Room With A View

4.14-4.21
Room With A View

Room with a view
Citizens group re-envisions the future of Cleveland Heights
by Lee Chilcote

Julie Langan, Director of a nascent non-profit called Future Heights, is working to revitalize the inner ring burg of Cleveland Heights. The group was founded several years ago by residents looking for a collective voice. A few years hence, Future Heights is taking on the challenges in Cleveland Heights through a mixture of old-fashioned activism, civic projects such as beautification, and programming aimed at local business districts that they hope will catalyze retail development. I first met Julie, the group’s only staff member, about a year ago. When I attended my first Future Heights meeting, “A New Home in the Heights,” which focused on housing redevelopment, I knew the group was onto something good, so I asked Julie to sit down with Cool Cleveland and discuss the progress of Future Heights’ economic development plans.

She is from Painesville originally, and before she came to Cleveland Heights, she worked in state historic preservation offices in Arkansas and Virginia for fifteen years. But Julie was attracted to Cleveland Heights for reasons that many people share – the older houses, the closely-knit neighborhoods, the walkable shopping areas. The city is spitting distance from University Circle and a short ride from downtown, and has seen new housing and revivified retail at Coventry, Cedar-Fairmount and Cedar-Lee. It wasn’t always this way; the city has battled shuttered storefronts on Coventry and an empty mall at Severance over the past two decades. This one-time enclave of Cleveland’s wealthiest families maintains many of its advantages – a superb location, houses with character, neighborhood shops, diversity. Yet Cleveland Heights is fighting to retain its image as a suburb of choice…
Read the article by Lee Chilcote

Party with Cool Cleveland Just what is it that makes Cool Cleveland parties so cool? Is it the open bar with beer and wine for four hours? Is it the slew of mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres from area restaurants? Is it the free tour of the Pointe at Gateway luxe condos? Is it the free after-party and free drinks at Abbasso Underground Lounge? Or is it the hundreds of cool Clevelanders you’ll meet and hang with? Is it the incredibly low price? With Downtown Underground, you get it all. Join us on Thu 4/29 in the secret 3rd floor space above Phil The Fire’s new Downtown location right across the street from Gateway for Cool Cleveland’s seventh Art/Tech/Dance event, bringing together Cleveland’s arts, tech, business and activist communities. Now you can lock in a $10 ticket when you register and pay online here: http://www.corpmeetings.com/register/thomas/atd7/index.html

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A regional approach in Summit Leave it to Don Plusquellic, the mayor of Akron to show the rest of the region how to get things done. He and Summit County executive Jim McCarthy crafted a wide reaching agreement to prevent conflicts between neighboring communities: shared sewers, economic development planning, and income taxes, and most importantly, no poaching. Akron & nearby Springfield Township entered into a Joint Economic Development District 10 years ago, and this recent plan also includes Summit County and the city of Lakemore. “Four entities cooperating is just about unheard of anywhere in Ohio,” says McCarthy. Read more.

IT looking up in NEO At the end of every quarter, the Northeast Ohio Software Association polls the IT Industry in NEO to track the quarter’s progress and to forecast the next 12 months. The most recent poll reflects a continued improvement in the IT Industry business in the region. Let’s hope that the “recession mentality” becomes a thing of the past and that companies start spending more on IT tools. http://www.neosa.org

Women leaders speaking out As a set-up for their Women In Business conference on 4/20 from 8-11AM at Windows on the River, SBN gains advice from top area women execs: Sandra Pianalto, one of just 3 Federal Reserve presidents; Barbara Danforth, Executive Director of YWCA; Maureen Croming, CEO of Ross Environmental; Dr. Catherine Henry, Women’s Health Specialist at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation; and Rose Jenne, President of Jenne Distributors. They’ll comment on the career game, financial style, health issues, mentoring and a balanced life. Register for the conference at 440-250-7021, or see Smart Business Network http://www.sbnonline.com/marticle.asp?particleKey=8207

“We have no clue” The joint US-Canadian taskforce investigating last year’s massive blackout lays the blame squarely on FirstEnergy Why? They failed to cut trees that stood too close to its high voltage lines. They could have limited the damage if it had cut power to its Greater Cleveland customers when the incident happened. The blackout gave our region an economic black eye. So far, no apology for their mismanagement, although they are admitting they are clueless. Read commentary here.

Glass half empty? Why is the story headlined, “Zoo loses money despite exhibits,” when everyone knows that zoos all over the country operate exactly the same way. You have to read halfway down the article to get to this fact: “Zoos are never revenue self-sufficient. They are more of a public service.” Then, the story takes a bizarre turn and criticizes the zoo for developing their own revenue. While the story goes into admirable detail about non-profit funding structures, the downer headline has the effect of more negativity. Read more

Development director resigns In a surprise move, Steve Sims, who has served as Cleveland’s Economic Development Director since 2002, abruptly resigned this week. While the past few years have been uniquely brutal for our region, critics have pointed to a lack of aggressive economic strategy from the Campbell administration. http://www.cleveland-oh.gov

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Cleve schools challenged The $100M shortfall that the Cleveland Municipal School District is experiencing forces difficult choices. There are no easy answers, and the budget cuts, which so far involve reduced bus service, and elimination of the Cleveland Scholarship Program, will put more pressure on our region to solve this most critical problem. Read more.

