Connecting

Connecting

In this week’s issue:
* Cool Cleveland podcast click here and Cool Cleveland blog click here
* Cool Cleveland Interview Scot Rourke, OneCleveland Project
* Cool Cleveland Night Out in the Heights Thu 6/16. Get your discount tix before midnight 6/15 here
* Cool Cleveland Night Out at Blossom Sat 7/9. Get your discount tix before midnight 6/16 here
* Cool Cleveland Sounds CD review Davenport Collective Compilation
* Cool Cleveland People Brynna Fish, Cleveland Pride Coordinator
* RoldoLINK observes Plain Dealer From the Bottom of the Deck

Cool Cleveland Interview
Scot Rourke

Scot Rourke is an itinerant entrepreneur, dynamic business executive, and an experienced management consultant. Scot has turned around large industrial businesses and advised many early stage high-tech organizations. As president of OneCleveland, the world’s first ultra-broadband community network, he’s launched creation and adoption of innovative technologies, products, and services that boosts prosperity in Northeast Ohio. OneCleveland bought up all the dark fiber (unused fiber-optic cable) under Euclid Avenue from the telcos when then overbuilt in the late ’90s, and now OneCleveland is the low-cost nonprofit provider of community-based ultra-broadband networking services to educational, governmental, arts, cultural, and nonprofit organizations in Greater Cleveland.

Cool Cleveland: You’ve been working with the OneCleveland project now for a couple of years. Besides the nuts and bolts of the technology that is fascinating to those of us who are interested in that, give us a brief idea of what this means to the community… what it could mean to the community, what it should mean to a forward-thinking community.

Scot Rourke: Good question. It varies by person but my passion in this project is really using technology as a tool to help transform the region. My background, in addition to technology, is turnarounds of large businesses. What we’re excited about is the next layer. OneCleveland is about using the technology as an enabler in that we take away all the barriers. So, we try and take away any kind of barriers, sometimes it’s pain, sometimes it’s educational, sometimes it’s technology driven…we take out the barriers to adopting advanced communications and technologies to make sense.

So, my business background tells me to do a return on investment. We certainly want non-profit organizations – government and non-profits, to take advantage of return on investment opportunities. But we’re also interested in enhancing the quality of life. We’re interested in engaging entrepreneurs…
Read the Cool Cleveland Interview with Scot Rourke here

Cool Cleveland Night Out in the Heights Thu 6/16, selling fast!

Grab a great bargain with our Cool Cleveland’s Night out in the Heights on Thu 6/16 starting at 5:30PM here. Hear a special performance from Lee Road’s own poet laureate, Meredith Holmes, a sampling of 80’s music from Kalliope Stage’s current hit “Baby,” and receive a complimentary ticket to Cain Park’s theatrical production of “The Secret Garden” at 8PM (shuttles provided both ways). You and your friends won’t want to miss cool, cultural sounds from the Cleveland Institute of Music students and groovin’ tunes by DJ Anonymous.

Meet up with everyone at Studio You, 2180 Lee Road, then begin noshing on local cuisine that includes complimentary appetizers from area restaurateurs and our incredible open bar with unlimited beer & wine. Order here to get discount by midnight Wed 6/15 and you’ll enjoy Jambalaya and Braised Short Ribs from Brennan’s Colony; European Hungarian Peppers stuffed with Sausage from the Pub on Lee; and exotic Golden Veggie Siam Rolls from Lemon Grass Restaurant. You’ll also get a taste of Jimmy O’Neil’s signature Mini Beet Cakes and Goat Cheese Spinach with Sun Dried Tomato Tarts. This special evening will also include selections from The Lopez Bar and Grille, The Tavern Company, The Stone Oven Bakery and Café, Phoenix Coffee and Chris & Jimmy’s Diner. Lee Road is home to wonderful art galleries and studios such as the Mirage Studio, NONA, Paradise Gallery, Art & Sol, Center Art, HeightsArts and Studio You, where craft meets cool! Complimentary parking after 6PM behind the Cedar-Lee Theatre! Click here to receive more details on our Night Out in the Heights.
http://www.coolcleveland.com/tickets/nightoutfive

Cool Cleveland Night Out at Blossom Sat 7/9 announced

Join us at CC’s first BYOB (“Bring Your own Blanket”) party where you’ll experience Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony (one of his most intense) like never before! The happenings start Sat 7/9 at 6PM before the concert, where you and your friends won’t want to miss partying Cool Cleveland-style just inside Blossom’s main gates. Purchase online here for this incredible bargain.

Your low-cost CC ticket entitles you to a complimentary variety of wines and specialty appetizers before the concert. Check this: parking is also complimentary and you can bring blankets, lawn chairs, Frisbees and whatever else you need to gear down your week and get the party moving. (Hint: think beverage in a bottle with a cork.) Before Tchaikovsky makes center stage, groove to the tunes of DJ Anonymous with special appearances from the Cleveland Orchestra. Your Cool Cleveland admission includes a lawn ticket to the concert.

Buy before midnight Thu 6/16 and you’ll get the wine, the appetizers, a lawn ticket and the CC party for less than the price of a regular lawn ticket alone! Is that sick! And you’ll enjoy the company of Cleveland’s hippest group of young professionals. Click here for the best price for this event, and before next week’s inevitable price increase.
http://www.coolcleveland.com/tickets/nightoutsix

Entrepreneurs on the Cuyahoga Tri-C is launching tomorrow’s economy, and their newest program connects and helps recent college graduates from across the region to start new businesses. Training, support and funding will be available for graduates interested in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures in Northeast Ohio. It’s a first of its kind in the nation, creating a culture of youth-driven entrepreneurship while fostering emerging business leadership. For more information about the program call 987-2962.

