Try The Chowder

03.10-03.17.10
Try The Chowder

In this week’s issue:

Seems like it’s been a long winter. And, having been through this before, there may be more, and I’m not just talking about the weather. But isn’t it time to start thinking about pampering yourself just a little bit, as we suggest with our pieces on Weekend Retreats and Spas, Yoga, Retreats & Books. Or maybe just a splurge at the new Five Guys, or a visit to the We Gallery in Akron to see Debbie Apple-Presser’s cool exhibit. While you’re at it, don’t forget our neighbors who still need our help, as Marc Byrnes of Oswald Companies will tell you in our exclusive video interview. Roldo continues to keep us honest, and Mansfield cracks a smile. As for us, we’re clicking like crazy and enjoying every minute.–Thomas Mulready

Weekend Retreats
A State of Mind

In our fast-paced whirlwind lives of work and home responsibilities, getting away from it all is a wonderful gift. It’s one way to achieve balance and to get back into the flurry of life again with renewed energy and a better attitude.

On two separate occasions, I borrowed a cedar cottage on 40 acres in rural Carroll County, once with my husband and once with two good friends, and we experienced the beauty of letting things unfold. My writing group hosts a day’s retreat each year where all we do is write. Three times a year I lead weekend writing or creativity retreats in Lakeside with people also looking to deepen their writing or stimulate their creativity…
Read more from Claudia Taller here

SPONSORED: The flush, the hush, & the rush: Human waste, why we don’t discuss it, and why we need to think about it now. British author Rose George opens our eyes to The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters. No charge for lecture Tue 3/23 @ 7:30PM at Great Lakes Science Center. Complimentary parking & exhibit admission! RSVP at http://neorsd.org

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HOT Cle: I Will Stay If… The Great Lakes Urban Exchange (GLUE) hosts events in Rust Belt cities encouraging residents to demand positive changes in their communities. View pics [like the one at left] from the latest I Will Stay If… event here. GLUE says, “The campaign’s photos express equal parts commitment to the Rust Belt cities we love, demand for more for our cities and their residents, and expression of good ideas.” More Info

Cleveland’s Comeback The Spring 2010 issue of Next American City mag features an extensive piece on vacant land reuse practices in Cle. Tell Me More

Wouldn’t this be cool? Obscura Day is “a day of expeditions, back-room tours, and hidden treasures in your own hometown” but it’s not happenin’ in Cle… yet. Any organizers want to bring this cool event to the 216? Learn about it at http://AtlasObscura.com/obscura-day

HELP Orchestras Feeding America Bring non-perishable food to Severance Hall on Sun 3/14 and other select dates to benefit the Cle Foodbank. Details

The Lakefront West Project Get updates on the project to turn the West Shoreway into a 35mph boulevard by clicking here. Then check out GreenCityBlueLake’s take on the plans.

HOT TEDxCle Cle’s first official TEDx event took place on Fri 2/26 and sold out fast. This awesome event is about cultivating big ideas from local people. (TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design). But don’t kick yourself if you missed it–it’ll be back next year and you can check out this year’s presentations at http://www.TEDxCle.com/talks/index.html. [Pictured at left is Dana Myers of Myers Motors, photographed by Kyle Roth.]

One of the world’s best string quartets is coming to Oberlin College on Thu 3/18. Get tix now to hear Takacs String Quartet before it’s sold out. Details, Please

Cool Cleveland Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events, in an easy-to-digest 3 minute audio format, for playback on your computer or iPod.

Click here to subscribe to the Cool Cleveland Podcast in iTunes.

SPONSORED: The Long Emergency in Cleveland For no charge, see James Howard Kunstler, author of The Long Emergency: Surviving the Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century, compliments of The Cleveland Public Library, @ Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium, E. 6th & Superior. This critic of our oil-fueled culture is sure to raise a few eyebrows, as well as your conscience on Sun 3/14 at 2PM. CPL.org

It All Started With Pop Cans
Debbie Apple-Presser @ We Gallery

It’s hard to believe that Debbie Apple-Presser’s wearable and decorative work is made entirely of cast-off and recycled man-made consumer objects like bottle caps, tomato cages, and yes, pop cans, mixed with natural detritus such as oyster shells.

Watch the video as Debbie shows some of the work she’s exhibiting at the We Gallery in Akron, with an opening on Sat 3/6 at 6PM, thru Sat 3/27. See More

SPONSORED: Meet Mark Harris, winner of the 2010 From the Page to the Projector Award and author of Pictures at a Revolution, the story of the epic human drama behind the making of the five movies that transformed Hollywood forever. Sat. 3/20 at 3:30PM. English Oak Room @ Tower City Center. http://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/CIFF.aspx.

