The time has come , the walrus said – Lorain

For decades, yes decades, I have been a supporter of Lorain. the story here as to how that came about
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/kinks-past-hyphenated-lorain-loraine-pt-5/

I spent a great deal of my young days and middle age days being “involved”. I met a great many people, learned a great deal about politics ( enough to realize I wanted “nothing to do with parties or the political arena). Running for City Council etc would have been the next logical step for someone so involved in the neighborhood.

I decided early on as an ‘Independent voter” and an independent thinker I could probably do more than by listening to the bosses of any political group. And since I was not a threat politically, I did manage to have a voice through elected officials either Republican or Democrat. I was an Independent before being an Independent was even popular.

This past week I posted on facebook I was “retiring from Lorain” advocacy and interest. Let me clarify, my neighborhood and the organization of Charleston Village will remain a cause but only as it directly affects them and the projects still underway .

During my son’s last months and for many months after he passed I had no desire or ambition to be involved in anything. I “hunkered down” with my grief, emotionally dead except to the world of grief. Apathetic as to Lorain, the world, the state , the politics of the day, the blathering , I remained apart. But then slowly ideas from a few of the CVSI Board members and the finishing up of Settlers’ Watch needed attention and I had the information etc. Slowly I started back into Lorain.

My respite however , saw me looking with new eyes and I have realized I am no longer willing to sit through endless meetings , listening to the same things I have listen to for decades seeing study after study collecting dust.

I realized this city is desperate – desperate to reinvent herself, desperate for anyone outside to take notice, her lake and waterfront touted as the silver bullet , trouble is bullets are meant to maim and kill

I sat , last month at a meeting with Lake Erie Landlords Association , invited because I had been outspoken as to their multi property owners , they want to change their image ( good luck with that) But as they are one of the most lucrative businesses in Lorain

For instance according to Ms. Carter of the LMHA

“housing choice vouchers alone pump 1.4 MILLION A MONTH
into Lorain County but The City of Lorain gets 64% of that money EVERY MONTH or approximately $900,000.00 PER MONTH COMES INTO THE CITY OF LORAIN-!!!

How about that BIG Business for you – lucrative one would say and that is just the “private” landlords and LLC’s .

Vouchers Per Zip Code
Amherst 44001 1.1%
Avon 44011 4.0%
Avon Lake 44012 0.6%
Col Station 44028 0.1%
Elyria 44035 23.2%
N Ridgeville 44039 1.1%
Grafton 44044 0.2%
LaGrange 44050 0.3%
Lorain 44052 32.5%
Lorain 44053 10.4%
Lorain 44055 21.3%
Sheffield 44054 1.5%
Oberlin 44074 1.5%
Vermilion 44089 1.3%
Wellington 44090 0.9%
100.0%

they are listened to by attorneys and politicians. My zip code gets more in funding for housing vouchers than the whole city of Elyria.
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/grenade-and-garbage-lorain-landlords-swatted/

I realized it is going to take a more effort and more voices than just a few to change the status quo with that aspect of Lorain and I am not prepared any longer to even try. But I had an epiphany of sorts at that meeting.

Kent Sutton

As the age-old question, at all these vision meetings and discussions of Lorain was invariably asked by Kent Sutton

“What do you think is Lorain’s greatest asset”

Of course as always it was –

The lake, the waterfront, the port, Lakeview Park

and as the question got to me -I stopped -to think – in year’s past I would have rattled off an answer but this time as Kent Sutton waited for his answer – none was forthcoming –

the lake, the waterfront and various reincarnations of that “hope” ( spoken for decades) had culminated in the month before in a desperate bid for attention from the “outer world”( the one with expendable income) and found the Lorain Port Authority , City of Lorain, and Lorain consortium and downtown businesses ignoring their own “laws”

in order to allow an event that showcased debauchery, objectification of woman, drunks, breasts, showcasing other parts of the anatomy male and female and vomit – if that is the voice of the majority who am I to say naaaaaaay

( see videos here)
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/freedom-of-speech-usa-really-pt-3/

This was done so the City of Lorain and Lorain Port Authority could bring in more of the same and were proud of the fact they had corralled the “party animals” in one place. Lorain’s claim to success we can keep them sectioned so bring forth your beers ( literally) .

However , I said to those gathered Lorain’s asset was her people, although I realized I no longer meant it , just so they would move on to the next person at the table. The next in line said her history – I cringed knowing Lorain’s history was history for the most part.