Convention Center polling In an effort to get all taxpayers on board, the Convention Facilities Authority voted to pay $18,000 to Triad Research Group to run three focus groups that will help the authority put together a campaign that will resonate with the public. Each group will consist of about 10 people of various ages, races and genders, one in the city and two in the suburbs. Triad will try to ascertain why Cuyahoga County voters either support or oppose a convention center in order to amplify the positive aspects in the upcoming campaign, while being fully prepared to counteract opposition to the center. Read the story here. The convention center concept is moving forward; what should be our best approach? Send your ideas to Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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Looking for a Good Time? Here’s a family event that won’t break the bank: Summerfest 2005 Sat 7/2 and Sun 7/3, both days, noon to midnight. The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds is ground zero for your chance at over 50 bands (Rock, Country, Blues, Reggae, Latin, Disco, Big Band and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra) and Northeastern Ohio’s largest and most extraordinary fireworks display, a motorcycle show, a car show and an art show. Summerfest prices are low so you can bring the whole family while experiencing non-stop entertainment! Other attractions include a rock-n-roll movie theater, a children’s area with entertainment, lots of delicious food, a full service bar with ice cold beer, liquor and vodka slushy drinks. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children under 36 inches tall. Toddlers in strollers are free. For more info contact www.Summerfest05.com
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Pittsburgh goes Downtown An estimated 900 new residential units are scheduled to enter the market in and around the Downtown Pittsburgh area by fall of 2006, and the Downtown Living Initiative program director, Patti Burk, is wildly optimistic about the city’s future as a housing hub. Although Census data shows approximately 3,200 people currently live Downtown, half of them are students, but many are convinced that the boom in housing options would make their Downtown more desirable. Our P’burgh neighbors seem to share the same prevalent attitudes Cleveland has: “Native Pittsburghers don’t see Downtown as a place to live,” stated Burk. To counter this, her organization is sponsoring an event to introduce out-of-towners to the city with the second-annual “Walk and Dine” tour, providing exposure for Downtown residences and restaurants. www.post-gazette.com. Your thoughts on these issues? Send them to Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Sterling attracts IT to Downtown “The building is so high-tech, it’s a wonder it doesn’t glow,” says Dick Taton, president of IntelliNet, on his move to Downtown Cleveland from Richmond Heights to the Sterling Building, also home to security, storage and disaster recovery firm BlueBridge Networks, software developers Pantek, Inc., network computing firm Switch and Data, and the Columbus-based Platform Lab. It’s a veritable technology hub Downtown. See story here. Send your thoughts to Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Cleveland’s building boom Cleveland is in for some good news that will actually translate into revenue for its businesses and citizens. We are experiencing a building boom that will continue into the next several years. Current plans include a host of projects ranging from Scott Wolstein’s plans to renovate the East Bank of the Flats, Cleveland Clinic’s primo heart center, the Steelyard Commons retail project, and the expansion of several local colleges. Local governments stand to make millions in taxes, fees and permits from the estimated $2.3 billion in currently planned projects that will result in a windfall for our region that hopefully won’t leave city residents and minority workers out in the cold. Read the story and see the extensive list of projects in the hopper here. Is the building boom affecting our city? Send your ideas to Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Summer plans for NC Harbor What’s a lakefront harbor to do while waiting for lakefront plans to materialize? Throw a summer long family-friendly fest, of course. ParkWorks is collaborating with Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland Museum of Art and other agencies to make the North Coast Harbor the place to be for families this summer with various events planned for most weekends from late June through September at Bicentennial Park and the lawn between the Rock Hall and the Science Center. Read about the exciting harbor plans here. How could this plan impact the lakefront? Send your thoughts to Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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Rock My Soul, The Black Legacy of Rock-n-Roll will be hosted by the Cleveland Public Library’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch from June 17 to January 21. The visual arts exhibition includes a collection of art created by 10 African-American Detroit-based artists, each inspired by and representing black music of West Africa, spirituals, gospel, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, funk and hip hop. Community events include a two-week summer Rock-n-Art residency for young artists; a mural project; artists’ development workshops; author/illustrator visits; Gospelfests; and West African Drumming and Dance. The exhibition will be open for school tours beginning September 19, and the opening reception is Fri 6/17 at 7:30PM. All programs are free and open to the public. For more info contact (216) 623-2822 or www.cpl.org
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New Inner Belt Bridge ODOT weighed various methods for alleviating the swell of traffic currently borne by the Inner Belt Bridge at a recent open house held at the Myer’s University Club. Proposed plans range from building two new 5 lane bridges, one going east, one heading west, or expansion of the current bridge which already sits on an unstable hillside. Read here about plans to overhaul downtown’s entire freeway system, including straightening out Cleveland’s infamous Dead Man’s Curve. PD architecture and urban design critic Steven Litt thinks we should get the best for the $700 million we’ll be spending on the new Inner Belt so that “Cleveland could have a pair of 21st-century bridges complementing the already large collection of 19th- and 20th-century spans over the river,” that, if done right, could create an entire new neighborhood just South of Gateway (see plan here). See story here.

Web for Ohio City is thriving Looking for a passionate debate about issues that are closest to Cleveland? Then look no further than the 276+ member Yahoo! group comprised mostly of residents and business owners in Ohio City. They’re mad as hell, and they are not afraid to let everyone know it, no matter who you are. Members freely share their positive ideas about how to make what is already a great neighborhood even better. Could this type of intense community fervor be just the model that more of our neighborhoods need to follow? Visit the group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ohiocity and see for yourself, then send us your thoughts at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Award-winning Cool Cleveland After being awarded the first-ever Communicator of the Year award by the International Association of Business Communicators last week at their posh luncheon at Windows on the River (thank you, we were humbled), Cool Cleveland was offered the ultimate compliment: a customized, artist-crafted, one-of-a-kind bobblehead doll. You have to see it to believe it here. Allow us to do some award-winning work for your business. Sit down with us and let’s discuss your business. We’ll even show you the bobblehead. Info@CoolCleveland.com.

Cleve band on Discovery TV Songs by Cleveland’s electro-rock/media-art performance group Infinite Number of Sounds has literally been “discovered,” with two of their tracks to be featured on Discovery Channel’s new series, Urban Explorers. In the second episode, an urban historian, a structural engineer, and two world-class, urban climbers travel back in time to uncover ruins of the “Windy City.” Viewers can explore the hidden corners of Chicago that even the locals don’t know about, and hear rippin’ experimental Cleveland sounds. Check in with Infinite Number of Sounds and their new album, Radio Whales, scheduled for a Cleveland release on Fri 8/12 at the Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road. Call 383-1124. For more information on the Discovery Channel and the Urban Explorers series, visit http://dsc.Discovery.com and visit http://www.InfiniteNumber.com or email david@infinitenumber.com

Singles Night at Jacobs Field Leave work early and come to the ballpark for an exciting night of baseball and a chance to mingle with other eligible singles on Thu 6/16 at 4:30PM. Enjoy the game in discounted Lower Reserved seating and socialize in the Market Pavilion area at the newly constructed, Batter’s Eye Bar where you can keep one eye on the game shown on plasma TVs while keeping the other on the scene. Meet other great Indian’s fans and fall in love…with the Indians all over again. Download the flyer here. Call 420-4159 for info. Jacob’s Field, 2401 Ontario Street. Download the flyer here. Call 420-4159 for info. Jacob’s Field, 2401 Ontario Street. http://www.ClevelandIndians.com

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Get to the Pointe! Let the Pointe at Gateway show you the way to affordable, downtown living. These 1 and 2 bedroom condominiums are located in the center of the bustling and revitalized Gateway neighborhood. Take your pick of light-filled, one-bedroom units and spacious two-bedroom units with two full baths. These units feature historic details, large windows filled with natural light, and plush carpets with available upgrades to hardwood floors. Add lofty ceilings, modern appliances, ceramic tile in the kitchen and bath, ample closet space and urban views. Residents of the Pointe at Gateway can walk to the Jake and the Gund, and take advantage of all of the excitement of the East Fourth Street Neighborhood and the House of Blues. One bedrooms start at $77,900; two bedrooms start at $129,900. Plus, there’s tax abatement and special financing. Why rent when you can own and enjoy a low monthly payment? Open this Sun 6/19 from 2-4PM at 750 Prospect (next to the Winking Lizard). For a complete list of open houses this weekend, please visit www.ProgressiveUrban.com
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Ingenuity: Get tix for naming the robot & $500 for your art Dozens of people are already planning to use their comp tix they will receive just for suggesting a name for our robot-mascot, found here). Get two complimentary tix to the fest over Labor Day Weekend, co-directed by Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready, and CPT’s James Levin, even if we don’t use your name. Send your suggested names to: Info@CoolCleveland.com. If you’re an artist or artist team from Northeast Ohio, you are invited to submit proposals for ingenious exhibitions or installations that fuse the expression of art with the progression of technology. Three to five artists or artist teams will be selected to exhibit their proposed work within storefront spaces in the Colonial ARTcade during Ingenuity and through the month of September 2005. Each selected artist/artist team will receive an honorarium of at least $500. Proposals are due 7/10/05. Send a one-page outline of the proposed project and appropriate supporting visual materials on disk (jpeg or pdf), or on a 30″ x 40″ presentation board to: 530 Euclid, Suite 43, Cleveland, OH 44115. Artists selected by the jurors will be notified by 7/29. For detailed information, contact ArtPower@Yahoo.com

Milan Jacovich Day 6/17 Mayor Jane Campbell made this declaration in honor of Cleveland’s favorite private detective. Never heard of him? Then pick up one of award-winning mystery writer Les Robert’s thirteen novels set right here in Greater Cleveland. Many of the books have been unavailable for some time, but Cleveland publisher, Gray & Company has revived the series. The first nine novels were reissued in a brand new format with newly designed covers depicting Cleveland’s skyline; check them out at http://www.GrayCo.com/. Milan Jacovich Day celebrates the rediscovery of the Les Roberts mystery series and encourages summer reading; it kicks off a summer full of reading events, book signings, and library discussion groups focusing on the Milan Jacovich novel series. See events here.

