Champions

Champions

In this week’s issue:
* Cool Cleveland Champions party on Wed 11/2, get $12.50 tix by midnight Thu 10/13 here
* Cool Cleveland People with Rock Hall VP of Education Warren Zanes
* RoldoLINK on the long process of killing democratic predispositions in Cleveland
* Cool Cleveland Sounds The Nature of Light by Brian Henke
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here

This week, winningly, we celebrate Cleveland’s #1 ranking by The Economist magazine as the most liveable city in the US, first reported last week but savored in depth below. Surprisingly, Pittsburgh, who tied for top honors, apparently doesn’t feel they deserve to be champions and are questioning the professional survey’s methodology. We’re too busy pointing out more awesome things going on this week in Cleveland. Cool Cleveland joins with the Civic Innovation Lab of the Cleveland Foundation to party on Wed 11/2 with civic entrepreneurs, which they call champions, and hear a few words from foundation president Ronn Richard and economic development guru Brad Whitehead; get your discount tix early. Read the fascinating Cool Cleveland People interview with Rock Hall education director Warren Zanes, who has organized a killer American Masters Series honoring soul legend Sam Cooke that features a concert at Playhouse Square with Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and others. Other cities can only dream about such an awesome week of symposia, discussions and concerts- you’re just silly if you don’t take advantage of your proximity to the rockin’ glass tent and make plans to be there. It’s a good week for civic entrepreneurs and those working to make Cleveland a better place: you can participate in KSU’s Shrinking Cities Symposium, a session with the new group Cleveland Next on turning good ideas into great projects, Lakewood Alive’s discussion with Baltimore officials on accountability and efficiency in government, and a training session with Reform Ohio Now helping to clean up the election process. Log on to check out the innovative online auction to benefit FutureHeights, and come hear visionary Pierre Jean Everaert speak on integrity, globalism and innovation. Pretty heavy stuff. Culturally, Cleveland is acting like a champion this week: the Dark Room reads brand new theatre scripts, a female version of the Odd Couple at Karamu House, the amazing GroundWorks dance at Tri-C, and a New Music Festival at the Cleveland Institute of Music. When you think of champions, are you thinking of sports (maybe next year, Cleveland)? Or are you thinking about a town that is the most liveable in the US of A, a town that is engaging its civic entrepreneurs, a town that is culturally on fire? Welcome to Cleveland, the real championship town. –Thomas Mulready

Cool Cleveland People
Warren Zanes

Warren Zanes has had a fairly improbable life so far, at least from ages 18 to 40. He went directly from a fancy New England boarding school to playing in a rock band on a major label – without any previous musical experience. Then after several years in the successful band, he quit to go to college – to impress a girl – and he kept going for 12 years, emerging with a bunch of degrees, including a Ph.D. In 2003 he became the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s vice president of education. Around the same time, he released his first solo CD. In between, he wrote a book, married his high school girlfriend, Elinor Blake – 15 years after initially breaking up – and they had two kids. Under Warren Zanes’s leadership, the Rock Hall’s American Music Masters series returns in a big way. This year’s tribute – to Sam Cooke – will run from Mon 10/31 to Sun 11/6, and will feature panel discussions, films and educational programs at the Rock Hall; a daylong conference at CWRU, and two major concerts at Playhouse Square, and feature excellent acts from many genres. http://www.rockhall.com. When Zanes and Blake moved to Cleveland from New York, two things surprised them about the city: first, that they like it here, and second, that we don’t. That aside, they have felt welcomed into the community here and have been able to keep their creative juices flowing.

Cool Cleveland: Did you have reservations about moving to Cleveland?
Warren Zanes: It’s funny: A lot of people, when we were in Brooklyn, didn’t as much as bat an eye when we said we were moving to Cleveland. Not as much as the people in Cleveland did. This was surprising to us. Elinor had played a show at the Beachland Ballroom around the time we got here – she was doing a few American dates, and she played there. Afterwards she was selling merchandise – CDs and some other stuff – and, almost to a person, everybody was apologizing for Cleveland. We had just gotten here, and my wife kept saying, “I actually like Cleveland.” The oppressive part is everybody apologizing for it. So this was an odd experience, that inferiority complex, because we were digging the place…
Read the Cool Cleveland Interview with Warrren Zanes by David Budin here

Meet The Real Champions on 11/2

Do you have ideas for making a difference in Cleveland? Are you a civic entrepreneur? Learn how you can become eligible for an award of up to $30,000 plus mentorship from talented and well-connected executives, to allow you to pursue your civic project. The Civic Innovation Lab, a project of the Cleveland Foundation, is set up to incubate civic entrepreneurs (“champions”) with fantastic ideas for stimulating economic development and moving Cleveland forward. Champions who are willing to take financial, career, and reputation risks. After 2 years in operation, the Lab has supported 17 initiatives and granted over $400,000 to champions with great ideas to grow Cleveland. This is for real. Get tix here. Meet some of the champions who’ve already passed through the program, such as Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready, and hear a few words from Cleveland Foundation president Ronn Richard and Brad Whitehead, program director for economic development. Enjoy the Grilled Vegetable and Herb Cheese, the Assorted Focaccia Pizzas, the Rotisserie Chicken Salad Pinwheel, and the Domestic and Imported Cheese Display at Pickwick & Frolic’s Martini Bar and Frolic Cabaret from 5:30 to 7:30PM on Wed 11/2 as we all celebrate the Lab’s 2nd anniversary. Stick around for comp passes to the 90-minute, side-splitting show in Hilarities 4th Street Theater featuring a nationally touring comedian at 8PM. Capture this rare opportunity to meet business leaders, mentors and champions who are doing well by doing good. Your Cool Cleveland admission gets you a complementary ticket for the hilarious Pickwick & Frolic show ($13 value), appetizers galore and two drink tix (wine & beer). Get your discount tix by midnight Thu 10/13 here: http://www.coolcleveland.com/tickets/110205

