Unplugged

9.24-10.1.08
Unplugged

In this week’s issue:

Strangely, the more we unplug, the more we need technology. Even with the iPhone, it helps to have Cool Cleveland to clue us in and help us get out. And with three (count ’em) Cool Cleveland parties to choose from (catch the trick bikes at Ray’s MTB, talk RACE at CMNH or make Super Heros at the Maltz with your kids), we got just the solution to unplug your spare time. And with Cleveland’s best season upon us, the issue you’re scrolling on is chock full of news (Rockometer update), events (1st Shaker Square Home Tour), interviews (Joel Smirnoff of CIM), commentary (Mansfield, Kennelly, BFD & Emissions), and features to keep you glued to your screen just long enough to figure out how to get away from it. Time to unplug, Cleveland. –Thomas Mulready

Civic Innovation Lab Anniversary party @ Ray’s MTB on 10/16
Thursday, October 16. Discount Tix before Thu midnight.

You won’t believe it until you see it with your own eyes. Ray Petro has transformed an abandoned Cleveland factory warehouse into 100,000 square feet of mountain bike and BMX trails, ramps, elevators and trick jumps, and you are invited to party while the best of Cleveland’s trick riders show off their awesome skills, as we celebrate the Civic Innovation Lab’s 5th birthday party. To help you visualize, check out the video that Cool Cleveland Kids correspondent Max shot & edited here. Join us on Thu 10/16 from 5:30-7:30PM at Ray’s indoor MTB, with open bar, delectable dishes like hot german potato salad, a mediterranean bean salad, Pecan Bar, 7-layer Brownie Bash, Granola and Fruit Meltaway, Shortbread Raspberry Sammies & more, all from Constantino’s Catering, hot dogs & brats, plus the best trick riders shredding up the track at Ray’s. More info on the Ray’s Party Page here.

Discount tix before midnight Thu 9/25 here: https://coolcleveland.net/tickets/101608.

RACE Urban Professionals Night Out on 10/10
Friday, October 10. Discount Tix before Thu midnight.

It’s the party that kicks off the exhibition of the year. The highly-anticipated Cleveland Museum of Natural History exhibition RACE: Are We So Different? is shaking up how we view humanity. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign raises these issues, and these days, contemporary scientific understanding of human variation is beginning to challenge “racial” differences, and question the very concept of race. Join young professionals at the RACE Urban Professionals Night Out on Fri 10/10 from 6PM to 11PM to meet & greet and get the inside scoop on the RACE exhibit. Nosh on a buffet supper, drinks and networking throughout the exhibition. Cool Cleveland’s own Mansfield Frazier will lead one of a series of Talking Circles, and a smokin’ DJ will keep everyone grooving. More info on the RACE Party Page here.

Discount tix before midnight Thu 9/25 here: https://coolcleveland.net/tickets/101008.

Cool Cleveland Kids party @ Maltz Museum on Thu 11/6
Thursday, November 6. Info. Tix.

The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage has teamed up with Cool Cleveland Kids to celebrate superheroes and all things comic with a post-Halloween kids bash on Thu 11/6 from 5-7PM. This is one cool party you and your family won’t want to miss! Kids can enter our costume contest and parade (prizes for best costume and best superhero), ride in a Batmobile that’s just their size, draw their own comics, watch cartoons and vintage serials and read as many comics as they wish.

Includes kids refreshments, all activities and admission to the Museum as well as the exhibition Zap! Pow! Bam! The Super Hero: The Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950, which immerses visitors in an interactive world of Super Heroes, and illuminates the creative processes that drove their originators to provide America with timeless icons such as Superman (created in Cleveland), Batman, Captain America and Wonder Woman. Special family discount for up to two adults and up to three children. Complimentary copy of new Cool Cleveland Kids guide (pictured) for each family. More info on our Kids Party Page here.

Reserve your tix here: https://coolcleveland.net/tickets/110608.

