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Renovating Cleveland Trust Tower Complex

Can you imagine downtown Cleveland without the theater district, the warehouse district, or other cultural arts and historic entertainment venues? Neither can I. I also cannot imagine why any rational well thought opinion would advocate the demolition of renowned architect Marcel Breuer’s 1971 downtown structure most commonly known as the Trust Tower—just because of a common opinion that the building is “ugly“.

Hmmm…glad we don’t do away with every person we had that opinion about! Appreciating architecture is not only about whether we think a particular work is acceptable to the eye. More intrinsically, it is about appreciating styles that were reflective of the moods and cultural or social times of any given area in a certain place of time in history. Since it seems so conveniently forgotten that at one time, many fine historic buildings, “ugly” or not, in both the Warehouse and Theater District, were at one time threatened by the wrecking ball–should I offer a reminder of what would downtown be without those great assets?

The same “out with the old and in with the new” mentality had recently threatened the Trust Tower when the county purchased the property for their new headquarters and then later concluded the building complex was unsuitable—and was exploring the option of demolition. This is one of those structures that like perhaps the Warehouse District or Theater District, may to many seem not worth saving right now—but in the long run if it was demolished, would be a regret to the City of Cleveland. Not knowing what you had until you lost it cannot be changed in the case of the Trust Tower because it just so happens that it is an example of a type of architecture known as “Brutalism” that is becoming a rare and endangered species these days.

The Trust Tower is a structure that represents a modernist style yet offers a natural look with its earth toned honey combed facades around the windows. It is perfectly juxtaposed with the classic historic rotunda building in the front, which offers two examples of two time periods on one corner! Preserving this rare example will be reason enough that in the future, will draw it much positive focus. In addition, Cleveland will be opting to do the more environmentally conscious alternative by keeping 400 plus feet high demolition out of landfills–and also allow for the implementation of progressive adaptive reuse plans for the complex.

No need to talk about demolition anymore because since the county lacked the financial resources to see through their much maligned and wasteful plan for such, a local development company bought the complex and is going to do just what should be done, and that is–to renovate the complex and make it a mixed use facility of office, retail, housing, and arts. I am impressed with the plans and hope the management of the complex thereafter meets the needs for it’s upkeep. I am glad to know that this story won’t turn out to be one of regretting what we’ve lost.. I hope that it turns out to e a story of having us not being able to imagine this downtown corner without it—much like we cannot imagine it without Playhouse Square or the Warehouse District. I hope the new interpretation of this complex renovated will have more people discovering a new appreciation for it.

On a side note and very personal opinion….

No, The Trust Tower Complex is not the classic works of art in Rome or Paris, but maybe even some of their greats weren’t considered to be at one time—but it is good those countries had the foresight to preserve their architecture to discover that one day they would be classics! I am not saying every building built is destined to be a classic at one time or another, but The Trust Tower, in our infancy of a country, does in fact represent an important moment in a truly definitive and world changing time—a mood, a style, a political scene…and perhaps can symbolize important events of the past at that particular time which we can learn something valuable from.

It seems we tear down too much of our best architectural history in this country today , forgetting our past, and helping to foster a mentality that carries an attitude that suggests “history starts here..now..and with us” ….leaving mostly big box stores as our most plentiful architecturally bland claim to fame! I am sure we’ll get tourists flocking here by the thousands some day to see places like that! (only if you need to save 5 cents on underwear!) Indeed, architecture reminds us of history–something we need to learn more of these days so we won’t repeat mistakes of the past–and tearing down the Trust Tower would have eventually become one of those mistakes of the past.

Click on the link below to read more about the renovation of this complex and to see a visual tour of what it will look like.

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2008/07/_a_cleveland_architecture_firm.html

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 4:08 PM

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Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 8:31 PM

“GOING GREEN” DOES NOT MEAN KEEPING THE LAWN GREEN YEAR ‘ROUND!

The following letter sent to a Cleveland City Councilman:

Dear Councilman,

As I am aware of the new “going green” efforts of Cleveland and other cities, I am amazed at the contradiction to this agenda in the simplest way as walk Cleveland and witness the uses of commercial lawn chemicals on public lawns. “Going Green” does not mean wasting resources (water, oil, etc) on efforts to keep a lawn un-naturally green all year ’round with petrol-based chemicals all containing long time known carcinogens according to EPA data.

Cities like Toronto, Buffalo, Minneapolis and others–as well as a host of countries throughout the world, have banned such toxins for mere cosmetic uses in their communities because of the health risks they pose to people and water resources. It is really disturbing that currently, we are applying more of such chemicals to lawns than on crops!

