Bubble

12.09-12.16.09
Bubble

In this week’s issue:

NEO feels like it’s on the bubble right about now. Something about a down economy, and everyone is in start-up mode. We’ve noticed three launch parties just in the past week for new businesses in NEO, with no signs of slowing down. Our new PBS program NEOtropolis covers that territory and more, and this week we profile rock artist Sean Higgins, offer a video of Jennifer Browning Patrick, point you to Kringle’s Inventionasium, get you inside the Gauguin exhibit, and inside the head of Cle Orch chorus director Bob Porco. Keep your eye on Cool Cleveland. You never know what’s going to bubble up. –Thomas Mulready

Sean Higgins and The Bubble Process
Cleveland’s Rock n’ Roll Artist

In the world of Cleveland art and artisans, Sean Higgins is a rock star. In 2006, he partnered with his Kent State college friend, Nicholas Rezabek, to form the two-man design and illustration firm that is The Bubble Process.

“The Bubble Process was built on this premise,” says Higgins, “devour good food, cherish good music, revere good design and treasure illustration.”

Good music is an especially important part of the mission statement as The Bubble Process specializes in unique screen-printed posters for musicians, concert venues and more than a few rock stars.

CoolCleveland: Wow, Dave Matthews was a client? What did you do for them?
SH: We were commissioned! The Dave Matthews Band contacted us directly and commissioned us to design a series of baby clothes. I think the coolest experience is when an artist seeks us out like that. They’ve seen something we’ve done and liked it enough to find and commission us. This summer, for example, we did a fun poster for Fleet of Foxes, and nine months ago we did a poster for the House of Blues for the B. B. King concert. My father loves to listen to B. B. King and it was incredibly cool to be able to tell my dad that I did a poster for him…
Read the CoolCleveland interview of Sean Higgins by Julie Cajigas here

Planning your online marketing? Your Sponsored Link or Sponsored Video in Cool Cleveland is seen and clicked on by Northeast Ohio’s most active online audience. Info@CoolCleveland.com

Holiday Shopping That Doesn’t Suck
Cool Cleveland’s Holiday Gift Guide

Shopping doesn’t have to suck. You don’t have to deal with crammed parking lots, crappy customer service and ugly warehouses full of items made in China to buy gifts for your loved ones. Shop local this year and transform your buying experience. Cool Cleveland’s Holiday Gift Guide will show you where to go, whether you’re looking for art, arts & crafts, books, music & films, outdoors, health & wellness, wearable art, fashion, style & boutiques or sustenance & sundries. Check the Guide every week for more listings. Are we missing something? Send us a note at InfoATCoolCleveland.com. See the full CoolCleveland Holiday Gift Guide here: Holidaygiftguide09

Weekends on Waterloo Holiday Sale lasts from Fri 12/11 to Sun 12/13 but the fun peaks on Sat 12/12. On this day, Waterloo 7 Gallery will have live music and wine on-hand as you peruse one-of-a-kind jewelry and hand-painted treasures from 7 – 11PM. Located at 16006 Waterloo Rd. Then experience a blast from the past at the official opening of Star Pop, the place for “all things cool,” vintage and retro [pictured]. Everything in the store was salvaged from local families/estates to cut down on waste and landfills. Visit 15813 Waterloo Rd. http://ArtsCollinwood.org/weekends-on-waterloo-holiday-sale Visit the complete Holiday Gift Guide here.

Hip Holiday Event & Trunk Show @ the Spa Gather your clique for a night out on Thu 12/10. Shop a hip clothing and jewelry boutique while being pampered w/ a comp evening of mini spa treatments, a martini bar, hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary beauty gift bag! Winds of Change Boutique and Tamra Designs team up at Yellow Creek Spa, 3636 Yellow Creek Rd in Bath. 6:30PM. Call 330-665-2555 to RSVP. http://YellowCreekSpa.com Peruse the complete Holiday Gift Guide here.

GREEN Celebrate Local @ Tremont Farmers Market You can’t go wrong with a gift from the market. All items are locally made (and as a CC reader you know the benefits of going local!) and either really cool or really yummy. Choose from bread, waffles, pies, cheeses, meats, eggs, coffee, tea, salsas and hot sauces, vegan baked goods and crafts at the indoor Holiday Market on Tue 12/15 from 4 – 7PM. Pilgrim Congregational UCC, 2592 W 14th St. http://TremontFarmersMarket.com Click through the complete Holiday Gift Guide here.

