V-Day

02.11-02.18.09
V-Day

In this week’s issue:

Home is where our heart is. And Cleveland is where home is to many lovers. Lovers of good food will enjoy our video interview with culinary superstar Michael Symon, 100% organic truffles by Krisztina Lazar, and Mansfield Frazier’s idea for a 1st class winery in Hough. Those who dig new sounds will love the double-CD release by Trepanning Trio, and those who appreciate Cleveland politics will groove on Roldo’s reiteration of the Muny Light history lesson. Speaking of grooves, score your Cool Cleveland Carnaval VIP and general admission tix for your honey, or meet one there! Readers write email and on Facebook to tell us how much they love us, and we offer links to the blogsphere around here. And a special tribute to the guy with the biggest heart of all, Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller, in a tribute by Jeffrey Bowen, poet and director of H for H here in Cle. A big kiss to all our Cleveland friends: read, click and enjoy. –Thomas Mulready

Cool Cleveland Carnaval
VIP and general admission tix on sale now at heart-breakingly low prices
This Carnaval is expected to sell out!

Be there for an authentic Cool Cleveland Carnaval on Sat 2/21 from 9:30PM-2:30AM at Silk nightclub. Catch the spectacular Samba Show featuring dancers in glittering sequined costumes, with beads and feathers, with percussionists playing the authentic Brazilian Batucada rhythms. You will dance non-stop as you are taken on a “Carnaval Tour” of Brazil. And Cool Cleveland will bring you there with VIP and general admission tix, on sale at lowest possible price online. It all takes place at the fabulous new Silk Nightclub, 1148 Main Street, next to Shooters, West bank of the Flats. 21 and over please. See map & more info here.

It’s all yours for one low ticket price:

Secure your Cool Cleveland Carnaval tickets online now before price increase:
Special VIP ticket with exclusive access & view of the performances: https://coolcleveland.net/tickets/022109/VIP/index.php
General admission ticket: https://coolcleveland.net/tickets/022109/index.php

Heather Haviland’s Earthly Pleasures
Vine & Bean and Lucky’s Café only Scratch the Surface for Foodie-Entrepreneur

In Woody Allen’s 1980 movie Stardust Memories, he plays a successful filmmaker who begins to feel discouraged because he’s not doing anything good for the world. But he finds enlightenment when a space alien tells him, “You want to do mankind a real service? Tell funnier jokes.”

Heather Haviland has found similar enlightenment, but not about movie making or joke writing. And not from Martians, but from regular people, like you and me. Well, like me, anyway. The Cleveland chef and restaurateur has learned, in more than 30 years of creating cool culinary concepts, how good it feels to make other people feel good — and how to accomplish it. She’s learned that food is a great vehicle for that, and a legitimate one.

Haviland owns Lucky’s Café (luckyscafe.com) on Starkweather Avenue in Tremont and the Vine and Bean Café (vineandbeancafe.com) on Larchmere Boulevard in Cleveland, just north of Shaker Square. And she is working on a third place called Sanctuary, also in Tremont, in the former Gospel Press Building, a pre-Civil War structure that she says has housed a Bible factory and a home for cloistered nuns…

Read more from David Budin here

Michael Symon
Chef of Lola, Lolita & Roast

You can tell by the wide grin that spreads across Chef Michael Symon’s face whenever he talks about his work that he is a man who truly loves his job. And as an award winning chef, he has plenty of reasons to be happy. He recently won the 2009 Detroit Free Press Restaurant of the Year award for his newest restaurant, Roast, in Detroit.

Chef Symon also stays busy with his two other successful restaurants here in Cleveland: Lola, on E. 4th Street and Lolita, in Tremont. Clevelanders are lucky to have him here, but since he’s also an Iron Chef and has made a number of appearances on the Food Network, he is now known far beyond the reaches of the city that rocks.

Even though he had just returned from a charity event in LA and a lengthy afternoon meeting, Chef Symon still took time out of his hectic schedule to chat with Cool Cleveland correspondent Jennifer Boresz at Lola on E. 4th Street. Watch the video as he talks about how Cleveland inspires his culinary style, the future of the ever-growing dining scene and what’s next for this on the move chef. Check out http://www.LolaBistro.com on E. 4th Street, and Lolita in Tremont, and http://www.RoastDetroit.com in Detroit for reservations, “Eat More Meat” t-shirts, and Michael’s blog Symon Says.

Wanna be a Cool Cleveland correspondent? Contact us at InfoATCoolCleveland.com.

SPONSORED: Mohsin Hamid, author of Moth Smoke and The Reluctant Fundamentalist, will visit the Idea Center at Playhouse Square on Tue 2/24 at 6:00 PM for a free public lecture entitled Literature, Pakistan, Islam and “The West” Tickets are available. Seating is limited. For ticket information, call 216.368.8961 or email http://www.BakerNord.org.

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100% Organic Truffles Handmade by artist & fashion designer Krisztina Lazar, interviewed here by CoolCleveland for last year’s Fashion Week Cleveland. Box of 8 made with 70% Icelandic dark chocolate and includes Kahlua Dreams, Bliss (vanilla, chai & white chocolate), Honey Roasted, Mexican Chocolate, Salty (rolled in pretzel), Chocolat (3X dark choc, Godiva choc liqueur, melted dark choc), and Red Hot (cinnamon, topped with a hot tamale). Order by Thu 2/12 for pickup by Valentine’s Day. rozsa_lazar@yahoo.com or order online here.

