This I Believe

I am finally reading, “This I Believe” that I received for my birthday. As I’m reading these eloquently written essays that people like John McCain, Newt Gingrich, Bill Gates, Helen Keller and Colin Powell wrote, I can’t help thinking about the things that I believe in. The list is long. I believe in so many things that it's hard to think about writing an essay on one thing. These are just a few of the things that I strongly believe in.

Lake Erie

I believe in Lake Erie that I have the privilege of living close to. I run along the shore and gaze in amazement this beautiful body of water that we depend on. It’s our lifeline. Without water, no one can survive. I adore the lake in summer and winter when I saw up close waves frozen in time during our below zero temperatures last year. I just stared; how can it freeze so quickly. 

This morning I saw a father and son carrying fishing poles, anxiously heading to the stream. During the summer months, many people hit the pier to catch some fish. So, I find it hard to comprehend that the same people litter Lake Erie with various items: plastic juice bottles, glass beer bottles, empty potato chip bags and broken fold-up chairs.

I try not to look and pretend this litter is not here. I constantly scratch my head and scream to myself as I pick the litter up and deposit it to the nearest recycle bin. Seriously! Don’t these people realize what they’re doing to this vital body of water? Choking our fish and other creatures that inhabit the lake. I find this act of ignorance so distressing. I try not to let it get to me but it’s difficult. 

Viktor Schreckengost's signature that I will treasure always

Books

I believe in books where I spend my workout time reading. I have dispensed with my iPod and find myself immersed in story after story as my breathing accelerates on the cross trainer. Admittedly, this is the only time that I “pencil-in” to read. 

My favorite books are nonfiction where I’ve read about politics, “The New, New Deal” to Mary Roach’s, “Gulp” and “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai the 2014 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize where I’ve written some reviews on this blog post. I also have photography and art books where I enjoy looking at artwork by Rodin, Picasso and local artist Viktor Schreckengost where I remember standing in line at the Cleveland Museum of Art for him to sign my book. I will never forget that “firm handshake.”

I value the few books that I have signed: Scott Simon, “Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other” and Christo & Jeanne-Claude, “On the Way to The Gates.”  I love all books where I can learn and experience something new.

As long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed reading. From the Dick and Jane books to “James and the Giant Peach.” It was my way to explore new adventures and escape my isolation. I let my mind wander and think. 

One summer when I was only seven, my family and I went to Greece. I completely forgot that I had a few books from the library sitting at home. I was frantic that I forgot to return the books before we left. When we got back home, I explained the situation and the librarian understood. “Phew,” I thought I would have to pay tons of money in overdue fines. I’m not sure why I didn’t bring the books with me.

As a child, I remember reading on the floor in our small dinning room overlooking the tiny backyard. I laid on my stomach reading for hours large picture books, turning the pages anxiously. I couldn’t wait to go back to the library and get more. 

I’m dumbfounded where my passion for books came from, neither my parents read. My dad looked at the newspaper and that’s about the extent of it.

As an Adult educator and book lover, I believe in life long learning and books.

Biking

I believe in my bike where I depend on my own power to get from point a to point b. I find it exhilarating to abandon my car when I volunteer at the Transformer Station on W 29 Street that is about an hour from my house. I pack a change of clothes in my backpack and bring plenty of water for my trek. I get excited when I breath the fresh air into my lungs and view the nearby landscape – trees, beautiful Bratenhal homes and the Urban Lambscape off East 55th as animals graze in the grass. 

I get a workout in and avoid racking up the miles in my car. I’ve saved miles and miles on my car as I pedal through the downtown streets. Sustainability is my mantra as SUV’s pass me by honking obnoxiously and giving me a dirty look. I’m wearing my helmet therefore, I can be on this road. Get over it!

I’ve been so inspired by reading, “This I Believe” that it gives me hope with all the ideas that people have put into words and verbalized on NPR. I’ve thought about doing an essay but have yet to do it. Maybe this is the push I need to get my ideas written.

I’m happy that I received this book for my birthday. If you can’t find a great idea for a gift, I’m always grateful to receive a book. 

