April Signs Off
April says bye-bye As WCPN announcer April Baer packs her bags for a new life in Portland, Oregon (and a new job at public radio station KOPB), she takes a few minutes to jot down for Cool Cleveland readers her feelings about leaving her adopted home.
April Baer writes: “Dear Cleveland: Are you reading this looking for The Big Kiss-Off? You’ve come to the wrong place. I am so tired of seeing short-timers screaming across the Op-Ed pages, all hot to point out the problems that drove them to leave town. Tasteless. Why don’t we skip that, and treat my departure like what it is–a breakup that’s a little sad, and a little sweet. It would take a real ingrate to sit here and complain–“No one bothered to make use of my talents.” “Nobody asked me what I thought.” “Nobody capitalized on my potential.” Wah wah wah. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen how tough it is for young people with energy and talent who are trying to make their mark. But know this: that’s not why I’m leaving…”
Read April Baer’s exclusive letter to Cool Cleveland
Jones speaks his mind Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones is in an enviable position these days. Since no one has chosen to run against him, he’s sure to be elected to another 4-year term in November. This makes him one of the most secure, and possibly most powerful politicians in the region. He has also chaired the Cuyahoga County Cultural Leadership Task Force over the past few months, a transparent and public forum that created guidelines for how the arts levy money would be spent, a process that has been hailed as a model for public engagement in a era of civic cynicism. But with time running out on the March 2 election, challenges within the County Democratic party, and the hangover of a failed convention center effort clouding the picture, Jones’ job will not get any easier. He spoke exclusively with Cool Cleveland:
Cool Cleveland: Have you learned any lessons from the failed convention center process?
Peter Lawson Jones: Yes, I have. One, give ourselves enough time to do what we have to do. To have the proper amount of public input to work through the difficult issue, and continue to find sources of revenue that are more palatable to the public. I believe we still need to move forward on this [a convention center], and I’ve said we should have it ready for the ballot in 2005. There will be a study by CSU to find an appropriate niche that Cleveland’s convention center can play, then run that out; let the public see it and comment on it. The lesson I learned is you can’t build Rome or a convention center in a day, and you have to give the public some participation, and you have to make a better case that the public needs it…
Read the exclusive Cool Cleveland interview with Peter Lawson Jones
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Reach the Pinnacle at the the Warehouse District’s newest luxurious condos with eye-popping panoramic lake and city views. Stroll the roof gardens, entertain at the swimming pool, and keep in shape with the impressive exercise facility. You’ll love the large balconies, spacious and light-filled rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and a contemporary design. Quality granite countertops and indoor parking spaces are just a few of the nice touches you’ll receive, and at pricing starting in the $300’s, its affordability enables you to live in style. Luxury amenities and new construction make it unique in the Warehouse District. The fifteen year tax abatement and reduced interest rate financing make it a worthwhile investment. Support Cool Cleveland and take the virtual tour at http://www.progressiveurban.com
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Civic Innovation Lab awards Cool Cleveland The Civic Innovation Lab, funded by the Cleveland Foundation, announced its first round of awards last week. The lab gives money to unique efforts by Greater Cleveland’s prime economic engines, recognizing innovations that range from training in molecular circuitry, to creating the best buzz in Cleveland [that would be us!]. We’re honored to be among the first of this groundbreaking new program. Read about the other awardees: NE Obio?, Microsystems Academy, and the Cleveland Rowing Foundation, at the PD here: www.cleveland.com , and at Crain Tech?, here: www.craintech.com
Cleveland’s Creative Clash Frank Mills shares some profound insights on Richard Florida’s The Rise of the Creative Class, connecting it to Cleveland’s creative climate. The problem is, his conclusions are questionable. He correctly points out “the lack of raw ideas generated by Cleveland’s creative class,” and our city’s “grand assortment of creative oddballs,” from which he makes an important discovery: perhaps all this overuse of the term “creative class” is not entirely about creativity at all. And he’s right, but that doesn’t discount all of Florida’s theories, which are mainly about honoring and connecting creatives in a larger economic context. See Urban Dialect here: www.urbandialect.net
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The other comeback city didn’t come back either A few years ago, Pittsburgh was the comeback city. The decade before, it was us. Sam Fulwood says “The comparisons are down right spooky”, calling the idea that building casinos downtown will solve the city’s financial woe’s “fool’s gold”. See the PD: www.cleveland.com. One of the major differences is Pittsburgh’s tax structure. Under their plan, 270K suburbanites who work downtown pay no income tax, just a $10/yr commuter tax! No wonder they’re broke. But still, County Commissioner Tim Mc Cormack? opines “There’s a vibrancy in Pittsburgh… they are experimenters.” He would know, he’s been to their convention center three times and discussed it with their leaders. Also the PD: www.cleveland.com.