Valentine to Mother Earth Carol Hunt sent over this valentine: “I found this to be a very sweet and compelling video interview about Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring (1962), a book that perhaps began the green movement. A nice Valentine to Mother Earth.” Writer-performer Kauilani Lee has been performing as Rachel Carson for 15 years in her show A Sense of Wonder: Watch the short trailer.

City Therapy Redux If you missed the coverage from last week on 90.3-FM WCPN/ideastream, you can read some of the source material here and then listen to the podcast — which includes CC catalyst/creator Thomas Mulready — by clicking here. What can Cleveland (and Northeast Ohio) do to solve the inferiority complex and malaise of residents? Send your ideas to letters@coolcleveland.com.

HOT Legendary Cramps founder Lux Interior (nee Erick Lee Purkhiser, born in Stow) dies last Wed 2/4 of heart condition. Click
Here are 75 things to love about the Cle+ region A Diamond Anniversary list for cool Clevelanders resides here
HOT New e-book 104 Dates In and Around Cleveland written by Cle relationship coach Kathy Dawson looks pretty cool
HOT New Wing of Cle Art Museum opens this summer and you can read about it here
Are you hip to African Soul International and their Black History Month events? If not, better click here
David Mansbach talks about his Trepanning Trio and the Fri 2/13 double CD release performance at Beachland with Heights Arts Radio here
HOT Better Off Dead anti-V-Day festivities up your alley? Shoparooni on Waterloo’s got your quote-unquote “two dollars” with a Better Off dinner
HOT Treat your sweetie to the Tremont ArtWalk for Valentine’s Day and get a load of artistic surprises. Great lineup this month!
Cle Independents restaurants’ Oh, Honey! campaign sounds like something you have to bee at. Lotsa buzz
Floyd Sandford presents acclaimed one-man show Darwin Remembers: Recollections of a Life’s Voyage this weekend at the Cle Museum of Natural History. Should be memorable
Area writer, editor and CC contributor David Budin has been selected to speak as a moderator at the 38th annual conference of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, April 24-26, at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York. Click
Are you following local online reading at the Daily Cleveland and at MedCityNews? If not, there are your links. Better bookmark ’em…

Murray Saul gets down exactly 33 years later Cleveland declared Fri 2/13/76 “I Love Cleveland Day,” and WMMS held a rally at Tower City where Murray Saul did his “Get Down” rant live for thousands. John Gorman, music & program director and operations manager of WMMS from 1973-86, sent Cool Cleveland this exclusive audio clip of the broadcast, and writes, “This is an amazing period piece. Few knew who Alan Freed was. The Allen Theater was the only usable venue at Playhouse Square, which was mostly boarded up. The Terminal Tower lobby, where Murray did his “Get Down” had fallen into disrepair. There were still three downtown department stores: May Co., Higbees, and Halle’s. It was two years before Cleveland fell into default. I often wondered what someone from another city would’ve thought, seeing this middle aged man screaming about sex, drugs, and rock and roll, and playing to a captive audience of 18 to mid 20 year olds.” Listen here and check out Gorman’s book and blog. Meet John Gorman this Friday at Visible Voice Books in Tremont

HOT Forbes mag punks Cle again What their axe to grind with C-town is, we don’t know… but Forbes has taken yet another dead-horse-beaten data swipe at Cleveland in a list-form story. This time around, we’re one of the 10 “most miserable” cities in the entire U.S. Really?? (We’re #4, btw). Read the piece here then email your response to senior editor/ perpetrator Kurt Badenhausen (resident, we believe, of Hoboken, NJ?!?) at kbadenhausen@forbes.com and copy us at letters@coolcleveland.com.

Ballet Hispanico The acclaimed NYC-based dance troupe comes to the Ohio Theatre in PlayhouseSquare for performances on Sat 2/20 – Sun 2/21 as part of a 16-city national tour. They’re holding open auditions for the company’s summer program in NYC and are looking for young people from C-town to participate. Auditions are Wed 2/18 at the Idea Center on PlayhouseSquare. Reservations are not required but recommended. To reserve a place, contact Jessica Prohias at Ballet Hispanico, 212-362-6710, ext. 13 or email: jprohias@ballethispanico.org. http://www.ballethispanico.org.

Celebrity Chef Cooking Class at the Old Stone Church, “Sunday Stewin’ with Chef Marlin Kaplan,” owner of Luxe Kitchen and Lounge (see this next week’s review in CC Eats) and One Walnut on Sun 2/22. Learn how to make a wholesome stew for any cold Sunday. Wine Tasting and dessert included. Proceeds benefit Interfaith Hospitality Network and Transitional Housing. Reservations a must no later than Sun 2/15. 241-6145 CarrieATOldStoneChurch.org

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: Student-Run Exhibition Showcases Student Talent The Cleveland Institute of Art will showcase their talent, creativity and passion at this year’s Student Independent Exhibition (S.I.E). This exhibition marks the 63rd annual S.I.E. in the history of CIA. S.I.E. is a juried exhibition of work created by current CIA students and is sponsored by Prizm – The Artist’s Supply Store and The Student Leadership Council. Students nominate and select a jury of three nationally recognized emerging artists and this year’s judges are Patty Chang, John Copeland and Tara Mateik. The S.I.E. will run from Fri 2/13 through Sat 2/14 with the opening reception held Fri 2/13 from 6-9PM (no admission fee, open to the public) at CIA, 11141 East Boulevard in the Reinberger Galleries. Info: www.cia.edu.