Who’s the Boss?
Moving Families from Conflict to Collaboration
Susan Glaser, M.A. and Arthur Lavin, M.D.
Collaboration Press

Who’s in charge in your house? Are you at the end of your rope with kiddos who are problematic sleepers, finicky eaters or discipline problems? Having trouble with potty training? Sibling rivalry? Parent-child relations? Any one of these things can derail a perfectly good morning and set the tone for the day with your child (or children) if your not careful. Susan Glaser and Dr. Arthur Lavin know this and have dovetailed their collective expertise into a breezy, conversational read on how parents might solve these and other dilemmas. Who’s the Boss? Moving Families from Conflict to Collaboration is a decent read — filled with tidbits on sleep, discipline, eating, child care dilemmas and more…

Read more from Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian.

Visible Voice Kids Starting Sat 10/11 at 11AM, Visible Voice Books will host their first Children’s Story Hour. These events will take place every other Saturday morning from 11AM – noon. More info is forthcoming about these readings, but expect them to be cool — they tell us “Please mark your calendars, pull your child away from Nickelodeon and let them enjoy an hour of great stories.” How could we possibly argue with that? Tremont’s Visible Voice Books, 1023 Kenilworth Ave. Call 961-0084 for details or visit http://www.visiblevoicebooks.com.

HOT “Domo arigatoo, Mr. Roboto” Apologies to Styx fans, but your kids will say exactly that when they get the chance to interact with all kinds of robots at the Great Lakes Science Center. The new exhibit, Robots + Us, opens at this week and will be in residence through April 2009. In addition to some very cool exhibits, Great Lakes Science Center extends the experience through some very cool programs. Call 694-2000 or visit http://www.glsc.org for details.

Down on the Farm Head out to Patterson’s Fruit Farm to enjoy good old-fashioned fall fun. Explore a treehouse in the woods, climb a mountain of haystacks, hike, ride in a horse drawn carriage and paint a pumpkin. And, while you’re there, enjoy all the yummy goodies (cider, apple fritters, etc.) Patterson’s has to offer. Call 440-729-9809 or visit http://www.pattersonfarm.com for schedules and info.

HOT Burning River Ghost Tour Now in its 10th season “Haunted Cleveland Ghost Tours” proudly presents the tour, featuring historic facts and scary ghost stories about some of the most actively haunted locations in Cleveland! The tours start Fri 9/26 and run throughout October, and as you might expect, they’re likely to sell out fast given the time of year. Details and info at http://www.hauntedcleveland.net.

HOT Teddy Bear Day Kids are invited to bring their favorite teddy bears to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for Teddy Bear Day on Sat 9/27. Children with a teddy bear (or “plush toy of any species”) receive admission to the Zoo at no charge with a paid adult admission. Official “teddy bear doctors” will examine these fuzzy friends and issue Beary Good Health Certificates. Visitors will see how the Zoo takes care of one of the largest collections of bear species in North America, including sloth, grizzly and polar bears. Special Meet-the-Bear-Keeper programs will highlight the exceptional care the Zoo’s bears receive. http://www.clemetezoo.com.

Detective Sallie Mander’s “A Pill Bug’s Life” Do you know what a potato bug, pill bug or sow bug is? Come and read the book A Pill Bug’s Life and learn all about these creatures who live under logs and eat wood. Go hunting in the woods to catch pill bugs, then hold pill bug races to see who catches the fastest one. Pill bug puppets will be made and a snack will be offered. For Ages 3-6 with an adult on Sat 9/27 at 2PM. Holden Arboretum. http://www.holdenarb.org.

Wildlife Festival Lake Metroparks is “Going Green” this year in an effort to help Native Ohio wildlife. That is the focus of this year’s Wildlife festival on Sun 9/28 at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center in Kirtland. Guests are invited to learn about ways you can make smart green choices for themselves and for wildlife! There will be speakers covering topics on organic vs. non-organic beauty, cleaning and lawn care products. Information about the event including presentations, exhibits, activities (including an animal relay race), and more here.

Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events for kids & families from 11-year-old Cool Cleveland Kids correspondent Max.

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

SPONSORED: It’s good to be first The Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts brings 8 premieres from around the world–performances and exhibitions that defy expectations and challenge the senses. Experience artists who boldly cross boundaries, mixing film, theatre, dance, music, ancient, modern, the real and the surreal to create something completely new. All in three whirlwind weeks, October 10-25. A project of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in association with The Andy Warhol Museum. Learn more about Festival performances, see video, and order tickets at PIFOF.org. The Festival takes place during the celebration of Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary; to save on travel, accommodations, and event tickets, book online at VisitPittsburgh.com.