The Mozart Experience The life of Mozart is explored via music and mimes at this special Family Concert @ Severance Hall on Sun 3/14 at 2PM. Magic Circle Mime Co [pictured] perform the story of an impetuous street musician who’s caught playing the orchestra’s grand piano and is offered the chance to “be Mozart.” Of course, adventures ensue. For ages 7 and up. Info

Intergenerational Tea Party Bring your doll or teddy bear to a tea party w/ American Girl doll Rebecca Rubin on Thu 3/11 at 4PM @ Lakewood Park’s Woman’s Pavilion. Wear your fanciest clothes and get ready for the doll and teddy bear parade, tea-time sandwiches and cookies, and a drawing for your very own American Girl doll. Call 216-521-1515 to RSVP.

Family Fun Night: Shipwrecks What do you know about ship parts and lingo? Put your knowledge to the test at Cleveland Lakefront State Park’s Family Fun Night on Fri 3/12 from 7-9PM. Participate in hands-on explorations of shipwrecks, water science and aquatic wildlife. Call 216-881-8141 ext 3001 to pre-register. Held @ Cle Lakefront State Park Headquarters, 8701 Lakeshore Blvd NE. http://www.clevelandlakefront.org/NaturalistPrograms.html

NEO Science & Engineering Fair Mad scientists in grades 7-12 from all over NEO show off their skills at the Northeastern Ohio Science and Engineering Fair @ CSU. See research projects dealing w/ biology, environmental sciences, physics, earth-space science and other cool topics. The public is invited to check it out on Tue 3/16 from 6:30-9PM and Thu 3/18 from 3:30-6:30PM. http://www.NEOSEF.org

SPONSORED: Each week, WCLV 104.9 offers five concerts by the world’s great orchestras: Mondays at 9PM, it’s the New York Philharmonic; Tuesdays at 9PM, the Chicago Symphony; Thursdays at 9PM, Symphonycast presents concerts by U.S. and European ensembles; and, of course, on the weekends, there are two Cleveland Orchestra broadcasts, Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 4PM. Your symphony cup runith over. Full details on WCLV’s classical music programming at http://www.WCLV.com

Marc Byrnes takes on the NEXT challenge
United Way reaches out… and reaches their goal

When United Way of Greater Cleveland announced that they reached their 2009 annual goal of $40 million, leaders in the community gasped. Especially considering the challenging economy, and the fact that a mere 48 hours prior, it looked to everyone as if they would fall short.

Watch the video as Oswald Companies’ Marc Byrnes is called on once again (he is a former UWS campaign co-chair) , this time to overcome the NEXT challenge: how to kick United Way’s fundraising to the NEXT level. His solution: tap growing small & mid-sized companies to fill the gap where Fortune 500’s once ruled. To donate, please visit UWS.org and See more

A hot selection of tech and business news & events from around the region. Got business news? Send it to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

HOT Ohio wins 4th consecutive Governor’s Cup Award for leading nation in new & expanded facilities in ’09. Site Selection, unlike Forbes, conducts real studies and understands the biz climate in Ohio. [Gov Strickland accepts award at left.] Click on http://SiteSelection.com/portal and http://Governor.ohio.gov.

TeamNEO reports 10 companies move to NEO Sure, complain about the business environment here in NEO. But also check out this list of 10 companies that moved here in 2009 from all around the US and countries like Brazil, Ireland, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Uruguay, accounting for 874 new jobs: Read more

Lauded for going local New York Times article discusses the “I Buy NEO” campaign as one approach to help local biz. Read

Connecting yr community OneCommunity, a broadband program providing training, equipment and support for 26K low-income folks, receives $18.7 mill in fed stimulus funds. Read More

Education & innovation Geniocity.com launches education blog written by Tim Tibbitts, a longtime writer and teacher from Shaker Hts. Read his ideas, perspectives & news on education at http://Blogs.geniocity.com/tibbitts.

