Entering

12.30.09-01.06.10
Entering

In this week’s issue:

As we enter a new decade, depending upon how you measure it, we sense that some things have changed forever. The employment situation may not improve soon, so if you’re not a free agent yet, you may want to start thinking about it with help from our new CareerTOOLBOX column. If post-holiday shopping is your preference, we point out some terrific bargains in our Holiday Shopping Guide to keep you investing locally. Radio will never be the same, and we offer an exclusive interview as “The Wave” goes “Boom!” And some things never change: check our hand-picked listings for cool things to do every day of the year, whether you’re going solo or with the family, for business or pleasure. So enter the fray- we’ll be your guide. –Thomas Mulready

Entering Opportunities
Getting To Your Career Baseline

As this article is being written, according to the United States Department of Labor, national unemployment is at 10%. While this double-digit statistic frightens economists and everyday citizens alike, the present is the most perfect time to take a step back, reflect on your professional aspirations and make decisions that will help you navigate your career into something meaningful and fiscally fruitful.

In the words of a dear friend, a finance MBA, “The opportunity cost of pursuing your dreams right now is very low.” In these chaotic times, since, with some exception, no one is really knocking on anyone’s door, there’s very little for you to give up in order to follow your true calling…
Read more from Alexsandra Sukhoy here

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HOT New York mag [heart] the Black Keys Those “two white dudes from Ohio” receive major praise for hip-hop album BlakRoc [pictured]. Read

The WAVE goes BOOM! 107.3 FM is now BOOM!, a blend of Americana, alt country, blues, folk and NEO-based artists. And–get this–it’s locally-owned and operated. Reclaim the Radio

A Neighborhood Taking Off CSU grad students have big plans for Lakewood’s historic Birdtown ‘hood. Read summary of their Birdtown Flightplan.

Tell RTA what’s on yr mind at a series of public mtgs regarding the proposed 2010 Fare & Service Changes. First mtgs are on Mon 1/4 at various locations. Details

Who says we’re not happy? UK’s Univ of Warwick and Hamilton College do. They rank Ohio 44th happiest state in nation. Smile!

“Just the thing for ol’ man winter” Ray’s MTB featured in ESPN’s BMX blog. See

SPONSORED: It’s a new year… time to make good on those resolutions to jumpstart your career. Baldwin-Wallace College offers seven distinctive MBA programs that can be tailored to fit your pace. Find out more at an Open House that can open doors for you, Wed 1/6 at 6PM at B-W east in Beachwood or Thu 1/7 at 6PM on our Berea campus. Call 440-826-2392 for information.

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.

Now What?
How To Keep That Holiday Feeling Going

He has a Christmas tie that plays music when you pat his belly. She wears a sequined camisole under her black blazer. The lobby is adorned with evergreens twinkling in white lights. Holiday cards are taped to office doors.

Everyone’s talking about the vibrant blue lights on Public Square. Every quadrant is ablaze in color–green, red, white, and that beautiful blue. Walk within it, sit on a park bench, look around, and the spirit of the holidays transforms a humbug soul.

It’s not too late to catch that feeling. In fact, this could be the perfect time, with Christmas over and a short week at work…
Read more from Claudia Taller here

Celebrate New Year’s Eve Eve… The Great Lakes Science Ctr is throwing an early New Year’s party on Wed 12/30. From 7-11:30PM, have fun on their indoor carpet skating rink, get after-hours access to exhibits, make fake polymer snow to take home and watch an OMNIMAX double-feature — all while sipping hot chocolate and munching on warm snacks. Then ring in 2010 with a ginger ale toast and a 4-story balloon drop. Call 216-621-2400 to register. http://GreatScience.com/newyearseveeve_09.php

First Night Akron is a family-friendly (alcohol-free!) night chock full of art, live music and interactive exhibits [pictured]. From 5PM-12AM on Thu 12/31, every nook and cranny of the city comes alive w/ performances. But you don’t have to freeze in the cold–much of the entertainment will be indoors. Make a caricature of yourself, hear a steel drum band, join a scavenger hunt… and more. Full schedule at http://FirstNightAkron.org

