Cool Cleveland 03.3-03.10.04 <
Cleveland area election results
Kerry wins Ohio, Kucinich ties Edwards for 2nd in Cuyahoga County No surprises here, except possibly the emergence of Ohio as a critical swing state in the general election in the Fall. President Bush probably can’t win in Ohio on the issues of the economy, unemployment and outsorcing. Is that why he wants to talk about banning gay marriage?
Hagan defeats McCormack for County Commissioner Both candidates had proven themselves, and their differences in leadership style were probably not as apparent to the voters. Name recognition and a big war chest probably tipped it in favor of Hagan.
Issue 30 passes with 61% With all the support of the Commissioners and the County machinery, this important renewal (not a tax increase), passed easily (and fortunately).
Issue 31 fails with 46% True, it’s a heartbreaking defeat, but the real story is in what did happen: the arts and cultural community of Cleveland united and spoke as one voice; grass-roots process proved tremendously powerful; a new political force has risen with Cleveland’s creative class. It’s only a matter of time before public funding for the arts becomes a reality in our region. And this group will drive the economic development agenda.
Schools split Voters in Lakewood and Cleveland Heights passed their levys, while South Euclid/Lyndhurst and Brecksville said no, with some (Parma, Independence, Garfield) turning them down 2 to 1 or worse. Everyone knows that Ohio’s system for funding schools is unconstitutional and illegal, and none of our communities will be able to continue passing levies every 2-3 years. When will we insist that the state legislature make a change?
Other results Cuyahoga County Public Library passed it’s tax levy easily with 55%. Lakewood will remove the blight designation on the West End, effectively dropping the other shoe on last Fall’s West End project defeat that also left Mayor Madeline Cain out of a job.
For complete local results, see Cuyahoga County Board of Elections CuyahogaCounty.us/BOE
CoolCleveland.com relaunches Now you can check our recommended current events, see all the archives, submit your cool announcements, and register for the Cool Cleveland newsletter. Check out our Cool Cleveland gear and pick up a stainless steel coffee mug, a hoodie or boxer shorts. Special thanks to our partners at Optiem for their design. Stay tuned for more features. See www.CoolCleveland.com
Faith Popcorn on advertising Futurist and trendspotter Faith Popcorn is paid big bucks to prognosticate. From the Advertising Educational Foundation site: What do you think about the advertising business today? How will it evolve? Faith Popcorn: “I think it’s on its way to extinction. In three to five years you will see consumers rejecting advertising-which will cause agencies to scramble as they try to make a living. Right now, they are opening trend departments, public-relations arms and viral-marketing departments. It’s about trying to reinvent themselves — but they are very late to the game.” Read a longer excerpt here: www.AEF.com
Jonsson wins commission Icelandic native and long-time Clevelander Hildur Asgeirsdottir Jonsson was recently commissioned by the Ohio Arts Council to create art for the winners of the Governor’s Awards for the Arts, to be presented at the Riffe Center for Art and Government in Columbus on 3/25 on Arts Advocacy Day. Clevelanders can see the work in a special preview reception Mon 3/8 from 6-9PM at Heights Arts, 2173 Lee Road in Cleveland Hts. Call 371-3457 or 371-3344. HeightsArts.org
Regionalism via suburban mayors The latest effort to focus on regional solutions to the area’s suffering economy is The Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association annoucing their intention to band together to create an economic development authority and bank that would invest millions of dollars in job growth. Read more.
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The future is in the Flats! At Stonebridge condominiums, you can enjoy amazing downtown, lake and river views in your new construction flat and townhouse. Living in this new, 12-story building, you can lounge on your own roof deck, enjoy your balcony, or look out the expansive windows. Both 1 and 2 bedroom units with 1-2 baths are available. Amenities include sleek granite counters, stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors. Imagine cooking or entertaining in your custom kitchen! Other perks include in-suite laundry, parking, tax abatement and reduced interest rate financing. Get in on Stonebridge’s hot contemporary design. Flats start at $149,900, and townhouses start at $294,900. See floor plans and photos online at www.ProgressiveUrban.com
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Toyota sponsors eBay The latest effort to tap the advertising potential of the Internet can be seen in Toyota Motor Corporation’s agreeing to become the first exclusive automotive sponsor on eBay, the online auction site, in a deal estimated at $4 million that promotes Toyota cars and trucks on special eBay pages and in online charity auctions. Toyota spends more than other auto makers: $35 million in the first 3 quarters of ’03, up from $14 million in ’01. See NYTimes.com
Steel rears its ugly head Two years ago today, it wasn’t at all clear that anyone would ever again make steel in Cleveland. Today, ISG employs 1,300 people in Cleveland and produces so much steel that it may reopen facilities that even the most optimistic analysts assumed were shuttered for good. From its lean corporate headquarters in Richfield, ISG has bought the assets of three other bankrupt rivals. If and when its latest acquisition, Weirton Steel, is finalized, ISG will be the largest domestic steelmaker. Just when we were starting to breathe a little easier. See Read more.
