Bruce blog 11-3-05.doc - Hotel Bruce

							Bruce blog 11-3-05

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 a1990 study, "Effects Of Human Activity On Bald Eagles
Wintering Along The Boise River," along with IMBA's online body of trail-
related scientific research, at
http://www.imba.com/resources/science/eagles_boise.html

Apparently, the dust up started after committee members lumped cyclists
in with dirt bikes, motorbikes, and snowmobiles.

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.

And the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' 2002 Working Review
Committee recommended inclusion of paved bicycle trails, albeit
conditionally. “If a bicycle-friendly perimeter path has been deemed
incompatible by members of the committee, what empirical data or
research was used in support of their assertions?” Steffens asks.

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
http://www.transcoalition.org/ia/bikestat/05.html 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.


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.

From Cool Cleveland & the PD - Cleveland needs a signature Innerbelt
bridge

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,
2000 Prospect, the decisions will already be made. Don’t wait. Call ODOT
at 584-2007 or provide your comments here
http://r.pm0.net/s/c?3gv.eb4e.26.ayir.4qf , or better yet, send an
e-mail to ODOT Project Manager Craig Hebebrand at
craig.hebebrand@dot.state.oh.us See full story here
http://r.pm0.net/s/c?3gv.eb4e.27.ayis.4qf , and check out the County's
presentation here http://r.pm0.net/s/c?3gv.eb4e.28.ayty.4qf for an outline
of the preferred solution.



http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/steven_litt/index.ssf?/
base/entertainment/1130754677323490.xml&coll=2


Images of the Kosicka Bridge built in Bratislava:

http://www.steelconstruct.com/references/fiches/pontbratis/index.htm

Description of the insistence of a public process and an environmental and
social impact study

http://www.bankwatch.org/issues/transport/mainbridge.html


And picture of Putrajaya Bridge in Kuala Lumpur:

http://www.bbr.com.sg/Bridge-8.html



Call Cindy Barber at the Beachland today (Thursday)

1. They can pick whatever music they want - DJs, band - whatever.
> 2. We want the door $ and will charge $10 as a fundraiser. B-land will
> have the bar and we'll be driving a lot of traffic in - this is a win-win for
both, new audience for them, exposure for Pete and Deb... if they put up a
fight, we'll take half the door, but not pay for any talent of sorts.

On 11/7, from noon-6 pm, at CSU’s Levin College of Urban Affairs the
student chapter of the American Planning Association will hold an open
house celebrating the planning achievements of various organizations from
the region. Plans from the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, RTA,
EcoCity Cleveland, Cleveland Public Art, and many others will be featured.
For more information, visit
http://urban.csuohio.edu/world_town_planner.shtml
The Cleveland Museum of Art is connecting with RTA to display art (rather,
facsimiles) at train stops. Titled, “The Red Line Tour,” art from CMA’s
permanent collection will be on view via 43 uniquely designed posters
displayed at seven stations along RTA’s Red Line. Official opening
ceremony on Tuesday, 11/8, at the Tower City Rotunda. Opening remarks
at noon, followed by
a brief introduction to the tour.

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
11/12-1/8/06.

Community Gardening Conference in Columbus
At the Franklin Park Conservatory on Saturday, November
19th. Topics include youth gardening, neighborhood impact, and health.
Speakers include Betsy Johnson, Interim Exec Dir, American
Community Gardening Association; Michael Metallo, Pres., National
Gradening Association, and Dan Stark, Exec Dir., American Assoc of
Botanical Gardens and Arboretums. For more info
dstubblefield@ag.osu.edu
(216)429-8246

The National Gardening Association and Home Depot will award Youth
garden grants to schools and community organizations with child-
centered, outdoor garden programs. The grants are focused on social
aspects of gardening - leadership development, team building, community
support, service-learning. Application deadline is 11/30. For more
information, http://www.kidsgardening.com

On 11/18 & 19, MOCA hosts its second annual ARTscape event,
partnering with Heidi Lingg (the Woodmere-based diva of fashion
accessories). Offering baubles, homewares and artwork by
regional and national artists. Preview night from 5-9pm. Saturday is open
11 am-6pm to all.

February 2006 will usher in the Chinese New Year, which is 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”x41” fiberglass dogs that it will then display throughout the community.
Artists
whose designs are selected for exhibition will be provided with the life-sized
blank fiberglass dog form and will be paid a $550.00 honorarium upon
completion
 For more info on the application process please contact: Katharyne
Marcus at 216.881.0644 or kmarcus@stclairsuperior.org.

OCNW is seeking nominations for three appointments to the Board of
Trustees. All three board seats have partial terms already served: one
(seat 20) will be open for re-election in 2007, the other two (seats 3 & 4) in
2008. Candidates should be available to serve the remaining term in place
of resigning trustees. Candidates must be voting members of OCNW.
www.ocnw.org For nomination form.

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. Paul Oyaski,
veteran politician and blogosphere neophyte.

volume 1 issue 4 november 9-15, 2003 contains the error

A new theater is opening in Coventry. I'm the managing
director, and a good friend mentioned your blog to me. I
thought our theater might be of interest to you in general -
but then even more so given your recent blog entry!

"[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 (rashful sports
bar), 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 lara@groundfloortheater.com
Managing Director
Ground Floor Theater