See how Cool Cleveland’s SPONSORED links can drive traffic to your business or organization: InfoATCoolCleveland.com.

Sweetheart Waffles Family Workshop Join the Children’s Museum of Cleveland on Valentines Day (Sat 2/14) for a special morning treat! Make waffles for you and your sweetheart by whipping up a creamy batch of batter, and then cooking it in a waffle iron. Don’t forget to top off you treat with whipped cream, fruit, chocolate chips and sprinkles… yum! Two sessions: 9 – 10:30AM and 11:30AM – 1PM. Call 791-7114 to register and specify which session you and the kid(s) would like to attend! http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org.

Chagrin Falls Studio Orchestra and musical director Stephen A. Eva perform a Valentine’s Day concert Sat 2/14 at 8PM at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre (40 River Street, Chagrin Falls). The 45-piece “Studio Orchestra” will perform heartwarming classics and original studio compositions — all in the spirit of the romantic holiday. Selections include works from Bernstein, Ravel, Rodgers and Hammerstein and works from the Disney library arranged by Bruce Healey. http://www.cvlt.org.

HOT An Old-Fashioned Valentine This Cleveland Pops Valentine’s Day Concert hits Fri 2/13 at Severance Hall. Featuring soprano Margo Watson [pictured] and baritone Michael Lackey, musical selections include favorites for all ages from the great American songbook, stage and screen and movies include My Funny Valentine; several Gershwin favorites including An American in Paris and Lullaby; a medley of Billy Joel favorites; I Could Have Danced All Night, music from Titanic and more. PLUS: 7 year old Cle vocalist/phenom Isabela Moner — an award winner in the recent Pops’ Jean L. Petitt Music Scholarship competition — sings Over the Rainbow! Sounds like a winner to us! http://www.clevelandpops.com.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters Dallas Children’s Theater presents John Steptoe’s gorgeous Caldecott Award winning Cinderella tale that celebrates goodness, generosity, love and traditional African song Sat 2/14 at 11AM and 2PM at the Ohio Theatre. Adapted for the stage by Karen Abbott, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters is part of the Discovery Theater Series for Families at PlayhouseSquare. Also, the Project Discovery Workshops designed to introduce children to live theater includes the Cleveland All-City Dance Ensemble Director Kevin Marr. He’ll lead your child in the exploration of the traditional methods of African storytelling through rhythm and dance. http://www.playhousesquare.org.

An Afternoon with Abraham Lincoln features speaker Mel Maurer at the Cuyahoga County Archives (2905 Franklin Blvd.) this Sun 2/15 at 2PM. Part of the Cuyahoga County Bicentennial Lecture Series, this is sure to bring the history of the time to life! Calendar and details here.

HOT Beachwood Arts’ 14th Annual Juried High School Art Exhibit is featured at the Beachwood Community Center, 25225 Fairmount Blvd. Opening Reception hits Sun 2/15 from 2 – 5PM and will run through the end of the month. Viewing hours are Mon – Fri, 10AM – 4PM; Sat 10AM – 3PM and Sun 11AM – 1PM. Celebrate the wonderful talents of our young people from 20 area high schools! Call 464-9064 for more information.

The Gorilla Health Project was the impetus for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s “Heart to Heart” day festivities Mon 2/16. The day focuses on cardiac issues in zoo gorillas, but broadens out by discussing the importance of heart health in other animals and people as well. In celebration of National Heart Awareness Month, Cle’s very own Biggest Loser celebrity, Jerry Skeabeck, will meet Zoo visitors at the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building and discuss how he took control of his own heart health through weight loss and exercise. Meet the gorilla keepers, observe gorilla enrichment activities and feedings, meet Dr. Pam Dennis, the Zoo’s epidemiologist and chief collaborator of the Gorilla Health Project and more! http://www.clemetzoo.com.

Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events for kids & families from 13-year-old Cool Cleveland Kids correspondent Max.

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

SPONSORED: Meet the Presidents and have some cherry pie! What could be more fun than meeting Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln? On Mon 2/16 at 2PM, the Maltz Museum celebrates Presidents’ Day by commemorating the 1777 communication between Moses Sexias of the Truro Temple and President George Washington. Costumed actors present the famous correspondence which pronounced “To bigotry, no sanction; to persecution, no assistance.” Abe Lincoln makes an appearance to talk about his interactions with the Jewish community, and Lincoln Log- building and cherry pie for all follow the performances. All activities are free with Museum admission, visit http://www.MaltzJewishMuseum.org for details.

