Me and My Monkey

January 1, 2007

2007-02-24T18:43:00.000-05:00

This is what I looked like on the morning of January 1st, 2007. The two lines I'm pointing to confirmed it - I'm a dad! I can't imagine a better way to start the year. The doc says all is well and the swooshing heart beat blew our minds. A giant thank you to all of the support and well-wishes we've received from family and friends. Kris and I are very lucky to have you all in our lives. We're maintaining a sort of pregnancy blog at http://weandthebean.blogspot.com where we'll post pictures, share stories and one day early in September, introduce you to the bean, as we affectionately refer to him/her these days. Actually, we learned he/she is more like a lime lately. Hopefully, we'll have an actual name by the time we reach the grapefruit/cantaloupe days...

You Are Here # 9

2007-01-28T21:29:00.000-05:00

You Are Here # 9: “I’d Tell Them I Like the People”

***

Roy Williams is a 42 year old man who works at the Phoenix Coffeehouse in Lakewood. His favorite place is the Marjorie Building where the coffeehouse is located. Roy is a man of few words, but he soundly described what many of us love most about Lakewood. It’s a place to find friends, where kindness is met in passing on the street. Our short time together was more conversational than the “You Are Here” interviews usually tend to be, so I’ve taken the liberty of summarizing our discussion.

We met with Roy on a Saturday afternoon in January at the Phoenix Coffeehouse on Detroit Avenue.

***

If there’s one thing Roy is clear about, it’s that Lakewood is full of nice people. In fact, when I asked Roy, “What do you like about Lakewood,” his reply was quick and sure: “Nice people.” That Lakewood is home to many nice folks is a theme that connects many, if not all of the people I’ve been lucky enough to talk with during the course of this project. I asked Roy to expand on this idea for me. “It’s nice to have friends in Lakewood,” he said, emphasizing that he has a lot of friends here. “Like Julie, the boss. She’s nice,” he said, referring to Julie Hutchison, owner of the Phoenix Coffeehouse where Roy works. He also enjoys spending time with his friend Mariana at the coffeehouse.

Working at the Phoenix has given Roy the opportunity to see some of his favorite local musicians up close and personal. He shared with me that Anne E. DeChant, Cleveland-area singer/songwriter, comes in to the Phoenix on occasion to work on her computer. “I’m her number one fan” he says, smiling.

Roy is also a big fan of many local businesses, particularly the Record Exchange. When I asked him what it was about the Record Exchange that he liked, he told me about their collection of videos and DVD’s, and that he is always able to find some of his favorites on sale there, like Disney movies. Roy also likes Marc’s, because of their sales.

Many feel that public transportation and Lakewood’s proximity to downtown Cleveland are real feathers in its cap. While Roy didn’t discuss going into Cleveland proper, he does like to take the RTA busses around Lakewood and into other communities.

My final question to Roy is one I ask everyone who participates in this project: If you were to convince someone why they should move to Lakewood, what would you tell them? The answer may come as no surprise: “I’d tell them I like the people.”

And so do we, Roy.

***

Are you interested in participating? Contact Jason Weiner and Kristine Williams at lakewoodandyou@yahoo.com .

*A photo-documentary project highlighting the individuals who live in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

Jason Weiner lives in Lakewood with his wife, Kristine. He works and volunteers with several Philanthropic and nonprofit organizations, does research and plays drums. His favorite place in Lakewood is the Purple Martin house in Lakewood Park.

Kristine Williams lives in Lakewood with her husband, Jason. In addition to teaching 3rd grade, she paints and knits for local galleries. Her favorite spot in Lakewood is under the oak trees in her own backyard.

They enjoy gardening and watching the birds in their backyard with their two dogs (Max and Gracie), cat (Emily) and several fresh water fish.

You Are Invited!

2007-01-27T08:25:00.000-05:00

You are invited!

You Are Here # 8

2006-12-27T13:08:00.001-05:00

You Are Here # 8
“It’s Kind of Exciting”

Tiffany Bryson is a 31 year old Realtor who has lived in Lakewood for 9 years. She has two daughters: Isabella and Una. Her favorite place is the bench swings in Lakewood Park that overlook Lake Erie. We met Tiffany at the swings on a chilly Sunday afternoon in December.

“I started working downtown, I wanted to get somewhere close that I could live but somewhere that I really enjoyed and everyone told me to go to Lakewood, that I would really love it there. I got an apartment and from that point forward I haven’t left. The small businesses I think is what really keeps me here, not big corporations all across our little town. Just small little places that are trying to make it and I love that. I love the fact that we’ve got our water right here. And that’s one of the reasons we like this park so much is cause we’re right by the water. I like the fact that they’re really building up, you know, closer to Cleveland they’re really building up all that area, developing it and that sort of thing. But they’re still trying to keep it where it’s still Lakewood. And the Lakewood Library! It’s so exciting. It’s one of the top libraries and it’s wonderful. We enjoy that, the kids enjoy it. And I love the fact that they did the new YMCA too, so they’re doing a lot. It’s kind of exciting.”

***

You Are Here* is a project that highlights what Lakewood residents think and feel about their city. We feel that a project like this shares a great affinity with many of the community efforts beginning and ongoing in our city. We are witnessing the emergence of an engaged, pro-active and committed community dedicated to creating the kind of place that we want to live in. But the question remains: who are you? To that end, we would like to use this project as a forum to meet as many Lakewood residents as possible. We would like to photograph you in your favorite place in Lakewood and discuss with you what you feel makes Lakewood a special place. These biographical vignettes will regularly be published in the Lakewood Observer. Publishing them in the Observer means that you get to share, and other people get to learn about, who you are and what you feel makes Lakewood a special place. Ultimately, a quilt of individuals and experiences will be available to all who live here, and those who do not live here yet, strengthening the sense of community that is Lakewood, Ohio.

Are you interested in participating? Contact Jason Weiner and Kristine Williams at lakewoodandyou@yahoo.com.

*A photo-documentary project highlighting the individuals who live in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

Jason Weiner lives in Lakewood with his wife, Kristine. He works and volunteers with several Philanthropic and nonprofit organizations, does research and plays drums. His favorite place in Lakewood is the Purple Martin house in Lakewood Park.

Kristine Williams lives in Lakewood with her husband, Jason. In addition to teaching 3rd grade, she paints and knits for local galleries. Her favorite spot in Lakewood is under the oak trees in her own backyard.

