Brooklyn Centre National Wildlife Community

City of Cleveland :: Division of Park Maintenance and Properties: Destroying public property at will to lighten the maintenance workload

We are posting this email here for the record with regard to the city’s arrogant and high-handed attempt to destroy mature, big trees in W. C. Reed Park. Portions of this communication are mine, and others are Laura McShane’s:

Hello all-

This kind of high handed "full steam ahead" without adequate community engagement is unacceptable.

Destroying trees that have a value of $192,973 per tree and replacing them with 2 in. saplings because they MAY BE toxic is unacceptable.

Trashing a neighborhood park in the name of "remediation" with funds from the EPA is unacceptable.

For years, residents near the park have asked for routine maintenance of the trees only to be told how long the maintenance list is, how small the Urban Forestry budget is, and how short handed they are is unacceptable.

In the light of the unwillingness for the City to provide the documentation that provides the FACTS concerning why the trees must be destroyed is unacceptable.

I find it exceedingly strange that when new housing was proposed along the park and on Denison Avenue, these environmental concerns were down[played as "having no effect" but when park improvements that are strictly discretionary and DO NOT have to be done, environmental issues that will allow EPA funds be used for a contract for remediation the landscape changes.  WHY???

Please provide the documents the residents requested posthaste and STOP the forward momentum until the community has answered.

Gloria Ferris

__________________________________________________________________

 

On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 9:56 AM, Laura McShane <lmcshane23@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hello Ms. Roberson,

Please release all planning and informational documents pertaining to the renovation and   remediation of WC Reed Field.

Residents have not received materials as promised at public meeting held at St. Barbara's Church in December 2012.  Commissioner Cox assured residents that these materials would be made available for review at the Cleveland Public Library Brooklyn Branch 3706 Pearl Rd. Cleveland OH 44109.

We are now being told that the City of Cleveland plans to proceed with contract under Ohio EPA for remediation that is to include removing all trees at the park. 

For the record, residents have not been given adequate information or notice for this to proceed and residents are opposed to removal of mature oak trees in the park.

Regards,

Laura McShane

216.739.1809

City of Cleveland :: Division of Park Maintenance and Properties

Living Sustainable Living Workshops To Be Held at Grace Brothers

 

Hi Gardeners,Grace Brothers Farm, Garden and Pet at 1907 West 65th Street is offering FREE WORKSHOPS on the 23rd and 24th of March!

March 23rd and 24thFree Sustainable Living Workshops

Saturday, March 23rd: 

10:00 am – Raising Backyard Chickens

12:00  Noon– Intro to Beekeeping

2:00 pm – Getting Along With Goats

4:00 pm – Good Dirt – Worm Composting

 

Sunday, March 24th:

12:00 Noon – Urban Vegetable Gardening

2:00 pm -  Raising Backyard Chickens

Faith, Christmas, the Winter Solstice and More

During the cold, dark days of winter our faith can be shaken. Fellow Greg Cznadel in this Christmas poem speaks to our belief that Nature will again repeat the cycle that gives us hope in the spring, beauty in the summer, gorgeous color in the fall, and the regeneration so needed during the long winter nights.

However, you celebrate the holidays, please enjoy this beautiful poem. 

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

by Greg Cznadel

I believe Mother Nature never stops giving, awake after winter, she celebrates living.

Solomon Seal, its head hanging low, prays as the choir show off their new robes.

Shortly, the Lilies of the Valley, appear, their short lived bell choir shouting “Spring’s Here”!

The May Apple hangs its apple, you see, like the ornament on the Charlie Brown tree.

With the tree and the choir all set in place, out comes the preacher, his people to face.

Can’t wait for Jack in the Pulpit to speak, as chipmunks and squirrels come out and peek.

The wild geranium and ferns gather round, the hostas stick their head above ground

My hibiscus starts wrapping its stems with huge bows, it likes showing of that’s what I suppose.

I imagine a fire, its crackling sound, as the wind blows the plumes of my smoke bush around.

