Going To Ingenuity

Going to Ingenuity?

In this week’s issue:
* Cool Cleveland Ingenuity Party 7/13 Get tickets here!
* Access:Cleveland video interview with County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones
* Win a video iPod by inviting a friend to join Cool Cleveland
* A&Q w/G Ryan McKenzie of CityWheels
* Cool Cleveland Commentary The Lakefront Plan 2 years later by Cleveland’s Leading Satirist
* Cool Cleveland Sounds The self-titled release from Bears
* Cool Cleveland Reads Bedtime Stories for Entrepreneurs
* RoldoLINK thinks this is a shallow plan for Public Square
* CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here

Are you going to the Ingenuity Festival of Art & Tech this July 13-16? If so, we’d highly recommend starting it off with a stop at our Cool Cleveland Ingenuity Mixer at Fat Fish Blue on Thu 7/13, sipping a few from the open bar, noshing on the Jambalaya buffet, and then picking up your included voucher ($10 value) for one comp admission to Ingenuity right outside their door. Sorta like your own VIP pass to Cleveland’s coolest party, without the attitude.

This week, enjoy the Cleveland ambience with a session on corporate citizenship, a Ninja Comedy Death Match, a street fest in North Collinwood, an antiques fair on Larchmere, and a Bug Bash at Shaker Lakes for the family. Don’t miss the streetside video interview with Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones (and stay tuned for the other two), the A&Q with CityWheels’ Ryan McKenzie, and a book review for entrepreneurs. Read Roldo’s opinion of the newish talk about Public Square, Clyde Miles’ take on the long-lost Lakefront Plan, and letters on saving historic schools, selling the Ohio Turnpike, and the economic impact of gay rights. Your town is exploding, Cleveland. Get out and grab a piece. –Thomas Mulready

It’s Blue, It’s Phat, It’s Ingenuity
Cool Cleveland Ingenuity Party 7/13
Super low price until Thu 6/22 midnight here!

You can’t pass up this deal: open bar with beer & wine, a complete Louisiana-style buffet from Fat Fish Blue, plus a comp ticket to Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology ($10 value), all for one incredible price, if you score your tix online before midnight Thu 6/22 here!

Pick your party and join the fun: The first affair gets jumping at Fat Fish Blue (see map here) on Thu 7/13 from 5-7PM; then another party from 7-9PM (separate admission). Stay as long as you want, but pick your time slot for the open bar and food. When you’re good and ready, grab your voucher for one comp admission to the fabulous Ingenuity Festival of Art and Technology ($10 value), happening right outside FFB as they shut down Prospect Avenue to traffic, just so Cleveland can have a good old street festival, hi-tech style.

Get your tix online before midnight 6/22 for your best deal here.

An unbeatable combo: Ingenuity and Cool Cleveland. And you can be right in the middle of it. For this price, you can bring your friends!
https://CoolCleveland.net/tickets/071306/index.php

Access:Cleveland
Peter Lawson Jones
Cuyahoga County Commissioner
Movies Behind the Scenes

Things are getting exciting for Cuyahoga County. With renewed, and sincere, discussions on regionalism, and large-scale projects such as casino gambling and a new convention center, the County sits at the apex of fundamental change for our region. One of the three Cuyahoga County Commissioners, Peter Lawson Jones always speaks passionately and articulately for the causes that affect Northeast Ohioans. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready caught up with him on the streets of Downtown Cleveland and videoed his comments on the new cigarette tax for the arts, the upcoming November election, and the four things that keep him awake at night.

MOVIE Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones (PC) (Mac)

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Be Part of the Big Picture and help create a 20-foot masterpiece with cartoonist Phil Yeh at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Join us Sat 6/24 from 10AM to 4PM, and Sun 6/25 from noon to 4PM for a paint party in conjunction with the exhibition “Dinosaurs Across America: Cartoons of Phil Yeh.” Yeh will lead families in painting the mural for the Museum, spreading the artist’s message of literacy, creativity, and environmental responsibility. Since 1985, Yeh, has conducted over 850 mural painting events in the U.S. and other countries. Admission: $7.50 adults; $5.50 ages 7-18, college students with IDs and senior citizens; $4.50 children 3-6 years. For more information contact 216-231-4600 or 800-317-9155 or www.cmnh.org.
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NewsLinks

• Laughing is Encouraged, but Strictly Optional That’s right, you’ll have a great time meeting cool people when you help us at the Cool Cleveland booth at the Ingenuity Festival. You will not only be rewarded in heaven, but with a free Ingenuity ticket! Score! Your “job” will be to sign people up for the CC e-letter, sell t-shirts and inhale the affects of experiencing ground zero at its finest. Pick a shift that works best for your schedule and bring a bud because volunteering with friends is more fun. Here are your options, please email your availability to TL@CoolCleveland.com. We need 2 people for each shift: Shift A). Fri 7/7 from 6PM-9PM; B). Thur 7/13 from 3PM-7PM or C). 7PM-10PM; D). Fri 7/14 = 3PM-7PM or E). 7PM-10PM; F). Sat 7/15 from 3PM-7PM or G). 7PM-10PM; and H). Sun 7/16 from 3PM-7PM or I). 7PM-10PM.
• DigiKnow they’re moving downtown? DigiKnow, a large high-tech company with annual sales of around $5 million, will be relocating from its current Beachwood office to the old Tyler Elevator Products building at Superior and East 36th Street. The company will be bringing at least 50 jobs Downtown and has plans to add as many as 17 more by 2008. Learn more about the company and some of its high profile clients here. DigiKnow joins several other high-tech companies abandoning the suburbs and relocating in Cleveland. Thoughts? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Get ’em before they sell out Tickets still remain for the Wine Tasting Benefit for the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, but they’re going fast. Experience a sumptuous evening of good spirits featuring a silent auction, wine tasting, light food, and a special tasting surprise at the Budapest The Cleveland Chamber Symphony is Cleveland’s world renowned orchestra that “dares to explore”, performing predominantly new symphonic music. http://clevelandchambersymphony.org/benefit.html.
• Fix Public Square There’s a growing buzz around town regarding the restoration and hippening of our long-neglected Public Square. Community leaders want to invest 10s of millions of dollars into the four quadrants, make them less isolated, and create a plan to move the homeless off of the streets and into shelters. Read more here. Make sure you read Roldo’s column below. What do you think about the proposed plan? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• 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.
• Who cares what you thought The days when Cleveland was synonomous with smokestacks, the rust belt or a burning river are pretty much over. Sixty-one percent of those polled nationally were completely neutral about our region and people both inside and outside the region felt that if comparing our region to a car we’d be a nice practical family sedan. The Greater Cleveland Marketing Alliance sees those blank opinions as an opportunity to educate people about how great this town really is – and just maybe bump us up to hot sports car status. Learn more here then give us your take on the story at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

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Road to Riches – How to Make Big Money If you want to get rich and understand which stocks have the best chance of making you big money, Phil Town’s book, RULE #1, may be the clearest, best book out there to get you on the path to riches. A book that will revolutionize how ordinary Americans invest, RULE #1, teaches everything about how to be a successful and disciplined investor. Filled with helpful charts and down-to-earth explanations, RULE #1 takes the mystery out of investing and gives ordinary, small investors the secret keys to financial abundance. Meet Phil Town at Cleveland Public Library on Thur 6/22 at 5:30PM in the Main Library, Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium, E. 6th Street and Superior Avenue. No admission, open to the public. Contact (216) 623-2800 or http://www.CPL.org.
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NewsLinks