How to collaborate Check out Chris Thompson’s commentary on The Fund for Our Economic Future, the collaborative effort by area foundations: “Northeast Ohio rarely moves without achieving collaboration, but not necessarily inclusion. Indeed the Fund For Our Economic Future took shape over a two-year period that required exceedingly careful nurturing. JumpStart Inc. was only formed after months and months of contentious negotiations. Team NEO took well over a year to go from plan to reality. And who knows when the pending merger of three Cleveland business organizations will finally result in action (see story below). All of those initiatives offer much promise to change the region. They need to overcome their laborious beginnings and move with the boldness and speed required in such challenging times.” In other words, get off the pot. See CrainTech here: www.CrainTech.com
Greater Cleveland Partnership With all the groups getting together these days, you’d think that something would be getting done. Here’s another one representing local businesses, born late last year when three prominent corporate organizations merged, which has finally done something: they’ve picked a new name. Read more.
Air pollution Radio giant Clear Channel Communications Inc. has announced a “zero-tolerance” broadcast policy designed to keep indecent material off the airwaves of its 1,200 or so radio stations, including the nine it owns in Greater Cleveland. The policy comes the day after the San Antonio company announced the firing of a DJ whose sexually explicit morning show antics prompted a proposed $755,000 fine from the Federal Communications Commission last month. First, we’ve gotta see the guidelines for “indecent.” Then, we’ll see how long this policy is enforced. Let me guess: until Clear Channel gets its licenses renewed? See Read more.
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The New Sound: Les Paul and the Electric Guitar is the new permanent exhibit dedicated to the work of 1988 Hall of Fame Inductee Les Paul that will be part of a permanent exhibit space on the Museum’s second floor entitled “The Architects of Rock and Roll.” The name Les Paul is synonymous with the electric guitar. In 1941, Paul built his first solid-body electric guitar, and made refinements to his prototype throughout the decade. He also worked on refining the technology of sound, developing revolutionary engineering techniques such as close miking, echo delay and multi-tracking. This exhibit will look at the development of the electric guitar, as well as Paul’s inventions in the area of recording. See many items loaned by Paul including “The Clunker,” an Epiphone guitar Paul customized and subsequently used to record most of his hits. See this and other artifacts including the the first Electric Guitar from 1952. Les Paul and his band will perform on Fri 3/5 at 8PM on the Museum’s Main Stage. Tickets are $20. Exhibit opens to the public at 10AM on 3/6. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1 Key Plaza. www.RockHall.com
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Another reason to like Cleveland In order to encourage water conservation, Anaheim, California, is conducting a trial to encourage homeowners to replace their lawns with artificial grass. If successful, the Metropolitan Water District plans to pay residents to do it, as they do now for the replacement of water-wasting toilets. The LA Times article can be found on the Sierra Activist site: www.SierraActivist.org
Campus housing at CSU? Cleveland State University is about to double on-campus housing and open a second suburban center in eastern Cuyahoga County. See Read more.
Case scientist threatens court fight A Case Western Reserve University scientist says he will go to court if the State Board of Education approves a 10th-grade biology lesson plan he claims will give teachers a green light to teach “intelligent design.” See Read more.
AIP becomes Web Association Born out of the ashes of the now defunct Association of Internet Professionals (AIP), a new professional group will take shape in Cleveland as The Web Association. The nonprofit group will focus on Web-related issues, education and professional networking. Topics will cover local, national and global issues and how they affect Cleveland and its business community. Its first event is scheduled for Tue 3/30, at 11:30AM at Windows On The River, with a luncheon on the topic The State of Cleveland Internet. Paul Elliott, interim president of the group says, “Our goal is to continue the growth and energy we saw under the former organization and give it our own, special touch.” One of the first agenda items for the new organization is a branding and awareness campaign, part of which will be to develop a new logo, and they’ll be calling on local designers and advertisers to enter a logo by 3/16. The winning logo will be unveiled at the first event, and the winner will enjoy free membership in the group, corporate or personal publicity, as well as special discounts throughout the year. More info: info@webassociation.org or call 373-0305 www.webassociation.org
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A Road Map Cleveland is in search of solutions for its future. At REI@Weatherhead, we’re one of the lead architects of Cleveland’s innovation economy. Not content to offer solutions off the shelf, we’re engaging interested citizens in an open-source process of dialogue and inclusion for exploring global strategies for our region. Coming up, a Making Change Workshop at the cool Peter B. Lewis Building, that picks up where our last conference left off: Making Change: Networks for our Innovation Economy. This will be an interactive and pro-active discussion about the ongoing Making Change civic initiatives Fri 3/12 from 3 to 5PM in Room 103 of the Peter B. Lewis Building on the campus of CWRU. For more info, send e-mail to fcw2@weatherhead.cwru.edu or go to http://weatherhead.case.edu/rei/events/event.cfm
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Regionalism via GOP Republicans can’t get off the dime in Cuyahoga County, so when they suggested streamlining County government, holding non-partisan elections and installing a single County Executive, many scoffed. But by agreeing to partisan elections (read: Dems win) suggested by the Citizens League, the petition to put a charter government initiative on the November ballot may get legs. www.ReformCuyahoga.com.
