Xpressionz

Xpressionz

In this week’s issue:
* Access:Cleveland Bob Peck of City Xpressionz
* Cool ClevelandTech Technology News and Events^new!
* Cool ClevelandTech Spotlight TechSync^new!
* Cool Cleveland Preview Lakewood Car Kulture Show
* Cool Cleveland Sounds Minor Setback’s Best Dressed
* Cool Cleveland Eats The Many Leaves of Baklava
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here

Cleveland is headed for the New Economy whether we want to or not. While the collective myth that we’ve sold ourselves offers steel and manufacturing as our sole identity, much of Cleveland’s future growth will instead come from high-tech entrepreneurs. But we have yet to fully embrace their success stories, the interesting characters and the weekly tech events that keep our regional economy bubbling into the 21st century.

This week, we kick off CoolClevelandTech, a regular opportunity to throw the spotlight on our regional tech successes, to promote our area’s tech events, to re-write our economic mythology. Know about an interesting tech story, person or event? Send it to us at EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com, and we’ll pass along the good word. We kick-start things with coverage of the unprecedented TechSync suite of events gearing up 9/6. Get your tix now. It’s gonna be a wild week.

Meanwhile, we mourn the tragic deaths of Hayashi & Jackson, two arts entrepreneurs who were among our brightest stars. The personal loss here at Cool Cleveland and in the community is almost overwhelming. Join us at their peace vigil this week. And try to attend the Vision 2010 event, the Car Kulture Show in Madison Village, the Overlook Park Shorts, and Farm to Table. And check out the instant graffiti created for you on video by Bob Peck in anticipation of the City Xpressionz aerosol art fest. If you run into anyone from the RNC this week, give them the high sign and invite them back. Cleveland goes deep this week. –Thomas Mulready

Access:Cleveland
City Xpressionz
aerosol artist Bob Peck
Movies Behind the Scenes

Don’t call it graffiti when dozens of artists are making good with spray cans right here in Cleveland. The fifth annual installment of the City Xpressionz aerosol and urban art festival, a fruitful collaboration between Cleveland Public Art, MOCA Cleveland and Cleveland area Scion dealerships, throws down from 10AM to 7PM on Sat 8/26 with b-boy and b-girl breakdance competitions, MC battles, and 9 hours of live music throughout the event by Cleveland’s Q Nice and NYC’s Forrest Getumgump. Graffitti and aerosol artist teams will compete for cash prizes. Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready dropped in on Market Square park across from the West Side Market, and caught aerosol artist Bob Peck red-handed as he explained his work, then quickly crafted a miniature masterpiece with spray cans. http://www.ClevelandPublicArt.org

WATCH THE MOVIE City Xpressionz aerosol artist Bob Peck (PC) (Mac)

Cool Cleveland Tech

A down-and-dirty round-up of relevant tech news & events from the region and beyond. This week, what Cleveland can learn from Milwaukee and North Carolina, Cleveland’s Tenth Floor expands into D.C., and a family tech day. Send yours to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

TechNews

• Can Cleveland learn from Research Triangle? One word: cooperation. See Business Week.
• Milwaukee drinks the kool-aid Creating a “culture of collaboration.” Details.
• Avenue District rocks Zaremba bullish on Clevelanders moving Downtown. Details.
• Tenth Floor sprouts in D.C. Cleve web firm now in Minneapolis, NYC & D.C. Details.
• Innovative sponsorship deal backfiring? Museum deal with Starbucks rankles. Details.
• Got cool tech news? send it to CoolClevelandTech here: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com
• Who’s cool in Cleveland tech? Who should we be interviewing? EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

TechEvents

• NEOSA networking event Exclusively for tech firms. Winking Lizard, Independence Wed 8/23 5:30PM. Register.
• Celebrate Family Day Kids teach their parents about tech. CPL Brooklyn Branch Sat 8/26 11:30AM. Details.
• Northcoast Super Tech Thu Tech leaders vs. BGSU tech projects. Thu 8/31 Firelands, Huron. Details.
• NextFest Wired’s wild wormhole of pavilions, products and provocations 9.20-10.01 NYC. Details.
• Got a cool tech event? send it to CoolClevelandTech here: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

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Is Cleveland Ready? Start a revolution with TechSync, a week of technology excellence in Cleve that kicks off with keynote speaker, Guy Kawasaki, Silicon Valley titan, Apple fellow, and columnist for Forbes.com, brought to you by Beta Strategies Group. Kawasaki’s subject: Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Is Greater Cleveland Ready? on Wed 9/6 at 6:30PM on the stage of the State Theater at Playhouse Square, following a technology showcase at 5PM. The first-ever, TechSync is an orchestration of community efforts demonstrating technology synergies with hosts that include The Red Room Revolution, TeamNEO, The City of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University and Playhouse Square Foundation, each hosting an event centered around technology in Greater Cleveland between Wed 9/6 – Friday 9/15. Register today for Kawasaki (only $40!) at www.RedRoomRevolution.com. Seating is limited. ‘The Beta Strategies Group is a founding sponsor of Cool Cleveland” Tech.
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Cool Cleveland Tech Spotlight
TechSync
A Cleveland tech revolution

The revolution is here The question is this: Is Cleveland Ready? TechSync is a first-ever city-wide orchestration of community efforts demonstrating technology synergies. TechSync hosts include: The Red Room Revolution, TeamNEO, The City of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University and Playhouse Square Foundation. Each organization is hosting an event centered around technology in Greater Cleveland. http://www.RedRoomRevolution.com

TechSync: Connecting Greater Cleveland’s network of technology excellence 9/6-15

• Presenting Guy Kawasaki

“Innovation and Entreprenership: Is Greater Cleveland Ready?” Apple evangelist, Forbes columnist & Silicon Valley savant tells it straight, even if we don’t want to hear it.

Date: Wed 9/6 Time: 6:30PM (Technology showcase opens at 5PM) Venue: On Stage at the State Theatre, Playhouse Square Agenda and registration: here

• Local Tech Summit

8 local technology firms will give brief presentations to Investors, Bankers, Realtors, Customer prospects, and student groups (Summer on the Cuyahoga (SOTC) students, CASE Weatherhead MBAs and Ingenuity artists) to inspire ideas. At 5:00, the event becomes a public affair where 30 of the best regional technology companies will showcase prior to Guy Kawasaki’s keynote presentation at 6:30. The next day, the student groups will present a new design, business model or idea back to the 8 companies with the hopes of in the hopes of forging collaborations for next year’s Ingenuity Festival.

Host: Red Room Revolution Public or Private: Local Tech Summit is private; Technology Showcase and Guy Kawasaki keynote are open to the public. Date: Wed 9/6 & Thu 9/7 Venue: IdeaCenter & State Theater Register: here

• Global Technology Summit

Select leading edge wireless health care technology orgs from around the world have been invited to meet civic and business leaders committed to growing businesses and facilitating success in Greater Cleveland.

Host: TeamNEO Public or Private: Private Date: 9/12-14 Venue: Dively Center at Case Western Reserve University

• Case for Community Day

Created by the Staff Advisory Council’s Community Service Committee in 2002, Case for Community Day is designed to dedicate a half-day of community service for the entire campus: staff, faculty, students, and local alumni. There will be a special technology announcement.