They enjoy gardening and watching the birds in their backyard with their two dogs (Max and Gracie), cat (Emily) and several fresh water fish.

You Are Here # 6

2006-11-27T08:48:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth Zander
78 years old
Retired Office Worker, Real Estate Broker
Lakewood resident since 1959

Favorite Place(s): The Oasis and Courtyard at the Barton Center.

“Number one on the list is Lake Erie. The smell of it, the feel of it, the wind of it, everything. I just love Lake Erie and I’m almost on the lake over there. Oh, the art studios and the antique shops that there are. Just so many things, just browse around. A lot of good eating areas. A lot of good friends here. Really, it’s so convenient. Everything is right here, grocery stores and pharmacies, malls, they’re all pretty close to Lakewood so that’s an ideal situation. The parks, of course Metro parks along the Rocky River. My church is here. Just an awful lot to do here if you want to do and if you have the inclination to do it there’s, not only here, I mean you can work at the Beck Center. You can volunteer out of anywhere. The hospital is so close, the Beck Center I go to. There’s just everything here. It’s just a big little town. It’s like going downtown, but a little town. I think they made it very comfortable, especially if you like to inhale the lake, the fishy smell, which I love.

Lakewood is on the up, it’s growing, not going down. To me that’s good. To put their money in a city, they must know something we don’t know, or we do know but now they know.”

Are you interested in participating? Contact Jason Weiner and Kristine Williams at lakewoodandyou@yahoo.com .

*A photo-documentary project highlighting the individuals who live in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

Jason Weiner lives in Lakewood with his wife, Kristine. He teaches Sociology, does research and plays drums. His favorite place in Lakewood is the Purple Martin house in Lakewood Park.
Kristine Williams lives in Lakewood with her husband, Jason. In addition to teaching 3rd grade, she paints and knits for local galleries. Her favorite spot in Lakewood is under the oak trees in her own backyard.
They enjoy gardening and watching the birds in their backyard with their two dogs (Max and Gracie), cat (Emily) and several fresh water fish.

Mike Uva and Hook Boy

2006-11-11T22:57:00.000-05:00

Friday, November 17
Parish Hall
At the Miller Weitzel Gallery
6205 Detroit Avenue :: Cleveland, OH
9 pm sharp

Mike Uva and Hook Boy
Mike Uva: Guitar & Vox
Joe Milan: Bass
Jason Weiner: Drums
Henry James: Guitar

Playing with The Volta Sound and Arbouretum (Thrill Jockey, from Baltimore MD)

We're on first and it's gonna be a short set this time out.

Smoke Free :: Beer Available

Come on down!

PS : The new MU & HB disc will be ready shortly and it's quite good, if I do say so myself. Also, we'll be playing Bela Dubby in December with Uva Ursi. Keep your eyes and ears open.

You Are Here #5

2006-10-28T15:01:00.000-04:00

Sarah Henderson
54 years old
Former 6^th Grade Teacher; Currently teaches Tai Chi
Lakewood resident for 20 years

Favorite Place(s): The Coffee Pot and Lakewood Home Furnishings, both on Madison Avenue in Lakewood.

Sarah enjoys Monday mornings at The Coffee Pot with her husband, Bill.
Photography by Kristine Williams
It's Like Living In A Small Town
"One thing I love about Lakewood is that it’s like living in a small town but it’s not as limiting as a small town. I have lived in a small town before. We can walk places, we can walk to the Library from where we live, we can walk to the park from where we live. We have two dogs, we love the dog park and the dog swim and just how the sidewalks, we walk the dogs all over the neighborhood. We’ll often drive to a neighborhood just so we can enjoy the neighborhood with our dog.

And I really like that, this is like a small down, in here, Julian, Mama and Papa (of The Coffee Pot) know our names. Same with the shop next door, Lakewood Home Furnishings, so there are places like that, where you’re not an anonymous person. And we always run into people we know, which is fun, and that’s like a small town.

I really like the schools. I taught in the schools and my oldest daughter, Amanda, went to the schools from 4^th Grade through High School, and she got a great education. She went to Hiram [College] and her English teacher asked her where she learned to write so well...

I love my house, and it’s affordable. You know, I could live in Avon or Westlake, but I just couldn’t have that much house elsewhere. And I feel safe. I’m a single mom, or I was single until Bill moved in, but when I was a single mom, it was still safe. You know, with trick-or-treating, you feel safe for them to go on French or Andrews. My daughter has babysitting jobs right on the street and the people are friendly."

Are you interested in participating? Contact Jason Weiner and Kristine Williams at lakewoodandyou@yahoo.com or by calling 216.221.5146.

*A photo-documentary project highlighting the individuals who live in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

Jason Weiner lives in Lakewood with his wife, Kristine. He teaches Sociology, does research and plays drums. His favorite place in Lakewood is the Purple Martin house in Lakewood Park.

They enjoy gardening and watching the birds in their backyard with their two dogs (Max and Gracie), cat (Emily) and several fresh water fish.

You Are Here # 4

2006-10-28T14:38:00.000-04:00

Bill Pearson

68 years old
Former Lutheran Pastor; Currently an Intake Worker for Lakewood Christian Service Center
Lakewood resident for 6.5 years

Favorite Place(s): The Coffee Pot and Lakewood Home Furnishings, both businesses on Lakewood's Madison Avenue.

Bill enjoys "The Coffee Pot" on Monday mornings with his wife, Sarah Henderson.
Photo by Kristine Williams

Lakewood's Diversity and the Appeal of The Front Porch
“Someone said to me recently that twenty-six languages [are spoken] in Lakewood High School, I think it was the Spanish teacher that said in her classes, twenty six different languages, and they’re primary languages. And we’re seeing, at the Center [Lakewood Christian Service Center], we’re seeing an increasing number of Albanians, Lebanese, Syrians, and African Americans are on the increase at the High School certainly and probably at all the other schools. I ran across a gentleman from the Republic of Congo who lives here in the area and his son is one of the top cross country runners, not only from Lakewood, but he’s one of the top in whole area..

...it’s been an ethnic community, if you look at "Bird Town" especially, I think that it kind of has a reputation for being ethnically diverse, and again, it’s close to church, it’s close to downtown, it’s close to whatever work it is that people are doing. It’s typical of first-ring suburbs; it has a lot of multiple housing so that we see families where you’ve got two or three generations living in a double, so it’s an easy place to do that.