Cleveland cannot be “green” and continue the uses of these unnecessary products. Please consider the many harmless alternatives. Below is an article I wrote about these products on my website. The information is valid should you want to research it. It is scary enough to see the public abusing these products, let alone the city, which should be setting a much more progressive alternative example. This would stimulate the creation of more jobs in the area of environmentally friendly landscaping alternatives–and their ARE alternatives to Cleveland jumping on the outdated band wagon of using lawn chemicals.

Ohio City-Cleveland Resident

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 9:42 AM

 

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Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 8:57 PM

Cleveland Needs World Class Public Aquarium

Photos: Lake Erie Sunset and Harbor/Downtown

Cleveland has long been in need of a world class attraction that would sever the often perceived image as just a sports, blue collar, and party town–to one of more cultural and world class influences. Sure, we have the fine museums, hospitals, zoo, theaters, metro-parks, and such—but one complimentary element that is missing, that could be the crown jewel of these attractions and a draw to the waterfront, would be a new state of the art world class public aquarium.

Aside from being a fun and awe-inspiring visual attraction, such a facility would raise much needed public environmental education and attention about not only the significance of our own Great Lakes Region—and how the way we live impacts it….. and ultimately us, but will demonstrate the same about aquatic eco-systems of the entire planet!

Below is a website which outlines the whole project. Please show your support for this project by passing around this information and sending letters of support to the site and to your local elected representatives.

http://www.clevelandaquarium.org/

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 3:48 PM

Hot Chocolate and The Mayans

No, the title above is not paying tribute to the latest band….

I have recently been reading a lot about the ancient indigenous peoples of the Americas! From North, Central to South, the native peoples of these lands have contributed more to the modern day world than one might lend them credit for. In Anthropologist Jack Weathorford’s book, INDIAN GIVERS, so many of these contributions are revealed— And in the case of food in the modern world, some 60%, has had Native American origin. One such food happens to be a favorite of almost everyone, and that is, Chocolate!

The chocolate confection the world enjoys today finds its roots in Central America’s Mayan culture. The Mayan culture, much like the Mound Building cultures of North America, is truly one of the world’s most under-explored fascinating ones! Their much savored chocolate beverage’s main ingredient comes from the cacao plant‘s fruit, ‘cacao‘–a much prized and traded commodity in the ancient Mayan world.

The Mayans made the first ‘hot chocolate drink’ — a thick and bitter/spicy beverage–made from the crushed dried roasted beans of the fruit of the cacao plant–by adding water, vanilla, cinnamon, chilies and other flavorings. This beverage was usually consumed for reasons such as “rites of passage-birth, marriage, induction into the priesthood and even entry into the afterlife” according to an article in National Geographic Magazine’s special collectors edition (August ‘08) showcasing the Mayan culture

After I read this edition, I searched the internet for a recipe that would as closely as possible mimic this first chocolate drink consumed by the Mayans. There were several bits of information about this drink available…..and then I suddenly stumbled across the recipe in the link I will include below on this page. There is so much to learn about Indigenous peoples of the America’s cultures like the Mayan’s besides chocolate alone! So, as you learn, you may want to take a break and gather up the ingredients for their sacred drink—and enjoy it as they did! I tried this recipe and it is wonderful!

http://www.kstrom.net/isk/food/r_choc.html

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 4:37 PM

DO YOU LIKE VINTAGE POST CARDS? LOOK AT THESE CLEVELAND VINTAGE POST CARDS

I am always someone who appreciates nostalgia especially when it comes to something like OLD VINTAGE POST CARDS! I love looking at places used to look. I also find charm in the artwork on many of the postcards which were illustrated by post card artists! This used to be a big business back in the days before there were many cameras around. The links I am including below feature many Cleveland area post cards. Browse these sites and have fun taking a stroll back through time. Notice the architecture, the streetcars, the street lighting and landscaping, the people, all of which evoke a bygone era–a seemingly simpler time at least by today’s living standards.

I think about then and now when I look at these postcards. In some ways, today’s urban environment has improved and in others I feel it has not. For example, in the case of the environment, while we may have seen improvement in the air, lakes and rivers from the industrial wastes spewed into the environment when Cleveland was the nation’s multi-industrial behemoth….these days we may have other less obvious forms of pollution doing just as much if, not more environmental harm, such as auto emissions and the excessive urban uses of lawn chemicals running off into our water. Anyway, share some comments and share with me ways you think times have improved or not improved, economically, socially or environmentally.