Cleveland’s #1 ranking feels right Cleveland and Pittsburgh are all a-buzz about The Economist magazine ranking them tied for the #1 position as the most liveable cities in the United States. You can check the complete report here and note that Cleveland never scored higher than a 2 in any category, “where one means there is no reduction in quality of life and five means quality of living is extremely challenging.” Rock on, Cleveland! But Pittsburgh, it seems, has an inferiority complex even bigger than Cleveland’s: they don’t even believe the rankings. Read Pittsburgh Tribune-Review columnist Dimitri Vassilaros as he bemoans the study’s methodology, complaining that the criteria were rated too subjectively. “Something simply does not feel quite right,” he states, “voodoo economics is dumbing down England.” See story here. If The Economist weren’t one of the most well-respected international business magazines, or if this study didn’t go to the extent of ranking 40 criteria, we might agree. Maybe if they don’t want it, Pittsburgh will offer us sole possession of first place. It feels right to us. Your thoughts? Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Ingenuity success A wrap-up of the Ingenuity Festival of Art and Technology, with a summary of the budget (in the black!), responses from community leaders, and some great quotes, like this: “the inclusiveness of the crowds marked an unusual level of civic participation.” See story here. Stay tuned to Cool Cleveland for a hot selection of some of the 2500 awesome photos we’ve collected so far. Do you have photos of Ingenuity good enough to make our highlights reel? We’re putting together a short 5-minute video, and we’d love to use your photos off Ingenuity. Send your inquiries to Info@CoolCleveland.com.

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Looking for a New Date Night Idea? To Entertain Clients? Or an Excuse to Have a Girls Night Out? Broadway at Playhouse Square is your answer. Subscriptions to the new McDonald Financial Broadway Series at Playhouse Square Center serve many needs. The exhilaration of Broadway entertainment inspires laughter, thought and awe. And it’s all yours for as little as $109 – that’s just $16 per show. Subscribe and see hits like Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, Little Women and more. Plus, you’ll have guaranteed tickets to the sure-to-sell-out blockbuster Wicked – the untold story of the witches of Oz. Act now and ask how subscribers can also receive exclusive discounts at local salons, restaurants & hotels. Hear music and see video at www.PlayhouseSquare.com/broadway05 or call 216-830-7221.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************

Cleveland needs VC Northeast Ohio could spark long-term economic changes by investing $300 million in homegrown technology companies over the next five years. The region needs to raise $50 million for grants to pre-seed and seed companies — those less than a year old — and $250 million for investing in more mature early-stage companies. The study and subsequent plan were produced by NorTech, who calls on the organizations that support technology entrepreneurs to raise the money: Case Technology Ventures, the Cleveland Clinic’s CCF Innovations and JumpStart Inc., Early Stage Partners and Primus Venture Partners. Read more here, but more importantly, download a PDF of the plan from NorTech’s website. After you’ve taken a look, send us your comments at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Cleveland Next needs your ideas Add another group to the growing list of professional groups trying to make a change in this city. Cleveland Next wants to help you bring your ideas to fruition, by presenting forums over the next several months to guide you. View the ideas already submitted here and submit your idea here. See How do ideas become projects? below for details if you don’t have enough projects on your plate.

Kids: write letter, win trip Young readers can score big by writing a letter to their favorite author of any literary genre. Top state contestants will advance to a national competition and receive cash prizes, plus a $50 Target gift card. Six national winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to D.C. to read their letters during the National Book Festival in the fall of 2006. Visit the Center for the Book website at http://www.loc.gov/letters for more info, contest guidelines and writing samples.

Zoo lowers winter admission price The Winter Admission price to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and The RainForest has been reduced from the usual $9 to just $6 for adults, beginning Tue 11/1 and continuing through 3/31/06. Throw on a few extra layers and the kiddies and enjoy a year round Cleveland gem at a great price. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is located at 3900 Wildlife Way and is open from 10AM to 5PM daily. Call 661-6500 or visit http://www.CleMetZoo.com.

Cool Cleveland Kids Cleveland’s best family event recommendations are just a click away. Hear 9-year-old Max Mulready give you and your cool kids the 411 on children’s art classes in an art gallery/beer cafe, a big family celebration in the Circle, and a new neighborhood that’s recently been growing with new cafes, art galleries and record shops. Listen to his short podcast here even if you know nothing about computers. Just ckick! If you’re a whiz kid, you can download it to your iPod, or just click and listen on your computer with your own kid. Check below to see the events tagged CC KIDS under Cool Cleveland This Week for Max’s recommendations for a fun and fantastic family week. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandKids10.14.05.mp3

Cleveland film in LA Short Film Fest Aspiring Cleveland screenwriter Lindsay Chudakoff recently collaborated with Geof Pelaia, Digital Media Director of the Virginia Marti College of Art in Design in Lakewood, and VMCAD film students to produce the short film, Five Minutes. Both Chudakoff and Pelaia used the opportunity to talk Cleveland up big to the film industry. Perhaps even more filmmakers will realize the benefits (financially and otherwise) of producing their films in our region. http://www.LAShortFest.com.

OIFF can use your help The Ohio Independent Film Festival is offering an excellent opportunity to help make this year’s festival happen while scoring bonuses like complimentary festival tickets and film screenings. OIFF is looking for team players to handle cool jobs ranging from hanging out with filmmakers from around the country, watching festival films and greeting guests at the door to general office work and cleaning duties. Letters of recommendation and school credit, where applicable, may also be provided. If you are ready to dive in and make this year’s event a success, email Annetta@AnnettaMarion.com for more info.

Cleve Orch plays Carnegie Hall & tours Europe Our famed Cleveland Orchestra and maestro Franz-Welser Möst, will perform at Carnegie Hall in NYC on Mon 10/17 at 8PM before heading off for a European tour that will include performances in Vienna, Cologne, Frankfurt, Budapest and Luxembourg. The Carnegie Hall concert will feature the New York premiere of Chen Yi’s Si Ji (“Four Seasons”) while international audiences will enjoy work by Adès, Brahms, Mahler, Schubert and Stravinsky. Visit http://www.ClevelandOrchestra.com for more info.