• Dan Gilbert says “Not so fast” Cavs owner, Dan Gilbert, let the wind out of the sails of everyone who thought a Quicken Loans headquarters here in Cleveland was nearly a done deal. Gilbert didn’t discount the possibility completely, but said that it was a long shot that he’d move his 3500 person HQ to Cleveland. Learn more about the story, and about the Quicken Loans office that was established in Cleveland here. Gilbert says he is always open to talking about the move, but no-one in Cleveland seems to be pursuing it. Missed opportunity or pie in the sky? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Cool Cleveland Podcast Cool things to do this week in Cleveland, at the click of a button. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolCleveland06.23.06.mp3. Don’t forget, you can subscribe to this podcast by saving this link in your favorite program that catches podcasts.
• Mueller finds cash for California company Tim Mueller has been raking in the cash for California-based Phylogy, Inc. – a company he heads up from right here in Cleveland. As the former Chief Development Officer for the City of Cleveland under Mayor Jane Campbell’s administration, Mueller attracted businesses and investment dollars to Cleveland. In what could be considered a reversal of fortunes, he has now helped the California-based tech company to raise $7.6 million – with 85% of it coming from right here in Northeast Ohio. Read more here. Comments? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Reverend Lind to remain in Cleveland Rev. Tracey Lind, dean of Cleveland’s Trinity Cathedral, has withdrawn her bid to be appointed as a bishop in the church. Lind said her decision centered around her calling and not her sexuality. The prominence of recent debates over the participation of gays and lesbians in the church has led to a requested moratorium on any further appointments. There is serious concern that this issue may cause more conservative congregations to leave the church. Read the story here. Send your comments to Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

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The Only Free Outdoor Concert in Town . . . at Least Every Wednesday Evening this Summer on Wade Oval. “WOW! Wade Oval Wednesdays,” presented by National City, kicked off its second season on a high note last week. This totally fun, totally free concert series attracted crowds in the hundreds to Wade Oval in University Circle. Come see what everyone’s talking about on Wed 6/21 with Motown/Oldies band “Special Event.” On Wed 6/28, relax with the jazz band, “Horns and Things.” Wed 7/5 is our first lunchtime and evening concert-combo with Councilman Conwell and “Footprints,” and crowd-favorite reggae group, “Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band.” For more information, call 216-707-5033 or visit www.universitycircle.org. See you next Wednesday!
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NewsLinks

• Scalping OK’d Been to a game lately? Ticket scalpers seem to outnumber game attendees. Eager ticket buyers often turn into fraud victims when the tickets they’ve purchased turn out to be bogus. To curb such activity, Cleveland City Council recently amended the anti-scalping law (I don’t care how many scalpers you saw on the way to the game, it is still illegal. Seriously.) It is now legal to scalp tickets, but only on the internet. The Cavs, Indians and Browns are expected to provide space on their official websites for ticketholders to resell their tickets above face value. Learn more about the amendment of scalping laws here. Is this a great way to protect consumers, or are the teams and ticketsellers just trying to get in on some of the action? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• City cracks down on violators If you’ve been collecting parking, speeding or red light tickets from the City of Cleveland – you may be in for a rude awakening this fall. Council recently passed legislation that will allow the city to tow vehicles belonging to anyone with five or more outstanding tickets. Read more here. Pay tickets now; or come back to an empty spot later. Questions? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• Female+Football=Fusion Don’t be the last one in town to realize that Cleveland has its women’s tackle football team. If you are still lamenting the fact that you never showed up to support the now defunct Cleveland Rockers, the Cleveland Fusion will give you an opportunity to redeem yourself. They just mowed over the Milwaukee Momentum (82-0) and have a season record of 7-1. Winners of the North Central Division title, the Fusion will be hosting the first round of National Women’s Football Association Playoffs starting Sat 7/1 at Bedford’s Bearcat Stadium, their home field. Learn more about women’s tackle football at http://www.WomensFootballAssociation.com.
• The right way to handle panhandlers Akron has proposed legislation that would require panhandlers to register and wear an ID badge when asking for money. Both Dayton and Cincinnati have already enacted similar programs. The move would help Downtown merchants whose businesses suffer due to panhandling outside their doors; would make people feel safer when they do choose to give money to panhandlers and would give the City of Akron a clearer sketch of street-level solicitations. Learn more and find out how local homeless coalitions feel about the proposed regulations here. What do you think? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

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Get One Under Your Belt on Wed 6/28 with a great performance at Cain Park that celebrates a combination of the roots of rock, American jazz, Afro-Cuban, Latin and pure, groovy funk! Headlining from Columbus, “One Under” is a new improvisatory sextet that will sweep through your body and soul to make your feet move and your head groove. Check out the band that’s comprised of veteran musicians: percussionist Johnny Polansky, lead vocalist/guitarist Ed McGee from Ekoostik Hookah; bassist Matt Aurigema and guitarist Mike Iannicello from Ma Rainey; keyboardist Robb McCormick from The Shantee; and drummer Seth Kafoure from Toast. Alma Theater, 7:30PM. In advance $16/$14, day of $19/$17. For info contact 216-371-3000 or www.cainpark.com. For tickets contact www.ticketmaster.com.
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NewsLinks

• Minorities making Inroads into Corporate America Inroads, the organization started by Rev. Frank Carr, now has 30 years under its belt and has helped place 900 minorities in multi-year internships within a variety of corporations. The program exposes talented minorities to new opportunities and helps bridge cultural gaps that may impede progress in a corporate environment. Read more about this organization, named one of “America’s Top 10 Internships” by the Princeton Review every year since 1994, here.
• Ingenuity explodes onto the streets of downtown Cleveland July 13-16. Be sure to get your tickets and create your own personalized festival schedule at http://www.IngenuityCleveland.com. Better yet…get in free when you volunteer just three hours. Just email Mike@IngenuityCleveland.org to sign up for a shift.
• Available for Stardom? Ever wanted to be on Broadway? Well, you’ve gotta start somewhere. Here’s your opportunity to be a part of an extremely unique interactive concept play and perform in Theatre’s First Reality Dating Show. This hybrid event is both a play and a singles event. Approximately 25 everyday singles will have the unique opportunity to perform alongside professional actors and be the star of their own 60 second play by writing and performing a live “personals” ad during the production. Pre-register at http://www.Avail4.com, then attend the info sessions on Sat 7/22 or Sun 7/23 at 11AM at the Ohio Theatre in Playhouse Square. Musicians are also invited to bring their CD’s to the event to be considered for inclusion in the production. Pretty unique concept. What do you think? Letters@CoolCleveland.com.
• The RTA seeks artists for public art opportunity The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) seeks artists to design and install art pieces for two of its rapid transit station renovation projects: The Puritas Rapid Transit Station Reconstruction Project and the East 55th Rapid Transit Station Reconstruction Project. Registration applications and guidelnes are here. The proposal deadline is Fri 7/21. Call 566-5065 with questions.

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Our Homeowners Say it Best! “We love the convenience of living in the Courtyards of Severance. It’s only a 10-minute drive from University Circle.” “Living here gives us freedom from yard work and convenient access to the things we love.” “Courtyards caught our attention because of its location and the first floor owner’s suites.” “It’s the perfect place for young professionals and its central location makes shopping a breeze.” “Anyone looking for great value in a new home should consider The Courtyards of Severance!” Why not see for yourself what everyone is talking about? For more information contact www.thecourtyardsofseverance.com located on Mayfield Road between Warrensville Center and South Taylor Roads in Cleveland Heights. The Courtyards of Severance is open Saturdays through Wednesdays, 1PM – 5PM, and by appointment.
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• Jazz Bowls & Jazz Plates Want a little piece of history? Centennial Limited Editions of Viktor Schreckengost’s Jazz Plates and Jazz Bowls are available for order. These items will be offered on a tiered basis, so place your order right away. The price will increase with the sale of every ten items. Visit http://www.ViktorSchreckengost.com/jasebr.html to learn more and order your piece.
• CMA in China Famed European Impressionists and Modern Masters made their debut in the first of three major Asian capitals – Beijing, China; Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, South Korea – when CMA opened it’s exhibit, From Monet to Picasso: Masterworks from The Cleveland Museum of Art, at the Beijing World Art Museum, late last month. The show will be open in Beijing through Sun 8/27 before heading off to Tokyo. The CMA collection will then make a tour of five North American venues before returning to Cleveland for reinstallation in its newly renovated home at CMA in early 2009. To learn more visit www.ClevelandArt.org.
• Bye Bye Mike’s Barn After eleven seasons of great music, this season marks the final one at the current location of Mike’s Barn. While annexation and repair woes have signaled the end of the run at the Barn, Mike has no plans to remain silent. Look forward to hearing more in the coming months. In the meantime, if you’ve got a big building zoned for fun, near the city, yet in the country, send an email to michaelyates@alltel.net. Share your great Mike’s Barn story with us at Letter@CoolCleveland.com.