Lakewood is a community with a lot of front porches. So we see, there’s a lot of people, ourselves included, that sit on their porches in the summer and just enjoy watching people go by and throwing stones at them… It helps you know who lives in your neighborhood, and I tend to talk to people, even if I don’t know them. As we look at French, several new families have moved in [over] the last year with small children so we see them pushing the kids in the strollers and it’s fun to get to know them and watch the kids grow. You miss that if you don’t have a front porch.”

You Are Here* is a project that highlights what Lakewood residents think and feel about their city. We feel that a project like this shares a great affinity with many of the community efforts beginning and ongoing in our city. We are witnessing the emergence of an engaged, pro-active and committed community dedicated to creating the kind of place that we want to live in. But the question remains: who are you? To that end, we would like to use this project as a forum to meet as many Lakewood residents as possible. We would like to photograph you in your favorite place in Lakewood and discuss with you what you feel makes Lakewood a special place. These biographical vignettes will regularly be published in the Lakewood Observer. Publishing them in the Observer means that you get to share, and other people get to learn about, who you are and what you feel makes Lakewood a special place. Ultimately, a quilt of individuals and experiences will be available to all who live here, and those who do not live here yet, strengthening the sense of community that is Lakewood, Ohio.

Are you interested in participating? Contact Jason Weiner and Kristine Williams at lakewoodandyou@yahoo.com or by calling 216.221.5146.

*A photo-documentary project highlighting the individuals who live in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

Jason Weiner lives in Lakewood with his wife, Kristine. He teaches Sociology, does research and plays drums. His favorite place in Lakewood is the Purple Martin house in Lakewood Park.

Kristine Williams lives in Lakewood with her husband, Jason. In addition to teaching 3rd grade, she paints and knits for local galleries. Her favorite spot in Lakewood is under the oak trees in her own backyard.

They enjoy gardening and watching the birds in their backyard with their two dogs (Max and Gracie), cat (Emily) and several fresh water fish.

Cleveland Colectivo Has Opened the Next Round of Funding

2006-10-25T08:16:00.000-04:00

Cleveland Colectivo Has Opened the Next Round of Funding

Do you have an idea that you think would make a difference in Cleveland? We’d like to help you make it happen. The Cleveland Colectivo is seeking projects to support.

The Colectivo is a group of friends, neighborhoods and colleagues. We pool our funds and share our energy to invest it back into projects that we see as worthwhile and exciting in Cleveland. Each member contributes to the Colectivo quarterly and together we choose projects to support. Every month we gather to discuss ideas, learn about area initiatives and organizations, network with a growing circle of members, and continue building the Colectivo.

So now we are again looking for innovative ideas in which to invest. That’s where you come in!

If you have a project that you would like to make a reality, take the first step—visit www.clevelandcolectivo.org and send us your answers to these three simple questions.
Or send your answers to info@clevelandcolectivo.org.

1) What is your proposal?

2) How will this project strengthen our community?

3) What makes your project unique, and why are you the right person to do this?

We welcome individuals, new businesses, and community projects to participate. Grant amounts will range between $500 and $5,000, based on the number of projects selected.
The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2007.
Please keep your response to one page.

Bring your idea to life, and let us help!

Creme de la Femme

2006-10-22T20:56:00.000-04:00

A little plug...

I've been involved with Women's Community Foundation, a small philanthropic organization dedicated to funding programs that optimize the potential of women and girls in the Greater Cleveland area, for nearly six years.

In my time with the Foundation, I have served in many roles (strategic planning, allocating funds, raising funds). Obviously, I'm a big fan of their work, I believe in their mission and I greatly enjoy attending their events, including the upcoming Creme de la Femme - an incredible feast put on by Cleveland's finest female chefs.

This year, Creme happens on Monday, November 13, 2006, 6 - 8:30 PM at the Cleveland Play House (8500 Euclid Ave.) Attendance includes:

An endless supply of the savory and sweet samplings prepared by Cleveland's featured female chefs;
Two complimentary glasses of wine;
Free parking (Please park in lot off Carnegie and enter through the farthest door on your left. Look for signage. For more information call (216) 622 - 0920).

So what's the bottom line? $65.00 per person. Not for everyone, but if you can, I hope you'll consider attending this year's event. It's always a lot of fun and it would be great to see you there. The dessert 'wing' is worth the price of admission alone - believe you me. The chocolate goes quite well with the wine.

Please visit www.wcfcleveland.org for more information or to purchase your ticket, or you can email me with any questions.

The women and girls supported by the Women’s Community Foundation have hopes and dreams – just like we all do. They have the will and determination to make things happen, but sometimes, assistance is needed.

As you were...

You Are Here # 3

2006-10-02T15:13:00.000-04:00

Paul Beegan
35 years old
Architect
Lakewood resident for 11 years

Favorite Place: Celeste Park

“We walk up to the library, we walk up to get ice cream, we walk over to the video store where we’re at and it’s nice to be able to do that, not to jump in a car to go somewhere to do something. I think the other thing too is that our street is very diverse and I think that is something that we want our kids to grow up and experience. Next door to us we have an older woman whose husband passed away and she’s living in this house and next door to her is another older woman who has a two family house and she’s probably in her eighties. There’s a couple rentals, there are different races, different creeds, different political affiliations, a little bit of everything and everybody still watches out for each other, with all of the differences that everybody has. And that community around you, you know, I don’t think you’d notice it but every once in a while when it kind of hits you, it’s a neat thing. It’s a neat thing being able to go to church or go to the grocery store or see at the ice cream store all the people, they’re teachers or the person who’s a teller at the bank or the librarian, all those different people are all involved around us all the time and it’s kind of a neat thing. I think that’s the biggest piece of it. Both of us kind of grew up in suburban areas where I maybe knew the guy next door on both sides and that was about it because you get in your car and drive somewhere. And maybe you knew the people at your church but those aren’t the people that live near you.”

***

Are you interested in participating? Contact Jason Weiner and Kristine Williams at lakewoodandyou@yahoo.com or by calling 216.221.5146.

*A photo-documentary project highlighting the individuals who live in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

Jonathan Kozol Speaking in Cleveland Tomorrow (9/28)

2006-09-27T14:32:00.000-04:00

From a Cleveland State University press release:

CLEVELAND, September 18, 2006 — Jonathan Kozol — educator, activist, author of more than ten books and winner of the National Book Award — will visit Cleveland on Thursday, September 28 to give the President’s Lecture at Cleveland State University at 3 pm and speak at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral at 7 pm. Both events are free and open to the public.