CSU student named Top 10 in US Maria Weybrecht, a Cleveland State University student, slated to graduate in December, is featured in the October issue of Glamour magazine. An outstanding student and selfless human being who’s been dealt more than her share of woes, the Eastlake resident founded a non-profit organization, Kids in Flight, which provides terminally and chronically ill children and their parents with 30- to 45-minute sightseeing flights over the Cleveland area. Learn more about this amazing young woman here. Send your thoughts on Weybrecht and her accomplishments to Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Dream On: Experience “Lines of Escape” on Sat 10/22, where we’ll kick off The Cleveland Institute of Art’s eight-month, city-wide culture festival with a gallery hop from 11AM to 5PM in conjunction with SPACES and MOCA. The free gallery hop will include the viewing of “Beautiful Dreamer” (SPACES), “POPulence” (MOCA) and “Dreaming of a More Better Future” (The Cleveland Institute of Art). Lolley the Trolley will provide free public transportation. At 5PM curators and artists will lead a community dialogue on dreams, escape and fantasy at CIA, followed by the opening party of “Dreaming of a More Better Future,” the Institute’s major fall exhibit. The party will feature food, fun and music until 10PM in CIA’s Reinberger Galleries. Visit http://www.cia.edu/dreams or call 216-421-7000.
*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************

Send your Daniel Thompson anecdotes to the Hessler Neighborhood Association in preparation for a full section on Cuyahoga County’s poet laureate to be included in the all-Daniel section of the forthcoming Hessler 2006 Poetry & Prose Annual. People who knew Daniel and who are willing to share their stories should email them to Bat@adva.com. The deadline for entries is Sun 1/15/2006. For more information visit http://www.Hessler.org. For a copy of last year’s volume with a 15-page all-Daniel section, visit Macs Backs Paperbacks, Bookstore on West 25th Street or the new Viva Libra bookstore in the Inside Outside Gallery.

Kent dedicated to the arts The completion of a large mural at the North Downtown entrance, new neighbors Kent State University’s Downtown Gallery, Turnup Records, offering new and used records and The Electric Cafe Company, which gives independent musicians and visual and video musicians a performance space 6 nights a week have led to a Renaissance on the north side of Downtown. Standing Rock Cultural Arts is hosting “A Delightful Dedication Downtown” which will include music, food and lots of entertainment on Sun 10/16 from 2-5PM during a family affair that will offer Native American music and food, mask making for the kids and artist Edwin George signing the mural “Love,” a large-scale replication of his piece of the same name. Call 330-673-4970 for more info.

CIA launches Dreamweaver: The Science and Culture of Escape, Fantasy and Reverie, an eight-month-long series of lectures, exhibitions, films and events by The Cleveland Institute of Art in collaborations with organizations throughout the city of Cleveland. CIA, SPACES Gallery and MOCA Cleveland are collaborating for a day-long free gallery hop on Sat 10/22 from 11AM-5PM. All three galleries will be open from 11AM-5PM for viewing of the exhibitions “Beautiful Dreamer” (SPACES), “POPulence” (MOCA), and “Dreaming of a More Better Future” (CIA). Visit http://www.cia.edu for more info.

Museum gets good bond rating The Cleveland Museum of Art has received an AAA long-term rating and an A-1+ short-term rating from Standard & Poor’s, which will help with their upcoming $258 million renovation project. The only other U.S. cultural institution in the country to receive the AAA rating from S&P is the Smithsonian Institution. Read the article here, then send your comments to Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Stan in Accounting will thank you If you look forward to receiving your weekly issue of Cool Cleveland, think how it will spice up the life of say, Stan, in the Accounting Department. Help ALL your lonely, unfashionably dressed friends by passing Cool Cleveland on for a good weekly read. Hit the “Forward” btton on your e-mail, and do Stan a favor. http://www.CoolCleveland.com

Deadline for Emerging Sculptors The Sculpture Center is seeking artists for its 2006-2007 Window to Sculpture Series. Artist applications, postmarked through Mon 11/7 are now being accepted. Selected Ohio artists will have a four-week exhibition slot, promotions, and a 1,000 square foot gallery space in which to show their new work. Call 229-6527 for more info or visit http://www.SculptureCenter.org.

The Black Legacy of Rock and Roll The Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch of the Cleveland Public Library is hosting the exhibit which includes a collection of art created by ten African American, Detroit-based artists, each inspired by and representing black music including West African music, spirituals, gospel, blues, jazz and R&B. The exhibit is open to the public without cost and runs through 1/21/06. Visit http://www.CPL.org for more info.

Women on the web One goal of the Cleveland Memory Project is to identify local history research projects from earlier eras and give them new currency via the Web. Ethnic Women of Cleveland was an oral history project conducted in the mid-Eighties by Professor Jeannette E. Tuve, on behalf of the Cleveland State University History Department and the CSU Women’s Comprehensive Program. Dr. Tuve interviewed 29 women of mostly Eastern European heritage and deposited the audio tapes and typed transcripts in the CSU Library. They are digitizing these interviews, so you can listen to the interview and read the transcript online. Check out the website @ http://www.ClevelandMemory.org

Emissions from the blogsphere CMSD teacher MaryBeth Matthews couldn’t help feeling like the school system failed again, when a dropout dropped in to visit her. Sean blogs about Dave’s supermarket @ Shaker Square. Henry Gomez notes that Anita Campbell was named to CNET Top 100 Blogs list. This week on the Cool Cleveland blog, Peter Chakerian talks about home values and PMI in Cleveland, the mayoral primary, Continental Airlines’ efforts to work hard at flying right, Porcupine Tree and Trenchcoat Manifesto. And a whole lot more. What would YOU like to see talked about or reviewed in the blog? Drop good ol’ “CHQ” a line when you visit the Cool Cleveland weblog here, then add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Cool Cleveland This Week
10.12-10.19

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Shemekia Copeland daughter of bluesman, Johnny Copeland, will make her only Ohio fall appearance tonight, Wed 10/12 at 8PM. Don’t miss this blues spitfire, hailed as “a new generation of blueswoman.” Call 875-6000 or visit www.FatFishBlue.com for ticket info. Fat Fish Blue, 21 Prospect Avenue. http://www.ShemekiaCopeland.com.

Accountability and Efficiency: One City’s Turnaround Story brings heralded experts from Baltimore into Lakewood on Thu 10/13 at 7PM to lead the discussion on how city governments can become more efficient and accountable, to the benefit of their constituents. Learn more about Baltimore’s CitiStat program, living proof that a city government can also be efficient and practice accountability. Really! Register for this no cost program at info@lakewoodalive.com. Lakewood Alive at Grant Elementary School, 1470 Victoria Avenue. http://www.LakewoodAlive.com.

