OPEN THREAD…
Shalom Y’all,
Do you have a question or a comment that is not related to a current post? Feel free to leave a comment here and I’ll get back to you.
B’shalom,
Jeff
29 Responses to “OPEN THREAD…”
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Email: hessAThavecoffeewillwriteDOTcom
TOP-OF-MIND AWARENESS
The real writer is one who really writes. Talent is an invention like phlogiston
after the fact of fire.
Work is its own cure.
You have to like it better than being loved.
—Marge Piercy, For the young who want to in The Moon Is Always Female
* * * * At day’s first light, have in readiness, against disinclination to leave your bed, the thought that “I am rising for the work of man.”
Must I grumble at setting out to do what I was born for and for the sake of which I have been brought into the world?
Is this the purpose of my creation, to lie here under my blankets and keep myself warm? “Ah, but it is a great deal more pleasant!” Was it for pleasure, then, that you were born and not for work?
—Marcus Aurelius
Let me respectfully remind you, life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by
and opportunity is lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken--
Awaken!
This night your days will be diminished by one. Take heed. Do not squander your life.
—Zen Evening Gatha
Take an ax to the prison wall.
Escape.
Walk out like someone suddenly born into color.
Do it now.
—Rumi, Quietness
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I’m a Welsh-born girl, what a nice treat to come to your site and find a link to a Welsh community group! I’m a musician playing in Cleveland on 5/5 and am hoping to spend some time there.
Thanks!
Dee Adams, Buffalo NY
Shalom Dee,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to leave a comment (even if it is a bit of a commercial, but that’s all right). It’s all about the conversation.
I don’t know if you’ve played the Barking Spider before or not, but it’s a wonderful venue; the closest thing to a British pub that we have here in Cleveland I think.
I’ll make every effort to make it down there on the 5th.
B’shalom (and hedd),
Jeff
When I googled my sons name. PFC Brian Lee Holden. YOur site was in the list of names. Why are you using his name? and how do I find what is written about him?
Shalom Gene,
Every morning I post the names of the fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When your son jointed that roll his name appeared that morning.
I’m sorry for you loss and thankful for your son’s service.
B’shalom,
Jeff
I have a potential job lead for you and can’t find your email address . . .
Shalom Kelly,
Thank you so much for thinking of me. I’ve forwarded the information to you via email.
B’shalom,
Jeff
I’m writing to let you know about a horrible experience I had at Jac’s on West 6th Street in the Warehouse District downtown. I’d like to preface this all by saying that I am a resident of the Warehouse District and, in fact, live on the corner of West 6th Street and St. Clair Avenue. I had always wanted to try Jac’s as it is a local restaurant and I am a big fan of supporting restaurants and businesses downtown—particularly in my neighborhood.
I met a group of 5 or 6 people at Jac’s at 5:30pm to discuss a charity event that we are planning to support a local nonprofit. Upon arriving, 2-3 people already had drinks in hand – a couple of others did not. My fiancée approached the bartender and asked if she could order a Hamburger. He asked her what drinks were needed and after she let him know that nobody at the time needed a drink, he rolled his eyes and told my fiancée that “Jac’s is a restaurant and not a meeting place.†Of course, my fiancée was attempting to order a meal – and admittedly, not everybody in the group was. Of course, the entire restaurant was empty except for 2-3 people at the bar and 1 other couple seated at a table.
After an hour passed, the meeting concluded and the meal that my fiancée ordered was never served. We approached the bartender and asked why he had not brought out our meal – and he insisted that my fiancée never ordered her meal. In fact, he was very confrontational and instead of apologizing for any confusion – he continued to assert that my fiancée was simply lying. My fiancée approached the owner of the establishment to let him know that the bartender had been quite rude – and the owner refused to look away from his meal and brushed her off by saying that the bartender told him the story and that he wished the bartender had kicked us out of the restaurant. We told the owner we would never be back – and he only laughed and said that he hoped we never would come back.
In retrospect, had the bartender and/or owner simply acknowledged that there must have been some confusion and apologized – I would not be writing this email. In fact, I may have even planned to go back at some point to try some menu items. Had our group been actively approached even once by a server offering menu items, perhaps we would have been convinced to order more appetizers and meals. In short, the customer service at Jac’s was not simply poor – but offensive and confrontational. We walked out of Jac’s feeling frustrated, upset – and insisted that we would let everybody know about our experience.