Rock Hall gifts You can’t do any better than the 9-DVD set of highlights from 25 years of Rock Hall induction ceremonies, in the just released “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live,” featuring 125 musical acts mixed up with some of the most memorable induction speeches with performances by everyone from AC/DC to The Who. With over 24 straight hours of material, you won’t get any sleep this holiday season. RockHallStore.com Visit the complete Holiday Gift Guide here.

HOT Bazaar Bizarre @ 78th St. Studios It’s not your granny’s craft fair and it’s back on the westside on Sat 12/12 from 12 – 9PM and Sun 12/13 from 12 – 6PM. Head over to 1300 W. 78th St. and peruse over 75 vendors selling DIY handmade goods. http://BazaarBizarre.org/cleveland.html Feast your eyes on the complete Holiday Gift Guide here.

On The Market Path to Fair Trade
Gifts for the Greater Good

Jennifer Browning-Patrick is passionate about giving through gifts. If that sounds redundant, she can show you three ways to give with a single gift! Jennifer is the manager of The Market Path, a non-profit, fair trade boutique operated by First Grace UCC, in Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood.

Each gift is a delight to the recipient, it also supports small businesses throughout the world, and all profits are reinvested for community outreach and social justice in Akron, Ohio.

Watch the video to hear Jennifer discuss the exciting mission at The Market Path, share some of the products and their stories, and talk about The Market Path’s upcoming “tasting” Saturdays in December with Coffee, Chocolate & Jam for tasting. Connect with The Market Path on Facebook or at TheMarketPath.com

SPONSORED: An Imaginative Gift Idea An imagination does not require batteries, it won’t break, and it comes with a lifetime guarantee. Each year, Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio nurtures more than 250,000 young imaginations by putting professional artists in classrooms. Make a tax-deductible donation to Young Audiences and give the gift that will be treasured forever! http://yaneo.org/who/donations.html.

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Chicago Tribune in Willoughby Reporter visits Louis Penfield House for a “house beautiful” escape. [Photo at left by Alan Weintraub.] Read

HOT We [heart] librarian Karen E. Martines and so do many others. CPL’s Martines wins “I Love My Librarian Award” for exceptional customer service given by Carnegie Corp of NY, The New York Times and the American Library Association. Karen Rocks!

Got an idea that would make waves in Cle? Cle Colletivo is seeking proposals to support. If your idea is unique and beneficial to the community, send to ’em between Fri 1/1 and Fri 1/15. Details at http://ClevelandColectivo.org.

HELP Have a drink for the animals McNulty’s Bier Markt & Bar Cento are donating 15% of food and drink sales on Tue 12/15 to the Cle Kennel. Get there from 4:30PM – 2AM and mention Friends of the Cle Kennel to help animals in need. http://FriendsOfClevelandKennel.com

Is the end near for RTA? At least it will be for many RTA routes if the 2010 Service & Fare Proposal goes through. More Cuts?

The Hospital That Could Save Health Care It’s an audacious title for a Newsweek article on the Cleveland Clinic, and shows why they are the darlings of the national media. Read

GREEN Opera goes green Opera Cle launches Green Opera Initiative. Check It Out

Crocker Park throws it all away Local activists are trying to bring recycling options to westside Cle’s “faux town,” which currently offers zero recycling options for visitors and businesses. Call 440-835-9343 and urge general manager Darryl Whitehead to be more sustainable. Right On

HELP Teens in foster care need gifts, too Most people donate toys for the holidays but older kids also need gifts. Adoption Network of Grtr Cle encourages you to give gift cards to allow teens to get exactly what they want. Email Robin.OttATadoptionnetwork.org or call 216-325-1000 ext. 101 to donate or get info.

2010 is Year of the Tiger and you know what that means–tigers are coming to St Clair-Superior. Artists are needed to design these tiger sculptures. Got an idea? Submit it by Fri 1/15. Tell Me More

Get free admission to the Great Lakes Science Ctr on Sun 12/13 to honor outgoing Board Chair Dr. Jeanette Grasselli Brown’s 3 years of service. Thanks!