You will find her history in a couple of buildings, such as the Moore House and the New Lorain Historical Society Museum- Carnegie Library ( artifacts, pictures, mementos pieces parts ) The Lorain Lighthouse thankfully still standing .

– you will NOT find her history intact and revered on any of the streets you walk down.
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/history-demoed-another-rehabbed-pt3/

I listened to the voices and the same concerns and ideas I have listened to in a surreal realization I had been here before too many times. I realized I no longer believed in this tired desperate city enough to try ……. and she doesn’t need another critic who isn’t prepared to help her…

Illustration John Tenniel

Excerpt from The Walrus and the Carpenter – Lewis Carroll

The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright–
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,
Because she thought the sun
Had got no business to be there
After the day was done–
“It’s very rude of him,” she said,
“To come and spoil the fun!”

The Birthday and those between- Chris Ritchey

Breath of Life – Celtic Knot – Chris Ritchey

This anniversary week , of what used to be love and celebration, has arrived and with it gulping pain. Gulping, because I hold my breath to stop the tears from burning my eyes, blinding me , trying to breathe and all that happens is I gulp for air as the tears flow unabated.

Chris, the day of your birth , as you left me to start a life of your own also found tears , tears of happiness , I gulped and tried to breathe as the contractions became intense , waves of pain then too, but at the end of the pain insurmountable joy. My son, you my beautiful baby boy, put into my arms for the first time.

There were wonderful birthdays that followed but I hadn’t been able to remember them because of your last birthday . Your first and then your last birthday and remembered pain

Once again in a hospital , but I was not surrounded by those that loved me, just clinical cold and vacuous clowns.
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/birthday-chris-ritchey-and-the-chris-miss-present/

artwork Chris Ritchey

My whole being was fraught with worry that morning , my insides were shaking and sick with fear, what would they find? My son going under a surgeon’s knife – cutting into your neck to see if the obscenity of the curable cancer had once again beaten the ” treatment”.. I just wanted to go somewhere quiet away from chatter with my thoughts. I didn’t want to be polite. I just wanted peace.

They coffee clutched the time away with their frivolous discussions of fashions, cake , birthdays and celebrations seemingly without thought of how this would affect those that did truly love you ). If there ever was a time where I heard my own grandmother’s voice it was then ” Remember Loraine, breeding will out”

I wanted to scream and shake them as the grandmother decided it would be a good time for a betting game- we were all supposed to pick a time from the time your name came on the big board informing us you were now in the operating room as to how long it would take for you to be under the knife and the time of the surgery .

“Angela, (Ritchey now Murphy http://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff_directory/staff_display.aspx?DoctorID=16147 ) it isn’t fair though you can’t be part of this as being a doctor you would know the answer – giggle, giggle, giggle” Lisa what do you say? Frank? 45 minutes, 55? an hour?

and so it went.

Nikki had excused herself and I was left alone with them. I ignored the game as best I could and tried to ignore them, all the while wishing they were somewhere else – anywhere but there, but the puerile woman would not shut up –
Come on Loraine you must have a guess, join in – otherwise you won’t win! Angela , do we have time to go to the cafeteria – Loraine isn’t it your birthday too in a couple of days – it is Chris’ today isn’t it – will you have a party, what kind of cake, will your mother be baking one or two?

I wanted to reach across the arm of the chair , as she prattled, joined by her granddaughters, and throttle her. I wanted to scream at them

Shut Up! are you all so damned insensitive you can’t see your imbecilic diatribe is ripping me apart, I don’t care about your nonsensical games , I am in torment that my son will die- can’t you see our pain you stupid,selfish people?

So I haven’t even been given the gift of remembering HAPPY birthday, as the gift I received that last birthday was the gift of death.
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/crushed-by-the-calendar-of-cancer/
Surrounded by the clowns of control who carried on their narcissistic thinking and behaviors until the day you died and beyond.

And yet, this week I did receive a gift of you. I don’t know why , then again maybe I do ,but a video tape ( yes a VHS tape) fell out of a bag in the garage, your father, curious, picked it up. None of us can remember how or why the tapes were in the garage of all places – the basement- I could see but why they were in the garage that sits at the end of the garden separate , full of tools and junk is beyond me.