HOT Kwanzaa Camp is a “7-day adventure through dance, drum, visual arts, and theater” presented by African Soul Int’l. The first program started on Sat 12/26 — but no worries; you can catch the final performance on Fri 1/1 at 6PM. The Camp aims to empower youth ages 7-18 by bringing the 7 principles of Kwanzaa to life in hopes of raising self esteem and self image. @ Glenville New Life Comm. Church, 711 E. 105th St. Call Quelina at 216-246-7234 for more info. http://AfricanSoulInternational.org

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

Eat locally, together Members of Cleveland Independents offer reasonably priced family-style meals throughout Jan to promote local food and family dining. For a list of participating restaurants, click on http://ClevelandIndependents.com

Steadily unemployed Ohio’s unemployment rate stayed pretty much the same from Oct (10.5%) to Nov (10.6%). Now for some upward mobility, please… Read

Evolution of a coffee shop Lakewood’s popular Phoenix Coffee moves down a few storefronts and evolves into the Root Cafe [pictured]. Expect organic, local food along w/ yr fave Phoenix coffee. Check It Out

Universal (dental) health care… for a day Mark your calendars: CWRU is offering free dental exams on Sat 1/30 from 9AM-12PM at Cornell Rd/Emergency Dr. Call 216-368-3864 or 216-368-0450 for info. http://Dental.case.edu

Social Media Demystified at Tri-C Corp College East on Thu 1/7 from 8:30-10:30AM. Register

HOT Attracting Talent Through the Development of Vibrant Urban Centers UPA Urban Design Spkr Series w/ Joe Cortright [pictured] on Tue 1/12, 5:30-8PM at the Andrew Jackson House. Call 330-972-8859 or email julie2ATuakron.edu for more info or to register. http://www.UPAkron.com

Leading Authentically YWCA Leadership Initiative Workshop series at YWCA on Wed 1/13, 11:30AM-1PM. Register

Legal or Liable? What Every Nonprofit Manager and Board Member Should Know workshop at Lakeland CC on Wed 1/13 from 8:30-10:30AM. Register

Rock on Small Business Owners! at COSE’s Annual Mtg from 4-9PM on Tue 1/19 at House of Blues. Register

Akron Roundtable w/ BioEnterprise president and CEO Baiju Shah at Univ of Akron on Thu 1/21 at 12PM. Tickets

New Year’s Resolution #1
Buy Local in 2010

The holidays have come and gone and now it’s time to ring in 2010. Got any resolutions? We have one for you: Buy local in 2010. We applaud you for shopping at locally-owned stores for the holidays. (You rock.) Now continue that trend. Know someone with a birthday coming up? Wanna splurge on yourself? Itching to unload your pockets? Need something new for your home? You get the idea… before you run to that big-box store, hit up a local merchant. And, even though the holidays are gone, our Holiday Guide is still available to direct you to the coolest stores that are the bread-and-butter of your community. Witness the complete CoolCleveland Holiday Gift Guide here: Holidaygiftguide09

Lake Erie Artists Gallery represents over 60 local artists, authors, and musicians. Located in Shaker Square, Lake Erie Artists Gallery offers books written by local authors, paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, jewelry, found object art, Euclid Beach memorabilia, authentic Lake Erie beach glass jewelry and driftwood, and unique Cle photography. Hurry to their Semi-Annual Sale running now through Sat 1/2 where everything’s at least 20% off. [Hand painted margarita glass pictured.] 13129 Shaker Blvd. http://LakeErieArtists.com. See the full Holiday Gift Guide here.

Be safe in 2010 The New Year is the perfect time to make sure your family has the right emergency supplies on hand. The American Red Cross of Greater Cle sells products to keep you and your family (and even your pets) safe. Need an emergency radio? How about a new first aid kit? See their full line of products at http://RedCross-Cleveland.org/apparel.asp. All revenue supports local programs and services. Peruse the complete Holiday Gift Guide here.