Vince Martinez, media maven
CSU Honors Program

Vince Martinez is a senior who is serious about his major in Digital Media & Film. So serious, he’s already started a video production company. And for his Honors project, he’s working on an HIV/AIDS awareness film.

Watch the video and hear about how he got his tuition and books paid for by qualifying for the Honors Program. He’s traveled all around the world, got involved in film and video in Japan, moved around to Korea and New York, and transfered to CSU from Tri-C. Oh, and he plans to go on to film school, and as a backup, law school. Is there anything this maven can’t do? http://www.EngageCSU.com

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

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

a psychedelic, hallucinogenic journey
Kringle’s Inventionasium

Holiday traditions in Northeast Ohio die hard. Decades after the fact, many of us have halcyon memories of traveling downtown to see the window decorations, smelling the freshly roasted nuts wafting through the Terminal Tower’s May Company or even visiting Mr. Jingeling on Halle’s seventh floor.

That said, there’s a relatively new seasonal attraction that is quickly gaining momentum to become THE annual must-see tradition of the New Millennium. It’s Tower City’s Kringle’s Inventionasium and it’s the vision of Broadview Heights native, Lakewood resident James Langa…
Read the story of Kringle’s Inventionasium by John Benson here

Picklefight Puppet Show @ Beachland Holiday Brunch Relax and enjoy a leisurely brunch on Sun 12/13 from 11AM-3PM. The brunches @ Beachland are an affordable luxury that you just can’t pass by. This week, be entertained by Leia Alligator’s kid-friendly Picklefight Puppet Show [pictured] as your family chomps on tofu scramble, risotto cakes and empanadas. Performances at 12PM and 2PM. Call 216-383-1124 for reservations. 15711 Waterloo Rd. http://BeachlandBallroom.com

The Music of Chanukah Kids age 9 and under will be treated to 40 minutes of classical holiday music featuring violins and piano on Fri 12/11 at 10AM and Sun 12/13 at 12:30PM. Part of the Cle Orchestra’s interactive Holiday Musical Rainbow series for kids. Reinberger Chamber Hall at Severance, 11001 Euclid Ave. Tickets

Our Children Can Soar “Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Barack could run; Barack ran so our children can soar.” Cle Public Library puts a creative perspective on the accomplishments of African-American heroes w/ a free concert on Sat 12/12 featuring the Cle School of the Arts Choir and Triple Threat. Get inspired starting at 4PM. See the art exhibit of the same name running now through Sat 2/13. CPL MLK Branch, 1962 Stokes Blvd. Details

Super Saturdays @ Beck Ctr Wake up somewhat early on Sat 12/12 for a free hands-on art extravaganza. Make crafts (at no additional charge), socialize and get creative from 9-11AM. This Sat, make crafts w/ folks from the Cle Botanical Garden. For kids age 10 and under. Beck Ctr for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave in Lakewood. Call Ed at 216.521.2540 ext 10 for info or click here.

SPONSORED: Arts Education: A Lifetime Gift! Dance with a Rockette. Create art from clay. Develop confidence through improvisation. Express joy through music. Each week Beck Center offers 140 classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Give a gift that doesn’t sit at the bottom of the toy box. Register today! http://beckcenter.org/2010wintercat.pdf.

What are you doing Friday night? NEOtropolis is Northeast Ohio’s new weekly TV program with a fresh look at what’s working in our economy, hosted by CoolCleveland.com’s Thomas Mulready. Watch it live, or watch it online. Tune in on Fri 12/11 for with former Cle city planner Hunter Morrison, developer Gus Frangos & UofA prof Raymond Cox about housing and urban development in NEO. Then tune in every Friday night at 9PM on Western Reserve PBS. This is not business as usual….

Comment on our show on the NEOtropolis.org. Watch the most recent episode here, and get more info here.

Got ideas for businesses, trends or cool business people we should be covering? Friend us on Facebook, or drop us a line at NEOtropolis@CoolCleveland.com

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

Cle clothing designer is big in Singapore NYT article talks about Singapore boutiques, including one called Know It Nothing that features clothes from Cle’s own Wrath Arcane [pictured]. Stylin’

NYC says bye-bye to rock Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in NYC will close in Jan. Read

GREEN NY cuts to the chase for offshore wind power New York releases proposal for first wind power project in Great Lakes. Can we beat them? Info

Video stores are tanking and, unfortunately, local shops are no exception. Vidstar, a Coventry landmark for 26 years, will be closing on Thu 12/31.

