Arts Levy

Arts Levy

In this week’s issue:
* Access:Cleveland Campaign Director of the Arts and Culture Action Committee Eric Fingerhut
* Cool Cleveland’s Get Wild Natural History party 8/10 Get tix here before midnight 7/27
* Access:Cleveland Song For Cleveland by Bobby Williams and Nancy Telzerow
* Cool Cleveland People Style Maven Kristen Kaleal
* Cool Cleveland Sounds Endurance from SounDoctrine
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here

The arts as economic development. Cuyahoga County even used it as the title to their ACE Grants (Arts and Culture as Economic development). It’s been a mantra for years in this region, since Richard Florida’s Rise of the Creative Class hipped us to the competitive advantage that we have over most other regions. In the talent-hungry 21st Century, from world-class art to art in the classrooms, Cuyahoga is culturally rich beyond even our own comprehension, even while we suffer the indignity of being the largest city without public funding for the arts.

Now our billion-dollar arts industry has a chance. The County Commissioners have placed on the November ballot an arts levy, upping the price of cigarettes 30¢ per pack, which would raise $20 million a year for carefully vetted non-profit arts groups of all sizes and disciplines. Not just theatre, opera, dance and classical music, but the finest ethnic arts, community outreach and arts education programs will have a chance to survive and thrive, raising the quality of our life and the lives of our kids, bringing joy and acclaim to our region, and attracting businesses and their hard-to-find talent pool.

This week, we speak on camera with arts levy director State Senator Eric Fingerhut, and we present a music video, Song For Cleveland, a CC exclusive, which could serve as the campaign theme. And we once again curate a concise cornucopia of arts, culture, tech and fun ways to celebrate Cleveland for the next 7 days. The arts levy vote’s not for a couple months. In the meantime, check out the best Cleveland has to offer. And spread the good word. –Thomas Mulready

Access:Cleveland
Eric Fingerhut
Arts & Culture Action Committee Campaign Director
Movies Behind the Scenes

Eric Fingerhut serves as State Senator and has also been tapped to be the Campaign Director of the Arts and Culture Action Committee, which is the group spearheading the upcoming arts levy that the County Commissioners have placed on the November ballot. We’ve been here before. A couple years ago, a measure to increase property tax to support arts and culture was narrowly defeated. This time around, things look much better. Instead of property, the tax is on cigarettes, and 30¢ a pack will generate over $20 million annually for the arts in Cuyahoga County. As leader of the arts levy campaign, Eric Fingerhut spoke with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready outside the Cleveland Play House and the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, discussing why arts funding is critically needed, where the polling stands, and what Cool Cleveland readers can do to help.

MOVIE ACAC Campaign Director, State Senator Eric Fingerhut (PC) (Mac)

Loin cloth optional
Cool Cleveland GET WILD party Thu 8/10
Super low price until Thu 7/27 midnight here!

Here’s a Party that even Tarzan won’t want to miss! Join Jane Goodall and the chimps at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History on Thur 8/10, starting at 5:30, hosted by the Nature League, the wildest group of partiers in Cleveland.

Add beer, wine & food from University Circle restaurants, planetarium shows, Verb Ballets performing on stage, a secret rendezvous on the Observation Deck, and a rumor about a man with a snake, and call it wild. Get tix here!
Here’s the 411:

• Live music by the Gene Pool, with their alt rock/country music, from Austin, TX
• Beer, wine and deliciously delectable appetizers
• A comp ticket to the much talked about Jane Goodall exhibit
• Another comp ticket to see Verb Ballets perform “Planet Soup” on stage at 8PM
• And yet another comp ticket to the planetarium show hosted by CMNH astronomers
• Plus, a secret rendevous on the Observation Deck, open to view the night sky
• Once-in-a-lifetime 50% off Nature League membership offer

Don’t be the Missing Link! Discover your universe on Thu 8/10 at CMNH. See map here. Get your tix online before midnight 7/27 for your best deal:
https://CoolCleveland.net/tickets/081006/index.php.

How wild are Cool Cleveland parties?

Open wide and click here for Herb Ascherman’s beauty shots of the beautiful people at the CC shindig at Fat Fish Blue for Ingenuity on 7.13, then click here for Thomas Mulready’s shots. We even heard from digital media art pioneer Laurence Gartel, whose work was presented at Ingenuity 2006. Not only did he shoot the photo at left of CC party entertainer Lounge Kitty, he also sent this note: “Gartel attended the fabulous Cool Cleveland party extravaganza at Fat Fish Blue. Gartel couldn’t tell if the infamous Lounge Kitty was for real; a caricature of herself; a drag queen, whatever…..What he did know, is that he felt right at home with her after surviving his early days of hanging out with notorious characters such as Wendy O. Williams of the Plasmatics, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols, Stiv Bators of the Dead Boys, and others of the “punk/glitter” days. Gartel even taught Andy Warhol how to use the Amiga Computer in the early 80s. Lounge Kitty appeared to be an ‘old time friend.'” For more party photos, click here.