Gay rights updates President Bush urged Congress to pass the Federal Marriage Amendment and send it to the states for ratification, although the amendment’s support in Congress is shaky. *** Thirteen days after Governor Bob Taft said the “defense of marriage” act allows local governments to establish domestic partner registries, a Cleveland Heights council member used the new law to sue his own city against the only registry in the state. Both stories and more at www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com
Anti-gay policy costly Your local Boy Scout troop could lose nearly half a million dollars a year in United Way funding because of the organization’s national policy against gays. The United Way of Central Ohio recently adopted a policy requiring the 80 organizations it funds to sign a nondiscrimination pledge or lose funding. See Ohio.com
Testing kills love of literature? Relentless testing of reading and writing may cause students to hate reading. “When teachers are under pressure to get so many pupils to such-and-such a point, in order to meet an externally imposed target, they have to do things – for the sake of the school – that might not be things they’d do for the sake of the children,” states author Philip Pullman. http://education.guardian.co.uk
Op-ed poetry Until recently, poetry was a standard feature in American newspapers, and some papers even had in-house poets. Why isn’t it like that anymore? Poetry isn’t viewed by newspaper editors (nor by most American poets) as a primary medium of popular political and economic expression. It’s seen as a way to express personal feelings, and best-suited for the pages of small literary journals. But the first recognized political commentators, the first political talking heads and the first true Op-ed professionals were bards. Before there was even writing, members of ruling elites never really knew where they stood until the old blind guy with the lyre posted the insiders scorecard in rhyme. Make sure you drop us an email if you’d like to see Cool Cleveland all in verse. Meanwhile, we’ll continue to feature Cool Cleveland writers and poets (including samples of their poetry) on a regular basis. See the Intellectual Conservative here: www.IntellectualConservative.com
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Senekunya Many Voices, One Family offers a rare view into a sub-Sarahan Africa village, with a “Hogon” hut reserved for the village leader, a mosque, granaries, a hunter’s hut, a “Toguna” where male council members meet, and much more, all arranged around a typical village setting with rare sculptures, carvings, textiles, ceremonial masks, musical instruments and Tutsi spears. How did all these amazing artifacts and objects find their way into the Cleveland Museum of Natural History? By way of native Clevelander and Museum trustee Willard F. Harper, Ph.D., who served as a United Nations diplomat to many African nations. The exhibit is large enough for children and adults to enter and explore. Bring the family down starting Sat 3/13 for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 1 Wade Oval Drive, 231-4600 http://www.cmnh.org/senenkunya.html
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Googlemania! They named their new search engine Google, for the biggest number they could imagine. But it wasn’t big enough. Today Google’s a library, an almanac, a settler of bets. It’s a parlor game, a dating service, a shopping mall. It’s a Microsoft rival. It’s a verb. At more than 200 million requests a day, it is, by far, the world’s biggest search engine. And now, on the eve of a very public stock offering, it’s cast as savior, a harbinger of rebirth in the Valley. Cool Cleveland follows some of the same principles: text only, “sponsored links,” a compact with users to maintain integrity. www.Wired.com.
Performing arts in Cleveland “Doing theater anywhere is a struggle; in Cleveland, it is particularly heroic,” says Peter Hackett, outgoing artistic director of The Cleveland Play House. The sour economy, an erosion of corporate and individual support, diminishing audiences, and increasing competition for the entertainment dollar all contribute to the performing arts’ precarious state. Check this in-depth overview of the state of the (performing) arts in Cleveland, covering CPT, Dobama, Ensemble, CPH, GLTF, and funding issues. See www.ClevelandJewishNews.com
Arboretum seeks volunteers The Holden Arboretum in Kirtland is looking for volunteers for its Land Steward program. Volunteers will be trained to remove invasive plants and to restore native plant communities. Read more.
No longer an immigrant magnet America is experiencing record levels of immigration, but Cleveland is a shadow of its former self, a “former gateway” city. A recent study by the Brookings Institution put us alongside Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Baltimore. In contrast are “emerging gateways” like Atlanta and Washington, D.C., and by “re-emerging gateways” like Seattle and Minneapolis, cities that lost their immigrant pull in the mid-20th century but recently regained their magnetism. What do we need to do to get back on that list? Read more.