Like the very first Xmas and giving of myrrh, incense continues at Christmas for sure

Mock Orange in spring, its perfume like fine wines, and my scented clematis, with white flowered vines.

The linen is ready, a Queen Anne design, a lace table cloth, where feathered friends dine.

The black and blue berries, before dinner treats, tide everyone over till the peaches turn sweet.

And as fall approaches, summer will close, as each Chinese lantern magically glows.

A summer of gifts, for the world to see, trust in your heart, and above all, believe.

Featured Artists of the Day: Cat Zurchin and Laura Bosse

Cat and Laura with the talented artists of Prosperity Studio which overlooks downtown Cleveland have some beautiful pieces for sale at the Short and Sweet Studio.

 

They hand cut pieces of stained glass and tack fuse them at over 1300 degrees F in a special glass kiln.

The Jewel-like colors change with variable light conditions. and what is behind the glass. They think the necklaces show up best on light colors, and the earrings with short or tied back hair.  French hooks are silver, posts are surgical steel.

 

Stained glass has origins dating back as far as ancient Egypt in the second century B.C.  The kind of glass we think of now as stained glass was used in European cathedrals in the 11th century.

Dlchorlc glass where you see three colors on the same spot almost at the same time, adds the high tech of the space industry to the age-old craft. Micro-thin layers of metals are applied to glass using a vacuum chamber.  The types of metals and the order in which they are deposited determine the colors. It selectively reflects away certain wave-lengths to transmit through.  This is the same way, nature creates the colors seen in bird feathers, dragonfly winds, fish scales and opals.  You see the color transmitted, the color reflected, and the color you see as the piece shifts angles against the light.

Cat Zurchin will be conducting a class “NEW Fused Art Glass: Jewelry and More” at Art House this spring. Stop by the Sweet and Short Holiday Shop this weekend and sign up for this creative class that will teach you how to create this beautiful jewelry or simply buy one of the sparkling pieces for sale.  Cat will be on hand to personally answer your questions and discuss her beautiful jewelry.

Featured Artist of the Day: Michelle Baran of Bear Tracks Art

Michelle began her college career at Tri-C Parma. She then studied Commercial Art at Cleveland Institute of Art and finished with Art History in Scranton, PA. She specialized in “The Designing of Barcelona” by Gaudi, the works of Georgia O'Keefe and Russian Artist, Serge Mirko.   She is a proud member of the Great Lakes Wood Carvers, the Western Reserve Wood Carvers Guild, and President of the Parma Area Fine Arts Council (PAFAC).  She is the acrylic instructor and the wood burning instructor of PAFAC.  

Her business has been in operation for nine years and has been quite successful. She has been a resident of Old Brooklyn for 14 years and has given much to our community in many different ways.  If you visit Riverside Cemetery at I-71 and Pearl Road, be sure to stop at the Gatehouse where you will see an original pencil sketch by Ms. Baran of the beautiful, historical building. A pen and ink of the original Fulton Road Bridge was donated to the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corp for their 25th Anniversary Gala.  The piece was displayed in the Primate building at the Zoo and was later sold at auction. She has also supported Old Brooklyn & Brooklyn Centre at many community events with examples of her art work. Recently, she was featured on Fox 8 New Day Cleveland when "The Brooklyns" show aired in February, 2012.

Many of her art pieces have been displayed at various galleries in Tremont, Cleveland, and Parma. When you stop at Dee's Restaurant for one of her awesome steakburgers, you will find Michelle’s artwork proudly displayed.   

When asked, why do you do what you do? Michelle replied, “I enjoy what I do. Every day is a creative challenge.”

 

www.beartracksart.com

UPDATE: Short & Sweet Holiday Shop First Weekend Is History

The Short and Sweet Holiday Shop was a success according to customers, volunteers and the organizers.  Opening day exceeded expectations with over 100 visitors to the shop.  Sales were better than expected and patrons enjoyed the “Meet and Greet” Artist reception.