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

It’s Mall or not-at-all for Conv Center/Med Mart according to article here
Ohio mayors are dreaming big for stimulus cash w/ 847 public-works projects far exceeding aid state will get. Click
FIT Technologies launches unlimited, on-demand, 24/7/365 self-service portal for applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Blackberry and more. Click
NEO institutions commit $16M to venture investments and the details are here
How early is too early for a BlackBerry? One California company (with Cle ties) thinks the earlier the better. Check this out
EJ Dionne of the Washington Post and Brookings Institution is coming to the Akron Roundtable event on Thu 2/19 and you can get the details here
Over $18 Million given to charity since 2003 Check out recent cy pres donations by clicking here

Charles Michener, former senior editor at The New Yorker and Newsweek magazines returns home to Cle Wed 2/11 at 11:30 at the City Club and he’s writing a book that just might save the city. He’ll talk about it here
CEO of The Geek Factory discusses Social Networking in Public Relations on Wed 2/11. Nationally recognized expert Peter Shankman speaks at Windows on the River. Details and Learn more about Shankman
Cle Twestival engages social media in great networking event for worthy cause Thu 2/12 at 6PM. Details and registration here
Time and Priority mgm’t Workshop hits Wed 2/11 at 9AM at the ERC Workplace Center. Details
Bruce Hennes asks what you’d do if an “investigative journalist” burst into your office with cameras blazing and a microphone in your face? What are your rights? He’ll tell you Wed 2/11 at Cle AMA event. Details and Registration
Harnessing Social Network Tech is subject of Lake Communicators luncheon Wed 2/11 at 11:45AM the Pine Ridge Country Club, 30601 Ridge Rd. (SR 84). Feat. Tamera Brown, VP, Mktg/Comm, Positively Cleveland. Call 255-8932 or e-mail wolfeshirley@yahoo.com to RSVP
Breakfast for the Brain: Best Practices for Soliciting Employee Feedback is the subject of a forum Fri 2/13 starting at 8:30AM. Details
NorTech Innovation Awards program hits on Wed 2/18 at Windows on the River and feat. Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan. Click for tix
Layoffs and Reductions in Force: What HR Needs to Know is the subject of forum Wed 2/18 and you can register here
GREEN 2009 Evolution of Man’fg Conf Join the Green Revolution at this event at Hyland Software in Westlake Thu 2/19. Features town hall discussion, plenty of great info for everyone. Register here
Be your own marketing agent features Valeri Furst of Furst Communications Thu 3/5 at 7:30AM. YWCA Women’s Center, 4019 Prospect Ave. Register
Join Cle Professional 20/30 Club Recruitment Event Grand Slam event hits @ Market Cafe and Wine Bar Thu 3/12 at 5:30PM. Details

Remembering Millard Fuller
A Guy Who Gave Everything Away and Got the World in Return

As we celebrate our first Black History Month with our first Black President, I am saddened to learn that we have lost a man who, while not an African American, was well-loved by countless Africans, and who changed the history of America. Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity International, and inventor of the concept of “Sweat Equity” passed away last week at the age of 74. While his last few years at the helm of his beloved Habitat were controversial, he will always be remembered as the man who’s relentless drive to serve people in need sparked hundreds of thousands of volunteers to come together to “eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.”

A once wealthy businessman who made his first million before the age of thirty, Millard became estranged from his family because the art and science of money had evolved into his only joy. In an effort to win back his wife and children and soothe his troubled soul, Millard vowed to give away his entire portfolio and moved his family into a Christian community called, “Koinonia Farm” near Americus, Georgia in 1966…

Read more from Jeffrey Bowen here

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

HOT Honoring late British Director David Lean’s centenary the Cleveland Museum of Art will feature four of his early films this February, starting with This Happy Breed on Wed 2/11 at 6:45PM. The films — two comedies and two dramas — were each recently restored by the British Film Institute. Lean’s panoramic shots and landscapes in Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago and Bridge of the River Kwai have become de rigueur in epic filmmaking; Lean’s earlier works are far more intimate. Lean is one of Britain’s most influential filmmakers. Madeleine, Blythe Spirit and Hobson’s Choice round out the festival — shown Wed 2/18, Wed 3/4 and Wed 3/18 respectively. http://www.clevelandart.org.

Julie Chavez Rodriguez went on the front lines with her father Cesar Chavez, an activist in the farm workers’ movement, and has continued his social justice work by encouraging service among young people. She talks about her experiences in the La Causa farm workers’ movement Wed 2/11 at 7PM in a no-cost, public forum, sponsored by the Youth Service and Philanthropy (YSP) program of the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Case Western Reserve University and Facing History and Ourselves (FHAO). John Hay High School on Stokes Boulevard. For more info, click here.

HOT Orpheus in the Underworld The opera by Jacques Offenbach runs at Baldwin-Wallace Thu 2/12 — Sat 2/14 at 7:30PM and Sun 2/15 at 2PM at the Kleist Center for Art & Drama, 95 E. Bagley Rd., Berea. This outrageously French re-telling of the classic legend of Orpheus and Eurydice exposes the frailty of humankind in all its variety. Trapped in a dull and unhappy marriage, Orpheus and Eurydice resort to elaborate deceptions and secretive trysts; Eurydice descends into Hades with her lover Aristee who is revealed to be Pluto, head of Underworld, Inc., in disguise! Call 440-826-2240 for more info.