Heights author wins SF award Cleveland Heights’ author Ellen Klages has been writing short fiction for 10 years. Her list of accolades grew when she was honored by the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) at a Chicago ceremony on April 30 where she received the Nebula Award for her modern fairy tale, “Basement Magic,” published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in May 2003. The Nebula Awards are presented each year by the SFWA to acknowledge excellence in science fiction writing. Her first novel is in the works and will be published by Viking in 2006. Learn more about her here. Are Cleveland authors making headway in the literary world? Send your thoughts to Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Bloggers and marathon runners The Rite-Aid Cleveland Marathon & 10K continues to give Cleveland a shot in the arm as participant, John Ruberry of Morton Grove, IL, the Marathon Pundit, has given us kudos in his Sun 6/5 blog entry. He shares positive features of our city with his readers in glowing detail from Ohio City and Lakewood to University Circle and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Read the post here. What other events would help spread the good news about our town? Send your thoughts to Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Platform Lab opens in Cleveland Cleveland area firms and organizations can affordably and quickly find answers to technology questions at Platform Lab, the nation’s only non-profit information technology test facility. The lab will be located at BlueBridge Networks, 1255 Euclid Ave. in the Sterling Building downtown, and allows clients to leverage an impressive hardware and software inventory, create environments for testing disaster recovery plan validation, load/stress testing, vendor evaluation, and proof-of-concept testing, among others. The Cleveland facility is the first of three Platform Lab expansion sites, opening for business on Mon 6/27. The Lab will also work with the outstanding technical team at Case Western Reserve University to provide IT test resources for Northeast Ohio organizations. For more information, contact Steve Gruetter at 614-675-3711 or sgruetter@platformlab.org. Your thoughts on the first Platform Lab in Cleveland? Send them to Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Cleveland schools’ SOS City leadership is offering the conclusion that what we already knew. The schools are in a crisis and few changes have been initiated to counter the negative effects. While the mayor has entreated the public to embrace casino gambling to increase the city’s financial situation, the schools continue to suffer. Yet, on the horizon are fresh perspectives, such as creating a cabinet-level Office of Youth Opportunities to find recreational opportunities for children, and our city’s main assets which are its many parents, volunteers, and organizations committed to work with and guide the young people who need it most. Read the story here. How can Cleveland activate to renew its schools? Send your thoughts to Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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Lunch With A Side of Art . . . There’s no better way to spend your summer lunch breaks than by eating your meal outside near live entertainment! Sparx in the City’s summer-long “Street Beats” series is your ticket to a dose of streetside culture. See the blazing steel drums of PANic, this Fri 6/17 at 11:30AM on Star Plaza in the Theater District. There’s nothing else like this award-winning band from Tobago, when their sounds echo down entire city blocks. While you’re soaking up Star Plaza’s kickin’ cafe style atmosphere with new outdoor tables, wifi hookup, and free board or video games, be sure to check out WCPN’s live remote of “Around Noon.” Host Dee Perry will highlight all the activities taking place there this summer, and the people who are making them happen. Sparx marks the spot here and at other locations including Public Square on Fridays 11:30AM – 1:30PM and in the Warehouse District and E. 4th Street area from 7 – 9PM on Fridays and Saturdays. For more info go to www.Cleveland.com/sparx or www.playhousesquare.com or www.wcpn.org
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HeightsArts searches for Busta replacement Veteran curator and director of galleries on the West side and in Little Italy, William Busta of HeightsArts has lovingly created a contemporary community art gallery in the heart of the Lee Road commercial district during the past three years. With the gallery well-established, he now feels it’s time to devote more time to curatorial projects while entrusting the day-to-day operations to someone else. The gallery is now seeking a new director who will continue Busta’s work. It’s a tall order to fill, but if you have the passion and experience for this project send your resume, letter of interest and 3-5 references to: Gallery Director Search, HeightsArts 2163 Lee Road, #104, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 or send an email to HeightsArts@sbcglobal.net.

Cool Cleveland Blog Posting from his Blackberry live from the concert venues, Cool Cleveland correspondent Peter Chakerian burns with passion for the Pixies, marvels at Grandmaster Flash, gives thanks to Red Bull, and suggests keynote speakers for next year’s Music Fest. Did you keep up with Cool Cleveland’s blogging critic? Check the blog here, and stay tuned for more http://www.CoolCleveland.com/wordpress

Cleveland Originals’ TCO Tuesdays Steer clear of cooking and let Cleveland Originals, the association of locally-owned, independent restaurants, introduce you to TCO (Try Cleveland Originals) Tuesdays, a frequent diner program that rewards patrons for dining at an “original.” Diners will earn a $25 gift certificate to a Cleveland Originals restaurant simply by turning in dinner receipts from four different member restaurants, and then receive a gift certificate at a fifth restaurant. Patrons can eat out four successive Tuesdays, or spread their Tuesday dinners throughout the year; and with over 50 member restaurants, patrons can indulge in a variety of unique dining experiences. Save your Tuesday dinner receipts from 4 different Cleveland originals restaurants, then send a copy of the 4 receipts and a mailing address to Cleveland Originals, 13601 Ardoon Ave., Cleveland, OH 44120. Receipts can be faxed to 216-371-1899, with a mailing address included. For info call 401-1933 or email brasil357@aol.com

Cool Cleveland This Week
6.15-6.22

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Lingg Spring Browse incredible finds at this invitational event Thu 6/16, Fri 6/17 & Sat 6/18 from 12-6PM featuring works from regional and national jewelry and accessory designers. Discover your new favorite bag among the unique offerings of designers Maryann Wohlwend of Cleveland and Jules of LA, or unique jewelry pieces by Deborah Woolfork of Cleveland, and artisans from as far away as Germany. Meet some of them at Saturday’s closing party. Call 233-3376 or see www.Lingg.us for a peek at the available creations. Lingg Showroom, 28500 Chagrin Blvd, Woodmere

Quigley Road Connector Meeting Join Governor Bob Taft, ODOT Director, Gordon Proctor, and District 12 Deputy Director, Dave Coyle on Thu 6/16 at 5:30PM for an important public open house discussion of the first component of the Cleveland Innerbelt Plan to be constructed. Call 584-2007 or visit http://www.Innerbelt.org. MetroHealth Medical Center, Scott Auditorium, 2500 MetroHealth Drive