Host: Case Western Reserve University Public or Private: Public Date: Wed 9/13 Venue: Case Western Reserve University http://www.Case.edu/events/cfc

• The CEO Forum

A forum to initiate dialogues between established company CEOs and emerging growth CEOs in order to learn from each other’s challenges and best practices, thus strengthening the region as whole, keynoted by Len Komoroski, President of Cleveland Caveliers.

Host: The City of Cleveland Tech Czar Michael DeAloia Public or Private: Private Date: Thu 9/14 Venue: Quicken Loans Arena

• Playhouse Square Discovery Tour

This year’s annual Theater District Discovery party tour salutes the area’s technology based companies and entrepreneurial businesses located in the new IdeaCenter Building and at Star Plaza.

Host: Playhouse Square Foundation Public or Private: Public Date: Fri 9/15 Venue: IdeaCenter at Playhouse Square Register: http://PlayhouseSquare.org/discoverytour

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Are You Evolved? Because of the efforts of planetary heroes like Jane Goodall, we are more aware of the world around us and the part we play in it. Don’t miss the fun, interactive and engaging exhibition of Goodall’s ground-breaking work in Gombe National Park featured at the Cleveland Natural History Museum (before it leaves on 9/3!). “Discovering Chimpanzees” helps visitors of all ages understand the history of Goodall’s research that took place over four decades. (Kids will love the chimp forest and the video clips teaching how to walk and talk like a chimp.) Though chimpanzees are endangered, Goodall’s parting message for visitors is one of hope for the future. For more information contact 216-231-4600 or www.CMNH.org.
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Cool Cleveland NewsLINKS

• Hayashi & Jackson R.I.P. World-famous Cleveland photographer Masumi Hayashi and acclaimed artist John Jackson were pioneers when they were the first to move into a bank building renovated into artist lofts at W.75th and Detroit, a tough neighborhood in the Cleveland Public Theatre-inspired artist renaissance of Detroit-Shoreway. A neighbor with a big stereo and an outstanding weapons charge apparently turned violent when she complained about his loud music. Jackson’s work was among Cleveland’s best, winning acceptance into last year’s NEO Show at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Hayashi, a professor of art at Cleveland State University who has won virtually every award possible, from the Cleveland Arts Prize to a Fulbright Fellowship, has exhibited her haunting and increasingly political multi-dimensional photoworks in Tokyo, London, LA, NYC and regionally. See story here. A peace vigil to honor the fallen artists will be held at the park at W. 65th & W. Clinton this Thu 8/24 at 7PM, where ”The Labyrinth, one of Jackson’s sculptures hangs. Park behind the Gordon Square Arcade. Your rememberances: Letters@CoolCleveland.com
• Walking on Thin Ice Cleveland poet Steve Smith gives up a life of ArtCrimes, his 20-year poetry book series that ended with Duck and Cover, published 7/06 (get it here), gives up a life of drugs, gives up his cancer, gives up being an American, gives up his possessions, and wanders London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Prague, Croatia (or thereabouts) with his new beloved wife Kathy, “in search of decent art and honest poetry,” giving readings and avoiding the immigration police. Fascinating and more real than anything you’re gonna watch on TV tonight: http://www.walkingthinice.com
• Burke flies to Detroit, Cincy, Hilton Head Burke Lakefront Airport is alive with passengers for the first time in twenty years. Destination One takes off with new point-to-point air shuttle service to Detroit, Cincinnati Lunken, and resort destinations such as Hilton Head/Charleston on the weekends. Destination One, operates a 30 passenger Brasilia and has introductory fares that start just under a hundred bucks one way. Visit them online at http://www.FlyDestinationOne.com and enter to win comp tickets. Your opinion of Cleveland’s flying options? Letters@CoolCleveland.com
• Cool Cleveland Kids Kids are the future. Get them involved in activities that will make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. Max Mulready highlights some in his podcast here even if you don’t have special software. If you’re a whiz kid, you can download it to your iPod or your computer and listen with your own kid. Check below to see the events tagged CC KIDS under Cool Cleveland This Week for our recommendations for a fantastic family week. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandKids08.25.06.mp3. Adding this link to your program that catches podcasts, will keep you up-to-date on the latest audio.
• Orchestra rocks Europe The Cleveland Orchestra and Music Director Franz Welser-Möst will kick off a twelve concert European tour on Thu 8/31 through Fri 9/15. Concert stops include the continuation of an annual series of appearances at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland; a debut concert at the Vaduzer-Saal in Vaduz, Liechtenstein; four concerts at venues in Germany and three concerts in Linz, Austria as part of the Brucknerfest. The wide-ranging tour repertoire includes Bruckner; Debussy; Hanspeter Kyburz; Mozart; Verdi and more. Visit www.ClevelandOrchestra.com to learn more or for a detailed concert schedule.

Rock’n the RNC

A rock star’s welcome greeted the nine site selection delegates from the Republican National Committee on Tue 8/22 at the Rock Hall, winding up their tour of the four finalists to host the nationally-televised Republican Convention: Minneapolis, New York, Tampa and Cleveland, batting clean-up. Over 500 commnity leaders, politicians, volunteers and media were arranged, not in a receiving line, but in a gauntlet, and cheered as the RNC entered the Rock Hall, past a 15-foot inflatable elephant. Harlan Diamond of Executive Caterers was there to personally supervise the audacious hors d’oeuvres and the free-flowing drink, while the doo-wop Edsels ran through their sweet choreographed routine on stage, followed by the spunky jumps of Ernie Krivda’s Fat Tuesday Big Band. Even Cleveland sports mogul Don King and Downtown Cleveland Alliance’s Miss Melvis (pictured) were able to network a bit. The hot topic: everyone figures it’s got to be either Florida or Ohio, the two biggest swing states, and the site committee just left Tampa where it was 92º and humid. So we’re thinking our chances are pretty dang good. See the rest of the photos here. See excerpts from Cleveland’s proposal here. Then tell us your thoughts on Cleveland hosting this major event: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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You Know You Wanna partake in melt-in-your-mouth, endless possibilities. Do it before summer escapes you at “Farm to Table” on the Geis Terrace at Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual celebration of the earth’s bounty. You aren’t going to believe how good it is until you try it for yourself on Mon 8/28 at 6PM with over-the-top offerings from top chefs from the Ritz, Blue Point, Fire, Flying Fig, Parker’s, Dewey’s, Great Lakes Brewery (and many more!) in concert with tip-you-over-the-edge wineries, and a special groove by Cats on Holiday. Then take a long overdue random roam in the Botanical’s gardens. Invite a friend or significant other. Reservations $60 member/$70 nonmember, which includes a special discount for CC readers. $40 tax deductible. Paid reservations are required. When making reservations, be sure to mention you saw this ad in Cool Cleveland to receive your discount. Rain or shine. Contact 216-721-1600, ext. 168 or www.CBGarden.org for more info.
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Cool Cleveland NewsLINKS

• Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators Did you ever want to write or illustrate children’s books? The Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) annual conference on Fri 9/8 and Sat 9/9 will give you valuable insight into the process. You can select sessions such as “A Story of Sequence: An Illustrator’s Design Process” by Carol Schwartz who has illustrated 38 award-winning children’s books, or “Picture Books: Making Every Word Count” by Nancy Alberts, author of Second Grade Star. There will be a First Page Critique done by the editors plus manuscript, picture book dummy and magazine article critiques. Deadline for registration is Fri 8/25. Visit http://www.nohscbwi.org to learn more.
• 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.
• Louis Armstrong: first man on the moon? Ask for more here, then go here.
• Cool Cleveland Podcast Cool things to do this week in Cleveland, at the click of a button. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolCleveland08.25.06.mp3. Don’t forget, you can subscribe to this podcast by saving this link in your favorite program that catches podcasts.