We Dig Your Vibe and maybe you dig ours… if so, introduce us to your circle and you will all be eligible to win a Video iPod compliments of Cool Cleveland. No purchase necessary. Enter as many friends as you wish. The more friends you enter, the greater your chances of winning. Sign up by going here.

Emissions from the blogsphere Bill Barrow thinks a PD article on the Franklin Castle was written in a deeply suspicious frame of mind. Chris Varley has some answers from NOCHE’s Chuck Hickman. MaryBeth Matthews returns, blogging about a class she’s taking. Autumn posts about the Avon Duct Tape Festival. Lou recaps the CMJ Fest. Tina relates the City’s response to a fallen tree. Check the Cool Cleveland weblog here , where Peter Chakerian, Francis X. Bova III and Chris McVetta all weigh in on the CMJ Rock Hall Music Fest… and give ‘em some love, would ya? ‘Cause even though it was fun for ‘em, they’re all really freaking tired. Post your own comments, questions and attitude there, or send your own CMJRHMF “love-letters” to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

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Style, Passion and Sizzle is what “Gourmets in the Garden” offers each Wednesday from 6/14 – 8/23 when top area chefs show off hot culinary trends at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. This evening event coincides with “Wow! Wade Oval Wednesdays,” from 6PM to 8PM. In addition to delectable samples, the chefs will offer expert advice on how to create these taste sensations at home. Here’s your sure-fire ticket to summer bliss: Come to the Garden’s lovely and inspiring Geis Terrace Wednesday evenings this summer, meet a different chef from the area every week, enjoy scrumptious food and drink, then enjoy a stroll through 10 acres of award-winning display gardens, open until 9PM with $5 admission (after 5:00) and $3 parking. I ask you, does it get any better than this? Heck, no. Contact 216-707-2834 or www.CBGarden.org for more info.
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Cool Cleveland This Week
6.21-6.28

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

CC KIDS Mother Goose Math Revisit the classic children’s literature of Mother Goose while your child experiments with early math concepts including numbers, patterns, and calendar skills during the exhibit, Mother Goose Math: Rhyme & Arithmetic. The exhibit runs now through Sun 8/13. The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, 10730 Euclid Avenue. http://www.ClevelandChildrensMuseum.org.

African American Lives The recently-released PBS documentary, African American Lives, in which Dr. Henry Louis Gates traces the lives of eight prominent African Americans – including Oprah Winfrey, Chris Tucker, Dr. Mae Jemison and Quincy Jones – will be screened at the Cleveland Public Library now through Sat 9/30. Main Library, 2nd Floor Lobby, East 6th and Superior Avenue. http://cpl.org/.

HOT PICK Corporate Citizenship: The New Value Proposition. Businesses are aligning philanthropy and volunteerism with solid business strategy to strengthen the community and enhance marketing, human resources and branding. This Thu 6/22 forum from 8-10AM is an opportunity to learn how innovative companies such as Whirlpool Corporation and Lubrizol are maximizing the return on their community investment while making a significant impact in the community. Register for the event at www.BusinessVolunteers.org. Key Center, 127 Public Square, 27th Floor.

Converting Entrepreneurial Passion into Profitable Growth and Personal Wealth Why grow a business? Why put yourself through all of the agony? If your objective for business growth is to create a profitable, sustainable business that continues to increase in value then this program is targeted to you. You’ll discover how Joel Strom’s proven Growth Management process can help owners and managers of growing businesses harness their entrepreneurial passion and grow the company of their dreams. There is no cost for the Thu 6/22 event from 8-9:30AM, but registration is required here. Call 621-3300 for details.

Bully Prevention: Building a More Respectful Environment Learn how to banish the bullies in your world with the guidance of nationally recognized bully intervention expert, CJ Bott, during this day-long presentation starting at 9AM on Thu 6/22. This jam-packed session is vital for everyone involved with children and youth from teachers to parents to librarians and more. Call 987-2224 for more information or to register. Tri-C Eastern Campus, 4250 Richmond Road, Highland Hills.

How Did I Get Here? Nonprofit professionals from two generations speak on their experiences. Learn from their successes & share in their struggles during this Thu 6/22 event from 4:30-6PM. Nonprofit professionals should RSVP to neo.nonprofit@gmail.com. Maxine Levin College of Urban Affairs, Sweet Seminar Room UR 241, 1717 Euclid Avenue.

Cleveland 105 Series: The Foundations of Faith Take a tour of historic African American churches beginning with Antioch Baptist Church, on Thu 6/22 from 5:30-7:30PM. Founded in 1893, Antioch was the second African American Baptist church established in Cleveland. Upcoming tours include Downtown Churches, Mosques, Tremont Churches and Synagogues. Visit www.ClevelandBridgeBuilders.org to learn more.

Sneak Peek Party Hook up with a few friends and spend a well-deserved night out on Thu 6/22 from 6-9PM. You’ll enjoy great art, unique window installations, a live acoustic performance by Bobby Lanphier, tasty food and plenty of beer & wine during this event. Visit http://www.ArtsCollinwood.org for tickets or to learn more. Arts Collinwood Gallery, 15605 Waterloo Road, North Collinwood.

HOT PICK Party in the Heights Hear great local music outdoors during this series of no-cost concerts. The kick-off concert on Thu 6/22 from 7PM to dusk features the jazz/rock ensemble ACO. The group mixes styles, transforming songs by masters of songwriting and performing including Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, the Beatles, James Brown, Led Zeppelin and Marvin Gaye, and reworking them into a new unique instrumental style with the flavor of Latin jazz. Visit www.HeightsArts.org to see the entire concert schedule and list of venues. Cedar Fairmount, on the green next to Nighttown (12383 Cedar Road), Cleveland Heights.

Listing Tip of the Week Ever talked to someone for an hour, but at the end, nothing stood out? That’s how the neverending press release can be. Hey, bad press releases can happen to good people. But you don’t have to be a victim. Get some tips on how to make your next press release buzzworthy by clicking here and scrolling down to the Hints section. Then send those polished up listings to us at Events@CoolCleveland.com.

Grand Prix of Cleveland Rev up your engines for the never-been-better spectacular of the 25th annual Grand Prix of Cleveland, throttling to new heights Fri 6/23 thru Sun 6/25 with brand new jumbo screens viewable from every seat. You don’t have to be a gear geek to enjoy this Grand Prix. There will be live music, a health and lifestyle expo, the interactive Family Fun Zone and more. Don’t miss out on one of the most sizzling events in town. Get tickets at 241-5555 or online at http://www.GrandPrixOfCleveland.com or in person at all Ticketmaster locations.

The 2010 Meltdown Join the Workforce Development Agency, Lorain County Commissioners, and The Employment netWork for a strategic evaluation of economic and workforce trends and conditions impacting work and the quality of life in the region. The Fri 6/23 event runs from 8AM to 12PM. “The Dashboard Indicators for the Northeast Ohio Economy” featuring Dr. Edward E. Gordon, an international expert on labor market development and educational reform. RSVP for the event to 440-284-1801. Stocker Cinema Hall, LCCC Campus, 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria.

State of the Arts Luncheon kicks off the “Summer Teacher Institute: Learning Through the Arts” at Cleveland State University. The luncheon celebrates this innovative program in which Cleveland’s leading cultural institutions connect with educators to find exciting ways of integrating the arts into the classroom. The keynote speaker is Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University, author of Multiple Intelligences and MacArthur Prize Fellow. The Cleveland Youth Orchestra will be performing at the event which kicks off on Fri 6/23 at 12PM. Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Avenue.