Inside/Out Tour The Charenton Theater Company is treating Clevelanders to a complimentary evening of not one, but two single act plays. If Men Played Cards as Women Do is a light-hearted satire featuring a group of bridge-playing men who speak, think and behave the way that men believe women do. The second production, Overtones, is a brilliant dramatization of the unconscious mind. See how two women appear both to each other, and their inner selves. See these shows on Thu 6/16, Fri 6/17, and Sat 6/18 at 8PM. Call 781-9987. Oakley Party Center, 2177 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights http://Charenton.org

Sparx Street Beats Presents GroundWorks Dance theater Do something different for lunch. Grab your co-workers and pick up some lunchtime fare then come and enjoy an electric outdoor dance performance by GroundWorks on Fri 6/17 from 11:30AM to 1:30PM. The company will perform an eclectic mix of pieces under the title “Dance to Go” featuring selected excerpts from its dynamic repertory at the Tower City Entrance, 50 Public Square. http://www.GroundWorksDance.org

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Elvis Costello Said it was one of the funniest and most touching music films he’s ever seen. Now’s your chance. Cowboy Jack Clement will show a special pre-release screening of the critically acclaimed movie “Shakespeare Was a Big George Jones Fan: Cowboy Jack Clement’s Home Movies.” The Rock Hall’s final “From Songwriters to Soundmen: The People Behind the Hits” continues on Wed 6/15 at 7PM with Clement, a songwriter, producer, publisher and artist (known for producing hits for Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis). He’s accompanied by documentary film makers Robert Gordon and Morgan Neville who will talk about the movie which features Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, John Prine, Charley Pride, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bono and many more. For more info contact 888-764-ROCK or www.RockHall.com.
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14th Annual Community Technology Conference In this signature event, take part in the largest national gathering of community technology organizations and experts. This year’s theme will chart the progression of the community technology movement from a small, grass-roots effort, concentrating on tech access, and also national/international fields of practice that use technology to meet human and social needs. Get involved on opening night Fri 6/17 at Thwing Centert. Event runs thru 6/19 at Intercontinental Hotel and Conference Center. http://www.OhioCCN.org

Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival Does your dad fix everything with duct tape? Bring him to this unique festival in the Duct Tape Capital of the world Father’s Day Weekend. The hardware store phenomenon will be featured in all its glory and takes the form of art, sculpture, fashion and more on Fri 6/17 from 4-11PM, Sat 6/18 from 10AM-11PM and Sun 12-8PM. This family event includes a car show, rides, games, fireworks, a steak fry and a duct tape parade Sunday at 1PM. Call 866-818-1116 or visit http://www.AvonDuctTapeFestival.com for info. Veteran’s Memorial Park, 37001 Detroit Road in Avon.

HONK! Jr. Enjoy the Near West Theatre’s youth musical; a unique adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s inspiring tale of “The Ugly Duckling” on Fri 6/17, Sat 6/18 at 7:30PM and Sun 6/19 at 3PM. Call 621-3242 to reserve seats. St. Patrick’s Club Building, 3606 Bridge Avenue. http://www.NearWestTheatre.org

Point of View The Photographic Works of Al Fuchs, Larry Kasperek and Daiv Whaley will be featured in this new exhibition. Attend the artist reception on Fri 6/17 from 5-9PM and see the exhibition which runs through Fri 8/12. Call 696-1942 or email ArtMetroGallery@yahoo.com. ArtMetro, Colonial Marketplace ARTcade, 530 Euclid Ave, Suite 43.

Vivid Art Gallery Grand Re-Opening Artists Deby Cowdin, Inky Lorain and Terri Snider stepped in to save the gallery and keep it Downtown, where it belongs. The trio has taken ownership of the gallery where they will continue to feature the work of Northern Ohio artists like photographer Les Greenberg whose series of works entitled “The erotic side of nature” is currently on exhibition. Meet the new owners at the Grand Re-Opening on Fri 6/17 from 6-9PM while enjoying the music, cool vibes, refreshments and products of the vine. Call 241-7624. Vivid Art Gallery, 530 Euclid Avenue, Suite #40 http://www.VividArtGallery.com

20,000 Leagues Under the Industry & MOCA Mix Check out this indie film festival as MOCA pumps up its outdoor summer series in collaboration with Matthew T and Marcel DeJure. Check out the annual underground scene. Ih this year’s festival “Fever Dreams,” a spring-themed collection of over 30 shorts, ranging from obscure music videos to comedic narratives and oddities. Move to the mix of reggae and ska, while movie-goers set up their lawn chairs and cool off with beverages from the ARTbar. At sunset, MOCA’s building will first be transformed into an outdoor theater and then a stage for an exclusive performance by The Cinnamon Roll Gang, Marcel De Jure?‘s LA-based puppetry performance-art troupe, and a crowd from the underground on Fri 6/17 at 8PM. Call 421-8671. MOCA, 8501 Carnegie Avenue. Visit their site here and see http://www.20000Leagues.org

WCLVnotes The final “Music from the Western Reserve” concert of the season featuring the Miami String Quartet will be aired by WCLV 104.9 Fri 6/17 at 9PM. Quartets by Saint-Saens, Ginastera and Dvorak will be played. Don’t forget that on Mondays between 11AM and 3PM, WCLV tosses out the commercials and promotional announcements in order to present longer and more hefty pieces of music that it usually can’t present during daytime hours. Music such as symphonies by Mahler and Bruckner; choral works by Bach and large piano concertos and symphonies. The “Monday Music Marathons” offer BIG MUSIC, little talk. Also experience an hour of Mozart madness on Monday, 10AM. The WCLV Program Guide is available online at www.WCLV.com. A Cool Cleveland partner.

Stardust: Comets, Asteroids & Meteors Bring your stargazers to an “out of this world” presentation on the nature of comets, asteroids and future NASA missions centered on these planetary objects on Sat 6/18 at 11AM & 1PM. Future astronauts can take advantage of the kid craft activities, the “Picture Yourself in Space” photobooth, and lunar sample table from 10AM to 3PM. Call 433-9653 or visit visit.grc.nasa.gov for reservations or more info. NASA Glenn Visitor Center, 21000 Brookpark Road.

Silver Gold Platinum Celebrate American jewelry design beginning Sat 6/18 at this exhibit which features the work of 10 internationally renowned jewelry makers. The show, running through Sat 7/30, will give patrons an opportunity to see several pieces from each artist and hear as they explain their work. Attend the public reception on Sat 6/25 from 2-5PM. Explore the world of creativity available for purchase in this impressive art space, including wearable art. Call 231-2008 for info and hours. American Crafts Gallery, 13010 Larchmere Rd. http://www.AmericanCraftsGallery.com

The Greatest Pride on Earth This event will not be complete without you; come witness heroic acts of courage during this parade of diversity that includes excellent entertainment and community buiding. Bring your friends and family to this family-oriented event that appreciates and embraces humanity and creativity on Sat 6/18 beginning at 11:30AM at Voinovich Bicentennial Park, 800 E. 9th St. For more info, check out http://www.ClevelandPride.org

Global Groove 3 Celebrate the 1st birthday of the Passport Project Global Community Arts Center at a complimentary event featuring world music and dance performances, ranging from Senegalese Drumming, Belly Dance, Flamenco and a new art exhibit featuring photos by Piet van Lier, paintings by Julie Barcza, and prints by Pamela Dodds. Discover the beauty of cultural diversity and creative expression on Sat 6/18 from 7PM-12AM with the culturally aware Passport Project, a positive force for inclusion and creative expression. Call 721-1055. Passport Project Global Community Arts Center, 12801 Buckeye Road. http://www.PassportProject.org

