Bridging The Gap

02.03-02.10.10
Bridging The Gap

In this week’s issue:
* Party Cool Cleveland’s Brazilian Carnaval on Sat 3/13
* WinterFUN Toboggan Triumph
* Click to WIN Will you be our next winner?
* Career ToolBOX Bridging the gap
* NEOtropolis Lake Erie watersports and recreation
* VENUE The Gartner Gig
* Get Out Of the HOUSE Winter in the Garden
* Cool Cleveland podcast & BFD blog & Facebook & Twitter

What are you doing to close the gaps? This week, we point you to the cool people doing things around the region: The Museum of Art’s brilliant new Gartner Auditorium; contributor Claudia Taller’s suggestions for getting out of the house this week; career coach Alexsandra Sukhoy’s monthly CareerTOOLBOX on how to study, work, read and network; NEOtropolis focusing this week’s program on Lake Erie recreation; and our super-cool Brazilian Carnaval, with luscious and authentic food to sweeten the pot. This is how we build bridges. How about you? –Thomas Mulready

Toboggan Triumph
Winter fun at 55 MPH

Some folks may consider driving to work a winter thrill ride, but The Cleveland Metroparks offers a different definition. It revolves around Strongsville’s Chalet Recreation Area Toboggan Chutes, which by the way are the only public chutes in the Buckeye State.

“We usually get between 30,000 to 40,000 people a year at the Toboggan Chute,” said Cleveland Metroparks Marketing and Public Relations Manager Bob Rotatori. “What you have to remember is the chutes are only open from the day after Thanksgiving through typically the first week of March. So it’s only about a three-month window that we get a lot of people through there.”

“We’ve clocked some riders from 40 to 55 miles per hour,” Rotatori said. “It really depends on how many people are on it, plus the weight. You want more people because the heavier it is the faster it’s going.

And it’s also dependent on how the ice is on the chutes, the slicker the better. You can really get going on that thing…”
Read more from John Benson here

Click To WIN A cash prize of $250 could be yours if you enter our ClickToWIN contest by clicking on the SPONSORED: links in this week’s issue of CoolCleveland.com below. Click as many times as you want. The more different links you click, the better your chances of winning. It’s that simple. Real people win real cash, but you can’t win if you don’t click. Click To WIN

SPONSORED: Think you’re man enough for the Akron-Canton Airport’s latest promotion? One lucky dude will win the Milwaukee Mancation! With airfare for two to Milwaukee, 2 nights hotel, tickets to watch the Cavaliers kick some serious Bucks, tour a Milwaukee brewery, and get this: a one-year lease on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle! http://www.akroncantonairport.com/harleymancation to enter!

Party at our Carnaval on Feb 13
Join the Midwest’s most authentic Brazilian celebration!

Put together your beads, feathers and masks for the Brazilian Carnaval 2010, in collaboration with TropicalCleveland.com on Sat 2/13. Get your advance tix here.

Come early between 9PM and 10PM for a special, CoolCleveland-only complimentary cocktail and hors d’oeuvres.

Then get ready for the Main Event: direct from Los Angeles: Samba performer Tati Souza “The Real Ginga” with authentic sambistas. Plus, live performances by the Brazilian band Chicago Samba, playing the non-stop dance rhythms of Samba, Marcha, Axe music, Batucada, Forro, frevo & much more!!

Join the traditional Carnaval percussion line Bateria by Samba Joia Escola de Samba, and DJ Fernando Loyola from Chicago, spinning the best of the newest Brazilian and American sounds. Get tix here.

Enjoy Brazilian cuisine from Sergio’s Sarava, exclusive for Cool Cleveland guests from 9-10PM:

* Chicken Passarinho– bite-sized, pan-seared chicken in a spicy garlic-scallion sauce, plus
* Xim-Xim– a slow-braised stew with morsels of free-range chicken and gulf shrimp, peppers, tomato, carrots, palm oil, coconut milk, and malaguetta pepper.
* Served over Brazilian rice, and topped with roasted peanuts. Yum!