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What do you do with leftovers? Last month, Northeast Ohio Bloggers got together at Bloggapalooza to celebrate and raise money for Meet.The.Bloggers*, a grassroots citizen journalism startup that focuses on civic engagement. They has so many items donated that they didn’t have time to raffle them off! Now’s your chance to claim those items when the bloggers meet 5:30PM on Thu 9/7 at The Tower Press Building for a silent auction. Well, the auction will be silent. While the auction is happening several of the area’s bloggers who are also poets will be reading their work including Steve Goldberg, Adam Harvey, Ken Duncan, and Anne Marie Jones. Included in that list is Michael DeAloia who is rumored to keep a sports blog. Along with art donated by bloggers and their friends, up for auction is 8-hours of social network weaving from coaches Valdis Krebs and Jack Ricchiuto. Visit MeetTheBloggers.net for details.
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Emissions from the blogsphere Lisa’s mood turns to nostalgic joy over crayons. Bill crunches the numbers and the Plain Dealer ends up wrong. Hannah explains how to remove a Bush. Check the Cool Cleveland weblog here, where the venerable “CHQ” comments on 10 Years of Cleveland.com, “Charbucks” and CMA (a greater Cleveland partnership?), a potential RNC shindig in CLE, the delightful twee-popsters Bears at the Beachland for TWO BUCKS and a whole miasma of other rants n’ raves. When you’re through, add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Recognize anyone?

Give in to temptation and browse the photos of some of the coolest people in Cleveland, from our Get Wild party on 08.10 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, with the band The Gene Pool from Austin, the Jane Goodall exhibit, our patented open bar, an overwhelming selection of goodies for noshing, and Verb Ballets capping the evening with dance. It’s not hard to tell the difference between photos from Herb Ascherman, one of Cleveland’s top portrait photographers, and Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready, who shoots anything that moves. See photo galleries here.

Cool Cleveland This Week
8.23-8.30

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

WED

• CC KIDS Blast Off! Celebrate the debut of the latest exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland. Blast Off!, developed in collaboration with experts from NASA’s Glenn Research Center, is designed to allow young children to pretend, play, and explore space in a fun and creative atmosphere. The exhibit incorporates hands-on family learning in an interactive environment in a way that will build children’s essential developmental skills and offer math, science, language literacy and arts learning opportunities. Visit Blast Off! now through 12/2 at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, 10730 Euclid Avenue. Visit http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org.
• Emerging Artist’s International Exhibit The work of more than twenty emerging artists is included in this exhibit on display now through Sun 9/10. Call 330-673-4970. North Street Gallery, 257 North Water Street, Kent. http://www.StandingRock.net. http://www.EmergingArtistsGroup.com.

THU

• Cleveland: Vision 2010 Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital serves as a backdrop for the latest Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club event, Thu 8/24 at 5.30PM. Former Channel 8 Anchor Loree Vick leads a group dialogue on the Hospitals’ vision for rebuilding Cleveland; Dr. Lee Ponsky, Melissa Ferchill Swingos, and Tonie Williams will offer insight on the role UH will have in the process. Win a ride in the hospital helicopter for 2 and other great prizes in the event raffle. http://www.cleveland2030.com.
• A Denim Affair Don’t miss the most casual gala in town on Thu 8/24 at 5:30PM. Enjoy live music, fabulous food, spirits and exciting live and silent auctions. Available items include wearable denim art designed by national and local artists and celebs. Visit http://www.ADenimAffair.com to reserve your tickets. Call 391-2314 for info. Myers University Club, 3813 Euclid Avenue.
• Fiction Writers Unscripted Join Grant Bailie, author of Cloud Eight; Maureen McHugh, author of Mothers & Other Monsters, China Mountain Zhang, Half the Day is Night, Mission Child, and Nekropolis; Richard Montanari, author of The Skin Gods, The Rosary Girls, Deviant Way and Kiss of Evil and Erin O’Brien, author of Harvey and Eck for a living room chat – a totally open, question and answer format on – Thu 8/24 at 7PM. They’ll share advice, reality checks, and inspiration for those seeking to explore the writing path as they discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of achieving success as a published author. Register for the event at http://www.pwlgc.com/fiction.html or call 421-0403. PWLGC Literary Center, 12200 Fairhill Road,#3A.

Listing Tip of the Week How about a little bit of romance? We like the way that you give it to us straight, but a little foreplay isn’t a bad thing either. So, don’t just include the facts about your upcoming event. Let’s hear a bit of passion about the event, too. What makes it important or interesting? Why should we care? Keep it concise; but make it sassy. Check out our listing tips here. Then submit your events online or to Events@CoolCleveland.com.

FRI

• CC KIDS Festive Friday & Sidewalk Cinema The Festive Friday series will occur along with the Sidewalk Cinema Events throughout the summer. Enjoy an evening of cultural events, dining, shopping, and browsing along the Cuyahoga River on Fri 8/25 from 5 – 11PM. The movie Whale Rider will be shown at the Home Savings Plaza at 9PM and Downtown shops and galleries will stay open late for this event. Home Savings Plaza, Main and Water Streets, Downtown Kent. http://www.StandingRock.net.
• HOT PICK A Murder of Crows, a play by Mac Wellman and directed by Clyde Simon, is a quirky, psycho-apocalyptic comedy set on the front porch of a mid-Western, American-type house downwind of something mighty peculiar. No, it’s not a detective story or mystery. A “murder” is what you call a group of crows (you know: like a gaggle of geese, a pride of lions, or a troupe of monkeys). Anyway…this murder of crows is checking out an odd assortment of humans who seem to be exceedingly concerned about stuff like money, the weather, and the message Aunt Georgia gets through the rivet in her head. Check them out for yourself when the show kicks off on Fri 8/25 at 8PM. The show runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through 9/23. Call 687-0074 or visit http://www.convergence-continuum.org for info or reservations. Liminis, 2438 Scranton Road.
• Barney & Bjork Drawing Restraint 9 Visual artist Matthew Barney and his girlfriend Björk star in Barney’s first theatrical feature since his strange and dazzling Cremaster Cycle. Drawing Restraint 9, with music by Björk, is a stately, visually-stunning, virtually-wordless love story set on a Japanese whaling ship. No kids for this one folks and you’d better spray some defogger on your specs before you head to the theater. Catch showings beginning Fri 8/25 at 9:45PM through Mon 8/28. Cleveland Cinematheque, 11141 East Boulevard. www.cia.edu/cinematheque.