Cruisin’ at the Zoo Show Dad some love with a trip to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo that includes complimentary admission for him and a classic car show. The Dad’s Den will also offer relaxation and activities especially for Dad. Bring the entire family on Sun 6/19 between 10AM and 6PM. The car show runs until 3PM. Call 661-6500. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way. www.CleMetZoo.com

Knee High Naturalists Have you got the next Jacques Cousteau or Jane Goodall? Bring them to this Cleveland Metroparks program designed for the youngest explorers: preschoolers. Tikes and their families will enjoy an afternoon of outdoor exploration including crafts, hikes and hands-on-activities on Sun 6/19 from 11AM to 5PM. Call 440-247-7075. Look About Lodge, South Chagrin Reservation, 35069 Cannon Rd www.CleMetParks.com

Pride Worship Service Native Northeast Ohio singer-songwriter Anne E. DeChant will grace this year’s service, with her vibrant and socially aware music on Sun 6/19 at 5PM. Cleveland religious leaders will join DeChant in leadership of this service where the power of water, as a symbol for life and personal transformation, will be the guiding image. The restorative nature of water will be celebrated through sound, visual images, poetry, scripture, and music designed to affirm and empower members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community. A reception will follow. Call 272-0622. Trinity Episcopal Cathedral,2230 Euclid Avenue http://www.TrinityCleveland.org and http://ClevelandPride.org/events.html

Hugh Masekela Spend an evening with this living jazz legend who has more than 40 albums under his belt, and has shared the stage with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Santana & Paul Simon. His collaborations with Miriam Makeba and groundbreaking early albums helped introduce traditional South African music to the mainstream jazz audience. Join the gifted trumpeter for two shows on Sun 6/19 at 7 & 9PM as he leads his 8-piece band in songs from his brand new CD, Revival, released on Cleveland’s own Heads Up Records. Call 795-0550. Nighttown, 12387 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights www.NighttownCleveland.com www.HeadsUp.com

A Summit with Tom Peters The international business guru and best-selling author will share his expertise on leadership, branding and management beginning Tue 6/21 at 7AM & continuing on Wed 6/22. See the schedule here. Learn from one of the greatest minds in business while networking with other executives around the region. Call 440-684-9700, ext. 500. The Ritz-Carlton, 1515 West 3rd www.ercnet.org

Utilizing the web effectively to keep your business competitive in today’s economy is the subject that Tom Gubanc, E-business Director for Swagelok, will discuss at this Tue 6/21 event from 11:30AM – 1:30PM. Learn how his organization was able to support global expansion and increase customer satisfaction while reducing the cost of business processes by using the web. Register here. Windows on the River, 2000 Sycamore Street http://www.WebAssociation.org

Summer Solstice Celebration What better way to enjoy the longest day of the year than with a mini-workshop of movement therapy and music to welcome the fullness of summer? Don’t know your asana from your elbow? Don’t worry the Tues 6/21 mini-workshop at 7:30PM requires no previous Yoga or dance experience to participate. Call 440-951-7500 or visit www.FineArtsAssociation.org. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby.

Womankind 9th Annual Golf Outing Dust off the clubs and make a big difference for Womankind. Enjoy 18 holes of golf (four person scramble), dinner, a silent auction and raffle on Wed 6/22; registration begins at 11AM and both individuals and foursomes are welcome to participate. The event will benefit Womankind, which has provided a full range of medical and support services to pregnant women and their families who might not otherwise receive them since 1975. Got no game? Dinner only tix are available, as well as sponsorship opportunities. Call 662-5700 or click here for more info. www.WomankindCleveland.com

Yoga Master From Down Under Dr. Rishi Vivekananda Saraswati, an Australian physician and psychiatrist, bridges Eastern and Western thought about the mind and the role of yoga in developing it in a series of workshops beginning with “Meditation, Peace of Mind and Personal Growth” on Wed 6/22 at 7PM and continuing through Sat 7/2. Call 371-9760 or visit http://www.AtmaCenter.com for pricing and info. Atma Center, 2319 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Read more events here

Cool Cleveland Blog from the CMJ Rock Hall Music Festival

What a great weekend. The CMJ Rock Hall Music Festival was truly something to behold. There was something there for everyone, from The Pixies (pictured) to Mushroomhead. And like anything that involves massive planning, coordination, and extreme reliance on the talents of others, the weekend was not without its flaws. But those things you could count on one hand, and the positives clearly outweighed the negatives time and again. Next year’s edition of the Music Fest – if there is indeed one to witness – will be something many Clevelanders (including myself) certainly will look forward to. The greatest strengths/assets of the festival? It’s a tie: Dedicated staff resources of all the CMJ and Rock Hall, local club owners, staff and promoters – who put aside all the competitive, “head-to-head” business models and came together for an amazing weekend.

Then there’s all that creative talent. Everyone who performed, who set up the sound, provided lectures, protected the fans, the bands…all of those folks who gave up their time and creative energy to keep the ball rolling strictly from an artistic event perspective…you’re what keeps rock and roll ticking. And you made everything related to this festival worthwhile over and over again. To the over 100 bands, hundreds of “behind the scenes” people, the thousands of fans, and that Cleveland cop who had to give me a parking ticket…I take my hat off to you. For this fair weekend, it truly felt like “The Home of Rock and Roll…”
Read the Cool Cleveland Blog entries here

Cool Cleveland Sounds
Davenport Collective Compilation
Various artists
Van Gogh Round Records

In the cutthroat world of rock and roll there is power in numbers. While underground bands can be fiercely independent in spirit, some have learned that working together is a far better idea than competing, especially in smaller markets. Cleveland has long lacked such a community spirit in its modest, but enthusiastic rock scene, which makes the partnership known as the Davenport Collective such a refreshing and welcome presence. The Collective originally included only a handful of bands, and circled largely around the axis of multi-banded guitarist Matt Cassidy’s Davenport Records. In the last several months, however, the collective has gotten more ambitious, and spread its umbrella to include a number of other bands, several local recording labels, and a mixed cast of helpers, cheerleaders and managers. While several groups in the bunch continue to share (and occasionally trade) members, the Collective has gone from insular to open-armed, and with its new direction, it promises to energize the city’s rock scene using the strength of its varied personnel to win friends, gain influence, and bring its like-minded associates from around the nation into town where they can, in turn, find new fans of their own. The Collective also debuted the first recording to include all the bands now under its aegis. Compiled by mini-mogul Eric Schulte of Van Gogh Round Records, the CD sampler is an impressive testimony to the Collective’s talent and stylistic range. Its 19 tracks (plus one surprise bonus) span territory that includes everything from hummable Beatle-esque pop to droning to experimental electronica. In between, the music rambles from the haunting alt-country of Ypsilanti, Michagan natives, Dabenport to stomping, searing garage-psych courtesy of New Planet Trampoline, and jagged-edged indie rock from local newcomers Mystery of Two. Sparkling moments on the disc come in the form of folky songs from the Dreadful Yawns and Expecting Rain. The Yawns’ “Darkness is Gone” shines with Byrdsian harmonies, red-hot country guitar licks and romantically hopeful lyrics. It sounds like it could have been lifted from a Flying Burrito Brothers record, or even something the Grateful Dead did when they were at their most country-inflected. Expecting Rain’s “When I Get to California,” on the other hand, yearns and aches, and its beautifully layered, male-female harmonies laced with melancholy belie its message of life being somehow easier on the opposite coast. Elsewhere, the Twilight contribute two tracks of pitch-perfect power pop that sound so good it seems impossible that they were recorded by four local guys whose maximum age hovers somewhere around 30; the starry-eyed Volta Sound makes people wonder why it isn’t as famous as the Brian Jonestown Massacre; Mike St. Jude and the Valentines rave up and the New Lou Reeds’ self-deprecating swamp-punk gives a welcome post-modern shake up to the old blues. With music this varied, the disc could have been a scattershot affair, replete with jarring transitions and unpleasant shifts in volume, but Schulte, a consummate professional, made the sequencing smooth, and the motion from sound to sound seem organic. The compilation, budget-priced at $5, is an excellent introduction to one of the best things to happen to local music in a while.