On the lower site, it is interesting to read the comments people wrote on the cards! Also see the video tour of old post cards of Cleveland below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxxjmQ5Vb1I

Have fun!

http://www.clevelandmemory.org/postcards/

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=16580.0

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 9:08 PM

Do You Have a Problem With School Kids Littering? Here is a letter I wrote to a local public school administrator

Hi Elizabeth,

I am following up on the litter discussions we had. I have been really busy with arranging clean-ups of litter in the neighborhood, writing to council to see that state laws are enforced more effectively, especially on illegal dumping, I have contacted McDonald’s to do their part to remind patrons to not litter (seeing that the majority of fast food litter is from there), have contacted the mission-like places in the neighborhood asking them to do their part and have spent countless hours every week picking it up all over with some block club help.

Simply treating the symptom by cleaning it up, however, and not addressing some of the causes is simply not enough. There are several constituents of litter and many sources. If we can reduce the input from each or many of the sources, we will have made a difference–because collectively many people/sources become a part of creating the problem, and so this is why I feel many can be a part of collectively reducing the problem Among one of the contributors to neighborhood litter is school kids. Junk food wrappers and sugar drink bottles lay everywhere, each day.

Originally when I contacted you I was a bit vague in what I wanted to achieve when explain it, but in my mind I knew exactly what I would have liked to see done. What I want to see done is for you or someone else who can spread the message of this letter to the students via school newsletters or public announcement—and ask students while walking home that they not discard rubbish of any kind onto people’s yards or anywhere else—and that they should wait until they get to a proper trash can for proper disposal. I have people who live in the neighborhood all the time telling me what they witness students doing and I have seen it as well.

Many see litter as a trivial issue but it is far from one and in fact the complete opposite–and something we should have evolved past not doing by now as more and more recycling is promoted. Ohio spent 4 million dollars alone last year retrieving litter just from around highways. Litter devalues property and the environment and harms its wildlife—here, especially harming Lake Erie and its wildlife and swimming areas, our biggest economic asset. It creates a health and public safety issue as well by attracting unwanted pests. Additionally, it degrades the curb appeal in any given area contributing to scaring off businesses that sustain neighborhoods with jobs—many of which could be for these same school kids in the future. Litter is a part of the broken window theory, which basically suggests if you let decline of any kind start in a neighborhood, it will only lead to and promote more—with bigger crimes to follow. Littering is among the first symptoms that foster this theory.

Considering the fact that it is against state law to litter for very valid reasons…. is reason enough to pay attention to this issue. Fines of up to $500.00 can be imposed locally and state wide. I think it is time we start paying attention to this law, so that when it is enforced, people will not look at the police like they are from Neptune.

Not that I think it will solve the problem–as more causes of litter are more deeply rooted—BUT, I do think it will show the schools are doing their part to exercise more social responsibility on this very important matter. I would still be interested in attending any meeting we discussed, but truthfully, I am very busy myself and would like to see the schools show some simple initiative on this issue by getting the word out. It does not take a host of meetings and debate to simply remind your students that littering is not acceptable. Then later, we can work on educating them as to why it is not acceptable. All common sense and all seemingly y lost on this issue.

As the new school year approaches and with the litter that will fall like rain from students, I would appreciate your assurance that you will get the message out. It should be announced daily. At least I can respect then… that like other places I have contacted have agreed to do their part to help, the schools also have done their part.

Sincerely,
Robert Carillio
Ohio City

P.S. I still think we should have the guests I was talking about attend an appropriate meeting in the future, but until then, announcements about littering are a start. With all of the neighborhood issues on my plate, I cannot go from school to school, Principal to Principal, etc. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 8:12 AM

 

 

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Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 6:51 PM

Meet Your Meat Video–Do you know how your food is produced?

I feel more people should be aware of how the food they’re eating is brought to their plate, as it used to be before the mega-industrialization of food. Since the industrialization of our food, most people have become completely oblivious as to how it is produced, what sacrifices are made by the land/environment—and the animals which in the end are consumed.

We are too used to seeing food all pretty packaged up in stores, or handed to us through a window. I Hope more people will learn how an inhumane system that produces for quantity only, will result in a negative impact on ourselves and the world. Which choice dietary choices will you make after you have educated yourself on this issue? 1.An unsustainable one which has a very negative impact on this planet’s resources and its inhabitants (ourselves)….or 2. One that will have a much much lesser impact?

Perhaps the following website and video will help you make this choice and inform you about how the food you love so much is brought to you.

http://www.chooseveg.com/animal-cruelty.asp

Posted by Angry Man In The Basement at 3:49 PM