Is your coffee shop generic? Do you go to a cookie cutter national chain coffee shop? You can do better. We believe coffee shops should represent and reflect the community they’re based in. Just go into a local coffee shop and feel the difference. Step into the Willow Coffee House at the Cle/Lakewood border to escape the harshness of winter and the attitudes of chain store baristas. Enjoy espresso, specialty coffee and tea and buy a gift basket for a friend. Get to know this friendly coffee shop at 11620 Madison Ave. Info. Visit the full Holiday Gift Guide here.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Project/Object @ Beachland Ballroom Frank Zappa’s final message of “play my music” was heard loud and clear by Project/Object [pictured], a band with the sole purpose of bringing Zappa’s music to the masses. Hear them on Wed 12/30 at 8PM @ 15711 Waterloo Rd. The band includes musicians who performed and toured with the legend Himself (Zappa). Read more about their mission at http://ProjectObject.com.

Guys on Ice @ Actors’ Summit Theater Men get meaningful on Wed 12/30 in this off-the-wall musical about buddies on a fishing trip who discover the deeper things in life. 8PM @ 86 Owen Brown St, Hudson. http://ActorsSummit.org/onstage.htm

HOT HotChaCha @ Now That’s Class Cle’s rising femme fatales put on one of the best live shows ’round town. Expect to see the ladies in HotChaCha hopping on the bar, bouncing off walls and hanging from chandeliers as they play their blend of fierce post-punk/new-wave tunes. And expect them to go all out on New Year’s Eve Thu 12/31 at NTC’s party w/ Short Rabbits, Mr. California and Fangs Out. 9PM. [Flier pictured.] http://MySpace.com/nowthatsclass and http://MySpace.com/hotchachahotchacha.

Champagne & Jazz @ Fahrenheit So what if it’s snowy outside and you’re exhausted from the holidays? Get out and celebrate w/ class at Fahrenheit on Thu 12/31. First choose your dinner seating. Then tantalize your tastebuds with Chef Rocco Whalen’s gastronomic creations while sipping champagne to the live tunes of the North Coast Jazz Collective. Seating at 6PM or 9PM. Located in Tremont at 2417 Professor Ave. http://FahrenheitTremont.com/events.htm

The Kid Inside @ CVLT While other people are boozing it up for New Year’s, take this time to reconnect with your inner child. The Chagrin Valley Little Theatre wants you to revisit the joys of childhood via their one-night musical on Thu 12/31 at 8PM. Hear live versions of Free to Be You and Me, Sesame Street, Disney songs and other tunes from your rugrat heyday. Musical event followed by reception w/ hors d’oeuvres and champagne toast. 40 River St., Chagrin Falls. Info

Comedy Explosion PlayhouseSquare explodes with the funny stuff on Thu 12/31, courtesy of stand up comedian/actor Mike Epps and his friends. You may remember Epps from HBO’s Def Comedy Jam or from appearances in flicks like “Next Friday” and “All About the Benjamins.” Starts at 8PM @ the Palace Theatre, 1615 Euclid Ave. Tickets

The Greenhouse Tavern’s 8-course tasting menu will fulfill your wildest gastronomic desires. I mean, we’re talking 8-courses of food here offered on Thu 12/31: from French Money to White Truffle Agnolotti w/ Fromage Blanc. Choose a 7PM or 10PM seating. The later seating includes live tunes from the Rare Birds. Did we mention that an 8-course beverage flight is available? 2038 E 4th St. Menu

Spend New Year’s Eve in the best venue in town… We’re talking about Severance, of course. The Cle POPS is throwing a party on Thu 12/31. Dress causally (!!) or black-tie, check your formalities at the door (well… somewhat) and prepare to dance. The Gala begins at 9PM w/ a 2hr POPS performance of Broadway songs and continues w/ social dancing from 11PM-1AM in your choice of the Grand Foyer or Smith Lobby. Yep, Severance is (sort of) lettin’ loose…. 11001 Euclid Ave. Tickets

SPONSORED: WCLV 104.9 welcomes in the New Year on Thu 12/31 at 1PM with it’s annual broadcast of Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. At 9PM, the station presents a Gala broadcast by The Cleveland Orchestra, followed at 11PM by a Weekend Radio New Years Eve special with Robert Conrad. On Friday, New Years Day, at 11AM, WCLV offers its annual broadcast of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Years Day concert direct from Vienna. Details at http://www.WCLV.com.