Intern Scavenger Hunt Showcase Cleveland to your summer interns by signing them up for this (i)Cleveland event on Fri 6/23 from 12-4PM. This exciting event will allow students to explore our city’s culture, living and entertainment. Special missions will bring students face-to-face with some of our region’s top business & community leaders. Prizes will go to the team with the highest points. Call 592-2298 for info. (i)Cleveland, 1422 Euclid Suite 940.

Boston Mills Art Fest The Boston Mills Artfest features 320 nationally known artists who will exhibit their works over two weekends. At Artfest, you can browse, purchase, and interact with both the artwork and the artists who created them. The show kicks off on Fri 6/23 with a Preview Night event that includes a wine tasting and light hors d’oeuvres, and runs through Sun 6/25. Visit http://www.bmbw.com/artfest for tickets and event hours, or call 800-875-4241. Boston Mills, 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula.

HOT PICK Two Juniors at Mike’s Barn Mike’s Barn is hosting an event of legendary proportions – an evening of traditional Blues with John Hammond Jr. and Robert Lockwood Jr. on Fri 6/23 from 7 to 11PM. The combined careers of these two artists add up to around 125 years of performing. Grammy and WC Handy award winners and nominees many times over – it doesn’t get any better or more authentic than this. If you are interested in attending the event – like you wouldn’t be – just send an email to Mike at michaelyates@alltel.net. You will get directions to the event, along with your order form. Admission includes a tasty BBQ meal and the spirits are BYOB. Elyria. http://www.MikesBarn.com.

HOT PICK Ninja Comedy Death Match 2 In a unique 1-night, 3-round format, 10 comedians will utilize their arsenal of quick wit and deadly sarcasm against 10 comedy topics – with minimal preparation time. No tired old material here – every joke, every bit, every Ninja maneuver they attempt will be as fresh as fine sushi and as sharp as a samurai blade. A random draw will determine the stage order and the comedians will then strategically pick topics to suit their strengths and defeat their rivals. Catch this unique event on Fri 6/23 at 9PM at Bassa Vita Lounge, 1572 W. 117th Street, Lakewood. www.BassaVitaLounge.com.

WCLVnotes The heritage Boston classical music station WCRB (it has been around since the late 1940s) will soon disappear, leaving Boston without a full-time classical music station. That’s Boston, but here in Cleveland, that won’t happen because WCLV 104.9 is owned by the WCLV Foundation, dedicated to the continuance of classical music on the radio in northeast Ohio. You can do your part to support classical music radio by patronizing the firms whose commercials you hear at 104.9 and by telling them that you heard their ads on WCLV. Complete details of WCLV’s classical music programming can be found on WCLV’s website at www.wclv.com.

CC KIDS Paint a Mural with Phil Yeh So what were your plans for this Saturday? Veging out in front of the TV for a cartoon marathon? Fuget about it! Instead make yourself a date to help create a mural for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History with nationally-recognized cartoonist Phil Yeh on Sat 6/24 from 10AM to 4PM and Sun 6/25 from 12-4PM. How cool is that? Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, University Circle. http://www.cmnh.org.

HOT PICK CC KIDS Waterloo Street Festival Experience art, music, delicious food and engaging entertainment in the heart of the historic Waterloo business district on Sat 6/24 from 11AM-7PM. Featured exhibits will include the juried members’ show at the Arts Collinwood Gallery, along with openings at the Beachland Ballroom and TRUE Art and an outdoor sculpture installation. Last year’s popular storefront art installations make their return and emerging artistic talents from the Cleveland area will take center stage during this event that will highlight visual and performing arts. Kids and their families can get in the act, with hands-on art workshops, interactive exhibits and activities in the expanded and improved children’s area. Waterloo Business District, North Collinwood. http://www.ArtsCollinwood.org.

Trolley Tour of Artist Live-Work Studios Tour Artist Live-Work Studios in the 1400 Building, Keith Berr Productions, Payne Avenue Lofts and Hodge School on Sat 6/24 from 1-5PM. The trolley will also make a stop at Convivium33, a new and exciting gallery located in the renovated St. Josaphat’s Church, for a refreshment break. Call 241-4355 for reservations. The tour will begin at 1400 East 30th Street.

Dropping Daylight You won’t want to miss the triumphant return of Cleveland drummer Allen Maier, as he hits the stage with his new band Dropping Daylight at the O.A.R annual festival at the Tower City Amphitheatre on Sat 6/24 at 5PM. After stints with Blu Vertaal and Blazer, Maier faced national competition to be chosen by Dropping Daylight. Get the album at your favorite record store now then see them live at www.TowerCityAmphitheater.com.

CC KIDS Shaker Summer Solstice This community-wide, no-cost celebration on Sat 6/24 from 5-10PM, rain or shine, features live music, street performances, henna tattoo artists and distinctive crafts from local artisans. Kid’s activities include face painting and drum making in preparation for the drum circle and lighting ceremony at 8:30PM. Main stage performances include the young sounds of Flip Side at 5:15PM; hot Latin Rhythms by Rolando Pizana y sus Rhumberos, at 6:15PM and the inspirational groove of The Prayer Warriors at 7:30PM. Shaker Heights Community Colonnade, 3450 Lee Road and Van Aken Boulevard.

Tremont Trek – 2006 Home Tour Don’t delay snagging your tickets to the divine dinner party experience that is the Tremont Trek on Sat 6/24 from 5:30PM to 10:30PM. This year’s experience features fine dining in six luxurious private residences, including a former Fire Station. Each location features culinary delights from one of the city’s finest eateries and wine selected by Wine Trends to enhance the menu at each home. Call 595-2950 or email margaretjudd@executivearrangements.com to be one of the privileged participants in this year’s event.

Larchmere Antiques Fair It’s time to close down the street and bring out the treats on Sun 6/25 from 10AM to 5PM. Discover a treasure trove of deals from dozens of vintage and antique dealers during this annual extravaganza. Come out early to score some of the best deals at this popular event. Larchmere Boulevard in Shaker Heights.

Sit, Stay, Forward . . . We double dog dare you to help your favorite e-zine reach more northeasterners than humanly possible by forwarding this issue to several friends that you think would enjoy it. Oh, and thanks.

Gracious Gardens of Shaker Heights Awaken your senses to living inspirations for your summer gardening experience. Spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon, on Sun 6/25 from 1-5PM, touring 8 distinctive and charming gardens in Shaker that include: pools, fountains, a bocce court, sandstone patios and more. Consider this fabulous tour as your personal guide to gardening enlightenment. Call 921-1201 for more information and get your tickets at Shaker Historical Museum, Gali’s Garden Shop, J. Pistone Market, Heights Garden Center, and Jan Dell Flowers on the West Side.

Wendy Park Turns One Help celebrate Wendy Park’s one year anniversary on Sun 6/25. Sample six Australian wines and snack on tasty cheese and crackers during the “Down Under” Wine tasting from 2-4PM. Call 631-1800 for tickets. Wendy Park, Whiskey Island. http://www.WendyPark.org.

Foluke Scholarship Benefit A tantalizing mix of solid entertainment beckons you to immerse yourself in cultural refinement at the annual benefit hosted by the Foluke Cultural Arts Center Sun 6/25 from 3-8PM. Wayne Dawson, from WJW-FOX8 is your master of ceremonies for the Performance, Dinner, Dance and Silent Auction that will help redefine reality for children at risk as Foluke transforms ART into a powerful weapon against poverty, racism and discrimination. Call 216-432-3772 or email ask@folukeculturalarts.com for details. http://www.FolukeCulturalArts.com. Ivy’s Catering at GreenMont, 800 South Green Road, South Euclid.

CC KIDS Bug Bash Join the excitement at this family-focused fundraiser with a fun 60’s theme on Sun 6/25 from 4-7PM. Help underserved children enjoy nature, many for the first time, during an entertaining evening featuring the musical stylings of nationally-acclaimed children’s musician Justin Roberts and games, crafts and nature hikes for children of all ages. Families can enjoy a delicious Bug Banquet (it’s just dinner – quit buggin’) and browse goodies in the silent auction. Kids get a cool gift bag to take home. Beat the swarm and call today. Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Boulevard. Advance registration is required and the event sells out fast. Call 321-5935 or visit http://www.BugBash.org.