The party continues until 2:30AM at The View Ultra Lounge and Wine Bar, 618 Prospect, in Downtown Cleveland’s East 4th Street District.

Spend One Night In The Land of: Feathers, Fun, Fantasy, Music, Dance, Beads, Masks, Caipirinhas & Costumes!

All this for $20 general admission. Arrive between 9-10PM for complimentary cocktail and hors d’oeuvres. V.I.P. & bottle service available. Don’t miss the excitement of Cleveland’s authentic Brazilian Carnaval!

Get your tickets in advance here: https://coolcleveland.net/tickets/carnaval2010/index.php

To ensure you receive Cool Cleveland every week, take a moment now and add CoolCleveland@CoolCleveland.com to your address book, trusted sender list, or corporate white list. Learn More.

HOT The Fast Track Fast Track Cycling purchases 9 acres in Slavic Village for proposed 150,000 sq ft sports complex w/ Olympic-style velodrome [pictured]. http://Velodrome4c.blogspot.com

3C gets $400 mill in federal stimulus funds for state-wide passenger rail service. http://3CisMe.ohio.gov

Riders haven’t given up their fight to bring Lakewood’s Circulator buses back. Join the struggle at a mtg on Sun 2/7, 3PM at Lkwd Public Library. Call 216-221-2724 for info.

Planning Commission Meeting to show public support for pedestrian & bicycle access on the planned Innerbelt Bridge, at the Cleveland City Hall Rm 514 on Fri 2/5 at 9AM. Read all the awesome details here: http://www.gcbl.org/innerbelt

El Voyage Maximo An intergalactic everyman invades the 216! For Real?

BackStage with Tom Hanks Tom Hanks talks about his start w/ the Great Lakes Theater Festival in this PBS show premiering on Thu 2/11 at 9PM. Show was even shot in Cle last year. Details

GREEN Cool events often sell out That’s why you wanna get your tickets now for EcoWatch’s Green Gala on Fri 4/9, featuring eco crusader Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. http://EcoWatch.org

CSU prof receives prestigious Fulbright Scholar grant Regennia N. Williams, Ph.D. [pictured], will travel to Nigeria to document religious and cultural change. Tell Me More

It’s All Love is another event you wanna get tickets for NOW! The Cle Jazz Orchestra will set the mood for Valentine’s Day w/ a nght of sensuous songs on Sat 2/13. Tickets

The Never Forgotten It’s Slovenian Culture Month. Go check out works by bygone Slovenian artists and Cle writers @ Slovenian Museum and Archives (6407 St. Clair Ave) and witness our city’s cultural legacy. Call 216-361-5600.

Igniting Possibilities Caring for the Authentic Self, a Retreat for Renewal and Awakening, with writer and retreat facilitator Claudia Taller, who is also a Cool Cleveland contributor. Learn to live authentically by embracing your spiritual and creative lives through meditation, yoga, creative exercises, and reflective journaling, on Sat 2/6, from noon – 5PM at North Olmsted United Methodist Church. Contact Claudia at ctallerwrites@wowway.com.

Cle Orch raises $72K for Haiti While in Miami last week, musicians from our own Cleveland Orchestra scheduled a benefit concert with Miami’s New World Symphony and donated the $72K raised to Partners in Health, who have been working on the ground in Haiti for 20 years. Read more

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

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

SPONSORED: A healthy indulgence? Yes! Learn about the natural history of chocolate on Sat 2/13 from an expert with Malley’s Chocolates; then, enjoy a delicious seven-course meal prepared by chef Jonathon Sawyer of the Greenhouse Tavern. Get ticket info at http://www.CMNH.org.

