End of an Era - Good Bye Big Chuck

 This is an old photo of Big Chuck and me and a poster of him as the Kielbasy Kid that has hung on my wall since I was a kid.

Big Chuck was the face of Cleveland.

His passing ends an era never to be seen again.

Big Chuck was like family to many living in Cleveland and the NE Ohio area.

Big Chuck will be missed.

A brownstone and the Jeremiah Ensworth house

Hey Gang,
Recently business has picked up. Gas goes up, things slow down, gas goes down, things pick up, do you think there's a connection?
One of the new accounts I picked up is actually from a previous customer. I had cleaned their empty rental years ago. They decided to get rid of their cleaning person and hire an outside janitorial service.
The properties I'm maintaining are on Prospect Ave. in downtown Cleveland. Both are historical houses. One is a brownstone built in the early 1900's and the other is the Jeremiah Ensworth House built in 1870. It was exciting to get to clean these old places.. I must of passed these houses dozens and dozens of times but never noticed them.
I didn't get a chance to snap a photo of the outside of the brownstone, next time I will. The place is in dire need of a complete restoration but still it is in decent enough shape to tell that at one time it was a very fine home for some well to do individual.. I don't know much of the history of it other than its one of the few remaining brownstones in Cleveland.
What I found amazing is how thin the house is and the stairs are very narrow. I wonder how did they ever get furniture to the upper rooms? I just can't imagine living in a house with that many stairs and climbing them all day every day.
The Jeremiah Ensworth house has been researched and printouts of the history are available. According to this paper it is one of the few remaining examples of a single family home from the post Civil War era on the east side of Cleveland.
I don't have a count but its amazing how many rooms there are in this house. I was told to clean each floor and every time I thought we had finished a floor we found another door that led to another room.
In both houses every room has a fireplace and each were different. Some were all marble, others were brick or wood. It must of been so cold years ago. Heating by fireplaces and then by coal in a tall house with 12 foot ceilings, brrrrr. This is kind of funny. When Mr. Kramer, the current owner, bought the Ensworth house, he thought it had horse stalls in the basement. They weren't, it was stalls for the coal that was delivered. It must of took an awful lot of coal to heat the place.
Jeremiah Ensworth was born in 1818. He was a principal in the firm of Fogg, Ensworth and Company Importers. During the Civil War he responded to the call of President Lincoln and was promoted to Captain. After the war he returned to his business and built the house. He died in 1883 of Brights disease. His wife sold the house and it became a boarding house in the early twentieth century, then it was a haberdasher with the owner living upstairs, in the 60's a fraternity stayed in it, and now it is the law offices of Kramer and Associates.
If ever in Cleveland and want to drive by the houses, the addresses are 3214 Prospect Ave. for the Jeremiah Ensworth House and the brownstone is 3655 Prospect Ave..
You know.... I just can't end this story with out writing about the head secretary for Kramer and associates, Madeline. I couldn't figure out how to include her but it wouldn't be complete without doing so. I enjoyed talking with Madeline. She is very friendly and likable, proper but not stiff. Her demeanor just seemed to suit the house, from her dress to her manners. I can actually imagine her living in the place.
There, now the story is complete.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Travel Trays and Mayfield Village Cruise In

Hey Gang,
Instead of trying eBay again I thought I would send out an email to you and see if there is any prospective buyers for this neat old car accessory - TWIN TRAVEL TRAY.
The GoGoBus already has a dining table and the Daewoo well now... remember the opening scene of the Flintstones when the tray gets placed on the car and it tips? Besides that fact, the Lil Daewoo has buckets seats.
This travel tray was made in good ole Cleveland, Ohio in 1963. The tray slips over the front bench seat of the car. Just looking at this tray gives you that nostalgia feeling and reminds one of yesteryear, the days of carhops, drive ins, cheap gas, no seat-belts, and when Chrysler was a Chrysler, America was America and a Communist was someone you shot and not someone you would elect as President. And of course it also reminds you of those tin TV trays that everyone had in their living room while they watched Ed Sullivan.
If you have a big old American car with bench seats you need this accessory for the cruise ins to add just a little more flare to your setup. The trays slip over the front bench seat. Did I say that already?
I have the original box but its tattered and worn. One tray is near perfect, the other has some surface rust, but unfortunately the gold finish on the frame has a lot of surface rust so it will need to be sanded and painted. Overall good condition.
And if you email within the next 5 minutes, because I can't do this all day, I will throw in at no extra charge one small Sham Wow! What are you waiting for? Oh the price, I think $20 is fair plus shipping.
If you aren't interested PLEASE pass this on.

And now for the cruise in photos.