WCLVnotes Cleveland is a lucky town. It is the only metro where its local band is heard on the radio twice a week. There’s a double broadcast of The Cleveland Orchestra each week on WCLV 104.9 FM. This Sat 8/26 at 8PM, Music Director Franz Welser-Moest conducts Schubert’s Symphony No. 5 and Richard Strauss’s “Don Quixote” with two Orchestra principal players as soloists – cellist Desmond Hoebig and violist Robert Vernon. On Sun 8/27 at 4PM, former principal guest conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts Elgar’s Symphony No. 1 and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the phenomenal young Dutch violinist Janine Jansen as soloist. WCLV is also presenting an engaging series of concerts by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leon Botstein Sundays at 1PM, in addition to regular concerts by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Tuesdays at 9PM, the San Francisco Symphony, Thursdays at 9PM, and the New York Philharmonic, Fridays at 9PM. Complete details on all of WCLV’s programming can be found in the WCLV Guide on the station’s website – www.WCLV.com.

SAT

• HOT PICK City Xpressionz Artists, breakdancers, and musicians from around the region will converge upon Ohio City’s Market Square Park on Sat 8/26 from 10AM to 7PM to exhibit their work and battle for cash prizes. This costless event is the ultimate urban art experience. Celebrate urban culture and get inspired by amazing aerosol artists, some of the baddest b-boys and b-girls around, mega MC battles and nine hours of live music. Learn more at http://www.ClevelandPublicArt.org. Market Square Park, Ohio City.
• Saturday Dog Wash at Nature’s Bin Splish, Splash, Your Dog Needs a Bath. Does Fido, Rover or Chauncey need a good scrubbing? Then you are in luck. Bring your pooch to a fundraising Dog Wash that will benefit the Lakewood Animal Shelter on Sat 8/26 from 10AM to 2PM. Complimentary doggie treats will be available. Nature’s Bin, 18120 Sloane Avenue, Lakewood.
• HOT PICK Car Kulture Show Break out the leather and get your motor running with the Lakewood Car Kulture Show Sat 8/26 from 12-8PM. Madison Avenue will be closed to through traffic, allowing display of souped-up hot rods, vintage cars and classic motorcycles. Dig into vendors’ tasty treats and live rockin’ courtesy of Madison Crawl, Ace Brown and the Helldivers and Uncle Scratch’s Gospel Revival. Madison Ave., between Clarence and Lewis in Lakewood. Contact Jerry Koenigsmark 521-2894 jkoenigsmark@iwon.com.
• Mountain Bike Basics Clinic Sharpen up your mountain biking skills during this comp clinic presented by the Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association on Sat 8/26 at 12:30PM. Just bring your mountain bike and helmet and they’ll do the rest. Visit http://www.camba.us for more info. Camp Manatoc in the Cuyahoga Valley, just south of Penninsula. Get directions here.
• Sixth Annual Summer Scoop The old dog party of the year is The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs’ 6th Annual Summer Scoop, being held Sat 8/26 from 3 – 7PM. This annual celebration of senior dogs features games, contests, photos, doggie massages, raffles, music, food, fun, and the “Old Dog Olympics”. All friendly old dogs (7 and older only, please) and anyone who loves them are welcome. Don’t have a senior dog? Just come enjoy the day and see the happy results of the Sanctuary’s work saving senior dogs. Call 485-9233 or visit http://www.SanctuaryForSeniorDogs.org. Brookside Reservation Pavilion in Cleveland Metroparks (off Ridge Road, just north of Memphis Avenue).
• Here and Elsewhere is an exhibition that explores various directions, intersections and a concern for “place.” Attend the opening for this exhibition, comprised of a group of ten artists whose work addresses the complexities of “place” from varying points of view, on Sat 8/26 from 7 – 10PM. Artists in Here and Elsewhere include: Kelli Connell (Youngstown), Michael Dickas (Cleveland), Michelle Droll (Cleveland), Matthew Kolodziej (Akron), Paul Sobota (Cleveland), Susan Umbenhour (Oberlin) and curator, Mark Keffer (Cleveland). On view through Sat 10/14. The B.K. Smith Gallery, located east side of Lake Erie College, 391 West Washington Street, Painesville. http://www.lec.edu.
• HOT PICK Overlook Park Shorts View three: 20 – 30 minute sets of short films from Europe and the US, with a set dedicated to artists and directors from Cleveland. Mingle, take in the view of the lake or grab a beverage or a bite to eat at the concession stands between sets during a 15 – 30 minute intermission. DJ Higgy Bomb will be mixing, live music will be provided by rock act Lazy Susan, and Doug Mckean and The Stuntmen. Pencil Sat 8/26 at 7PM in your date book for a night of movies on the edge…of the lake. Overlook Park, 245 Overlook Park Drive, North Collinwood. http://www.OverlookPark.com.
• Disco Daze Lock 3 Live brings songs from the glitter and groove days of the 70’s to Akron with Bee Gee’s tribute band Stayin’ Alive and the Buck White and the Groove Thang band on Sat 8/26 at 7PM. Dig those platform shoes and your best leisure suit out of the back of the closet – if they are in your current wardrobe still, we’ll need to talk. Then get ready for a night of boogying on the dance floor till they flick the lights – at which time you ain’t gotta go home but…well, you get the idea. Get tickets for yourself and a disco-starved friend by calling 330-253-2488 or visit http://destinationdowntownakron.com/lock3/. Lock 3 Park, 200 South Main Street, Akron.
• HOT PICK The Sharpest Spoons in the Drawer or We Are Much Like Male Nipples, Unnecessary But Cool The Public Squares is proud to present its all new hilarious comedy revue which kicks off with a special mini show on Sat 8/26 8PM. The show contains completely original sketches and takes an energetic yet lighthearted look at issues such as life, love, death and just plain silliness. Visit http://www.ThePublicSquares.com to learn more and for a complete schedule. The Croatian Tavern, 3244 Saint Clair Avenue.

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The Broad Side of the Barn is the last show ever at Mike’s Barn, the legendary music venue where musicians go to hear other musicians. Because musicians are busy gigging on Fridays and Saturdays, Michael Yates, who collects and pretends to sell Hammond organs from the barn he’s been renting for years in Lorain county, hosts a BYOI (Bring Your Own Instrument) jam session on Sundays that Cleveland pickers know not to miss. Turns out the owner is raising the rent, and Mike has to go. Now comes word that Mike has pulled out the stops and is hosting his biggest bash ever, the 4-hour concert, The Broad Side of the Barn, on Sun 9/3, at 7PM featuring Cleveland’s finest women players: Becky Boyd, Kristine Jackson, Ki Allen, Ms. Butterscotch, Saam Ali, Charlita, plus a slew of the hottest back line you’ll find in one county: The Bad Boys of Blues, Rob Williams, Mark Leach, Rob & Ricky, The Reid Project, and other regional luminaries. You’ll be talking about this one all year. Get your tix now at mikesbarn@mail.com, with more info at www.MikesBarn.com before it’s too late.
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SUN

• Slivovitz & Soul Proving the music of shtetl is alive and well, albeit different, in 2006, the Slivovitz & Soul Tour hits town for an evening of Eastern European Punk and Semetic hip hop sounds featuring the rising stars on the Jewish music scene. This shtetl-fabulous dance party features Golem and DJ Anaan. The Sun 8/27 concert at 8:30PM is the first stop on a 10-city tour. Visit www.TicketWeb.com for advance ticket sales. Beachland Ballroom, . http://www.BeachlandBallroom.com.