Food not bombs Cleveland serves free hot vegetarian/vegan meals every Sunday around 4PM in the southwest quadrant of Public Square (by the Terminal Tower) and everyone is welcome. Most of the food served is from stores who cannot sell it due to cosmetic defects, even though it is still fresh and edible. Food Not Bombs not only feeds the hungry, but also hopes to expose the problem of poverty in America; billions of dollars spent on war could be spent providing food, housing, and health care for those who need it. If you’d like to get involved, there’s lots you can do. Cooking starts around noon on Sundays; they need more people to pick up food from local stores, along with more people to help cook. You don’t have to be a full time volunteer or show up every week, and any help is appreciated. If interested visit visit this website to join their mailing list. http://www.foodnotbombscleveland.org
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Beck Center kicks off 2 modern classics For your setting, choose pre-revolutionary Russia OR the dust bowl of the Great Depression. For your playwright, choose Anton Checkov OR John Steinbeck. For your director, choose Cleveland theatre legends Thomas Q. Fulton OR Fred Sternfeld. Whichever you choose, the Beck Center for the Arts is where you can find both thrilling modern classics: Anton Checkov’s The Seagull, AND John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Come see Cleveland’s most exciting and surprising theatre. Catch Seagull in Beck Center’s Studio Theater Fri 1/23 through 2/15. Mice opens Fri 2/6 and runs through 2/29. The Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit, 521-2540, www.BeckCenter.org
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AFL-CIO backs Hagan The powerful labor group on Wednesday voted to support Tim Hagan, and with this endorsement they’re urging all union members in the county to vote for Hagan on the March 2 primary. The AFL-CIO believes Mc Cormack? has distanced himself from several labor issues. John Ryan, executive secretary of the federation noted, “He has stood away from doing that.” Mc Cormack? says, “A friend of labor is no longer a friend.’ You have to be a [union] co-organizer.” Read it at www.cleveland.com
Slavic Village’s call for artists Partners Broadway School of Music & the Arts, along with Slavic Village Development Corporation request proposals from experienced mural artists to guide creation of a major community mural facing Broadway Ave near E. 55th St. Artist must enjoy working with the public, facilitating idea generation, with the ability to fully coordinate execution of the approximately 2400 square foot mural. Artist will receive an honorarium for work starting in March, to be completed in late May or early June of 2004. Call for an information packet at 216-429-1182, ext. 133. Mural is funded through grants from the Neighborhood Connections program of The Cleveland Foundation and Parkworks, and major in-kind contributions from Masonry Restoration Maintenance Inc.
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Got the winter blues? Discover the grand nature of your universe at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. When it’s gray outside, there’s lots to do and see inside: visit the dinosaurs, explore space in a captivating planetarium show, and see live animals in the wildlife center. Kids can learn about Balto the hero dog and see a real moon rock – all at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Cool Cleveland readers receive a special $1 off general admission, click here for details http://www.cmnh.org/coolcleveland.htm The Cleveland Museum of Natural History 1 Wade Oval in University Circle. For more info 216-231-4600 x3270 or 216-231-2070.