I didn't take a lot of photos at the Mayfield Village Cruise In. Just a few. I like this show probably the best because they block about a 1/4 mile or a bit more of Wilson Mills Rd and let you cruise your ride while people sit on the sidewalk in lawn chairs. They have a couple of different bands playing, some food stands. A very miniature Woodworth. Always a good time. The local fuzz even let you get away with a little tire chirping. Unless of course you are driving a GoGo Bus. I told someone heck I can't burn my tires but I do have a stove to burn eggs.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

ps: if you need more photos of the trays just ask.

The new neighbor

Hey Gang,
Sometimes what I write I like it, other times I don't. Well this is one of those times I am not sure if I do. But read it anyways and you decide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guess what? I have a feel good story to write about, well most of the story is feel good.
I went to my rental today to do yard work. Next door, the house that was vacant for about 3 years, finally found a family. They are renting it from the owner who bought the house in foreclosure, and yes it was trashed. I knew the people who lived there. A white couple in their early 50's, not a black couple. Got that? I guess you can tell I am a bit sensitive to whats going on in Euclid. After he lost the house, if I was told correctly, because of not paying taxes, he got a job with the city, go figure. Let me end it there because that's not what this story is about, its about the boy sitting outside reading.
As I was doing yard work the boy next door said hi to me. I didn't want to stop so just said You the new neighbor? I resumed working but started thinking I was a bit cold. So I stopped and asked about his family and where did he move from. They were renting another house in Euclid but it was to small for the six of them. Before that they lived off E.55 and then Norwood off St. Claire. His Mom wanted to get the kids out of that area and said God had better plans for them. The schools he said are much better than in Cleveland, in Euclid they will not let you get away with things, I remember when I was in seventh grade while still in Cleveland this kid got straight F's and they passed him, I still can't believe it and will never forget it. I said I understand wanting to get out, both of your old neighborhoods are tough places, Clevelands been hard hit. He went on to tell me that his family is originally from Georgia and when his great-grandpa moved here 60 years ago Cleveland had all kinds of jobs thats why he moved up here. I replied its bad right now, don't know what the answer is or what to do. Do you know what he said? Pray! How 'bout that! I was being taught a lesson here. That adult and Godly answer made me me forget about yard work so I relaxed and talked with him further.
I asked what church he goes to. His family attends The Cathedral Worship Center, 216 Euclid Ave, Euclid. I asked is it a nondenominational? He replied thats all we attend, the churchs we did attend that were denominations said only blacks were going to heaven and thats not right. Sound familiar friends? Usually though its the whites who are going to heaven, guess depends on which side of the fence you are on.
Bryant is about to graduate from high school and will soon be off to Orlando where he will attend college to become a surgical assistant. His real passion though is politics and law enforcement. He was a volunteer for a mayoral candidate in University Hts... His candidate lost but his enthusiasm for politics hasn't been dampened and will get involved again in the future.
Before getting back to my yard work Bryant gave me a sheet on a genealogy service he does. He was able to track his family back to 1780 in Africa. His grandfathers side descend from the Choctaw Indians. On their grandmothers side, her father came from England and Georgia. He started a school there and named it after himself. The service is called - Genealogy Genius - the web address is: http://genealogygenius.webs.com/index.htm.
It was just refreshing to meet someone younger who has goals and is doing something with himself. And I am pretty certain whatever Bryant decides to do he will succeed. More than that though, his friendly hello is how neighbors should be.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Cleveland Tea Rally and my Chinese Experience