NewsLINK

• Cleveland is a top Intelligent Community While Taipei won the big prize in June as Intelligent Community of the Year, Cleveland did well as the only US city in the Top 7. The Intelligent Community Forum, a NYC think tank, recognized Cleveland for its OneCommunity project, linking civic groups, schools and museums with ultra-high-speed broadband; developing a computer-literate workforce; using innovative methods to stimulate economic growth; marketing broadband to attract new businesses, and for programs that benefit all sectors of society. Public Power magazine’s July-August issue focues on Cleveland’s near-win, and notices that “in a short 30 years, Cleveland has traded up on its nicknames,” from “Mistake on the Lake” to “Intelligent Community.” See Public Power here. How smart is that? Letters@CoolCleveland.com
• Cleveland needs leaders It’s a constant complaint around here. Now, in one of the most comprehensive mergers in recent time, four leadership development groups have combined to form a “leadership continuum” called Cleveland Leadership Center. High school kids get inspired by Look Up To Cleveland, college kids get internships through (i)Cleveland, young professionals engage civic projects with Cleveland Bridge Builders, and professionals network and collaborate on Leadership Cleveland. Biggest benefit of merging? Their combined 3000 alumni could be activated to fill Cleveland’s leadership vacuum. http://www.CleveLeads.org.
• To ensure you receive Cool Cleveland every week, take a moment now and add CoolCleveland@CoolCleveland.com to your address book, trusted sender list, or corporate white list.
• Revolting economic developments Not everyone thinks our regional ecomomic development organizations are effective. In a scathing series of reports, the PD’s ED team rips groups like Greater Cleveland Partnership, TeamNEO, JumpStart, NorTech and BioEnterprise for their ineffectuality, while Cleveland’s blog community generally concurs. Other fascinating voices from the record-breaking 105 (and counting) posted responses, some from the groups being criticized: these things (ED) take time, some progress has been made, ED group budgets are bloated, and, of course, the ever-popular: blah, blah, blah… See Brewed Fresh Daily here. Maybe you’d like to add your comments, too: Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Cleveland one of the safest places in the US Cool Clevelanders experience a familiar, safe feeling when we hear about other cities afflicted by floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornados. Now we know why. SustainLane.com, an online resource for healthy and sustainable living, ranked Cleveland tied for 3rd as a city with the lowest natural disaster risk. Places to avoid: Miami, New Orleans, Oakland, San Francisco, Honolulu, San Jose, LA and Houston. But you knew that. See the complete list here. How safe do you feel? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Affectionately Yours We’re cool, you’re cool, help us spread the vibe. Turn us on to your friends and you will both be eligible to win a Video iPod compliments of Cool Cleveland. No purchase necessary. Enter as many friends as you wish. The more friends you enter, the greater your chances of winning. Sign up by going here.

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A Jaw-Dropping Tour-de-Force (and Buy One/Get One Tix) Spend an evening with Harry Manx and Michael Kaeshammer, on Sat 7/29 at 8PM at Cain Park. Dazzling musicians in their own right — Harry on an assortment of instruments including the exotic Mohan Veena guitar/sitar hybrid and Michael with his jaw-dropping dexterity on the grand piano. Their pairing makes for a fascinating juxtaposition of musical forms that meld together wonderfully. Manx’s intermeshing of traditional acoustic blues with Asian influences and overtones are intertwined with Kaeshammer’s outstanding piano skills in jazz and boogie-woogie stylings. Each plays separately, then they join forces for a tour-de-force segment. Supported by WKSU 89.7 FM, in the Evans Amphitheater. Get two tickets for the price of one ($17) when you buy at Cain Park and mention that you’re a “Cool Clevelander.” Limit two tickets per person. For info contact 216-371-3000 or www.cainpark.com.
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NewsLINK

• Mayor Jackson and the arts levy At last week’s young professionals confab hosted by the Civic Innovation Lab at the Botanical Garden, the Mayor generously answered questions from about 750+ YPs, remarkable for the forthrightness with which he took on all comers. They don’t call him Frank for nothing. On the issue of the arts levy, the Mayor indicated that he supported it with a “caveat” that the large arts organizations don’t get all the grant money. In fact, the County adopted, in 2004, a resolution here that addresses (on Page 9) how large organizations can only apply for 3% of their budget, and smaller groups can apply for up to 25% of their budget. The same transparent and fair guidelines, or “investment models,” painstakingly developed through 11 public meetings, are currently being used to administer the County’s ACE Grants (Arts and Culture as Economic development), and a quick perusal of the grantees and their projects on their site here shows that 80% of the 06 funds went to groups with budgets under $1.5 million. Your thoughts? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Arts Levy endorsement from Crain’s According to this glowing endorsement editorial, “…arts and culture groups in the county generate more than $1 billion in annual economic activity… and they give Cleveland big-city cachet that’s an important intangible in attracting workers to keep and grow businesses.” They took the words right out of our mouth. See Crain’s here.
• Retail economic development We focus so much on the buildings, we should also listen to the experts on what kinds of retail would stimulate their shopping habits, and our economic development. Style editor Kim Crow wants IKEA, Zara, Mexx, Monoprix, Top Shop and Century 21 (the women’s store, not the real estate). See story here. What are your favorite stores that you’d go out of town for? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Cool Cleveland Kids Running out of ways to keep the kids busy? Take a hint from 10-year-old Cool Cleveland correspondent Max Mulready who has scoured the Internet looking for a few good events to recommend. Hear his short podcast here even if you don’t have special software. If you’re a whiz kid, you can download it to your iPod or your computer and listen with your own kid. Check below to see the events tagged CC KIDS under Cool Cleveland This Week for our recommendations for a fantastic family week. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandKids07.28.06.mp3. Adding this link to your program that catches podcasts, will keep you up-to-date on the latest audio.
• Cool Cleveland Podcast Cool things to do this week in Cleveland, at the click of a button. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolCleveland07.28.06.mp3. Don’t forget, you can subscribe to this podcast by saving this link in your favorite program that catches podcasts.
• Cleveland parking rates are expensive You hear it from Cleveland developers all the time: it’s more profitable to park cars than build on Downtown Cleveland property. Falling above the national average of $154.33/month for unreserved parking, Cleveland’s rate of $180 per month seems high, topping other cities such as Portland, Oakland, San Diego, Minneapolis, and Detroit. While nowhere near the astronomical $898 a month that London garages get or the $84.20 per day that Tokyo drivers pay, Cleveland’s rates are high, especially considering the local economic conditions. And far too much Downtown property is tied up with these jacked up rates, debilitating Downtown development. Here’s an idea to stimulate the Downtown economy: the city buys the 10 largest parking garages, or acquires them through eminent domain for the public good, then operates them at a loss to drive down the price of land currently occupied by surface lots. Resulting new development is required by zoning to include new parking, keeping rates low and inviting. See report by Colliers International here. Or am I just plain crazy? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Experience Ingenuity Fest 06 First, check out the official photos here, then have a look at Mulready’s shots here, then Janet Macoska’s great images here. If that isn’t enough, there’s always the Ingenuity Cleveland Flickr Group.