SPONSORED: Check out Social CAK and sign up to win $500 on Frontier Airlines. http://www.AkronCantonAirport.com/socialcak

GREEN CES Sustainability Symposium at NEO Regional Sewer District Env. & Maintenance Services Ctr. in Cuy Hts on Sat 12/9, 7:30AM – 1PM. Register

COSE Arts Network Roundtable at COSE on Wed 12/16 from 12 – 1:30PM. Register

HOT GREEN Alternative Energy Gala at GLSC on Wed 12/16 from 6 – 10PM. MIT professor Ernest Moniz will discuss how alt energy can tackle the world’s energy problems. Register

HOT GREEN Alternative Energy Gala at GLSC on Wed 12/16 from 6 – 10PM. MIT professor Ernest Moniz [pictured] will discuss how alt energy can tackle the world’s energy problems. Register

Cuy Co Government Reform: What Does It Mean for Health & Social Services? at CSU’s MGL College of Urban Affairs on Thu 12/17, 9 – 11AM w/ the Ctr for Community Solutions. Register

Bring yr Resume & Portfolio to Communications Career Day at Wolstein Ctr on Fri 12/18, 8:30AM – 3PM. Crash courses and career recruiters. Register

From Rogue to Innovator
Paul Gauguin: Paris, 1889

In the art world, context is king. All artists are effected by what came before them, as well as their personal circumstances; social, political, religious environments; what artists around them are doing; etc.

What makes them and their work so intriguing is that this coming together of people, places and times is not repeatable, and the works that emerge from this confluence can be an extraordinary window into their reaction to that unique moment in time.

The Cleveland Museum of Art presents the works of Paul Gauguin in their context. This major international exhibit encapsulates a brief period (1889-1903) in the life and artistic works of Paul Gauguin…
Read about Gauguin by Carol Drummond here

SPONSORED: Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Crop Bistro & Bar, with a fabulous five-course, prix fixe dinner, augmented by a savory amuse bouche, a refreshing Cropsicle intermezzo, and a complimentary glass of bubbly! Seating is available 5-10 p.m. Go here for more info and online reservations, or call Crop Bistro at 216-696-2767.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

GREEN More than Trees: The Unseen Components of Forest Ecosystems When you think of a forest you think of trees. But forests consist of much more than a bunch of trees. The forest ecosystem is made of interdependent populations of plants, animals and fungi that form a perfect balance. Learn about forest conservation and the definition of a healthy forest w/ a comp lecture on Wed 12/9 from 7-9PM. Holden Arboretum, 9500 Sperry Rd, Kirtland. [Photo at left by crimfants]. Register at http://HoldenArb.org/visit/speakers.asp.

Apollo’s Fire: Praetorius Christmas Vespers Jeannette Sorrell evokes the soul-searching and joyousness of Christmas in her reconstruction of Praetorius’ haunting/uplifting music. Sorrell’s Christmas Vespers–an annual tradition and acclaimed CD recording–brings soloists, antiphonal choirs, children’s choir, lutes, brass, recorders and harpsichord together for a series of rousing performances starting on Wed 12/9 at 7:30PM, through Sun 12/13. Kicks off at Akron’s Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 W Exchange St. Schedule and locations at http://ApollosFire.org/concerts/praetorius0910.html.

HOT The Seagull @ Oberlin College It’s one of the most celebrated and groundbreaking plays of contemporary theater–and it’s the first play in the Theater Program’s mainstage season. Fusing realism with symbolism and comedy with tragedy, the play [namesake pictured at left] explores the meaning of being an artist in a society consumed by competition, celebrity and the high-stakes of love. 8PM. Thu 12/10 through Sat 12/12. Hall Auditorium @ Oberlin College, 67 N Main St, Oberlin. Tickets

HOT Co-Existing and Co-Llaborating Potter-Belmar Labs is part media art, part DJ and VJ performance and part experimental cinema. The duo, consisting of Leslie Raymond & Jason Jay Stevens, performs from laptop computers augmented by external digital devices to manipulate sound and images, all while eliciting audience participation. See their live music/video collage for no charge at SPACES on Thu 12/10 at 6:30PM. 2220 Superior Viaduct. Info and http://www.potterbelmar.org. Live preview here.