Summer Crave Party What Does a Girl crave? Retail therapy. Mani’s and pedi’s. Cocktails. Quality time with the girls. This event offers everything a girl could possibly crave and more under one roof on Sun 6/25 from 4-8PM. Enjoy fashion shows featuring the latest fashions and hair styles from Studio Wish, Color Café and Salon; a Mixology Demonstration by Absolut Akademi; get a henna tattoo, a facial for your feet, or try threading the all natural South Asian art of hair removal. Plus shop at great CraveTiques such as Funky Violet, Absolute Attitude, Colleen’s Creations, Bella Sorella Designs, Box of Polka Dots, From the Blue Bag and Pet-Tique. 100th Bomb Group, 20920 Brookpark Road. http://www.cravecleveland.com/summerparty.htm.

CC KIDS Camp Tech hosts single week summer technology camps for 6-17 year old budding geniuses at their state-of-the art technology center beginning Mon 6/26 from 9AM to 3PM. It’s a perfect place for kids to make new friends, learn from enthusiastic instructors, and, of course, spend lots of time learning the nuances of industry-leading software like Flash, Adobe, Microsoft Suites and XHMTL and Young Entrepreneurship which teaches you how to start and market your own company and much more. For parents it is an investment in the future of their children. For kids it is simply a blast. Call 292-6153, x12 for more info. Mt. Zion Community Technology Center, 4265 Northfield Road, Highland Hills. www.mtzctc.org.

Building Innovation Zones in Northeast Ohio Attend three days of learning and action packed connecting on Wed 6/28 from 8AM to noon and Thu 6/29 and Fri 6/30 from 8AM to 4PM. See the complete listing of events and venues here.

A 2020 Vision for Our Main Street This series was designed to educate and inform residents about the importance of the Main Street program, its success in other communities and how it will benefit the city of Lakewood. The Wed 6/28 session at 7PM will focus on the long-term vision for implementing the Main Street program in Lakewood and include time for the community to ask questions and offer suggestions. The Wasmer Auditorium, Lakewood Hospital. http://www.LakewoodAlive.com.

Understanding Healthcare and Worker’s Compensation The Hispanic Business Association/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Ohio is hosting this networking mixer on Thu 6/29 from 6-9PM. There will be speakers from MetroHealth Systems, The Bureau of Workers Compensation and Prout & Associates. Call 281-4422 with questions or RSVP here by Thu 6/22. The Bistro Room, Thistledown, 21501 Emery Road, North Randall.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

A&Q w/G
Ryan McKenzie of CityWheels

Imagine what your life would be like if you didn’t have to make a car payment every month, pay for auto insurance, or make those periodic trips to the auto mechanic. Now imagine if you could also reduce the impact that automobiles have on the environment. Sounds like something you’d be interested in? Cool Cleveland’s Information Officer George Nemeth talks with Ryan McKenzie about his startup—a carsharing program called CityWheels.

George Nemeth: Could you explain a little bit about CityWheels and what was your personal motivation to do this?

Ryan McKenzie: Yes. My whole career I’ve worked on making city living more affordable and competitive, from a quality of life standpoint. I had environmental motivation, just to improve air quality, reduce possible fuel use, but really I just wanted to create a Cleveland that I would want to live in. It gets down to a certain enlightened self-interest, I guess.

Enlightened self-interest is a great term for it.

I want this neighborhood to have the amenities that make me want to stay here, that make my wife want to stay here, and that our two-year-old daughter can grow up and feel good about being here, instead of having to move out either to a suburb or to another city entirely. I lived in the Ohio City neighborhood on my own for eight years without owning a car. Most of the time that was great. I sure saved a lot of money, but sometimes it would have been wonderful to have access to a car just for a few hours or half a day at a time. It would’ve made life a lot easier. In my work with EcoCityCleveland and on my own before that, trying to improve conditions for walking and biking and public transportation, I learned about car-sharing. It was a concept that came out of Europe more than 20 years ago. It came to Canada more than ten years ago. It came into the U.S. in 1998, and I watched it over the years as it spread to what’s now 18 metro areas, and it made a lot of sense to me that there’s a market here. It’s not the same huge market that there would be in Boston or D.C. or New York, San Francisco, but there is a market, and I’m living proof of it. There are others out there like me who would like to save money, who would like to not have to own one car for every driver in a household. And so I decided in February of this year to start it up…
Read more of A&Q w/G here

Cool Cleveland Commentary
Let’s Hit The Beach! Cleveland’s Cool Lakefront Plan… Two Years Later
By Cleveland’s Leading Satirist

Nine miles of accessible lakefront, compared to the current two. Bike paths, marinas, shopping, baby seal habitat, entertainment, a new convention center, a new island, dozens of wind turbines, surf shops in Edgewater Park, thousands of fat, sweaty German tourists, 4,000 housing units, cops in bikinis, free beer and a working salt mine…all of this was proposed in 2004 by “Sweet Jane” Campbell.

Notice this happening? Let’s be Frank. No. Negative. Nope. SOL. LOL. Whatever.

A recent tour of Cleveland’s golden shoreline yielded the following findings:

Chain link fencing is the new face of American-Dream accessibility. Mexicans will soon learn this. The “Department of Homeland Insecurity” is now using the Cleveland lakefront as a “weapons system of disruptive exclusion” model in our war against people who want to come here and are willing to work as assistants at “Daniel Boone’s Bear Removal Depot”.

There is a pointless airport in the way. No one has actually ever used this airport except for some mysterious guy named Burke, a couple of pirate CEO’s of pirate companies that have since fled the region, and the “Blue Angels”…who entertain us each year by wasting massive amounts of our hard-earned tax dollars by scaring us and burning jet fuel flying F-16’s upside down three feet above our Wahoo-hatted heads.

There is a giant stadium that is used at best, twelve times per year, in the way. Nothing happens there from December through September, except for the annual croquet tournament held by the Federated Lawyers Of Parma (FLOP), each July. Last year, Attorney Stan Anusinski, Esq. was disqualified for stabbing Attorney Carmine Weasellini Esq. in the cheek (face) with a wicket. Cleveland Police deemed it an “innocuous semi- assault with a harmless game implement” and cleared Anusinski of all charges.

Edgewater Park, even without the surf shops outlined in the 2004 plan, is still a fairly viable lakefront experience. But, as Pedro, an enchilada-cart purveyor at Edgewater noted recently…”it ain’t exactly Puerta Vallarta eh, amigo”.

Grab the blanket, the sun-screen, the towels and the bolt cutters! Life’s a beach here!

From Cool Cleveland contributor Clyde Miles clyde.milesATgmail.com

Cool Cleveland Sounds
Bears
Bears
Self-Released

I’m on overload. It’s Thursday night and just thinking of all the CMJ Rock Hall Music Fest shows I’m headed to in the next 5 days has got me daunted. As I’m prone to do, I pop into Music Saves on Waterloo, right before Alejandro Escovedo is due to go on. Melanie’s working the counter tonight. I’ve already got Josh Rouse and Jon Auer in hand… and I’m really on the fence about the new Zero 7 disc I special-ordered. (Aside from my prog fetish, I’m also a bit of pop geek… and an indecisive one at that. And I hate it when I can’t decide.)

So I ask her, rather unapologetically—perhaps even desperately, knowing the mixed fruit this long weekend might bear—“So, what are you listening to lately?” She offers up a few names… and then points to her honey-golden-colored shirt, and to their “listening kiosk” and says… Bears.

Last time I took her outerwear’s suggestion, I discovered the Decemberists. I take the hint. I grab a copy, check out and ramble on next door. And later that night on the ride home, I thank her out loud again. I decide that, quite honestly, that I can’t think of a time I’ve never been happier with a local record. On their debut album, Cleveland musicians Craig Ramsey and Charlie McArthur have really created an unexpected twee-pop masterpiece. Not only is it polished and simple in its perfection, but it’s also deliciously complex in lyrics and savory emotional weight.