MON

• Farm to Table You’ve been good haven’t you? Then treat yourself by attending the Mon 8/28 5:30PM Symposium on “Local Talent, Local Flavors” followed by a frenzy of delicious foods prepared by nineteen Cleveland chefs incorporating the finest local ingredients. Get your palate in gear for a flavor explosion from 6:30 – 8:30PM as you step onto the picturesque Geis Terrace amid enchanting live music by Cats On Holiday and other great musicians, plus a bevy of sensational, flavorful comestibles. Call 721-1600 ext.168 for tickets. Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Boulevard. www.cbgarden.com.

WED

• Love Shorts, Volume 1 Be the first to see the Ohio premiere of the urban comedy by producer/screenwriter Ytasha L. Womack on Wed 8/30 at 6PM. Meet Womack during the meet and greet from 6 – 7PM over complimentary appetizers. Email ulgcyp_public_relations@yahoo.com for advance tickets. Johnny Malloy’s – Coventry, 2781 Euclid Heights Boulevard, Cleveland Heights. http://www.LoveShorts.com.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Tired of the Same Old, Same Old? Looking for a new, effective way to advertise your client’s message? People dig us and our reach extends to tens of thousands of loyal readers every week. Round out your marketing strategy with an on-line option that gets results. Check this out: “As an organization, our challenge involves attracting a younger demographic to our concerts. With a combination of advertising and sponsorship at Cool Cleveland events, we have achieved our 2005 goals. It’s obvious when I look into the younger faces of our audience before each concert.” − Maria Armijo, Red {an orchestra}. Contact TL@CoolCleveland.com for info about advertising.

Cool Cleveland Preview
Lakewood Car Kulture Show

When folks talk about the Madison Village scene in Lakewood, the name of local entrepreneur Chris Andrews always comes up. It stands to reason: his stores (Chris’ Warped Records and Seamonkeys) were keystones of a neighborhood that also included B*Ware Video, Capsule restaurant/club and the venerable Chain Link Addiction. Known for his DIY work ethic, ties to the Cleveland music scene and interest in sustainable local business, Andrews also had a hand in launching a lot of neighborhood events.

The fourth annual Lakewood Car Kulture Show is one of those events. Though Andrews and many of the Madison Village establishments are no longer part of the scene, one of his clever creations lives on. The CKS is an exposition of souped-up hot rods, vintage cars, classic motorcycles, leather, art and live music. It takes place this Sat 8/26 from 12-8PM on Madison Avenue in Lakewood between Clarence and Lewis. Madison will be closed to through traffic during that time, to allow for foot traffic and displays.

“Initially Chris asked me if I would be into helping him put together an event,” says event manager Jerry Koenigsmark, an auto paint specialist at PPG who designs automotive colors. “We always wanted to keep the Lakewood Car Kulture Show a little different and edgy, which is how it became more of a culture event over time. Since Chris left, my wife and I have done the whole thing on our own–with a lot of help from Jim O’Bryan of the Lakewood Observer and others.”

Though the event focuses on cars, “it’s not exactly been advertised, but we’ve let bikes in, too,” Koenigsmark says. “Anyone who has a bike that’s 1978 or older–60’s choppers and bikes from 40’s and 50’s–is welcome to bring it down. It’s all part of our culture now!”

Aside from motorcycles, Koenigsmark also sees expansion in music venues and bands as integral for future Lakewood Car Kulture events. This year, Madison Crawl (subbing for the Marauders), Ace Brown and the Hell Divers and the iconic Uncle Scratch’s Gospel Revival will provide the entertainment. Clearly, they’re angling for an audience beyond wheel watchers and speed freaks.

Koenigsmark will tell you he is very much “into cars” and worked on putting the event together “between working on the 2009 and 2010 model year colors.” If you want to chat him up about the show or his work, you’ll find him there manning his two vehicles: a 1932 hot rod and a “full custom” 1960 Ford Thunderbird. Both will be on display with some 150 other custom and classic vehicles. Motor on over and check it out.

For more information on the event, contact Koenigsmark at 521-2894, or write him at jkoenigsmarkATiwon.com.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

Cool Cleveland Sounds
Best Dressed
Minor Setback
self published

Crafty, catchy and clever, Minor Setback is one of those power-pop/rock groups you swear you’ve heard before. And maybe you have, right down to that softened punk edge, but don’t be alarmed. That’s not always a bad thing. If you’re one of those musical elitists who is afraid of lusciously happy and upbeat summertime music, you might as well stop reading here.

But if you’re the kind of listener who stashes sonic “guilty pleasures” under the seat, you might want to dial in and get off on this Cleveland quintet’s “shameless” mix of crunching pop hooks. If you’ve been to a Cool Cleveland party, you might even remember these guys. Fans of Marvelous 3, Third Eye Blind, Mr. Grohl’s Foo Fighters and Barenaked Ladies’ lyrical antics should apply.

Best Dressed features 12 original songs, including a few off the group’s debut EP, The Damn Thing. It’s a “best-of-the-best” according to the band and I can’t help but agree. The collection is well-written, well-executed and shows just how much the songs have been grown over the last few years. Producer Michael Seifert and engineer Jimmy Weaver at Ante Up Audio in Cleveland have done a fantastic job of shining the production up.

There’s not a clunker to be found on this driving rock record. “Break Even,” “Did You Think?” and “Manual Transition” start the set off with fun, blistering aplomb. And even when the group goes for the silky balladry of “Far From Good” and “Let It Go,” singer/keyboardist Marty Mordarski comes across more like Jack’s Mannequin (with Rob Thomas/Matchbox 20 underpinnings).

If there’s one criticism, the set list itself could stand some mixing up: The first half of Best Dressed is very over-the-top poppy and the second half shows some more diversity in direction. Do what I did. Hit shuffle. Problem solved.

There are only “a handful of tickets” left for Minor Setback’s CD Release Party for Best Dressed on Fri 8/25 at the Cambridge Room at the House of Blues. Opening up the show will be Cactus-12. For more information on the release, visit Minor Setback online at http://www.minorsetback.net/ and at http://www.myspace.com/minorsetbackoh.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor 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 Eats
Bakalava

Baklava (Farsi for “many leaves”), originally made with a few layers of thin bread dough, chopped nuts and honey, is widely believed to have been created by the Assyrians in the 8th century B.C. The dessert was baked in primitive wood burning ovens, but only for special occasions, and only for the wealthy. A common expression among the poor in Turkey went like this: “I am not rich enough to eat baklava every day.” During the Ottoman Empire, the sultans recruited pastry chefs from the various ethnic groups that made up the empire. Though the Greeks invented the dough known as phyllo (“leaf” in Greek), the interaction of chefs from all over the Balkans, Middle East, and North Africa, helped to perfect the sweet, flaky treat. Spices like cinnamon, cardamom and cloves were often added as aphrodisiacs.