CSU’s Levin College of Urban Affairs Ranks 2nd in U.S. U.S. News and World Report‘s 2005 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools” ranks CSU tops in the nation based on a survey of more than 250 deans, department chairs, and program directors of public policy schools in America. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/pub/pubindex_brief.php

Case is 4th in US, Akron is No. 7 Intel’s “Most Unwired College Campuses” survey ranks the top 100 schools for wireless computing access. While offically Case is #4, (behind Indiana Univ, Purdue & Univ of Texas at Austin) it has the distinction of being the #1 most wireless private college in the nation. With Akron coming in at #7, our region is making a name for itself in Wi Fi?. http://www.intel.com/products/mobiletechnology/unwiredcolleges.htm

Fix school funding Since the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled four times that the State’s school funding system is unconstitutional and illegal, and that it is the State’s responsibility to provide a “thorough and efficient system of common schools,” the Tiffin City School system has sent the state a bill for $1.2M. The state’s response: “We did check with our attorneys and we don’t believe that we have the statutory authority to pay it”. Maybe it’s about time the State figures out how to get education in Ohio paid for. Read more.

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Sparx call for artists Downtown promoter Sparx in the City is uniting the arts community, downtown merchants, and major attractions to provide compelling, authentic experiences for downtown residents, workers, and visitors this summer with plans to energize our city’s sidewalks for 16 weeks. They’re rounding up Ohio’s best artists and performers for paid roles as “entertainment ambassadors” on the sidewalks of Downtown Cleveland for a multi-weekend commitment between 6/4 and 9/18. Auditions are taking place on Tue 5/4 from 1-5PM and Thu 5/6 from 5-9PM. Schedule an audition at 241-5490 X914 on 4/21 & 4/22. http://www.cleveland.com/sparx

Indy arts on the rise Contributions from foundations and the private sector are increasing slightly, reflecting that the slow economic recovery is finding its way to the cultural sector. The Indianapolis Star indicates that local officials are learning that money directed into the arts finds its way back into local communities. Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson ran as “the arts candidate” and kicked off a five-year, $10 million Cultural Tourism initiative to “enhance local arts while spiking the local economy.” http://www.indystar.com/articles/3/136573-6513-065.html

Hessler Street Fair seeks performers It’s been an annual rite of avant culture since 1969, and this year, the 2-day fair will feature scheduled acts on Sat 5/22 & Sun 5/23 at “Harmony Park” on the southeast corner of Bellflower Road and Hessler Court. They’re looking for genres including movement, dance, circus, short theatre routines, story telling, and unplugged (non-amplified) small musical acts. All ages are welcome. Deadline is 4/24. Call 556-3716 X1 or visit http://www.hessler.org

Cleveland Memory Project Folks have been writing in to Cool Cleveland lately about the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, so it might be a good time to surf over to a new web site containing some 14,000 historical Cleveland images, including a focus on the Cultural Gardens, from Special Collections of the CSU Library in collaboration with the Cleveland Public Library. Plus, check out the complete contents of Clara Lederer’s 1954 book, Their Paths Are Peace. The site includes two dozen e-books and an increasing number of sound files on the history of greater Cleveland and northeastern Ohio, representing materials from the Cleveland Press Collection, the Cleveland Union Terminal Collection, and many others. http://www.ClevelandMemory.org

WRUW Telethon Once a year they set aside one week to raise funds for the independent and non-commercial college radio station. Since 50% of its operating budget comes from listener support, the telethon hopes to raise money to purchase much needed equipment, CDs, and more. Funds raised also go toward supporting the music festival Studio-A-Rama. Help out by calling 368-2208 and make a pledge to WRUW-FM 91.1. Now thru 4/18 http://www.wruw.org

Pure moments in writing Pulitzer Prize winner and poet laureate of the United States Rita Dove still gets her biggest thrill from pure moments generated from the writing process. “It’s still exciting,” says Dove. In celebration of April being National Poetry Month, Akron native Dove reads at John Carroll Univ this Thu 4/15. Read more

NEO Arts Fest Event producer and candy mogul Packy Malley is planning a massive arts festival this summer at the Berea Fairgrounds featuring over 60 bands of all styles (rock, blues, country, R&B, reggae, folk and ethnic), 100 artists, local eateries, a literary corner, political “town hall” meetings, a children’s area and fireworks, all scheduled for the weekend of Sat 7/3 & Sun 7/4. He’s looking for volunteers, who are invited to attend a session on Wed 4/14 at 5:30PM to discuss ideas. Contact Packy at pmalley@malleys.com