Healthy Starts, Happy Hearts Just in time for a Valentine’s Night Out, Rozi’s Wine House [pictured] hosts a Jordan Family Foundation Charity Wine Tasting Thu 2/12 at 6PM. Healthy Starts, Happy Hearts features libations from Rutherford Winery, Napa Valley and features Owner/Winemaker Steve Rued and Chef Matt Harlan from Lolita. Proceeds benefit Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital and Jordan’s Family Foundation. A Silent Auction, raffles, door prizes (including Roundtrip Southwest Airline Package to Napa Valley’s Wine Country!) and more. Admission per person; no RSVP required. Call 221-1119 for more info. 14900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. http://www.rozis.com.

Guest conductor Pinchas Steinberg will lead The Cleveland Orchestra in concerts featuring Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 at Severance Hall on Thu 2/12 at 8PM; Fri 2/13 at 11AM; Sat 2/14 at 8PM and Sun 2/15 at 3PM. Nikolaj Znaider will be soloist in the Brahms Violin Concerto. Steinberg is an Israeli conductor and a violin student who debuted as a conductor in 1974 with the RIAS Symphony Orchestra, Berlin. http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

Cocktails & Conversation Metropolitan Galleries starts off 2009 with the new series Gallery Talk: Cocktails & Conversation. Every Thursday starting Thu 2/12 the public is invited to a wine & cheese soiree of informal, informative, innovated, inspirational & imaginative Gallery Talks. February and March will feature Cleveland’s top interior designers. The Thursday evening talks will start at 5:30PM, with the guest speaker starting at 6PM. A Q&A session follows. Look for jewelry designers, architects, art historians and other as-yet-to-be-determined creative talkers to be scheduled Metropolitan Galleries, Shaker Square, 13119 Shaker Blvd. Call 491-1111 for info. http://metropolitangalleries.net.

HOT Trepanning Trio Ten musicians, led by David Mansbach of the one-time local electronic/performance art group Infinite Number of Sounds will assemble at the Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Rd., this Fri 2/13 to perform selections from their dual release I am a Crooked Arrow and The Man Killed the Bird… Avant-chamber music never sounded so compelling. Details on the Trepanning Trio at http://www.trepanningtrio.com and by reading this week’s CC Sounds review by Managing Editor Peter Chakerian. Learn more about this CD release show at http://www.beachlandballroom.com”’.

HOT InCogNegro With the historic election of President Barack Obama, Black identity has been under the microscope in the media. This new play, written by Lisa Langford and produced by Umoja Arts Theatre Company, takes a satirical look at what it means to be Black in America. Drawing from the highs and lows of Obama’s momentous campaign, Ralph Ellison’s classic novel Invisible Man and Black history itself, InCogNegro explores the gap between how African Americans define themselves and how they are labeled by others. Part of CPT’s 2009 Big [BOX] play festival, this multimedia performance is delivered Fri 2/13 and Sat 2/14 at 7:30PM. 6415 Detroit Ave. http://www.cptonline.org.

Artists Give More Than Inspiration Waterloo 7 Gallery and close neighbor Beachland Ballroom have teamed up to create an art and music fundraiser for The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland. On Fri 2/12 sculptor and gallery owner Jerry Schmidt, along with over 10 other artists, will donate a piece of art, sculpture, or hand-made jewelry to the Free Clinic. The donated pieces will be on display at the Beachland Ballroom and raffled off from 8PM till 11PM. Across the way at the Waterloo 7 Gallery, even more art will be on display, and 10% of sales will go to the Free Clinic. On the Beachland Ballroom stage, artists that play-to-raise include Oldboy, Sparrows & Arrows, Tastycakes, and Beardo Bandini. The bands play 9PM – midnight, and the nearby gallery will stay open for an hour after the show for an after-party with the bands and artists. http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

HOT Love Stinks: A Trailer-Teash Valentine’s Bash Hey, we didn’t write it. convergence-continuum invites everyone to don their overalls, Daisy-Dukes, flannels and muumuus as they party “trailer-trash-style” Fri 2/13 at 8PM. For a cheap price (discounted further if you come in costume) they provide plenty of mighty good home-cooked grub, beer and a tub of Hairy Buffalo. Live music from Hot Cha Cha, karaoke, raffles, contests, games and door prizes round out the fun. Bring your Valentine and browse the trailer-trash treasures at the garage sale. Don’t have a Valentine? Pucker up for a smooch from one of the convergence-continuum hotties at the Kissing Booth! 2438 Scranton Rd., Tremont. Call 687-0074 or visit http://www.convergence-continuum.org.

Confronting the Climate Crisis: Not Just for Tree-huggers This intriguing lecture hits Fri 2/13 at 7:30PM at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and features conservationist Larry J. Schweiger — the president/ CEO of National Wildlife Federation. He’ll review the urgency of the rapidly unfolding climate crisis; discuss how NWF and others are recasting the climate crisis from an environmental issue to a societal one. Schweiger suggests that bringing new messages and messengers to the table can help reduce global warming and pollution, recharge America’s economy and protect America’s natural resources. Sounds perfect, ambitious… and very much up our alley. Details at http://www.cmnh.org.

