sediments from entering the Lake Erie ecosystem. Furthermore there may be unintended and costly consequences based on the natural processes of littoral drift, and ice build up forming at the proposed outflow into Lake Erie causing reverse flooding of Doan Brook. The Dike 14 Environmental Education Collaborative recommends that a detailed hydrologic and engineering study should be undertaken before on-site day lighting location can be promoted. Before signing off, I would like to share with the Bruce Blog readers the ecological priorities for the Dike 14 Nature Preserve outlined by Biohabitats Inc. (click here) I hope that all community stakeholders adopt these
principles and continue to work together to ensure safe public access
to the Dike 14 Nature Preserve. A new theater is opening in Coventry, which I thought might be of interest to you given your recent blog entry. You wrote, "[It's] difficult for start-ups or independents to come to Coventry...stepping in their shoes has been a rash of sports bars and fast food joints..." We're an interesting, ironic twist on that situation: We're opening on the second floor of the old Centrum theater on the corner of Coventry & Euclid Heights. The first floor of the theater is going to be a Johnny Malloy's, opening in December. Our theater, the Ground Floor Theater, will be taking over the second story theater and opening in January. We will be a comedy theater with a sketch, improv, and stand-up shows, movies, open mic stand-up nights, and comedy classes. We will serve food and drinks at the shows, with all service and food provided by Johnny Malloy's and Gepettos, and we’ll use their liquor license. We will also be doing some dinner packages with the restaurant. Thought you'd be interested, since I know you guys are very loyal to following the latest in Cleveland area goings on. You can also see our "coming soon" posters up in the Centrum theater windows on Euclid Heights. —Lara
Lebeiko
Greetings—in the interests of accuracy, I did not run for a third term as Euclid Mayor in 2003 and was not "ousted" in that election. Volume 1, Issue 4 November 9-15, 2003 contains the error.
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