Ramsey (who some of you may know from The Lovekill and Kiddo) and McArthur (formerly of Ache: Emelie) have been drawing comparisons to a lot of other “tweesmiths” since Bears came out a short time ago. Once you get past the “two guys making bedroom pop” thing, the romantic aesthetics do far better at recalling Elliott Smith, the Beatles and even the neo-psychedelic jangle pop act Close Lobsters—a group a co-worker tried desperately to get me to like many years ago. “Goodbye Song,” which was roughly two-thirds of the way though, made me think I should call Steve after all these years later and apologize.

But it’s no knockoff. Bears’ sound is all their own… and, like a junkie, I just can’t stop listening.

There are singles all over this release: the delectable admissions of “Walk Away” are sweet enough to give you cavities; the sun-drenched xylophone chime of “Everywhere” recalls The Shins, and “Never Have to Guess” delivers a catchy pop bassline against bells, keyboards and a handful of daydreams based in reality. I wouldn’t dream of undermining Bears with an “Album of the Year” nametag; and yet, after spinning Rouse and Auer later on the same night—both critically-acclaimed national acts with a penchant for the delicious, low-key, acoustic-based pop sound I dig—I can’t help but think that the work these Bears have created is significantly better. This could very well be the Best Ten Bucks I’ve Ever Spent… and, yes, a fitting contender for Album of the Year.

Bears perform with the Very Knees, New Grenada and Heartwarmer at the Beachland Ballroom on Sunday, July 2nd. For more information, check out http://www.MySpace.com/bearspop or http://www.BeachlandBallroom.com for more info.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

Wanna get reviewed? Send your band’s CD (less than 1 year old) to: Cool Cleveland, 14837 Detroit Avenue, #105, Lakewood, OH 44107

Hey Writers! Wanna write about Cleveland music? We’ve got a slew of recently-released CDs and DVDs by Cleveland-area musicians that could use your critical commentary for Cool Cleveland Sounds. If you’re interested, send us a note at Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Cool Cleveland Reads
Bedtime Stories for Entrepreneurs:
Inspiring Stories from Clevelanders Who Found Success
Great Lakes Publishing

Running your own business can be scary. Call it life without a net, especially after coming from a “corporatized” work environment, where everything often feels as static and homogenized as a Happy Meal. In contrast, you live and die by the day-to-day of your small business—there are highs and lows, moments of sheer terror and desperation, “buyer’s remorse” and the unabashed absurdity in situations that take a huge left turn when they were supposed to go right.

Therein lies the focus of Bedtime Stories for Entrepreneurs—a book which features Northeast Ohio success stories gathered together by COSE, the 33-year-old Council of Smaller Enterprises. COSE is the small business division of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, one of the nation’s largest metropolitan chambers of commerce, thank you very much. If anyone knows those inspiring business folk and their stories, it’s COSE: the council serves as an advocate, facilitator and support system for close to 17,000 Greater Cleveland area small businesses and shows no signs of slowing down.

Bedtime features 31 local businesses, highlighting their humble beginnings, growing pains and nail-biting moments on the edge of the abyss. What’s more, it is a fairly easy-to-digest book with small, biographical stories (hence the “bedtime stories” motif) in a breezy, conversational tone. The book’s approach makes you feel like you know each business owner intimately after their tales.

Truth is, you already know a lot of these small businesses more intimately than you think…
Read the review by Peter Chakerian here

Looking for Ways to Impress Your Clients? Here’s the scenario: You have a new client that you want to impress with hot, new concepts for their PR campaign. Or you have an established client that is tired of the same old, same old. What to you do? Mix it up by offering them an Internet-savvy option with CoolCleveland.com. And follow that up by offering them the ability to sample to some of Cleveland’s finest at one of our events. This is what a sponsor had to say about our last event in Lakewood on 8/11/05: “All I can say is ‘Wow!’ We loved participating in the last Cool Cleveland party! The crowds were nonstop and the feedback was tremendous. It was a very positive, fun way to promote the Rockport Square development. I would definitely sponsor another CC party again.” — Heather Muro, Residential Sales and Marketing, Rysar Properties. Contact TL@CoolCleveland.com for info about advertising.

RoldoLINK
Shallow Plan For Public Square
By Roldo Bartimole

“The square is a ‘sleeping giant,’ according to downtown Councilman Joe Cimperman.” So writes the Plain Dealer in an article entitled “Civic leaders envision revitalized Public Square.”

Cimperman has gone from a promising, bright, young and aggressive freshman Councilman to a sadly predictable politician. He lacks even the possible charm of a charlatan. It’s not all his fault. Reporters look for quotes to fit a need and Cimperman’s too accommodating.

The Public Square article represents a model example of how certain people and interests get their personal agendas before the public. Their pitch may have little relevance in the extensive list of public need. Its only distinction regards its proponents’ mostly self-interested desires.

When a politician makes such a trite remark as Cimperman did, you know the bullshit is already knee high. Check your wading pants if you are going downtown.

The article tries to hit every civic responsibility button imaginable to sell its bill of goods. Please check your wallet pocket and pocketbooks.

Not until the final couple of 39 paragraphs (and 90 inches of space, including photo and drawing), does some reality find life in the piece by Tom Breckenridge. (I don’t blame the reporter as much as the editors who assigned and allowed this pie-in-the-sky reportage to find public exposure.)

Near the end of the drawn out propaganda piece we learn that even City Planning Commission chair Tony Coyne – typically eager to support downtown corporate interests – cautioned about the city’s tight budget. County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones, who also typically jumps aboard such civic propelled yearnings, also hit a bit skeptical tone.

However, the rest of the article smacks of a press release that should have been discarded on its way into the PD offices. News is not supposed to be someone’s PR dreaming…
Read more 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

CMJ Rock Hall Music Fest What can be said about the Second Coming of the CMJ Rock Hall Music Fest that hasn’t already been said? Plenty, as the plethora of posts on our very own Cool Cleveland Blog suggest. The event was another smashing success, stretching out over a period of 5 days and featuring over 100 musical acts. The festivities kicked off with a visionary keynote address by Perry Farrell (a.k.a. DJ PERETZ) and continued with him mixing and mashing-up musical styles with fellow DJ Prince Paul. The remainder of the weekend was filled with highlights: the Beachland tag-team of Detroit’s Dirtbombs and Detroit Cobras floored CC newcomer (and Cleveland State culture editor) Francis X. Bova III; Hasidic rasta-rapper Matisyahu won me over, along with mod-rock-popsters Head Automatica and the spectacular Alejandro Escovedo; the sheer magnitude of SMALL crowds at the CMJRHMF Festival Village even brought local Lewis Black-like culture pundit Chris McVetta out of the woodwork. And that doesn’t even hit the local acts or nuances. We’d all write more about it, but when you see the blog… well, you’ll know why we’re all napping blissfully… away from our respective computers. You can read about it all here.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

Nils Lofgren @ the Winchester It was another enjoyable night of music last Thursday at the Winchester in Lakewood as Nils Lofgren did two solo shows. I was a little apprehensive about the evening before hand for two reasons: I had spent the day listening to several of his albums from before his E Street band days and a lot of it sounded dated; and I thought the club would be filled with too many Springsteen fans, not enough Nils fans. I was wrong on both counts.
I caught the second show and really enjoyed it. Nils went through the highlights of his solo career (“Keith Don’t Go,” “Girl in Motion,” “I Came to Dance,” “No Mercy”); did a couple of Bruce songs (“Here Come the Night,” “If I Fall Behind”); and showed that he could still play the guitar. The simple setting really brought out the quality of his songs. When he sang “You” everyone heard each word of ‘We had this for awhile/and when we made love you smiled.’ He also did a stint at the piano doing “Blue Skies” with a beautiful harpsichord like solo in the middle of it.
His voice still sounded angelic when he needed it, and his stage presence kept most of the capacity crowd into the show. It was one of those nights the crowd was an important part of the evening, giving standing ovations after several Nil’s classics, and no one was heard shouting out Springsteen songs to cover. Lofgren was also rewarded with good responses to several well-performed guitar solos.
The Winchester is perfect for these types of show. Its smallness and outstanding sound system allows for intimacy between the performer and the audience, and when the performer is as talented and experienced as Nils Lofgren, and the audience was as receptive as it was last Thursday, the show becomes close to perfect. My only real criticism was the drum machine that Lofgren added to a couple of tunes, especially “Here Comes the Night.” He didn’t need it, his voice and guitar playing was more than enough to carry any tune. As with most shows at the Winchester, Lofgren stayed around after and signed every old album and posed for every picture.
For a $12 ticket, and beer at the same price as your favorite neighborhood joint, I couldn’t imagine a better night out for the forty and fifty somethings in the audience than last Thursday at the Winchester.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Greg Cielec cielecAThotmail.com