Cleveland Chinese Music Ensemble performs in the lobby of the Akron Art Museum @ 1 S. High St. from 3-4PM as part of the museum’s Chinese New Year Family Drop-In Day on Sat 2/7. [Pictured is Yan Ping Ye performing with CCME at World Festival.] Celebrate the Year of the Tiger: Learn about traditional Chinese music and instruments (like dizi and xiao–bamboo flutes), bang a gong, and join in on the finale. Plus, make art and check out a calligraphy demo. Activities start at 12PM. Music at 3PM. Then take a trolley to other events ’round town. Info

Birds of Prey Weekend Cle Metroparks’ Rocky River Nature Ctr is devoting 2 days to hawks, owls and other killer birds. On Sat 2/6 go on 2 hikes (a morning and evening one), watch an educational puppet show and catch a live appearance by hawks and owls. On Sun 2/7, meet highly trained (yet still deadly) falcons and learn about raptor rehab. Both days start at 10AM. View full schedule at http://CleMetParks.com/events/birdsofprey.asp

Alternative Parenting Drop-In Yes it’s cold out. And, yes, it takes twice as long to get out the door w/ kids in winter. But don’t stay home. For your sanity and theirs, take your baby, toddler or pre-schooler to the Lakewood Family Rm this Mon 2/8. Settle in on a couch and chat with other holistic/alternative parents while your child goes through the seemingly endless supply of toys. Every Mon from 9:30-11AM. 17400 Northwood Ave. Info

Bach Family Fireworks Witness a “musical-theatrical investigation of some fiery family dynamics” at Apollo’s Fire’s family-oriented concert series starting at 7:30PM on Thu 2/4 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 W. Exchange St. in Akron. Explore the dysfunctions of the Bach family w/ a pre-concert lecture, music and theater. http://www.ApollosFire.org/concerts/bach0910.html

Bridging The Gap
Equipping Your Career Toolbox

Now that you’ve developed your Career Baseline, it’s time to focus on equipping yourself with the proper ammunition to know as much as possible about your desired industry.

Because of the internet, information is readily available, yet puts the responsibility on the reader to decipher between fact and fiction, between quality and crap.

And, if your ultimate goal is to become an expert at something, early on determine where to start seeking the right data. If the world is one giant resource, then your job is to hone in on people, places and things that will help you bridge the gap between where you are today and where you want to be.

As Rami Katz, a Simon school colleague, military vet, attorney and, currently, Director of Technology Commercialization at High Tech Rochester, once wisely told me, “Envision your goal and work backwards. Effort is over-rated. It’s all about results…”
Read more from Alexsandra Sukhoy here

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

Social Media Lab Tri-C Corp College launches course series on social media techniques. First course starts Thu 2/18. Details

Sunflower Solutions Local start-up is on a mission to bring low-tech solar power to Africa [pictured]. http://TheSunflowerSite.org

The New Republic examines impact of Lorain Co’s transit cuts on the un- and underemployed. Read

A new space NASA Glenn Visitor Ctr to move into the Great Lakes Science Ctr. Details

Toggling From Journalist to Author Society of Prof Journalists – Cle Chapter panel will discuss how to transition into thinking like an author. Thu 2/4 from 6:30-8:30PM @ Lkwd Public Library. RSVP to Tom Moore at clevelandATspj.org or 440-454-3282.

GREEN Zero Waste Best Practices & First Steps E4S network event on Tue 2/9 from 8:30-11AM @ NEO Regional Sewer District. Register

Civic Leadership Institute Gain a comprehensive view of the most pressing social, economic, biz and political issues in our region over 6 interactive sessions. First one on Tue 2/16 at 7:30AM details the Evolution of our Regional Economy, hosted at Cle Leadership Ctr. [Ctr’s ’09 open house pictured at left.] Register

Evolution of Manufacturing conference @ Hyland Software in Westlake on Thu 2/18 at 5:30PM. Register

Extending the Runway: Building Better Boards Bright Ideas seminar w/ Dave Berkus at CCC East on Thu 2/25 at 1PM. Register

Spotlight on Lake Erie Watersports
Plus, catch our 2010 economic outlook & tax tips

Lake Erie boating & recreation is the topic of discussion this week. Check out the upcoming episode of NEOtropolis, broadcast on Western Reserve PBS at 8:30PM this Fri 2/5, hosted by CoolCleveland’s Thomas Mulready. Click here for your cable channel. Comment on our blog at http://www.NEOtropolis.org. Remember, this is not business as usual.