Drew Carey sets out to “save” Cleveland in a new web series premiering Mon 3/15 featuring some familiar faces, including music by Cats On Holiday. His baldly libertarian ideas for Cleveland, which he says is “locked into a death spiral…,” include charter schools, public-private partnerships and lower taxes. Watch & read

Another local Fulbright Scholar KSU nursing professor Dr. Ratchneewan Ross receives prestigious Fulbright Scholar grant to teach research methodology in Thailand. Read more

KSU College of Architecture & Env Design Speaker Series. Next talk is on Wed 3/10 at 7PM w/ Hansy Barraza – Studio Luz. Offered every week through Thu 3/25. [Flier at left.] http://www.CAED.kent.edu

Talk Less, Say More Intro to 21st century communication skills w/ Connie Dieken on Wed 3/10 at Doubletree – Downtown at 5PM. Register

Branding in the Social Media Sphere is the next course offered in the Social Media Lab @ CCC Corp College E on Thu 3/11 from 1:30-5:30PM. Register.

The Empowered Leader YWCA Women’s Leadership Conference on Thu 3/11 from 8:30AM-4:30PM @ Embassy Suites Cle-Rockside. Register

A Deliberate Pause author Larry Robertson will speak on Thu 3/11 from 8-9AM at the Doubletree Hotel in Independence. Email gmarquitATedgef.org to RSVP. http://www.EdgeF.org

GREEN NEO Green Bldg & Design Expo on Sat 3/20 from 10AM-4PM @ Corp College E. Register at http://NEOGreenExpo.com.

GREEN Greening the Community 28th Nat’l Pesticide forum @ CWRU on Fri 4/9 and Sat 4/10. Register

The New Urbanism
Plus, watch episode on two versions of redevelopment

It’s become a catch phrase But the theories behind “The New Urbanism” are real, even though not everyone agrees on what’s best. We hear from YSU’s Hunter Morrison, former planner for the City of Cleveland, and author Chuck Bohl, recently in Akron for an appearance. We talk with the experts on the upcoming episode of NEOtropolis, broadcast on Western Reserve PBS at 8:30PM this Fri 3/12, hosted by CoolCleveland’s Thomas Mulready. Click here for your cable channel. Comment on our blog at http://www.NEOtropolis.org. Remember, this is not business as usual.

Click here or on the image above to watch last week’s show on two different approaches to urban redevelopment in Cuyahoga Falls and North Canton. Catch the discussion in studio between Paul Vernon of the Kent State Urban Design Collaborative, Stan Bullard of Crain’s, and T. Sharon Woodberry, director of economic development for the City of Youngstown.

Do you know a businessperson or company that we should be featuring on NEOtropolis? Drop us a line at NEOtropolis@CoolCleveland.com. After all, it’s your region, too. Read, view & comment.

Retro Burgercraft
It’s no fiction, Five Guys satisfies

During the post-holiday season, my neighbor Jenn and I took a work lunch break and headed to Lakewood’s new foodie destination: Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

While other Cleveland locations exist (there’s at least six in the area), the Detroit Avenue Culinary Mile, home to numerous and quite diverse dining options, only recently welcomed this Arlington, Virginia sensation.

We walked in and immediately noticed the retro red and white and the long path towards the back of the restaurant, guided by multiple color-coordinated bags and boxes of peanuts and potatoes. Customers can nosh on the peanuts, for free, while waiting for the food to be cooked.

We also heard Led Zepplin on the loud speaker, as, we later learned, classic music is the soundtrack of this eatery. Media-bragging signs cover the walls, including WashingtonPost.com proclaiming Five Guys the “Willy Wonkas of Burgercraft…”
Read more from Alex Sukhoy here

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

HOT Carolina Chocolate Drops @ Beachland The Carolina Chocolate Drops are devoted to keeping the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music alive. Specifically, they strive to carry on the legacy of black musicians who came before them while remaining true to their individual style. As band member Justin Robertson says, “Tradition is a guide, not a jailer. We play in an older tradition but we are modern musicians.” You gotta see ’em Wed 3/10 at 8PM @ Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Rd. [Dom Flemons pictured at left by Adam Hajnos.] http://CarolinaChocolateDrops.com

HELP Greg Stiles Tribute & Benefit Concert Greg Stiles [pictured] is an example of how one man’s life can impact a great number of people. Stiles was a fixture on the local and national vintage guitar scene and was well-known for his shop Heights Guitars–a store that cared more about music than the bottom line. After a 3-wk bout w/ cancer, he passed away. On Thu 3/11 at 8PM, bands that Stiles had a direct impact on–The Whiskey Daredevils, Mifune, Living Stereo and Shakka Hasberry & Friends–come together in remembrance of Greg and to help support his family @ Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Rd. Info

The War Within our Hearts The peeps at Doubting Thomas Gallery, 856 Jefferson Ave in Tremont, say that today “will see the beginning of a war on desire. You will be called upon to witness its truths.” That’s pretty powerful stuff, so you’d better check out this exhibition of contempo works by Dustin Nowlin [whose work is pictured at left], w/ guests Pamela Erdhart and Josh Lovullo, opening Fri 3/12 from 6-10PM. Runs through Fri 4/2. Call 216-269-8688 for details.