I do hope that you choose to share this experience with others—publicly or otherwise. Above all, please remember this story when considering which downtown restaurants to visit in the future.
Mike Belsito
Resident of the Historic Warehouse District
Downtown Cleveland
Shalom Mike,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most important, for taking the time to write your comment. It’s all about the conversation.
I think one of the really powerful aspect of blogs is that it does allow individuals to make their experience, both positive and negative, more widely known.
Thank you for sharing your experience with my readers.
B’shalom,
Jeff
Forgive me for posting this here, if it is inappropriate, please remove. But…
I thought that you might find this interesting to comment upon. I’m too disgusted to do so, so I will post on it later…here you go:
http://www.military.com/military-report/air-force-might-cut-pay-for-surge
Shalom Michael,
No problem. Thanks for the link.
B’shalom,
Jeff
Hi Jeff
I am a south african that served as a machalist (international volunteer) in the idf nahal brigade gdud 931. I am featured on the vidoe posted on your blog by Itaiy engel (i am having my face painted). Unfortunately i cannot download said video anywhere as it is always protected. Please can you help me in acquiring this video as i am often asked to adress the community but cannot show them this footage!
with many thanks in advance
Adam Charnas
Shalom Adam,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to post a comment. It’s all about the conversation.
I apologize for taking so long, but I have what you’re looking for.
Do not click on the link. Instead, cut-and-paste the URL into your browser. I just tested it — @ 1456 18 June 2007 — and it worked fine.
http://switch248-01.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ClipMediaID=209947&ak=63628786
B’shalom,
Jeff
How do the men and women in the armed forces feel about the war here at home?
Shalom Lowell,
This one of the problem I have with our society’s acceptance of the word War in what I think are inappropriate circumstances.
It would really make me feel a lot better if all wars were restricted to the narrow definition found in our Constitution.
B’shalom,
Jeff
Here is something to talk about in writing:
Full Story: Battle for Berea: Politics of Art – Cuyahoga Syndicate vs The People
Should Berea Community Development Director Cyril Kleem have recused himself from participation in a Berea Arts Fest fundraiser that benefited a member of his Family?
I think if he were honest with us, he would have.
As Director of the BCDC and Trustee to the Berea Arts Fest, he gives us the impression that he is still using his influence to further the family’s interests for political gain. Mr. Andy Fay, as President of the Berea Arts Fest and Trustee of the BCDC, since he connected his name to this caper on August 9, 2007 at Berea lake Towers without any apparent intellectual thought, leaves the view that the Berea Arts Fest Committee still lacks accountability and is open to cronyism. As Berea’s organizations succumb to lower standards and managerialism, a closer scrutiny of operations and accountability is imperative.
I don’t know what Cyril’s, Andy’s qualifications are, if any. But, culturally speaking, they appear to not know what they are doing – they just accept the so-called ‘experts’ recommendations. However, when the ‘experts’ are the same people as those they are recommending, it’s just mutual back-scratching. In Cleveland, the Foundation Syndicate refers to this activity as public/private partnerships.
Their purpose there is to set a community agenda that keeps the public tax money flowing to the right private interests. The Syndicate bosses are well-paid for their effort. Ronald Richards, president of the Cleveland Foundation, gets an annual $305,000 salary and a $63,118 contribution to his pension. Dave Abbott gets a $236,808 salary and a $54,284 pension contribution from the Gund Foundation.
In Cleveland, public servants (??) have enjoyed the benefits of being the arbiter of the arts, giving out public tax dollars by the tens of millions to hundreds of cultural organizations, many who use the money solely to lobby for more money – remember ISSUE 31?? For too many Democrats this is a relatively easy way to make some special constituents happy while reaping political power for themselves.
Should Berea Community Development Director Cyril Kleem have recused himself from participation in the Berea Arts Fest fundraiser that benefited a member of his Family?
That would have been the honorable thing to do. However, that quality apparently Cyril lacks. It makes it a bit unseemly for anyone, especially one running for public office, to give support, financial or otherwise to a community organization which then benefits a third party family member in a way that they would otherwise never get as the oldest act of incestuous fraud in the book, as any attorney for the US public should know by now.