The baklava dished out at Woodmere’s Taza, A Lebanese Grill (pictured), is light and fresh–perfect, as taza is Lebanese for fresh. The portion is smaller than most traditional Greek helpings, but it is paired as a two-for-one with one of the menu’s other delicious phyllo treats, like Fingers or other delights filled with pistachios or scented with rosewater. Taza’s baklava is served simply on a square, white plate that seems too big for the slight nature of this delicacy, even when sitting next to another, equally diminutive dessert. The walnut filling is well-ground, packed tightly between layers of gentle, flaky pastry dough, and carefully drizzled with simple sugar syrup. Enjoy with a nice cup of hot tea, which complements the delicate personality of this Lebanese favorite. There’s no danger of you getting a sugar rush from this baklava.

However, if you’re in the mood for a filling dish to top off a night of excellent homemade moussaka or Indian saag paneer, take a ride out to The Mad Greek in Cleveland Heights. Two giant portions of traditional Greek baklava, sopping wet with honey, are yours for the asking. Make sure you bring a friend, as this house specialty is not built for one! For a less sweet version, order the baklava at Ohio City’s Kan Zaman, where the filling tastes like a smooth and creamy ricotta cheese. For additional Middle Eastern flavor, choose a flavored tobacco to smoke with your hookah (argelkah), while you witness live belly dancers on Friday and Saturday nights.

Where do you get the best bakalava, Cleveland? Write in and tell us: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

From Cool Cleveland contributor Dana Aritonovich mrsgrohl1ATyahoo.com

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

Writers After Hours: Dennis Lahane @ Plain Dealer 8/15 Dennis Lehane made sure to announce his past work, …in case you didn’t know. The droopy, Doonesbury eyed, Boston-raised author was referring to Mystic River, his novel Clint Eastwood directed and garnered Oscars for two of its stars. This humble introduction and his well-rehearsed monologue closed this season’s Plain Dealer Writers After Hours series. Proving to be quite the raconteur, he read from his recent book of short stories, Coronado. Lehane paused to apologize for the story’s “blue language” and to assuage the listeners that he “never said so much as damn in front of my mother”. This easy demeanor won over the sold-out crowd.

Slipping between irreverent and funny, Lehane’s tone changed when answering questions about Mystic River. Giving a self-proclaimed “strident” speech Lehane, a former Jesuit student and son of devout Catholics, minced no words to describe his disdain for the institution and its continued cover-up of sexual abuse. On a lighter note, Lehane spoke about becoming a writer. As a student who loved to read, he spent his free time in the library. Joking that the encyclopedia at his home contained references to Indo-China, he stressed the importance of these public institutions. An avid fan of Elmore Leonard and Richard Price novels, he grew into writing short stories and mysteries.

Lehane stated writers are constant observers who see “the world a different way”. He observes and writes from places he knows. To date, his novels are set in Boston and Florida, where he went to college. He admits to having titles first, bouts of writer’s block and not being the easiest person to live with during the writing process. Despite this fact, he and his wife still celebrate the completion of his novels with a ceremonial bottle of champagne.

Speaking of celebrating, Clevelanders should be toasting our libraries. The Cuyahoga County Library will bring Amy Tan, Frank McCourt and playwright Tony Kushner to town for their Writers Center Stage series in the Fall.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Christine Young itsmecayATvisn.net

Tremont Art Walk @ Tremont 8/11Tremont sounds like trees on a mountain. The neighborhood is full of trees, and when I saw the view of the Flats and Cuyahoga River in waning sunlight with Cleveland’s skyline on the opposite bank from the fence near the University Inn, it felt like I was standing on a mountain.

I went to Tremont for the “Art Walk Experience,” but we enjoyed a good walk in the working class neighborhood of brick alleyways and houses two deep. People sat on porches listening to the Beatles on their stereo, beer-drinking men on porch stoops said hello, and dressed-up professionals and art lovers wandered amongst the Victorian painted ladies mixed with smaller German-village-style brick homes in the shadows of the many churches, including Iglesia Espana. Front yards overflowed with flowers, one with tall sunflowers, other homes trailing vines from window boxes. In Lincoln Park, a ballet was performed on stage for the people who arrived with lawn chairs and children for a free show. It’s easy to just wander in Tremont…
Read the review from Claudia J. Taller 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 ODOT’s plans to shut down Innerbelt exits (See Earth to ODOT here) One of the many excellent points Bier made in his analysis of the ODOT plans for the inner belt is the difficulty we will have evacuating the city in a crisis. Given that other arguments (including my main concern that this will restrict access to the city just as we are struggling to save/revive it) have fallen on deaf ears, maybe the public safety implications will register with those in Washington, DC charged with overseeing that.
from Cool Cleveland reader Pete Robertson PRobertsonATets.org

While my knowledge of traffic control is of the armchair variety, I understood that we put traffic circles (roundabouts) in place of standard, four-way stoplights because, although they have increased incidences of accidents, the accidents are usually minor and there are very few fatalities, if any. I was told that similarly the Innerbelt, as ODOT insists, indeed has more accidents in its tight merges, but they are usually side swipes and fender-benders (Dead Man’s Curve is its own story). As long as ODOT says the issue is public safety, in a streamlined, higher-speed Innerbelt, wouldn’t accidents likely be more serious and more deadly?
from Cool Cleveland reader Michael Fleming guillemiguelATgmail.com

Tom Bier again brings rationality back into this discussion. I have attended those ODOT meetings and have never seen hard data that supports the “accident-prone” area, have never seen an economic impact study on what will happen to the downtown business and residential areas or any other well thought out process that shows that this $900 million boondoggle will make things better for the area. My gut reaction to all of these drawings andsuch is that very seldom do any of these “experts” making the decisions ever get down on the ground the way Tom Bier did to make his analysis. Mr. Bier deals in specifics not generalizations like ODOT. This quote from the Plain dealer article I believe gives us a clue as to why many of the “powers-that-be” have not raised a fuss. “At 4 p.m., those turners will be crossing in front of the typically heavy traffic on Chester Avenue coming from the Cleveland Clinic and the institutions of University Circle, and heading for the ramp to westbound I-90.” The answer to this congestion would obviously be the “Opportunity Corridor” that will connect University Circle to I-490. Could this be why there is not much uproar? Suddenly, there is “opportunity” for new construction, new businesses, and new homes . When I first went to these ODOT meetings the idea of changing the shoreway into a boulevard and the Opportunity Corridor were not serious consideration for ODOT. Too expensive, too risky, too whatever. Now, you will hear that ODOT is jumping on board with the Shoreway plan and suddenly they are talking about the Opportunity Corridor. I think the deals have been made, and as usual the deals are at the expense of what exists–why try to build a better mousetrap when it is so much easier to build a new mouse trap.
from Cool Cleveland reader Gloria Ferris gloria.ferrisATgmail.com