Fannie Lou Hamer The legendary Civil Rights Pioneer from Mississippi headlines the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women’s Black History Month Luncheon on Fri 2/13 starting at 12:30PM in the 1914 Lounge of the Thwing Building (Second Floor). Lunch will be served, with a performance by Women in History — a non-profit organization established to educate through dramatic monologues — immediately following. The celebrated catalyst of the Civil Rights Movement, Hamer will cap off the event, speaking about challenging the all-white delegation in public, fervently championing the right to vote and her courageous exposing of race barriers. Call 368-0985 or email centerforwomen@case.edu for more info.

Stranded: I’ve Come from a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains The latest of “First Run Films” at the Cleveland Museum of Art hits Fri 2/13 at 6:30PM and Sun 2/15 at 1:30PM, directed by Gonzalo Arijon. In 1972 a plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team to Chile crashed in the Andes. Three decades later the survivors of this catastrophe return to the crash site and recount how they survived for 72 days on a remote glacier. This harrowing story inspired the 1973 bestseller Alive. “Shockingly intimate… Stirring, primal, humane… Deeply moving.” – Entertainment Weekly. Cleveland premiere. Adults only. http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/stranded. http://www.clevelandart.org.

SPONSORED: This Friday and Saturday, 2/13 and 2/14, WCLV 104.9 will be presenting the ten winning poems in the station’s annual Valentine Love Poem Contest. WCLV’s Robert Conrad and Jacqueline Gereber will read the poems with proper feeling. The poems will also be posted on WCLV’s website. The grand prize winner receives a romantic weekend for two at the Ritz Carlton. Complete details on all of WCLV’s programming at http://www.WCLV.com.

Hearts On Fire Make plans to attend this year’s special 10th Anniversary of Hearts On Fire on Sat 2/14 at 6:30PM. This signature event of the North Coast Men’s Chorus is a fantastic way to spend a great evening of fun, food, music, dancing, and an amazing silent auction with a group of your friends – or with that special someone. Hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a venerable selection of auction items lead up to a sharp cabaret show featuring NCMC singers and special guests of the chorus. Shaker Heights Country Club, 3300 Courtland Blvd., Shaker Heights. http://www.ncmchorus.com.

The Sea and Cake Get your lovely Valentine some post-rock, courtesy of the supercool (and critically acclaimed) Chicago act The Sea and Cake this Sat 2/14 at the Grog Shop in the Coventry neighborhood of Cleveland Heights. Think of the great working bands, the Charles Mingus Quintet, the John Coltrane Quartet, the Meters or the Minutemen. For them, there was no gaping chasm between the studio and the road; the studio was just another stop, a gig, a continuous part of the flow of playing and working and creating together. Ya gotta see these guys work to believe it. Indie rock never had it so good; you jazz fans are gonna find something you like here as well. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Hts. http://www.theseaandcake.com. http://www.grogshop.gs.

HOT The Pretenders Chrissie Hynde comes back to Ohio, where she’s opened a vegan restaurant, The VegiTerranean, and taken a loft at the Northside Lofts in Downtown Akron, but this time she’s bringing her band and performing 8 or 9 tracks from her first album in six years, Break Up The Concrete, at the Akron Civic Theatre on Sat 2/14. The new songs, recorded in 12 days in LA with session drummer Jim Keltner, are informed by her days in Summit County, singing about, “the red brick road where I grew up on…” The rest of the set will consist of some of the awesome songs from their catalog, including, no doubt, My City Was Gone, her earlier ode to Akron. Her long-time drummer Martin Chambers joins her live, and the band always kicks it out. Akron Civic Theatre and Tix.

Save Room for Dessert This Valentine’s Day Auction to benefit Family Haven hits Sat 2/14 at 7PM at Local Girl Gallery, 16106 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. The evening will be highlighted by a dessert tasting and an auction of hand painted dessert dishes designed by local artists. Family Haven relies on the generosity of the community to continue their success working with people with developmental disabilities. Tickets are available in advance; individuals wanting to support Family Haven but are unable to attend the event donations will be accepted by Mireille Kious at 440-250-2773 or by email at msjoblom@familyhaven.org. Call 521-2894 for more info. http://www.localgirlgallery.com.

HOT Look to the Rainbow Near West Theatre (NWT) presents its Annual Benefit Fundraiser on Sun 2/15 at PlayhouseSquare Center’s Ohio Theatre and Allen Theatre Lobby. The benefit honors the accomplishments of Randell McShepard (of RPM) and Near West’s Volunteer Recruiter, Susan Stewart. NWT will present a diverse cast of its past and present performers in a dazzling revue featuring songs and scenes from productions of the last season. Following the performance, guests will mingle over a glass of wine while enjoying a delectable display of catered hors d’oeuvres and desserts from Sammy’s while bidding on an eclectic silent auction in the Allen Theatre Lobby. Doors at 5PM. http://www.nearwesttheatre.org.

HOT Sweeney Todd It might be played out for some, especially after Johnny Depp’s portrayal, but if you haven’t seen the rockin’ version of The Demon Barber of Fleet Street [pictured], you should check it out Sun 2/15 or before the end of its run later this month. It stars Queue Up’s Ali Garrigan as the lovely Mrs. Lovett and the infamous Dan Folino (singer for vanityCrash and well-known as Beck’s Beast in Beauty and the Beast) as the demon barber Sweeney Todd. The musical is at Lakeland College Civic Theater in Kirtland. Read Linda Eisenstein’s review this week in CC and you’ll HAVE to go! Performances run through Sun 2/22 For more info, call 440-525-7526 or visit Lakeland.CC.edu.