Click here to watch last week’s show that took a look at the economic outlook for 2010 and offered some tax tips for families and individuals that might come in handy. Plus, Mulready loses the porkpie, with interesting results.

Do you know a businessperson or company that we should be featuring on NEOtropolis? Drop us a line at NEOtropolis@CoolCleveland.com. After all, it’s your region, too. NEOtropolis.org.

The Gartner Gig
Behind the scenes as a classic reemerges

Coming soon… the re-opening of an auditorium near you! The long-awaited finale to the renovation of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Gartner Auditorium is just around the corner. Here are some notes from the script to set the stage for the reopening Gala event on February 28:

Act 1, scene 1: Originally designed by modernist-architect Marcel Breuer, the Gartner Auditorium was part of the 1971 addition to the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Act 1, scene 2: Renovations done by Paul Scarbrough of Akustiks, Inc. and local architects Westlake Reed Leskosky honor Breuer’s subtle visual rhythms and warm wood tones throughout the interior and are in keeping with Breuer’s original overall elegant visual design.

“The renovation will greatly enhance the pleasure of listening and seeing events at the museum,” says Massoud Saidpour, director of performing arts, music, and film…
Read more from Carol Drummond here

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

CityMusic Cleveland [pictured] is once again making the rounds to deliver quality classical music to the public–at no charge! (They even offer free childcare.) Fan favorite/soloist Matt Haimovitz will play the cello w/ Danail Rachev conducting. No tickets required–just show up and be wooed by Shostakovich’s thrilling Cello Concerto, nr.1. Series kicks off on Wed 2/3 at 7:30PM @ Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Hts. Runs every day through Sun 2/7 at different locations. Details

Only the Strong Survive: The Sound of Philadelphia The Rock Hall kicks off a month-long tribute to Philly soul on Wed 2/3 w/ a no-charge screening of Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America preceded by a discussion w/ Executive Producer Kenard Gibbs at 6:30PM. Check out the full schedule of events here, including An Afternoon with the Chi-Lites on Fri 2/19 and performance by The Manhattans on Fri 2/26. Email eduATrockhall.org or call 216-515-8426 to RSVP.

SPONSORED: This Wed 2/3, WCLV 104.9 FM is live at Kulas Hall at CIM for a concert by the CIM Orchestra conducted by Carl Topilow. Mark Yee is the soloist in the Dvorak Cello Concerto. On Sat 2/6, at 8PM, we’re at Severance Hall for the first of two weeks of concert conducted by Pierre Boulez. Pierre-Laurent Aimard is the soloist in the two Ravel Piano Concertos. Also, Boulez conducts Debussy’s Iberia. Full details on all of WCLV’s programming at http://www.WCLV.com.

Tin Hearts Transformed Local artist Anne Weissman invited book artists, collage makers, sculptors and potters to transform empty heart-shaped cookie tins into original pieces of art [pictured]. See how far these creative folk stretched their imaginations at this exhibit opening on Thu 2/4. 6-8PM @ Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd. Show runs through Sat 2/27. http://LoganberryBooks.com

Cleveland becomes the Big Easy at Beachland’s annual Rock-n-Roll Mardi Gras bash on Thu 2/4 at 8PM. Fill up on Cajun Jambalaya, red beans and rice, Gulf Shrimp Po’ Boys or Vegetarian Po’ Boys made w/ fried portobello mushrooms. Gulp down New Orleans microbrews and laissez les bon temps roulez w/ rockers Cowboy Mouth and honkytonk musician Junior Brown @ 15711 Waterloo Rd. Check ’em out here and here.