Patrons were excited to see the many different kinds of gifts available to them and were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the workmanship as well as the affordability of the artwork.  One father told me that he was so pleased that his three daughters were all able to choose a gift for their mother. “One stop shopping,” he exclaimed, “you can’t beat that!”

Candy sales were brisk while many chose bars of soap or a “cupcake” to carry home.  Photographs, paintings, and jewelry were studied by many of the visitors as they walked around the shop.  A few were selected and purchased before heading home.

 

 

Many shoppers who stopped in to Art House on Opening Day to peruse the offerings of the shop and to talk to the artists in attendance stayed to graze around the table of goodies offered by the Committee.  Pistachio Bundt cake was a crowd favorite as was Kim’s Corn Dip, one of the selections from “A Taste of All Seasons”.  The cookbook is Brooklyn Centre Naturalists’ contribution to the gifts for sale.  Gray and Company selections offered for sale are Cleveland Food Memories and Cleveland Christmas Memories as well as many biographies and some of their more recently published books.

The Short and Sweet Holiday Shop will be open again this weekend starting at 4:00 pm on Friday December 7 until 8:00 pm. The Shop will be open Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 from 1:00 pm to 5 pm. Rumor has it that Old Brooklyn Buzz will be descending on the Shop Sunday afternoon for one of its popular “cash mobs”.  Do your shopping early for the best selection.         

Featured Artist of the Day: Diane Morgan of Maggie’s Farm

In 2011, Maggie also known as Diane Morgan formed Maggie’s Farm as a market garden. Maggie's Farm grew to include an additional 1/2 an acre and the concept of this urban farm grew to be an employ-owned  business cooperative. The farm in 2012 was built and managed by residents of the Stockyard community. Using vacant land, natural growing methods using no chemicals or pesticides, the farm has become a food source for farmers’ markets, by local enthusiasts and members of the community.

Maggie's Farm is located at 3414 West 63rd St and 3349 West 61st St. Cleveland, OH 44102 www.maggiesfarmcle.org

 

Although the greens shown here are scrumptious, the offerings at the Short and Sweet Holiday Shop will be more of the sweet and savor type.  Granola bars, toffee, and several kinds of preserves and jelly will be on hand as well as assorted gift baskets of the seasonal treats all baked and cooked by the Maggie’s Farm team. 

Featured Artist of the Day: Terry Flores of Floreza Studio

Terry Flores has always loved design: color, shape, texture. She is a graphic designer by profession, but as her work has become more and more digital over the years, she has found herself  with the urge to return to hands-on art creation.
Enter jewelry-making! She likes to work with a variety of materials and techniques,but most of all, she tries to find something new to express in each piece. And, because she sells the way she shops, she keeps her prices reasonable.

Wherever she has lived or traveled, she tried to be aware and observant of what was beautiful, visually engaging, or fun, whether that means the grillwork in an Art Deco train station, a sequin-encrusted

martini glass, or a lizard sunning on a rock.

 

Terry intends to keep learning and developing new techniques and new ways of exploring how beauty, fun, and energy can be expressed in this medium. When asked what she wants her jewelry to express to the world, she said,  “I hope the pleasure I get from making these pieces comes through, and that you get as much enjoyment out of wearing them as I do in creating them.”

Visit Floreza Studio at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FlorezaStudio?section_id=7705601# 

 

s

TypePad

4022 Denison Avenue  

Cleveland, OH 44109
 
SENT VIA EMAIL TO:
4633b0ca3c4d4db6@typepad.com
SUBJECT: Short and Sweet Holiday Shop Hours
Dear BCNWC naturalist,
Brooklyn Centre Naturalists, Art House, and Stockyards, Clark-Fulton and Brooklyn Centre Community Development Organization have partnered to sponsor the
first ever:
Short and Sweet Holiday Shop
at
Art House
3119 Denison Avenue
featuring
Handmade and Unique Gifts
Created by local artists and artisans
 
The Short and Sweet Holiday Shop will be open:
 
Friday, November 30 from 4 to 8 pm
Saturday, December 1 from 1 to 5 pm
Sunday, December 2 from 1 to 5 pm

Friday, December 7 from 4 to 8 pm
Saturday, December 8 from 1 to 5 pm
Sunday, December 9 from 1 to 5 pm
 
There will be a:
“Meet and Greet the Artists” reception
on
Friday, November 30th, Opening Day
of the
Short & Sweet Holiday Shop
from
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

RSVP by Thursday, November 29, 2012
to Gloria Ferris at 216-361-0254 or
gloria.ferris@gmail.com
 
 
Check out
www.brooklyncentrenaturlists.net  for updates.
 