Laura Varcho
Constantino’s Market & Catering

Laura Varcho, catering manager at Constantino’s Market, is bubbling over with enthusiasm. Not only for the fabulous selection of delicacies their Warehouse District supermarket offers their customers, but also for the flexibility the market offers to her catering customers. Besides an extensive catering menu, Laura can act as a “personal shopper” to put together a customized catering selection that might include anything in the Market. Of special note are their in-house bakery, an extensive wine cellar with over 2000 bottles, an extensive array of prepared foods at the deli counter, an on-site Sushi chef, and ready-to-go hot breakfast and lunch selections. Gift baskets can be hand prepared for any budget. And don’t forget the complimentary parking in the attached Bingham Building parking lot. Watch the interview with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready as Laura Varcho takes you on a tour of this incredible Downtown emporium. Taste their catering delicacies at the upcoming Cool Cleveland party on 10/16 at Ray’s MTB. www.ConstantinosMarket.com

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USA Today thinks films should be made outside Hollywood What about you? Read & More.
Diebold admits half oh Ohio’s counties may lose votes with their touch-screen voting machines Unbelievable
Register to vote by Sun 10/5 by clicking here
Cle Red Cross helping out in windstorm aftermath and the details are here
Sutherland launches ubiquitous “Vote4Debbie” website in her run for County Commissioner. Click
HOT Cleveland sports 4 of Money magazine’s Top 25 Best Places for Affordable Homes, with Wadsworth, Stow, Brunswick and North Ridgeville making the cut. Read
Give the ultimate in luxury this Holiday Season from the Cleveland Museum of Art. What other city offers this? Click
Get $5 student tix to Cle Orch this weekend here.
Check out The Dead Matter local movie trailer by clicking here and learn about the Midnight Syndicate group that performed the soundtrack!
This is a must-click on Detroit-Superior revitalization and creativity. Click
C.L.E. Clothing launches with a new site and their first line of T-shirts, which are available online here
They’re home from China and moving on! Support the students from East Cleveland’s Shaw High School with their triumph! Click
Check out the first Heights Arts Radio podcast by clicking here
Local teen from CleMetZoo’s Zoo Crew headed to the Arctic to study polar bears. Read
Prelude2Cinema is seeking new sponsors and businesses for its new anthology Prelude2Cinema Presents…. Click

Rockometer update Christopher Axelrod, who is organizing the effort to build a 2000-seat special events center on the abandoned US Coast Guard property across E. 9th Street from the Rock Hall, reports that their “9/25 press conference has been canceled by the city and we were ordered not to hold it on their properties. The city chooses not to endorse it at this time…” How sadly predictable. However, he has received strong support from other visionaries in the region. Your thoughts? InfoATCoolCleveland.com The Rockometer.

Rock Hall nominates Jeff Beck, Chic, Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Metallica, Run-D.M.C., the Stooges, War and Bobby Womack as potential inductees for the 2009 class, which will be hosted in Cleveland on 4/4/09 at Public Hall. Your thoughts? LettersATCoolCleveland.com.

HOT GREEN Buy Local, Eat Local Maybe you’ve been thinking about it for months, in light of the fuel prices. Or perhaps you’re already buying local produce and want to expand your circle of purchase to include other local products and items. Connect and learn with others passionate about local food, find locally grown and prepared foods in the “Buy Local Food” guide and stay up to date on upcoming markets, exciting projects, workshops and other events at Local Food Cleveland. The new site, launched by Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (E4S) with the help of their strategic food partnerships, will help you “find your place in the local food economy.” Check it out! http://www.localfoodcleveland.org.

Golden Week to register AND vote in Ohio During 9/29 to 10/6, any Ohio voter can walk into an early voting center, register AND vote on the spot. Vote Today Ohio.