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Gates grant lands in Cleveland Cleveland libraries will receive grants for computer services, as Melinda Gates announced the “Staying Connected” grant from her family foundation will go to improve computer services for library patrons in needy parts of 18 states. Ohio can expect to see $358,000, and it’s just in time. Read the PD here: www.cleveland.com
CMA’s big dig on hold The Cleveland Museum of Art is postponing until Fall the groundbreaking of their proposed $225 million expansion and renovation. It’ll be a herculean effort, marked as Cleveland’s largest local construction project of the coming decade. Read the PD here: www.cleveland.com
Kiss Cleveland’s banks good-bye? Bank One’s proposed sale is increasing stock prices of National City Corp. and Key Corp? after analysts identified the Cleveland-based banks as prime targets for takeover. National City Chairman and Chief Executive David Daberko stated, “It is our responsibility to entertain any serious offer” for the bank that contains $114 billion in assets. In other words, “It’s been nice, Cleveland…” Read the PD here: www.cleveland.com
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Ill-fated classical love. Deception in Florence. Contemporary video art. Free parking. Do you have a better weekend offer than that? Come to Trinity Cathedral Fri 1/30 and Sat 1/31 at 7 PM for productions of Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and Giacomo Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi – this is not your childhood piano teacher’s opera! Cast includes students from the Oberlin Conservatory and Instituto Superior de Arte of the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires Argentina, in the culmination of a year-long collaboration across continents, languages, and seasons. Sets are by Cleveland’s Russ Borski and video artist Kasumi who have created a cool, modern, sculptural design fitted to the nave of Trinity Cathedral with an innovative live and prerecorded video projection. Jonathon Field of Oberlin directs Dido and Aeneas, and Daniel Hathaway of Trinity conducts The Trinity Chamber Orchestra. Gianni Schicchi is directed by Jorge De Lasseletta and conducted by Bruno D’Astoli, both of the Teatro Colon. This project is produced in partnership with the Ohio Arts Council’s International Program with support from the U.S. Department of Education. Music & Performing Arts at Trinity Cathedral, E. 22nd & Euclid, 579-9745, www.mandpa.org
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Greater Ohio Highway spending. Tax incentives for developers and businesses. Do these policies influence where people live and work? Sprawl forces older cities to raise taxes to offset lost industry, and scares off high-tech firms whose workers prefer vibrant cities. Greater Ohio is a new group dedicated to fortifying old communities and protecting resources such as farmland and forests. Read the PD here: www.cleveland.com
Parking lots re-examined James Harris takes issue with Sandra Livingston’s PD article Acres of asphalt choke downtown for laying the blame of Cleveland’s not transforming downtown squarely at the feet of surface parking lot owners. Too bad it isn’t that simple. See the PD here: www.cleveland.com for details.
Are you registered? There’s two things you need to know: One: no Republican has won the presidency without winning Ohio since the 1800s. Two: The last Democrat to win the presidency without Ohio was John F. Kennedy in 1960. Are you registered to vote for the critical March 2 election? Register here: www.ElectionOhio.com/cuyahoga/voter.htm
Got Skills? Cool Cleveland wants your energy and skills – if you’d like to get in on the ground floor of CC, we’re looking for serious individuals to write up events. It’s a “go at your own pace” opportunity; you’ll learn about what’s going on in Cleveland while writing about it weekly. Get wired into the future of what’s cool, and check in with us at ThomasAtCoolClevelandDotCom
Sneak Peek Eve Ensler, who wrote the outrageously popular The Vagina Monologues, will be in Cleveland one night only for a special sneak preview of her newest play, That’s Enough! at CPT’s recently-acquired performance space, formerly the first Romanian Orthodox Church, located on their ever-expanding campus at 6415 Detroit Avenue. For the past several years, as she has toured the globe working to stop violence against women, Ensler has asked a wide variety of people the simple question, “What is enough?” In a world hell-bent on acquiring more and more the answers range from the startling to the touchingly mundane. From Paris to Soweto, from Los Angeles to Kiev, everyone has their own idea about what is enough for them to have the perfect life. CPT Artistic Director Randy Rollison has worked closely with Ensler for years, and was thrilled when she accepted the invitation to make CPT the first sneak preview site for her new play. That’s Enough! follows a similar format to The Vagina Monologues as Ms. Ensler shapes the responses she received to her question into a series of highly revealing monologues by both women and men. For this one night performance Cleveland actors, Meg Chamberlain, Jennifer Clifford, and Jeffery Allen will give life to the work. The sneak preview of That’s Enough is by invitation only and will take place on Fri 1/13 @ 8PM, and it will benefit the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.