Dear [ODOT Project Director] Craig Hebebrand: I read Thomas Bier’s analysis of the Innerbelt project and was surprised to experience the emotional reaction it caused. The feelings of stress, anger, impatience and regret have all come rushing back. I am quite familiar with how traffic can get gnarled up during rush hour in the Downtown Cleveland area of Prospect and Carnegie Avenues, especially when there is a ballgame and/or event(s) at the other venues around town on a weekday evening. I have sat in the seemingly never-ending quagmire that Prospect becomes on these occasions, along with so many other drivers. Usually, I would be stuck in the mess while I was leaving downtown – driving to my home in Wickliffe after work – focusing on the already too few hours that I’d have to spend with my family that were now dwindling as I sat in the bumper to bumper chaos. I assure you that if I was repeatedly inconvenienced coming downtown for recreational purposes, I’d think twice about finding someplace else to spend my time and money. I’m sure every single person that has been on either side of the traffic is as disbelieving as I am that the proposed project actually closes two of the highway ramps AND diverts traffic along SINGLE LANE roads. Is this truly in the best interest of commuters, businesses and the future of the city? Trust me, there are plenty of people on the eastside with bad attitudes. They already act like downtown Cleveland is almost on another planet and they certainly don’t need one more reason not to see everything that that the city has to offer. Don’t give them or anyone else another reason to dismiss Downtown as a great place to be. I don’t see how the current plan can be a positive for Cleveland. It just makes it more inaccessible and frustrating. I am hopeful that you will reflect and reconsider your intentions to close the Prospect and Carnegie ramps. Otherwise, you’ll be giving the city one more hurdle to clear when it comes to getting people behind investing and participating in Downtown Cleveland’s future.
from Cool Cleveland reader Susan Pavelecky Chapo suziepavAThotmail.com

Dear [ODOT Director] Gordon Proctor: What on earth is the matter with you people at ODOT? Haven’t you paid attention to anything that has been said by the authorities in the Cleveland contingent that are trying to tell you that closing all but 2 ramps into/out of downtown Cleveland will be a complete disaster? If you had done an economic study, you would have seen the major, negative impact such a move will make. Further, have you even considered what your plans would do to the city and traffic when the Indians or Cavs are playing at home or there is a concert or other event at the “Q”? Why are you making such decisions without any input/by-in from the people who live, work and maintain the infrastructure of the downtown Cleveland area? How about if you let us come to Columbus and completely screw up your innerbelt/city highway system so that entering and exiting your freeway system within the downtown area gets completely changed for the worse? Any takers? What I forgot to mention to Mr. Hebebrandt is that I am a salesperson who travels extensively in and out of downtown Cleveland everyday. I can’t begin to tell you how much more difficult my one situation alone, would become and how much more time would be taken out of my day just trying to commute from appointment to appointment. Multiply that by thousands of people each day and you will get a small sense of what your incredibly narrow-minded, not made for the greater good decision would be. Can’t wait to hear your explanation.
from Cool Cleveland reader Karin M. Lash kmlashATcore.com

Dear Governor Taft: I am writing to you to hope that you can accomplish one productive thing while still acting as Governor of this state. Get ODOT to stop their plan of closing all but 2 entrances/exits off of the Inner belt in downtown Cleveland. The people running ODOT haven’t listened to a thing presented to them by the people who live, work and manage the infrastructure and business activities within the city. Closing all but 2 ramps will hurt business, drive more people from wanting to come downtown, make life miserable for all who have to come downtown and will certainly help to continue to deter people wanting to live and/or work in the city. Before we get relieved of your reign on our state, do something that will help the city of Cleveland.
from Cool Cleveland reader Karin M. Lash kmlashATcore.com

On baba (See Cool Cleveland Eats here) Don’t forget the Middle East Restaurant on Prospect (Carter Manor Hotel currently being renovated). Excellent baba – and anything else done quite authentically. I used to think I hated lamb, but was won over after trying they’re kibbi nayae (sp?) (i.e. raw). Talk about conversion!
from Cool Cleveland reader Maryann MZapiorATporterwright.com

On Walk+Roll (See interview with Walk+Roll Cleveland organizer Lois Moss (PC) (Mac)) For most of my 62 years, I’ve driven MLK without taking my eyes off of the bumper in front of me. Oh yes I’ve honked my horn to hear the echo while passing under the arched overpasses. We parked the car at the Cleveland Greenhouse and walked to the Cultural Gardens along East Blvd. Most of the formal entrances are from the upper levels on East Blvd. The signs announcing the cultural heritage of each garden were nicely done. Some of the gardens have been around for three quarters of a century and thanks are due to the people that are contributing their efforts to maintain the gardens. We walked half way down most of the gardens then checked out the lower half from MLK to minimize the hill climbing. To the Ice cream lady selling the goodies for just $1.00 on MLK from her wheeled stand, another thank you. A lot of people volunteered their time to pull this off. It was great seeing people biking, blading and walking in the area. We did wonder if any “Westsiders” ventured this far east. We watched the play performed just off of MLK by a group of young people. It was about growing up in the city, the ghosts and memories of that past. They put in a lot of time and effort. We had walked by this group earlier and they enthusiastically let us know that the play was going to be performed in another hour or so. They even said thanks for coming today. What a nice group!
from Cool Cleveland reader Len Nagel lNagelATaexcelcorp.com

On the Burning River Fest (See Instant Karma here) Burning River Fest was quite a disappointment. For a festival promoting eco-friendliness it failed in particular when it came to biking. We biked to the event, which was suggested. Getting to the venue by bike was one of the most difficult and un-friendly things I have ever done. The cars going to the event had no respect for the people on bikes, long lines of cars idled as we biked past them…great air to breathe in. The area to put our bikes in was horrendous as best…could have been done better, much better. And then $7.00 to get in for a lame selection of food and uninteresting booths. Poor event, will never go to again.
from Cool Cleveland” reader Caroline Stickney carolinelee09@yahoo.com

On gaming (See Casino Gambling: A Poor Vehicle for Economic Development here) What I am about to say has in many ways already been said, but I must reiterate certain points. The issue at hand is gambling and potential casinos in Cleveland. Some of the key issues in Cleveland today are education, poverty, lack of business ventures, energy and vitality, an aging workforce, negativity, weather, lack of job growth, amongst many other issues. Let’s focus on gambling and its effects on these issues. Education- There obviously is a great effort for gambling revenues to go towards education. Poverty- Everyone will gamble, not just the poor. It will bring tourism, too. There is more than one reason why those at poverty levels gamble. Maybe this adds to their quality of life, a little bit of hope never hurt anyone. Lack of business venture- self explanatory. Energy- Doesn’t gambling, casinos make Cleveland more interesting, attractive. Maybe it will bring younger crowds, that is what we need, correct? Entertaining too, right? Aging workforce- irrelevant except for the amount of young people gambling will draw, look at the nation’s obsession for no limit texas hold’em! Negativity- Isn’t this one thing to sell, to help us attract friends, and others to come to Cleveland? The overall issue here is that people in Cleveland have no reason to be negative, wake up and enjoy life! Weather- We’ve all grown to love the weather, no issue there! Lack of job growth- Hello, we are creating hundreds of jobs by building a casino! Also, you attract those that have money, and they may become interested in business in Cleveland. Wake up Cleveland! Those who do nothing, be nothing, and are never remembered.
from Cool Cleveland reader Doron Kutash dpkutashATgmail.com