HOT Antaeus Dance: Home Front Tremont’s resident dance co promises to warm your heart and inspire your imagination w/ a concert of old faves and fresh works. View Rustbelt, a choreographic tribute to NEO; the psychologically and physically spell-binding solo, Apologia; and the premiere of Romani. Plus, music by local composers Bill Sallak, Trepanning Trio and Bryan Jacobs. See it Fri 2/5 and Sat 2/6 at 8PM or Sun 2/7 at 3PM @ Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2592 W. 14th St, [Photo at left by Brad Petot]. http://AntaeusDance.com

Frankly February House Concert Live chamber music… in a barn?! Heights Arts is bringing musicians from the Cleveland Orchestra, Cavani Quartet and City Music Cleveland to play a down-home, intimate concert on Fri 2/5 at 7PM in Dunham Tavern Music Barn, 6709 Euclid Ave. Then witness the budding talent of the Newton Quartet, consisting of kids ages 9-11, who’ll perform a Mozart Quartet and Tango. Tickets and details at http://HeightsArts.org/concerts.html#feb

HOT Sweet Honey in the Rock @ PlayhouseSquare This Grammy Award-winning a cappella group’s music is “steeped in the sacred music of the African-American church, the clarion calls of the civil rights movement, and songs of the struggle for justice everywhere.” Their collective voice is inherently strong and able to capture complex sounds of everything from jazz improv and blues to hip hop and ancient lullabies. See them Fri 2/5 at 8PM @ Ohio Theatre, 1511 Euclid Ave. http://SweetHoney.com. Get tickets here.

Go old school this Valentine’s Day. Salty Not Sweet (that coalition of indie craft junkies) and Star Pop are pulling out the Elmer’s glue, construction paper and glitter to allow you to make an elementary-style Valentine for your sweetie. And if your card is a flop, Star Pop’s offering 10-30 percent of goods so go buy something cute. Sugary holiday treats will be supplied. Go on Fri 2/5 from 6-10PM, Sat 2/6 2-10PM or Sun 2/7 from 12-4PM. Star Pop, 15813 Waterloo Rd. The Scoop

Smooches & Pooches Relive prom–with your dog! Raise cash for Friends of the Cleveland Kennel and Secondhand Mutts–two rescue groups that focus on dogs and cats in kill shelters–by dancing the night away on Sat 2/6 from 7-11PM. Dress yourself and your socialized pup in wedding or prom wear and boogie under balloons and a disco ball. Elect a canine court and take wacky pics in the photo booth. Food by Reddstone, La Boca, Gypsy Beans and others; booze from Lincoln Park Pub. Parish Hall, 6205 Detroit Ave. in Detroit-Shoreway. [Flier at left.] http://secondhandmutts.org/events.html

Mystery of Two @ Arts Collinwood Local group Mystery of Two is throwing a series of no-charge shows to fight winter doldrums–while making lots of noise. The series kicks off on Sat 2/6 at 9PM w/ Filmstrip. Groove to opening DJ sets, gaze at visual art in the Cafe and catch the debut of new Mystery of Two video for Mornings Call. Full concert schedule here. Plus click http://MysteryOfTwo.com.

Caring for the Authentic Self Make Sat 2/6 a day for nurturing yourself. This Renewal Retreat, facilitated by CoolCleveland.com’s Claudia Taller, aims to help you reclaim your life from distractions. Creativity exercises and reflective journaling will be used to open your heart and envision the possibilities for your life. Listen to dreams of others, share your own and embrace your authentic self from 12AM-5PM @ N. Olmsted United Methodist Church, 4600 Dover Center Rd. Info

Bollywood Night!: Dance Pe Chance Get outta your house and onto the dance floor to party Bollywood-style! The Velvet Dog (1280 W. 6th St.) hosts a night of your fave Bollywood tunes on Sat 2/6 starting at 10PM. All proceeds will fund education for underprivileged children in India via Asha for Education. Learn more here.