Roldo LINK? Roldo returns to Cool Cleveland on occassion
Tim Hagan Takes the Selfish Road Again
Tim Hagan simply cannot control his need to nourish his overactive ego. That’s why he’s on the March 2 ballot to oppose fellow Democratic County Commissioner Tim Mc Cormack?. It’s pure two-facedness for Hagan to make this run. Mc Cormack? has been described as tough to get along with, but that’s often one of his greatest attributes as a politician here. His tough questions on Gateway, had they been followed, would have saved taxpayers tens of millions of dollars…
Read more of RoldoLINK here
Tuning In
Daiv Whaley has joined on as a Cool Cleveland music correspondent. He’ll be providing monthly reviews, interviews and critiques of local and imported music that matters. He’s a prolific rock critic and writer, freelancing for the past 14 years at UR Chicago, Downtown Tab, The Freetimes, and has regularly contributed to former Indie-endeared tri-state Moo Magazine. Daiv’s interviews/reviews can also be found on the college music paper Hear/Say, and he gained editorial experience at the former River Burns of Cleveland. This month, Daiv recently set down some questions for David Giffels on his new book, Are We Not Men? We Are Devo!
Cool Cleveland: Why a book on Devo now, 32 years after the band began and several years since their last tour?
David Giffels: Mainly because the cultural pinpoints seemed to be in order. The kids who bought “Whip It” (including me) are now adults in their 30s who form a book-buying/reading audience; Devo has become part of their nostalgia. Hardcore Devo fans tended to be smart nerds, which sorta describes a highly desirable slice of the demographic pie. And increasingly over the past decade, significant bands and artists (Beck, Kurt Cobain, Henry Rollins, Moby, etc.) have been name checking them. They are not regarded as a joke, especially for those who’ve bothered to look beyond the surface (read: red flower pots). As their importance has grown, so has interest in where they came from. We wanted to do this book because, somewhat surprisingly, no one had done it before…”
Read Tuning In
Cool Cleveland This Week
Send your cool events to: ThomasAtCoolClevelandDotCom
Jazz From Budapest with Laszlo Attila Quintet, check out these Hungarian all-stars when they arrive in Cleveland for their goodwill tour Wed 1/21 starting 7PM at Night Town. Call 795-0550 for tickets/reservations. 12387 Cedar Road in Cleveland Hts. http://www.nighttowncleveland.com
MOCA Mix Joining Theatre and Contemporary Art with excerpts from CPT’s production of Uncle Tom’s Cabin dramatically performed in the MOCA Commons. A panel discussion led by a MOCA Curator and CPT artist follows the performance and relates the work of “Material Witness” exhibition artist Johnny Coleman, whose new installation at MOCA addresses issues of slavery, emancipation and metaphorical transformation Wed 2/11 at 7PM. For info call 421-867. MOCA 18501 Carnegie Ave.
Guitar Mania? II preview of nearly 200 artists’ designs is the first act of the year-long performance and is open to the public Wed 1/21 thru 1/26 11AM-5PM at Art Metro? Gallery. Designs are created by local professional and amateur artists . Guitar Mania? II is a project of United Way Services in conjunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Fender Musical Instruments. If selected by a sponsor, many of the approved designs will be recreated on the 10-foot-tall fiberglass models of the Fender Stratocaster Â?® guitars. Guitar Mania? II also commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster. For info call 436-2121. AR Tcade?, 530 Euclid Ave
Urinetown provides the simple story of two kids falling in love in an urban environment during a water shortage. This play has triumphed as Broadway’s unexpected phenomenon: the winner of the 2002 Tony Awards Triple Crown, this is a musical-comedy tale of greed, corruption, revolution and love in a city where water is worth its weight in gold. Check it out Wed 1/21 at the Palace Theatre. For info call 241-6000. 1501 Euclid Avenue http://www.playhousesquare.org
Nature Photography Winter Wonderland Winter’s a rewarding time to capture outdoor images, but challenging due to light conditions. Develop your photographic vision with this hands-on field experience covering macro or close-up techniques, lighting, focus and exposure tips Wed 1/21 7-10PM. Register by phone 341-1704, for info call 216-341-3152. At Garfield Park Nature Center at Broadview Ave or Turney Rd entrance, for directions visit http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com
Private Lives Passion, lust, laughter and love sets the stage for this classic combat of the sexes in a playful romp by Noel Coward. Comic madness ensues as a divorced couple unwittingly book adjoining rooms while honeymooning with their new spouses. Enjoy watching the champagne bubble and sparks fly with some of the driest and wittiest dialogue of the 20th century, Thu 1/22 at 7:30PM running till 2/1 at the Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square 1501 Euclid Ave. For info and tickets, call 241-6000 and visit http://www.greatlakestheater.org
Synthesis: A Fusion of Old School & Poetry firing up the mic with hip hop, spoken word and poetry with special vibes provided by Q Nice and DJ Black rican Thu 1/22 doors open 9PM. For info call 631-5200. Touch Supper Club 2710 Lorain Ave.