I decided to take a brief break from writing about Euclid and tell you about the Cleveland tea party rally and my Chinese restaurant experience though this story does go back to what I have been screaming about - Euclid and socialism. Hey I wish I could just write about happy things, its not my fault our waitress decided to tell us about her life and homeland that brought me back to that topic.
Anyway... I started a new account recently. Its on Paine Ave. in Cleveland. Across from it is an Asian Plaza that I have never been to before. I told mom about it and she replied I have been going there for years. Now I know how the kimchee, dim-sum, and other Asian delights end up in our fridge.
Just before heading to this new account in downtown Cleveland I decided to swing by the Tea Rally. My thoughts of this rally was another pompous display of cheer leading to get someone elected. Can you tell how disillusioned I am? How hard have I tried to organize an effort in my support against Euclid? Exactly, so call it pouting if you like but if people won't support my effort why should I support theirs? Yes yes yes I do realize this is about country first, just need to keep trying to wake people up I guess.
Minutes before taking off I quickly threw together a pamphlet hi-lighting Euclid's codes and fines keeping it very short and not even including my plight so people would read it. I wanted to hand these out at the rally since it was all about taxes and erosion of our rights, maybe someone from the crowd will join my battle.
Jeff and I got to the rally late, about the last 30 minutes. The crowd was of decent size with many signs and flags waving. My little pamphlet was well received except for one lady who just didn't get it. I almost wanted to escort her out of the rally. When I tried to explain to her what is going on she said angrily "Well they are trying to stop it from becoming another E. Cleveland." Lady, high taxes, regulations, government interference are all playing a large part of people fleeing Euclid. The more people flee, the more empty houses and the more values keep plummeting. Capeesh?
I did take a moment at the rally to step back and take it all in. The crowd of people was mixed, old, young, well dressed, jeans and piercings, some in costume, black, white, male, female. Quite a few had signs, some waving flags. The words of the speaker, the cheers, it was an event but the atmosphere was not festive. I realized how on the cusp we are to a real revolt. And as I was reflecting on this I actually felt my words may come true and soon if things don't change - some city hall is going to be hit by someone who is losing it all and cant take anymore. Not like Oklahoma City, an armed rebellion. I don't wish it but I almost feel its inevitable.
We left there to go to work but before starting I wanted to check out the Asian plaza to possibly get a bite to eat. It was quite an interesting experience. This is one time I didn't check if the products were made in China, I would of been disappointed if they weren't. The plaza isn't that large. Its anchored by Li Wah a Chinese restaurant and a Chinese grocery store. When you walk into the Chinese grocery store the odor hits you and it ain't pleasant. What a difference between this and an Italian food store with all those wonderful scents. I love trying different foods but there was a couple of items I don't think I could try. One is the duck tongues, quack, I mean yuck.
We then went to Li Wah to eat where we met the talkative little Chinese waitress. Jeff and I almost left when we asked another waitress if the Mandarin pork chops were filling. She said it was small. Small turned out to be small as in small pieces and but the serving was quite large. Mandarin pork chops are similar to sweet and sour pork except the sauce is not red and not as sweet.
Half way through our meal is when the talkative and friendly waitress, Young, walked by and commented on what we ordered. Oh you ordered the Mandarin pork chops that is my daughters favorite. It went from there to telling us that she came to the US in 1988 and the last time she went back home to China was in 1992. Jeff and I had little room to respond as she kept on talking. I stopped eating to listen and didn't want to interrupt her either. Both of us found what she had to say as very informative and interesting. She must of talked at least a good ten minutes.
Young went on to say how things have changed in China since 1992. Before people were trying their best to come to America as there was no opportunity to succeed in China. It was very hard to start a business. Back then you had to go to one office to register, another place to get a license. Very very difficult for businesses. Now they have relaxed their rules and it is easy to start a business. One of the few times I could get anything in I said it seems like China is becoming easier and less rules and America is becoming harder and more regulations. She said exactly! Her friends and family no longer hope to come here and they ask her to come home things are much different. Before hardly anyone had cars, just businesses or government, now people are buying cars and they are everywhere.
China is more free now, more tourists. American businesses have opened like McDonald's and KFC. When McDonald's first opened you couldn't even move it was so crowded. Everyone wanted to try it.
I asked her about Hong Kong if it was a problem that China took them over. She said not really. Before you needed a passport to go there, now we go freely back and forth, Hong Kong is built up and people love going there.
About education she had this to say. American students aren't as smart. My daughter needed to buy a calculator for math, in China we don't use them, we use pencil and paper. Our chidren are way more advanced. A Chinese child in the third grade comes here and knows everything already and should really be put into the sixth grade.
Young started laughing when she realized how she interrupted our meal and apologized. I said please don't apologize I enjoyed your talk immensely, I learned a lot and hope to talk with you again.
Now do you see how this ties in with Euclid and the Tea Rally? It just upsets me that America the land of the free for some reason wants to embrace socialism/communism that has failed miserably everywhere else. Wake up people.
I just marvel at my life, though I get tired and fed up and say thats it, it never fails to amaze me the connections that seem to cross my path that ties things together and makes me continue onward.