As the Spiritual Father of the Environmental Art Movement that is indigenous to this North East Ohio area, I represent the soul and conscience of the community arts. In this regard, I have to insist that a clear fine line be drawn between the personal and professional integrity of area artists. I DO NOT see any justification in the integrity of an artist who uses questionable activities to disappoint his patrons. This can only give everyone a bad reputation.
The Environmental Arts can play a more essential role in exporting and promoting urban interactions through a “Culture of Peace†in Greater Cleveland. But not until our urban society is in full sync with ICEAtic morale codes. Cultural institutions ought to live up to their responsibilities in promoting the Environmental Arts through a “Culture of Peace†especially in depressed cities like Cleveland. Cleveland is a melting pot formed of various cultures and the best way to reach Peace
through cultural integration in such a city is by applying the values of ICEAlity.
The three Berea Art organizations: ICEA, Berea Arts Fest and the ‘new one that keeps changing its name’ can be a means towards this objective on an international scale, but only if the political posturing stops and they start to all work together. This means the discriminatory and financial sanctions imposed by the downtown gang over the past 10 years must cease and desist immediately and the millions of dollars that were poached away paid back.
I spoke with Berea Ward 1 Councilman Adrian Maldonado about the problem, but because he works for Cuyahoga County, he sees, hears and speaks no evil. The last time I called the BCDC about the problem, Cyril hung up the phone on me. I got the message loud and clear but we still need to settle the money that was poached away. It is the only fair thing to do.
Should Berea Community Development Director Cyril Kleem have recused himself from participation in the Berea Arts Fest fundraiser that benefited a member of his Family?
Yes, he should have. Cyril, however, has become accustomed to the casual use of community money for private gain. The BCDC has recorded an annual budget of almost $300,000 of which almost $100,000 Cyril pays to himself in salary and benefits. The question is: Where does the buck$ stop in Berea, most people would reply Blaze Construction.
Thus, the BCDC has taken US for a very expensive ride, thanks to Cyril. In his defense, Cyril had no other choice because as Chairman of the Berea Democratic Party, the young man is under the political whip of King Dimorra. If Berea follows Cleveland’s lead, which it surely will if Cyril gets elected, we will have to get used to adding new taxes to pay the city’s bills. It is a game the Democrats play very well.
It is time for a reality check in Berea. The current regime has made us one of the poorest area in the nation. With the area’s population down and descending, with jobs disappearing and never to return, with incomes declining and crime rising, why would anyone consider a mayoral candidate that weighs most heavily upon ordinary working people? Lack of self preservation? No, lack of resolve to do what is right – but difficult.
It has come time for us to assess what we can afford and what we cannot afford. Berea’s current democratic baggage has become a heavy burden for us to carry. Maybe the answer is that the remainder of that past baggage be voted out this November. Freedom!!
Do not be dismayed by the prospects of being free to move again. Find in it the resolve that it carries, and let it push us in a more positive direction. The question is, “What can I do to be useful and necessary?”
Find a way to make yourself essential, and we can vastly improve the whole dynamic of our community this November. Rather than being obsessed about what you can get, focus on what you can offer. In whatever venue you’re able to make yourself necessary, you will enjoy all the success you wish to pursue.
Should Berea Community Development Director Cyril Kleem have recused himself from participation in the Berea Arts Fest fundraiser that benefited a member of his Family?
That would have been the smart thing to do, but then again that would mean that Cyril, would have to recluse himself from almost all civic activities in Berea including running for public office. The question is… Can he get away with it with the voters of Berea?
1987 to 2007- ICEA Celebrating Twenty Years of Community Service “Assisting in understanding of the relationship between Humans and their Environment through the Arts”
International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA)
P. O. Box 81496 Cleveland, Ohio 44181 USA
Phone/fax: 440-891-8376
Email: ICEA2000@sbcglobal.net
http://www.TheICEA.Org
http://www.myspace.com/jakupca
http://community.myfoxcleveland.com/blogs/enviroarts
More Syndicate Info on USATODAY.
‘The ICEAlity of Being Human’ The International Day of Peace Peace Day – September 21
A worldwide movement to create a Global Ceasefire and nonviolent A day of Global Culture of Peace.