Florida all wet? The gospel of the “creative class” as preached by Carnegie Mellon business professor Richard Florida is coming under question, in fact, according to The Boston Globe “an anti-Florida Tsunami is gaining momentum,” mostly due to Pepperdine’s Joel Kotkin who found that “creative” cities like Boston, NYC and SF are the “lost bubble children of the 1990’s”: pricey and overreliant on tech, while Florida’s creative losers Las Vegas, Atlanta, San Antonio and West Palm Beach actually gained the most jobs in 2003, topped by Riverside/San Bernadino (660,000 new residents since 1990), “a hipster urbanite’s idea of sprawling hell on earth.” See Boston.com here.
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Cleveland’s BlackCoat Have you seen it on some of the city’s best-dressed? Designed in Cleveland and made in the USA, Koyono’s mysterious new BlackCoat is the ultimate raincoat/overcoat alternative for (cool) Cleveland’s mobile and creative professional. Its uncompromising simplicity and quality balance Style, Performance and Utility. It can be worn for business or casual, and has great adaptability with its 3-in-1 design. Secretly equipped with 11 compartments to hold everything from your phone, PDA, iPod, airline tickets… even a small laptop. Koyono will be selling the BlackCoat a la carte (shell and vest liner separate), as well as the already popular Slimmy wallet (The Slimmest Wallet on Earth) at Beachwood Mall until the middle of March. For a limited time only, buy the BlackCoat Hytrel shell for $199.00 and get the vest for FREE. That’s a $200 savings! Watch for the BlackCoat to make an appearance on TV and in the movies. Call 556-0802 or 496-3702 http://www.koyono.com
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Supporting the vision Jerome and Lawrence Schmelzer didn’t have plans to sell units in their converted office building when they rennovated it into the Apartments of the Pointe at Gateway five years ago (they’ve owned the building since 1936). Now the Schmelzers are offering condos for sale at the Pointe, a 42-unit, eight-story building at 750 Prospect Avenue. Schmelzer, who is marketing the units with Progressive Urban Real Estate, said he is selling the units because for-sale housing is in demand and interest rates are low, and it’s right in line with Mayor Jane Campbell’s stated desire to see thousands of new homes and condos in Cleveland. See Read more.
Secret Pentagon study predicts massive global warming, chaos & wars A secret report, suppressed by US defense officials points to nuclear conflict, mega-droughts, famine and widespread rioting erupting across the world, plus other disasters. Wasn’t Washington saying, just a few days ago, that there was no such thing as global warming? http://observer.guardian.co.uk
Performance art rises in LA With the assertion that “performance art is on the rise again,” a new performance art space is opening in Los Angeles on Sat 3/6 featuring some alumni of Cleveland’s Performance Art Festival, in an evening that “promises thoughful moments and hilarious laughs provided by spectacular talent from all over the world,” with artists from Italy, France, Belgium, and Boston. It’s a gutsy move in a difficult environment—and we wish them the best. If you’re in L.A. this weekend, it’s only $5 with free parking. Dangerous Curve, call 213-617-8483 www.DangerousCurve.org
Teen brains and low motivation A brain imaging study reveals teen brains show less activity in regions associated with motivation. The right ventrial striatum appears to be under-active, resulting in teens seeking extreme behaviors to achieve normal levels of stimulation in this brain region. http://www.newscientist.com
Sputnik gets air We rarely find a good reason to ask you to watch more television. Cleveland band Sputnik (Alan Grandy, Jeff Harmon, Jay Bentoff) just found out that the song Alienne, from their debut CD I, Cosmonaut, will be featured on the new FOX Network show Wonderfalls. The tentative air date for the episode featuring the song is Fri 5/14 at 9PM. Watch Cool Cleveland for a review of the new CD soon.