The Pirates of Penzance @ Cleveland Play House 6/14 Lyric Opera Cleveland is about to merge with its bigger cousin from downtown, Cleveland Opera, and next spring, a new entity will then appear—Opera Cleveland. In the meantime, however, the delightful summer picnic productions continue at the Drury Theatre of the Cleveland Play House. The first of these was a bright and delightful production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s American operetta The Pirates of Penzance. American, because it was written mostly in America, after composer Sullivan neglected to bring a copy of the music with him when they came to New York in the late 1870s to premiere their new show for the Yanks. (It was to have one performance only in England first, to secure the British copyright. ‘Real’ pirates abounded in those days, capturing the popular works by the two Englishmen and presenting unauthorized versions.)

Pity poor Frederic who was loved too well if not wisely by his nursemaid, Ruth. Being a bit hard of hearing, she apprenticed the boy to ‘Pi-RATES’ instead of ‘Pi-LOTS’ as she’d been instructed. The Pirates, however, are a soft-hearted bunch, with major weaknesses toward orphans, leaving them all skirting poverty. Usually apprenticeship expires when one turns 21, so thinking he’s free, Frederic anticipates his new life. Unfortunately, he was born on February 29, meaning that while he has lived for 21 years, he’s had only 5 actual birthdays. He isn’t free after all! Enter the Major General and his 8 beautiful, unwed daughters, a police force that doesn’t wish to tangle with the pirates, and you have mad, musical mayhem…
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

North Coast Men’s Chorus @ Waetjen Auditorium 6/11 The North Coast Men’s Chorus specializes in variety; a variety of songs presented in a variety of ways and featuring a variety of soloists. All told, it makes for one spectacular musical event. Generally, they present two performances (Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon) of three individual concerts throughout the year. There is always a Christmas Holiday show, and a spring show with some sort of theme and then, in June, the Pride concert. This year’s Pride version was titled Colors of Our Lives. Had Technicolor not already been invented, someone would have had to do so, in order to adequately showcase the rainbow-hued assortment of songs presented by the chorus and soloists, all directed by Richard Cole.

Of course, there were the usual hi-jinks and production numbers, too, but when the men want to just sing, it’s hard to find better anywhere. Lavender began the show, highlighting soloists Patrick T. Holcomb and Brian Borell. Then, without any warning, we were suddenly ordered to Think Pink! Baritone James J. McPeak was surrounded—inundated?—by eleven of his cohorts costumed in varying shades of pink (including the occasional wig! and an ostrich feather fan?) in an over-the-top song-and-dance exhibition that had the audience in hysterics…
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

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 economic impact of gay rights (See On Ohio’s dead-last ranking in gay rights here) Dear Nathan Szep [Yr Turn letters to Cool Cleveland], How is economic growth tied to gay rights, you ask? Well, it is really quite simple. With over 50% of Fortune 500 companies offering Domestic Partner benefits to their employees, boards, and upper management, how hard is it to imagine a company choosing not to come to a state and city where they are not welcome? See link here. It is so obvious that the two are inter-related, yet persons like yourself seem to have a blindfold over your eyes regarding the idea that a good percentage of high-level business persons and entrepreneurs in this country are, in fact, gay. Would you spend one nickel on developing business and enterprise in a state that has a constitutional law describing your relationship with your loved one as worthless? Wake up Nathan, this is not a partisan issue, simply a human rights issue that directly affects potential economic development and our evolution as enlightened, human beings. I applaud Cool Cleveland for bringing this idea into the consciousness of Clevelander’s interested in progressive change.
from Cool Cleveland reader Timothy Johnson timothygjohnsonATgmail.com

On selling the Ohio Turnpike (See Whither Strickland? here) The idea of leasing the Turnpike for 99 years as a revenue source, no matter what his book states, is not in the best interest of anyone other than the investors. We as residents of Northeast Ohio will not gain from this plan. With the “slush funds” oops, I mean proposed projects being administered by banks (and don’t think the size of the political donations won’t effect which bank(s) are chosen) the criteria for accessing the funds will be limited. Growth and return on the investment will be minimal partially due to the investment strategies of the banking industry and the administrative and investment fees charged. That is to say the winners will be the banks not the residents of Ohio. If a lease agreement were reached it will most likely be for far less than proposed and the first order of business by any group interested in investing in the Turnpike would be to have total control of rates. Which would mean that the 4.5% annual increase proposed by the candidate would not be acceptable. Case in point, Indiana sold its toll road and is now facing a doubling of its rates. Chicago invested heavily in upgrades and repair of the Skyline bridge and those rates are about to increase substantially at the urging of the investment group. When you read the State Auditor’s report at www.ohioturnpike.org you will find that most if not all the assumptions the candidate bases his proposal on are inaccurate if not just plain wrong. The turnpike is efficiently run, which in many ways causes the estimated lease figures of 4 – 6 billion to be off by as much as 50%. Certain assumptions have to be met to realize the lease revenue and annual revenue distribution. First there will need to be an increase in fares. As seen in a past attempt to raise tolls, traffic decreased and revenues dropped, as tolls on heavy vehicles had the largest increase.and in turn had the largest decrease as truckers found alternate routes to avoid paying the toll. (Toll classes on the turnpike are based on weight). When the increase was reversed usage did not return to previous levels. Second, the assumption that the toll road is grossly inefficient at the administrative basis . Third, that they are overpaying for materials and supplies. Fourth that road repair, maintenance and expansion can be done at a lower cost. When reading the auditors report it becomes obvious that the turnpike is not an inefficient model of administration, has cut their costs for purchasing materials, in some cases they’re buying for a lower price than the state cooperative purchasing program and has lower road repair costs than ODOT. Couple this with the fact that we have one of the lowest toll rates on a cost per mile basis in the country. Regardless of whether the turnpike is a state sub divisoin or a private enterprise, the auditors report clearly indicates that our turnpike is an efficient business model. Obviously, we all would like the interstates to be free of charge. But, when you look at the condition of ODOT and state maintained interstate roads and the cost and quality of repair and expansion. It might make more sense economic sense to convert them to toll roads and use the proceeds (profits) to improve our state.
from Cool Cleveland reader Keith Keller kbkellerATsbcglobal.net

On preserving historic schools (see Renovate, don’t demolish here ) Tax payers in Cleveland and the State of Ohio should pay close attention to the historic schools feasibility study recently published by the Cleveland Restoration Society. The findings of this study underscore the colossal waste of tax payers’ money being spent on new schools when existing historic schools can be renovated for substantially less cost. In addition to the huge potential costs savings, there are other significant benefits to renovating historic schools: Most existing schools were designed and built during the most prosperous era in American history and were constructed of the best materials available. These buildings frequently contain built-in artwork and fine details that are not affordable today. Ironically, it is the new schools, often built of lower-quality materials to meet severe current budget constraints, that are now being designed for only a 40-year life cycle. Existing school buildings frequently embody a sense of community history and provide neighborhoods with an important sense of identity. Can new budget-driven school designs accomplish the same? Rehabilitation of existing schools generates more economic impact than new construction. Data from the US Commerce Department shows that $1 million spent on rehabilitation creates five more construction jobs and three more permanent jobs that the same $1 million spent on new construction. Because rehabilitation involves up to 20% more labor than new construction, many of the new jobs are local, which will exponentially benefit a region’s economy. Historic schools can be successfully modernized to provide a contemporary learning environment. The latest technology can be installed in older buildings, which will meet educational programming needs and foster successful learning. There are great example of this throughout the United States, Ohio and even locally. The recently renovated John Hay High School in Cleveland is an outstanding model we should follow. Recycling existing buildings teaches the lessons of preserving and conserving resources, enabling students to appreciate the fine workmanship of their construction and connecting them to past generations. Let’s not pile up local landfills with the civic investments of our predecessors.
from Cool Cleveland reader Anthony W. Hiti ahitiAThgfarchitects.com