HELP It’s a Green World March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in Ohio. Get informed about MS by attending an art exhibit/auction of artwork created by people living w/ MS. All proceeds benefit the National MS Society, Ohio Buckeye Chapter. It’s all happening at Local Girl Gallery, 16106 Detroit Ave in Lakewood, from 6-9PM on Fri 3/12. Read More

Apollo’s Fire: Mozart Celebration Apollo’s Fire brings their season to a close w/ style. Hear them perform Mozart’s Ballet Music from Idomeneo while internally-acclaimed pianist Sergei Babayan makes his period-instrument debut on a historic German concert-grand piano! You have 3 chances to see them: Fri 3/12 at 8PM @ First United Methodist in Akron; Sat 3/13 at 8PM @ Severance Hall; or Sun 3/14 at 4PM @ Finney Chapel in Oberlin. The last two performances feature period dancers. Info

Art and Ale Drink expertly-crafted beer while milling around some of the best artwork in the world at the Akron Art Museum. On Fri 3/12 at 7PM, drink lagers, ales, wheat and fruit beers while snacking on traditional beer food: nachos, soft pretzels, baseball stadium brats and more. The only catch is that you’ll have to join the AAM to attend. Details

Tremont ArtWalk Sure, the ArtWalk is best in the summer when you can meander around lovely Tremont. But there’s still so many cool offerings happening now, in March. On Fri 3/12, the Brandt Gallery hosts Phoebe Maire collages in my love for you is not defined by the things i do not tell you. Geode Gallery throws an opening reception for Eric Mull and his Tropical Architecture photos. And Visible Voice hosts Sharon E. Gregor signing her book, Rockefeller’s Cleveland. http://www.tremontartwalk.org

Totems is an arrangement of new works by Paul Sydorenko. He creates “conceptual scenes that demonstrate the battle between the untamed and civilized; rural and inner-city” in this exhibit that “parodies the perils and conquests of mankind with innocence and simplicity.” [Just check out his whimsical piece at left.] Then check out this cool exhibit opening on Fri 3/12 from 7-10PM @ William Rupnik Gallery, 1667 E 40th St, Unit 1A. The Scoop

Got cabin fever? Join the club. Or, rather, join the tour. Hinckley, Richfield and Peninsula team up for the Cabin Fever Tour, running for two weekends: Fri 3/12 – Sun 3/14 and Fri 3/19 to Sun 3/21. The Tour will showcase the history, art, and locally-owned businesses unique to each town, w/ special events offered at art galleries, restaurants, antique shops and other participating biz along the way. Get the full scoop here.

Cabin Fever Reliever As part of the Cabin Fever Tour, the Log Cabin Gallery (1671 Main St in Peninsula) is offering an art exhibit featuring inventory reduction sales by local artists. Expect amazing photography, stained glass art, silver spoon hooks, blown glass, traditional quilting, jewelry and much more. Offered two weekends: Fri 3/12 – Sun 3/14 and Fri 3/19 – Sun 3/21 from 11AM-5PM. Click

Robin Stone @ Brothers Lounge Cle’s own righteous babe–Robin Stone [pictured]–brings her energetic, eloquent intelligent groove music to the Brothers Lounge, 11609 Detroit Ave, on Sat 3/13 at 7:30PM. She’s got something to say and has a great way of saying it. Click

Rubber City Rollergirls Opening Bout Akron’s very own rollergirl team–the Rubber City Rollergirls–kicks off their 2010 season w/ a rematch against the Killamazoo Derby Darlins on Sat 3/13. Watch these ladies get banged around as they fight to the finish! All ages welcome – bring the whole fam! Bout starts at 6PM @ the John S Knight Ctr, 77 E Mill St in Akron. http://www.RubberCityRollergirls.com

Junk Mail and Advertisements Sandusky native Joshua Rex paints scenes filled w/ decay, neglect and advertisements. Also featured in his work: Caged beasts, heiresses, shipwrecks, food items, unknown persons, abandoned buildings, jars, U.S. Presidents and reclining chairs. He works w/ pre-existing subject matter to invoke an unconscious sense of loss. Check out his newest exhibit–Junk Mail and Advertisements–opening on Sat 3/13 from 6-10PM @ Low Life Gallery, 16001 Waterloo Rd. On display though Sun 3/28. LowLifeGallery.com