Sports Health Center opens on site of old Marymount Hospital on Transportation Blvd in Garfield Hts, with 50K sf of indoor turf area, rehab clinic, onsite imaging, therapy pool, comp parking & 6 operating rooms. The Cleveland Clinic will feature performance programs for all sports, in one central location for the region & for the many professional athletes who fly to Cle for their treatment. My.ClevelandClinic.org

Fall Word Lover’s Retreat In the craftmanship tradition of William Zinsser’s On Writing Well and the spirit of Julia Cameron’s Artist’s Way, Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia Taller and award-winning journalist John Ettorre invite you to join them for a writing retreat weekend at Idlewyld Bed & Breakfast in historic Lakeside, Ohio on Fri 10/3 through Sun 10/5. Imagine the possibilities — for writing, connecting with other writers, and becoming inspired in creative and artistic ways. Friday supper, Saturday breakfast and lunch, and Sunday breakfast will be served. For info, call Taller at 440-554-6406, or email: ctallerwrites@wowway.com.

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

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

SPONSORED: What is a museum for? Cultural commentator and New Yorker essayist Adam Gopnik will provide a unique perspective into the past, present, and future of museums. Author of the award-winning Paris to the Moon and Through the Children’s Gate, Gopnik will kick off CWRU’s Humanities Week with a lecture sponsored by the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities at 6PM Thu 10/2 at Amasa Stone Chapel, 10940 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland- no charge and open to the public. http://www.BakerNord.org or 216.368-8961.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

HOT The Beauty of Damage A work-in-progress film by Cleveland film-maker Tom Ball entitled, The Beauty of Damage: A Fill on the Art of Christopher Pekoc, will be shown at 6PM on Wed 9/24 in the Lecture Hall at the Cleveland Museum of Art. A reception follows the showing. The film will accompany an upcoming national traveling exhibition of Pekoc’s work. A nationally renowned artist, Pekoc lectures at Case Western Reserve University. His work has been described as “beautiful and unsettling” by poet Dana Gioia. Henry Adams, professor of American Art at CWRU, refers to Pekoc’s art studio as “Frankenstein’s laboratory, where corpses are sewn together into strange half-human creatures.” No cost, open to the public. Call 368-1004 for more info.

Great Lakes Theater Festival will commence its 2008-09 season in a revolutionary new home at the Hanna Theatre on PlayhouseSquare with a Fall Repertory that features William Shakespeare’s towering tragedy, Macbeth, and Stephen Sondheim’s enchanting musical journey, Into the Woods. The productions will be performed in rotating repertory starting Wed 9/24 through mid-November. The Fall Repertory features a single company of actors performing two alternating plays on the same stage over seven weeks. GLTF’s Producing Artistic Director Charles Fee (Macbeth) and Victoria Bussert (Into the Woods) direct. Schedule times vary. http://www.greatlakestheater.org.

CityMusic Cleveland The professional chamber orchestra and arts outreach organization, announces its 5th Anniversary Season with no cost concerts throughout Northeast Ohio from Wed 9/24 through the weekend. Performances include Cleveland Heights, Elyria, Willoughby Hills, Slavic Village, Strongsville and Rocky River. For more information, call 321-8273, write to info@citymusiccleveland.org, or visit http://www.citymusiccleveland.org for details and showtimes.

Quire Cleveland is a new professional choral ensemble formed in 2008. They present their debut concert at the Cathedral Wed 9/24 at 7:30PM performing choral masterpieces of the Renaissance. Members of the ensemble are soloists and choral leaders at many of the major churches in the greater Cleveland area. They have sung together in historically-informed ensembles, including the Case Western Reserve University Early Music Singers and Apollo’s Singers of Apollo’s Fire. Under the direction of British-born, CWRU professor Peter Bennett, Quire Cleveland brings to northern Ohio a new professional ensemble of unaccompanied voices. No cost, open to the public. 1007 Superior Ave, downtown. Call 771-6666 ext. 5510) or email: gheislman@dioceseofcleveland.org.

HOT An Evening with Kai Ryssdal On Thu 9/25 at 7:30PM, fans of Marketplace, the award-winning series about money, business and the personal face of economic stories, can spend an evening with the show’s host when he visits Cleveland on behalf of 90.3 WCPN-FM ideastream. Ryssdal can be heard weekdays at 6:30PM on 90.3 WCPN-FM and on public radio stations nationwide; he’ll speak on the election and its impact on the economy and take questions from the audience. Westfield Insurance Studio Theater, The Idea Center, 1375 Euclid Ave. Tickets and info available at http://www.wcpn.org or by calling 916-0110.