By David and Renate Jakupca,
American Cultural Ambassadors and Peace Ambassadors
International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA)
Worlds Children Peace Monument
Dear Colleagues and Friends in Peace,
The International Day of Peace, established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly, was first inaugurated on the third Tuesday of September, 1982. Beginning on the 20th anniversary in 2002, the UN General Assembly set 21 September as the now permanent date for the International Day of Peace.
ICEALITY of BEING HUMAN
Human beings are special, unlike any other kind of animal. What make them special is their learning, training and development in ICEAlity. Human beings who have been trained, educated or developed are called “enlightened beingsâ€. They know how to conduct a good life for themselves and also help their society fare securely in peace and happiness.
To be truly involved in this education, human beings, especially children and young people, who are new members of the human race should acquire the six fundamental qualities of ICEAlity for a good life, or the virtues of education. These are guarantees of a life moving toward a full sustainable human development, to peoples becoming truly enlightened in a Global Culture of Peace. They are:
1.
Having a “good friend†(a person of social environment that is helpful to ones life development) , seeking out sources of wisdom and good examples. This is to live with or be close to good people, beginning with one’s parents as good friends in the family; to know who to associate with and to socialize with good people will influence and encourage each other to betterment in conduct, mentally and wisdom.
It is especially (that association which encourages one to) learn and develop communication and relations with fellow human beings through goodwill, to have the fait to follow good examples, and to know how to utilize external resources, be they people, books, or other communications media, for seeking knowledge and virtue for one’s life development, problem solving and constructive action.
2.
Virtue of morality, or having discipline as root for one’s life development. This is to know how to organize life-style, activities, work, and environment so that they provide opportunities for personal growth, at least to have a basic level of morality. That is. To have proper conduct in one’s relationship with the social environment by living helpfully and not exploitatively with one’s fellow human beings, and in one’s relationship with the material environment by using the four necessities, as food, clothing, shelter and medicine) as well as technological appliances and equipment in a way that supports the quality of one’s life and is favorable to one’s education, to constructive action and to the state of balance in nature.
3.
Virtue of aspiration: having a heart that aspires to learning and constrictive action. This is to be one who is driven by desire for knowledge, goodness, action, constructiveness, achievement and excellence, by the desire to help all the things and people one meets or is involved with to attain a good state, not obsessively thinking only of getting what one wants and seeking pleasure through consuming. Instead, one knows how to use one’s faculties, such as the eyes and ears, in learning and creating, especially through the environmental arts, to derive joy from doing good things, by using one’s brain and hands for constructive ends.
4.
Dedicating of oneself through ICEAlity: dedicating oneself to training for the realization of one’s full human potential. This is to always bear in mind the truth that human beings by nature are beings that can be trained, and must be trained, and that once trained are the most excellent of beings. Then to resolve to train oneself so that one views and develop one’s intelligence and abilities, to pay heed to ones continuing improvement toward the realization of one’s full potential through a comprehensive development that encompasses behavior, mentality and wisdom.
5.
Virtue of Understanding: Adhering to the principle of conditionally seeing things according to cause and effect. This is to be established in good and reasoned principles of thought and belief. A principle leading to consideration believing that action is the most powerful determinant of one’s fate, it is also having behavior and mental states that are under the control of reason; even though one aspires to the highest achievement and excellence, one realizes what is possible with the limitations of the causes and conditions that exist and that one has created; in success, one does not forget oneself, and in failure, one is not despondent, one maintains one’s mental clarity and independence, not being impulsive, over reactive or petty, and also not allowing oneself to drift along the stream of public hysteria or false values.
6.
Virtue of Wise Reflection: thinking wisely so as to realize benefit and see the truth. This is to know how to think, to know how to investigate, to be able to see all things as they really are within the system of causes and conditions, by intelligently examining, investigating, tracing, analyzing and researching to see the truth of a given situation, or to see the perspective that will enable one to benefit from it. By doing one is also able to solve problems and do things successfully through intelligent methods that allow one to be self-reliant and at the same time become a refuge to other people.
The ideal person, or perfect human being, can be counted as a truly valuable member of the human race, and can be called a complete person, able to lead his or hers community and society into a Culture of Peace and well being.