from Cool Cleveland contributor Leslie Basalla lbasalla77@msn.com

Wanna get reviewed? Send your band’s CD (less than 1 year old) to: Cool Cleveland, 14387 Detroit Avenue, #105, Lakewood, OH 44107

Cool Cleveland People
Bryanna Fish: Does She Have the Greatest Pride On Earth?
By Timothy M. McCue

Creating a festival for more than 5,000 people takes a little luck and a lot of hard work. Brynna has coordinated and implemented enough diva performers and funnel cake stands to fill anyone with Pride. Yet Pride is about more than just a party in the park, it requires collaboration, participation, and inspiration. A consummate Pride coordinator, Brynna has been instrumental in coordinating the GLBT efforts in support of Pride and engaging volunteers and community leaders every year.

It can be rare for one individual stick with a volunteer organization for more than a few years. It’s even more rare for one person to persevere through 17 years of participation in a volunteer driven organization. Pride coordinator Brynna Fish has been more dedicated and loyal to the planning process of Cleveland Pride than anyone in the event’s history. For almost two decades, when she is not fulfilling her other obligations as partner, daughter, mother, volunteer in a slew of other organizations, and director of the family violence program at Jewish Family Services, Ms. Fish is planning Cleveland Pride. With the event happening on 6/18, Cool Cleveland sat down recently with Brynna to discuss her past pride and future.

Cool Cleveland What exactly is the mission/goal of Cleveland Gay Lesbian Trans Pride Inc.?
Brynna Fish: The mission is to celebrate Cleveland’s LGBT community, build bridges of understanding within the LGBT community, and also within the Greater Cleveland community.

How are those bridges going? Have you seen a lot of change in the attitude towards the gay community in Cleveland? What has stayed the same?
It’s changed a lot and then, again, hasn’t changed much at all. What’s changed is that being LBTG has become more socially acceptable, and we’ve seen the participation in the event and the committee evolve. In the early years, and even up until the past six to eight years, it was difficult to get a wide range of folks involved in the committee. There were times when some of the participants scared others away and that, to me, indicated the vast lack of acceptance of diversity in our own community. I’ve also seen Cleveland birth a vibrant HRC dinner, amazing growth of the North Coast Men’s Chorus, PACT, Blackout, and of course, the Center. I think what’s stayed the same is that ultimately Cleveland is very conservative, and unfortunately, there seems to be a limit of people’s willingness to push the political envelopes in their personal lives…
Read Cool Cleveland People with Brynna Fish here

RoldoLINK
Plain Dealer From the Bottom of the Deck
By Roldo Bartimole

When a newspaper article starts out in the following manner, you have to wonder whether it has become a public relations firm and given up on reporting:

“It’s called the Flats East Bank Neighborhood, and the developer Scott Wolstein hopes it becomes Cleveland’s new Little Italy.”

Atop that above the flak-like promo is a 9 by 6 inch photo of a grinning Mayor Jane Campbell leaning to whisper into the ear of a jovially smiling Scott Wolstein. Next to them is a sign, “Enjoy life!”

You bet they are. The mayor got the best of free campaign advertising and Wolstein, the developer, got a new neighborhood from the Plain Dealer.

“I don’t like to talk about it as a ‘project.’ This is the creation of a new neighborhood,” Wolstein is thus quoted by Christopher Montgomery, PD business reporter recently in from Dayton.

This, all of a sudden, is a “neighborhood,” which jumps ahead of all other Cleveland neighborhoods as IMPORTANT. Move over Glenville, move over West Park, move over Hough, and move over Old Brooklyn. Move all those old neighborhoods to the back of the line.

The Flats east bank is our new neighborhood…Read RoldoLINK here

Instant Karma
Quick reviews of recent events
Going out this weekend? Take along your PDA and your digital camera. Scratch out a few notes to send us with a picture of it for our Instant Karma real-world reviews of what’s really happening. We’d love to hear from you. Send your stuff to Events@CoolCleveland.com

Charenton’s Inside/Out Tour @ Market Avenue Wine Bar 6/11
What: Two comic one-acts from the early 20th century, produced by Charenton, Cleveland’s traveling free professional theater. In Alice Gerstenberg’s “Overtones”, two old school chums meet over lunch and we watch their silent war by seeing their inner and outer selves interact: an artist’s wife fishing desperately for a commission from the wealthy woman who was her first rival. It’s paired with George S. Kaufman’s 1923 sitcom “If Men Played Cards as Women Do.”
Reasons to go: Though it’s barely a half-hour long, “Overtones” has more subtlety, keen observation, and depth than many full-lengths. It’s impeccably directed by Mindy Childress, with sharp contrasts between the women’s politely public, “feminine” behavior and their impassioned private selves. Cool and haughty, Mary Alice Beck looks like she stepped out of a Sargent portrait as the rich matron Harriett, while Maggie Arndt is her wild-haired, unhappy double who still grieves over throwing over the artist in order to marry for money. As the artist’s wife, Amy Pawlukiewicz and Dawn Youngs are their worthy opponents. Artistic Director Jacqi Loewy gets lots of laugh mileage from Kaufman’s trifle, mainly through stage business and the richly comic performance of Andrew Narten as the fussy poker host.
Caveats: Although it’s well-acted, the Kaufman piece is awfully dated: it’s full of clichés about women’s behavior, and seems even more shallow compared to “Overtones”. Nevertheless the hour-long evening is extremely entertaining.
Backstory: This is Loewy’s first production as Charenton’s new artistic director. This free tour is completely patron-funded, so don’t forget to throw some folding money in the hat on your way out. Target audience: General audiences looking for a light, well-put-together hour-long morsel of entertainment.
Details: Charenton Theatre, Thurs-Sat. at 8PM, thru 6/25. http://www.charenton.org. Next venues are Oakley Party Center (next to the Cedar/Lee) and Café Limbo on Larchmere.
from Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein Linda@CoolCleveland.com

Heywood Sanders @ Artefino 6/14 Later this morning, Heywood Sanders will be debating convention center advocate Anthony Coyne at the City Club. Last night, the University of Texas professor and outspoken opponent of publicly funded convention centers went thru a powerpoint presentation, then did Q & A with an interested group of Cleveland’s media. The event, convened by Cleveland Chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists and several Northeast Ohio Bloggers, was possible thanks to Roldo Bartimole, who’s known “Woody” a while – thru three or four mayoral administrations. About as long as the debate over the convention center has been raging. Sanders has done serious research on the convention market, which peaked in 1996, but explains that the convention center build out has little to do with economics. The reason that conventions center get built are because of “the politics of development”. Probably the best question of the evening was from Roldo himself. He reminded Woody that last year when he was in town, Sanders called the project “stupid” but said that it would probably be built. Roldo asked if that had changed. Sanders replied that the critical factor was if the people got to vote on the issue. If the people vote on the issue, they’ll vote no. But in most places, when the voters say no, the convention centers get built anyway. So, Cleveland, get ready to hemorrhage millions, as Sanders puts it – because these things don’t just bleed red. The only thing that can be done, according to the expert, is to quit asking narrow questions, like “do we need to upgrade the existing convention center”? The questions we need to ask, suggests Sanders, are things like “Given $400M, what’s the best use of it for creating jobs?”
from Cool Cleveland’s Information Officer George Nemeth George@CoolCleveland.com