The tape, was of your sister dancing at an event when she was 21. Your dad brought in the bag of VHS tapes and started to play them. There you were, once again, your childhood played out in the pool, on the soccer field , rowing boats , Christmas morning, skiing laughing and loving with us .

I could only watch a little bit at a time as it too caused pain that is indescribable but it affirmed to me the gift of ” her thoughts”- that Nikki and I wouldn’t like) I received from your bride Angela Marie Lombardi Ritchey Murphy ( now remarried )
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/04/26/the-bliss-of-a-wedding-not-for-me-ritchey-murphy/
you know the “healer” – the words –

Angela by Chris Ritchey

“I think your intense love for Chris shielded you from getting to know who he completely was.

and not forgetting how Dr. Angela ( Ritchey) Murphy wrote 4 months after Chris’s death writing to tell me

my son although he would defend me even when I didn’t deserve it – would put me in my place-

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/mothers-day-what-degree-a-mothers-love-and-who-decides/
Angela’s gift of compassion??? so thoughtfully given…..

Yes, as painful as it was to look at my son enjoying his life with his family before those cretans of control and the insidious crew of cruelty and self entered our lives- watching what I could bear to watch of those tapes only reminded me that

I knew my son and he loved us and his place was with us and still should be .

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/september-3rd-war-movin-on-hell-truly-is-other-people-chris-ritchey/
My gift to you , Chris is my heart, the truth, and your story, the book I promised to write for you !
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/july-3rd-the-story-the-book-chris-ritchey/

and the hope that one day I will be able to look upon your face ……

Heart of Thorns- artwork Chris Ritchey

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/who-you-gonna-call/
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/birthday-chris-ritchey/
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/birthday-chris-ritchey-august-21st-2013/

Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk- Lorain County Beautiful

Logo – Chris Ritchey

ED NOTE: Charleston Village Society
http://www.loraincounty.com/charlestonlorai/
received the notification a few days ago , Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk, received a nomination for the 2014 Award. Since we were required to send in information about the project and since our “defense” of the property caused such “blathering” recently,
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/13/freedom-of-speech-usa-really-pt-4/
I thought it would be a good time to share our response to the Awards Committee. We may not win but the people who have given so much are most certainly winners already!

ERIC BARNES’ HEROES WALK – Lorain County Beautiful 2014

A small pathway was originally planned as a way to connect the area known as Settlers’ Watch, 2nd Street and Oberlin Ave. to the area where Charleston Village Society Inc. had recently completed The Admiral King Tribute Site, 1st Street and Hamilton Ave. . The area of brush and trees in between the two sites had become a dumping ground for all manner of trash, garbage and undesirable activities within this Lorain’s oldest neighborhood. It took 25 loads of 5 ton dump trucks to clear what is now the area known as Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk.

At the same moment in time as this clearance was happening, Lorain City Council was looking to honor Eric Barnes, who had been killed in action in Iraq. Councilman Dan Given asked if Charleston Village Society (CVSI) could do something in his honor. Since we already had the Eric Barnes Eagle tree carving at Settler’s Watch

and the Admiral King Tribute site on the opposite side of the block of land we proposed a linking of the sites honoring two heroes, Eric Barnes and Fleet Admiral Ernest J King.

What started off as a simple walkway then grew as more information on Lorain’s lost heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan was researched. The walk became a huge project and is being done in three phases. The initial phase laid out the gardens of tribute for all the young men (to date) who were killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, who were also born in Lorain.

As you walk along the pathway, you will see signage depicting the personal information for each hero- a bench where one can sit and enjoy the views of Lake Erie, their own garden space and piece of individualized art work. Each of the heroes’ families were contacted as to what they would like to see the signage , which was designed by volunteers and paid for with donations from the community , as to the verbiage and which spot along the walk they would like for their sons or brothers as well as any favorite plants .

CVSI raised the money for the signs, plants, art work and expenses encountered through donations to our 501C3 s. The community also donated plants, trees and labor. Two of the benches, are from the now demolished Lorain Admiral King High School. The benches donated by class member were repurposed and were placed in the tribute spaces of the two Lorain City Schools graduates, Marine Lance Corporal David Hall and Army 1st Sgt. Bruce Horner. The other benches for Marine Lance Corporal Ryan Giese and Army Sgt. Louis Torres are also made of recycled material.