Loaded Gun Shaker Heights Public Library Presents a showing of the documentary film Loaded Gun: Life, and Death, and Dickinson at 7PM on Thu 9/25. Watch the documentary film written produced and directed by the Oscar-nominated Jim Wolpaw — SHHS Class of 1966 — and discuss it afterwards with an Emily Dickinson enthusiast. No cost, open to the public with reservations by calling 991-2421. Poetry Back in the Woods, Bertram Woods Branch, 20600 Fayette Rd., Shaker Heights.

Strike Out Hunger! to Benefit the WSEM Food Centers On Thu 9/25 at 6PM at the Progressive Field Club Lounge, West Side Ecumenical Ministry at 5209 Detroit Ave. presents their Strike Out Hunger! event, with all proceeds benefit the three WSEM Food Centers at Brookside, Community Corner and Near West. Tickets includes food, parking, one drink ticket and lots of fun! The event will include a silent auction, live auction, lucky choice raffle and cornhole bean bag toss. Call 651-2037 ext. 309 or e-mail: iestremera@wsem.org for tickets. 2401 Ontario St. http://www.wsem.org for more info.

Swingos’ Singles Night Out This “Fun”-raising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society hits Thu 9/25 from 6 – 10PM. Everyone receives a gratis drink ticket! Couples and all ages are welcome to come join the fun; singles will be identified by a colored nametag! Enjoy lively music by DJ Scott, delicious appetizers, prizes, a raffle and networking with other singles. Call 408-4311 for info and tickets.

Lilly Ledbetter has come to personify the struggle for pay equity in the United States. In her fight with Goodyear Tire Company, Lilly reached the halls of the Supreme Court. On Thu 9/25 at 5PM, Ledbetter will share the story of her struggle to correct two decades of pay inequities with her former employer. The struggle continues and she is not alone. Since 1979, Hard Hatted Women has served as a voice for women and girls in Ohio so that they can arm themselves with the tools necessary for economic independence; they bring Ledbetter for their annual Women on the Rise event. http://www.hardhattedwomen.org.

HOT 24th Annual Fine Print Fair Cleveland’s largest and most comprehensive exhibition of fine prints, begins Fri 9/26 with an opening night benefit preview 5:30 – 8:30PM and features catered hors d’oeuvres by Sammy’s, a cash bar, free parking and an opportunity to select great works of art on paper before the fair opens to the public on Sat 9/27 from 10AM – 5PM. There are Sunday hours as well. Tri-C’s Corporate College, 4400 Richmond Rd., Warrensville Heights (at I-271 and I-480). The Fine Print Fair benefits the Department of Prints at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) and is sponsored by the Print Club of Cleveland, a non-profit adjunct organization dedicated to supporting the museum’s print collection. http://www.clevelandart.org.

Michael Symon The Food Network “Iron Chef” will be featured at an upcoming Multiple Sclerosis Luncheon Fri 9/26 starting at 11AM. The owner of Lola and Lolita restaurants will be the featured speaker at the MS Women’s Committee Luncheon. Symon will be discussing his rise to stardom and sharing his culinary expertise through a cooking demonstration. He’ll also be signing commemorative aprons with his catchphrase of “Live to Cook.” All proceeds help to provide local quality-of-life programs and services for Ohio residents living with multiple sclerosis and to fund MS-related medical research. http://www.msohiobuckeye.org.

Iron Floral Arranger II A smash hit last year, Iron Floral Arranger is the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s spoof of the popular Food Network cable show, “Iron Chef.” Watch as teams of C-town celebs race against each other (and the clock) to create three unique floral arrangements. Each team must incorporate the secret floral ingredient revealed prior to the start of the competition clock. Participants include Michael Heaton, John Rinaldi and more. Watch the hilarity that ensues this Fri 9/26 at 6PM. Call 721-1600 or visit http://www.cbgarden.org.

What a Tangled Web We Weave Opera Cleveland Takes Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro for a Spin at the State Theatre on PlayhouseSquare Fri 9/26 at 8PM, Sunday 9/28 at 2PM and Sat 10/4 at 8PM. Rivalry, lust and deception compete with true love, threatening the impending nuptials of servants Figaro and Susanna. Will they navigate this maze of comic deceit? Delve into the hilarity and romance Visit http://www.operacleveland.org or call 241-6000 for details.

