Those who are stressed and anxious because they are learning new apps, hardware and ways of working. And those who are waiting for things to return to how they were. The former are staring at months and months of pain, frustration and steady progress as they create a new world. The latter are toast.
At CoolCleveland, we celebrate the confused pioneers, asking questions, trying new things, always on unsteady ground, not sure about much. Fairly sucking at what they’re doing, but sucking less and less every day. CWRU’s director of innovation and technology Ian Charnas wasn’t sure if masks really did anything, so he did his own experiment and make a fun video.
BW is famous for its musical theatre grads becoming Broadway stars, so they are busy exploring new ways to train future artists to put on shows for the public while working together in close proximity. Grammy-winning Apollo’s Fire musicians offer virtual music lessons. CoolCleveland talks with John Zitzner of the overachieving Breakthrough Schools about how they are navigating the pandemic with classes starting (remotely) in just weeks.
Breakthrough Schools is a network of free, public charter schools, founded in 2010, which are outperforming all eight urban school districts while serving 3600 students in “high-need neighborhoods” in the Cleveland area, 99% of whom are minorities and 79% of whom are low income.
CoolCleveland spoke with Breakthrough Schools founder John Zitzner, who is now president of Friends of Breakthrough Schools, about the challenges schools are facing as the pandemic continues and fall classes are about to begin. Read More
Dancing Wheels was going to debut its new work, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at Cain Park this month. Instead it will do virtual excerpts taped in area gardens August 21 and 22. Get your tickets now. Read More
Baldwin Wallace is known nationally for its outstanding music and theater programs. It’s now exploring safe, creative ways to give its students full educational and performance opportunities. Read More
Cleveland’s Kids’ Book Bank distributes 60,000 books a month to low-income and at-risk families. Many of its partners are currently closed so it’s looking for new distribution avenues. See if you can help! Read More
The Western Reserve Historical Society offers a wealth of educational resources on its website to explore Cleveland’s diverse and fascinating history. Read More
The students at the School of Rock are learning how to play in bands with masks and keeping their distance. No more sharing mics like John & Paul! Read More
Chagrin Falls’ Valley Art Center is known for the array of art classes it offers for all ages and skill levels. This fall, those classes will be happening with a mix of virtual and onsite elements — the latter limited for social distancing. Read More
Musicians from the Grammy-winning Apollo’s Fire ensemble are offering virtual music lessons for both kids and adults on various instuments and vocals. Read More
Drink Local Drink Tap Cleveland is offering a STEM-focused curriculum for free to area schools, focusing on access to clean water, protecting our water sources and climate change. Read More
The Sing and Swing program, for kids up to age 7, is usually an interactive group affair. The organization in now offering a program for little kids that involves online elements while engaging parents to add the live component. Read More
Beck Center for the Arts has announced that its fall session includes both in-person and online classes, with 145 classes for all ages, skills and abilities. Read More
Keep kids prepared for what’s likely to be an unsettled school year with storytelling, music and pre-K literacy, math and social skills programs offered online by the Cleveland Public Library. Read More
Graffiti HeArt’s colorful building on Superior Avenue stands out with its brightly painted walls. It’s going to stand out even more after internationally celebrated public art maker Beau Stanton drops in for a week to paint a mural on its side wall. Come down and watch; they’ll even be serving hot dogs! Read More
Verb Ballets has taken its summer program, “Classical Variations,” online, presenting two classical ballets that show off the company’s diverse skills.
Larry Householder — The Poster Boy for Republican GreedOhio House Speaker Larry Householder, who was arrested by the FBI on July 22 for an alleged $60 million bribery scheme, had humble beginnings in southeast Ohio. But, as our columnist C. Ellen Connally lays out, his outsized ambition led him to mastermind what could be “likely the largest bribery scheme ever perpetrated against the State of Ohio…” Read More
MANSFIELD
What’s Next for Householder et al.?The fact is, getting slapped with a federal indictment triggers something akin to the “five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.” All of those indicted are in the denial phase at present, attempting to screw up their courage by telling themselves and anyone willing to listen… Read More
Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree, the leader of Harvard’s Reparations Assessment Group, said, “We will be seeking more than just monetary compensation … we want a change in America. We want full recognition, and a remedy, of how slavery stigmatized, raped, murdered and exploited millions…” Read More
And now, all of a sudden, tRump is interested in the well-being of citizens in the inner-city neighborhoods of cities like Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. He has dispatched federal officers to Chicago to supposedly deal with the gun violence there. But my question is, why now?… Read More