For more than 40 years, Jonathan Kozol has worked with children in inner-city schools, first as a teacher and now as a chronicler of the experiences of children. At both of his Cleveland lectures, Kozol will discuss his newest book, The Shame of The Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America. The book, new in paperback, chronicles his recent time in nearly 60 public schools and the startling, dismal conditions that prevail there for African American children. In the book, Kozol writes, “I look around me at the faces of the children…and often see them also searching into mine, and I cannot discern the slightest hint that any vestige of the legal victory embodied in Brown v. Board of Education or the moral mandate that a generation of unselfish activists and young idealists lived and sometimes died for has survived within these schools and neighborhoods.”

Kozol’s lecture at Cleveland State University will be in Drinko Hall in the Music and Communication Building, 2001 Euclid Ave. Cleveland State will also hold a panel discussion with CSU professors and community leaders, moderated by Dean of the College of Education and Human Services Dean James McLoughlin, on Thursday, October 5 from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm in the Fenn Tower Ballroom - 3rd floor.

“The President’s Lecture is meant to spark lively intellectual conversation that should be happening regularly on campus,” said President Michael Schwartz. “We have some of the finest minds and keenest intellects at our University. Put them together with thought-provoking, perhaps controversial, guest speakers and the ideas, opinions and stimulating discussion will flow.”

Kozol’s lecture at Trinity Cathedral will be in the Nave, with lighted parking adjacent to the building off Prospect. Trinity’s interest in hosting Jonathan Kozol resulted both from the congregation’s ongoing volunteer work at its neighborhood public school, Marion Sterling, and from Kozol’s relationship with St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in the South Bronx, which he chronicled in his book Ordinary Resurrections. “Trinity Cathedral is a piazza: a place where the church stands at the crossroads of life,” said the Very Reverend Tracey Lind, Dean of Trinity. “We seek to be a place where people from all walks of life can meet to discuss the important — and sometimes difficult — issues of the day. We welcome Jonathan Kozol’s voice to the essential conversation about how we can help educate children in America’s poorest city.”

And it was good

2006-09-24T20:49:00.000-04:00

I'm not really into restaurant reviewin', but we went to the opening night extravaganza at Melt, and my taste buds were treated to tasty toasted bread and cheese tid-bits, indeed.

Here's what I had:

The Parmageddon: Potato & cheese perogie, fresh Napa vodka kraut, grilled peppers & onions, cheddar. With the fries and the slaw.

Is that a crazy sandwich or what? I was stuffed, happy and planning my return visit. The music was fantastic, the interior was tastefully decorated with all things Cleveland and the beer selection top notch. Given that the place was packed, the service was pretty good too. I'm really glad to have them in Lakewood and right in my neighborhood, a mere five minute walk from my living room. And there's brunch, too!

There is one issue, though, that's worth pointing out. It's a small space, which by itself is not a problem, but when you add a bunch of smokers to the mix, well, it becomes nearly impossible to breathe. And the food, which is really, really good, becomes hard to taste, savor, and enjoy.

Suggestion: Maybe Melt would consider a smoke-free night or two, or perhaps a smoke-eater or two. I think this would make a big difference. The fact is, a lot of people I know are similar to me in this way: we used to smoke; we don't any more. When discussing my visit to Melt with friends, everyone was very excited about it all until the fact that it's not smoke free came up. Then, disappointment set in. Understandably so.

I hope some adjustments can be made to accommodate those of us who love Melt, but don't smoke. I'll keep coming and will tolerate the smoke when I'm in the mood for some fine food, good music and tasty beers; I hope that the smoking crowd, or at least those that cater to the smoking crowd, will demonstrate tolerance too.

Observing the Colectivo

2006-09-21T11:49:00.000-04:00

This week, the Lakewood Observer published an article that I wrote on the Cleveland Colectivo.

If you are interested, you can read it here (pdf file)

Melt Bar and Grilled

2006-09-20T13:24:00.000-04:00

I've been psyched about Melt (14718 Detroit Ave. Lkwd) opening since I saw their "opening soon" sign during the Lakewood Arts Festival. Well, the wait is over! On September 22nd, Melt will open it's doors and I will head inside for what looks like an awesome selection of grilled cheese washed down with some tasty brew. Check out some of these veg-friendly grills (served with 'sweet slaw' and hand cut fries!) :

Roasted Vegetable: zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, onion, sun-dried tomato pesto, havarti $9.00

Mushroom Melt: Garlic portabellas, caramel port onions, provolone $7.50

Spinach Pie: Wilted garlic spinach, roasted red pepper, grilled onions, feta $7.50

Grilled Peanut Butter & Banana: fresh made smooth peanut butter, sweet cream cheese, mixed berry preserves $6.00

And these good lookin' apps:

Melt Perogies: locally produced potato & cheese, pan fried, grilled onions- $5.50

3 Cheese Spinach Artichoke Dip: crisp tortillas- $8.00

*Quesadilla: cheddar, grilled onions & peppers, roasted corn, Fresh salsa & sour cream- $6.00

*Nacho's: crisp tortillas, cheddar, grilled peppers & onions, sliced jalapeño, fresh salsa- $7.50
*Hand Cut Fries: honey chipotle tomato sauce- $5.50

*Ultimate Fries: 3 cheeses, veggie chili, grilled peppers & onions- $6.50

Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup: our house soup- $3.25

Today's Vegetable: the freshest available- $3.00

Soup of the day: made fresh daily: $3.25

Vegetarian 3 bean chili: cheddar, sour cream, onions- $3.50

Let's not forget the salad:

Melt House: fresh greens, crisp veggies, sun dried tomato, goat cheese, fresh herb croutons- $6.50

Grilled House: fresh greens, raw and roasted veggies, crumbled feta or blue cheese- $7.50 ($9.00 chicken/ $10.50 steak)

Caesar: fresh romaine, mushrooms, fried egg, Romano cheese, fresh herb croutons

$7.50 ($9.00 chicken/ $10.50 steak)
Southwest: fresh romaine, crisp corn tortillas, red pepper, roasted corn, pepper jack, fresh salsa & sour cream

And then there's the bread, cheese and extra topping choices so you can 'build yer own': how about goat cheese or smoked gouda on three seed multi-grain with sliced tomato, roasted garlic and caramel port onion? What's that? I don't know! But I'm glad I can find out this Friday. For dessert: Chocolate Guinness Cake and Fried Twinkies. Well, Guinness Cake anyway.