CVSI, as with the Settlers’ Watch site which is 95% repurposed and recycled material, including the trees and the mulch and the Admiral King Tribute Site which is also 100% repurposed and recycled ( apart from the flags which fly on the ship’s mast flag pole), has focused on recycling and repurposing for Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk .

All the lighting is “solar” and the pathway itself is being covered with recycled concrete, when we can acquire it, this also fits the requirement for the Americans with Disabilities recommendations. Phase Two was completed this past spring.

As we continue with Phase Three of the project, the community will find the United States Marine Corps. Monument being placed and a flag pole. The site has been prepared for that aspect of the walk thanks to the City of Lorain who actually own the property. The tree carvings from the tree lawn on 2nd Street will also be re-positioned along the walkway as they are being refurbished and the wood stabilized.

Every day there are volunteers weeding, planting and watering the site. The site is ongoing and growing with something different every day, every week

We have received in kind donations of lighted bollards, (yet to be placed) more trees and plants as the site grows. 100% of every monetary donation goes toward the site. However it is the labor and in kind donations from the community, as a whole, which make this honor for our heroes even possible.

Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk which started as a simple “pathway” has now become a place of tranquility , reflection and beauty , a place honoring Lorain’s young men who gave their all in this most recent of wars. The gardens along the winding path, once a place for dumping trash, are now places of pride within the neighborhood. Every summer evening will find people walking, children playing on the green spaces neighbors enjoying the cooling breezes. There is once again a sense of community, as noted on the 4th of July , as families gathered respectfully to watch the 4th of July fireworks and the freedom they represent- earned at the ultimate price to pay by the young men honored along the walk of heroes . This special place is reminder to all who now enjoy the sights , sounds , the fragrance of blossoms of our freedom every day and a pride has returned in this Lorain’s oldest and much abused over the decades , neighborhood.

A Child of the heart- Gabriel Miller

Birthdays, no matter how old you get you can always be assured, no matter who else would forget the day you were born – your mother never will!

You shared everything, as you grew beneath her heart and became part of her heart. The wrenching trauma of birth as her body is loathe to let you go from her protection, as the child of love finally is ready to face life.

The mother, she will remember those hours for the rest of her life and the mother, that outlives her child will never forget , no matter the months, years and decades that pass the day her child leaves this life . The pain of childbirth will pale beside the pain of loss.

August 17th such a sweet baby boy was born – his whole life consisting of but few months. His mother, especially, will face the morning of August 17th ,as it dawns once again, remembering love , remembering the child of her heart – her child of undying love – her baby’s birthday- a birthday remembered and never forgotten as long as she lives.

Gabriel’s Story
http://bustershouse.wordpress.com/gabriels-story/

Freedom of Speech – USA- Really??? Pt 4

Who I Am by Chris Ritchey

PART ONE
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/freedom-of-speech-usa-really/ Would I defend your right to have a differing opinion?

PART TWO

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/freedom-of-speech-usa-really-pt-2/
One man’s Cricket

PART THREE
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/freedom-of-speech-usa-really-pt-3/

Community Standards

Here we are back to the beginning and the “perception” that one has the right to share an opinion. The right to opine something that doesn’t sit well with a vocal majority- especially here in Lorain it seems. I have been around this block too many times to go on . Who is Watching the Watcher
( circa 2002)
You can read a lot here in back posts. I am not going to chew the cud twice,

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/non-quixote-tired-of-tilting-at-windmills/
because NONE OF WHAT I WRITE , ESPECIALLY ON THIS, WILL MAKE ONE BIT OF DIFFERENCE .

Ah this blog- it’s very name- THAT WOMAN , the monika given to me by, the now deceased Morning Journal Editor, John Cole. He took issue with me because I disagreed and he front paged “me” home address and all — using his newspaper’s clout when I “dared” come out against the big four – Foltin- Prudoff- Veard – and Cole when they wanted to put “condos” in what is known as Veterans Park- Lorain’s public green space since 1807-
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/veterans-memorial-park-fini/

http://section-8.rentalads.com/Ohio/Lorain/

I wonder what would have happened had those condos been built ? More section 8 housing downtown perhaps. Don’t scoff – Section 8 or now under the new more acceptable nicey nice name Housing Choice ( Vouchers) is very, very big business in Lorain and especially in the 44052!

For instance according to Ms. Carter of the LMHA

“housing choice vouchers alone pump 1.4 MILLION A MONTH
into Lorain County but The City of Lorain gets 64% of that money EVERY MONTH or approximately $900,000.00 PER MONTH COMES INTO THE CITY OF LORAIN-!!!