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Show Us What You’ve Got and it’ll pay $3,000 in Neo Bucks, a virtual currency you can spend to show how you think we should invest our resources to make Northeast Ohio an even better place. We want to hear your vision for our region because we think you can help solve some of Northeast Ohio’s toughest challenges like public school funding, urban sprawl and racial isolation. To trade in your good ideas go to www.voiceschoices.org/choicebook, complete one or more Choicebooks, interactive exercises that describe the tough choices we face, then offer your solutions. The public priorities expressed and gathered through the Choicebooks will influence the Voices & Choices Regional Town Meeting and leader forums in the fall that will produce our region’s economic action agenda.
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Access:Cleveland
Song For Cleveland
Bobby Williams & Nancy Telzerow
Movies Behind the Scenes

Bobby Williams & Nancy Telzerow belt out Song For Cleveland, in an exclusive Cool Cleveland music video. Song For Cleveland is an original composition by Williams that articulates the need for public funding for the arts in our region: “…the things we need to keep us great/are right here close at hand/but they may not be tomorrow/this we need to understand…” We shot this demo in the rehearsal studios at the Cleveland Play House, but wouldn’t it be nice if we heard from a video or record producer who wanted to do it up right and release it in time for the campaign this Fall. Drop us a line, Cleveland: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

MOVIE Bobby Williams & Nancy Telzerow Song For Cleveland (PC) (Mac)

Emissions from the blogsphere From the Cleveland Law Library Weblog, Cleveland City Council Requires Background Check for Ice Cream Peddlers. The University Circle Blog launches. Roger Bundy loses his equanimity over Ohio Learn & Earn. Hot Coffee Girl explains her motivation for blogging. Check the Cool Cleveland weblog here, where Peter Chakerian questions the sensibility of the Arts Levy and hits a lot of other big issues from this week’s Cool Cleveland e-blast. When you’re done, then add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Cool Cleveland This Week
7.28-8.02

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Historic Outdoor Theater in New Philly New Philadelphia will set the scene for two outdoor dramas and a musical during the summer season. Trumpet in the Land recreates the story of David Zeisberger and the founding of Ohio’s first settlement in 1772 at Schoenbrunn; The White Savage tells the story of Simon Girty, a British Indian agent who played a large part in events in Ohio during the Revolutionary War and State Fair, by Rodgers and Hammerstein, is an American Heartland tradition. The shows run in repertory Monday through Sunday at 8:30PM through 8/26. Call 330-339-1132. Schoenbrunn Amphitheatre, New Philadelphia. Get directions here.

CC KIDS Vintage Train Ride Take a fun family trip on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and tour the Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens on Thu 7/27 beginning at 10AM and every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday through Sun 8/27. Enjoy the impressive view of the Cuyahoga River and the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway in climate-controlled coaches en route to Stan Hywet where you’ll explore the new exhibit, “Trains Across the Valley”, with garden-gauge model trains traveling charming terrain. Then venture into the Corbin Conservatory for a rendezvous with hundreds of free-flying tropical, exotic butterflies. Call 800-468-4070 or visit http://www.StanHywet.org or http://www.cvsr.com to learn more and for locations.

HOT PICK Identity Explore various aspects of self, community, perception and the connection between them during this intriguing multi-media public art installation and exhibit featuring the artwork of artist, curator, and gallery owner Guy-Vincent Ricketti. The exhibition, designed to engage pedestrians with visual imagery that incorporates information specific to Cuyahoga County, kicks off with an opening reception on Thu 7/27 from 5:30-9PM. The public art celebration is on Fri 7/28 from 12-2PM. Get engaged with this unique exhibit on display through 9/28 and the public art installation, on display through 10/28. Elevation Art on Playhouse Square, 1240 Huron Road, 5th Floor.

Chicago’s Hubbard Street 2 is a vibrant ensemble of six dancers performing repertory that mirrors the variety and vitality of the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s main company. The group has performed internationally in Germany, South Africa and Switzerland, as well as touring nationally each year. Hubbard Street 2 will give an interactive KIDZART lecture-demonstration for children on Fri 7/28 at 1PM and a full performance later that evening at 8PM. Call 687-4883 to inquire about Master Classes on Thu 7/27. Visit http://www.HubbardStreetDance.com to learn more about the company. Get tickets at http://www.CainPark.com. Get directions and parking info here. Cain Park’s Evans Amphitheater.

Big Bend Big Blues Bash If you’ve got an itch for the blues, this Fri 7/28 5PM to 11:30PM and Sat 7/29 1-11:30PM event is the mother lode – and it is just a few short hours drive away in Pomeroy, Ohio. The event features musical entertainment, a rib cook-off, concessions, an Appalachian arts and crafts show and activities for the kids. Call 877-634-4726 or click here to learn more. Riverside Amphitheater, Main Street, Pomeroy.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival See the legends of pro football as they are honored throughout the week – Fri 7/28 starting at 4PM to Sun 8/6 – with activities such as the Balloon Classic Invitational, Rib Burnoff, Food Fest, fireworks, concerts, parade, the Enshrinement Ceremony and Hall of Fame Game. Call 330-456-8207 or visit http://www.ProFootballHOFFestival.com/ for more info. Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival, 2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton.