An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein See Shel like you’ve never seen him before. Discover his dark side in this series of 10 dark, twisted, hilarious and raunchy vignettes [pictured] @ the Oakland Ctr for the Arts, 220 W. Boardman St. in Youngstown. Opens on Sat 2/6 at 8PM. See it through Sat 2/13. Call 330-746-0404 for tickets. Learn More

GREEN Sustainability Symposium 2010 Cleveland Botanical Garden’s fifth annual green gardening symposium on Sat 2/6 will teach you how to sustainably grow your own food while protecting resources and leading an eco-friendly lifestyle. Joe Lamp’l from PBS’ GardenSMART will be keynote speaker. 9AM-4PM. Register by Wed 2/3. Details

IRTF Social Justice Teach-In Want to save the world but don’t know where to start? The InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF) will give you the tools you need at their 11th annual teach-in on Sat 2/6. From 10AM-5PM, attend workshops on creating social change through art, having fun w/ fair trade, and the language of nonviolent communication. Generate ideas among the 150-250 multi-generational participants and come away motivated. Held at the Dolan Science Center at John Carroll University, 20700 North Park Blvd., University Hts. Register at http://IRTFCleveland.org

Cool As Ice @ Cedar Lee Vanilla Ice is a James Dean-esque hip hop rebel who’s trying to woo an honor student in this classically “so bad it’s good” gem from 1991 that’s not available on DVD (surprise, surprise!). Go at 9:30PM or 12AM on Sat 2/6 to witness one of the most unintentionally funny movies of all time. You’ll even be awarded w/ scoops of Mitchell’s vanilla ice cream for your courageousness. Part of Cedar Lee’s Late Shift film series. 2163 Lee Rd., Cle Hts. http://ClevelandCinemas.com

HELP Bands Together Some of NEO’s hottest bands come together for a Haiti benefit concert on Sat 2/6 at 6PM. This Is a Shakedown!, Chuck Mosley, Leah Lou, the Suede Brothers and others perform. All proceeds go to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. Sponsored in part by Ante Up Audio, our very own full-service mixing/recording studio. Graystone Properties, 1385 E. 36th St. Click

HOT The Mayhem Poets @ LCCC The Mayhem Poets [pictured] are blasting into Stocker Arts Ctr on Sun 2/7 to reshape your view of poetry. Their mind-blowing performances are a blend of raw hip-hop, theater, improv and stand-up comedy that’s been described as “The Simpsons meets Malcolm X at a Notorious B.I.G. concert.” See why Mayhem is the future at this no-charge show at 3PM. Meet and greet at 2:30PM. 1005 N. Abbe Rd., Elyria. RSVP at http://LorainCCC.edu/upevents or call 440-366-4949. http://MayhemPoets.com

Real Conversations w/ Real Clevelanders The W. 9th Phoenix spotlights cool people and fresh ideas at its series of Phoenix Forums. The February series starts on Sun 2/7 w/ Margie Flynn, Principal and Co-Owner of BrownFlynn. She’ll speak on her passion for the community and her belief in “doing well by doing good” at 2PM. Seating is limited so register now! On Sun 2/21 BrewedFreshDaily.com’s George Nemeth will give you the scoop on blogs and social media. 1300 W. 9th St. Info

Science Cafe Cleveland: Fingerprints Forget those CSI-type TV shows. Learn how crimes are really solved and talk w/ “real” CSI experts at February’s Science Cafe on Mon 2/8. Experts will discuss some of the techniques to develop latent fingerprints [thumbprint pictured], like using chemical processes and lifting prints from human skin. Cool. Drinks start at 6:30PM; discussion at 7PM. Great Lakes Brwry Tasting Rm, 2701 Carroll Ave. http://www.case.edu/affil/sigmaxi/Cafe2010-02.html

Got City Game Finale Party Meet the 3 teams of Cle’s favorite wacky reality show, Got City Game at a finale bash on Tue 2/9 from 5:30-7:30PM at the Barley House, 1261 W. 6th St. Who will win–Tri-C, LiveCLEVELAND! or Hiram? A formal announcement will be made at the event. http://GotCityGame.tv

HOT Langston Listens to America Actors from Karamu House Theatre team up w/ the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in honor of Black History Month. On Wed 2/10, be there at 7PM for a dramatic choreo-poem that combines music, movement, performance and narration to tell the story of Hughes. It’s a story anyone who’s experienced hatred or discrimination will relate to. 2929 Richmond Rd. in Beachwood. http://MaltzMuseum.org

GREEN What’s the Word on Climate Change? Councilman Matt Zone was a part of the recent global climate change talks in Copenhagen. So what happened there? What was the general consensus? Hear it all when he reports on his trip on Wed 2/10 from 7-8:30PM @ Bethany Church at W. 65th and W. Clinton Aves. Details

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

There is a God After All

You can file this one away under the heading of “There is a God after all, and He is indeed infinitely just.”