CKM

Shirl talks about Kentucky's earthquake

Hey Gang,
This is a little different for a blog. Instead of rewriting a chat I had with Shirl on Wednesday morning April 23, 2008, I am posting it as it.
The earthquake she talks about happened Sunday April 20Th.
Earthquakes are now happening in Kentucky! This should make us think.
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shirley (4/23/2008 3:58:22 AM): now i can tell you
shirley (4/23/2008 3:59:34 AM): guess what happened here in campton
shirley (4/23/2008 3:59:44 AM): we had an earth quake
Carey (4/23/2008 3:59:48 AM): WOW
shirley (4/23/2008 3:59:52 AM): yes
Carey (4/23/2008 3:59:56 AM): has that ever happened
shirley (4/23/2008 4:00:06 AM): real early sun morn in the wee hours
shirley (4/23/2008 4:00:15 AM): not in my lifetime here
Carey (4/23/2008 4:00:21 AM): wow
shirley (4/23/2008 4:00:26 AM): it was a 4 pointer
Carey (4/23/2008 4:00:34 AM): thats pretty big
shirley (4/23/2008 4:00:53 AM): and then we had an after shock a few hours later
shirley (4/23/2008 4:01:00 AM): my bed shook
Carey (4/23/2008 4:01:01 AM): did ya feel it
Carey (4/23/2008 4:01:05 AM): i guess you did
shirley (4/23/2008 4:01:22 AM): at first i thought heidi my dog had gotten off my bed til i sat up and she was still there
Carey (4/23/2008 4:01:42 AM): where was it centered
shirley (4/23/2008 4:01:47 AM): the news said we are in for another one later this summer
shirley (4/23/2008 4:01:53 AM): a much bigger one
shirley (4/23/2008 4:02:39 AM): not sure but we felt it here in campton and the after shock went clear into the outskirts of jackson
Carey (4/23/2008 4:02:54 AM): they never said the spot of origin
shirley (4/23/2008 4:03:04 AM): i didnt catch it
Carey (4/23/2008 4:03:09 AM): my goodness
shirley (4/23/2008 4:03:12 AM): i know
shirley (4/23/2008 4:03:20 AM): now its getting scarey
Carey (4/23/2008 4:03:26 AM): is this a first for all of Ky or just this area
shirley (4/23/2008 4:03:33 AM): i dont know
shirley (4/23/2008 4:03:43 AM): have to check into it
Carey (4/23/2008 4:04:57 AM): the first one I ever remember happened in Cleveland in 86, the first that I know of for this area
shirley (4/23/2008 4:05:14 AM): this was my first
Carey (4/23/2008 4:05:16 AM): since then we must of had oh maybe 8
shirley (4/23/2008 4:05:24 AM): really
Carey (4/23/2008 4:05:31 AM): all of them are about 2.0 to about 3.5
Carey (4/23/2008 4:05:54 AM): not that big BUT it is an earthquake
shirley (4/23/2008 4:06:00 AM): yes
Carey (4/23/2008 4:06:08 AM): and who knows when it can spring into a big one
shirley (4/23/2008 4:06:25 AM): the one that we are supposed to get this summer is supposed to be a 6 pointer
Carey (4/23/2008 4:06:32 AM): no way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you are joking right?
shirley (4/23/2008 4:06:41 AM): they have been following up on this one they knew we were supposed to get this one
shirley (4/23/2008 4:07:01 AM): no im not joking
Carey (4/23/2008 4:07:08 AM): Shirl do you realize a 6 is MAJOR damage
shirley (4/23/2008 4:07:13 AM): i know
shirley (4/23/2008 4:07:21 AM): this one was a 4
Carey (4/23/2008 4:07:33 AM): they don't jump by a little, the richter scale is strange
shirley (4/23/2008 4:07:39 AM): thats why i said im kinda scared
Carey (4/23/2008 4:07:43 AM): was there any damage
shirley (4/23/2008 4:07:51 AM): not that i know of
Carey (4/23/2008 4:07:58 AM): 4 can cause some
shirley (4/23/2008 4:08:40 AM): but my air unit outside is making a terrible noise when it comes on now and it didnt before this happened
shirley (4/23/2008 4:08:58 AM): i think it moved it out of balance or something
Carey (4/23/2008 4:15:22 AM): but in a way its kind of exciting isnt it
shirley (4/23/2008 4:15:28 AM): sort of
Carey (4/23/2008 4:15:30 AM): yes
Carey (4/23/2008 4:15:33 AM): in a scary way
shirley (4/23/2008 4:15:36 AM): if they dont get real bad
shirley (4/23/2008 4:15:52 AM): patty and rocks were mad cause they slept through it
Carey (4/23/2008 4:15:58 AM): oh my gosh
Carey (4/23/2008 4:16:09 AM): yeah thats what I mean
Carey (4/23/2008 4:16:23 AM): you dont want it to happen but it is an event of sorts
Carey (4/23/2008 4:16:27 AM): something to remember
shirley (4/23/2008 4:16:30 AM): yup
shirley (4/23/2008 4:17:08 AM): gosh the one that we r to get this summer might cause some of these mountains to fall
Carey (4/23/2008 4:17:23 AM): YES 6 IS MAJOR
shirley (4/23/2008 4:17:34 AM): i hope they r mistaken
Carey (4/23/2008 4:17:40 AM): me to
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This should make us all think and if it doesn't this will:

LUKE 21: AND CHRIST SAID TO THEM: NATION WILL RISE AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM. AND THERE WILL BE GREAT EARTHQUAKES IN VARIOUS PLACES, AND FAMINES AND PESTILENCES, AND THERE WILL BE........

Hmmmmmmmmmmm!

Gotta Go Go!!
Carey