HOT Bring on the Pancakes It’s time for Tommy’s 10th Annual New Year’s Day pancake breakfast [pictured]. For 10 years, Tommy’s has made a deal with arts organizations: he’ll open his restaurant and give them all the proceeds if they get volunteers to staff tables and do dishes (his employees get the day off). This year, Heights Arts is the pancake benefactor. Go eat flapjacks for a good cause on Fri 1/1 from 10AM – 2PM. Bring an unwanted and unwrapped holiday gift for the raffle. 1824 Coventry Rd., Cle Hts. http://HeightsArts.org

One/One 1st Annual Festival of The Weird Solo Act! Be your own band. See a showcase of 216ers who’ve struck out on their own to make crazy, original music on Fri 1/1. Hear Uno Lady, XRIN Arms, Mosquito Bandito, Battery Collection and other loners, starting at 9PM. Admission is only a buck. Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Rd. http://BeachlandBallroom.com

FRENEMIES aka The Creative Comradery of Cleveland and Pittsburgh [pictured] is an attempt to make amends and inspire collaboration between two age-old rivals: Cle and Pitt. Forget about football — the people of Cle (us) have a lot in common w/ the people of Pitt (them). Admit it. If you aren’t yet convinced, check out this group exhibition at Front Room Gallery running now through Sun 1/10 and notice the collective similarities. This art-infused olive branch is open Sat 1/2 and Sun 1/3 from 1-4PM @ 3615 Superior Ave. 4203A. http://FrontRoomCleveland.com

Late Shift Film Series @ Cle Cinemas Remember the Cult Film Series at Cedar Lee? Well, that series has transformed into a new monster: the Late Shift film series, which aims to bring cult movies and late night specials to all Cle Cinemas-owned theaters. The series kicks off on Sat 1/2 w/ a showing of Stanley Kunbick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey at 9:30PM @ Cedar Lee. The Cedar Lee will show films in 35mm prints; the Capitol will show ’em in HD. And, don’t forget, The Rocky Horror Picture Show still plays the first Sat of every month @ Cedar Lee at 11:59PM. http://ClevelandCinemas.com

Ernie Krivda @ Jazz 28 Krivda is considered one of the world’s greatest tenor sax players — he’s that good. If you haven’t yet seen Krivda (even though he’s been playing jazz for 5 decades…) do it on Sat 1/2 at Jazz 28. David Thomas plays, too. Plus, wine and food. 2800 Clinton Ave. http://ErnieKrivda.com

Winter Warm-up If you’re like the rest of the herd, you’re resolving to lose weight/get fit in 2010. While you’re at it, resolve to see the beauty in life (yes, even in winter). Put these resolutions at work on Sun 1/3: Dress warmly and head to the Cuy Valley Nat’l Park for a 5.5 mile moderately-difficult hike on Old Carriage Trail. Get yourself in shape and immerse yourself in the beauty of an Ohio winter. Meet at 9AM at Red Lock Trailhead located at Highland Rd. 1/2 mile east of Riverview and Vaughn Rds. Info

Black Is… Black Ain’t Over 50 artists explore what it means to be “black,” “black enough,” and “too black” in today’s society in Lakeland Comm College’s Fine Art Gallery’s current exhibition. Guest curators Julius Lyles and Heather C. Terry have assembled a show of paintings, ceramics, mixed media, and sculpture that question racial labels. Runs now through Thu 1/28. See it on Mon 1/4 from 9AM-9PM and come back for the artists reception on Mon 1/18 from 8-9PM. Bldg D at I-90 and Rt 306 in Kirtland. [Pictured is Butterfly by Gina Washington, from last’s year NeoHyper Revolutionize exhibit.] Details

Got a Story to Tell? Some people write stories, others tell ’em by heart, and a select few make ’em up as they go along. Either way, if you’ve got a penchant for telling a good tale, test your skills at Mac’s Backs Story Swap on Tue 1/5. No pressure here! Polish your own storytelling skills or come just to listen. First Tue of the month at 7PM @ 1820 Coventry Rd., Cle Hts. Link

Live Jazz @ Arts Collinwood Cafe Sure, it’s cold outside. But why stay home? Warm up inside Arts Collinwood Cafe on Wed 1/6 with live jazz, a full menu and bar service. First set at 8PM; second set at 9:30PM. No cover! [Drawing at left by Sandi Petrie.] 15605 Waterloo Rd. http://ArtsCollinwood.org/live-jazz-in-the-arts-collinwood-cafe

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

A Different Kind of Christmas Gift

The reaction to the discovery that someone had left a four or five month old baby boy in the lobby of a hospital a few days before Christmas was as swift as it was condemning: Who, the media and police wondered, could do such a horrible thing?