Chinese Lunar New Year Come learn about the Chinese ancient zodiac, make an authentic origami craft and sample lots of Chinese snacks Thu 1/22 at 5PM. Free and open to the public. For info call 623-6927. Cleveland Public Library, Carnegie West brach 1900 Fulton Rd. http://www.cpl.org
Manmade and Natural exhibit featuring the talented and young artist Spencer Tunick’s site-related installation-based sculpture, performance, and land art. Tunick documents an experience that often challenges or questions culturally-held views of nudity and privacy. It gives opportunites to examine social, political and legal issues surrounding art in the public sphere. Opening reception is Thu 1/22 from 6:30-10PM at MOCA. For info call 421-8671. At 8501 Carnegie Ave. http://www.MOCAcleveland.org
Roe vs. Wade: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future This interactive panel discussion will feature Dr. Paula Hillard, Board Member of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health; Jessica Berg, JD, Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University. Panel will examine the past, present, and future of Roe vs. Wade from a medical, legal, and judicial point of view Thu 1/22 at 5:30PM. For info call 961-8804 x209. Trinity Cathedral 2230 Euclid Ave
Young and Emerging Composers I conducted by Marilyn Shrude, performances of works by Northeast Ohio’s most talented student composers fill the room with their youthful virtuosity Thu 1/22 at 11AM. For more info call 687-243. At the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Cleveland State University, 2001 Euclid Ave.
Send your cool events to: ThomasAtCoolClevelandDotCom
WCL Vnotes? For over a decade, WCLV 104.9 has been presenting monthly live broadcasts from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the next program in the series on Friday, January 30th at 8:00 PM from Kulas Hall is especially noteworthy. Members of the CIM Faculty including the Cavani Quartet will present music by past presidents of CIM. There’ll be two works by Ernest Bloch, who was in charge of the school in the 1920s – his Three Nocturnes and the Piano Quintet No. 1. Duo pianist superstar Victor Babin (along with his wife Vitya) was president in the 1960’s and will be represented by his “Hillandale Waltzes”. A flute sonata by Beryl Rubinstein (30s and 40s) will also be presented. The following CIM Live will be on Wednesday, February 11th, and will be broadcast from Severance Hall. Louis Lane conducts the CIM Orchestra with Cleveland International Piano Competition gold medal winner Kotaro Fukuma as soloist in Rachmaninoff’s biggest hit – his “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.” These CIM Severance Hall concerts are always sellouts – so stay home and listen to WCLV 104.9 http://www.wclv.com
Loud Americans: A Punk Saga a world premier by Christopher Johnston – the next generation of punk has arrived! A Cleveland band, The Mutilators, have rocked out well but they can’t seem to make it big. They get their career break with a nationally renowned music promoter, opening for a national act at the Agora, but will they make it? Maybe; maybe not – and in the process, they will do what punk bands do best: make noise and destroy stuff, see it Fri 1/23 running thru 2/8. For info 932-6838 1846 Coventry Road, Cleveland Hts. http://www.dobama.org
Schreckengost @ Beck Center The Victor Schrechengost Foundation will curate an exhibition of some of VIK’s works along with cards and letters written by second and third grade students at Grant Elementary School in Lakewood Fri 1/23. The Beck Center for the Arts 17801 Detroit Ave Lakewood. For info 521-2540 http://www.clevelandartists.org
Spiritual Cinema Do you love movies? Want to find out about spirituality? Join Hollywood producer and director Stephen Simon for a private screening and discussions about spiritual messages presented to society through film Fri 1/23 from 9:30AM-4:30PM and Sat 1/24 at 1-5PM. Simon is producer of What Dreams May Come and other films; he’s taking this mystical movie event around the country and all over the world to establish more Spiritual Cinema Community discussion groups. Event will include guest speakers. The Unity Church of Greater Cleveland 3350 Warrensville Center Rd. For event info call Celeste Pichette 313-225-4102 or email celeste@movingmessagesmedia.com http://www.unitygreatercleveland.com
