M. LANG CLOTHING & COCKTAILS!

When you walk into M. Lang Clothing & Cocktails at 1275 Euclid Avenue, right on Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland, you are in for a unique experience! Mike Lang himself greets you with welcoming professional and personalized service. This place exudes the kind of class and quality which hints at the heyday of the grand retail stores along the avenue. The window displays pay homage to an era when droves of downtown pedestrians crammed the sidewalks, many which stopped to view quality merchandise such as the clothing available at M. Lang Clothing & Cocktails. Items such as shirts, coats, jackets, ties, and much more will have you looking your best--whether your ready for a new job, attending an unforgettable event, or just taking in a show at one of the nearby theaters!

And, when you stop by M. Lang Clothing & Cocktails, clothing is not all there is... They serve cocktails too! That's right, just as the name suggests... you can relax at the lounge bar and sip your favorite cocktail. Its like going back in time to the cocktail party era, when dressing up, was all part of the fun. So if you live downtown, walk over...OR, if you're near downtown, take the bus or E-Line Trolley that stops near M. Lang Clothing & Cocktails! If you're driving yourself and friends, parking is FREE! Remember the name: M. Lang Clothing & Cocktails, Playhouse Square, downtown Cleveland! Call for hours of operation or for appointment: 216-771-4197

MOVING WITH MY ROOMMATE

Moving with my roommate

Guest written by our friend Trent Horton

My roommate and I have become best friends. We have done everything together for a long time and we just get along very well. Last month she asked if I would be interested in moving to Texas with her. While I first thought it was a crazy idea, I quickly warmed up to the thought. I have wanted a change for a long time and this seemed like it might be exactly what I needed. Once I agreed, we quickly started planning. I was amazed at how quickly we were able to move. Within the month we found a place to live, the lowest texas electricity providers local rates, jobs and even all the best places to eat. In no time, we had packed everything we owned into a U-Haul and were on the road. At first I thought I might regret it, but so far it has been the best decision I have made. Texas is a beautiful place and I think it is exactly the change I needed.

GETTING READY TO TRAVEL?

If you love to travel, you likely get a rush from the anticipation of going somewhere completely different; submerging yourself in a culture opposite to your own. The thought of leaving behind the world and life you know and entering into another world--And, the moment you step on the plane, you feel free! Off you go high into the sky, ground disappears, and you're on your way!

You may takes weeks preparing for your journey by closing on such tasks such as finding someone to watch the house, your pet, gather your mail, or run various errands. The most fun part of the trip may involve selecting the kinds of useful things you may want to bring. Clothing, recreational items, maps, cameras, a good book, jewelery, shoes, health and hygiene items, and many other needs. At this time, it is fun going to the local store to obtain such items for your travels. Additionally, you may even want to search online for the unusual or international world item you just cannot find anywhere!

Everybody likes a quality product at a good price too, and at Canada Post, you just may find what you're looking for! So, if you are ready to travel and need anything mentioned above--and you cannot find it near you, you may be just a click away! Start your trip by vising Canada Post, online for an impressive array of items. Just look at the variety of high quality digital cameras available for starters!

Happy Travels!

The Reality Behind The Bottled Water Madness!

I am adamantly opposed to this bottled water nonsense. There was a time when I thought different, believe it or not, as I bought on to the marketing too! But in many cases the bottled water has its own kinds of contaminants, AND the fact it is stored in PLASTIC, which is not only bad for personal health, but for the environment too, as most wind up as litter.... The mere production of "clean bottled water" is so counter-productive to maintaining clean water resources!

However, tap water is not the cure all either as many municipality filtration systems do not remove everything. Among common contaminants, there are traces rust, lawn chemicals, heavy metals, and of course the chlorine and chloramines.

The best and most affordable thing to do meanwhile would be to stop buying bottled water. Do we really want Pepsi owning the worlds water supplies? Less bottled means less energy spent on production (as outlined in below video), less litter, less need to recycle, so eventually, less means of polluting the environment just to make "clean water" for consumption.

Then, buy a high quality tap water filter that uses cartridges that last up to 18 months such as the 10 stage "New Wave Enviro-Products" filer available at Gardens Under Glass.

Here is a video outlining the madness of bottled water---which at beach cleanings, plastic bottles of all sorts, make up a large quantity of litter, specifically the water and soft drink kind. I find it interesting hat the video notes about "manufactured demand" and such is exactly where, but by the marketing machine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se12y9hSOM0&feature=relmfu

FOREST GARDENING INSTEAD OF LAWNS

Instead of wasting the world's energy on mowing, blowing, spraying, and working against nature maintaining a traditional lawn...let's work with nature instead! The energy intensive suburban yard model has got to go....as it is totally unsustainable and pointless, other than satisfying some cosmetic image created by companies like Scott's and "Chemical-Lawn".

No food does it yield for people or wildlife...and it demands an incredible amount of energy, all for the sake of the chemical companies conditioning people to think that diversity in a yard is bad...and anything other than a blade of grass is taboo! I never recall anyone dying of dandelions!

Sadly, through poisoning, we extinguish all the culinary and medicinally potential plants in a yard and keep grass that is not even native. We weaken the self supporting life systems in soils making plants even more susceptible to diseases, due to the mono-culture created as a result.