Cool Cleveland This Week
Send your events to EventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom
Underpants Steve Martin’s adaptation of the Carl Sternheim turn-of-the-century farce was the most talked about stage comedy in New York during the 2001 season. A young, beautiful woman married to a boorish bureaucrat longs for a little adventure. She gets more than she bargained for after her bloomers “accidentally” fall to her ankles during a town parade. Suddenly, the room she’s been trying to rent for months becomes the most sought-after lodging in town by several men who witnessed the indiscretion. Get in on some serious silliness Wed 3/3 running thru 3/28. Call 795-7000. Cleveland Play House, 1501 Euclid Ave. or visit http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com
Shakespeare Cabaret at Phoenix Coffee partnering up to create an evening for lovers of coffee and Shakespeare. Enjoy an evening of drama, delicious desserts, wine and fabulous coffee! Cleveland Shakespeare Festival’s company will perform Midsummer (Abridged) –a mad romp through the Bard’s most beloved comedy, featuring 4 actors and 40 minutes of fun. French press coffee will be served using this most fabulous brewing method. Tremont’s own Seballos’ Desserts prepared by pastry chef Ron Seballos will present fantastically beautiful and wickedly good pastries Thu 3/4 at 7:30-9:30PM. Make reservations at 932-8227 as these events sell out. Phoenix Coffee, 2287 Lee Road in Cleveland Hts. http://www.phoenixcoffee.com
African American Faith Communities exhibition of photographs by Michael S. Levy; see moving images in black and white, opening reception is Thu 3/4 from 5-7PM, sponsored by The Center for Sacred Landmarks and the Levin College Forum Program. Cleveland State University, Exhibition Gallery, 1717 Euclid Ave. Call 523-7495 or visit http://www.urban.csuohio.edu/forum/gallery
Walk or bike to school…but nowhere else? A preview of what the federal transportation bill may do to bicycling, walking, and health in America’s communities. The transportation bills now in Congress includes a new Safe Routes to School program to help kids walk and bike to school, but they may find streets inhospitable to pedestrians and bicyclists because of other provisions in the bill. This has long-term implications for the nation’s health. Get in on the audio conference Thu 3/4 at 11AM Eastern. Please contact Barbara Mc Cann? for call-in information at bmccann@verizon.net or call 202-641-1163
Music for Choice presented by March for Women’s Lives Coalition; rock today and march tomorrow while getting down on estrogen-enhanced rock with Verbal C, Vernacular, Frostiva and Burning Sage at the Beachland. Hang around for the special screening of the award winning short film Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness Fri 3/5 at 7:30PM, and enter to win a pair of tickets to the March for Women’s Live in Washington, DC this April. 15711 Beachland Ballroom in Collinwood. 383-1124. http://www.beachlandballroom.com
The New Sound: Les Paul and the Electric Guitar new exhibit that will be part of a permanent exhibit space on the Museum’s second floor entitled “The Architects of Rock and Roll,” including many items loaned by Paul like “The Clunker,” an Epiphone guitar Paul customized and subsequently used to record most of his hits. To mark the opening of this exhibit, Les Paul and his band will perform on the Museum’s Main Stage Fri 3/5 at 8PM. Rock Hall, 1 Key Plaza. http://www.rockhall.com
ArtMart: Spaces 19th Annual Members’ Show and Sale Add color to your life with delectable food and enjoy live music while mingling and meeting artists Fri 3/5 from 5-9PM. See over 100 artists showing off paintings, sculpture, jewelry, prints and installations. SPACES, 2220 Superior Viaduct on the West side of the Flats. 621-2314 or visit http://www.spacesgallery.org
WCLVnotes Back in 1962, Robert Conrad started a three hour program on Saturdays called “WCLV Saturday Night”. The show featured lots of comedy, folk music and odds and ends. It had a long run – until 1989 – when Robert’s wife Jean persuaded him that there were other things to do on Saturday night besides go to a radio studio. The spirit of this popular show lives on in “Weekend Radio”, a nationally distributed spin off that debuted in 1982. You have three chances to catch “Weekend Radio” – Saturdays at 10PM and Sundays at 7PM on WCLV 104.9 and Sundays at 8 PM on WRMR 1420 AM. And past shows are archived on WCLV’s website. This coming weekend’s program salutes weather reporters with bits by Chevy Chase, John Belushi, George Carlin and John Cleese. Also, there’ll be the weekly episode of Bob and Ray’s “Mary Backstayge, Nobel Wife”. A Cool Cleveland partner http://www.wclv.com
Hardware III a tactical industrial assault on the dancefloor with djs Cable, Ash and Darks Choir spinning industrial/hard trance/ebm/future pop. Then harden it up in Room II with djs Nameless, Archimedes and Desolation spinning powernoise to shake that migraine of yours Fri 3/5 at 10PM. Phantasy Nite Club, 11802 Detroit Ave in Lakewood. 228-6300 or visit http://www.phantasyconcertclub.com
Ties That Bind: A Woman’s Journey a new collection of mixed media, sculpture, paintings, and photography by 16 female artists from Northeast Ohio, opening reception happens Fri 3/5 from 6-8PM. Stop in to meet artists, engage in dialoge and fuel up on light food and refreshments. Support our local art and see how Edge is helping revitalize Downtown and the Euclid Corridor. Edge Art Gallery, 1844 Euclid Ave. 241-7120
Meet The Champions The Cleveland Foundation’s Civic Innovation Lab will present their first four Champion winners: Dr. Colin Drummond of Microsystems Academy, Peter Gozar of the Cleveland Rowing Foundation, Steve Goldberg of NEOBio and Thomas Mulready of Cool Cleveland Fri 3/5 from 7:30AM – 9:30 AM at the Cleveland City Club, 850 Euclid Ave. This is a free event, but registration is required Send an email to info@cicicnnovationlab.org
Def Poetry Jam Russel Simmon’s theatrical wordsmiths are touring and they’re winners of the 2003 Tony Award. New York Times calls it “Exuberant, powerful and electric.” Connect with urban and edgy spoken word Sat 3/6 for two shows, at 5PM and 9PM. Playhouse Square Center, 1501 Euclid Ave. Call 241-6000 or get tickets online at http://www.playhousesquare.com
Ubiquity a night of funk/jazz/hip-hop/downtempo as Touch welcomes John Arnold and John Beltran from Detroit’s Ubiquity Recordings; you’ll want to hear what Detroit’s djs are up to Sat 3/6 10PM at Touch Supper Club, 2710 Lorain Ave. 631-5200 or visit http://www.touchsupperclub.com
23° and Rising Gisela Towner curates the inaugural show at new artspace Paradise Gallery, owned by Rick Silverman, with an opening reception on Sat 3/6 7-11PM, featuring art by Barbara Merritt, David Szekeres, the Glass Bubble Project and others. Paradise Gallery, 2199 Lee Road (S. of Cedar) 554-5548.