Much Easier to Love with the Lights Off It all depends on perspective, right? Akron artist Carolyn Marquart invites viewers to visually dissect her bedroom-sized fictional narrative, built of household boxes, foam and paper cutouts that construct an intimate, yet complex mini-environments. See how these constructions create visual opera Sat 1/24 at SPACES. For info call 621-2314. 2220 Superior Viaduct. http://www.spacesgallery.org
Art Rock exhibition comprised of young Cleveland artists who are musicians, and musicians who are artists supplying their unique brand of visual creative outbursts. Curated by Jason Byers, a visual artist as well as front man for Disengage, the show reflects his artistic and musical tastes as well as education. Hit the opening night Sat 1/24 from 7-10PM with an after-party at Touch Supper Club (2710 Lorain Ave) to follow the reception. Byers selected twenty artists from Cleveland whose work ranges from installation to painting and performance: Kristen Baumli Ã?©r, Ken Blaze, Frank Cavanaugh, Justin Coulter, Salvatore Mazzola, Miss Melvis and more. A special catalog brochure will accompany the exhibition, with an essay by art/music critic and artist Anastasia Pantsios. Reception is sponsored by the Grog Shop, Peabody’s, Pirate’s Cove, and Touch Supper Club. B.K. Smith Gallery at Lake Erie College on Gillett St. For info call 440-375-7461 or email lbly@lec.edu and visit http://www.lec.edu
Sunday Sessions with R&B for the grown & sexy happens every Sunday, including this Sun 1/25at 9PM. Hit the club to hear them throw down tunes that hit the mood while you wind down from the weekend. For info call 781-3805. Mod Ã?¤ Night Club 1871 West 25th St. in Ohio City http://www.modanightclub.com
How Defending Human Rights Benefits Us All Join the Town Hall Speaker Series with discussions led by Dr. William F. Schulz, Executive Director of Amnesty International; he’s led missions to Liberia and Northern Ireland and promoted social justice causes thoughout the world. Hear his insights and experiences Mon 1/26 at 6PM. At Ohio Theatre in Playhouse Square. For more info and registration call 241-1919 or visit
admin@townhallseries.org
JASON XV: Rainforests at the Crossroads Wonder what a meal worm tastes like? Nearly 4,000 Cleveland-area children will soon find out as they embark on a science adventure at Ford Auditorium in Allen Memorial Library Mon 1/26 and 2/6. Children and their teachers participate in rainforest-related activities prior to each live interactive telepresence broadcast. During the live televised science action, scientists and JASON student and teacher Argonauts on location in the rainforests of the Isthmus of Panama will demonstrate how tropical rainforests impact Earth’s biosystems and how technology influences the geography, hydrology and biology of Panama. Attend the 4PM broadcasts weekdays plus the Sat 1/31 programs by calling 368-5075. For more info contact 368-5075. 11000 Euclid Ave on the campus of Case Western Reserve
An Evening with Rickie Lee Jones After a six-year absence from the art of songwriting, Rickie Lee Jones has come to tell a tale, set a mood, and fashion metaphoric connections that resound and reveal. Her personal, professional and political odyssey resulted in the dozen new originals from her stunning new V2 Music release The Evening Of My Best Day. It’s a formidable leap forward and a kaleidoscopic cornucopia of mix-and-match idioms anchored to a sensibility that belongs wholly and exclusively to this artist. From the unvarnished political intent of “Ugly Man,” and “Tell Somebody,” to the funkology of “Bitchenostrophy,” to the percolating blues of “Mink Coat At The Bus Stop,” and the evocative lyrics of “A Second Chance” to the cinematic sweep of “A Tree On Allenford,” Evening Of My Best Day finds its serene center in the effusive artistry of this stubborn original. It’s a show worth seeing Mon 1/26 at 8PM. For info call 383-1124. Beachland Ballroom 15711 Waterloo Rd in Collinwood
Cultural Exchange Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee will be on hand signing his book Please, Baby, Please, with music by the CSU Black Studies Jazz Heritage Orchestra and African drumming led by Kofi Badu of the African American Museum. It happens Mon 1/26 at 7PM. For info 687-3655 or 687-3656 or email p.pickett@csuohio.edu lectures will be held at Waetjen Auditorium, with book signing taking place at the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, University Center Building, Room 103
