SGS prides itself on following the unofficial U.S. post office oath of, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”  Last Sunday morning on the east side of Cleveland it was both gloomy and pissing down rain. Yet we still heeded the call to be witness to a few of our city’s finest signs and most resilient residents. Pictured above was the only other true believer to walk 83rd and Superior Ave. with us on this caliginous morning. The business our tortoise paced friend is walking past is Sho-Nuff’s Deli, previously known as Global’s Deli.

If an authentic downtown Cleveland dining experience is what you’re looking for, head on over to PJ’s Luncheonette at the Colonial Marketplace. PJ’s serves up a delicious selection of breakfast and lunch options at recession-proof prices. The staff is warm and friendly, and after about 3 visits they’ll recognize you as a regular.

Cleveland SGS stopped in recently to confirm rumors that PJ’s serves up some of the best mashed potatoes this side of Lake Erie. We tried ours with Salmon Patties, Crab Cakes and Coffee. Rumors confirmed. These are the kind of homemade mashed potatoes that’ll satisfy lawyers, librarians, hat salesman and everyone in between. You’ll leave PJ’s feeling warm and fuzzy and in need of a nap. Proprietor, Wajih Daher, takes pride in his homemade mashed potatoes and reminds his customers that his are the real thing. For more of PJ’s breakfast and lunch offerings, check out their website: http://pjslunch.com

PJ’s is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Be sure to drop in, enjoy some breakfast or lunch and take in the atmosphere of an authentic Cleveland diner and wish the staff another prosperous 30 years.

PJ’s is located in the Colonial Marketplace at 530 Euclid Avenue #10

Whether it’s Final Call Newspapers or Roses, if a man selling either can earn a day’s wages at a stoplight, then he’s got skills. The gentleman pictured above was a smooth operator, so smooth that we have transcribed his pitch below.

“Oh shhhhhhhit. Now you know that since you got yo window down, I GOT’s to sell you a rose! Think about it … a dozen roses cost 44 dollas and I got ‘em for three a piece? Tell you what G, gimme 30 dollas and I’ll give you a dozen, and I guarantee yo girl will love you tonight!”

Since this SGS member has already secured his love with a legally binding contract, only three dollars were exchanged for a single rose and picture. A fair deal if you ask us.

With the gun months of summer coming to a close SGS thought it was time to acknowledge who we believe to be our city’s roughest and toughest residents. The greatest myth perpetuated by mass media is that the fashion of ferocity is a floor length White-T accentuated by a semi-automatic accoutrement. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The most fearless and ferocious lot in Cleveland is armed only with hand bags, hosiery, and an inviting smile. With the poise and grace of a celestial bullfighter the Ladies of Detroit are capable of simultaneously handling marauding vice patrols, confused suburbanites, and the occasional gentleman suitor. They are quick witted, fashion forward, and ready to catch you slippin’. So if you think your flex is the best, think again and bring it to the West, the Ladies of Detroit are waiting.

CMSD School Board meetings can be mind numbingly boring. Their motions, roll calls, and procedural maneuverings effectively anesthetize all who attend.

There are however times when the Board invites feedback from the community; in these cases the meetings are both captivating and revealing of the public’s low opinion of our city’s education administrators.

Tonight’s highlight was an eloquently delivered speech by a man from the audience. At issue was CMSD’s failure to place graduates of the UCIP-ASAP apprenticeship program on CMSD capital improvement projects. Why, the gentleman asked, with 1 billion of taxpayer dollars being spent on school construction, does CMSD fail to compel the trade unions to take graduates as apprentices on school work sites?

In response to gentleman’s pointed questioning a well-groomed school CEO unleashed a hypnotic stream of “data points” and “performance measures” that effectively confused all but one. As the man left the podium he convincingly articulated that status reports and colorful pie charts will never stop his quest for substantive education in the city of Cleveland.

It is hard to figure out the purpose of Public Square. You can still see the remnants of loving intent lingering in its empty spaces yet it mostly exists as a transit point of minimal comforts. For those who choose to mill about it is place to endure the passage of time and chance upon financial good fortune. Optimism is rarely found in our city center, for this Clevelanders go elsewhere … to places unwanted by outsiders and known only to us.

Small businesses are highly personalized constructs. Each is unique in that they are born from family traditions, youthful aspirations, and economic necessity. Tony’s Family Motors is one such newly formed business that is in keeping with Lorain Avenue’s tradition of spirited used auto sales.

While stopping to observe a newly painted sign, Cleveland SGS had the pleasure of meeting Scottie (third from right), the son of owner Tony, and his crew (pictured above). Scottie explained that Family Motors’ specialty is “gently used” vehicles at an affordable price. Judging from first impressions Scottie is on his way to becoming a successful businessman. Charismatic with a great sense of humor, Scottie commands respect and runs a disciplined operation that always places the customer first.

Tony’s Family Motors is located at 4532 Lorain Ave. 216.938.8001

Unfortunately another summer is about to pass in our wonderful city and that then means it is go time for 8 months of cold weather here. SGS wanted to salute all of the Cleveland ice cream parlors around town that make each community’s summer experience memorable to them. Unlike church, local pubs, or barber shops we only have these summer locations to see neighbors and socialize at for a short time.

Picture above is the king of Ice Cream Shop signs in Cleveland: Whippy’s located at 1321 Eddy Rd.

The Crown Victoria has been known to disrupt the traffic of independent tradesmen. Long past its life as a tool of City Vice, it sits alone as a courier of third shift workers and families in need. Pictured above, Sunday morning Madison hosts this beauty as partygoers drink their religion at a neighboring pub.

Recently USA Today launched a 15 part series of Superman serialized comics that appear each week online.  SGS wanted to note the scan above we found from a January, 1940 Plain Dealer story. Homeboys Shuster and Siegel would hopefully be proud that over 70 years after their creation first was printed in their local paper, that it is still relevant and being read by a vast audience. Although the duo never received the money they deserved the fruits of their imagination still inspire new generations of fans.