Ms Super Nobody and urban comedy diva Cody Dove formally of Second City Comedy hit the stage with Kathy Dice, Tim Cornet, and big sexy Lestor Graham Sat 3/6, show starts 10PM. Cheap Yucks will be followed by music in the tavern. The Winchester, 12112 Madison in Lakewood. http://www.clevelandyucks.com
Arts Education Fair Northeast Ohio is home to many institutions of higher learning that provide a superb education in the visual, literary, performing, and musical arts. Representatives from regional colleges and universities will available to present opportunities available for a degree in the arts. If you know an older teen looking towards college, or if you’re an adult wanting to further your education, come by Sat 3/6 from 11AM-2PM to see how you can pursue an arts career. Participating institutions include: Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Institute of Art Virginia Marti College of Art & Design, Cleveland State University and others. Cleveland Heights-University Heights Main Library, 2345 Lee Road in Cleveland Hts.
Harvey Pekar@MACC Center Stage He was the favorite at last year’s Sundance and Cannes film festivals, and critics hailed the film as one of the best of the year. Even best actor winner Sean Penn lamented in his acceptance speech that Paul Giamatti’s performance as Pekar was overlooked by the Academy. Meet the man who started it all Sat 3/6 at 7PM; MACC urges guests to arrive before 7 as these events sell out. Call 254-6718 for info. Lakewood Public Library, 117th St. http://www.lkwdpl.org
The Artist’s Way learn to release life-long fears and blocks, liberate your inner artist, take yourself on artist dates, explore your spirituality while expressing yourself. This course will help unleash your creative potential; live more fully; help you let go of life-long fears and blocks; empower you to express yourself; experience the support of a healing, artistic circle. Local actress and artist Maura Haas will facilitate this group-driven experience Sat 3/6 from 1-3PM. Aubrey Wertheim Institute, Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center, 6600 Detroit Ave. Call 651-5428 or http://www.lgcsc.org
British Sea Power from South Lakeland and West Yorkshire playing amplified rock; this all-male quartet is sonically somewhere in between Laibach and Belle and Sebastian. They’ve recently toured their homeland as well as Wales and Scotland with Pulp, The Flaming Lips and Interpol. Get hit by Brit rock Sat 3/6 at 9PM. Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Hts Blvd in Cleveland Hts. 321-5588 or visit http://www.grogshop.gs
Bow Ball The Cleveland Rowing Foundation’s fundraiser to support rowing happens this year at the Silver Grille. Listen to Ernie Krivda & his swing orchestra, indulge in hearty appetizers by Ritz Carlton, and swing out with dancing, then you can get in on the live/dutch/silent auctions Sat 3/6. Silver Grille, 200 Prospect Ave. Reservations required, call 440-519-0006 x4 or 440-808-2288 and visit http://www.clevelandrows.org
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Yoel Levi and special guest pianist Emanuel Ax opens its U.S. tour here in Cleveland at Severance Hall. Hear elaborate selections by Prokofiev, Beethoven and Shostakovich. The event is underwritten by private individuals celebrating the Jewish Community Federation’s Centennial year, and marks the first performance of the orchestra here since the 1970s, Sun 3/7 at 7:30PM. 11001 Euclid Ave. 231-1111 for tickets or http://www.clevelandorch.com/html/Severance/SevHistory.asp
UpEnsemble Cleveland’s own jazz quartet’s been giving jazz and art enthusiasts a good reason to go out on the first Sunday of every month. Musical artists Matt Charboneau, Andy Hunter (back from his China tour) and Beau Lisy open their studio and host an evening of art attacking the senses Sun 3/7 at 7PM. Up Ensemble? will perform with special guest Jackie Warren and feature a special performace by Orthology. Visual artist includes photographer David Schwartz. No cover charge, but bring your fave beverage. You can also crash out on cushy sofas and listen to them at their regular Friday gig at Lola in Tremont. 5340 Hamilton Ave. For info and directions visit http://www.upensemble.com/upschedule.html
Ohioans for Growth and Equality our state’s non-partisan LGBT advocacy organization (OGE) with Chair Tim Downing will speak on plans to battle the Federal Marriage Amendment in the U.S. Congress and formation of LGBT caucus of the Ohio Democratic Party. He’ll also report on OGE’s recent work and future plans Mon 3/8 at 6:30PM. The Lesbian Gay Community Center of Greater Cleveland: 6600 Detroit Ave. 647-7437 or http://www.clevelandstonewalldemocrats.org and http://www.ohioansforgrowth.org/index.html
