Re-thinking Borders

Ron Rael says the wall on the US/Mexico border is expensive, detrimental to the environment, ineffective, and even deadly, since hundreds die of dehydration each year as they try to cross the border.

“I have to accept the wall because it exists, but as a designer I see that something better is possible. Why not do something intelligent, something incredible? I envision not just a ‘dumb wall,’ but a social infrastructure that connects and improves lives on both sides.”

His designs for a better, more useful, more environmentally friendly, innovatiave wall.

Aren't they Cute?

Only a week later, and at least half my seeds have sprouted.

Every Piece of Plastic Ever Made Still Exists Today

No matter where you live, what you do affects our oceans:





Here's what some Clevelanders are doing to get people to "Drink Local, Drink Tap". Visit the Sustainable Water 2019 group Tower City this week to get involved.

Starting off Spring with Logic, Creativity & Chaos

It's time to plan and plant the garden again. My process is an equal mix logic, creativity and chaos. First I get out all of my seeds and spread them all over the ground. I draw a picture (not to scale) of the backyard and how I want the flow (colors, heights, shapes, etc.). Notice the coffee is an important part of the process.


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Then, I get practical and use graph paper to plan out how much of what will fit in the space I'm working with. Based on that number, I know how many of which seeds to start. I also plan which seeds I'll sow directly outside and when. Also, I figure out which ones will get planted in the community garden plot instead of the backyard.



Finally, I put it all together and spend 6-8 weeks babying my seedlings until I harden them off with tough love and transplant them to the great outdoors.

Fickle March

You're like a Cleveland Gray when there's daffodils blooming in the alleys and the sylvan cyclists glide by in the afternoon and when you dream the Guardians of the bridge stretch out their arms and drop their vehicles from a great height and the splash into the river sends ripples to the lake and back again to shore when a mysterious gull flies out of the valley his call bounces off the top of our towering city and then vanishes when you wave your wand and change the melody.

Pop Up Pearl

On May 21st, from noon until dusk, Old Brooklyn along Pearl Road will transform into Pop Up Pearl. For one day, vacant storefronts will showcase Pop UP gift shops, art galleries, restaurants and a more. If you've got an idea to fill a vacant storefront you can participate.

1996-97 was a good year

I had forgotten about the Primitive Radio Gods until Last.fm reminded me to like them. Remembering to like their song, Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in my Hand, reminded me to like Pepper by the Butthole Surfers and Brimful of Asha by Cornershop. It's good to remember to like what you like.

We Are Not Vacant

"Just because we have vacant lots and abandoned houses in our neighborhood doesn't mean we live in a vacant and abandoned neighborhood."

-Barbara Anderson speaking at a Neighborhood Connections holiday party


Need proof? Check out the Re-imagining Cleveland's Ideas to Action Resource Book.