Capital Offense Remember how Bobby Knight would get into his team members’ faces and scream? The ALL CAPITALS press release comes off pretty much the same way. Downright scary. Take it down a notch then tell us about your great event – or we’ll have to remove your Caps Lock key. Events@CoolCleveland.com.

HOT PICK Digipalooza 2006 Spend a weekend learning, sharing, and experiencing innovative services for downloadable eBooks, audio books, music, and video with other DLR users during the OverDrive/Digital Library Reserve’s first national meeting from Fri 7/28 through Sun 7/30. Top off all the gadgety good fun with a fab opening reception at 7PM and a 9PM dance party with Wild Horses and you’ve got more fun than the average brain can take. Visit http://www.digipalooza.com/ to learn more or to register for the event. Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square.

A Night with Antaeus Dance Enjoy a social evening of art and dance performance on Fri 7/28 beginning at 7PM when doors open; the performance is at 8PM. Come early to mingle before the performance, which features Hidden Dialogue a non-stop dance and film collaboration with athletic choreography that explores how our bodies speak volumes. After the show, get to know the performers over light refreshments. Visit http://www.MillerWeitzelGallery.com for info or tickets. Parish Hall Cleveland, 6205 Detroit Avenue.

Kabar Ensemble Revel in the sounds of authentic Hungarian Village Music when the Kabar Ensemble lands at the Beck Center – all the way from Salgotarjan, Hungary – for an unforgettable concert performance and dance party/ táncház on Fri 7/28 at 8PM. The performance is part of their first American tour and marks the release of their first CD. The group will be joined by their teacher, renowned folk violinist Szabolcs Hrúz of the Duvo ensemble, and singer Júlia Kubinyi. Call 288-8727. The Beck Center for the Arts, Music-Armory Building, 17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood. http://www.BeckCenter.org.

WCLVnotes This Sat 7/29 at 8PM, WCLV 104.9 will broadcast live the final round of the 12th annual Oberlin International Piano Competition, sponsored by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College. The competition to be held in Warner Concert Hall on the campus of Oberlin College is for 13- to 18-year-olds. Robert Conrad, WCLV’s President and commentator for The Cleveland Orchestra broadcasts, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the finals concert. Jacqueline Gerber, the host of WCLV’S morning show First Program, will be the on-air host. Because of this special radio event, WCLV’s regular Cleveland Orchestra broadcast will be heard at 2PM. Franz Wesler-Moest conducts Schumann’s “Scenes from Goethe’s Faust.” Details on all of WCLV’s programming can be found at www.WCLV.com. WCLV is a Cool Cleveland partner.

HOT PICK Drum Festival A no-cost, hands-on, fun for the whole community event with a parade, drum set solo competiton, “World’s Fastest Drummer” contest, all-day hand drum circle, local bands, celebrity drummer, ethnic drum group, and a drum show featuring exhibits and demonstrations on Sat 7/29 from 10AM to 10PM. For information call 866-970-0800 or visit www.GeorgesDrumShop.com. Falls River Square District, Cuyahoga Falls.

HOT PICK Blues & Brews More than 50 microbreweries and the wizardry of top local chefs will be featured on Sat 7/29 from 2-6PM as The Bluestones set the musical mood performing a variety of music including blues, swing, jazz, funk, blues-rock, and country. Sample fantastic ale from a diverse selection of microbreweries from 21 states and 3 countries during this bountiful beer banquet. Bring a friend for this one and remember – friends don’t let friends wear their beer hats in public. Call 330-315-3287 or visit www.StanHywet.org for more info or tickets. Picnic area adjacent to the Carriage House at Stan Hywet, 714 N Portage Path, Akron.

Exit Clov The Washington, D.C. based band will rock the Grog Shop on Tue 8/1 at 9PM, delivering politically charged lyrics on a bed of ethereal harmonies, courtesy of twin sisters Emily and Susan Hsu. Get yourself a double dip of synth pop noir for the masses. The Grog Shop, corner of Coventry & Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights. http://www.grogshop.gs.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Cool Cleveland People
Kristen Kaleal
Cleveland “Fashionista” and Style Maven

Kaleal is founder and president of locally-based Fusion Image Group, soon to be Kristen Kaleal Image Design, Inc. She presents programs and seminars to financial institutions, major corporations, universities, and women’s organizations on professional style and image. Kaleal herself quickly became what Carson Kressley calls a “fashionista” on the local scene—acting as the fashion voice of real Cleveland women.

(And yeah, she helps real Cleveland guys, too…)

Kaleal began college as a pre-med student, thinking plastic surgery was her calling and a way to help others. But the John Carroll grad decided on another path and fell in love with fashion. Her approach is cheery and self-deprecating, yet erudite. She’s master of her own three-ring circus, and all three of ‘em are said to inspire television shows and style books she’s working on.

Cool Cleveland caught up with Kaleal recently and the conversations below ensued:

Cool Cleveland: Why image consulting?

Kristen Kaleal: It just started in college and extrapolated from there. I think I was very unhappy in college until I learned how to dress better. That completely changed my life in every single way possible. That’s what drove me to do this. When you’re being fed a million different messages about style, you end up with a huge closet full of clothes and never really know what hit you, or how to put it all together. When I got my closet in order, I found a confidence I never knew I had, and that started to put my whole life in order. It’s exciting to use that experience to help transform others.

