The Blight at the End of the Tunnel

I can't figure out why the City of Akron does nothing about some of its most obviously blighted areas. Not that I think that government can solve all problems, but surely the City could at least find a way to knock down some buildings and plant some grass if private entities aren't willing to rehab the spaces or sell them to someone that will. I understand there's more to it than that. But why? It's not like it's a big secret where the worst problems areas are located. If you pay attention for a few minutes, it's pretty obvious. Wouldn't green space be preferable to rotting, boarded up old buildings that aren't likely to sell in any real estate market? Buildings that are prime targets for criminal activity? Buildings that do nothing to improve property values?

I've looked online for signs that positive change is on the horizon in my neighborhood. I've read of vague plans, heard talk of potential, and seen nothing meaningful happen over the last decade. A beautiful new school recently rose amidst blighted buildings. Young trees are planted along busy thoroughfares. We have a great library, parks and community services. Some families, businesses and organizations invest in their properties in the hope that their neighbors will take the hint. Yet, the same major eyesores continue to exist - everyone knows where they are - and nothing seems to move anyone with real power or money to do anything more than necessary.


The sad thing is that it wouldn't take much time or money to reap immediate rewards. A few strategically placed bulldozers and some grass seed would go a long way to making significant improvements. I'm not usually one to advocate for demolishing old buildings. I'm a proponent of rehab and recycling where possible. But I also know that not everything can be saved. Sometimes you just have to cut your losses and wipe the slate clean. I'd love to see a practical neighborhood redevelopment plan that brings private and public interests together to address the biggest problem areas in a way that encourages business and community investment. But knocking down a few buildings isn't a bad place to start.

With a little bit of effort by local leaders, new and established businesses might then be able to envision opportunity where they now see poverty. Young professionals and families might look twice at this urban neighborhood and decide that they can call it home - a place perfectly situated between downtown Akron and the Cascade Valley MetroPark (north and south). This is the potential we envisioned when we bought our home in North Hill. But now our optimism is starting to fade, and for the first time we are starting to open our minds to the possibility of somewhere other than Akron.

If the Akron truly wants to remain relevant to the people that want to call it home, it would be worth the time to make some meaningful efforts in its core neighborhoods. Most of us don't expect much more than a sign of progress. If even this is too much to ask, then the City shouldn't be surprised if people continue to leave.

And the Winner Is...(Not Us)

At a recent Akron Film contest that we entered (but didn't win), I was pleasantly (sort of) surprised to go up against so many good independent films. In past contests, relatively few well-produced short films have been sprinkled among a collection of average and lackluster films, several of which probably shouldn't have even been made. But this year was quite different, and the talent pool made drowning a little easier, for me at least.

I really don't like to lose (who does). But I'm proud to have encountered so many young, enthusiastic, talented, independent filmmakers right here in my community. I figure if I'm going to lose, I'd much rather lose to someone who deserves it than to lose to a stacked deck. Not that our film was bad. It was good; and in past years, it would have won. This time, we took a risk, did things a little different, and the gamble just didn't pay off. (Sounds familiar.) But that's life. We'll compete again. We always do.

It's important to keep getting back up, pushing the boundaries, challenging the status quo. If you don't play the game, you have no chance of winning. So don't count the Screamingreens out yet. We're just getting started.

All Good Things...

After committing to posting more regularly, I went completely the other way and posted nothing at all for about the last month and a half. It's been a strange, but not unpleasant, couple of years. A lot has transpired in little time, none of which is interesting to more than a handful of people, so I won't bore you with unnecessary drama. It's only worth mentioning to understand that it has all led to the crossroad at which I'm now standing. Most of us come to many of these throughout life and not all of them are unpleasant. It's just that the paths at this particular crossroad are a bit strange and unexpected. I've probably been more fortunate than most that I have a few minutes to stop and consider each path before choosing one and barrel down it. That doesn't happen often, and I'm still not sure which direction I'll end up traveling. All I know is that no matter which path I choose, I am committed to taking my voice with me - and hopefully the voices of others. So I'm refocusing VocalLocals to dedicate less effort to me and my content and more effort to:

• encouraging constructive dialogue about the local people, places, things and ideas that don't get discussed as much or as honestly as they deserve.
• helping local citizens organize around issues that are as important to me as they are to them.
• helping community members document the stories of the Akron community for current and future generations.
• encouraging action that stimulates pride and investment in Akron and in my North Hill neighborhood.

It's important that others participate. Come together to share ideas - similar and different. Organize around shared interests. Take action to create positive change. It won't work without all of you. Thanks for your time. I look forward to talking with you.

Jo.

Snow Days

I'm not much of a winter weather person. I appreciate winter, but prefer to admire it through a window from under a warm blanket while sipping hot cocoa. Fortunately, there are days like today to make me find joy in a season I respect, but rarely regard as enjoyable. Blue, Zoey and I went to Boston Mills ski resort in Boston Heights, a small community north of Akron, to scout locations and meet a friend of ours about doing a video about three generations that ski. It was a great time, even though neither Zoey nor I were dressed properly.