The best part is, Kris and I can walk there from home, so if it takes two or three (or four) beers to quench my grilled-cheese-and-hand-cut-fry-induced thirst, so be it.

I hope it's good and I hope it lasts. Lakewood is seeing an mini-influx of new restaurants and watering holes and I'm excited to try them all. Maybe I'll see you there! You can check out their myspace page here.

Melt is located at 14718 Detroit Ave in Lakewood, just west of Warren Road.

Indian Grocery in Lakewood

2006-09-16T16:07:00.000-04:00

Driving home this afternoon, we stopped into what may be Lakewood's newest business:

India Food Emporium
17796 Detroit Road Lakewood
216.221.2620

We entered to find a very friendly woman, anxious to answer any questions we may have about Indian cuisine and excited to introduce us to new recipes, ingredients, and methods of cooking. She is very eager to demonstrate that Indian cuisine is not all that difficult. She suggested I think about it this way: if she wanted to cook Mexican or Italian at home one night for her own family, it might be a challenge because she doesn't have any ingredients common to those cuisines sitting around in her own cupboards. It might be easier, then, to pack up the car and head up to Little Italy or over to El Tango. That doesn't mean it's hard per se, it simply means that if she gets the right ingredients and someone to answer a question or two about the basics, she'll gain the confidence to take a chance making eggplant marinara or a lovely mole sauce in her own kitchen. I think she's right, and I'm glad she's here to point me to the right ingredients and answer my questions about Indian cuisine, which I'll undoubtably have. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in and pick up some mango ice cream and a tamarind or mint chutney for your samosas. Bring a question, too, because she loves to share what she knows. I'm motivated by my friend Tim, who's culinary courage has produced some incredible delicacies recently, so I believe I will stop by again soon and purchase myself some spices, sauces, flours and lentils so I can set out on a journey of my own. Once I finish the garlic nan, vegetable samosas and malai kofta in my freezer, that is.

Report on Ohioans Trust of State Government From Joyce Foundation

2006-09-16T09:51:00.000-04:00

From the blog of The Center for Community Solutions:

The Joyce Foundation conducted a survey of public attitudes toward political reform and state government in five Midwestern states, including Ohio. The report (pdf file) found that Ohioans have the least amount of trust in their state government compared to the other states that were surveyed. The survey was conducted in conjunction with the Ohio Citizens Action Fund and the Ohio League of Women Voters.

From the report:

Not only do Ohio residents believe the influence of money in politics has become an obstacle to action on key issues, they also believe it is prohibiting good candidates from running for office. However, much like their fellow Midwesterners, Ohio residents havenÂt thrown in the towel. Ohioans value an honest and accountable government and support reforms to change the climate...

Local and Seasonal Eating in Northeast Ohio

2006-09-16T09:40:00.000-04:00

The Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy and the Ohio Farmers Union have produced the first edition of the Countryside Harvest Guide, "your resource for finding farm-fresh, locally grown produce and delicious foods made right here in Northeast Ohio." You can order or download the guide, which provides a farm directory, a farmer's market directory, a list of Community Supported Agriculture programs, and a list of restaurants, cafes and caterers that attempt to use food produced right here in Northeast Ohio.

I'm looking forward to exploring CSA membership for next year.

Car Sharing in University Circle

2006-09-14T14:09:00.000-04:00

Exciting news about car sharing in Northeast Ohio (with City Wheels - a Cleveland Colectivo grantee!).

From UCI's website, a press release dated September 14th:

"CLEVELAND – University Circle Inc. (UCI) and CityWheels today announced a joint partnership that will bring car sharing to University Circle, the region’s world-class center of innovation in health care, education, and arts & culture. This venture marks the first car sharing program in the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County..." Read the rest here

Learn more about City Wheels Cleveland here
Learn more about the Cleveland Colectivo here
Learn more about Car Sharing here

Lost Jobs

2006-09-14T06:36:00.000-04:00

An interesting article and photo essay from The Tyee (via LiP Magazine's Media Picks) on jobs that no longer exist in America, or changed beyond recognition.

From the article:

"...The decline of North American manufacturing is well documented. And when people speak of lost jobs, they usually mean the same job moving somewhere else. But in many cases, actual types of work have disappeared from North America. From steel mill foremen to grunts in the block ice plants, jobs that were common 60 years ago have either vanished or changed so much as to be unrecognizable..."

Complete article here
Photo essay here

You Are Here #2

2006-09-12T14:50:00.000-04:00

You Are Here # 2

Eileen Libens
64 years old
Conference Center Coordinator and Caterer for IMG
Born and raised in Lakewood

Favorite Place: Koi Pond in her back yard

“I just like the closeness. You always want to have a little more land but still having the neighbors relatively close, I find that pleasant... I can’t imagine leaving. When I lost my tree I was a little depressed because it was so beautiful. And I did look at different places, condominiums and things like that and then I thought, I can’t leave. I can’t do it. So I came back home and I’m here to stay. So I’m constantly redoing the house so I can get my wheelchair around or my walker or whatever, you know, when the time comes. That’s the idea. To be here until the end.

I do go to Caribou. I like their lattes (laughs). I go there a lot. I do try to utilize anything Lakewood. As a matter of fact, if I have something going on, Lakewood is the first [phone] book that I open or I do call Jeff Fillar [Acting Assistant Building Commissioner for Residential Housing, City of Lakewood] and say, OK, who do you suggest to do plumbing, electrician…He’s very good about suggesting.”

***

Are you interested in participating? Contact Jason Weiner and Kristine Williams at lakewoodandyou@yahoo.com

*A photo-documentary project highlighting the individuals who live in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

I'm Back!

2006-09-08T11:03:00.000-04:00

I'm Back!

And I'm not exactly sure why I was gone, but things seem to have refreshed and all is well.

