Thursday, August 28, 2008

In Support of COSI Toledo

I've already said my piece about COSI Toledo. Even though its services are now greatly reduced, I still feel the same about supporting it wholeheartedly. I understand it is going back on the ballot for Lucas County.

Here is a link to my stance from two years ago:

In Support of COSI Toledo

Also here is a persuasive argument by Dan Johnson a while back in the Free Press

COSI levy will preserve important asset


In the mean time I have visited many more natural science and history museums across Europe with my family...most recently NEMO in Amsterdam. They created a terrific public terraced space on the roof which incorporates oversized board games, sandy play areas, a long waterfall and paddling pools for kids to play in. At the top there is a bar / cafe. Amsterdam is now on my favorite city list right along with Paris and Copenhagen. All the greatest "living" cities I've seen that attract creative industry, talent, and investment have excellent museums, parks, architecture, education, public transportation, and pedestrianized areas.

Friday, August 22, 2008

A night out...

We visited the art museum Glass Pavilion for the first time tonight. I was mildly skeptical of it while being built, but it really turned out nice. Its worth a visit if you've never been.

Afterwards we visited Murphy's and I have to say I was let down. The cover was too high, drinks too high, and the place was not as lively as the past times we've visited.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Back in T-Town

Well, as many of my friends and family know we're in the process of moving back to our old home in Toledo. We're finding many changes but then again some things never change. One thing I have to get off my chest is we've been indulging quite a bit in the dining scene, easy to do in this town especially when you're busy with moving stuff. We can't seem to get enough of Johny's Lunch on Sylvania and Talmage...it is a great family restaurant and I highly recommend it. Oh how that buffalo dog keeps me coming back. Last night it was Shorty's on Monroe...excellent beer selection and some of the best BBQ / coleslaw around.

I've been walking around downtown each day on my lunch break with my colleague Al. He's got the scoop on quite a few of the projects going on, always curious whats being done with this building or that. As far as changes go I have to say I'll miss the old Bijou, a simple art deco theater. I'm sad to hear about the presumed fate of the United Way building...as it is an architectural landmark that is able and worthy of standing the test of time.




I have less forgiveness for tearing down interesting buildings after seeing thousands of well preserved buildings in towns all over UK and Europe. The vast majority of those structures probably make no business sense in restoring, but after time I think people really appreciate seeing an era reflected in architecture.

I haven't blogged about it yet but before we left England we took one last road trip to the continent. I'll try to write about it and post pics but the path was basically Brighton, Canterbury, theme parks near Paris, Ghent, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, ferry to Hull and then back home.