You’re doing a bit of transforming right now yourself. Fusion Image Group is certainly undergoing an “Extreme Makeover.” Rebranding, actually.

KK: There are a couple of reasons that we’re re-establishing the brand at this point. Fusion started as me and some of my image consultant colleagues—literally from around the world—working together to a certain extent. It evolved into me getting my name out more in my home market and staying closer to Cleveland. I’m personally recognized more than my business, so I have literally become my own brand. Also, I have been asked to do more branding, PR, and corporate identity design work lately, so I want to reflect that more as well…
Read the interview with Kristen Kaleal here

Cool Cleveland Sounds
Endurance
SounDoctrine
Niayana Recordings

They’ve dubbed their style “Originalternativejazzfunkfusion,” but at the end of the day, SounDoctrine’s approach to jazz is so much more than that. The local quintet’s musical explorations certainly owe a lot to The Yellowjackets and Return to Forever, but there’s a heart, soul and spirituality within that’s truly all their own.

SounDoctrine is the brainchild of Youngstown composer/drummer Jere B, who launched the group with similar-minded musicians from all over Northeast Ohio. The group’s instrumental jazz-fusion sound has long felt dexterous and summery; Endurance is the best of the group’s releases to date, providing many of the same tasty flavor fusions and time signatures changes that jazz-fusion fans crave.

What can you expect as a first-time listener? Strong melody lines, virtuosic solos, buoyant rhythms… it’s basically a perfect fit for anyone with WNWV-like jazz tastes, or have similar rotations going at home.

Highlights here include “Fiveaftersix,” the enthusiastic fretwork of bassist Phil the Beat on “Heremeneutics” and the 13-minute opus “Soulsong”–which offers sax player Keith McKelley and keyboardists Cliff Barnes and Jim Couchenour to show off a sensual, soothing and silky side to the group. Endurance, indeed. After those 13 minutes, you know that SounDoctrine are great at what they do.

Jazz-fusion has long been criticized for pretentious soloing and the “dumbing down” of swing-based jazz for pop audiences–basically, it’s the Rolling Stone equivalent of progressive rock to good ol’ Rock and Roll. The flip side is, were it not for such dexterity and exploratory playing, the pervasive acid jazz phenomenon and the “nu-jazz” of today might not have come to be. Check out SounDoctrine to see how it got here.

SounDoctrine performs this Saturday, July 29 at Luke Easter Park as a part of the “Family Unity in the Park” festival. The event is headlined by the Ohio Players and also features Algebra, Governor, Paul Samuels, Conya Doss and Fertile Ground.

For more information on the festival, visit the “Family Unity in the Park” MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/familyunity, or check out the SounDoctrine website at http://www.SounDoctrine.com

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

Wanna get reviewed? Send your band’s CD (less than 1 year old) to: Cool Cleveland, 14837 Detroit Avenue, #105, Lakewood, OH 44107

Hey Writers! Wanna write about Cleveland music? We’ve got a slew of recently-released CDs and DVDs by Cleveland-area musicians that could use your critical commentary for Cool Cleveland Sounds. If you’re interested, send us a note at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Instant Karma
Quick reviews of recent 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. We’d love to hear from you. Send your stuff to Events@CoolCleveland.com

Bloggapalooza 2K6 Northeast Ohio bloggers got out from behind their computers last Saturday for the 1st (annual, we hope) Bloggapalooza. The all-day event, held at the funky and friendly Town Fryer Restaurant on Superior and E38 Street, gave bloggers and their readers and friends a chance to see the faces behind the words. The somewhat soggy weather didn’t hamper the festivities, which included delicious gumbo, sandwiches, and fried Twinkies served by bloggers volunteering as servers; a raffle for well-thought-out donated gift baskets and prizes; and a continuous stream of bands, ranging from the soulful sounds of the “Elderly Brothers” to the edgy performance of hip hop/rock band, “Ghetto Wisdom”. There was even a poetry reading by the “tech czar”.

The dozens of bloggers attending ranged from the political to the social to those covering more down-home topics, such as gardening and dating. Revelers included Jill from “Writes Like She Talks,” Hannah from “This Garden’s Illegal,” Katherine from “Blogging Ohio,” Melanie from “Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of your Boyfriend,” and of course, the organizing force behind this event and “Meet the Bloggers,” George Nemeth of “Brewed Fresh Daily”.

Bloggapalooza celebrated the first anniversary of “Meet the Bloggers,” the unique Northeast Ohio organization that brings area bloggers face-to-face with politicians, candidates, and newsmakers for question and answer sessions. Northeast Ohio is one of the few regions of the country that has such a relationship between bloggers and local government.

We hope that Bloggapalooza 2006 was just the first of many Bloggapaloozas to come. From About.com’s Cleveland guide Sandy Mitchell cleveland.guideATabout.com

Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write
We encourage our readers to speak out by sending us letters and commentary. Send your letters to Letters@CoolCleveland.com. You must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional). You may also create a new Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail e-mail address and submit it with your letter. Letters submitted to Cool Cleveland, or edited portions, may be published in an upcoming issue of Cool Cleveland at our discretion.