You Are Here # 1

2006-09-04T09:10:00.001-04:00

You Are Here # 1

Tara Zeigler
27 years old
Sales Representative, Toms of Maine
Lakewood resident for 3 years.
Moved here from New Castle, Pennsylvania via Baldwin Wallace College

Favorite Place: Lakewood Dog Park

"So, one of the…things I think is very cool about Lakewood…there is a good renter population. And maybe, you know you don’t want it to be overwhelming and in Lakewood it’s often teetered on being too much of a renter population, but the cool thing with it is that you do get this regular infusion of new people and new ideas. So Steve and I are kind of part of that population. And it’s not so bad having a part of your community where people are [going to] come in and they’re [going to] rent for a little while. And you know what, maybe they are [going to] move on to somewhere else but then you get new people that come in and replace them so you constantly have, and some of those people will stay, some of those people will definitely stay but it’s what keeps the communities vibrant and interesting and a good mix of ages and all of those things. So I think there’s this misconception that if anybody moves out it’s a bad thing. Not necessarily true because somebody else is going to move in. That’s my little soap box. I just get so tired of hearing that, like oh, we [have to] make sure we keep everybody here. But I think…people do move into Lakewood pretty regularly. I’ve heard of more and more people deciding that this is where they want to raise their family, this is where they want to stay. I mean the Lakewood schools are still very good. So, you know, it’s a good mix. And that is a nice feature of it cause a lot of other communities in the area…inner ring suburbs do not have the quality of schools Lakewood has."

Steve Gross
28 years old
Software Developer, Case Western Reserve University
Lakewood resident for 1 year.
Moved here from Massachusetts and Virginia via Cleveland Heights

Favorite Place: Lakewood Dog Park

"I like the fact that we can have a lakefront apartment for not a fortune, wake up every morning and see the sunrise over downtown I mean it’s just astounding…you know our windows face east, [sort of] northeast and the sun’s just right behind downtown, the light is usually lit up on it, bright yellow. And actually, do you know about the light effects on downtown in the evening? In the evening we have a lot of, it’s pretty cloudy around here and you get a lot of cloud cover most of the time. So the cloud cover sits at a couple thousand feet and there’s a point in sundown where the sun drops below the cloud line and if it shines directly on downtown, I’ve tried to capture this with my camera, downtown lights up like a city of gold, but everything else around it stays dark. That’s pretty interesting."

***

Are you interested in participating? Contact Jason and Kristine at lakewoodandyou@yahoo.com.

*A photo-documentary project highlighting the individuals who live in the city of Lakewood, Ohio.

Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway Tours

2006-08-30T11:15:00.000-04:00

Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway Tours

This Saturday, September 2nd, there is a FREE tour of the Veterans Memorial Bridge given by the Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office. Tours run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. More information is here.

Welcome Henry

2006-08-29T16:28:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the world Henry Owen Tovissi.
Born Monday, August 14 2006
Congratulations Lisa and Doug! He's great!

Summer Wedding

2006-08-29T15:09:00.000-04:00

Some shots from Jamie and Alex's wedding
July 15, 2006
East Calais, Vermont
Photos courtesy of and used with permission from cousin Andrew

A rare shot of the men in my family: Jamie, my father, and me (notice the suit jacket struggling to stay buttoned)

Indigo summoned us to the hillside with his beautiful cello playing...

When Alex, accompanied by her parents, Pauline and Tony, came over the hill and the ceremony began...

Charlotte read a poem written by e.e. cummings...

And then my brother, the groom, struggled through his vows.

Ladies and gentleman, husband and wife (and Phinnaeus too!):

To the party! The Low family hosted the reception:

Kris filmed the event, including my tipsy toast to the bride and groom:

Even Phinnaeus got in on the action!

My mother had a great time, as did my cousin and her family

And apparently I thoroughly enjoyed the food

The Starlight Rhythm Boys took us through the evening with honky tonk, r&b and rockabilly music until we said goodnight...

Congratulations Jamie and Alex! Thanks for including me.

New York City

2006-08-24T09:20:00.000-04:00

We went to NYC last weekend!

Our trip revolved around food, food and food, with an occassional visit to a museum, bridge (like the Manhattan Bridge on the right here, shot from the Brooklyn Bridge), or historical immigration site. I think we packed about two weeks worth of walking into three days, but it's worth it. In my opinion, no trip to New York is complete without a bagel from Ess-A-Bagel , a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge ending with a pie and a beer at Patsy Grimaldi's , and some cheap eats at Dojo.

We were fortunate to be in New York for the MOMA's "Free Fridays" night, which is extremely crowded but absolutely worth it. One of my favorite paintings in the museum is Magritte's "Emperor of Lights"

Saturday afternoon we went to the Tenement Museum - an incredible place dedicated to educating people about the experience of the Lower East Side's turn-of-the-century tenement dwellers. We toured through an apartment set in 1916 - the home of the Confino Family where an actor portrayed 14 year old Victoria Confino, a Sephardic Jewish Immigrant from Turkey. For the tour, our group was actually a newly arrived family to the United States, and we were talking with Victoria about life in New York City in 1916 - where we might live, what life is like and what we might expect as newly arrived immigrants to the US. The tour was followed by a fascinating discussion about contemporary immigration in a kitchen setting in the tenement. I would highly recommend this museum if you find yourself in the city.

We spent Saturday night with an improv comedy troupe called Gotham City Improv - not bad and for 7 bucks a head, probably one of the best deals on live comedy in the city. However, the Upright Citizen's Brigade is FREE (9:30 show) on Sunday nights, which I wish I knew before we made plans - next time...

Sunday, we took in more information about immigration when we took a boat ride to Ellis Island, where our tour guide told us about the history of the island and the experience of immigrants coming through this processing station. The island itself is mostly fill from the construction of New York City's subway system, but in earlier incarnations, it served as a food source for Native Americans (called Oyster Island at one point), a failed bar, a military fort and an ammunition storage facility before becomming a processing station for steerage class immigrants sailing the U.S. in the late 19th / early 20th century.

A walk over the Brooklyn Bridge took us to Grimaldi's for some of the best pizza in the world. The bridge is a huge structure and it is exhausting if you tack it on to the end of your day, which we did...Here, Kris is exhausted, resting at the half way point, dreaming about tasty pizza:

And here's Wes and I before, during and post-tasty-pizza:

Thanks, New York! See you sometime soon...

Did someone say Rock and Roll?

2006-08-17T11:34:00.000-04:00

Did someone say Rock and Roll?

Wednesday September 6th, Beachland Ballroom, Shellac
Friday September 15th, Beachland Ballroom, The Woggles
Monday September 25th, Beachland Ballroom, Calexico

If you have to pick just one and you've never seen the Woggles live, do yourself the favor.

2006-08-17T08:10:00.000-04:00

Cleveland Colectivo

There was a Cleveland Colectivo meeting last night. This is such a fun, smart, energetic group of people and I'm so glad I found them. I highly recommend attending upcoming meetings, which are (generally) the third Wednesday of each month. You can learn more by clicking here.