The Dark Room presented by The Cleveland Theater Collective, provides a great opportunity for reading new work out loud, with old friends and colleagues while networking with others in the arts community. This evening of new, short work on Thu 10/13 begins at 8PM but you should arrive at 7:30PM if you’d like to sign up to perform a 10-minute piece. The author must be present and you must bring enough copies for the number of actors needed and a stage manager. If you didn’t bring enough friends, actors will be recruited from those in attendance. Visit the Dark Room on the second Thursday of each month to see what develops! Old Parish Hall, 6203 Detroit Avenue.

Shrinking Cities Symposium Nationally known speakers will converge on Fri 10/14 from 9AM-2:30PM to discuss this topic of increasing relevance to our region. There will also be an exciting presentation of work from the recent charrette conducted by the Urban Design Center of Northeast Ohio in Youngstown. For further info or to register for this no cost event call 357-3434 or visit www.cudc.kent.edu. Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Glickman-Miller Hall Atrium, 1717 Euclid Avenue.

Fall / Harvest This exhibition of recent works by Lucette Johnson is yet another reason to visit the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Admission to the exhibit, on display in the Guren Gallery at the CBG, is included in the regular admission price to the Garden. The show, running from Fri 10/14 through Fri 11/18, consists of 10 watercolors, 5 reverse paintings on glass and an experimental montage using a variety of mediums. Cleveland Botanical Garden, http://www.CBGarden.org.

How do ideas become projects? This subject will be considered over coffee and pastries at the upcoming Cleveland Next meeting on Fri 10/14 from 8-9:30AM. The organization’s goal is to empower individuals and teams to improve our region by coaching them to engage others in their vision. Laura Steinbrink with Cleveland Bridge Builders will facilitate the discussion. Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road.

Boston Mills/Brandywine Open House is a great opportunity to secure your passes and programs for the 05/06 season at great prices and get a head start on your shopping for ski equipment. The Fri 10/14 to Sun 10/16 Open House is without cost and the BWMW Ski Patrol will be running a used equipment swap. Visit http://www.BMBW.com or call 800-875-4241 for more details.

International Dance Festival and Viva Dance! An International Dance Festival will be held on Fri 10/14; Sat 10/15; and Sun 10/16. This will also be the grand opening of Viva Dance!, Cleveland’s largest Latin and Ballroom studio, kicking off an exciting and educational weekend of music (featuring live bands and performers from NYC), along with workshops by well known instructors and nightly dance parties. Salsa workshops by Eddie Torres from NYC, as well as Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing workshops by world famous instructors. For more information please call 440-263-5842 or email either AlvaresPro@aol.com or Amatos76@aol.com. Get more info here. Viva Dance!, 12381 Pearl Road, Strongsville.

CC KIDS Fall for the Circle Celebrate fall with a full range of indoor and outdoor autumn activities during this three day event featuring music, art and discovery on Fri 10/14 through Sun 10/16 from 10AM-10PM each day. A variety of activities at various University Circle institutions will include concerts, hands-on activities, exhibits and programs. Visit www.UniversityCircle.org for the full schedule including event locations; or call 707-5033 for more info.

Visual Tales: Paintings by Michelangelo Lovelace, Gail Newman and Paul W. Patton. Though these three Cleveland artists come from very different backgrounds; all of their work tells the story of their own personal journeys. The exhibit, composed of 50 paintings and sculptures reminiscent of contemporary folk art, will allow visitors to take a glimpse into each artist’s tale. Come to the opening reception on Fri 10/14 from 6-9PM. Meet artists Lovelace and Newman, Mrs. Dorothy Patton and exhibit curators Gloria Plevin and Rotraud Sackerlotzky on Sat 10/15 at 2PM. The exhibit runs through 1/2/06. Call 227-9507 for gallery hours. Cleveland Artist Foundation, 17801 Detroit Avenue. www.ClevelandArtists.org.

The Odd Couple Enjoy this beloved comedy with a twist. It is the female version of the classic and it follows the antics of Florence Unger and Olive Madison. Instead of the poker party that kicks off the original it’s a girl’s night out for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. Watch the sparks fly between these mismatched roommates beginning Fri 10/14 at 8PM through Sun 11/6. Call 795-7070 for ticket prices and show times. Karamu Theater, 2355 East 89th Street. www.Karamu.com Karamu House

GroundWorks will perform its own program of live music and dance at Tri-C’s Main Stage Theater, Fri 10/14 at 8PM, Sat 10/15 at 8PM and Sun 10/16 at 2PM. The performances feature Oberlin College Dance Professor and guest choreographer Nusha Martynuk’s Before Night Comes, an original work by New York-based choreographer Keely Garfield and GroundWorks Artistic Director David Shimotakahara’s The Music Room. Tickets are available at the door or by phoning the Cuyahoga Community College Box Office at 987-4400. Tri-C Metro Campus Theatre, 2900 Community College Ave. http://www.GroundWorksDance.org.

Trenchcoat Manifesto will be performing live at as part of SPACES’ Friday Night Live performance series on Fri 10/14, at 8:15PM. Refreshments will be available. Learn more about the group here. SPACES Gallery, 2220 Superior Viaduct. http://www.SpacesGallery.org.

Dennis Miller in Concert The Emmy-award-winning comedian and Saturday Night Live alumnus will appear at Severance Hall during Case Western University’s Alumni Weekend and Homecoming activities. For tickets to the Fri 10/14 show at 8PM visit http://www.ClevelandOrchestra.com, or http://www.Case.edu.

WCLVnotes 104.9 FM is an open window on the world of music. The New York Philharmonic broadcasts resume this coming Fri 10/14 at 9PM, joining the new season along with the Detroit Symphony, whose concerts are heard Sun 10/16 at 1PM. Currently WCLV is presenting weekly concerts by the Minnesota Orchestra on Tuesday nights at 9PM; and the San Francisco Symphony in dual concerts each week – Thursdays at 9PM and Saturdays at 2PM. All of this above and beyond the two broadcasts each week on WCLV by the hometown band – The Cleveland Orchestra. And in the near future, weekly concerts by the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Royal Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic from the Salzburg Mozart Week. Wow!!! Details on all of WCLV’s programming can be found on line at www.WCLV.com. WCLV is a Cool Cleveland partner.