Human Marvels Coming to Town! Enigma, formerly of ex-Jim Rose Circus, he’s been on the TV show X-files, Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Guiness Book of World Records. He’ll perform circus stunts while playing music to kick off the first gig of his tour at Metropolis Nightclub Fri 4/16 for the Organ Grinders Ball, followed by a gig @ The Beachland Tavern on 4/28. Call 330-650-1430. http://tattoos.com/katzen.htm

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Rocky start After being elected as a backlash to the unpopular West End Project, Tom George is having a rough first 100 days as Mayor of Lakewood. Folks are asking why he proposed to hire former Brook Park Mayor Tom Coyne, who was in jail at the time for drunken driving, as an economic development consultant. He’s refused to pay former Mayor Madeline Cain and several of her aides for accumulated overtime, unused vacation and sick leave [only to reverse himself later]. He also wanted to give at no charge, a city-owned office building valued at $1.6 million to Lakewood Hospital – it’s good thing city council rejected that one. See story here. By ixnaying two of Mayor Tom George’s proposals, the Lakewood city council has finally developed a backbone. Read more. One of the proposals was to get rid of two positions created by the previous administraton. Even though the positions are gone, the people who held them will maintain their current pay levels. Read more.

Big government Cleveland’s City Council is bigger and costs more than those of Columbus and Cincinnati combined. Each of the 21 members makes nearly $68,000 a year. The whole shebang [including the 46 staff members who work for it], cost the city $6.2 million. Shouldn’t Council shrink as Cleveland’s population and revenue shrinks too? This is the cost of Cleveland’s lingering culture of entitlement. Read more.

Cleaning up the mess Brent Larkin of the PD thinks Mayor Jane Campbell is wrong to blame the economy for the shape of her administration. Instead he says she “seems to lack leadership qualities, has a tin ear for public relations, doesn’t seem to learn from her mistakes and has made – and continues to make – far too many mind-numbing personnel decisions.” Read more.

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Nushu This month, Chinese archivists will unveil a rare collection of items featuring Nushu, a mysterious ancient language created by and used exclusively for women. The Chinese translation of Nushu means women’s script, and it was privately held by its speakers and writers, to the extent that women burned manuscripts to keep them away from men. http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20040329/womenlanguage.html

Fierce A revolutionary magazine for women delivering an urban and multi-cultural spin, with articles from a women’s point of view hitting on style, funk and wit. For girls unafraid to throw the rules back in the world’s face, here’s a publication bold enough to cover topics like tantric sex. It’s definitely “too bold for boundaries.” http://www.fiercemag.com

Setback for Wal-Mart Until recently, mega-discounter Wal-Mart has avoided urban America, building their big boxes (the size of 17 football fields) unchalleged in rural and suburban areas. But Ingelwood, California, which some see as a test case, has been a different story. After the city, like San Diego and Oakland, banned the supercenter, Wal-Mart aggressively tried an end-around by putting the issue to the voters to allow them to bypass government oversight (traffic studies, environmental reviews, public hearings), but they lost by 2 to 1. “The tide of public opinion is absolutely going against Wal-Mart,” says Kent Wong, labor expert at the University of California in Los Angeles. Maybe that’s why, of the 40 big boxes they are trying to build in California, only one is unapposed. http://search.csmonitor.com/search_content/0408/p03s01-ussc.html

April is National Poetry Month and the big question is “Can poetry matter?” Not only does it matter as a legitimate form of expression, its relevance is also causing a stir. http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000039&cid=ahearn&sid=aA75UuSfv9h4

Poetry Midwest, a downloadable online literary journal, seeks poetry and micro-fiction (stories up to 300 words) for the Spring/Summer 2004 and other future issues. Poetry Midwest is published three times per year as a downloadable Adobe Acrobat PDF document. Deadline for the Spring/Summer 2004 issue is June 30, 2004. For submission guidelines visit http://www.poetrymidwest.org

Music sales are up in the US increasing in the early months of 2004, indicating an upward trend and end to a four-year decline. The 9.1% upturn in DVD and CD sales is a hopeful sign for an industry that’s blamed online piracy for years, even though the numbers are compared to depressed levels of recent years. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3615725.stm

Bowie mash-up If you’ve seen the new Audi commercial, then you’ve already heard a cool mash-up of the David Bowie classic Rebel, Rebel and the rocker Never Grow Old from his new Reality album. On 4/12, another mash-up by Mark Vidler was released as a single. What is a mash-up, you ask? A mash-up is a song created from parts of other songs: mix and mash two or more songs together to create something new and you have a mash-up. It’s not too hard to imagine bits and pieces of every song ever recorded, made available by the Internet to other artists for their use in creating new works, and once again, art, enabled by technology, jumps ahead of legal and intellectual property issues. http://www.davidbowie.com/neverFollow/

Cool Cleveland This Week
4.14-4.21

Please send your cool events to eventsAtCoolClevelanDotCom

Implementing Sustainability Principles Improve your bottom line, motivate your employees, and enhance our community while having lunch and networking. Learn why sustainability will enhance your business, how sustainability is reinventing our economy and how to start implementing these principles. Featured presentation will provide an introduction to the Entrepreneurs for Sustainability Peer-Based Learning Group process Wed 4/14 from 11:30AM-1:30PM. RSVP to 509-9776. Great Lakes Brewing Company, Rockefeller Room, above the restaurant. http://www.e4sustainability.org/events/april7.htm