Archaelogist discussion at University Of Akron Helen Mc Donald?, research associate at the Mc Donald? Institute of Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge, England, will speak on Archaeology and Nation Building: the Aftermath of the War in Iraq Tue 1/27 at 7PM. The lecture is free and open to the public. Mc Donald? worked at the British School of Archaeology in Iraq in the late 1980s and conducted research in NE Syria and SE Turkey. For more info call 330-972-6892 University of Akron, 302 Buchtel Mall, Ayer Hall Room 19. http://www.uakron.edu
Send your cool events to: ThomasAtCoolClevelandDotCom
Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write
On Cool Cleveland “I still love Cool Cleveland, but why trash Tim Hagan all of the time? He was on the right side of Gateway, the Rock Hall, and he supported RTA’s dual hub, but stopped them before they tried to get over a billion dollars for a subway. I have turned to Cool Cleveland as my bible to spread the good news about Cleveland. Please leave attacks on politicians and everything that is wrong in Cleveland to Scene magazine to cover. Just a suggestion.” from ‘Cool Cleveland reader Patrick Staunton PatrickSta@yahoo.com
On Cleveland’s economy “You might be interested in the new figures on the depth of the job loss in metropolitan Cleveland during the recession that we remain in locally. They became available yesterday, and are posted up on the research section of the CEOGC web site. I attach a chart that adds up the bad news. As you see, Cuyahoga County has lost 7.7% of its jobs during the last three years. The raw job loss in Cuyahoga County alone was 62,403. Even the eight county Cleveland-Akron-Lorain-Elyria metro area lost 7% of its jobs, a raw job loss of 79,525. Cleveland’s job losses were more rapid than the -4.3% job loss in the entire state of Ohio, which lost 233,448 jobs. Further, Ohio’s job loss was more rapid than the -1.5% job loss in the USA as a whole. Thus, it is clear that the recession has been brutal in metropolitan Cleveland. The level of human suffering that has been caused by this massive job loss has been staggering. When we lose 8% of all our jobs, we have a massive disaster on our hands. Further, all that talk that you hear about the national recession being “mild” does not apply to Cleveland or Ohio. The recession has been severe here at the local level, and it continues to be severe right now… It is also interesting to note that although this same information has been in the possession of a very large local newspaper, they have thus far not seen fit to mention it.” from Cool Cleveland reader George Zeller, Senior Researcher, Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland+] http://www.ceogc.org, gzeller@ceogc.org
Instant Karma]
Quik reviews of last week’s events
Going out this weekend? Take along your PDA and your digital camera. Scratch out a few notes to send us with a picture of it for our Instant Karma real-world reviews of what’s really happening in your world. We’d love to hear from you. Wanna write for Cool Cleveland? Send your stuff to ThomasAtCoolClevelandDotCom
Gargantua: Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger at B.K. Smith Gallery 10/25/03 Cleveland and NEO are home to a number of talented artists that are unfortunately suffering from insufficient critical discourse and lack of exposure from local media. One of last year’s omissions was the the 10/25/03 solo exhibition Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger: Gargantua – a series of paintings by Laura Vinnedge. The exhibition ran concurrently with the incendiary group show Shut UP?: Censorship, Art, and Literature. Vinnedge’s impetus for her dystopian body of work reverberates immediately off her boldly themed title: consumerist culture and its fierce cycle of imposed improvement and renewal. An intrinsically saturated subject matter is further seasoned by a whole set of idiosyncratic parameters. The artist reveals in her statement a few of the sub-themes that she attempted to weave into her work, such as viewer cognizance, pop symbolism, media experimentation and a deep passion for oil painting…
Read review of Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger” here
Blog’s Eye View
What are Cool Clevelanders writing on the web?