Cleveland Bridge Builders Mix and mingle with CBB board members, Flagship Program alumni and others at the open house, giving prospective participants a chance to talk with other “CBBers.” It’s open to the public, so drop in and see what goes on at CBB and learn how to get involved Mon 3/8 from 5:30PM to 7:30PM. Trinity Commons, 2230 Euclid Ave. 776-6166 or email info@clevelandbridgebuilders.org and visit http://www.clevelandbridgebuilders.org
Annual Creativity Showcase The Cleveland Advertising Association (CAA) presents an informative talk with Thomas Mulready, principal and founder of Mulready GROUP? and creator of Cool Cleveland?.com discussing “Creating Cool Cleveland.” Check it out Wed 3/10 starting 11:30AM at Windows on the River. A half hour of networking will be followed by lunch at noon, with Mulready’s talk to follow. Reservations required by noon on Tue 3/9. Call 440-673-0020. At 2000 Sycamore. Register online at http://www.clevead.com
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They Say
Conversations with Lyz and Kristin Bly in their home/gallery
For the most part, the whole Cleveland provinciality thing can be irksome. Who’s better – the east side or the west side? Maybe a B-list Stephen Sondheim musical would clear it all up – and later – when it was made into a movie, we could all skip over to Lakewood to the coolest video store around with the best “B” selection movies. There you’d meet B-Ware Video founders Eddie and Natalie Wille, who started their rental shop in 1997. Since then, the couple has more than tripled their collection and succeeded in filling a cult niche for a huge geographical region…
Read Lyz and Kristin Bly’s interview with B-Ware’s Eddie and Natalie Wille
Cool Cleveland Commentary by Tim Connors
Why We Shouldn’t Let My Generation F-f-f-ade Away
For over twenty years Cleveland area music fans seeking huge selection, knowledgeable staff, and reasonable CD prices have been trekking to Westlake to visit My Generation on Detroit Road near Columbia. While there are some good specialty CD shops in Northeast Ohio catering to various niche audiences, My Generation has been the only killer music store between Pittsburgh and Detroit since at least the mid ’90s, when Repeat the Beat closed its Biddulph Plaza store. This past Wednesday, My Generation owners Tom, Sue and Bob Kiss e-mailed their customers to announce “with heavy hearts” that the store is for sale by owner…
Read the Cool Cleveland Commentary by Tim Connors
Cool Cleveland Interview Lou Tisler A recent Plain Dealer story highlighted the First Suburbs Development Council (FSDC) and Director Lou Tisler as a housing innovator in Cleveland Heights. The FSDC is taking a two family house on Beechwood Road – a street filled with nice but tired-looking homes near Severance Town Center – and giving it a complete make-over. No, it’s not Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. The FSDC is re-imagining the ‘Cleveland double’ – so named for its ubiquitous presence in Cleveland and some of its older suburbs – as a snazzy, side-by-side duplex…
Read Lee Chilcote’s interview of Lou Tisler
Kucinich Beat: Interview with Dennis Kucinich
Cool Cleveland covers the candidate
Cool Cleveland: In this week’s debate you asked Senator Kerry how will he get the troops out of Iraq, and he wouldn’t answer. Why?
Representative Dennis Kucinich: My concern is that he doesn’t have a plan to get out, and therefore tends to be there for a while and that’s very dangerous for this country, for the men and women who serve, for the long-term hopes for peace in the world, it’s a central question. I kept pressing him, but still didn’t get the answer…
Read Charlene Coates’ interview with Dennis Kucinich
Blog’s Eye View
What are cool Clevelanders writing on the web?
Sponsored by Smart Meeting Design Getting people on the same page… one meeting at a time. www.SmartMeetingDesign.com
Scott Radke is an Ohio City resident who makes amazing marionettes: http://www.livejournal.com/users/scottradke/: i updated my web site today. i added some of the commissions i have been working on along with a few others. i also updated the picture of my studio- one last time before i move. it’s a ridiculously large image but if you want to peek. i’m really going to miss it.