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

On how private schools rock (See Private schools suck here) Where do you get off complaining that “Private schools suck valuable dollars from public schools because of policies allowing taxpayer-financed vouchers to be used to pay for private education…” If we closed all of the private schools tomorrow and turned ALL those students over to the public school system, the public school system could not financially handle it. All of the students in the private schools are NOT on vouchers!!! You should be praising the private schools for relieving you of the financial burden of educating those not on vouchers.
from Cool Cleveland reader Patrick O. McGinty pmcgintyATosborn-eng.com

I do not understand the reason for this link or article. If you actually read the article, it says “In grades 4 and 8, using unadjusted mean scores, students in private schools scored significantly higher than students in public schools for both reading and mathematics.” Meaning, private schools scored SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER than public schools. Why even bother to ADJUST with some mathematical modeling. Do we need to be spending money on this type of useless study? Is it only to give ammunition for people who want to rip the private schools? As you know, PARENT INVOVLEMENT is the key to a good education, despite any amount of money you throw at education (we do spend in Ohio over $9000 per year for each student – that’s more than some college tuitions). Private schools have children whose parents are making an additional sacrifice to send them there. They are involved in their childrens’ education. Now surround your child with other children whose parents care and are involved, and it can’t help but be successful. Unless you can manage to enroll your child in a gifted and talented class in a public school in a neighborhood where the parents do care, public schools will continue to be a problem – again, despite any amount of funding. For example, people that live around Grant Elementary public school in Lakewood know what I am talking about. For some reason, parents care in that neighborhood and are involved with their school and children. But, just a mile down the road, Franklin Elementary is having problems – not becuase of funding (it’s the same as Grant), but becuase of parents. If you live near Grant, you are lucky. If you do not, Lakewood has several private school choices where your child can receive a good education. So, whatever neighborhood you may live in, you can ensure that you child will be surrounded by other children with parents that will be involved in their education by enrolling in a private school. It’s about CHOICE. Sometimes, the government run school does not work, not because of money, but because of parents. If you want the best for your child, you should be able to send them to a school where you know other parents will be involved.
from Cool Cleveland reader Paul R. Beegan BeeganPRATameritech.net

The fact that the article starts out with these words says it all. Our movies, music and pop culture are now so filled with immoral behavior, language and violence that people don’t even recognize these things as being immoral. My point is that those people that are sending their children to private (Christian) schools simply to get a better education misunderstand the value that their children truely do get from attending such a school. It is not to get superior academic training. These schools may be perceived as an institution that is providing superior training because these generally smaller schools have preferable student to teacher ratios. Many of the schools do provide superior academic training and we might conclude that the ‘better education’ idea that is associated with Christian schools is a result of dedicated Christian teachers. I’m sure I don’t speak for myself alone when I say that I send my children to Christian schools so that my children can have the benefit of a Christian education. Each class that is taught has an underlying message of God’s word. Children are taught by Christian teachers who teach by example, in deed and word. Things like swearing, blaspheming and immoral relationships are not prevalent in these schools. The bible is explicit on the sinfulness of these things and Christian schools uphold that truth. God’s love and forgiveness are experienced everyday in these schools. This is the true benefit of sending your child to a Christian school and it speaks far greater things about a school than better scores ever will.
from Cool Cleveland Mag Donohoe mag_donohoeATyahoo.com

It seems to me that the researchers have gotten rid of all problematic children in the public school data to even out the playing field, but is this realistic? I notice that they do not include Jewish day schools in their data, which is where I send my child. I have a number of reasons for doing this: as a former public school teacher, I know what so many of the kids act like and don’t want my child in such a disruptive and disrespectful atmosphere; I want my child to live a Jewish life all day, not just after school; noone likes Hebrew School, attending more school after school, and his Judaic studies are included during the regular school day, in addition to the required subjects; there is an atmosphere of respect and kindness taught, as well as the essential Jewish concept of tikkun olam, or repair of the world, and reinforced daily. Heck, they don’t even use locks on their lockers, backpacks and musical instruments are left in the halls without a single case of theft! It is a kind, supportive and loving atmosphere with small class sizes and many teachers following every child’s progress. They also have bent over backwards to assist us with any sort of problem that has arisen. The school’s test scores are way above the national average and I feel my son benefits in every way from being there.
from Cool Cleveland reader Lori Cahan-Simon lorelecsATjuno.com

The media, preempted by government studies, love to throw-out grabby headlines like “Private Schools Suck,” however misleading. As most of us realize, life is never quite so simple, and that’s why critical thinking skills should be taught in all our school, so future generations are intelligent enough to probe beyond the catchy framing. Like everything else, as far as measuring our schools, one needs to fully explore the options. Schools like Urban Community School, a private school, and Citizens’ Academy, a charter school near University Circle, have proven to be quite successful in Cleveland. Having toured both schools and looked at their results, I also know their teachers work incredibly hard and their administrators are incredibly committed. I know there are many more that should be mentioned as well. And most of the independent schools, like Hawken School, Laurel, University School, and Hathaway are not even included in these studies. Further, there are many terrific public school systems in Cuyahoga County: Shaker, Solon, Chagrin Falls, Orange, Rocky River, Independence, etc. My sense is that families who are fortunate enough to have a choice, need to probe beyond the simplistic headlines and studies when it comes to educating their children.
from Cool Cleveland reader Linda Alexander plalexanderATadelphia.net

I don’t believe private schools should be funded by public tax dollars. Public education is available to all children, just like parks. If you want to go to Geauga Lake’s water park, or your local gym to exercise, you pay for it. Siphoning off public school funds to the private sector only complicates school funding.
from Cool Cleveland reader Deb Dockery DDDockeryATaol.com