Deep Purple @ House of Blues 6/14 Still holding up after 37 years with only drummer Ian Paice from the original line-up, Deep Purple’s tunes are imbedded so thoroughly that even the endless personnel changes can’t dislodge the simple affirmation that chord progressions like Space Truckin’ and Highway Star evoke. The audience, most of whom deserved the senior discount, loved every note, the band obviously enjoys playing, and their musicianship has always been higher than most who ply the heavy metal trade. Their occasional forays into classical music and progressive rock are more than a dalliance; they’ve written the book, presenting notable performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969 and again for DVD in 1999 with the London Symphony Orchestra. Last week, I caught neighborhood ten-year-olds teaching each other the guitar part to their most famous song. Maybe Cleveland can convince Deep Purple to come back and let us set the Cuyahoga River on fire (intentionally this time) while they collaborate with the Cleveland Orchestra on an extended orchestral version of Smoke On The Water. That would be worth the wait. http://www.TheHighwayStar.com http://www.HOB.com

Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write
We encourage our readers to speak out by sending us letters and commentary. Send your letters to Letters@CoolCleveland.com. You must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional). You may also create a new Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail e-mail address and submit it with your letter. Letters submitted to Cool Cleveland, or edited portions, may be published in an upcoming issue of Cool Cleveland at our discretion.

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

On the Ohio Patriot Act (See Beware Ohio Patriot Act here) I’m new Ohio and typically do not get too involved in politics. Yet, due to the nature of my work, I am finding it increasingly important to do so. I am currently producing a play in New York. The play is George Orwell’s 1984. There are many who feel that the Patriot Act is just another step toward an Orwellian world. The Patriot act has certainly been a pain for me. A practical example would be that it took months to simply transfer my banking accounts from PA to Ohio because the Social Security administration had my wife’s married and maiden name under the same SS number. The bank informed me that before the Act, this would not have been a problem. Although, this simple example does not indicate a change to a totalitarian state, it’s a simple example on how the patriot act can be misdirected to make simple things so much more complicated for the average American. It has been brought to my attention through CoolCleveland.com that there is an Ohio Patriot act in the works. I wasn’t all that happy about the federal act, so explain to me why there is any need to do this at the state level. Also, maybe you have a comment regarding the article in CoolCleveland.com (included below).
from Cool Cleveland reader John Skolits JSkolitsAT1984ATThePlay.com

On the future of bookstores (See Can bookstores kill America’s literary future? here) David Kornhaber is a Luddite and an alarmist. In his piece “Read Between the Lines–Book superstores threaten the American literary future,” he did not mention marketing and dissemination via the internet or increasingly affordable self-publishing. It can be expected that these two factors will have a significant influence in the futher development of literature in American culture, much in the same way that musicians and composers have benefitted greatly from these trends. As with most Luddites and alarmists, Mr. Kornhaber presents numbers and “statistics” to support his case without identifying other important factors, such as the ones mentioned above. This abuse of numbers is an apparent trend in journalism, that, in my opinion, is eroding the integrity of the written word (but perhaps I am an alarmist as well).
from Cool Cleveland reader Ed Caner edcanerATgmail.com

On urban vs. suburban I am being recruited by an suburban company and I started thinking about working downtown vs. the burbs. Then I realized, the Burbs are boring…. don’t know if your other readers feel the same, but you may want to ask. Just a thougth and keep up the great work.
from Cool Cleveland reader Chris Whipple whippleusATadelphia.net

A new big box to play in (See Big box at W. 117th & I-90 here) I wanna NEW Big box to play in: While I applaud Ken Lurie of Rysar Properties for having the vision of transforming the corner W. 117th and I-90 for a new and not-improved BiG box development, does the City of Cleveland really need to give away 6 million for something the region already has around the other corner? Sadly, our fearless leaders downtown, Mayor Campbell, Council Presidnt Jackson, and the members of city council agreed to give Lurie 6 Million to kick 100 people out of their homes to bring us another Target and Giant Eagle. How compelling is a new Target and Giant Eagle? Instead of drooling over the sheer fact that someone wants to build something within city limits, can we develop a quality vs. quantity concept with projects in the city and the region? Offer any developer 6 million to bring anything Big box we do not already have to that corner, or any other corner and better ideas will follow with brand new commerce and a brand new corporation to NE Ohio. I have to believe Target and Giant Eagle will merely survive vs. thrive. If city leaders inspired the developer with 6 million to bring a new Big box player to town it may give suburbanites a reason to motor the SUV into the city limits and shop till you drop, which would make the money well spent. Otherwise the dollars would be better spent on timing the traffic lights with the hopes of improving city smog.
from Cool Cleveland contributor David Tarditi dtardATyahoo.com

R.I.P. Dennis Eberhard here Thank you for your note in Cool Cleveland acknowledging the passing of Cleveland composer Dennis Eberhard. My husband, Ty Emerson, is president of the Cleveland Composers’ Guild and I came to know Dennis through that organization and I was very saddened to hear of his death. Dennis was a special person and an important figure in the composer community and music community here and I really appreciate the time you took to honor him. I am sure the Guild will miss him, as will I.
from Cool Cleveland reader Bridgett Emerson bemersonATwclv.com

Dennis and I were part of a group of artists and intellectuals who used to pass the summer afternoons in Arabica at Shaker Square. It was the closest thing to a European coffee shop. Ideas, jokes and women were the topic of conversation. Dennis was a regular member of our little group. He enjoyed the banter and jokes, and he was just one of the regulars. We all struggled with jobs, women, and the government. Ah, to be young again. We miss you, Dennis and we miss those long and sunny afternoons.
from Cool Cleveland reader Mario Kujawski MariokujawskiATaol.com

On the convention center (See Tower City backs out of Convention Center contention here) Why should Forest City add more space to Tower City? After loosing the race for the county offices to relocate to the Higbee Bldg. they have no reason to add more space until they fill what they got, I don’t blame them! I applaud the executive team at Forest City for making a very smart business decision. Despite their setbacks, the company still thinks there is great potential for their center, still supports a new center in the city and still loves Cleveland. Imagine, if everyone could be positive and see the light at the end of the tunnel like Forest City where we might be?
from Cool Cleveland reader Patrick Manfroni pmanfroniATicleveland.org

I find it hard to believe that there are those who are still tossing around the idea of a new convention center for Cleveland. How exactly a new building would attract more business is not clear to anyone. The oft quoted references and comparisons to LA, New Orleans etc. are way too inaccurate and naive to be taken seriously. If nothing else, look at the geographic and climatic factors that would make these comparisons totally irrelevant. How can a city that gets nearly 100 inches of snow a year and has more gloomy days than the dark side of the moon be a year-round destination for conventioners? What we really need to do is to look to our strengths — the biotech expertise, the vast academic genius and potential that is here already. If a country like Finland can reinvent its whole economy around a single enterprise like Nokia, how is it that a relatively small city like Cleveland cannot do the same with a world-famous institution like the Cleveland Clinic, (with Case and UH on the side)? What is lacking here is vision — amongst the narrow-minded, none-too-brilliant local politicians and the coin-collecting, tax-break centric State level leaders. The time has come for younger, bold people with the smarts and the ambition to uplift this city to take over. How about some of those Weatherhead grads and faculty putting together a business plan for this city and living up to their claims of being some of the best in the nation?
from Cool Cleveland reader Srinivas Merugu smokedtilapiaATyahoo.com