CC KIDS Art for Toddlers bela dubby will be offering art classes for toddler’s age 18 mos. through 5 years, beginning Sat 10/15 from 10 – 10:45AM, for 5 weeks. Each class will focus on a particular artist or style of art and includes a story time that coincides with each lesson. In addition to creating a lifelong appreciation for the arts, each class will enhance and develop: fine and gross motor skills; listening and sharing skills; and, attention span and social skills. Call 221-4479 or email beladubby@hotmail.com to reserve a spot for your budding artist. bela dubby, 13321 Madison Ave, Lakewood.

CC KIDS Goblins in the Garden You and your little ones can join ghosts and goblins for costume contests, haunted wagon rides, a hay-bale maze, pumpkin painting, crafts, animal chats with snakes, bats and owls, a magician and cider and donuts, all for no charge. Bring your own picnic or buy hot dogs on site this Sat 10/15 from 3 to 7PM at The Holden Arbooretum, 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland 440-946-4400 http://www.HoldenArb.org

FutureHeights online auction kicks off on Sat 10/15. There will be a multitude of one-of-a-kind, cool items up for grabs during the auction, including the opportunity to be immortalized as a character in the next FBI thriller from New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter, a handyman for eight hours and a Herb Ascherman Platinum Portrait. Visit their online catalog here. If you have high-quality items or services that you would like to donate to the auction, please call 320-1423 or email info@futureheights.org.

CC KIDS My Masterpiece Art Classes for toddlers (ages 18 mos. through 5 yrs.) will be held on Saturdays, from 10 – 10:45AM, beginning Sat 10/15, for 5 weeks. Each class will focus on a particular artist or style of art and includes a story time that coincides with each lesson. Each class will also enhance and develop: fine and gross motor skills; listening and sharing skills; and, attention span and social skills. Please contact John or Jill Crino to reserve a spot by calling 221-4479 or email beladubby@hotmail.com. bela dubby, 13321 Madison Ave, Lakewood.

Bishop John Shelby Spong will visit Trinity Cathedral on Sat 10/15 from 10AM – 3PM to give a day-long workshop which will include such topics as “The Bible: The Word of God?” and an afternoon lecture entitled, “God: Beyond Theism, but Not Beyond God.” Trinity Cathedral will hold discussion groups on Bishop Spong’s latest book entitled, The Sings of Scripture from Sun 10/18 through Sun 10/30. All are welcome to this open series. Visit http://www.TrinityCleveland.org or Call 774-0408 to register. Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue.

Reform Ohio Now Various Ohio agencies are working hand in hand to pass several government amendments that could clean up the election process here in Ohio. On Sat 10/15 from 11AM to 3PM Reform Ohio Now will be recruiting trainees and conducting training sessions to prepare for the upcoming November elections and beyond. Visit http://www.ReformOhioNow.org for more info. East Mount Zion Baptist Church, 9990 Euclid Avenue.

Stars Searching for Stars Poise Entertainment Education Company, a non-profit organization, presents “Stars Searching for Stars,” at the CSU Center Auditorium on Sat 10/15 from 1 to 4PM. This kick-off event offers an opportunity for aspiring Ohio actors, singers, dancers and models to audition. Visit http://www.SearchingForStars.org or call 246-2209 for further details. Cleveland State University, University Center Auditorium, Ground Floor, 2121 Euclid Avenue. Enter from East 22nd Street entrance.

The Owls Are Not What They Seem This exhibition of work by young, restless, Cleveland artists explores mixed-media sculpture, paintings and more. These raw artists, Niki Smith, Kwame White, Brian Stoeckel, Stephen Rea, Leanne Strickler, Anna Robertson, Kyllea Kerg, Christopher Lees, Max Winters, Amanda Cates, Corrina Coggins and Priyadarshini C. Mahalingashetty, draw on all of their senses, emotions and reactions to create pieces that are fresh and exciting. Attend the opening reception on Sat 10/15 from 6-10PM at Arts Collinwood Gallery, 15601 Waterloo Rd. http://www.ArtsCollinwood.org.

The Sugar Coated Show The Pop Shop Gallery and Studio will be hosting an art show dedicated to the “tricks and treats” of Halloween. Their opening reception for this show will be held on Sat 10/15, from 6 – 9PM. The show will run through November 26. This will be a fun, yet spooky, atmosphere for all ages to enjoy. You can have your picture taken with some of the interactive art, or enjoy some tasty “finger” foods! This show will also fall on Sweetest Day, and what better gift to your sweetheart than to bring him/her to a show filled with candy! Call 227-8440 for gallery hours. The Pop Shop Gallery and Studio at 17020 Madison Avenue, Lakewood.

Latin Dance Extravaganza Come feel the “muy caliente” heat of Verb Ballets Young and Sizzling Latin Dance Extravaganza at Bossa Nova, Eton on Chagrin Blvd, on Sat 10/15 at 7PM. There will be plenty of hearty tapas, desserts, and drinks! Verb Ballets will perform, give tango demonstrations, and you can learn to Tango with the Hot Hot Band. Available auction items include cast autographed show posters from “The Producers,” “Chicago,” “Miss Saigon,” and “Wonderful Town,” along with numerous other fine offerings. For ticket information please call 831-7128 or go to http://www.VerbBallets.org. Eaton on Chagrin Boulevard, Woodmere.

Divorcee Demolition Derby Lorain Speedway will host its first ever “Divorcee Demolition Derby” on Sun 10/16 beginning at 2PM where recently divorced or separated couples will go head-to-head in “grudge” matches. The women’s cars will be pink and the men’s cars will be in black. Separated couples, couples considering separation, and couples going through a separation are all invited to compete. Cars will be supplied and prepared by Lorain Speedway. For further details contact Lorain Speedway offices at 447-7888; or visit http://www.LorainSpeedway.com for more information. Lorain Speedway, 9072 Leavitt Road, Elyria.

Senator Russ Feingold Lecture The ACLU of Ohio is sponsoring the Ed Likover Memorial Lecture, on Sun 10/16 at 3PM featuring guest speaker, Senator Russ Feingold, noted as being the only U.S. Senator in 2001, who had the courage and conviction to protect the Constitution and vote against the USA Patriot Act. This event is without cost and open to the public and no cost parking will be available in the University Center visitor parking lot. Visit http://www.acluohio.org for details. Cleveland State University, University Center Auditorium (ground floor), at 2121 Euclid Avenue.