HOT Sounds of the Holidays @ Severance Experience real holiday music w/ the Cle Orchestra’s holiday concerts. Catch Handel’s Messiah on Thu 12/10 at 8PM and Sat 12/12 then come back for the 10-day Cle Orchestra Holiday Festival featuring 8 Christmas concerts, 2 performances of Celtic fiddler Eileen Ivers in “An Irish Christmas” and the sounds of the 12-member Burning River Brass ensemble. Carols, sing-alongs and festive cheer also included. Through Mon 12/21. Schedule and tickets at http://ClevelandOrchestra.com.

Cool Yule Ring in the holidays with a blast of seasonal jazz on Thu 12/10 at EJ Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St in Akron. Starting at 7:30PM, pianist Joe Augustine, trumpeter Jack Schantz, the UA Jazz Ensemble and other musicians from the Univ of Akron School for Music will play selections from Duke Ellington’s Jazz Nutcracker and other favorites. Tickets

Deck the [Stan Hywet] Hall Witness the gorgeous Manor House all decked out in bows, snow globes, gingerbread houses, nutcracker displays and other seasonal memorabilia based on this year’s theme of Christmas Collections. Tours are open during the weekend of Thu 12/10 and on select days in Dec. Live music and ice sculpting demos round out the festivities. Open Tue 5 – 8PM. Don’t forget to shop at the Carriage House Museum! 714 N Portage Path in Akron. http://StanHywet.org/dynamic/promo1.aspx

International Human Rights Day Bet you didn’t know about this holiday, which falls on Thu 12/10. Int’l Human Rights Day marks the day in 1948 when the United Nation’s adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It’s a day to band together to confront human rights violations around the globe. Join others at Mac’s Backs for Amnsety Int’l’s Global Write-A-Thon, fair trade raffles, raw food and entertainment. Drop in between 2 – 8PM at 1820 Coventry Rd in Cle Hts. Info

GREEN Terra Madre and Slow Food Celebration @ Fire Communities around the world are joining together to eat local on Thu 12/10. Fire Food & Drink, located at 13220 Shaker Square, is offering a local mushroom dinner hosted by Killbuck Mushroom owners Tom and Wendy Wiandt at 6:30PM. Grilled lion’s mane mushrooms, antelope tartar, mushroom terrine and chocolate-mushroom ice cream and much more. Call Leslie at 216-921-3473 ext 148 for details. http://FireFoodAndDrink.com/events.htm

SPONSORED: WCLV 104.9 has begun its annual presentation of holiday music by The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, heard weekdays at 11:25 AM through Wed 12/23. On Fri 12/11, a holiday concert from Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory takes to the air at 8PM. And on Sat 12/12, at 1PM, the 40th anniversary of WCLV’s broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera begins with Puccini’s Il Trittico. Details on all of WCLV’s programs at http://www.WCLV.com.

Rockabilly Holiday + Blues Benefit @ Beachland Two cool shows at the Beachland on Fri 12/11: In the Ballroom at 8PM, check out Gene Schwartz’ Blues for the Schools benefit. All proceeds go to the Robert Lockwood Jr Music Scholarship. Lockwood All-Star Band, Willie Pooch, Crazy Marvin and more play for a good cause. http://RobertLockwood.com. At 9PM, have a Rockabilly Holiday w/ Rumble Daddy [pictured], a band straight outta rustbelt trailer parks. They’ll play their blend of punked-up hard-edged country for y’all. 15711 Waterloo Rd. http://MySpace.com/rumbledaddy

One Silent Night Cleveland-based international rock guitar god Neil Zaza keeps improving his one-night-only mash-up of classic rock, classical embellishments and classically intense melodic guitar riffs married to holiday standards like you’ve never heard before. In fact, anyone who brings together on one stage The Singing Angels and Judas Priest vocalist Akron’s Tim “The Ripper” Owens deserves our rapt attention. And anyone who gets over 1 million views on his YouTube video I’m Alright is quite alright with us. Info and Tickets.