How about that BIG Business for you – lucrative one would say and that is just the “private” landlords and LLC’s .

Vouchers Per Zip Code
Amherst 44001 1.1%
Avon 44011 4.0%
Avon Lake 44012 0.6%
Col Station 44028 0.1%
Elyria 44035 23.2%
N Ridgeville 44039 1.1%
Grafton 44044 0.2%
LaGrange 44050 0.3%
Lorain 44052 32.5%
Lorain 44053 10.4%
Lorain 44055 21.3%
Sheffield 44054 1.5%
Oberlin 44074 1.5%
Vermilion 44089 1.3%
Wellington 44090 0.9%
100.0%

but The City of Lorain gets 64% of that money EVERY MONTH or approximately $900,000.00 PER MONTH COMES INTO THE CITY OF LORAIN-!!!
How about that? BIG Business at work for you – lucrative one would say and that is just the “private” landlords and LLC’s

If you look at the stats for the 44052- those landlords , property owners LLC etc are receiving the MOST of all the zip codes in the county. This 44052 zip code is receiving MORE than the WHOLE CITY OF ELYRIA. By my math 3.5 MILLION a year just from one agency. But at least LMHA have “building codes ” and hopefully enforce them , Of course then there are other rentals!
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/category/lorain-multi-property-owners/
You remember THIS area is where the Intelligencer ( members of the Downtown Consortium) want to promote , where the standards of the community are set, the seat of City Government , the “BUSINESS District” of Social Service Agencies, the historic district, the waterfront entertainment district, the 44052 the one place the city can expand and develop within its borders.

BUT far be it from me to point out any concerns about housing, the terrible building stock,

the number of RSO , parolees, the crime stats and wanting those with expendable income be part of the foot traffic. As legitimate, as I believe as those concerns are I would be pilloried as a nay-sayer and fly in the eye of the rose-colored visionaries. Because you see that is what happens ( and I have documented it for years!)


Back to Rover Fest!!!. I have no problem with a community setting its own standards, even if that bar is set lower than my “personal preference – vocal majority rules.

When Alex Olejko was in office, his administration brought in an ordinance with regard to obscenity. There was a bruhaha at the time, as I recall- I guess people were not so intimidated as to speaking out back then- that was of course before the “screen name only comments” in the media and internet blossomed into being and the 4th estate was supposed to be balanced .

I wonder is this ordinance still in effect? Was it amended by the electors for the events at Black River Landing as the Lorain Port Authority Board deleted their definition of obscenity for the event? It had to have been because there was all of that and more at the event and the enforcers of the laws were in attendance. – see videos Part three
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/freedom-of-speech-usa-really-pt-3/
or Google RoverFest 2014.

If I recall correctly , at the time it was decreed by the legal eagles – obscenity was to be determined by the standards of each individual community – hence the NEW standards – brought to you by local business consortium , the Lorain Port Authority and the City of Lorain. and I certainly didn’t see any of the “religious fraternity” objecting.

Objecting??? AKA the naysayers HUH?? you see even IF anyone had wanted to OBJECT to the event and NAY SAYED they were cleverly not given a chance – The date the contract with the Lorain Port Authority was signed was APRIL- 2nd 2014. The official announcement JUNE 2nd. 2014

Now forgive me for speaking my thoughts, but how could ANYONE say NAY or stop or express concerns as to the “caliber and tone” of this event or the lowering the bar of community standards – IT WAS ALREADY A DONE DEAL!!! THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR A DIFFERING OPINION.. no one could say NAY!! ( I believe that is called in cricket “well-played gentlemen “) ( for those in doubt – sarcasm)

But this silly old woman, the neighborhood organization and neighbors had , what we believed, were legitimate concerns. Under our letter head we ‘BEFORE THE EVENT” WANTED TO EXPRESS THOSE CONCERNS TO OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES IN GOVERNMENT- THE TAX PAYER FUNDED LORAIN PORT AUTHORITY ( where the event was being staged ) and the LORAIN POLICE DEPT. Both CVSI letters found here :
First Letter –
CVSI RoverFest request
Follow Up Letter
CVSI Formal request Rover Fest 2014 follow up

Now do forgive me, I always thought, and in fact had to learn to get my US citizenship – it was not only my right by also my duty to contact the representatives of government with any concerns. It is the right to be heard and to speak without fear

“The right to petition is fundamental in a Republic, such as the United States, as a means of protecting public participation in government.”