Jitney by August Wilson At a ramshackle taxi depot, the middle-aged men who drive unlicensed gypsy cabs, or “jitneys,” strive to find honor and accomplishment amidst a landscape of diminishing opportunity. When the station owner’s estranged son returns from 20 years in prison, their reunion unleashes two decades of brutal, raw emotion. On Sun 2/15 at 2PM, American icon August Wilson’s work is part of a cycle of 10 plays chronicling the African American experience. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to create a green, sustainable house in the City of East Cleveland. East Cleveland Theater, 14108 Euclid Ave., East Cleveland. Call 229-9125 for tix/info.

Misters behind the Sisters The 5th annual benefit for Genesis House domestic violence shelter will be Sun 2/15 at 8PM the Savannah Bar & Grille in Westlake. It is a way for Genesis House to recognize the men who have been involved and supported the services of the organization. Live music is the cal of the evening, featuring Fox 8 TV personality Todd Meany with Butch Armstrong, Mike Delia, Billy Mangano, and Denny Massari. Sign up to win a genuine Fender Stratocaster in the raffle! Call 866-213-1188 for info/ tix.

Sax Sensation Greg Abate performs at Nighttown as a quartet with Mark Kleinhaut (guitar), Kip Reed (bass) and Matt Perko (drums) on Sun 2/15 at 7PM. Abate was a lead alto sax player for the Ray Charles Orchestra. 12387 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights. http://www.nighttowncleveland.com.

HOT The Green Hour Re-popularized by Moulin Rouge a few years ago, check out the Green Fairy at an Absinthe Tasting at Morton’s on Wed 2/18, from 6 – 7:30PM. Learn about the history and mystery of Absinthe, from the Green Fairy Fountain to sugar cubes and slotted spoons. Cost includes Pernod’s Absinthe cocktails and Morton’s signature appetizers. Call 621-6981 for reservations or visit http://www.mortons.com/cleveland.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

In Vino Veritas

Late last year I wrote a column entitled Château Hough. In it I proposed establishing a winery in my neighborhood of Hough, specifically in the Upper Chester part of Ward 7 that abuts Cleveland Clinic and University Circle. I then used every means at my disposal to invite everyone who might be interested (ward residents and non-residents alike) to an exploratory meeting on Jan. 15.

Now, I fancy myself a fairly good communicator, but somehow my idea for what amounts to a factory that bottles wines (and, by the way, would perhaps employ 40 or 50 people when fully operational) and ships the product to retail stores locally and hopefully eventually all over the world, turned into two other things. The message somehow got garbled and now I’m supposedly planning to establish vineyards to grow grapes, or open up a beer and wine joint where I plan to sell cheap glasses of Champipple…

Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

“On Friday, the PD announces a big editorial change,” writes Ed Morrison. “On Sunday, a strong, positive message starts coming through. A clear, expert and welcome explanation from Steve Litt of a big investment and the opportunities it could create. And an inspiring story by Tom Breckenridge of emerging collaboration where it counts: talent. The Plain Dealer can play a remarkably positive role in the years ahead, if it sticks to its editorial agenda. A new PD? For all our sakes, let’s hope so.” BFD readers discuss:

Join the discussion on the BFD post A New PD?

Links to interesting NEO blogs

Both Senators Brown and Voinovich voted for the Coburn amendment, acquiescing to Republican demands for cuts in stimulus spending.
The Region’s portfolio of growing companies expands.
“Another step taken toward breaking the cycle of abandonment”… forward or backward?
Markets making progress on positive datapoints.
NEOinc chronicles the positive change in the month of January.
Lev Gonick on the Wiki-Way and University Leadership.

I am a Crooked Arrow
The Man Killed the Bird…
Trepanning Trio
INS Recordings

A couple years ago, Icelandic post rock quartet Sigur Ros performed at the Allen Theatre on PlayhouseSquare. They shared the stage that night Amiina — a minimalist, contemporary classical quartet/avant-chamber ensemble which decorates its work with ambient electronic loops. If you were there that night (or such sounds offer some intrigue for you as a listener), then the dual releases by Trepanning Trio are a no-brainer.

The group, named after trephination surgery (hole drilled into the human skull in an effort to cure seizures, migraines, and mental disorders by letting evil spirits escape) offers haunting soundscapes and couldn’t be more aptly named. It’s a “passion project” of Infinite Number of Sounds co-founder and producer David Mansbach and started back in 1998.

With a slate of musicians from all over the US and UK, Mansbach and company recorded a bevy of handmade and original instruments — strewing hours of material across miles of tape and hard drive space. Mansbach poured over the results, structuring two distinctive releases — I am a Crooked Arrow, an assemblage of string-based compositions and songs inspired by film and literature; The Man Killed the Bird… is a contrast piece, stark and improvisational. The latter reminded this reviewer of the spirit found in the defunct Red {an orchestra} and on King Crimson’s Thrak Attak, even if it doesn’t jive stylistically with either. Both of these discs are stunning, sweeping and very cinematic… and they’ll be reproduced live (see below). Even this early in the game, this could be the release and show of the year all at once. Don’t miss either.