Diebold voting machine public hearing The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections will hold a public hearing on Mon 10/17 from 10AM-4PM at the Meyers University Club at 3813 Euclid Avenue on their plans to purchase Diebold voting machines, in response to public concerns that the machines are not tamper-resistant. Check out a statistical analysis done by University of California, Berkeley graduate students and their professor on the part that voting machines played in Bush’s victory over Al Gore here.

Nano App Summit 2005 This Mon 10/17 to Wed 10/19 event promises to be the most applications focused nano-technology event of the year, featuring world-class speakers from aerospace, automotive and consumer products industries. Attendees can build on the upcoming Summit experience by attending NanoTech University, with speakers from top research universities around the country. See the full schedule and register online at http://www.NanoAppSummit.com or call 440-962-3216 for further details. Wyndham Hotel at Playhouse Square, 1260 Euclid Avenue.

Growing a Region: Globalization, Innovation, Science and Integrity An important talk by an important visionary, Pierre Jean Everaert, who has seved as CEO of 5 international corporations and speaks 12 languages, but only feels comfortable conducting business in six. He co-authored with C. K. Prahalad and Rosabeth Moss Kanter The Organization of the Future under the signature of Peter Drucker. His talk at 8PM on Mon 10/17, part of Baldwin-Wallace College’s no-charge Carl Kamm Lecture Series will focus on how innovation and science, combined with integrity and ethics, especially in a post-Enron era of globalization, are integral to successful contemporary business practices. Since he began his career at Goodyear, he can offer insight into our region’s specific problems and opportunities. Strosacker College Union Ballroom, 120 East Grand Street, Berea, 440-826-2392 http://www-staged.bw.edu/academics/bus/events/everaert/.

New Music Festival at CIM Learn about the next generation of composers at the Cleveland Institute of Music’s 20-5-06 New Music Festival. CIM’s composition department will bring renowned composers to CIM for complimentary performances of their work and interactive discussions of their musical styles and philosophies. The Mon 10/17 premiere at 2 PM features percussionist, Barry Dove, who will lead a master class. Guest composer Randall Woolf will discuss his works on Tue, 10/19 at 5:45PM. Wed 10/19 at 8PM, David Wiley will conduct the CIM Orchestra, with Barry Dove as guest soloist. Works by Randall Woolf and Margaret Brouwer, head of the CIM composition department, will be presented. Call 791-5000 for more information. Cleveland Institute of Music, 11021 East Boulevard, University Circle. http://www.cim.edu.

STAGES Meeting The fourth installation of the STAGES (Strategic Theater Agenda for Growth Excellence and Success) 2005 and Beyond series, designed to strengthen professional theater in the northeast Ohio region, is scheduled for Mon 10/17 from 4-6PM. Anne B. DesRosiers, current Project Manager for the Jewish Community Center’s Arts and Culture Program and former Executive Director of the Cleveland Cultural Coalition, will kick off the discussion with observations about cooperative fundraising. Email marglynch@aol.com for info. Cleveland Play House, 8500 Euclid Avenue.

Catholicism and Philanthropy Sam Miller, a leader in the local Jewish community and co-chair and treasurer of Forest City Enterprises will lead this lively discussion at the next Theology on Tap, an unconventional lecture series on religious issues, on Mon 10/17. The event begins with a cash bar at 6:30PM and the lecture will follow at 7:30PM. Call 696-6525 X1049 or email lalduk@dioceseofcleveland.org to reserve your spot – seating is limited. Visit http://www.CDCF.org for more info. Improv at the Powerhouse, 2000 Sycamore Street, West Bank of the Flats.

CC KIDS Harambee Book Club This month’s discussion will center around the book Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama, the son of a White American mother and a Black African father on Tue 10/18 from 12-1PM. Obama’s elegant and compelling biography tells the powerful story of America’s racial battleground and his search for a place in Black America. Visit www.CPL.org or call 623-2800 for a list of upcoming book discussions. Main Library, Louis Stokes Wing, Room 218 West East 6th and Superior Avenue.

Sustainability = Bigger Profits Ray Anderson, Founder and Chairman of Interface, recognized as a world leader in the commercial interiors market with sales of $1 Billion, will share his story about how sustainability is a better way to bigger profits on Tue 10/18 during this networking event and presentation from 5:30-8:30PM. Interface is a global company with manufacturing locations on four continents and offices in more than 100 countries. Register by calling 451-7755 or email events@e4sustainability.org. For more info, visit http://www.e4sustainability.org. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, University Circle.

Convention Center Meeting The CFA will be holding a combination Planning/Community Consensus Committee meeting on Tue 10/18 at 6PM to encourage the public’s input on the two proposed convention center locations. View details on both sites at http://www.ConventionCleveland.com. Laborers 310 Hall at 3250 Euclid Avenue, Lower Level.

The Breast Exam Project Benefit Concert Lucie Blue Tremblay is touring North America to raise awareness and monetary support for The Breast Exam Project, a unique effort to help women and men understand and better perform self breast exams. The project will produce a DVD that guides the user through the exam process using music and meditative images. Lucie Blue Tremblay will be stopping in Akron on Tue 10/18 for a benefit concert at 7:30PM. Refreshments will be served. Call 330-384-1106 or visit http://www.EpitomeMag.com for more info. Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron, 3300 Morewood Road (across from Summit Mall).

The Jackie Warren Trio will perform selections from their new CD on Wed 10/19 at noon. Hear one of the Great Lakes region’s finest jazz pianists perform with bassist Peter Dominguez and drummer Ron Godale during this lunchtime concert. Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue. Call 575-9745 for info. http://www.mandpa.org; or call 575-9745.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

RoldoLINK
Dispirited City Acts Dispiritedly – Guess Why
By Roldo Bartimole

There were two main reasons why Clevelanders voted slothfully in the recent mayoral runoff election:

1) Its citizens are a dispirited, dejected constituency, and they further do not believe it makes a spits worth of difference who is mayor of Cleveland.

2) The major outlet for news (hint: pd) held up its nose at the candidates and decided they were not worth serious coverage, so the paper of record avoided its duty and made the race even more irrelevant.

There has been a long, long process of killing democratic predispositions in the Cleveland community for the benefit of the few.

Cleveland has been an institutionally dominated community for so long that it may be impossible to revive the city’s democratic status, once praised by Lincoln Steffens for its muckraking spirit.

That quality has been beaten out of Cleveland over many, many years. Little by little. Decision by decision.