One Hit Wonder @ Ray’s MTB Get your bikes out for Troy Lee Design’s One Hit Wonder Jam Competition @ Ray’s MTB Park, 9801 Walford Ave, on Sat 3/13 at 3PM. The competition consists of jumps for beginners, intermediates and experts. Expect to be judged on style and audience appeal–if the crowd (and the judges) likes ya, you’ll win some TLD swag. Top 3 riders will throw down in a 2-min jam for a chance to win $500 bucks in TLD gear. Of course, you could just watch from the sidelines… http://RaysMTB.com

HOT Project @ Chagrin Falls HS Project [pictured] is the NYC-based trio of Cle Institute of Music grads who’ve been charming the world w/ their energetic + innovative fusion of classical, hip-hop, jazz and contempo tunes. Flutist Greg Pattillo even plays a “beatbox flute” and has been hailed by the New York Times as “the best person in the world at what he does.” Cellist Eric Stephenson and bassist Peter Seymour are just as awesome and musically astounding. Check ’em out at the Performing Arts Ctr @ Chagrin Falls High School, 400 East Washington St in CF on Sun 3/14 at 4PM. Part of the Chagrin Arts 2010 Winter Series. Details

James Howard Kunstler @ CPL Meet one of the foremost social critics of our time, James Howard Kunstler, at the Cle Public Library on Sun 3/14. Kunstler is author of the bestseller The Long Emergency: Surviving the Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century, which details the ongoing global oil crisis and inevitable end of cheap fossil fuels. Hear him at 2PM @ the Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium, 325 Superior Ave. Learn More

GREEN Local veggies are coming! Hang in there. In just a few months it’ll be warm outside and we’ll be basking in the goodness of locally-grown produce. But, for now, we can check out the Lakewood Earth & Food Community (LEAF) Open House on Sun 3/14 from 2-5PM @ the Lakewood Public Library Multipurpose Rm. You can sign up for community supported agriculture (CSA) shares, reserve a garden plot, sign up to volunteer this summer, or simply ask questions and get info on one of the best things happening in NEO. [LEAF night pictured at left.] Info

Brunch & Movie @ the Capitol Theatre This month’s Sunday Classics Brunch & Movie Series on Sun 3/14 features North By Northwest, broadcast in perfect HD clarity in the beautifully restored Capitol Theatre at 1390 W 65th St at 10AM. After the flick, head over to Latitude 41n for a yummy themed brunch. http://ClevelandCinemas.com

Rock Hall Induction Ceremony Watch Party Watch the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on a giant 12ft screen starting at 9PM on Mon 3/15. Doors open at 7PM. Go early and party w/ DJ Packy Malley. Nosh on grub, sip on booze and watch ABBA, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, the Hollies and the Stooges make their way into the Hall of Fame. All exhibits open to tour. RockHall.com

Art is Education is a program providing more than 4,000 students in Cle public schools with standards-based integrated arts experiences. You’re invited to witness what art education is doing for local schools at a celebration for arts ed on Mon 3/15 from 5-7PM @ Cle City Hall Rotunda, 601 Lakeside Ave. Catch student performances and exhibits while snacking on refreshments and witnessing the power of art ed. http://youngaudiences.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/transforming-cleveland-schools-through-the-arts/

GREEN Biomimicry: Sustainable Design & Innovation “The real power of sustainability and whole-systems thinking is that it inspires innovation in design – of products, processes, buildings and organizations.” Biomimicry is about emulating nature’s designs for biz and technology. Come to a networking event w/ E4S and Biomimicry NEO on Tue 3/16 and learn how CIA Industrial Design students (and others) are putting biomimicry to work in the Cuy Valley and elsewhere. [Picture at left by Victoria, via Biomimicry NEO.] 5:30-8:30PM @ CIA Russell B. Aitken Aud, 11141 East Blvd. Register and read more.

The New Barleycorn @ Nighttown You probably won’t escape listening to Irish music on Wed 3/17. At least seek out the good stuff. Head over to Nighttown, 12387 Cedar Rd in Cle Hts, for a performance by The New Barleycorn, a band consisting of John Delaney and Alec DeGabriele, who were born and raised in counties Dublin and Down. Hear their traditional Celtic/folk tunes at 5:30PM and again at 8PM. http://TheNewBarleycorn.com/index.php

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

New Study Links Guns, Sexual Dysfunction
A Satire

Although gun lovers claim the recent surge in sales across the country is due to a growing fear that the Obama Administration is secretly planning an all-out assault on Americans’ Constitutionally-guaranteed right to bear arms, workers in the sex industry state there is another reason for the increase: Sexual dysfunction.