The law, somewhat arbitrarily to my mind, allows for a newborn to be dropped off at a fire or police station, or a hospital, within 72 hours of birth… no questions asked. The law was put into place to provide a reasonable and safe alternative to simply throwing a newborn into a trash bin.

In this case the parent evidently thought they could care for the child (which, according to reports was indeed very well cared for) but four months later, for whatever reason, decided they could not handle parenthood. So now law enforcement is looking for the parent(s) with punitive purposes in mind – but should they be…?
Read more from Mansfield Frazier here

Boom! 107.3 replaces “The Wave”
Cool Cleveland talks with Lonnie Gronek

Lonnie Gronek is the general manager of Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Company, which has just switched formats at 107.3 FM after 22 years from “The Wave,” playing Smooth Jazz artists like Kenny G and George Benson, to “Boom! 107.3,” a Triple-A playlist known as Adult Album Alternative, featuring a mix of contemporary pop such as Coldplay and Amy Winehouse, plus classic rockers like Sting, James Brown and Depeche Mode.

Click here to listen to an exclusive CoolCleveland.com interview, as Lonnie Gronek talks about the evils of Arbitron and their new PPM (Portable People Meter), which spelled doom for the smooth jazz format, although “The Wave” is still available at WNWV.com and on HD radio at 107.3 HD2. Meanwhile, Boom! 107.3 is now on the radio at 107.3 FM, online at 1073Boom.com, and at 107.3 HD, calling themselves “a total mish-mash of music.”

Looking Back On A Decade- Some Things Don’t Change Much
Plus, more…

It seems to be the time for looking back. Sometimes when you look back you are really looking at the present and future…

Here was my “Saying Goodbye” swan song in December 2000. It was the final issue of a newsletter I wrote for more than 32 years.

In re-reading it, I found that much of it stands up as we enter a new decade. It will also, I think, remind us of what is happening today. Same institutions. Same motives. Same intentions…

Read more of Roldo Bartimole here

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

Burning River Brass & Organ @ Severance Hall 12/21/09
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 Shopping local works year round, too. CoolCleveland.com

2) Cle: “Where the food’s great” American Public Media’s Marketplace falls in love with our burgeoning foodie scene. marketplace.publicradio.org

3) Reinventing Public Square Plans are underway for a better, brighter Public Square. DowntownClevelandAlliance.com

4) Trapped in Canada Minister at Cle’s First Unitarian Church denied permission back into US after visiting dying father in Ottawa. OttawaCitizen.com

5) Cle Hopkins opens cell phone lot for 50 cars near Concourse D, accessible off Cargo Road off 237. ClevelandAirport.com.

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

Library love I read the article about the beautiful South Euclid/Lyndhurst Library with interest, but I have a smallish bone to pick with writer Laura DiPiero.

DiPiero talks about the pictured fountain as “a small fountain featuring metal frogs and turtles.” Huh?! DiPiero blew off as relatively insignificant something that is quite significant, especially to Clevelanders.

That fountain is one of the famous “Turtle Baby” sculptures by American sculptor Edith Parsons, who did similar works called “Duck Baby” and “Frog Baby” (but Turtle Baby is my favorite). She was born in the 1870s and studied in New York at the Art Students’ League. One of her teachers was Daniel Chester French, who was the famous sculptor of the Lincoln Monument in Washington. And she was one of a number of women artists at this time, in the teens and the ’20s and ’30s, who did outdoor sculpture.

There also is a Turtle Baby at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Otherwise, nice article. from Cool Cleveland reader Sandy Smith slsmith819AThotmail.com

Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com

Press Enter Our writers are awesome: Roldo Bartimole, Kelly Ferjutz, Mansfield Frazier, Susan Petrone, Alexsandra Sukhoy 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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Breaking and Entering,

–Thomas Mulready
LettersATCoolCleveland.com
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