Steffens writes in his biography about a conversation with Cleveland Mayor Tom Johnson. Johnson tells him “privilege” is responsible for civic corruption. “It is privilege that causes evil in the world, not wickedness, and not men,” Johnson told him.

Of course, men and women seek these privileges that corrupt…
Read RoldoLINK here

Cool Cleveland Sounds
Brian Henke
THE NATURE OF LIGHT
Vision Quest

I’ve always wondered if every time a new Oasis release came out, did Liam and Noel Gallagher roll their eyes when the reviewer mentioned the Beatles as an influence? Would the band Bush cringe if they got compared to Nirvana or Pearl Jam in some way, during a critique of their work? To finish the train of thought, does Cleveland acoustic guitarist Brian Henke just smile and shrug his shoulders when guitarist Leo Kottke’s name comes up in the same sentence as his? If not familiar with the latter, he’s an acoustic finger picker out of Georgia that has been plugging away at his craft for about three decades or so. A former electric player, Henke hasn’t been at it that long on the acoustic end of things, but anyone familiar with Kottke should like THE NATURE OF LIGHT. Henke’s latest disc is a multitude of tints sent through the prism in Henke’s brain and fingers as his “Wheel Of Light” medley runs all the colors in the rainbow, mixed in with a few not included in that atmospheric phenomenon. Armed with a Larrive D-09 six string guitar and a custom built 29-string Dreamcaster aka the guitar tech’s worst nightmare (both shown on the disc’s back cover), “Light Of Dreams” flows in four different movements as “Firefly” spurts urgency of a different shade. The folk, neo-classical and New Age camps all claim him as one of their own, but Henke is not strictly any of those, yet has facets that can appeal to many music fans across the board. Breaking down THE NATURE OF LIGHT any further would an exercise in futility, much like trying to do play by play of a bee attack. There are many guitar heroes in Cleveland. You can ask their fans or, even worse, them. If you haven’t run into Brian Henke’s work as of yet, THE NATURE OF LIGHT is a good place to start, with a smile and a shrug of the shoulders optional. Visit his website – http://www.brianhenkeguitar.com
From Cool Cleveland contributor Peanuts hostofthenorthcoast@yahoo.com

Wanna get reviewed? Send your band’s CD (less than 1 year old) to: Cool Cleveland, 14387 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

Connect @ Cleveland Public Theatre 10/6 Because we go to see as much concert dance as we can, and because that kind of focus takes its toll on other activities, it’s unusual for us to take in an event that focuses on music, like Ryan Lott’s Connect at Cleveland Public Theatre, but when we realized that Michael Medcalf’s Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre, Bill Wade’s Inlet Dance Theatre and Jennifer Lott would be showing new work at Connect, we decided to go. We were glad we did…
Read the review by Victor and Elsa here

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 10/6 There were a pair of noteworthy ‘firsts’ at Severance Hall on Thursday, October 6, 2005. It was the first time the Violin Concerto of John Adams had been performed here, although it certainly won’t be the last—not counting the succeeding performances over the weekend. This work is just too virtuosic to be an infrequent visitor. The concert also marked the ‘evening subscription concert’ debut by assistant conductor, James Gaffigan. Now in his mid-twenties, Mr. Gaffigan is in his third season with the Cleveland Orchestra, and is also music director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra…
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

Philadelphia, Here I Come @ Lakeland 10/7
What: Brian Friel’s funny, poignant 1964 coming-of-age play about a young man’s last night in his Irish small town before he moves to the United States –and his longing to connect once more with his taciturn fishmonger father.
Reasons to go: In his first major play, Friel has an incredible knack for showing the difficulty men have emotionally connecting in a direct way. By having two actors play the inarticulate outer Gar (Matthew Wisniewski) and his sardonic, observant inner self (Timo Aker), the play serves up both rich comedy and pathos in scenes and flashbacks. Several character actors light up their parts to let us see how good the play could be. Anne McEvoy has a dotty charm as Gar’s visiting American aunt, able to turn on a dime from comedy to sudden grief, with Mark Cipra deftly underplaying her compassionate husband. And Magdalyn Donnelly glows as the girl who breaks his heart.
Caveats: The rest of the cast isn’t up to the best performers, including the key double leads, although both have their moments. The play would work better in a more intimate space than the large Lakeland auditorium — Aker in particular swallows too many of his words, which hampers comprehension. Too often director Sarah May lets the pace lag, especially in the poky 2nd act. Nevertheless, the play’s good enough that there’s plenty to enjoy.
Backstory: Unlike many community casts attempting wobbly accents that grate, this one sounds pretty good, thanks to dialect coach Chuck Richie. And enjoy the Irish vocal music recorded by cast member Dermot Somerville.
Target audience: Those who’d enjoy nostalgic storytelling from Ireland’s most accomplished contemporary dramatist.
Details: Thru 10/16, Lakeland Theatre, Lakeland Community College, Route 306 @ I-90, Kirtland. $10/$8.
from Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com

Playing with the Light Within @ Gallery Ü thru 10/14 Karen Maria van de Vliet, who is currently on a three-month sabbatical in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood away from her home in Rotterdam Holland, is a very playful artist. She explores the transition between “play” and “awe.” Through masterful use of color and shape she plays with composition and light producing shimmering portraits of people she knows, including her Cleveland friends. This is her first U.S. exhibition. The closing reception for this show, which includes an apparel installation by Alexis Marie Savon, with assistance by Rick Ferris, both of the Cleveland area, will be Friday October 14 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Gallery Ü in the Colonial Marketplace ARTcade, 530 Euclid Ave., Suite 30. The fifteen brilliant acrylic paintings on the long gallery wall are portraits of Clevelanders. These are mostly of Ms. van de Vliet’s new American friends she met since July 31 when she arrived in Cleveland…
Read the review by Lee Batdorff here

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 Cleveland being the most liveable city in the US (See Cleveland and Pittsburgh are the most liveable cities in the US here) It’s about time the rest of the world realized what a select few of us (those who have lived in other, “destination” cities and moved back) in Cleveland have known all along. I refer to The Economist’s, recognition of Cleveland as one of the most livable cities in the US. Cleveland’s got way more to it than even native Clevelanders often realize. We now need to convince the region of this, so we can begin carrying ourselves with pride in the world community.
from Cool Cleveland reader Jonathan Broadbent jonATjrbroadbent.com

