Johnny's Lanterns

I posted a picture of the lanterns outside of Little Bar. This restaurant is the upscale establishment that is associated with it - Johnny's.

As you can tell, the lanterns are much more ornate and really grab your attention. I find it amazing that more of the globes for the lanterns have not been smashed during a wild weekend evening in the warehouse district.

Nap in the Park

One the way home from lunch the other afternoon, I was walking through the Lincoln Park in Tremont. I noticed this person was sleeping on a bench.

Since I have been taking photos of people sleeping in public places for years, I quickly grabbed my cell phone and snapped a camera. This photo reminds me of a photo I shot in the town square in Alexandria, Virginia in early 2002.

Ironically, I don't have any of the photos from this series scanned or online. I think that might be a good project for this weekend.

Rib Cook Off Counter Help

Against the advice of every weather person in town, I went to the Rib Cook Off to see K. C. and the Sunshine band yesterday. The weather was great. It was warm and sunny. Some of the ribs were amazing.

I won a ticket to the Taste of Cleveland by playing the APL's Slide the Beer Mug game. With the lovely weather and good ribs (I think Bubba's Q was the best), I was inspired to have a nice margarita. While I was standing in the long line, I noticed the hair style of the counter help. This picture reminded me of the many times I was at New Orleans Jazz Fest.

The whole thing felt very reminiscent of that festival. Good music, good food and good drinks! You can't ask for much more.

Speedy the Turtle Onlookers

Just as I was fascinated by the turtles in the park, other pedistrians stopped and looked at the turles.

There were several people that were stopping to look at the bigger turtle and then the small turtles. It was pretty funny that a lot of people were keeping their distance.

I do have to admit that speedy was living up to his name for a turtle, but it amazed me that people were standing so far away. It was like they were afraid that Speedy would catch up to them.

The kids on the park eventually got adventurous and started to get a bit close to the Speedy.

Speedy the Turtle in Tremont Park

Memorial Day Monday was georgeous weather. I was sitting on my porch talking with my sister and watching the pedestrian traffic in the park. I noticed the police stopping and talking with some people who were getting out of a truck.

When the police pulled away, I noticed the three people had turtles. They had three turtles of all sizes. I grabbed my camera and walked over to take some pictures. This photo is of Speedy the turtle and his owner.

The owner was explaining to me that the shell of the turtle was so pointed because the previous owner had not taken proper care of the turtle and it had a diseased shell.

Purple Flowers in the Yard

When I was shooting mushrooms in my yard, I also noticed the lovely purple flowers in the rhodedendren bush.

The lovel spring weather has been bringing all of the flowers in the neigborhood out. I especially love these flowers and their color.

Mushrooms in the Yard

I have been noticing these mushrooms that have been sprouting up in yards all over the neighborhood. Although they can be incredibly annoying (especially when they creep up through your walls), if you take a close look, the intricate patterns on the mushroom face are pretty amazing.

I shot a few of the different mushrooms in the yard. Some of the photos are in black & white and some are in color.

Color Mushroom Group
Black and White Mushroom
Black and White Mushroom Close

Torpedo Heater Repair

For the past few days, I have been walking by a the businesses that are located on Scranton Avenue in the flats of Cleveland. One sign has been catching my attention.

I am assuming it is a heater repair company owned by someone named Torpedo. However, it might really be a place thaat repairs torpedo heaters.

Ok, before you laugh, I looked it up and there is such a thing as a torpedo heater. It is NOT a heater on a torpedo, but a type of heater.

Rain Reflections of Bridge - Redux

When I posted a photography of the bridge reflected in a puddle, I didn't think it truly showed how brilliant the colors where in the morning light.

As I walked home, the same rain puddle was there and the colors of the bridge were much more brilliant. I find it amazing how much images and reflections can changed based on the time of day and strength of the sun.

Cleveland Skyline from West Shore

This photograph shows the Cleveland skyline from the shore of Lake Erie. Edgewater park is one of the few places in the city where pedistrians can use a beach or fish off of the peer.

It is also the location of a great park called Wendy Park.

Rain Reflections of the Bridge

I posted a series of photographs a few weeks ago that were reflections in rain puddles. On my walk to work in the morning, I was able to take another photo of the bridge I walk under in a reflection.

As I have mentioned previously, I have an affinity for bridges. I started thinking about why. It must goes back to my affinity for water (I am a astrological cancer and like to be near water). In most cases, where there is a bridge, there is water.

I thought this photo was a nice combination of both of those things. It also goes to show that you can discover in the more unattractive places. Trust me, the industrial flats are not what anyone would term beautiful.

I guess that is the trick. Beauty is everywhere, you just have to look for it.

The Lanterns at Little Bar

One of the great things about working in the warehouse district of Cleveland is that there is a lot of personality to the area. Most of it comes from the buildings themselves. I think it is a great part of the city because it was run down and untouched through the 'rebuilding years' after World War II.