Remember James O’Keefe, the conservative guerilla filmmaker that posed as a pimp, and, along with his pretend ‘ho, traveled around the country visiting various offices of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)?

After many attempts he finally found one mope allegedly willing to help him hatch a scheme to avoid paying federal income taxes on their ill-gotten gains.

Well, guess what? O’Keefe, embolden by his success from his ACORN caper, allowed his fame to override his brain. Excuse me while I wallow in schadenfreude…
Read more from Mansfield Frazier here

Winter In The Garden

Bare tree branches, the remnants of snow, brown prairie grass, flattened but still green ferns, holly with red berries, and evergreens heavy with pinecones.

This is my winter garden on a gray day in mid-winter, yet the birds are performing a winter song, squirrels are wildly tracking through the yard, and early ground cover is starting to emerge. Although the winter garden is still alive in many ways, flowers and foliage are months away in Northeast Ohio.

An expensive Florida vacation is one solution, but if the Everglades aren’t on your agenda, you can find some joy in local gardens created just for these dismal times.

In Greater Cleveland, we’re lucky to have the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, the Cleveland Greenhouse, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Greenhouse and Rainforest, and not just one, but two, home and garden shows to perk us up during the sleeping season…
Read more from Claudia Taller here

“Collaboration” – The Aim, Not The Result

Let me get this straight. The Cleveland Foundation is now the target of the Cleveland Plain Dealer?

You got to be kidding me.

The Sunday assault on the Cleveland Foundation decision to not give the Fund for Our Economic Future much new money suggests to me that the PD’s leadership doesn’t quite know what it is doing.

In a front-page article and some blunderbuss from Brent Larkin, the PD slammed an institution that it has never had a bad word for in the past.

Ease into it, why don’t ya…
Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

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

Anna Bella Eema @Theatre Ninjas/Cleveland Public Theatre 1/29/10
Read the review by Roy Berko here

Blue Door @ Dobama 1/30/10
Read the review by Roy Berko here

Cool Cleveland readers write

All letters must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional).
Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com

Correction What a great feature on Todd V. in your most recent issue of CoolCleveland! As you may have seen in my Facebook comment I posted re. the video when it was first posted, there were a few inaccuracies with regard to the grant for the digital media academy…
Read the letter from Tina Boyes at the Akron Community Foundation 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) Attention eBay Bidders! Don’t miss your chance to bid on incredible items such as airline tickets, gift certificates and entertainment packages! All proceeds will benefit United Way of Greater Cleveland. Ebay.com.

2) Visit Old Carolina Right Here in NEO One of the best barbecue restaurants in Akron, Old Carolina Barbecue, is coming to Cleveland! Read about Julie Cajigas’ experience at this “hidden treasure”. Cool Cleveland.com

3) Kick Off the 2010 Season From Then to Now: Masterworks of Contemporary African American Art explores the rich, cultural heritage and styles of 27 prominent artists of our time at MOCA Cleveland [pictured]. MOCACleveland.org

4) Reclaiming Vacant Properties The national conference comes to Cleveland this month to talk about how this community can overcome the immense challenges caused by vacant and abandoned properties. ReclaimingVacantProperties.org

5) Fake funeral, cross-dressing, lovers’ deceptions… Catch all this at the Cleveland Premiere of the “new” Mark Twain comedy Is He Dead? at the Beck Center. BeckCenter.org.

Thanks to our writers and contributors: Roldo Bartimole, John Benson, Roy Berko, Carol Drummond, Mansfield Frazier, Alexsandra Sukhoy, Claudia Taller, 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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More than one way to build a bridge,

–Thomas Mulready
LettersATCoolCleveland.com
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