I shot and edited this quick little video of Zoey on my iPod while we were waiting for Blue to get some great shots of the slopes. Zoey helped me forget about the cold for a little while and reflect on the simple joys of being outside in the snow and just wanting to play, play, play until our fingers, toes and noses were about to freeze off. Chasing her everywhere helped, too.

Here's to winter in Northeast Ohio. You never really know what you're going to get each year, but there's truly nothing like it. It's part of who we are and at least it gives us something to talk about.

Opportunity Knocks.

Building the Akron Digital Media Center has helped open a few  doors. I enjoy walking through these doors even though I don't always know what's on the other side. But my favorite doors to open are the seemingly small ones - the doors you would probably walk past or never see if it weren't for opportunities that put those doors right in front of your path. It was one of those doors that led to Kwame and Alchemy.

Today, Blue and I visited Alchemy's Myth, Muses and Scribes meeting, a youth development program for males from 6th grade through 12th grade. Alchemy's mission is "to provide leadership development in small group settings, utilizing mythological traditions, themes and motifs to introduce, interpret and integrate ancient wisdom in a contemporary context." The first class graduates this year. It's pretty exciting.

Kwame Scruggs (above) is Alchemy's Executive Director. I met him through the ADMC, but heard great things about his group before that. He conducts interactive sessions that combine myth and drumming with lecture and discussion to impart values of personal and social responsibility, self-confidence and leadership. Everyone sits in a circle according to age and everyone is expected to participate. Kwame holds their interest because he's honest, stays on their level, engages them and keeps them thinking. He helps them relate the past to the present so they can build a better future. He opens doors for these kids and shows them how to walk through with confidence so they can start to open more doors on their own.

As more doors open to me, I'm learning two things: (1) there are more good people in my community trying to do positive things than I thought ever existed - I can be pretty cynical - and (2) these people rarely get the attention they deserve - which is probably why I've been so cynical. It's great to know there are people and groups in our community that are truly passionate about helping others. These are the kind of people that fill me up. They inspire me to do better and achieve more. They help solve problems rather than just complain. They make me even prouder to call Akron my home.

Jo.

Waste Not. Want Not.

I wrote this story for the Akronist announcing the third year launch of ZeroLandfill Akron, a kind of recycling program that takes design and building material samples and recycles them for use by artists, arts educators, and other creative spirits that have vision to do something with this old stuff. It's not necessarily a new idea and it's not rocket science. But this group seems to have a good understanding about creating a replicable and sustainable model, so hopefully it will continue to grow and be successful. The girl in me also enjoys the cute labels for the ZeroLandfill concept and the people that participate - "upcycling" takes the place of recycling, those who donate materials are "pollinators" and those who reuse the materials are "harvesters". More than just another recycling program, it strives to create community, which bodes well for the brand long-term. I'm looking forward to checking it out when it opens on February 5th. It's just unfortunate that it lasts only a few Saturdays. I suppose that just leaves room for growth.

Jo.

Wishing for Warmer Weather

It's that special time of year where I almost constantly complain about the weather - not that I'm willing to actually do anything about it, like move somewhere warmer. Complaining about the weather is a Northeast Ohioan's birthright - and a way to relate to strangers without feeling obligated to have a real conversation. When it's cold, we wish for summer. When it's hot, we wish for snow. Except me. I like the snow, but not the cold. I could live without it if there was anything I could do about it. I live for Spring, sweat for Summer, and agonize over Autumn. Although it's one of my favorite seasons, it offers a constant reminder that Winter is waiting in the wings. Our weather is a lot like our people. You may not like everything about them, but at least you know what you're getting. So I was going through my photos, wishing for warmer weather, and decided to put this quick piece together - for myself more than anyone else. Just a couple more months until Akron thaws and the salt is washed away.

Jo.

Not So Vocal

I haven't posted in the last few months. My attention has been focused almost exclusively on preparing for the year-end launch of the Akronist, greater Akron's new citizen journalism website. The Akronist made its debut with a soft launch at Akron's First Night celebration in downtown Akron.

Although what we have is different from what we envisioned in the early days, but it's been a great experience building this community media site and teaching people how to use digital media tools to tell their neighborhood stories. I'm proud of what we accomplished in the last year. I'm grateful for the generous and wonderful people I've met through the Akron Digital Media Center. I look forward to tracking the progress of this new venture and continuing to train and collaborate with outstanding people that inspire me and motivate me with their passion and drive. I'm thrilled to be part of something that gives my community a place and an opportunity to make their voices heard, discuss important local issues and create positive change. I get great satisfaction from sharing knowledge, passing on skills and helping people find their voices. I look forward to seeing what people put into the Akronist and what they get out of it.

In the meantime, I'm turning a a bit inward. I'm working on fine tuning my voice and exploring more and better ways to use my skills to positively impact my community. So I'll be around more often and in more places doing what I think needs to be done to make this a better place to call home. I hope you'll feel compelled to stop by and say hi - and maybe even throw in your two cents.

Jo.