Employees of the Busty Bunny Brothel, which has two locations outside of Las Vegas and one near downtown Reno, have been compiling data for a while now, and have finally come out with the results of their anecdotal study … and their findings are startling…

Read more from Mansfield Frazier here

A Time for Pampering Mind, Body, and Soul
Spas, Yoga, Retreats & Books

Now that we’ve gotten past the holidays and settled into the new year, it’s time for self evaluation. Although goals and resolutions prompt us to approach life afresh, restoration and revival could be the best first step to becoming a better person. Here are some musings for consideration:

For this year, maybe we should skip the Resolutions, or not call them that. I’m thinking we can realize we have bad habits, like smoking or eating too much chocolate, that need to be overcome, and move on to living well. Let’s enjoy Mitchell’s Fine Candies and Markko Vineyard’s ’06 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Reading excellent books by local authors bought at local bookstores can be a soulful experience, especially if you keep a reading journal with impressions of each book, author information, and reviews. My next step is to buy Thrity Umrigar’s The Weight of Heaven at Loganberry Books.
Read more from Claudia Taller here

Cleveland’s Real Corrupters
Plus, C’mon Dennis, Don’t Be Another George Voinovich

The Cleveland Corporate Corrupters had a big meeting this week. They’re already deciding how to spend tens of millions of dollars we don’t have.

It’s an act of piracy seldom defined by the mass media. The media simply play it as “that’s the way things are done” apparently.

No other voices need be raised. The PD, our major source of information, doesn’t have the imagination to even prompt dissent or an alternative view. It’s not in the mass media’s DNA.

One of the greatest needs in Cleveland is a new Public Square, according to these masters of the county’s universe. These people set our civic agenda for their selfish private needs. Never expect less.

The headline in the Plain Dealer says, “Business leaders see $100 million in new income.” So let’s grab it guys,” should have been the subtitle.

These plutocrats already have it spent. On things THEY decide WE need…
Read more of Roldo Bartimole here

Quick reviews of recent events
Submit your own review or commentary to Events@CoolCleveland.com

Found Footage Festival @ Beachland Ballroom 2/21/10
Read the review by Sarah Valek here

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet @ Ohio Theater 2/27/10
Read the review by Elsa Johnson & Victor Lucas here

Emma at The Cleveland Play House 3/3/10
Read the review by Laura Kennelly here

Cool Cleveland readers write

All letters must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional).
Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com

Mr. Frazier, we disagree Dear Mr. Frazier, I read your “Straight Outta Mansfield” column in the CoolCleveland newsletter about every week, and usually your social criticisms and commentaries are spot on.

But this week, in the “Let’s Make a Deal” portion of your feature, I was very upset at some of the assertions you made.

First of all, you seem to imply that because a white critic reviewed a play about black issues, any criticism on his part is clearly a lack of racial understanding, not an actual comment about a work of theatre. …
Read the letter from Alex Liedtke here

Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com

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

1) Discover the sweet sounds, sights and tastes of spring Explore the grounds of the Holden Arboretum with a guide before or after breakfast on Sat 3/13 and Sun 3/14. HoldenArb.org.

2) Beyond Theory. Experience Applied! The Baldwin-Wallace College Executive MBA is the practical MBA that prepares senior managers for organizational leadership. Peer mentoring, group projects and real-life, real-time consulting with a northeast Ohio company offer unparalleled opportunities. BW.edu

3) We’re happy being “miserable” Positively Cleveland launches new site in response to that ludicrous Forbes piece. WhatTheForbes.com

4) Gardens Under Glass Brilliant, innovative program to grow hydroponic organic produce in the Galleria turning it into an urban eco village, servicing area restaurants, showcasing sustainable products and creating an education program. GardensUnderGlass.com

5) What are the 100 most important Cleveland landmarks? The Cleveland Area History blog is making a list and wants your input. ClevelandHistory.blogspot.com.

Try this Think it’s easy writing about all the coolest stuff in NEO each week? Not so much. And so, we send out heartfelt thanks to our writers Roldo Bartimole, Mansfield Frazier, Alex Sukhoy, Claudia Taller, and Sarah Valek, And lastly, though certainly not least, thanks to our readers and everyone who partners with us. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com.

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