It’s Never Too Cold to Dance And it’s never too chilly to leave the house for the Winter Dance Concert @ Tri-C West. The annual concert on Fri 12/11 explores many styles and disciplines, including hip-hop, jazz and modern dance w/ choreography by Sarah Morrison, Megan Pitcher and students. 7:30PM @ Western Campus Theatre, 11000 Pleasant Valley Rd in Parma. Call 216-987-5536 to RSVP. http://Tri-C.edu/events/Pages/WinterDance.aspx

Bob Fraser and Ki Allen CD Release Party @ Cle Bop Stop Cle’s dynamic jazz duo, who first performed together at Club Isabella in the early ’90s, celebrates the release of their debut CD Calling Card [pictured] w/ a concert on Sat 12/12. The album speaks of the empathy these two share for another in their long history of collaboration. Shows at 8:30PM and 10PM at 2920 Detroit Ave. Read more about them here.

Woodchoppers’ Ball Nine of the best acoustic guitarists in the nation come together on Sat 12/12 to support the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. Check out the concert at 7PM and feel good about supporting an organization that’s working hard to empower and advocate for local homeless individuals. The Kent Stage, 175 E Main St in Kent. http://KentStage.org

North Coast Men’s Chorus presents Snow Biz Share in the pride of NEO’s largest gay chorus as they kick off their 22nd season w/ Snow Biz, a musical designed to get you feelin’ all festive. Performances on Sat 12/12 at 3PM and 8PM and Sun 12/13 at 3PM. Hanna Theatre, 2067 E 14th St. http://NCMChorus.org. Tickets

Miracle on 47th St. Dress warmly and bring your fam and friends to historic Ohio City on Sat 12/12 for holiday festivities courtesy of the W. 47th St Block Club. Carolers, a snowball throw, Everett the Talking Tree, hot cocoa and a visit from Santa will get everyone in a festive mood. 5 – 9:30PM at West 47th St between Bridge and Franklin Aves. Details

Rare Screening of The Lemon Drop Kid @ Cedar Lee This all-but-forgotten 1951 holiday film gets revived for 2 special digital showings on Sat 12/12 at 2PM and Sun 12/13 at 7PM. Bob Hope stars in this movie full of Christmas shenanigans featuring gangsters, bad tips, a holiday con and a heart-warming rendition of “Silver Bells.” Cedar Lee Theatre, 2163 Lee Rd in Cle Hts. http://www.ClevelandCinemas.com

Pies, Pies, Pies! Every type of pie you can imagine will be featured at the 12th Annual Pie Festival and Art Sale Fundraiser on Sat 12/12 from 10AM – 8PM. Come on down for a slice or buy a whole pie and place a bid in the silent art auction. Choose from apple, blueberry, peach, organic, vegan, raspberry and more! All proceeds benefit Standing Rock Cultural Arts based in Kent. Located at North Water Street Gallery, 257 N Water St in Kent. http://StandingRock.net

HOT Jessica Lea Mayfield @ Grog Shop Kent native Mayfield performs a unique blend of indie rock, folk, country and soul that she calls “alt. music.” Whether she’s pounding out indie tunes on a banjo or injecting twang in her guitar, she’s breaking down genres in her own distinct way. And she’s only 19! See her on Sun 12/13 at 9PM. 2785 Euclid Hts Blvd in Cle Hts. [Photo at left by Brian Vetter.] http://MySpace.com/jlmayfield

Gray’s Fine Art, Antiques & Decorations Auction There will be nothing lame at this auction on Sun 12/13. Gray’s Auctioneers, one of the largest fine art auction houses in the region, offers only the best stuff: vintage jewelry, antique furniture, original paintings and other items of class. Auction starts at 1PM but you can preview the goods starting on Thu 12/10 at 12PM. 10717 Detroit Ave. Details at http://GraysAuctioneers.com.