Our right of concern was seen as a threat and being one of the dreaded naysayers in the media comments as well as the “movers and shakers” of Lorain and by a puffed up potentate of the airways. Who also confused me with another who was voicing concerns- we ( I ) was taken down the “rover road” on the airways). I didn’t listen and didn’t care what was being said about me personally, but I do take issue when the organization that has worked to do something to add to this community was ridiculed and denigrated. There are “closet rover listeners”- and my phone would ring – he said this about you yada yada yada
.
When one city official was told that I was getting a little fed up with the blame game said “ well she shouldn’t have taken on the Howard Stern of Cleveland”

OH puuuuuuuuuulease !!! I have crossed words with 8 administrations and city councils , Congress , mayors outside Lorain , Senators , editors even the BBC in my time – I could care less about a radio show, with the format of bathroom humour, less comical, than a five year old just discovering he is a male.

ED NOTE: I would be remiss in not thanking the LPD and the City of Lorain who did follow through with the concerns we had with regard to the parking by Eric Barnes Heroes Walk and there were absolutely NO PROBLEMS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR AT THE SITE. WHICH WAS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN!!!!!

You would think that was the end of it- ah! no the chest beating began and still continues this morning . The editorials lauding the new success of enterprise. All well and good except, once again anyone who had pointed anything of a concern to them was now the subject of nahnana nah and the nay sayer labeling !

I watched , I listened as at least one person( of the 4 that I know of who voiced their thoughts under their own name) , that person, went ‘against the shock jock” using his own colorful language (deemed acceptable in Lorain now) and terminology and under their own name had ,their place of employment sought out – the fact he had a radio show and the implied threat of using the airways to his advantage against a lone citizen , in agreement or not went against the grain.

Everyone has a right to their opinion in my world, even Shane French . Why should I get back involved in the muck and mire of having an opinion defending the right of those in apparently the minority of Lorain? Did I really want to get back into the fray- ( Part One) NO!
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/freedom-of-speech-usa-really/

But as I watched the bully beat of on going editorials, letters to the editor been there before , media and facebook comments -my son’s words kept playing over and over in my head .. KNOWING NOTHING I WOULD SAY WOULD CHANGE A DAMNED THING . Why should I ? Because as one person’s opinion is silenced by the weapons of embarrassment, and ridicule- 10 others look and learn the lesson and walk away- and that my friends is the insidious beginning of the death of free speech!

Freedom of Speech – USA- Really??? Pt 3

Shane French photo courtesy of his arrest and ensuing mug shot- the background changed to add to the ambiance 😉
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/shane-rover-french-handed-one-year-probation-4000-in-restitution-fines-for-july-4-fireworks

ED NOTE: Please note , as I predicted some of the Rover Fest material has “disappeared” from You Tube including the ” Sex Positions Game” due to “copy right infringement – you tube” choke choke choke cough cough”-

Yeah, well that is interesting however this “game” consisted of people having to come up with and demonstrate various sexual positions in 69 seconds – Oh dear another one of those not so clever double entendre… so is it the game that is copyrighted- or sex or is revisionist history and selective marketing taking place……. ? the 69 is “ninety six-ed” but then again maybe Rover Fest took out the copyright on sex games 😉

PART ONE
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/freedom-of-speech-usa-really/ Would I defend your right to have a differing opinion?

PART TWO
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/freedom-of-speech-usa-really-pt-2/
One man’s Cricket

Who I Am – Chris Ritchey

PART THREE – WHO SETS COMMUNITY STANDARDS?
So here I am, an aging community advocate, who has been trying to change the “image” of Lorain’s oldest neighborhood for most of my time living here. But I have also had a share of life “outside” the mistake on the lake.And before Lorainites get offended, that is what was told to me by a US customs agent when I was returning back from a trip to London one year .

What is your destination –

” Lorain Ohio-”

What is your business there?

“I live there” –

and then with a smile said Oh the mistake on the lake – why?-

“I am married to an American – I thought the mistake on the lake was Cleveland ” ?

No! he said that was the first mistake.. and stamped my passport .

“Coming from London all things are relative” said I and smiled and walked away !