Ha! Someone with a brain finally figured this out! I have been saying for years that the East and West Coasts are great but, who can afford to live there????? My husband and I determined that we could not afford to live in his childhood neighborhood in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC. His childhood home, a very ordinary split level house with no garage, is now priced well beyond our means. What does it matter how great DC is?? Who can afford to live there????
from Cool Cleveland reader Gail Anderson gail.anderson@worldnet.att.net

I couldn’t agree more with The Economist. I am a native Pittsburgher (yes, a Steelers fan!!!) who moved to Lakewood three years ago after living in D.C. for 14 years. Initially I was homesick for Washington and all its excitements, but I must confess that I have been extremely happy in this town. My family and I have much more leisure time to enjoy the numerous assets this area has to offer, the health care is superior, we’ve made many lasting friendships, our beautiful house is affordable, and the lake is gorgeous. After a recent visit to D.C., my 6-year-old son told me he was glad to be back in Cleveland. I asked him why. His reply: “That traffic!” Amen.
from Cool Cleveland reader Missy Toms mtomsATcityclub.org

It would be ideal of the federal government could lend a hand to cities like Cleveland, offering tax breaks and benefits to immigrants who select our city as a place to live. However, Cleveland can make a strong case for people immigrating to the United States because of our ethnic diversity, inexpensive property prices, rich history of immigration, and great educational and cultural resources. Perhaps people from other countries are more attuned to the value of our magnificent orchestra and other cultural institutions than the typical American. Also, it would not hurt to highlight our wonderful architectural landmarks. I think Cleveland can sell itself better by talking about all our great achievements. The landmark Arcade, largest and grandest of its type in the entire nation, the Terminal Tower, tallest building in the world outside of New York City for many years, our wonderful cultural Gardens and historic bridges of the east side, etc. In 1928 Cleveland hosted a world peace conference attended by 14,000, including many world leaders. Could our city ever manage to gain similar fame once again? Perhaps establishing more of an international culture, even offering to host events and discussions about world issues, could be a start. It could even concentrate on a particular region, such as northern Africa or the Middle East, where people of Cleveland could reach out to other cultures and take a more direct role in helping to promote peace in these areas. Well, these are a few suggestions. As a preservation consultant I know a lot about our city’s rich architectural heritage. As the owner of the former residence of U. S. Senator and Presidential contender Theodore E. Burton (1851-1929), I know a lot about Burton’s role in various peace missions, including hosting the 1928 event in Cleveland.
from Cool Cleveland reader Steve McQuillin SteveMcQuillinATaol.com

This ranking as the best place to live in the USA is terrific. In looking at Google news, I love to see newspapers from all over the world hearing that Cleveland is the best place to live in the United States! Talk about good press! Now if only someone at city hall would take this and run with it. Create a marketing campaign around it, etc. Get some folks and businesses to move here. The Economist… highly respected I would think. It also is a nice addendum to Rich Karlgaard’s book, Life 2.0 in which he discusses how Americans are moving to lesser populated areas for better quality of life. This all due to the leaps and bounds of technology and being able to do business from more remote areas.
from Cool Cleveland reader John “Radio” Hannibal HannibalATameritech.net

I spent a good part of my summer traveling, twice to LA, twice to Memphis, St. Louis, Boston, New Jersey. I concluded that I live in the best area overall. It’s the same thing we all know, or maybe take for granted: a lakefront, great parks, seasons, ease of freeway travel across town, cost of living, entertainment, etc. But if you read the Plain Dealer, you start to feel like you are a fool for living here! The Quiet Crisis needs to be covered, but I see so little attention devoted to all of the great things that are going on in this region. I see from reading your website, and others, that many people are devoted to improving this city. There is one glaring eyesore though, that I have not read about: Public Square. I work downtown, I walk though public square on my way to the courthouse: it is simply awful and embarassing. Public Square should be our city’s front yard! It should be inviting! Not a bunch of scrawny trees that don’t grow. I’m sure the parks department does what they can. But the space needs to be completely reconfigured. What about making it a circle instead and increasing the green space and landscape? When business visitors arrive in downtown, this is their first impression. And it is not a good one! What is that monument exactly? Is is a museum? Can the public enter it? We have the resources to do something if the public decides it is worthwhile. Cleveland needs “curb appeal”. Let’s start the resurgence right in the very center, Public Square.
from Cool Cleveland reader Susan Seacrist sseacristATearthlink.net

It’s a revolutionary thought, because the Plain Dealer daily pounds us with only the most pessimistic perspectives of Cleveland–constantly. I think they are a one man band beating down our collective psyche.
from Cool Cleveland reader William Walker WWalkerATinvent.org

Amazing how when Cleveland is ranked the poorest city in the US, our hometown paper makes it front page news. However when we are ranked Most Livable, not a peep.
from Cool Cleveland reader Christopher C. Whipple whippleusATadelphia.net

On College 360 (See College 360 here) I wholeheartedly support the College 360 initiative. And if you’re a business leader reading this, you should too. Having an intern is a great start and did you ever think about having a virtual intern who works off site? It’s all happening in Northeast Ohio’s university community. Get engaged with it!
from Cool Cleveland reader Laura Neidert loopylolaATyahoo.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) Cleveland & Pittsburgh are the most liveable cities in the US.
EIU.com

2) A&Q w/G: Cathy Panzica Throwing the spotlight on the Red Room Revolution.
www.CoolCleveland.com

3) Spacious Townhomes, Minutes from Edgewater Park Bridge Square Phase III is the latest new housing located in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood.
http://www.ProgressiveUrban.com/

4) Cleveland Botanical Garden VIP Lounge Mull over a martini in the Spiny Desert of Madagascar?
http://www.CBGarden.org/

5) Steelyard Secrets The low-down on how federal tax credits are being issued for the Steelyard Commons project through a private company controlled by the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority. www.PolicyMatters.org

Thanks again to the weekly contributors that make this publication, well, cool. Peter Chakerian, Roxanne Ravenel, TL Champion, George Nemeth, Linda Eisenstein, Roldo Bartimole and everyone who partners with us make this email the most exciting thing to grace your inbox. 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. See the Cool Cleveland TV Update on WKYC NBC TV by clicking here. 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.

Start acting like the champion you are, Cleveland

–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com

all contents ©2005 MulreadyGROUP all rights reserved
(:divend:)