Science Cafe Cle: Deafness & Zebrafish Is there any correlation between zebrafish and human hearing? Of course there is. Hearing specialists from Case Western Reserve Univ [Brian McDermott pictured at left] and Univ Hospitals will chat about the exciting advances w/ deafness and hearing loss. Learn about cochlear implants, a device that allows deaf people to hear, and other exciting tech stuff on Mon 12/14 at 6:30PM. Great Lakes Brewery Tasting Rm, 2701 Carroll Ave. http://Case.edu/affil/sigmaxi/Cafe2009-12.html

Skip Your Usual Lunch for a Holiday Buffet The City Club is having their annual Holiday Luncheon Buffet on Tue 12/15 at 11:30AM. Bring the whole office and nosh on a high-quality (and low-stress) seasonal buffet. Not sure what’s gonna be served but we bet it’s something good. Call 216-621-0082 for reservations. City Club of Cle, 850 Euclid Ave. http://CityClub.org

Rock & Roll Night School Explore the history of rock and roll holiday records–from The Orioles’ “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” to the classic A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector to Woody’s Guthrie’s Hanukkah songs and RUN-DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis”- at a discussion-based night class led by Rock Hall CEO Terry Stewart on Wed 12/16. Dig deep into rock history for the stories behind the holiday songs. No charge. Just drop by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Foster Theater (4th Floor) at 7PM. http://RockHall.com/public/rock-school

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

A Magical, Musical, Classical Christmas

The Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concerts are a tradition for Cleveland families, couples and anyone who wants to get into the holiday spirit. Every year the always-gorgeous Severance Hall is decked for the season with beautiful lights and a little extra Holiday cheer from the building’s glowing profile on Euclid Avenue to the smiles of the volunteer ushers.

The stars on the top of the tree are the world-class Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus along with guest singers from the Blossom Festival Chorus, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus and CSU’s Chorale. Speaking of stars, the director for the evening, Bob Porco, director of choruses for The Cleveland Orchestra, shines brightly on stage and in the rehearsal room.

Cool Cleveland: Any humorous moments from concerts past or present we should know about?
Bob Porco: During 12 Days of Christmas, chorus members with microphones roam the aisles looking for brave audience members to sing solos on the “five gold rings” for each of the 12 days. It’s not necessarily humorous, but about three years ago a gentleman sang “one gold ring,” and before we knew it he was down on one knee, proposing to his sweetheart. The place went crazy; it was like the cheering at a rock concert…

Read the interview with Bob Porco by Julie Cajigas here

The “Cartoon”

Gee, I never knew that mainstream Cleveland media was so concerned with fairness in matters of race until the Call & Post lampooned State Senator Nina Turner on its front page, depicting her as a subservient (but nonetheless jovial and congenial) Aunt Jemima. The condemnation of the imagery has been swift, loud and unrelenting.

However, given the fact that Native Americans have been disrespected by that racist image of Chief Wahoo for close to a century without a comparable media uproar, one has to wonder at the selectivity of the current outrage. Additionally, there’s the old saying about people living in glass houses throwing stones… the PD certainly has published its share of cartoons of questionable taste over the years…
Read more from Mansfield Frazier here

Arcade’s Failure Points to More Downtown Problems

The highly-subsidized Hyatt Regency Cleveland and the historic 1890 The Arcade “may go up for auction at a Cuyahoga County sheriff sale,” according to an reports. Failure of the Cleveland’s architectural gem points to continued economic problems in downtown Cleveland.

This is a severe blow to the notoriety being given to the comeback of Euclid Avenue and that section of downtown Cleveland at E. 4th Street.

A near $200 million beautification/transit project has recently been completed along Euclid Avenue, site of The Arcade.

“The 1890-vintage landmark is in the final throes of a foreclosure proceeding in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court…”
Read more of Roldo Bartimole here

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

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 12/03/09
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

M.U.S.i.C. Brunch/Recital @ Intercontinental Hotel 12/06/09
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

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

1) Holiday Gift Guide We love shopping. Local. CoolCleveland.com

2) Who wants to be County Executive? Roldo gives you a heads up. ClevelandOrchestra.com

3) Cool Signage at University Circle We once were lost but now we’re found. CoolCleveland.com

4) Racial exclusion? In 2009? Mansfield thinks it’s time to change. CoolCleveland.com

5) What are you thankful for? United Way wants to know. UWS.org.

On the bubble Our writers are always on the cutting edge of what’s cool in Cleveland and beyond: Roldo Bartimole, John Benson, Julie Cajigas, Carol Drummond, Kelly Ferjutz, Mansfield Frazier, and Sarah Valek. And lastly, though certainly not least, thanks to our readers and everyone who partners with us. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com.

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