Tired Of Lousy Radio? Cleveland has lots radio stations to choose from, and yet we continually complain about the lack of programming variety. Sirius Satellite Radio understands that many people have diverse tastes in music, news and entertainment. The result is a satellite radio service with over 100 Streams of music, information and entertainment, with all music channels being 100% commercial free. Hear Jay Clark, Vice President of Programming for Sirius Satellite Radio talk about a “Revolution in Radio,” and how it’s transforming the radio scene across the nation Wed 4/14 from 5:30-8PM. The Holiday Inn on Rockside. http://www.clevelandama.org

Northeast Ohio Barometer: Public Perception and the Regional Agenda. You’re invited to a lively discussion of recent public survey data on our region’s perceptions of economic development, regional opportunities, and the road ahead. Topics include: Regionalism, Talent Attraction and Retention, Educating the Public and Creating Buzz. Respondents Tim Mueller, Chief Strategic Planning Officer, City of Cleveland and Thomas Mulready, Creator and Editor of CoolCleveland.com will be on hand to discuss ideas along with audience Q&A session Thu 4/15 from 2-4PM. Event is free. To register call 368-5536. Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Dively Auditorium, 1717 Euclid Ave. http://urban.csuohio.edu/ruth_ratner_miller

North Coast Nature Festival Join Cleveland Metroparks to experience nature with wildflower hikes, native animals, lectures and birding tours plus nature presentations Thu 4/15 thru 4/18 from 9:30AM-5PM. Call 351-6300. Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Parkway North in North Olmstead. http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com

Sam Rivers Trio Three musicians playing nine instruments create a memorable sound, led by Rivers, a multi-instrumentalist fluent in a variety of jazz styles and sounds. The trio delivers an avante-garde light Latin sound that’s unexpected and fresh, in collaboration with the Tri-C JazzFest. Hear them Thu 4/15 at 7:30PM. For tickets 987-4049. MOCA http://www.tricjazzfest.com

The Cleveland Museum of Art hosts slam The CMA’s sacred halls are opening up for the Classic Cleveland Poetry slam in an officially sanctioned bout staged by the Nia Coffeehouse and hosted by The Soul Poet. There’ll also be an open mic and hip hop/jazzpoetry by Vince Robinson & The JazzPoets Fri 4/16, 6PM in rooms H&I on the lower level of the museum. The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd. http://www.clevelandart.org

Fetish Fashion Ball Adorn yourself with your fave fab gear, then head out to party with fellow fetishists. Observe body modification performances, hear lots of vinyl spinning, and take in some real quality time clubbing Fri 4/16 at 9M; you’ll also have an opportunity to help raise money for the AIDS taskforce. Metropolis, 2325 Elm St. Call 671-1160. http://www.organgrindersball.com

Blind Ness: The Irresistible Light of Encounter Ping Chong was in Cleveland back in ’93 for the Performance Art Festival, and he returns to present a work in progress Fri 4/16 at 8PM thru Sun 4/18. Stump Theatre in KSU’s Music and Speach Center, corner of East Main and Horning Road in Kent. Call 330-672-2497. See preview here.

Purify the Mic: Liberty Friday Poetry that cleanses the soul, mind and spirit, where individuals from all walks of life can express themselves through the arts in a down-to-earth environment. After open mic there’s a featured artist ministering gospel using poetry, rap, song, drama and comedy. Half the proceeds benefit the Renee Jones Empowerment Center, a non profit organization with a mission to empower, edify and encouraged the disempowered. Check it out for a spiritual dose that’ll connect you to a higher level, happening every 3rd Friday of the month including this Fri 4/16 from 8-10PM. Call 470-7073. The Renee Jones Empowerment Center, 1340 West 65th St, Front (off of Detroit Rd.)or email SpokenMusic@yahoo.com

Banff Mountain Film Festival now in its 28th year, offering two days of international mountain film screenings, with well known mountain adventurers. Winning films are gathered and put out in tour-like fashion; it’s a traveling North American tour presenting selections of outstanding film entries for sports or outdoor enthusiasts. It happens in Cleveland Fri 4/16 with opening night at Willoughby Brewing Company; get in on the reception from 6-7:30PM with music and exhibits. Films begin 7:30PM. For tickets http://www.north-coastsports.net, or call 440-838-4330.