Gloria Ferris

gloria.ferris@gmail.com

216-351-0254

Featured Artists of the Day: Barb and Steve Bloom of Images In Bloom

Images In Bloom

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/imagesinbloom

Blog: www.imagesinbloom.wordpress.com

Email: imagesinbloom@gmail.com

Facebook: images in bloom

Twitter: #imagesinbloom

Phone: 216-374-8050

BARBARA BLOOM is the owner of Images in Bloom, which offers hand dyed silk scarves, homemade soaps and scrubs, wire crochet jewelry and Reblooming Bags made from upcycled plastic grocery bags.

Barb is native to the Cleveland area, having grown up in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland’s West Side. She is married to Steve and makes her home in Parma, sharing her home with 2 beagles and a terrier. She holds a masters degree in Public Administration from Levin College of Cleveland State University.

Art has always been a driving force for Barb. The business came at a transitional time in her life. Discovering the passion to create beautiful things, and the joy of seeing others appreciate those creations Images In Bloom was born.

The company formally began in the summer of 2011, with a presence at a number of fairs and festivals, craft shows, and the distinction of being juried into the Cleveland Museum of Art Textile Art Alliance Fall Show in October 2011.

STEPHEN BLOOM is co-owner of Images in Bloom and is the chief soap maker and creative soap researcher.

Steve is native to Cleveland also, having grown up in Old Brooklyn. Steve holds his bachelor’s degree from Levin College of Cleveland State University. Steve has previously served in community development in the Warehouse district and Tremont. Currently he is the chief soap maker and creative designer of Images in Bloom Soap products. What started out as a personal challenge to see if he could duplicate a bar of soap he saw on a gift shop shelf has become a catalog of natural soaps with vibrant essential oils, organic ingredients, natural herbs, and the best essential oils he can find.

 

 

About the products:

Handmade Soap – My husband is the soap maker – and he uses only the best olive oil, organic products, essential oils and natural herbs in his soap. The soap is cold processed, and when ready he carefully wraps each bar and bands them. Our original soap was the gardener’s soap – an olive oil based soap with comfrey leaves, corn meal, and a mint eucalyptus essential oil added for a clean fragrance. He now makes over 26 different fragrances of soap. In addition he specializes in men’s shaving soap and shaving soap kits.

Hand Dyed Silk – Scarves are 100% Habotai silk, and have a luxurious sheen. The technique involves a process of knotting and tying the silk in preparation for dying. Shibori is an ancient Japanese technique that was once used for creating the patterned fabric for kimonos. While there are multiple types of Shibori dying, I choose to do the knotting and binding technique. The binding acts as a resist and restricts the dye from free flowing. I strive to create floral forms in my dying. All of my silk is 100% color fast and is hand washable.

Wire Crochet Jewelry – Thought to have been a lost art of the Victorian era, wire crochet involves copper wire, and a crochet hook to form the body of the piece. I bead embroider over the body to create a lush and colorful one-of-a- kind piece of jewelry. When possible, I try to upcycle the beads from previously loved jewelry.

Reblooming Bags- Putting plastic grocery bags to an alternative use by making them into plarn (plastic yarn) , and then crocheting the plarn into unique handbags and totes, is a statement about being green. Each handbag takes between 50-150 grocery bags, which would otherwise go to landfills. I have also begun up cycling old sweaters by tearing them apart and using the sweater yarn mixed with plarn to create unique outcomes.