At last night's meeting, year 1 grantees came in to present on their projects. The grantees were City Wheels Cleveland, a car-sharing company; Building Bridges Mural Program, who are working on a mural at W. 25th Street and Detroit Avenue in Ohio City; The Tremont Urban Learning Garden at Lucky's Cafe; and the "Mommy and Me" program at the Westside Refugee Family Center.

I think what is most exciting about this group of grantees is hearing about how the little bit of funding we were able to provide has inspired future plans and expansion. For example, the Learning Garden at Lucky's provided not only fresh produce and a cool environment, but employment for teens in a way that provides both a benefit to the community and an awareness of the greater environment. They want to expand the garden next year and create more opportunities for youth to be involved. In addition, Lucky's seems to have become a real hub of community engagement: there are relationships with City Fresh, the Botanical Gardens, and it sounds like a farmer's market will set up in the lot across the street from Lucky's to share the season's harvest with Tremont residents. To think that a small $750 grant helped make this all possible is truly amazing.

Hat's off to all of the grantees and I'm excited for next year's applicants!

2006-08-11T08:22:00.000-04:00

Today's Zefrank "The Show" post:

Good Stuff

2006-08-07T14:11:00.000-04:00

Would this work in Lakewood?

I grew up in Burlington, Vermont. Burlington is a small city, privileged in many ways: a major University sits on the hill overlooking Lake Champlain, which is largely open and accessible to residents and visitors alike; the Green Mountains rise to the east while the Adirondack Mountains form the horizon to the west; a thriving downtown commercial district hosts year round community celebrations and opportunities for gathering, socializing and community building in general. You’ll find similar scenes in Ithaca, New York and Boulder, Colorado. There’s not much, living in Lakewood, that we can do about the benefits of certain natural resources (can we write a grant to install a mountain range?), but I wonder what we as a community can really do about creating a thriving downtown commercial district?

Looking around Lakewood, I see a lot of development happening along side of vacant storefronts. It creates a real paradoxical situation: how can we sustain new residential and commercial development when we’ve had a difficult time supporting what once was? I am supportive of the development that is going on – don’t get me wrong – but I fear the “out with the old, in with the new” style motivation. We, as a community, already said “No” to this kind of thinking a couple years ago. Other communities have not, and the results have been the “Crocker Parkification” of Cleveland’s outer-ring suburbs and exurbs. These simulacra, though expensive and arguably annoying, do appeal to something in us that we long for: an experience that combines the out-of-doors with our need to gather socially and have a place to spend a little money, too. There’s nothing wrong with this. In fact, my wife and I were surprised one day when we found ourselves at a big bookstore adjacent to a newly-developed mega-mall, bumping into several people we knew from Lakewood and Cleveland, sitting outside, talking, having lunch or a cup of coffee. The question I couldn’t stop asking myself was this: why isn’t there an opportunity to do this in a real downtown, like Lakewood?

I’m sure that everyone envisions the idyllic when thinking about how to improve life in his or her own community. I’m no exception, and so I propose this food for thought:

Close off a 2 or 3 block long section of Madison Avenue and create a “pedestrian –only” (walk your bikes; pick up after your dog) zone. This section should be near enough to the 117^th Street Rapid stop that people could commute from points east and west by train, be served by the shuttle busses, and have bike racks installed (temporary or permanent) for those who ride. It should also be wheel chair accessible. This should happen 4 times next summer, once each in June, July, August and September. For the sake of discussion, let’s say that Madison Avenue from Bela Dubby west to around where B-Ware Video used to be is blocked off. People can park in the municipal lot on the east side of the zone, on the streets, at the RTA station, etc.

So now we have a time frame, a physical space and we have several ways to get there.

Now imagine this: it’s a hot summer day. Malley’s has a scoop cart set up and is selling ice-cold ice cream cones. Tables are set up along the sidewalks, and people are having lunch at Sullivan’s, sitting outside. More tables are set up outside of Bela Dubby and folks are passing the time over iced coffee and the evil IPA. The parking next to Bela Dubby has a stage set up and a Lakewood band is setting up for an outdoor gig. Animal balloon makers, guitar-players, magicians and face-painters traverse the street, engaging children and adults alike. Benches are filled with people, neighbors, swapping stores about summer vacations, gardens, planning for the future and traveling down memory lane with one another. Various interest groups from around Lakewood have information tables set up eager to share their views on the needs of the city, the county, the region, the country… Voter registration tables make sure all eligible residents are registered for the upcoming elections. Local artisans and craftspeople show off and sell their wares. Lakewood’s ethnic and historical heritage is highlighted in a variety of displays around the street. A farmer’s market sells fresh fruits and vegetables. Additional local businesses are tapped for their offerings: fresh flowers, antiques, smoothies and sandwiches. The Lakewood Public Library runs a book sale satellite station. People pour in from Cleveland, Rocky River, Westlake, North Olmsted, Avon, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights…

Is it a street fair? A festival? How about “Lakewood Days?” Or, is it something that could become a permanent part of our social, physical and economic fabric?

Think about the empty storefronts in that strip. Wouldn’t it make sense for a bookstore, boutique, art gallery, or a (gasp) souvenir shop to move in? Can you picture a sculptural fountain centerpiece where kids splash and play (have you been to Millennium Park in Chicago)? Can you picture an outdoor concert series, in addition to the one at Lakewood Park, that focuses on Lakewood musicians? How about outdoor movie screenings for families?

What would you like to see? What can you contribute?

If you’ve answered those questions, how can we continue to build a Lakewood that reflects the preferences of those who live here? How can we continue to build a Lakewood that addresses the needs of those who live here? I know that, if I was looking for somewhere to move, I would rank very highly how well a community is aware of its own identity and what it does to cultivate and celebrate that. We identify with where we’re from (what does a New Yorker bring to mind, for example) so why not be from somewhere genuine? I think one of the biggest problems of ‘redevelopment’ is the yearning for something, or someone, that is not there. You know how when you are talking to someone and it’s clear that, even though they are in front of you, they are really cranking their neck to see if there’s someone else in the room that they should be standing by, instead of engaging in the conversation they are actually in? That’s what this ‘Creative Class’ model of redevelopment reminds me of; building something because it’s ‘cool’ does little more than isolate the people in town who don’t identify with that version of ‘cool,’ and attracts people from out of town who contribute to that kind of isolation. If everyone in town likes chocolate and strawberry but you focus on selling vanilla because you can sell it for more to the people who live in another town, that’s disingenuous. If you celebrate what is great about chocolate and strawberry, then you appeal to the home team, and the people who prefer vanilla may very well become interested in learning what’s so great about chocolate and strawberry. Similarly, there will be some people who like chocolate and strawberry who will want to spend some time exploring what the vanilla people love about vanilla. Eventually, you have some new, exciting flavors to work with.