We cut it short--a plant that is meant to be tall and waving in the first place! How twisted is this logic? There is nothing brilliant or unusual about it when every one has a yard consisting of bland and boring patch after patch of green....that no one is lining up waiting in line to oooohh and ahhhwww over! I think Forest Gardening is really unique as an alternative! Check it out...


http://www.edibleforestgardens.com/about_gardening

Thoughts Dedicated To The Roadkill Slaughter Of Animals

To all the animals who are victims of vehicular murders....some unavoidable while many others go purposely perpetuated by careless and unconscious minds....

You were going about your daily routine for survival....
You frolicked and played with your brothers and sisters....
You breathe in the clean forest air and bask in the warmth of meadow sunlight and smell sweet fragrances of wildflowers....
You find food to share with your family...
You feel it is wonderful to be alive....

One day as night begins to fall, you follow a way...an instinct that your ancestors have been following for generations....
The path leads you to the loud and intimidating sound of huge machines roaring past you at high speeds....
The machines follow this long and straight smooth and wide trail made of stone....
You attempt to cross this scary place as its the only way you know how to get home, or perhaps find some food....

Suddenly, out of nowhere, lights blind you...
You are so surprised and stunned that you freeze in your path while looking up....
You know nothing of what is about to happen....
You are suddenly hit on the side of your legs...
You fall to the ground wounded as you cannot get up....
In excruciating pain you try desperately to walk...but you fall...
You are covered in blood....

You lay half conscious still sensing those huge machines whisking by at high speeds...
You lay lonely and frightened...breathing rapidly, heart racing...
Your body tenses up in intense pain and fear....cold and lonely gasping for air....
What did I do, you ask?
What am I experiencing, you sense to wonder....
All I know is that I am terrified, I hurt and am wishing I was at home with my family and friends.... I have a nest to attend..a home...

Those machines do not stop....they do not offer to help me....
What are they?
We never hurt another for fun or carelessness...
You lay there helpless.....
Just make me feel better....
I want to go home....

Now, will you, the driver, be the one out of thousands whipping by either not noticing, turning a blind eye, or thinking this creature is already dead while you sit cozy and comfy in your car?

Will you be one of the ones who says... "Its just another bit of roadkill?"

Will you be one of the ones who refuses to acknowledge the animal had a life that counted and was important to the web of life?

Will you be one of the ignorant that thinks hitting animals on the highway is a natural thing?

Will you be just one more fool who thinks the ever increasing assault on our natural world is something we're entitled to do perhaps because of your dedication to the ideology of profit today and who cares about tomorrow?....or because you have interpreted your God's words as placing you above all other life?

Or, maybe you will be the one who carries the common excuse of "I don't have the time" OR....will you be the ONE, who actually stands up and gives a damn and says enough is enough already...this is just wrong.....

Make your choice.

TAG: This post is dedicated to the little squirrel pictured at the top--we tried to rescue--that although not killed by vehicular traffic, was attacked by a domestic cat. Allowing pets to harass native wildlife is another story in itself.

Reducing Litter In Cleveland

For approximately 12 months now, myself and several other dedicated volunteers came together in the interest of doing what we can to help reduce litter in the city and region--And to plant the seeds of change that can alter the mentalities that produce the litter in the first place.

So far, as a result, we have raised the awareness of this issue--and placed it on the radar of several key figures in the city who have graciously offered their cooperation in reducing liter and illegal dumping. Also coming forward have been other volunteers and several neighborhood community development corporations.

Neighborhoods that are aiming at leading the charge in this campaign are... downtown--as Gardens Under Glass at the Galleria will be the voice of the campaign slogan material and educational presentations at the Eco-Tuesday event. Adding to this will be a display in the Re-Source Educational Center courtesy of Keep Ohio Beautiful, that aims to recruit volunteers who will obligate to create Cleveland's first official chapter of this long time litter awareness and education organization.

Ohio City has also taken on a roll--as this neighborhood has worked to increase recycling/and or availability of trash bins, have a monthly neighborhood wide clean-up announcement, place law enforcement signage, and eventually get the word to schools, businesses, residents, and police on why litter is not acceptable, how it contributes to other quality of life degrading issues--and why laws need to be enforced. Cudell may be another neighborhood emerging and embracing the movement, with a storefront window planned and dedicated to artfully displaying awareness campaign material and its distribution.

Lastly, Edgewater Beach/Park and Euclid Beach/Park have also seen the addition of new anti-litter and educational signage and increased clean-ups. Additionally, a cooperative relationship between volunteers and park management is growing. These are just a few areas that are working toward helping to reduce litter. Other community development corporations have expressed interest in being a par of what hopefully will evolve into a city wide effort.

The above are just a few of multiple other efforts to help plant seeds of litter reduction. All who are dedicated to this understand that change on what seems to most who are concerned, as no-brainier logic, often comes very slow. Therefore, their patience and commitment will drive the ongoing success of the effort. I recently wrote an article for Cool Cleveland to help spread the word about impacts of litter--And, started a petition on Change Dot Org that promotes action being taken on plastic cigar tip/butt litter. Please see the article in the link below...and sign the petition on the Change site. --Thank You!

http://www.change.org/petitions/promoting-against-littering-of-plastic-cigar-tipsbutts-discontinue-their-use?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=own_wall

http://www.coolcleveland.com/blog/2011/07/litter-in-cleveland-to-clean-up-our-city-we-must-clean-up-our-act/#comments