Sponsored by Smart Meeting Design Getting people on the same page… one meeting at a time. www.SmartMeetingDesign.com
Ed Morrison, the Executive Director of REI@Weatherhead, started ED Pro? a year before he came to Cleveland: http://www.edpro.blogspot.com
“My favorite business retention and expansion program is the West Side Manufacturing Initiative (WIRE-net) in Cleveland. It’s a national model of an effective network to support smaller manufacturing firms. John Colm, WIRE-Net’s director and ED Pro? reader, passes on [a] story of a high tech company incubated within a traditional manufacturing company. The story demonstrates an important point: manufacturing firms are sophisticated bundles of technical skills. With the right management and support they can spin-out innovation and new companies. In another case, WIRE-Net provided the support for a manufacturer who lost one of its major contracts. In still another, WIRE-Net supported the same Legos robotics competition I recently wrote about that is taking place with Toyota in Northern Kentucky. Economic Development Pros worried about their manufacturing base should be learning more about WIRE-Net.”
Kucinich Beat
Steps for Peace walks through America
Steps for Peace is a group of five walking from Maine to California to support Kucinich’s run for the White House, and Tom Schmitz has been journaling about his cross-country odyssey since the 48-year-old and his 14-year-old son joined the pilgrimage in New York City. During his travels, Schmitz has written about Thanksgiving in Cleveland and their visit to Kent State, and their walks through Chicago ghettos where gang members protectively escorted them territory to territory and thanked them for their visit. Schmitz granted Cool Cleveland permission to publish one of his latest journal entries: Read Kucinich Beat
Top 5
We use IdeaStar.com tools to track which articles were clicked the most. Here are the Top 5 most clicked articles or links from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.
1) Interview with Jimmy Dimora If you missed it last week, check out the exclusive Cool Cleveland interview with another Cuyahoga County Commissioner.
Interview with Jimmy Dimora
2) Marvelous Marvin Homes You’ll love the affordability of Marvin Homes’ spectacularly light and airy open floor plans, vast bay windows for those killer city views, and quality hardwood floors throughout.
http://www.progressiveurban.com
3) Rock and Roll Yourself For $1! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame feels your pain. If you haven’t visited the Rock Hall in ages, and you live in Cuyahoga County, come on down to I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid on the Lake.
http://www.rockhall.com
4) 4 Big Ideas for Cleveland Isn’t it time somebody started talking about “the vision thing” around here? Check out the Free Times as they propose four ideas for Cleveland’s future: The University of Cleveland, NEO City, the Mayor of Cuyahoga County, and the Northeast Ohio International Airport.
4 Big Ideas for Cleveland
5) David Abbott on Tim Hagan “Tim Hagan has been my friend for 25 years so I want to make it clear that I come at any discussion of his candidacy with that bias…”
David Abbott on Tim Hagan
Because you recommend Cool Cleveland to the people you know, our circulation continues to grow rapidly. If you know someone who doesn’t get it yet, just send them to to: http://www.CoolCleveland.com or have them send an e-mail to Signup@CoolCleveland.com.
[+The Hard Corps do it every week jamming on CC so it hits your inbox when you need it most. Props to Tisha Nemeth, Niko Angelis, George Nemeth, Charlene Coates and others who dedicate themselves to this city we love. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: ThomasAtCoolClevelandDotCom.
See the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine. Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time. Read Thomas Mulready’s column Up Front in the Free Times. For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-mail newsletter, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com
We’ll miss you… (:divend:)