Bridging networks As part of Making Change, REI@Weatherhead is hosting this month’s Ryze business networking mixer at the Peter B. Lewis Building on the campus of CWRU. The featured speaker for this event is Cool Cleveland columnist Steve Goldberg (see Future:Tech below), who is tirelessly advocating for change in the regional technology sector. He’ll be discussing building communities, drawing on his experience building NeoBio, a networking group for Cleveland’s bioscience sector. Fri 4/16 from 5:30-9PM. Case Western Reserver University 11119 Bellflower Road http://clevelandevent.ryze.com

WCLVnotes The last two of the four Ring Cycle operas of Richard Wagner – Siegfried and Goetterdaemmerung are up next on Saturday afternoons, the 17th and 24th. The both begin early at Noon on WCLV 104.9. And on Weekend Radio on Sat 4/17 at 10PM and Sun 4/18 at 7PM, Robert Conrad offers Anna Russell’s classic analysis of The Ring. Not only is it very funny, it is an extremely accurate account of the storyline. On Sun 4/18 at 3PM, Arts on the Air will feature an interview with the former principal oboe of The Cleveland Orchestra John Mack, interviewed by former WCLV morning host Rebecca Fischer. If you look up John Mack’s phone number, you’ll find him listed as John “Oboe” Mack, so his former students can easily find his number when they come through town. A Cool Cleveland partner http://www.wclv.com

9TH Annual Hispanic Leadership Conference Arrive early for registration and get set for a full day of discussions. Speaker Gilbert F. Casellas, President, Casellas & Assoc., LLC Chairman of the EEOC under President Bill Clinton will be on hand. Workshop topics include: Educational Initiatives, Workforce Investment Act, Anti-Latino Legislation, Latina Empowerment, Latina Survival in Labor Movement and State of Hispanic/Latino Ohio. Continental Breakfast and lunch will be served with Spanish language interpreters available Sat 4/17 from 7:30AM-4PM. To register call 440-823-2843. Lorain County Community College, 1005 Abbe Road North in Elyria. http://www.lorainccc.edu

The Eclectics are Amy Collins, Sharon Marrell, and Karin Tooley. Their sound is a delightful mix of Folk, Irish, Broadway, and Jazz tunes enhanced with piano, flute, saxophone, and drum. Rediscover these songs and fall in love with them all over again Sat 4/17 at 8PM at Venuu Off-Coventry. Call 321-1119. The Unitarian-Universalist Society of Cleveland, downstairs at 2728 Lancashire Rd in Cleveland Hts. Email Crytti@aol.com or visit http://venuu1.tripod.com

How to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office A story of hard-working activists who changed the political culture in their communities and how they went about it. Filled with practical ideas, strategies and insights, come by to discuss the book Stupid White Men …and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation! Michael Moore as well as activists and organizers collaborated on the novel, it’s part of an 80 city tour to encourage and educate voters Sat 4/17 at 7PM. Call 321-2665. Macs Backs Paperbacks, 1820 Coventry Rd in Cleveland Hts http://www.macsbacks.com

CPT’s 10th Annual Silent Art Auction This annual event provides supporters of the performing arts, art collectors, and art enthusiasts an opportunity to indulge their passion. The art auction will serve up fabulous finds, kickin’ local music, high energy performance art, delectable food, beverages and fun. Last year’s event was hugely successful, so get in early on this year’s party. Make a night of it networking and hanging with Cleveland’s smart and irreverant crowd Sat 4/17 at 8PM. Cleveland Public Theatre, upstairs Mainstage theatre space, 6415 Detroit Ave. http://www.cptonline.org

The Art of LiPuma Tommy LiPuma was a record exec for Verve Records and produced grammy-winning records for artists such as Barbara Streisand, George Benson, Natalie Cole, and Diana Krall. Now check out the unbelievable jazz tribute to LiPuma with the top jazz luminaries in the world playing in Cleveland this weekend: Diana Krall, Joe Lovano, George Benson and Jimmy Scott on Sat 4/17 at 8PM. Allen Theatre, Playhouse Squre. 241-6000. See story here. Tommy LiPuma spent some of his money on modern art, much of which is also on view this month in Cleveland. See Modern American Masters; Highlights from the Gill and Tommy LiPuma Collection, with paintings by Arnold Friedman, Marsden Hartley and others Sat 4/17 at 8PM at Cleveland Museum of Art. 11150 East Blvd. More info here.

Classic Cleveland poetry slam This month’s featured poet is Mwatabu S. Okantah, Poet in Residence for the Department of Pan-African Studies at Kent State University. As Director of the Center of Pan-African Culture, he’s a lecturer and poet who has appeared in various locations throughout the USA, Canada and West Africa. He has also taught at Union College and Livingston College of Rutgers University. Hear him Sun 4/18, doors open 7PM, readings begin 7:30PM. Call 383-1124. Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Rd in Collinwood. http://www.beachlandballroom.com http://www.clevelandpoetryslam.com

Earthfest 2004 Join in for nature walks and Bike for the Earth, kicking off the days earth-loving events to raise consciousness on the environment at Northeast Ohio’s largest environmental happening. Visit three tent locations with local environmental nonprofits, green builders and sustainability advocates. Fill up on free fair trade coffee and live entertainment provided by Free Times award winners Aphrodesiatics and Jaded Era. Bring a bag of aluminum cans to recycle and enter to win a super mod hybrid aluminum bicycle Sun 4/18 from 10AM-5PM. Call 661-6500. 3900 Wildlife Way. http://www.clemetzoo.com