I’m not accusing Lakewood of heading down the vanilla highway, I just fear the temptation to do so. I think there is something alluring about being the first kid on the block to host a highly recognizable idea or brand. But then you are just competing with other towns that can build the same thing, only bigger and better. By focusing on what is unique about our town and building along those lines, no one can compete with us; who could build a bigger, better Lakewood?

2006-08-07T11:26:00.000-04:00

FREE things to do in Cleveland!

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

2006-08-04T15:48:00.000-04:00

Last night was Tim's bachelor party. We were a small group of folks singing, playing guitars, drums and tambourines while drinking beer and eating cake on the back patio at the Lava Lounge. I met a lot of interesting new people: a sculptor, a teacher, several guitar players, a Saab technician and a hip-hop artist. Best bachelor party I ever attended, indeed.

Tomorrow is the Lakewood Arts Festival! Should be a lot of fun and we'll have an opportunity to promote the You Are Here project, too. There is also a book sale at the Lakewood Public Library, and then we're off to a baby shower for our friends Mike and Danielle, who will be proud parents come September. Lisa and Doug, however, may be transforming into proud parents as I write this.

Sunday, I think we'll head over to the closed-off MLK Boulevard and partake in the festivities.

Kris has several new paintings and felted cloche hats at the Local Girl Gallery, and a sample of the Collectible Escalators catalog is available there as well (Mike Uva, Machine Go Boom, Goodmorning Valentine, Zapruder Point, Short Hand). The gallery is at 16106 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood.

2006-08-01T10:28:00.001-04:00

Coming in September

Me and My Monkey will be the online home of You Are Here*. We will regularly post photographs and transcripts of interviews relating to the You Are Here* photo-documentary project. Check back often for updates!

You Are Here* is a project that highlights what Lakewood residents feel about their city. We feel that a project like this shares a great affinity with many of the community efforts beginning and ongoing in our city. Walking around Lakewood, it’s hard to miss the transformation that is underway: structures and spaces are emerging that appeal to our intellectual, physical, recreational, commercial and social needs. In many ways, the catalyst that was “Issue 47” engaged a community that, several years later, has not allowed itself to recede into apathy. Rather, we are witnessing the emergence of an engaged, pro-active and committed community dedicated to creating the kind of place that they want to live in. But the question remains: who are you? To that end, we would like to use this project as a forum to meet as many Lakewood residents as possible. We would like to photograph you in your favorite place in Lakewood and discuss with you what you feel makes Lakewood a special place. These biographical vignettes will regularly be published in the Lakewood Observer. Publishing them in the Observer means that you get to share, and other people get to learn about, who you are and what you feel makes Lakewood a special place. Ultimately, a quilt of individuals and experiences will be available to all who live here, and those who do not live here yet, strengthening the sense of community that is Lakewood, Ohio.

2006-07-31T12:31:00.000-04:00

Walk and Roll Cleveland!

I was super happy to learn about this but surprised that so many people were unaware when I brought it up in conversation or sent the announcement out in an email. So were they. I don't doubt the promotional efforts of the group, but I wonder why/how so many of the people I shared this with, many who are very engaged with the region, did not hear about it.

Kudos to the folks who put "Walk and Roll Cleveland" together! It looks like it's gonna be a lot of fun - let's hope the weather cooperates.

From their website:
"For 2006, “Walk and Roll Cleveland” will be Sunday August 6th and Sunday August 13th, from 11am until 5pm. MLK Drive between Rockefeller Greenhouse and the tennis courts is 2.1 miles which is a perfect distance to encourage bicycle riding, rollerblading, walking, jogging, picnicking and exploring.

"Some of the FREE activities in Rockefeller Park include:
Plays by local theaters
Inline skating lessons
Music by new artists
Chalk festival
History of the Cultural Gardens
Bicycle safety classes
Yoga + Tai Chi
Ultimate frisbee tournament
Ethnic dancing

Wow!

2006-07-31T12:15:00.000-04:00

Lakewood Schools

Lakewood's school building project is at the half-way point and seems to be on schedule, according to this article.

2006-07-29T09:45:00.000-04:00

Free Book on Revolver
(thanks, boing boing)

I haven't read this yet, but here's a link to a Creative Commons licensed free e-book on The Beatles' Revolver (1966) called Abracadabra. Let me know what you think!

2006-07-28T09:53:00.000-04:00

Interesting spots on the Internet, courtesy of http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html

Could we replicate this in Northeast Ohio?
New York Times Learning Network
CBC Radio Podcasts
What Does It Mean To Be An American
An interesting presentation of "The Top 20 Small/Midsize/Large Cities For Doing Business"
The Digital Library of Appalachia
Do you know what you're eating?
My Bad Boss (can you relate?)
Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons

2006-07-27T13:25:00.000-04:00

For a delightful, refreshing drink...

we were at a coffee shop in VT on a hot july afternoon and wanted something cold to drink.

"Maple Fizz" or some such thing was a mere $4.00... What's in it?

16 oz. seltzer
2 tbsp. maple syrup (more or less to taste)
stir and enjoy!

not sure i'd ever pay $4.00 again (ok, i'm a sucker, but i was a very hot, sweaty, thirsty sucker at the time).

2006-07-27T13:13:00.000-04:00

From WFMU's "Beware of the Blog":

"Here's a cool short film of the great Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and his Quintet of the Hot Club of France performing J'Attenndrai ("I Will Wait" - download video, 12 meg, Quicktime file) A newsreel-style announcer introduces the band as they lounge around a room, smoking and playing cards while a young Django and Stephane Grappelli lightly jam. Then it goes into a full blown performance of the Quintet. This is the first time I've ever seen Django play, after loving his music for 30 years. You can get a good view of Django's fret hand, which had two damaged fingers from a fire he suffered when he was eighteen. Despite his permanent hand injury, Django went on to be one of the main innovators of using the guitar as a melody instrument, along with Charlie Christian, Lonnie Johnson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Video via Djangobooks."

http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/02/videos_france_g.html