On Cleveland vs. Columbus Could someone please explain to me the process by which Columbus was able to integrate the population of many of their suburbs into the city proper. This is the reason Columbus has passed Cleveland in their number of citizens. So now, Columbus looks like the “hot ” city of Ohio, and all the developers and builders flock their way with all of their ground breaking ideas. Columbus is now, gasp, over 500,000 residents. Of course, if we did the same thing, we would be around 3 million. Let’s just do it!!! Why should we play second fiddle to a cowtown where no one would even visit if it wasn’t for a certain school. Let’s just play hardball like everyone else!!!
from Cool Cleveland reader Dave Collins goodguydavATaol.com

On the arts and culture issue “Art inspires me to do my very best.” “Art takes me to a new place and art will take me to college.” “Art allows me to express myself.” These are the words of students from Denison School K-8, a Cleveland Municipal School where 92% of the students live at or below the poverty level. Education, including the arts is crucial to helping our students discover their future. Cuyahoga County is fortunate to have outstanding arts and cultural organizations, as well as talented artists and creative thinkers. Our arts institutions and our creative culture are recognized as one of our greatest assets providing $14 million a year in arts education to our schools and contributing $1.3 billion dollars per year to our region’s economic vitality. The County’s Arts and Culture Ballot will make $20 million available to help stabilize our arts and cultural organizations, as well as opportunities to award individual artists. Without public support for our artists and our arts and cultural institutions, we will loose many of our greatest assets and our region will be far less attractive. I urge Cuyahoga County voters to join me in voting for the Arts and Culture Ballot on November 7th, ensuring the vitality of our region.
from Cool Cleveland reader Sheryl L. Hoffman, Executive Director, Art House shoffman@arthouseinc.org

On the Cleveland Air Show So, I get that the Cleveland National Air Show is an economic development tool for the city. And I get that the planes are big, loud and shiny. I get it. But can we talk for just a minute about why on earth we have to have this particular event in Cleveland every year? I’m all for Cleveland’s economic development. For that matter, I’m not opposed on principle to big, loud, shiny things – I rather like them. But what I’m not for, what I as a Clevelander find abhorrent, is inviting members of the entire U.S. military to show up on our shores every Labor Day, drop fake bombs into our midst, and applaud the entire spectacle as “family entertainment.” These are the same planes that are tearing apart the rest of the world – from Lebanon to Colombia to Afghanistan to Iraq. Many Clevelanders who oppose these military activities (legal and illegal) all over the world, still spend money to watch simulations of the same lethal behavior in our own home. Wouldn’t it be great if, this year for the Air Show, we could have big, loud, shiny things on display that don’t require us to swallow our pride and forget the fact that Cleveland is losing millions of dollars a year that are spent on developing bigger, louder, shinier things so the military can kill more people faster? Wouldn’t be great if we could go to this festival without facing a mob of Marine recruiters handing out stickers and balloons to six-year-olds and signing up their older siblings to kill or be killed? Would it be great if we didn’t have to watch billions of dollars in federal funds trotted out on display for an admiring crowd of people who have no decent schools because there is no money in Cleveland? Wouldn’t it be great if we could have a festival where we celebrate the technology that helps people to live? Here’s an idea. Let’s make the Air Show about people. We could tour the inside of helicopters built to fight fires, and the airplanes that deliver food and water to the poor and suffering people around the world. We could applaud and cheer for the heroic stunts of people and planes who help to make this world a better, more whole and healthy place … instead of treating weapons of war as “family entertainment.” Come on, Cleveland, let’s take the initiative we’ve shown in so many other things… let’s re-create the Air Show and make it something worth celebrating. And in the meantime, do something to heal the world on Labor Day weekend. Volunteer. Adopt an animal. Plant a tree. Attend the Cleveland Peace Show. Find family entertainment that is about family – all of us.
from Cool Cleveland reader Megan Wilson mwilson52AThotmail.com

On cool Cleveland Cleveland Events of the last few weeks: July and August, 2006. OK people – Get to KNOW your city and you’ll love it! We spent most of Sunday 8/13 strolling through the Cleveland Cultural Gardens at the Walk and Roll event in Rockerfeller Park. We thought we’d spend, oh maybe 2-3 hours tops, but found that the 5 hours we explored every nook, cranny and statue of each and every garden almost wasn’t enough! We took time to enjoy the unique entertainment along the way – especially the play the youths of Cleveland put on for us in a perfect outdoor setting. And thank you to the “ice cream lady” – a great neighborhood touch. A message to the promoters and staff of this event – Please DO host this event in September/October for the University Circle/Downtown college students. They will also be believers. Also enjoyed was the great performance of “Hair” at Cain Park. Get out to this one – you cannot believe it’s cast consists of young adults in 2006 – they ARE 1968! Get there early and stroll through the park – how many of you have done that? And the diversity that was Ingenuity in Downtown Cleveland was mind boggling. Everywhere you looked, every stage or building you wandered into, offered some pretty awesome stuff. Because of the short outdoor season in Cleveland, we regret that there were so many other overlapping events we couldn’t attend. C’mon – participate in these types of Cleveland happenings – You WILL Believe in Cleveland!
from Cool Cleveland reader Pat and Len Nagel pnagelATandrewssoftware.com

On Cool Cleveland love this site. i love learning what is happening in our area – have great hopes for northeast ohio if this is indicative of the quality of folks making a difference! let’s work on making northeast ohio a model for the rest of the country – if we can get caring (for the people – and not only the wealthy ones), progressive, gutsy politicians elected to work on: alternative energy, education that works, jobs that pay decent wages and a genuinely excellent quality of life inclusive for ALL residents – i think we have a chance! thanks for excellent work!
from Cool Cleveland reader Judy Casey, Akron JCPUBATaol.com

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

Top 5
Most clicked
Here are the Top 5 from last week’s issue, with one more chance for you to click.

1) Earth to ODOT CSU’s Tom Bier has done the math, and it’s gonna get ugly whenever our hometeam plays at Jacob’s Field, or when there’s a concert at the Q, or even when a garden-variety rush hour occurs.
www.Innerbelt.org.

2) Cool Cleveland Interview Peter Chakerian talks to Larry Collins of City Buddha.
www.CoolCleveland.com.

3) A Poor Vehicle for Economic Development For the second week in a row, Cleveland State University Levin School of Urban Studies report on casinos.
www.gcpartnership.com.

4) IKEA to open in Cincy The #1 furniture company in the world, Swedish-based IKEA is building a 300-350K sf store on I-75 just North of Cincy at Union Centre Blvd, adding to the $1 billion development at that interchange.
http://www.ohikea.com.

5) PD downsizing Offering lucrative buyouts to all 370 newsroom and “an undisclosed number of business office employees”.
www.Cleveland.com.

The Hard Corps Express rolls into your inbox every Wednesday, engines a’rumblin. With their frenetic weekly xpressionz, our Corps aren’t into shuttin’ down the motor and pulling the clutch back. They rev the needle to the red on NEO’s abundant news, events and culture every week. Don’t forget your helmet. Give it up for Peter Chakerian, Roxanne Ravenel, TL Champion, George Nemeth, Claudia J. Taller, Christine Young, Dana Aritonovich 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.

Express yourself,

–Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com

all contents ©2006 MulreadyGROUP all rights reserved
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