Book:

This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women

Web site: thisibelieve.org

Book Review Last year on "Gulp"

Tenth Anniversary Ingenuity Festival - September 26-28 2014

Ingenuity Website - Tesla Performance

One of my favorite event for the fall is Ingenuity. Since they were celebrating their Tenth Anniversary, I couldn’t wait to experience it. I walked down to Warehouse 32 through the outdoor Rock and Roll Hall of Fame path where I immediately saw vendors. A row of vendors and food trucks with an outdoor stage playing some wonderful music by Honeybucket. So far so good, I thought. I continued on and walked further where this wonderful path overlooking the lake was blocked off (This is where the festival was last year, right along the lake). Then I walked into Warehouse 32 and half the warehouse was closed off. 

What is going on I thought? Where is the festival? Did I walk pass the art and missed all the cool stuff? 

Nope! That was the entire festival - two band stages, a few food trucks and vendors selling T-shirts, dog bandanas, and nostalgic items (The Cleveland Flea). What happened to the festival that I looked forward to all year? 

That didn’t happen this year. I so disappointed that I was bored in about 30 minutes. I continued to walk toward the Science Center still thinking I missed it. Nothing blew me away. The only word that summed up my experience is “lame.” It looked like they through it together at the last minute. 

I only bumped into a few people that I knew - their expression was the same as mine. Where is the “ Ingenuity?”

I remember when they had the first Ingenuity under the Detroit Superior Bridge, I was in awe. They had artwork displayed in these nook and crannies. I walked back and forth in disbelief. What a cool space! What an inventive idea. That’s all I thought about.

I listened to bands from Brooklyn and dance performances under the bowels of the earth. Opera at the top of these old, dilapidated steps. Artwork hung in an old abandoned bathroom. Subway cars sitting idle and steps overflowing with water. It was mesmerizing. I can’t believe I’ve never been down here. I was tired but continued to walk in case I missed something. That’s Ingenuity of years past.

The first Ingenuity was along Euclid Avenue before Cleveland’s resurgence. There was a stage sitting in the middle of the street with wonderful performances. There was artwork in abandoned alleyways that you didn’t dare go to at night. Who knows who might be lurking in the shadows. That’s what made Ingenuity so special - it brought a festival to these out of the way places that you would never think would be cool! 

The first Ingenuity was a little spread out where they had artwork at the Galleria, which I think had a trolley car taking you there. I remember not going since it was out of the way. (I did go on a quiet Saturday afternoon, where East 12 was kind of spooky back then). Plus, I think the old AmeriTrust rotunda was open –I missed that too. My sister and I hung out along Euclid Avenue embracing this unusual event in the middle of Downtown. I have to applaud Thomas Mulready and James Levine for bringing this event into Downtown when many were afraid to come.

The following year, Ingenuity took East 4th Street by storm. There was nothing there except a few shops that nobody ever heard of. I remember sitting on a chair listening to a band on a dilapidated East 4th and looking to my left at an abandoned, open building where artwork was hung and performances going on. I was intrigued that someone had the vision to turn something so unappealing into an art venue. Again, that’s what Ingenuity was - bringing people to a place you’ve never been and seeing it in a new light. 

Year after year, Ingenuity brought you there. One year, I remember a group trying to save the old Ameritrust Tower that was designed by Marcel Breuer. It was in the old Cowell & Hubbard building that is now a Zack Bruell restaurant. That event opened my eyes to the importance of keeping this nostalgic building. In fact, my architecture friend participated in a march to “save the building” from the recking ball. Finally, I walked by there a few weeks ago and it is a high-end hotel, Metropolitan 9. Once nobody wanted this eyesore on Ninth Street, now it glistens as a new upcoming area. 

I experienced many unusual artists as I attended Ingenuity. Under the bridge was my favorite venue – my favorite art installation was by Qian where she embraced her Asian roots by having these red illuminated lanterns floating on water. I still remember this work after three years. It was so peaceful that it pulled my heart strings. 

I understand you can’t use The Bridge year after year – it will lose it’s effectiveness as a cool venue. But seriously, for Ingenuity’s Tenth Year Anniversary, they showed me nothing creative or inspiring that I have to tell everyone you must attend!  This was the same venue as the last two years. Couldn’t you surprise me with something that “blew me away” that I have not seen in the last ten years?  

The music was good; this electric, Tesla music where performers were in this booth and electricity was producing this cool sound; the band, Commonwealth was great. 

All I can say is, I should of stayed home.

Saving Ameritrust Tower

http://www.gcbl.org/projects/green-modernism-preserving-the-breuer-tower

Ingenuity History

http://ingenuitycleveland.com/history/