Ah! to see ourselves as others see us ( paraphrasing Robbie Burns)

In my other existence, having been part of the UK record industry entertainment and promos,
https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/06/18/kinks-culture-shock-best-of-british-pt-2/
I had to attend various “gigs”- some groups/ bands went off into the sunset, others reinvented themselves time and time again:

Source Billboard

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5820049/rod-stewart-confirms-faces-reunion-were-earmarking-2015

The Faces are an English rock band formed in 1969 by members of the Small Faces after lead singer/guitarist Steve Marriott left that group to form Humble Pie. The remaining Small Faces—Ian McLagan (keyboards), Ronnie Lane (bass), and Kenney Jones (drums and percussion)—were joined by Ronnie Wood (guitar) and Rod Stewart (lead vocals), both from the Jeff Beck Group, and the new line-up was renamed the Faces .

Yes, it is all passé to this aging activist. The bands that come and go through the decades trying to make the jocks shocked and vice versa are just another wannabe. .
The mosh pit ( of the BRL ) event is not the most recent of happenings

The term mosh came into use in the early 1980s American hardcore scene in Washington, D.C. Early on, the dance was frequently spelled mash in fanzines and record liner notes, but pronounced mosh, as in the 1982 song “Total Mash” by the D.C.-based hardcore band Scream. H.R. of the band Bad Brains, regarded as a band that “put moshing on the map,”

http://themusicsover.com/2010/02/02/sid-vicious-sex-pistols/

Pogoing attributed to Sid Vicious and the precursor to the 1980’s moshing and mosh pit with body surfing is decades old ( sorry to those that think they are at the forefront of cutting edge)

http://www.biography.com/people/sid-vicious-246010#synopsis

As 1977 came to a close, the Sex Pistols were arguably one of the most famous bands on the planet with vulgarity and obnoxiousness as well as Sid’s hardcore punk personality as the absolute key to their ever growing stature. http://www.biography.com/people/sid-vicious-246010#synopsis

YES! we of the older and jaded generation had the bad boys a long time before the latest money-making bad boys were even in diapers.

The record companies picked up the cost of damage done by the drunken, high , all for a good time audiences . The cost of the trashed hotels – the smoothing over of the police ( due to the amount of pot being smoked), the sex on the rocks ( literally) the schmoozing over the press! That was part of my job – damage control.

So bearing in mind the much-lauded “event” at Black River Landing and the latest incarnation of a “bad boy “ of Cleveland –

I knew what COULD happen! ( emphasis on COULD) Therefore in my “old” damage control hat and not wanting the overflow of oafishness to effect my neighborhood – a letter was written – and I gave an interview to the Chronicle Telegram as to my concerns.

Anti Political Correctness Ad by Chris Ritchey

For those concerns and the concerns of the organization (CVSI) I, personally , was held up to ridicule etc on the a “radio spot” and in the comments section – not a problem –I know how the “system works” and I didn’t care that a self-professed shock jock– although astute businessman – was using the yin and yang to add to his “show” and “debate”.

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/the-old-lady-and-the-not-so-rockin-chair-rover-lorain

However, I was not alone in my thoughts and as things progressed it seemed anyone who had a concern , dislike or thought negatively about the “event”- aka RoverFest 2014– were taken on, insulted and ridiculed in the print media, the radio and elsewhere by, not only rabid fans of Rover, but in the very community of Lorain who were welcoming the thought of a few bucks being tossed their way by the overflow crowd and being “put on the map”!

They were IN MY OPINION ( which I am allowed to have -contrary to some) literally slathering and drooling over the fact 15,000 of the 18-34 male demographics would be “Coming on Downtown “ ( how’s that for a double entendre? ) Morning Glory not withstanding ….

Rover Fest had their very own hat tip to the past play on the of the Beatles Album – Sgt. Poopers Lonely Sharts Club Band Rover Fest 2014-
Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (June 1967)
You can find the video – all 25 minutes of singing about defecating – by Googling the title Sgt Poopers or you can scroll down to the last you tube link in this post and see the result of what was deemed acceptable by the Lorain Port Authority!
http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com
The authority’s Board of Directors lifted the authority’s ban on “offensive, distasteful or inappropriate” music at the behest of French, according to Rick Novak, authority executive director. “The board was aware that there was going to be obscene language and, in this case, they allowed it,” and with it the rest of the days entertainment what you could see through the smoke 😉

For those of us who “missed” the “entertainment” (at our tax payer funded Black River Landing on July 26th) some videos can be can be found here :
Mosh Pitt and Titties ( not my title)

WARNING these videos are not for some – BUT since the majority of those in business on Broadway- The Intelligencer Waterfront Intelligencer Issue 5 Brewfest Issue
and on the Lorain Port Authority Board ( see contract here )
Roverfest_site_application
as well as the City of Lorain government seemingly have absolutely no problem with the type of “entertainment” and keep the dollars rolling in crowd I am sure they won’t be among the NOT for SOME genre After all why would they ? THEY HAVE SET THE COMMUNITY STANDARD!!!!

