Random Quote

It is difficult to find happiness within oneself but it is impossible to find it anywhere else. — Arthur Schopenhauer, German Philosopher

List of models in Toyota's 2010 Recall

Toyota Motor Corporation is reported to have recalled the following vehicles.

  1. 2009-10 Toyota RAV4 crossovers,
  2. 2009-10 Toyota Corollas,
  3. 2009-10 Toyota Matrix hatchbacks,
  4. 2005-10 Toyota Avalons,
  5. 2007-10 Toyota Camrys,
  6. 2010 Toyota Highlander crossovers,
  7. 2007-10 Toyota Tundra pickups and
  8. 2008-10 Toyota Sequoia SUVs.

Check out this letter from Edolphus Towns, Continue reading List of models in Toyota’s 2010 Recall

Natural Gas Wells in Northeast Ohio

Marcellus Shale in Appalachain Basin

Marcellus Shale in Appalachian Basin

For new residents of Northeast Ohio, one of the lesser known fact about the region might be its association with its oil and natural gas wells.  The State of Ohio has about 274,733 wells yielding 1.126 billion barrels of crude oil and more than 8.35 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.  Research completed by Ohio Department of Natural Resources’s Divisions of Mineral Resources Management and Geological Survey indicates that Ohio has significant remaining producible oil and natural gas reserves.

The subject of natural gas well drilling has been controversial and contentious in the region. Continue reading Natural Gas Wells in Northeast Ohio

Strategic Home Mortgage Default

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the time when borrowers would do anything to pay their mortgage, it was the time when some borrowers walked away from their home mortgage; it was the time when lenders held onto home mortgages for 30 years; it was the time when lenders promptly sold home mortgages (except in Vermont).

Business Strategic Mortgage Defaults

Roger Lowenstein, author of The Way We Live Now, Walk Away From Your Mortgage, gives an example of strategic mortgage default in the business world.  A Morgan Stanley fund decided to stop making payments on a real estate purchase in San Francisco because the value of the real estate had decreased.  He suggests that the owners of any company that defaults on bonds and chooses to let the company fail rather than invest more capital in it are practicing “strategic default”. Continue reading Strategic Home Mortgage Default

Jesus is the reason for the season

Christmas 2009

Something is not right when people have to informed through a sign that Christmas is about Jesus Christ and not shopping.

Municipal zoning or other rules may permit installation of non commercial opinion signs if the signs meet the size, color, location and other prescribed criteria.  These yard signs are a tribute to our First Amendment.

However, some yard signs or commercial electronic message boards, in particular, that are becoming too common on higher speed roadways, are likely to be cause of distraction to some iPhone slinging motorists and may lead to traffic crashes.

Related Post: Unhappy with Kathleen Falk and Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Atypical Stop Sign in City of Aurora, Ohio

Stop Signs

Atypical Stop Sign

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public traffic.

This atypical stop sign is installed off of South Bissell Road at its intersection with West Pioneer Trail, near Walden of Aurora in City of Aurora Ohio.  Purists might find this City of Aurora sign unappealing but Continue reading Atypical Stop Sign in City of Aurora, Ohio

City of Solon Fire Department in action

Solon Fire Rescue

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Friendship Test by Warren Buffett

Paula Schleis is the author of a valuable article titled Day with Warren Buffett enriching to University of Akron  students in The Akron Beacon Journal.  The article is based on a meeting between Warren Buffett and a few University of Akron students lead by Todd A. Finkle, Associate Professor of Management, Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, University of Akron.  In this article, the most striking comments from Warren Buffett are not about investments but about friendship and love.  While Buffett’s friendship test’s validity is debatable, what is clear is that he has learned from his life’s experiences.

Todd Finkle said many comments made a deep impression on him as well, but one he’ll never forget was in response to Finkle’s own question about the most influential people in Warren Buffett’s life.  Among those Warren Buffett named was a friend who was a Polish Jew, taken to a World War II concentration camp after an acquaintance reported the friend’s hiding place to the Germans.  Warren Buffett said ever since hearing that story, ”when he would begin friendships, he would ask the question: Would this person hide me from the Nazis?”

”Warren Buffett then went on to say that one of the most important things [if not the most important] was unconditional love.  If you can find two or three people who love you unconditionally, you are a lucky person.”

Observed at Cleveland Clinic Beachwood

"To Life" (L'Chaim)

"To Life" (L'Chaim)

“To Life” L’Chaim by © David E. Davis in the lobby of Cleveland Clinic facility at Beachwood, Ohio.

The double-helix (DNA), symbol of life’s secrets; the sphere, life’s source;  the figures, growth by care and medicine bind patient and doctor in mutual support, like the spirals, –recalling the caduceus, symbol of medical profession.

Rising out of water, where life began, to a height of eighteen feet.  Eighteen is “chai”–life.  In honor of Rabbi Elias and Ida Davidowitz.

To Life

To Life

Susan Drucker wins City of Solon Mayor Election

2009 City of Solon Election
City of Solon Mayor

Susan A. Drucker 4163 votes
Robert A. Paulson 3122 votes
Write-in John Scott 1350 votes

Continue reading Susan Drucker wins City of Solon Mayor Election

City of Solon Election-John Scott-City of Solon Mayor

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This is a photograph of an election campaign document from John Scott, a City of Solon councilman and a write in candidate for City of Solon Mayor in the City of Solon Election to be held on November 3, 2009.

Ranking of top school districts in Northeast Ohio

Northeast Ohio School District (Performance Index Score)-Fall 2009
  1. Solon Schools (109.5)
  2. Hudson Schools (108.6)
  3. Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools (107.5)
  4. Aurora Schools (107.3)
  5. Beachwood Schools (107.2)
  6. Chagrin Falls Schools (107)
  7. Jackson Schools (106.7)
  8. Avon Lake Schools (106.6)
  9. Lake Local Schools (106.4)
  10. Westlake Schools (106.3)

A retired school teacher from one of the Northeast Ohio public school districts said, “Send your children to private schools, if you can afford it”.   Continue reading Ranking of top school districts in Northeast Ohio

City of Solon Zoning Code Amendment-Workmanline manner

City of Solon is working on amending its zoning code to include a workmanlike manner provision.  According to Robert Frankland, City of Solon Planning Director, the current edition of the Ohio Building Code does not require that construction projects be built at a minimum level of quality and appearance.   While Ohio Building Code does require that the structures be sound, it does not require them to be built in a workmanlike manner.

As an example Robert Frankland displayed a picture of a Continue reading City of Solon Zoning Code Amendment-Workmanline manner

City of Solon Election-Kingman El Jamah-Solon School Board

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City of Solon Election-Bob Paulson-City of Solon Mayor

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These are photographs of  election campaign documents from Robert Paulson,  former City of Solon mayor and a candidate for City of Solon Mayor in the City of Solon Election to be held on November 3, 2009.

City of Solon Election-Susan Drucker-City of Solon Mayor

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These are photographs of election campaign documents from Susan Drucker, current Vice Mayor of City of Solon and a candidate for City of Solon Mayor in the City of Solon Election to be held on November 3, 2009.