I have been active in historic preservation for many years and have been on the CRS board for the past five years. I wanted to respond to your question: “Are we demolishing gems or is restoration just throwing good money after bad?” I read Cool Cleveland and very much like what you write. I do not like your question, however. To suggest that we might be throwing good money after bad may be a provocative idea to attract reader responses (you got my reaction), but the question does not make common sense. For the first 175 years in this country and for centuries in other countries around the world, wise use of resources, including re-use of homes and building has been a cultural value, not just good environmental stewardship. A question such as the one you raise can only be asked in a throw away society. The answer is not the issue, it is the question. If you were to walk in any of these older buildings and see the beauty you would realize the treasures that we have. If someone thinks that modern society builds better smarter buildings, they should think again. The smart thing is to find ways to use what we have.
from Cool Cleveland reader Lee A. Chilcote lee.chilcoteATsbcglobal.net

Congratulations on publishing The Cleveland Restoration Society’s Historic Schools Feasibility Study. One of Cleveland’s great strengths is its phenomenal resource of historic buildings and structures, including numerous school buildings. Anything we can do as a community to capitalize on and publicize this resource is a positive gain. Unfortuneately, this resource is not fully appreciated by the Cleveland Municipal School District and the Ohio School Facilities Commission. Restored and renovated school buildings can meet and even exceed the standards required for producing a quality teaching and learning environment. This has been documented by enumerable case studies and examples of restored/renovated historic school buildings throughout the United States. Indeed, if we desire to be a ‘COOL’ and progressive community, restored and renovated schools must be part of the formula by which we are judged.
from Cool Cleveland reader William E. Samstag, Architect design@arcus-group.com

Nathan Szeb asks, “Is there a reason why every other newsletter has information on gay/lesbian issues spun in a left-leaning slant?” Sure! Because non-homophobes are completely undisturbed by civil and relationship rights for all, and none of us feel obligated to cater to prejudice. Clear enough? Thanks, CC, for covering the Cleveland Restoration Society’s report on historic schools. The saddest schools in the district are the graceless piles of the last few decades, painful to look at and not built to last. If we’re not careful, we’ll spend a billion and a half dollars – the biggest civic investment on the horizon – for more of the same. Cleveland already boasts the beautiful, healthy, efficient Cleveland Environmental Center, which combined historic tax credits and LEED certification to transform a landmark 1917 building with cutting-edge green building technologies. With a strong, nationally respected preservation society and a green building community that has grown since the completion of the CEC, we’re poised to do the right thing: save what can and should be saved, reengineer for maximum health and efficiency, and build new schools that fit their neighborhoods, pay for themselves through energy savings, and let our kids breathe.
from Cool Cleveland reader Mati Senerchia senerchiaATsbcglobal.net

On Cool Cleveland and politics Big mistake for you to go political with Cool Cleveland, Mr. Mulready. It’s the same mistake that the Hollywood and Entertainment class make time and time again. They just can’t help themselves. You, however, can and I strongly recommend that you avoid going down the same path. Why antagonize those who would otherwise be happy to receive and read Cool Cleveland?
from Cool Cleveland reader Scott Lehner ScoLehATctlproducts.com

I write to respond to another reader, who asked Cool Cleveland to avoid ‘divisive’ topics, and “focus on issues that unite Clevelanders such as bettering the schools, making the city more business friendly, and promoting the ideas of regionalism in a way that make the quality of life better for all who live in the Greater Cleveland area.” It often seems tempting to steer away from conflict, but it’s rarely possible: a robust discussion of any issue is always going to touch on controversial topics. You can’t discuss the Cleveland-area schools without exploring race, racism, parenting, and poverty; you can’t discuss the friendliness of Cleveland’s businesses to their employees and customers without touching on their treatment of women, gays, immigrants, and ethnic minorities; and quality of life and/or regionalism implicates complex issues like the use and abuse of government power, tensions between socialism and capitalism, the costs and benefits of small vs. large government bureaucracy, property and income taxes, school district boundaries, and many other ‘divisive’ topics that reasonable people can and do disagree about. In short, avoiding topics that people disagree about always results in avoiding meaningful discussion. Cleveland has made tremendous progress in many economic and social areas over the past decade, due in no small part to Cool Cleveland’s vigorous promotion of discussion and activism among the region’s younger constituents. Please don’t let readers’ phantom worries about ‘divisive’ topics affect Cool Cleveland’s activities: robust debate about complicated topics will always include disagreement. It’s far better to engage a topic and remain open to changing one’s mind, than to avoid conflict and never address it.
from Cool Cleveland reader George Carr georgecarr@gmail.com

On Cool Cleveland I am not sure if I ever told you how GREAT the Cool Cleveland article was and how much amazing positive feedback we have received. Thank you so much! I think Cool Cleveland is awesome and thrilled to have been included and a part of things. from Cool Cleveland reader Victoria Colligan of Ladies Who Launch

I have written in before and have been very impressed with what Cool Cleveland does for youthful awareness of what Cleveland has to offer. I am moving back to Cleveland after 25 years of being in Chicago and living what most consider a Shangri –la style living environment. We have opened one of our small sales offices in downtown and I could not be more happy with my return and look forward to playing some small role in its renewal. What is fantastic is that while I was showing my oldest son the coolness of murray hill on a nice summer evening, the most adorable cute case western reserve student from Pittsburgh, who was waiting on us, broke into how she loved Cleveland and that Cool Cleveland was a requirement for all young people looking to make the city part of there experience. I had been working on my son to see the true opportunity the city has and that Cool Cleveland was the holy grail to youth search. She was gracious, honest and cute. A win on all 3. Well, I thought you should know that what you are doing works. She talked about the events and how this living script helps young people discover themselves and the opportunities the city has for them. I could not have written a better script to try to sell my son. Keep up the good work and lets get those who take pride in criticizing Cleveland , get off there clichés and pitch in. Its what you make it, and don’t blame the bricks and mortar for deficiencies which reside somewhere other then the city. It isn’t perfect, but its trending in the right direction. If the politicians, most of which have been annoying fixtures for 30 years, stop creating the unnecessary self promoting stalemates, the city will prosper. That I can guarantee. I hope my sons don’t need to move away , as I did, to find their opportunity.from Cool Cleveland reader Jordan Rahal JordanATrahalfoods.com

I read Cool Cleveland every week and love it. I freelance here at Stan Hywet and at other arts organizations in NE Ohio (also working on Parade the Circle now at CMA) and it’s great to have an e-newsletter like yours keeping us all up-to-speed are what’s going on. Thanks!
from Cool Cleveland reader Donna Spiegler dspieglerATstanhywet.org

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) Access:Cleveland Chris Roynane of UCI.
www.CoolCleveland.com.

2) Signs of Life on Planet Cleveland David Budin relates his recent trip to LA.
www.CoolCleveland.com.

3) Cool Cleveland Comment Cleveland’s Gay Pride by Jim Tamburro.
www.CoolCleveland.com

4) RoldoLINK Roldo speculates about the future of LeBron James.
www.CoolCleveland.com

5) Cleveland #2 in philanthropy Behind only San Diego.
www.CharityNavigator.com

There’s another top five Not the Top 5 links, but the 5 contributors that make up the Hard Corps. Thanks to Peter Chakerian, Roxanne Ravenel, TL Champion, George Nemeth, Kelly Ferjutz, Clyde Miles, Roldo Bartimole 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

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. 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.

Got yer tix yet?

–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com

all contents ©2006 MulreadyGROUP all rights reserved
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