Since the warehouse district underwent a renaissance after people realized the beauty of these historic buildings, a fair amount of original features are still in place. As I was walking into the office today, I noticed the laterns outside of Little Bar.

Aside from being a great place, Little Bar is one of those stalwarts that has survived the rise to West 6th into a hip and glamorous place.

The lantern caught my because of the glass. It was either styled to look this way, or the glass is so old that it is imperfect. Given the thickness, I am hoping for the second one.

Major Hooples Bar

Yesterday, I walked to work. I also walked home. However, I did make a pit stop on the way to have a beer. There is a great joint on the bend in the river called Major Hooples. The view from the bar is spectacular.

Even better are the local patrons who frequent the place. It is the kind of joint where everyone knows each other, they have great burgers and music every week. The Schwartz Brothers play there every Thursday and the beer is always cold.

Not a bad place to stop after a long day at work.

Graffiti With A Heart

As I was walking to work this morning, I noticed the walls along the industrial roadways were covered with graffiti tags. I am not a huge fan of the random tags on the wall, but occasionally I will see something that resembles art.

I passed this graffiti that was hidden in a doorway of an abandoned storage facility. It reminds me of some other graffiti that I had seen at the top of University drive.

I had passed by a sign guy sign, but the photo didn't come out that well. Maybe on my walk tomorrow, I can get a better exposure of it.

Utz Carolonia Style Bar-B-Q chips

So the photo isn't really a great shot. However, it is not an uninspired photo. These potato chips ROCK! I mentioned them to my co-worker Jason, of Eurohawk fame. He brought back several bags of them from his vacation in the Outer Banks.

Now, my devoted passion to Utz Carolina Style Bar-B-Q chips was almost unbelievable. However, when Jason and my boss Tom tried them, they completely agreed with my assessment. I have been trying not to eat them all morning. Needless to say, I haven't been that successful in my attempts.

Thank goodness I can't take them to meetings.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

As many of you know, there is an old saying, "April showers bring May flowers." While visiting Pennsylvania this weekend, I found this to be true. Granted, there are buds sneaking out in Ohio, but the few degrees of temperature difference has the flowers in full bloom.

The grass is green and lush on the hillsides - not quite what Cleveland looks like right now. I am sure in a few weeks, Northern Ohio will be cathing onto the explosion of spring.

Green in the City

Green - it is everywhere. Everyone is talking about the environment and the price of gas. Personally, I have been enjoying a different kind of green - the one that spring brings every year. I am very fortunate to have a nice view out of my window.

The row of budding trees makes the view enjoyable. I love this time of year. You leave your winter jacket at home, get your flip flops out of storage and enjoy all of the colors of nature. Not a bad way to waste a few minutes at work.

The Man With The Plan

Yesterday, I had the privilege of going on a hard hart tour of a new water park that is going to be opening this month. The preview of Maui Sands Resort was great. We got to see all of the cool behind-the-scenes action including under the water park floor in the pump room.

When they said it was a hard hat tour, they were not kidding. My boss, Tom was very intent on learning every detail about the resort. In this photograph, he looks like the Man with The Plan.

On a different note, it is hard to pull off a hard hat, Hawaiian lei and a suit, but I think Tom does it quite nicely. Aloha!

Tremont Tressel Bridge

I have previously mentioned that I really enjoy the bridges of Cleveland. I posted a photo of this tressel bridge a few weeks ago. Yesterday, I noticed a train going across it on my drive home. I know this was a working bridge, but I had never seen a train cross it.

I tried to quickly pull over a get a great shot of the engine steaming across the front of the bridge. It didn't really work out that way. I did manage to get a photo of it heading across the river.

The sky in the background did not come out well because I hadn't taken the time to set the exposure correctly. I decided to convert it to black and white instead. The other photo I snapped of the bridge came out with a much better balance, but the train is not so visible on the bridge.

The Parkview Boar's Head

Recently, I have been hanging out at a place called the Parkview. Aside from the good food and friendly bar service, the Parkview has local blues acts play there every week including Colin Desault and Kristine Jackson.

Over the past few months when I have been hanging out there, I have noticed the boars head over the bar with a lot of interesting things attached to it. Aside from the interesting Cleveland memorabilia, the boars head is the resident animal.

Why did I feel compelled to take a photo of it. I was going to pass then I remembered I had taken a photo of the Moose at Otto Moser's. I guess it is only fair to give the Parkview some online recognition.Publish Post

What is it with people and animals in the is town? There are a ton of bars with animal heads, not to mention the ones named after animal (Winking Lizard, Blind Pig, Velvet Dog, etc).

Park At Your Own Risk

I live in Tremont. It is a community that is very involved in keeping crime at a minimum. There are several block associations and a lot of people get involved in keeping it a safe neighborhood.

Even better, people will take action to give fair warning to visitors to Tremont. I think this sign serves two purposes . . one is to warn of potential theft. The other is to warn of potential tickets. There can be an increase in street ticketing during the evening hours. (Maybe because there are less donut shops open)

At any rate, you have to love a good citizen who protects through art. This one was done by the sign guy.