We’re proud that CoolCleveland has been endorsing candidates since we were founded 20 years ago. In the 2022 election yesterday, virtually all our endorsed candidates prevailed in Cuyahoga County. It’s too early to know the final results of this all-important election. But this much we do know: turnout, both locally and statewide, appears to be at near-historic levels for a midterm election. In some districts, voters turned out at nearly the same rate as a presidential election, which is unheard of. If this trend of activated voters continues, it’s good news for both Democracy and for Democrats, who generally benefit from high turnout. But not all of our eligible voters turned out, and that has become a crisis.Some of us are re-thinking and recharging. The Akron Symphony is featuring Black composers in its Christmas program. NEO photog Ryan Harris says “Don’t Touch My Hair” at the Pivot Center. Figurative artist Judy Takacs wins a big award for her pro-choice painting. Guitarist Mark Lee Shannon releases a book on his 8 years of sobriety. The documentary Mama Bear, outlining the journey to accepting LGBTQ+ kids, is screening at West Shore Unitarian Universalist. The roots of the opioid crisis are explored in a talk at the City Club.
But in some ways, we need to start with the basics and build ourselves back up. Our democracy is not representative: eight states have less population than Cuyahoga County’s 1.2M residents, yet each one of those states elects two senators, while Cuyahoga shares its two senators with the other 10.6M residents of Ohio. Imagine how California feels: their 40M people only get two senators. In the COMMENTARY below, I point out the Donut Hole of Democracy, where voter turnout in our cities is a fraction of suburban and rural areas. Our Democracy is not representative, and we need to do something about it. It would help if we all at least voted next time.
How do you feel today? Some of my friends are worried. Things didn’t go their way. There’s plenty of blame to go around. They are thinking of moving. They can’t believe that their neighbors voted that way. So differently from themselves.
Others are pleased with a job well done. They worked hard. Their candidates were elected, and their issues were passed. They are tired this morning because they worked so hard yesterday at the polls: handing out lit, delivering lunches to volunteers, planting yard signs into front lawns. You knock enough doors, you get white knuckles.
Figurative artist Judy Takacs is known for her realistic paintings of women, showing their challenges and their strength. So it’s no surprise that one of her latest tackles the assaults on reproductive rights. “MASALA (Make Abortion Safe and Legal Again)” took first prize at the Akron Society of Artists Member’s Juried Exhibition. Read more
Nonprofit gallery Waterloo Arts is again doing its one-night “Art of the Ornament” silent auction. Artists interested in creating and donating an ornament should drop it off at the gallery by Saturday November 12. Read more
Marc Lee Shannon is best known to northeast Ohio audiences from the 25 years he spent as a member of Michael Stanley’s Resonators. But behind the scenes Shannon was dealing with addiction issues.
Eight years ago, he claimed his sobriety and since then he’s become an advocate sharing his story and journey in hopes of helping other musicians. This week he’s releasing a book telling his story and performing at a Rock Hall event dedicated to sobriety. Read more
Today, my neighbor contacted City Hall to inquire as to when the city would do their annual leaf pick up in my neighborhood. This has been a service rendered by the city since I first moved here in 1976.
My neighbor was told that Cleveland City Council in conjunction with Mayor Justin Bibb decided that they will no longer pick up leaves in Cleveland neighborhoods. No notice. No rationale. No neighborhood input. No neighborhood meeting… Read more.