Sunday Afternoons for Writers and Readers Cleveland Public Library continues its successful series with Tony Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Urban America Television Network and recipient of the National Director’s Legacy Award for Journalism from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency. He’s known for his work as a journalist on his PBS series, Tony Brown’s Journal, selected by New York Daily News as one of the top 10 television shows that presents positive images of African Americans. The program is free Sun 4/18 at 2PM. Call 623-2800. Main Library, Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium, E. 6th St. and Superior Ave

The Blueprint is a how-to in hiphop studies with the vintage sounds of Mick Boogie, along with a revolving roster of guest djs and live performances bi-monthly where you can get into the best local and national talent Tue 4/20 at 9PM. Call 621-7907. Spy, 1261 West 6th St. http://www.spycleveland.com http://www.mickboogie.com

Seamus Heaney As winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995, he’s hailed as “the most important Irish poet since Yeats,” and possibly the most popular poet writing in English today. His most recent publications include Diary of One Who Vanished (2000) and a collection of poems Electric Light (2001), along with his latest collection of essays, Finders Keepers: Selected Prose 1971-2001. You may not get another chance to see this celebrated poet, so head out Tue 4/20 at 7:30PM; call 749-9486. Ohio Theatre, http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org

Panel discussion on femininity and feminism with artists Hadley K. Conner and Sarah Curry, Renée M. Sentilles, Assistant Professor of History at Case Western Reserve University, and Nancy Prudic, Assistant Professor of Visual Art at Lake Erie College on Wed 4/21 from 7:30- 9PM. These women have all made important contributions to feminism, art, and our community; this event is free and refreshments will be served. B.K. Smith Gallery at Lake Erie College in Painesville. Call 440-375-7461 or email lbly@lec.edu

red {an orchestra} does Lenny and Steve Rediscover the outstanding and lively music of these two legendary composers Tue 4/20 at 8PM and Wed 4/21. Baldwin-Wallace College, Kulas Musical Arts Building, 96 Front St in Berea. For tickets call 440-519-1733. http://redanorchestra.org See this event’s review here.

Becoming an Artrepreneur: The Artist as Entrepreneur is the highly acclaimed professional development program for visual, performing, literary, media and design arts professionals. You’ll hear stories from successful artist entrepreneurs, learn how to select an incorporation model, and identify useful resources for business planning Wed 4/21 from 9AM-1PM. Presented by the Community Partnership for Arts & Culture and COSE. For registration call 575-0331. COSE in the Terminal Tower or email cpac2001@aol.com

Healthy Transportation Choices tour Joe Breeze, co-creator of the first mountain bike and guru of transportation cycling, brings his tour to Cleveland; he’ll display Breezer commuter bikes and discuss the evolution of bicycling in the U.S., including what he believes will be the next wave in cycling – citybikes Wed 4/21 from 6-8PM. Co-sponsored by Eco City? Cleveland, Ohio City Bike Coop and Cleveland Bikes. Event is Free. Cleveland Environmental Center, 3500 Lorain Ave., in the conference room, lower level.

Smart Growth in the First Suburbs: What Have We Learned From The Marketplace? An expert panel will discuss how the marketplace responds to new housing developments being built in the inner suburbs of Cuyahoga County, and the implications for future projects. The Smart Growth Coalition of Northeast Ohio forum happens Wed 4/21 from 11:30AM-1:30PM. Call 440-338-1023 Shaker Heights Community Center, 3450 Lee Rd. in Shaker Heights. http://www.firstsuburbs.org/neohio/

Four Extraordinary Books exploring contemporary practice and fine bookmaking by 5 Northeast Ohio artists: Extinguishing of Stars by Carolyn Fraser and Holly Morrison; Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, set in linotype with 32 wood engravings by Barry Hoffman; Ghost of a Chance: a collaboration, waterless lithography by Wendy Collin Sorin, poem by Robert Miltner, hand-made paper by Gwen Cooper and letterpress by Carolyn Fraser; and Landings by Michael Loderstedt. Opening Wed 4/21 6-9PM at Heights Arts thru 5/16, 2173 Lee Road, Cle Hts, 371-3344 http://www.HeightsArts.org

Please send your cool events to eventsAtCoolClevelanDotCom


Cool Cleveland People: George Carr
Interviews with cool Clevelanders

George Carr is a Cleveland attorney at Gallagher, Sharp, Fulton & Norman and on the board of directors at Cleveland Public Theatre. He’s also an arts, literature and music enthusiast; he’s an accomplished trombonist who’s played with Ernie Krivda and the Fat Tuesday Big Band, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and others. We caught up with George at one of his notorious private parties, where the margaritas are smooth and the guest list is wild, mild, and everything in between.