PEACE Friends –
David and Renate Jakupca
The Worlds Children Peace Monument
WCPM is located at Coe Lake Park in Berea, Ohio It was designed and built by David Jakupca as a project of the International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) in cooperation with the United Nations Culture of Peace Program. As new WCPM Stones are added to gardens around the world, it will, in time, become the largest monument dedicated to Global Peace. The sculpture serves as a milestone for the ICEAlity of the Environmental Art Movement indigenous to the Great Cleveland Area, that is to “Assist in understanding of the relationship between Humans and their Environment through the Arts to build a sustainable culture of Peace”. The WCPM was officially inaugurated in 2003 at the 3rd World Peace Conference held in Verbania, Italy by American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca where they received an Italian Medal of Arts. They were also recognized by the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland and in 2006 appointed Universal Peace Ambassadors. The WCPM is organized in support of the UN Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World and the UN Millenium Development Goals.
These are reportedly from high school students, but I’ve seem many as bad, and sometimes worse that these efforts to grasp new imagery. <—- your opening. Not to say these other people don't deserve the criticism, but if you are going to do that shouldn't you at least take the time to grammar check yourself. I'm fairly certain that should be than in your opener there.
Shalom Jack,
First, my apologies for not answering sooner. Your comment got sucked into the spam filters for some strange reason and I only discovered it this morning.
Second, thank you for stopping in, for reading, and, most importantly, for taking the time to write a comment. It's all about the conversation.
Could you elaborate please on which high school students you're referring to? I'm unclear on your point.
B'shalom,
Jeff
Hi Jeff, I hope I can contact you. I would like to use a picture from your site in a presentation I am preparing to train library staff. I work at the birmingham public library in alabama. The pic was used on oct. 20 2006 and it is of an angry man. Is this yours or do you know who’s it is. I would appreciate any help. Thank you! — Michelle
Dear Jeff,
I am writing a book and would like to use an image I saw on your blog: Be Afraid (a poster with Bush in uniform), is this image yours? Let me know how to get in touch with you to get permission to use this in my book.
Cheers,
Joe DiVanna
Shalom Joe,
I’m not able to find the photo you’re asking about.
What was the headline on the post?
B’shalom,
Jeff
Shalom Jeff, just stopping by to say happy New Year.Keep up the good work. Off to the wall so I can read the lates Wal~mart news.
Shalom, Jeff,
I just wanted to let you know that I have started my own blog just recently. I remember your blog from when I worked as the web producer for the Cleveland Jewish News a while back and was impressed with your site.
Since April I have returned to New Orleans and have continued my writing career by becoming the New Orleans Editor for the Deep South Jewish Voice, the official publication of the Jewish Federation of New Orleans.
I would be very pleased if you or your other commentators would visit my blog at Kosher Computing.
Many thanks,
Alan Smason
New Orleans, LA
Shalom Jason,
I’m so jealous. I’d love to live in New Orleans.
B’shalom,
Jeff
Note to Andrea: I moved your comment and my response to the Good Night Myanmar post.
I like your blog & I’d appreciate if you could help me get the word out about my blog regarding the Plain Dealer’s attempts to slander Dennis Kucinich and ruin his chance at re-election.
Shalom Tricia,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for joining the dialogue. Building community is all albout engaging in conversation.
Consider the word distributed.
What do you think Kucinich’s strong points are as a U.S. Representative that the Plain Dealer are missing?
B’shalom,
Jeff
Sorry for not responding sooner to your question, Jeff, but that anti-spam word wasn’t coming up for me. I just wanted to say a big Thanks for putting a link to plaindealerlies.com on your site. I decided to create this site after getting my pro-Kucinich letters to the editor repeatedly rejected by the PD. It just seem like the PD is trying to cut Kucinich out of the picture like the media conglomerates did during the presidential debates, just on a smaller scale. The PD never goes into the the details of where Dennis stands on issues like trade (against NAFTA), the war, impeachment, protecting our constitution (repeal the Patriot Act and Military Commissions Act) and healthcare. The rare times they do report on any of these it’s with a mocking tone that I’m just absolutely sick of. Hopefully others are too.
Thanks again. Peace
Shalom Tricia,
Blogs may serve no better purpose than to make the letter to the editor, and the editors who acted as gatekeepers, obsolete.
B’shalom,
Jeff