On Wal-Mart (See Wal-Mart’s first unionized store in Cleveland? here) I think the establishment of a walmart in cleveland would be a devastating occurance. We need to provide local buissness owners with the opportunity to provide these services to Cleveland citizens. I do see a need for more stores that provide fundametal commodities. I read a statistic that said each major city has only one grocery store for every 33,000 people (one for every 2,500 in suburbs) and cleveland has even less than that. I do not think that Daves alone can appropriately supply the demand, and if we want to encourage people to continue to move back into the cities we need to meet these needs. (which also icludes drug stores, laundromats, etc.) Wal mart is devaststaing to local economies. The steel yard area used to supply good paying jobs to the hard working cleveland citizen. We cannot replace these with 6 dollar wage jobs.
from Cool Cleveland reader Kimberly Kendall kimberlyjkendallATyahoo.com

A new big 3 pharmacy built every 8 hrs, New Wal-Mart every 36hrs We are losing out “Heritage” drug and hardware stores at an incredible pace. See the Pharma article in @ http://www.greenmoney.com. I have been subscribing to this for years.
from Cool Cleveland reader Bob Vance rvanceATshamrockcompanies.net

While I can appreciate that Wal-Mart is likely to create “poverty level jobs,” and do not necessarily agree with that premise, I also struggle to ascertain the appropriate level of hourly pay due persons working in what has traditionally been a low-wage industry. What, should we pay Wal-Mart stock clerks $20 per hour like we’ve paid auto workers on assembly lines that screw on lug nuts? That business model is sure to work! And we wonder why General Motors just announced the need to layoff 12,000 workers. Mr. Ryan and the heads of labor in this nation need to wake-up and smell the roses. Work with corporate management instead of constantly denigrating their efforts and find the happy medium. Then, everyone will be better off.
from Cool Cleveland reader Dan Price califangelsATmsn.com

Wal-Mart Should be Unionized. Unions were necessary because we could not trust in our capitalist society that owners would deal honorably with employees. NOTHING HAS CHANGED! “Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it.” I think that it is clear when you consider what has happened to American jobs that something has to be done. All of us have family and friends effected by the erosion of the power that unions had. That tide must be turned. The American Family Universal is feeling the results of that phenomenon as evidenced by our health care crisis. I admire Mr.Ryan, whom I have heard several times, for this bold move. I hope that he is successful. This effort at least puts the issue out there.
from Cool Cleveland reader Angela P. McKinney apmck7ATyahoo.com

On the Cool Cleveland blog here I wanted to send a quick thanks for setting up the Cool Cleveland blog. I wait with baited breath to see Cool Cleveland’s articles posted there in real time. It creates a much more “live” environment than the mailing list, and it could really serve to connect people around a great platform: cool things to do/see/talk about in Cleveland.
from Cool Cleveland reader Kurtiss Hare kurtissATmonophonicmass.com

Glad to see you are adding a Cool Cleveland blog. Getting the latest and greatest info about Cleveland via RSS is truly the only way to go these days.
from Cool Cleveland reader Douglas Mazanec infomanATameritech.net

Thanks Cool Cleveland Cool Cleveland is now my new single window to Cleveburg Stuff. Thanks for having the best list of fun things (that my wife Beth and I like) in town. Downside: Too much to do and too little time!
from Cool Cleveland reader Mark Alan Vinick mvinickATprodigy.net

Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your weekly sending. Thank you so much for all your efforts.
from Cool Cleveland reader Marge Pauls mmpaulsATsbcglobal.net

thanks thomas, looking forward to this event and more issues of Cool Cleveland, by far the best local reader we have out there!
from Cool Cleveland reader Mike Filly MFilly4221ATaol.com

Not Cool Cleveland For the past several months, each week I open Cool Cleveland my eyes are met with a large color photo of three or four pretty, young white women who are usually surrounding a single white guy (ok, so this week it was an African-American gentleman — congrats on the nod to diversity). Today I received an invite to the Night Out in the Heights — again, three white women are prominently featured [See party invite here]. As a white man, I am certain that this is a natural marketing approach for you — somewhere in your conscious or subconscious mind the thought, “Hey, attractive women attract successful men.” This “marketing” technique is blatantly male/white centric and assumes that the (largely white) male gaze is normative. It is also somewhat degrading to the intelligence of your male readership — it assumes that women are the only thing that they are interested in (in this frame, this could also speak to your gay male readers, who are generally not sexually aroused by images of pretty girls). This one-dimensional white, straight, male approach is so grossly old-boy-network Cleveland, I am not even sure how you can still title your e-newsletter *Cool* Cleveland. As I indicated earlier, you do occasionally feature non-whites in your interviews and features. But the “cool” Clevelanders most often featured are white guys — often politicians of the old guard, or those who are on the road to old-school positions of “power.” Where is the diversity? Why the white male point of view? Men — regardless of race — are a minority. And if we evaluate where our city has been and where it is today, we can thank the white male establishment, who have consistently been mired in bureaucracy, in-fighting, and provinciality. Riot grrrl and Bikini Kill front woman Kathleen Hanna said it best — “White boy, don’t laugh, don’t cry… just die!” — until the white male-centricity of Cleveland dies, this city will remain dead… And, as long as “Cool” Cleveland remains entrenched in this white/straight male perspective, it may as well be a tool for The Man. Cool? I think not. I fight The Man everyday…
from Cool Cleveland contributor Lyz Bly lyzblyATameritech.net

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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

1) Which American dialect do you speak? Take this test to figure out your linguistic profile; it’s amazingly accurate. http://www.BlogThings.com/amenglishdialecttest

2) Crocker Park developer eyes Downtown He calls Crocker Park a “warm-up” for Downtown, for which his ideas include: spread out County employees along Euclid Avenue storefronts and attach a convention center to Tower City. http://www.Cleveland.com

3) Cool Cleveland People Mike Polk of Last Call Cleveland talks about comedy and improv in Cleveland. www.CoolCleveland.com

4) Big box at W. 117th & I-90 Residents are moving out and making way for a retail center that would be the new site for another Target and Giant Eagle. www.Cleveland.com

5) RoldoLINK Rybka: A Good Reason Not to Cut City Council. www.CoolCleveland.com

Hard Corps bring it together Cleveland’s activists and cultural commentators hit the crowds, events, and regional news to bring readers the Cool Cleveland experience every week. CC appreciates those who brings the content to life: Tisha Nemeth-Loomis, Deb Remington, Roxanne Ravenel, TL Champion, Peter Chakerian, Leslie Basalla, George Nemeth, Linda Eisenstein, Rachel Jacobs, Roldo Bartimole and everyone who partners with us. Want to contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Download the Cool Cleveland podcast each week at http://www.CoolCleveland.com. Click on the Cool Cleveland Blog here. Read the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine here. Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time. See the Cool Cleveland TV Update on WKYC NBC TV by clicking here. Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com, and your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com. For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com.

What are you doing to connect with Cleveland?

–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com

all contents ©2005 MulreadyGROUP all rights reserved
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