I am entering my last year of high school and have been enrolled in a really good Catholic school for one of those years and an independent school for the past two. I personally think that making the statement “private schools suck” well…sucks. From Kindergarten through eighth grade I was enrolled in a decent public school district and although I am grateful that I got the “public school experience”, I feel my education has been better at the private schools. Especially the independent school. It was interesting to hear the things that my classmates had gone over in middle school because we never did anything as advanced in my junior high school classes. Plus, there are those extras that you just can’t get in public school, unless perhaps you are lucky enough to live in a really good school district. I have a college counselor who has taken the time to know ME and has helped me so much in the college process. There are many leadership, diversity, and other empowerment opportunities offered to students at my school. There aren’t many disciplinary problems either because all the students actually WANT to learn. My teachers are devoted to helping students because they want us to succeed and not purely for their biweekly paycheck. Also, we are learning things other than how to past standardized tests. In public school it seemed like every lesson was “How To Pass All Five Parts of The Proficiency Test, So Our School Can Get Out of Academic Watch On The State Report Card”. Please believe, I could go on and on. In conclusion, I’m not trying to say all public schools are places filled with careless teachers and juvenile delinquents. My mom is a public school teacher and a good one at that. My older siblings and many of my friends either will graduate or have graduated from public schools and frankly, they are bright individuals with bright futures ahead of them. I’m also not saying that all private schools are hosts to the creme de la creme of American students or will compose all of the future doctors, lawyers, CEOs, and other well paid professionals. There are many parochial and charter schools that really do suck but know parents would rather send their child there than the local high school that’s toted as having the highest crime problem or teen pregnancy rate in the city. In conclusion, I’m telling my experiences, since things aren’t as cut and dry as “who has the highest test scores”.
from Cool Cleveland reader Erin Johnson johnson.erinaATgmail.com

This NY Times article echoes my earlier point – “all (public, private, charter and religious) contain schools that range from good to not to good to downright horrendous”: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/19/opinion/19wed2.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
from Cool Cleveland reader Linda Alexander plalexanderATadelphia.net

On how the Ingenuity Festival (and Cleveland) rocks (See www.IngenuityCleveland.com) Being out of town for last year’s first Ingenuity, I was looking forward to this year’s festival and was not disappointed. Though some folks were surprised/disappointed at the $10 entry, even if you only attended two performances or galleries, you certainly received your money’s worth. And the fact that some artists were paid to appear, is a bonus and boost to Arts Community Cleveland is trying to create and promote. As I headed back to my car Sunday afternoon, I had the same thought Peter Chakerian described regarding the amount of downtown space in disrepair. While this makes for great venues for the various Ingenuity installations, it is sad to know this space is available, yet so under-utilized. I am not a native Clevelander, so I am not fully aware of all the history surrounding the various buildings. Nonetheless, I felt a sense of sadness for the days gone by, when the spaces were active and occupied. For a few days, Ingenuity brought them back to life – and that is good. My husband and I will leave this fine town next week; he has been out of work since November and there is nothing left for us here from a job standpoint. If I can leave with one thought, it would be most (not all, but a vast majority) of the folks who have made Cleveland their lifetime home need to begin to recognize what they have here. As many non-natives who have moved here will attest, the one constant in Cleveland is the ‘why would you move HERE?’ question. It happened so often, I know it was not just a ‘casual conversation’ question; it is an unfortunate attitude that pervades this place for reasons I still do not understand, even after six years. The lake, the sports, the culture, the park system, affordable living – it’s all so great. If it’s so awful here, one wonders, why so many natives stayed for so long? Good luck to you Cleveland…life is what you make it – you’ve got too great a city here to be so miserable.
from Cool Cleveland reader Dawn Guinane sugarplumbaby79AThotmail.com

I continue to be astonished that so little notice has been taken (before, during and after) of what many of us considered the only really significant meeting of art and technology at Ingenuity — Catch 22 Goes Online, the latest in a series of sonic installations by two Argentines, Nicholas Varchausky of the U. of Quillmes in Buenos Aires and Juan Pampin of the U. of Washington at Seattle. What’s up with that?
from Cool Cleveland reader Daniel Hathaway dhathawayATdohio.org

On the Innerbelt bridge (See ODOT continues to ingnore public input here) Dear Gordon Proctor (Director, Ohio Department of Transportation): We have every right to pick the bridge we feel will help make not only our city but our whole state more attractive to visitors and businesses. It confuses me why you purposely fast track items past the concerned citizens of Cleveland, fighting for their hometown, as if we are children who need our decisions made for us. Hear us out and let us be concerned with the ramifications of our decisions. We are the ones who will have to live with it.
from Cool Cleveland reader Kevin M. Hickey k_hickey_2000ATyahoo.com

On the Cleveland Clinic taking over Euclid Avenue (See Clinic plans to privatize Euclid Avenue here) Cleveland Clinic reminds me of people like my father: white, well-to-do older guys with a sense of entitlement that Attila the Hun would think a bit too much. They get nothing by me…free market economy means no more (corporate) welfare. They just use the money to buy Cadillacs, anyway. And don’t get me started on the boundry issues. What’s theirs is theirs; also what’s everyone else’s.
from Cool Cleveland reader Susan Prendergast suelynjukesATyahoo.com

I think what the clinic is trying to do is connect all that they are building on the north side of Euclid into one entity. The Cleveland Clinic campus is sprawled all over as it is and I think they need to learn to live with that. They have units operating all over the area. I imagine that they have some plan of how to operate these remote locations. Why not apply the same principals to the main campus? Getting from the east side to west side is already a chore for the average commuter. Cutting one of three roads out does not sound like a good idea. To make it work would require a complete change in how traffic flows through University Circle. I am curious how they plan deal with this problem.
from Cool Cleveland reader David Bringle dbringleATadelphia.net

On Presidential commentary (See Cleveland Americana here) I can’t even begin to tell you how disgusted I am with the comments about our President from Kelly, see below. Tell that “Sweaty-toothed”? Bitch/Beast to stay in England. You may express my regards to your staff, and don’t ever send me another email again.
from (former) Cool Cleveland reader Nick Stallard
excerpt from Cleveland Americana, by former Clevelander Kelly McCloskey of Abingdon, England: “I realize it’s not entirely popular to be an American living anywhere but America these days. We take a lot of flack and are, in a weird way, somehow obligated to apologize for the sins of our Chief Executive Sweaty-toothed Primate. The Beast has made it difficult for the rest of us, there’s no denying it.”

