Recently, Charles Michener, NEO's favorite prodigal son, raconteur and bon vivant, penned an ode to living in NEO, which was published in the Plain Dealer. 

If you could recommend one book to read in 2010, what would it be?

How will demographics change the course of NEO? I am especially concerned about the categorizations the ten-year census will use to determine funding allocations.  Should ethnicity matter?  Ohio stands to lose a House seat.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/23/real_estate/fastest_growing_states/index.htm

I recently found out about this City of Cleveland service--is there an app for it? 

Why not be able to report minor fender bender incidents?  This would greatly free up police officers.  Here are the reporting options:

It seems that no matter where we are in NEO, there is no way to get away from the FAMILY...not even that long walk in the park.

How does Larkin know all of this inside information?...And how is it that Developer Fred Rzepka is never questioned for his life-time board position and opportunity to award contracts?

The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Victor Liva today at Zion United Church of Christ in Tremont today--was transcendent.

The music felt like chocolate for the soul, after subsisting on bread and water for too long. 

Today's long journey...had some rewards...a prayer for peace.

We're still here...and we're ALIVE!  Thanks NORM :)

ODOT and the control over ODOT to determine real estate and land use in NEO has been a reign of terror and an abuse of absolute power.  Whole neighborhoods and communities have been systematically wiped out.  Neighbors are expendable.

In the past, it was apparent that the man with absolute power was Albert S. Porter, County Engineer and Democratic Party Chair.*  

If you attempt to ride RTA and the fare box machine at the station is not operating and you attempt to pay as you board the train, but the fare box on the train is not operating--does that make you a criminal?

The front page story on the government taking of Frank Giglio's home and land should provide a compelling enough reason for our mainstream media outlet--the Plain Dealer--to investigate how government tyranny using CDC harrassment, code enforcement, demolition and the corrupt cycle of $$$ foreclosure and lien transactions has been used by the advantaged to take property from disadvantaged residents in Northeast Ohio.

Look closely. Washington Crossing the Delaware.

What is this painting saying to you?

As the day becomes night, should we fear the darkness?

A REALNEO member posted a viable solution to protest the injustice committed against one man who had his property stolen from him in Tremont. 

Why was this pulled from REALNEO?

Trust?  So, the sign says...on Cleveland's Cold Storage Building on Abbey Rd.

On my way to hear the amazing Loung Ung at Cleveland Public Library, I caught a few minutes of Busker Bradley J. on East Fourth St. 

He is scraping by in NEO by playing guitar on the streets.  So far, he has eluded the authorities, and he admits he hasn't checked the cost of a busker license. 

Councilman Cummins and Councilman Cimperman--this is an open forum and it is commendable to see that you both have participated here.  Please, as a citizen request, post the CDBG Neighborhood Development Activity Allocations for Wards 13, 14, and 15 for 2009-2010.  Each city ward receives approximately $400,000 per year with approximately 15 percent allocated towards social services.

The House passed an historic health care bill - how did your Representative vote? Find out and contact them here: http://is.gd/4PTXs

How many local governments in NEO--have applied for federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants?

Architecture 2030 provides a template for local governments to use:

Does it make sense for a school district to abandon buildings, defer maintenance on all,  demolish and rebuild some buildings at enormous cost, when the district is strapped for operational funding? 

Well, that is what CMSD continues to do.  Is that Sustainable Cleveland?

It's not all gloom and doom--here are some uplifting images from a grey day in Cleveland.