The Failed Stripper

The Sex Positions game NOTE: THIS VIDEO APPARENTLY PULLED FROM YOU TUBE FOR COPY RIGHT ISSUES – SEE NOTE AT TOP OF POST)

now before the rest disappear you can find a compilation video here

a screen shot

The much looked forward to Miss Morning Glory

and the DUMP!

You can watch more of the entertainment by Googling Rover Fest 2014 ( You Tube)

TO BE CONTINUED…..

Freedom of Speech — USA – REALLY?? PT 2

Who I Am by Chris Ritchey

PART ONE:https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/freedom-of-speech-usa-really/

“Struggling still to sort out the conflicting thoughts”.

http://transpont.blogspot.com/2011/06/nunhead-fc.html

Where do I begin? and how did I get to this place of quandary?

I don’t like Cricket , but millions do and some of my best friends and close family love the game . I know very little about the game except for the Tea Pavilion
and the fact my Aunt Rene apparently dated one of the game most famous batsman Denis Compton.

Therefore, I stay away from Cricket matches and conversations, commenting or having an opinion on Cricket. It just isn’t worth the time and effort in sharing my uneducated opinion of the game-

One: I don’t know enough about it
Two- I am not the least bit interested in finding out about it.

Cricket is not a problem for me here in Lorain. a discussion about “Cricket rarely comes up , in fact I have never had a discussion with regard to “Cricket” in Lorain

I don’t like a lot of things that many of my closest friends and family like and also follow. None of us are ever in complete agreement with our interests or following. To each his own.

I don’t like reality TV ( personally ) if I want to watch dysfunctional life, I just need to turn on the local news .

Reality TV shows cost so much less to produce $100,000 to on the high end $500,000 on the other hand a “show” about a somewhat dysfunctional family Downton Abbey of $1.7 million dollars to produce per episode or another whey hey what is next in the Yorkshire Dales of Dysfunction “Last Tango in Halifax” at $2. million per episode

However as “cheap as chips” reality shows are highly successful as it seems the demographics of young people with expendable incomes are drawn to their product and switch on regularly .

http://source.southuniversity.edu/reality-tv-low-cost-programming-that-produces-high-ratings-119585.aspx
“Entertainment is a subjective thing, so where one thing is quality to one person, it’s not to another,”Manville says –
Scott Manville ( founder and president of TV Writers Vault
http://www.tvwritersvault.com/companyinfo/scottmanville.asp

I am not quite at the age where I have seen it all , but I have seen a lot of it and been a part of more than most in my “circle”

artwork Chris Ritchey

One of my “hats” as long time readers are aware is the “Co Chair of Charleston Village Society “- This is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 to preserve the quality of life and historical aspect of Lorain’s oldest neighborhood.
http://www.loraincounty.com/charlestonlorai/

However, when we first started out it was against the wishes of the then Community Development Dept. They didn’t want a “middle class clique” in the middle of their lucrative HUD funded “bank” . In point of fact, many obstacles were put in the way at every turn, which is WHY there is a Charleston Village Society today– I was young enough, energetic enough and passionate enough along with a few others to “fight City Hall” literally.

You don’t take on that particular fight lightly, especially when more than a few depended upon the city for their bread and butter- my husband included. Oh! there was quite the “back lash” then and since; the times when we were vocal and in opposition. Since I was the one not having a “regular job” and was available for meetings etc. I became the spokesperson, my name went out under the letter head as “secretary and co-founder” . The “village idiots” continued and a few months ago I was contacted about an event coming to our neighborhood.

And it turned out to be definitely “NOT CRICKET”
ED NOTE for the non Brits among you ‘ not cricket
phrase of cricket British informal
a thing contrary to traditional standards of fairness or rectitude.