Cool Cleveland: What it the best thing about Cleveland?
George Carr: I grew up in Columbus, so I’m still fascinated by the long history of Cleveland (some brilliant events, some embarrassing) and the tremendous diversity of backgrounds of the people in Cleveland. With ethnic neighborhoods, world-class arts organizations, and two big universities, there are lots of reasons why Cleveland stays interesting.
The worst thing?
Definitely the population emigration. No one can climb to the top of their chosen field, or industry, without leaving for good. The ones I know best are the artists – film makers, musicians, and writers – but even folks in business and education get ‘promoted’ out of Cleveland quite a bit. That gets annoying, when you start feeling like everyone’s leaving.
Read the interview with George Carr


Cav’s Corner: Tied to the doorpost
Ruminations on Spirituality by Cavana Faithwalker

Sunday, December 13, 1992, along with artist and friend, Omar Shaheed, I had my septum pierced. The septum is the piece of flesh separating the nostrils. It was a ritual for me, a rite of passage connecting with my God Jehovah, my people of Africa, and my people, the Original people of this continent called North America… It is no secret that my Jewish forefathers bought and sold each other. (Yes, I am of African, Native American, Irish, AND Jewish descent.)… That weekend was a weekend of prayer and fasting for me. I am usually rather intuitive and more sensitive to the urgings of the Holy Spirit when I am fasting… My sister, now a dentist, performed our piercings and was the only one outside of Omar who was privy to this sacred moment. After completing the readings of my ceremony, I closed my bible and said, “O.K., let’s do it!”… Omar and I opted for no anesthesia of any kind. It seemed to lessen the moment to artificially be less aware of this toll on the body, albeit minor. The loud crisp “SNAP!” of the leather awl jutting through the cartilage in my nose made Omar and Trella cringe… Read Cavana Faithwalker’s column


Future:Tech
Demystifying Cleveland technology

Get in touch with technology and its growing effects on Cleveland. Cool Cleveland contributor Steve Goldberg’s column will attempt remove the mystery that traditionally surrounds high tech. Each month we’ll explore its breakthroughs and advances on regional economic development, as well as its potential to change our processes of living. This week: Neural Engineering Today, the field of neural engineering is a discipline of bioscience that figures out how to connect machines directly to the body’s nervous system. Functional ElectroStimulation or FES is the type of neural engineering that concentrates on regaining or replacing muscle or organ function control via an engineered device. This particular science aims to make the 70’s TV series, The Six Million Dollar Man, a reality. In this month’s issue of Spectrum Magazine, http://www.spectrum.ieee.org there’s a feature article on FES that has highlighted two Cleveland area companies, Oberlin’s Synapse Biomedical and NeuroControl in Valley View showing cutting edge research going on at these Cleveland institutions. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Spectrum is a highly respected publication, it’s one of the oldest and largest international tech societies in the world with a circulation over 385,000 globally, so it’s interesting that our local institutions have received international acclaim, yet no local attention. I have yet to read or see any mention of FES or its Cleveland connection in the Plain Dealer or other local media sources…. Read Steve Goldberg’s Future:Tech


Cool Cleveland Preview
PDA-worthy events up-and-coming

Lakewood Public Library’s Center Stage Variety Series

If you think area musicians and comedians can only be seen late at night in loud smoke-filled clubs, think again. There are community programs that offer such entertainment in a family friendly environment, but none like Lakewood Public Library’s Center Stage Variety Series. This program features many forms of area talent including musicians, comedians, magicians, jugglers and dancers all together in a 90 minute show, and it’s free. You don’t even need a library card. The event is held on the first and third Saturday of the month at 7PM in the main library auditorium on the library’s lower level. “Our vision is to have a live variety show like Ed Sullivan,” says Ken Warren, Director of Lakewood Public Library. Local musicians Sam Phillips and Gary Hoopengardener help develop the idea and bring in the variety of area talent. “We are doing something very extensive with the variety series here in Lakewood,” says Warren. “It is definitely a first.” Phillips and Hoopengardener continue to work together to organize the roster of talent which is already booked through August, though the program will continue to run through the end of the year. Upcoming musicial acts include: XELA, Guitarist Ryan Anderson, world music by Drumplay and blues man, Colin Dussault. With more than just the music, each program in the series works around a theme: “What makes you laugh” on 5/1, “Tango” on 5/15, “Tribute to Bob Dylan, Elvis, Johnny Cash and Willie’s Nelson & Dixon” on 6/5, “School’s out forever” on 6/19, and “Red White & Blues” on 7/3 featuring the Beck Center Dancers and Wallace Coleman Band. For more info, visit http://www.lkwdpl.org/centerstage From Cool Cleveland reader Tracy Marie emailme@tracymarie.com


Instant Karma
Quik reviews of recent events

Agnes of God @ Beck Center for the Arts 4/9 Do we live in a world where miracles still exist? Could we believe in a second Immaculate Conception? Do miracles such as this exist in our world? A troubled, detached young nun needs to believe they do, along with her wise and protective Mother Superior who desires to share her faith. Added to this ensemble is a worldly, pragmatic psychiatrist who has seen and heard enough in her years of practice to recognize human suffering at its worse. Agnes of God involves these three powerful characters setting out to solve the mysterious conception, birth and subsequent death of a baby born…
Read the review by Tom Perrino


Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write

On Robert Banks Robert Banks was an 18 year old senior at the Cleveland School of the Arts (under master photo teacher Toni Starinsky – still there, remarkably) when I first met and photographed him. I was the Director of Development for the Board of the Friends of the CSA and was helping Toni with odds and ends enrichment programs. Banks impressed me then, as he does now, with his quick wit, studied creativity and genuine smile. In an address I gave to the seniors one year, I suggested that they had two obligations to the school: One, to become successful; Two, to pass it on. Banks has done both as filmmaker and teacher and is, in my opinion, one of Cleveland’s greatest treasures. From Cool Cleveland reader Herb Ascherman http://www.ascherman.com

On Cleveland’s Downtown perception Just read your piece “Downtown Perception” in today’s Free Times. [Read Mulready’s column here.] Sadly, this is a problem that faces not only downtown but the greater Cleveland area as a whole. It’s been written about before by a lot of folks, but nobody still seems to have “THE” answer. And that’s partly why I’m writing to you. I have an idea to create just a simple calendar highlighting recent Cleveland architecture. I have two reasons for doing this. One is that I myself am a photographer who gets excited about shooting buildings. (Some of my photos are on display at Art Metro in the Colonial Arcade.) And the other reason is that I believe it would be a great project at this juncture in Cleveland’s history. When I read your column, I thought “Well, one way to counter the downtown perception problem is to show just how much building activity is going on not only downtown but throughout NE Ohio.” Think Peter B. Lewis bldg, Botanical Gardens, the ever-growing Cleveland Clinic campus, the new Federal Court House, planned Art Museum expansion, etc, etc. Anyway, I was wondering if you knew of any local or regional publishing companies that might be interested in putting together a calendar in time for 2005. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. From Cool Cleveland reader Milenko Budimir budimir@hotmail.com

On Cool Cleveland Just a quick note to thank you for your energy and vision for Cleveland. Keep it up … you are making a difference. From Cool Cleveland reader Gary Baney CEO Boundless Flight, Inc. gary@boundlessflight.com

On trespassing and being cool I was looking for one of your news letters that mentioned a website that talked about locations around Ohio that are abandoned but you can still go to see what they are. Places like the prison where the Shawshank Redemption was taped. Can you give me that link? Thank you. Also, the news letter is great! I never knew so many things go on around Cleveland. I moved here about 3 years ago, and I only found out what was going on around here by word of mouth. Now I am telling locals about the cool things going on – they always are amazed. Just wanted to say thank you! From Cool Cleveland reader Jimmy Alfaro Jimmy.Alfaro@right.com

From Cool Cleveland: You might want to check Ohio Trespassers, who “photograph abandoned buildings / urban decay / modern ruins – including forgotten hospitals, prisons, asylums & other locations in the ohio area.” http://www.OhioTrespassers.com


Top 5

We use http://www.ideastar.com IdeaStar.com]] tools to track which articles were clicked the most. Here are the Top 5 from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.

1) Downtown Underground You are invited to join Cool Cleveland for our first party of 2004. Join Cleveland’s creative business elite on 4/29 to enjoy the after-work networking party. http://www.corpmeetings.com/register/thomas/atd7/index.html

2) Cool Cleveland Interview with filmmaker Robert Banks. Cool Cleveland asks: How do you draw inspiration? Do you have a muse? “Lately it’s just been the pains of being underprivileged in a Midwest town…” Cool Cleveland Interview Filmmaker Robert Banks

3) Ohio’s mediocre knowledge economy The researchers contend that the more a state invests in technology and develops technology businesses, the better off its citizens will be in Ohio. http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4708885

4) The Montana Townhomes located at East 36th and Prospect Avenue, are in the heart of the upper Prospect historic district. http://www.progressiveurban.com

5) Google launches Gmail Google is taking on MSN’s Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail with its own free e-mail system. http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/040401/na_tec_us_google_e_mail_6.html

Cool Cleveland’s making waves and it’s because our readers are the best – thanks to everyone for sending their friends and people they know over to CC.com. If someone you know would love CC and doesn’t receive it yet, tell them to visit http://www.coolcleveland.com (and check out the new site) or have them send an e-mail to SignupAtCoolClevelanDotCom

Kick up your marketing plans with Cool Cleveland it’s a proven way to reach tens of thousands of influential people in the area. Find out more by dropping us a line, then check the packages we’ve put together with Cleveland Magazine, WCLV radio and Cool Cleveland. Drop us a note to InfoAtCoolClevelanDotCom and let the cool Clevelanders hear from you.

Hard Corps work it to the max discovering events and content that our readers love to dig into week after week. Lots of CC love goes out to Cavana Faithwalker, Steve Goldberg, Tisha Nemeth, Deb Remington, Lee Chilcote, Tom Perrino, George Nemeth and all our contributors collaborating to get you the quality stuff you’re into. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: EventsAtCoolClevelanDotCom

Have a great week in Cleveland

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