Ten musicians will assemble at the Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Rd., this Friday, February 13 to perform selections from I am a Crooked Arrow and The Man Killed the Bird… Details on the Trepanning Trio at http://www.trepanningtrio.com. Learn more about the CD release show at http://www.beachlandballroom.com.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

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

CEI, Squire-Sanders Infected Cleveland Politics

“The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. has been caught so red-handed”’ in its predatory anti-competitive activities that a CEI lawyer had to admit guilt in the hope he could bamboozle the jury enough to avoid losing up to $150 million in damages,” I wrote as the city pursued its anti-trust case against CEI in 1980.

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey lead lawyer John Lansdale admitted this deception in his opening address to the jury.

“Yes,” he said, “We refused to wheel PASNY (Power Authority of State of New York) power… because it would have given Muny [now called Cleveland Public Power, pictured] cheaper power” than CEI could produce. Any outside electric power to the city’s system had to travel over CEI’s lines with it approval.

Lansdale told the jury: “We did not wish to interconnect. We did not wish to help Muny. We wished to serve customers directly.”

In other words, CEI wanted a 100 percent monopoly…

Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

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

Dido and Aeneas @ Josaphat Arts Hall 1/31 From the pert, pleated-skirted school girls and their saucy prologue to the screaming witches cursing our hero and heroine from the balcony Dido & Aeneas (as envisioned by Apollo’s Fire) never had it so good… Read more from Laura Kennelly here

Mahalia: A Gospel Musical @ Cleveland Play House 2/4 Mahalia: A Gospel Musical, which is now in production at the Cleveland Play House [pictured], fulfills all the requirements for a Black History month offering. It tells a history of a black icon, who not only played an important role in both establishing a major Black arts contribution, but also affected African-American history. A dynamic gospel epic by Tom Stolz, Mahalia is a thinly veiled history lesson that takes a nostalgic glance back at the Civil Rights Movement through the vocals of Mahalia Jackson — friend and confident of Martin Luther King..

Read more from Roy Berko here

Hairspray @ Palace Theatre 2/6 One of the fears of seeing a touring show of a production which is being showcased again after a couple of previous visits, is that it will have a “not ready for prime time cast,” few of the original theatrical effects, inferior settings and poor musical quality… Read more from Roy Berko here

A Mid-Winter Musical Interlude @ Hanna Perkins Center 2/8 It would be reasonable to think that most of those in attendance at Sunday’s A Mid-Winter Musical Interlude (presented by M.U.S.i.C.) had never heard a bandoneon in concert. In fact, I’d bet that most of us had never even heard of one… Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street @ Lakeland College Civic Theater 2/8
Must-see shivers: Martin Friedman’s masterful production of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd may be the most satisfying theatre you’ll experience all year… Read more from Linda Eisenstein 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

Loving on Cool Cleveland It’s hard to write this without sounding like a giggling schoolgirl, so bear with me if it comes across that way. OK, so maybe I’m stating the obvious here, but I want to go on record and say THANK YOU. Thank you for once again giving me “content” — real actual content for my reading pleasure. Cleveland has a lot of niche groups and CC does a good job of bridging the gap. I most always learn something, marvel at someone or want to attend an event contained in my CC newsletter. We never tire of hearing positive feedback, so here’s to you. Keep up the good work!!!!
From Cool Cleveland reader Roseanne Lewis-Maloney lewismaloneyATsbcglobal.net

Hello Mr Mulready. You make Cleveland a better place. Thank you.
From Cool Cleveland reader and Facebook friend Paulius Nasvytis, founder of Velvet Tango Room

I love Cool Cleveland – keeps me in tune with a city i adore. please add me!
From Cool Cleveland reader and Facebook friend Hillary Hempstead Cut and Paste Design

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) Jonathon Sawyer is building The Greenhouse Tavern on East 4th Street, down the block from Lola, and he gave Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready a tour of the construction.
Watch the video interview and TheGreenHouseTavern.com

2) Cool Cleveland Carnaval on sale at “Recessionista” prices for Feb 21 at Silk, with Brazilian Band, costumes, contests, and more.
VIP ticket discount and General admission ticket discount

3) The Wink That Just Won’t Go Away Mansfield Frazier on the outrage over John Coleman waving at President Barack Obama, getting suspended for it, and then quitting.
CoolCleveland.com

4) Scoping Out the Old Arcade by managing editor Peter Chakerian.
CoolCleveland.com

5) Are you hip to the Closing Room on Lorain? If not, might wanna jog over.
MySpace.com/TheRoomOnLorain

Follow along with your friendly neighborhood Hard Corps and keep lovin’ on your city a little. Heartfelt thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, David Budin, Claudia J. Taller, Linda Eisenstein, Kelly Ferjutz, Jeffrey Bowen, Mansfield B. Frazier, Roldo Bartimole, Deb Dockery, Jeannie Fleming-Gifford and Freeze Miser. This episode was brought to you by the long-gone RantBoard and Two White Russians. 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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–Thomas Mulready
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