A Better Cleveland

This next post is dedicated to Randy Newman.  Every time I hear Randy Newman's song or see Major League, I listen to "Burn On," and get mixed feelings. When I first hear the chorus it makes me think of my younger days when the Indians were as awful as an MLB team could be (hopefully we don't return there).  I add to that all of the public's nasty opinions of Cleveland. Of the burning river, the mistake on the lake, the multitudes of corrupt government officials, Art Modell, the drive, the shot, etc. (I gotta stop before I have to throw on my Bernie jersey to feel better). 

Yet, from those same feelings I remember my first game at Municipal Stadium, my first ballpark dog with stadium mustard, my first high five with a complete stranger, my first downtown for the lighting of the Christmas lights, and my first feeling of being a part of something bigger. Though I may have been the 768th person through the gates with only a hundred or so others at the ballpark,  whether I had to deal with my past girlfriends who are Steelers fans laughing in my face after another loss to them, I still get that sense of community, of kinsmanship, with my friends back home that though we're on the ropes, we are ready to bounce off of them at any moment. 

To this day I have the opinion, that what is being seen by the public, is not the the all of it.  Cleveland is my home no matter how far I go or how others may diss it.  While I was looking for upcoming events in Cleveland, I came upon a site with a catchy homepage and the potential to influence the masses.  At YourChangingCleveland.com the viewer is updated with projects within Cleveland and the opportunity to voice their own opinions.  Though the site seems to be in its initial phases I believe that it has great potential. 

This site allows the public to become integrated within its own efforts to promote a better Cleveland.  It informs the public of the projects trying to re-build Cleveland and welcomes those who wish to be a part of it.  Newspapers are becoming a thing of the past and vehicles of communication are becoming more and more a part of the digital age.  Sites like these are advantageous to the city such as Cleveland who is trying day in and day out to improve its credibility and growth.  So set aside your previous opinions and jokes of Cleveland because we are on the move and have been on the move.  It may not be quick and it may not be soon, but as long as people are still giving high fives to strangers at games and songs are being written about Cleveland, good or bad, this city will carry on.  So burn onnnnnnnnnnnnnn big river . . . burn on!