Instant Karma
quik review of last week’s events
Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 2/27 After the Cleveland Orchestra’s successful trip to Carnegie Hall in New York City they returned to Cleveland this past week and brought along a few souvenirs from their trip. This week’s concert actually felt a bit like a road trip back from N.Y.C. The highlights included a pianist sneezing for percussion effects, orchestra members mumbling, whistling, barking, snapping their fingers and shouting out mambo! I guess this is what can happen after a trip to the big city. The concert began with The Diabelli Variations (for piano and orchestra) arranged by Uri Caine after Beethoven’s Op.120. with Mr. Caine at the piano. Mr. Caine is known in the jazz world for his improvisations on classical music themes from Johann Sebastian Bach to Gustav Mahler. It was a strange battle of the orchestra’s formal side and the improvised world of the pianist. At times the orchestra and Mr. Caine’s music blended beautifully, but mostly it was a struggle. All in all it was an experiment and when it was over we were all a bit stunned. Next stop, Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. It is easy to forget how great the music from West Side Story really can be. Too often we hear this music in less than appropriate conditions, like an elevator for example. It is a real treat to hear this work played by the Cleveland Orchestra and Franz Welser-Most was convincing in bringing the music up to the level it deserves. Final stop, Suite from The Incredible Flutist by Walter Piston. Mr. Piston was Mr. Bernstein’s teacher at one point (do you follow the theme of the night?). A piece filled with polka, waltz and other dance themes (including some barking from a member of the orchestra). By the end of the concert I was ready to get out. It was a bit like a three course meal that included dessert, dessert and dessert. Review by Cool Cleveland correspondent Brian Schriefer briancpa@msn.com
Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write
On regionalism “I personally love this town, and would love for my kids (way down the road when I have some) to grow up and actually be able to get a job here. Some people aren’t thinking like that. The more and more I read about peoople’s reactions to regionalism, the more and more I see that people who are against it aren’t thinking about the future. They’re worried about their preconceived notions that Clevelander’s don’t take care of their neighborhoods, think their tax dollars won’t benefit them if the county and city were to merge, have no pride in the fact that they’re from Greater Cleveland, and could care less if Cleveland was a major player in national economics. They’re not worried because they have a job that they feel isn’t going to move. What have the last couple of years taught this region? We need to change in order to keep our jobs, create new ones, and attract young people to our area. This is that type of change. Want to see a city with a growing population that is working with regionalism? Columbus is one. Every year, they annex off 12 square miles around the city so the city is constantly growing. Wanna know how they do it? They withhold water from surrounding communities and basically say, “merge with us or forget about giving your residents water.” Since Columbus has a larger population, Columbus gets more money from the federal government for things like economic development. How much more culture, diversity, and history does Cleveland have over Columbus? A lot more. Regionalism gives this community hope, when there was none before. We COULD BE the 6th largest city in the nation. This would bring in $500 million dollars to the city for things like economic development. But the people against regionalism very truely don’t even look at that. They’re not worried about the future of our area. They don’t realize that we’re all in this together. I am all for regionalism. I would love for Cleveland to be the 6th largest city in the nation. I would love $500 million dollars of economic development for this town. Cleveland is dying, and regionalism is a chance to save it. How much longer can we sit around and watch it die?” from Cool Cleveland reader Geoff Englebrecht toronaga@ameritech.net
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John Farina’s letter of resignation from the Cuyahoga County Republican Party leadership:”’ It is with both sadness and anger that I must present to you my resignation, effective immediately, from any and all positions (Policy, Finance, Executive and Central committees, Lakewood Ward 4 leader) I hold in the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County. I will be submitting a letter to the Board of Elections withdrawing my name from consideration for Central Committee on March 2. In fact, on March 2, I will be pulling a Democratic ballot – effectively ending my 20 year association with the GOP…
Read John Farina’s letter
Top 5
We use Idea Star?.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) Building in the Flats Cleveland developer Doug Price and K&D Group Inc. partner Bob Corna are planing to build a 100,000-square-foot structure in the Flats
Here
2) Psychologist finds why luck happens and the results may surprise you.
Here.
3) Michigan Cool Cities Cleveland should be doing this!
Here
4) BlackCoat Blowout! You were all lovin’ Koyono’s cool coats (and tasty prices) last week
Here
5) Free Times election endorsements Apparently, Cool Cleveland readers don’t just pay attention to TV ads and the major media.
here
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Doing it Hard Corps style The dedicated group of hardcorps work non-stop to get Cool Cleveland to you. Thanks to Deb Remington, Tisha Nemeth, Lyz & Kristin Bly, Charlene Coates, Brian Schriefer, Lee Chilcote, Tim Connors and George Nemeth who are just a few of the writers and contributors collaborating to bring you Cleveland’s important stuff. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: EventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom
See the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine. Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time. Read Thomas Mulready’s column Up Front in the Free Times. Send your cool events to: EventsAtCoolClevelandDotCom For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-mail newsletter, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com
Thanks and congrats to
everyone who helped.
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