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Some things worth shouting about
(by Barbara Christian - March 18, 2009)
WINDOW ON MAIN STREET, BY BARBARA CHRISTIAN
Some things worth shouting about
You have no doubt seen them and read them. Many newspapers have them. Those columns that give attention to news subjects deemed worthy of a thumbs up or a thumbs down.
These features go by various names -- "Pats and Pan" or "Cheers and Jeers" come to mind. Basically, the items give credit where credit is due and the raspberries where those are appropriate as well.
So I'm thinking, why not the Times? But what should we name our contribution? "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" has a certain charm, but, then again, it's not quite right. Another one might be "Yeas and Nays," but that's obvious and probably been done.
So how about "Shout Out and Shut Up"? Which I so nominate. Can we have a show of hands? Good, we all agree, so let's get on with it.
SHOUT OUT to the Chagrin Cook, the objects de culinary store in the Chagrin Falls Shopping Plaza. You may have noticed that lately the shop has been featuring "Made in the U.S.A." products in the front window. The big red, white and blue sign draws attention to these items and is a nice, noticeable touch. We think a downtown-wide "Made in America" promotion may be just the thing for this year's July 4 window decorating contest. Every merchant in town must sell something made in the good old U. S. of A.
SHUT UP to the City of Solon. You allowed your SOM Center Road landmark gazebo deteriorate to a point where it could not be saved. We find it hard to believe that the city could let that happen. That is just not worthy of a town whose citizens just a few years ago went to the barricades over saving their historic city hall. Wonder if anyone remembers there is a time capsule buried near where the gazebo stood.
SHOUT OUT to the South Main Street family which makes sure their front-lawn pine tree pays homage to whatever holiday or season it may be. Shiny red hearts covered it for Valentine's Day and green hats and shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day. By the time you read this, the tree could be all decked out for Easter. What a great addition to the village. Thank you!
SHUT UP to Moreland Hills, whose powers that be did not think of its neighbors when it decided to do much-needed slope-stabilization work that will close the main artery to Chagrin Falls. The timing couldn't be worse, right in the middle of that town's busy summer events season. Well-marked detours are no cure all, and they are absolutely no guarantee that motorist visitors will take the long way around. This "Shut Up" could have been an easy "Shout Out" had Moreland Hills done the right thing and discussed the closing with Chagrin.
Let's end on a positive note with this SHOUT OUT to the Valley Art Center for its continued Art of Renovation program, which this summer will focus on the exterior west and north ends its Bell Street gallery and classroom building. A new facade and gardens are planned. The garden will serve to remove that unused, rutted eyesore of a driveway and will continue at the rear hillside of the VAC property. A major SHOUT OUT is due the Kranz Family Foundation, which funded the garden.
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