On David Akers’ response to Roldo’s comments on the gubernatorial candidate’s plan to privatize the Ohio Turnpike (See Selling Selves Out Might Not Be a Bad Blackwell Idea here, and Responding to Roldo’s Selling Selves Out… here) David Akers’ response to Roldo’s reflections on how governments are selling their services out to corporate bidders claims that effectiveness should be the overriding criteria for judging how best to manage government assets. First off, it might be helpful to clarify “government” assets for what they are – public assets, our assets. As such, shouldn’t We the People have a more direct role in the management? Effectiveness is of course important in managing public resources. So is efficiency and saving money. This is the main argument for “privatization” (“Corporatization” is a more accurate description as undemocratic business corporations are the entities increasingly taking over public decisions). As important, if not more, concerning managing public assets are control and definition. Who’s making decisions, implementing decisions, evaluating decisions? How directly is the public involved in decisions affecting their/our lives? Are we consulted at the planning stage? Implementation step? Evaluation phase? In other words, how democratic is the process? Are there other ways to accomplish the task that is more democratically inclusive than simply turning over government functions to a business corporation? Could a cooperative better achieve the same function? If government is involved, maybe regional or even local government is preferable in providing the service that a state or larger unit. Maybe it’s the reserve. The profit-maximization corporate model should not be seen as the only option. Aker raises the interesting example of “Service Level Agreements” as a tool for effectively accomplishing what government alone cannot. This could work so long as, again, the public sets the terms for the agreement. The example Akers share of a bridge in France built using this model had the corporation setting their own tolls. This is undemocratic. When Ohio first became a state, business corporations could only do what their charter dictated. The state legislature established specific conditions. Many early charters dealt with the building of turnpikes stipulating exact rates, profits, beginning and end points, repairs, frequency of open books and other issues. In most cases, after a corporation built a road and once its costs and a fair profit were recovered, the charter was dissolved and the turnpike became a public road. In other instances, the charter exempted the poor, voters and churchgoers from tolls. (For more information about the history of corporations and democracy in Ohio, go to c.net/educatorresources.html) Ken Blackwell’s proposal to corporatize the Ohio turnpike simply shifts control and authority over transportation decisions from the public to one or more business corporations. Haven’t we already learned that when business corporations rather than the public or individuals make agricultural, energy, health care, media or public policy decisions, the results are less democratic control, less voice, and less choice? The results have been often disastrous to people, communities and the environment. Our forebears understood self-governance to the most important criteria for rules, laws, constitutions, and policies. When people have a legitimate role in deciding what’s going to happen to them and what’s around them, it’s amazing often how effective and efficient decisions become. Even when they aren’t, at least they/we are making them. Initiating and implementing democratic decision-making over our food, transportation, education, energy, elections, news, health care, and environment makes good sense in these times of rampant corporatization and commodification of almost everything. Now that’s a novel concept.
From Cool Cleveland reader Greg Coleridge, Director, Economic Justice & Empowerment Program, Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee, www.afsc.net, AFSColeATaol.com

On moving Cedar Point to Burke Lakefront Hi Thomas I know you are a very busy person, but I just had an idea and thought that you would be a person to ask an opinion of. As you know Cedarfair spent billions of dollars purchasing up parks around the country. I was thinking what impact would be felt if they were to buy Burke Lakefront Airport and develop it into the worlds greatest amusement park? Obviously they have Cedar Point but the rides could easily be dismantled and brought to cleveland by boat. They would probably lose business from michigan people.. but think how much they could gain from the entire metro area of cleveland? Im guessing that most of the people that go anyways stay a night or two at a hotel.. so those people would still come. The big thing that it would accomplish however is make itself a status symbol. Cleveland would get the attention of the world. Could you see pictures of the Cleveland skyline with top thrill dragster in the mix? how bout a nice new highrise hotel for accomodations? I would guess that they would have room for parking… if not they could build some 5 level garages and they would be just fine. Thomas.. is this feaseable?
from Cool Cleveland reader Ryan Scavnicky, student, Highland High School RTS206ATaol.com

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Top 5
Here are the Top 5 from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.

1) Cool Cleveland Comment Cleveland Americana by former Clevelander Kelly McCloskey of Abingdon, England.
www.CoolCleveland.com.

2) Cool Cleveland Get Wild party Check out the photos of the last party.
www.CoolCleveland.com

3) Taste of Tremont Tasty dishes and art by local talent put Tremont’s best foot forward.
www.RestoreTremont.com.

4) RoldoLINK Pony Again Up For Dick Jacobs.
www.CoolCleveland.com.

5) Clinic plans to privatize Euclid Avenue plans to close Euclid Avenue to car traffic from E. 86th to E. 107th, creating a pedestrian-friendly campus center.
www.Cleveland.com.

Smile when you call the Hard Corps crazy Thanks to Peter Chakerian, Roxanne Ravenel, TL Champion, George Nemeth and everyone who partners with us. Even though they’re jammin’ busy, they somehow pull things together so your weekly issue arrives on Wednesday. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Download the Cool Cleveland podcast each week at http://www.CoolCleveland.com. Click on the Cool Cleveland Blog here. Read the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine here. Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time. Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com, and your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com. For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com.

Artistically yours,

–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com

all contents ©2006 MulreadyGROUP all rights reserved
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