2nd Annual Gregg Gilder Memorial Firewalk Have you ever been faced with something that you didn’t think you could handle? Does a fear of the unknown keep you from doing new things? If you’ve answered “yes,” then this Common Ground event Fri 9/26 and Sat 9/27 (each starting at 6:30PM) is for you! This transformational evening program culminates in opportunity to literally walk on fire. For more information, visit http://www.commongroundcenter.org or call 440-965-5551.

Recipe for Comfort Hospice Fundraiser w/ Chef Dante Boccuzzi The Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) will welcome Cle native Chef Dante Boccuzzi for their third annual fundraiser Fri 9/26 at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, 3180 W. Market St., Akron. Attend the Patron Party at 6:30PM for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and an opportunity to meet the chef. Boccuzzi will offer a cooking demo at 7:30PM that will include a special four-course meal with wine pairings. The event raises funds for end-of-life patient care and supportive services. Visit http://www.vnsa.com or call 330-665-1455 for info. http://www.danteboccuzzi.com.

L’il Dave Thompson Boasting a music heritage spanning multiple generations, the Delta blues guitarist and vocalist has come full circle with the blues. He has lived it, learned it and appreciates the legacy. L’il Dave earned nominations at the ’96 WC Handy Music Awards for “Best New Blues Artist” and “Contemporary Blues Album.” Now touring behind a brand new CD on Electrofi Records, his latest effort reaffirms Lil Dave’s soul-blues guitar mastery and growing maturity as a songwriter. Check him out live at Fat Fish Blue Fri 9/26 at 8PM. http://www.fatfishblue.com.

The Russian Comedy Written by Tri-C West Student Paul Warren; Directed by Tri-C West student Goe Foy, The Russian Comedy is the story of Victor, an aspiring actor. When his parents kick him out of the house, he falls in with the wrong crowd (get this, Joseph Stalin and his Bolsheviks). Victor embarks on an adventure that leads him to the Winter Palace where falls in love with Anastasia, the daughter of the Czar, and finally to America to realize his dream of being an actor. Kicks off Fri 9/25 at 8PM and runs through the weekend; special matinees Sat 9/27 and Sun 9/28 at 2PM. Details

HOT RACE: Are We So Different? Developed by the American Anthropological Association in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, this exhibition tells the stories of race from biological, cultural, and historical points of view. It offers an unprecedented look at race and racism in the United States starting Sat 9/27 and running through the beginning of 2009. Call 231-4600 or visit http://www.cmnh.org.

HOT The first-ever “Neighborhoods of Shaker Square Home Tour” starts at Sergio’s SARAVA, located at 13225 Shaker Square. This home tour Sat 9/27 is sure to thrill, with proceeds to benefit the Shaker Square Area Development Corporation (SHAD). The Neighborhoods of Shaker Square Home Tour will feature the different types of housing, including single-family houses, multi-family homes, and condominiums. Details, schedule and tickets at http://www.shad.org.

HOT Assemblage The Waterloo Arts District in Cle’s North Collinwood neighborhood will come alive for the night of Sat 9/27 as artists, art lovers, members of the Collinwood community and community-minded residents from all over Greater Cleveland will gather for a one-of-a-kind party and fund raiser to officially launch the neighborhood’s new arts center. The party will occupy the Arts Collinwood gallery and art center, and the adjoining Café Marika, at the corner of East 156th and Waterloo Rd. Expect a feast for the eyes, stunning visual arts displays, live music (Moko Bovo), and delectable nosh from Kimberly’s Supper Club, Grovewood Tavern and Wine Bar, Muldoon’s, Scotti’s and more. Call 692-9500 for details. http://www.artscollinwood.org.

SPONSORED: Art Film: The Next Generation Discover the acclaimed filmmakers of tomorrow (today!) in this special film series that spotlights 12 new works by 12 young, rising, or first-time moviemakers. Four countries and three continents are represented, and the movies encompass experimental films, romantic comedies, documentaries, dramas, thrillers, and love stories. “Art Film: The Next Generation” will be shown from Sat 9/27 – Fri 11/7 at The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. Admission: $8 general public; $6 for Cinematheque members, CIA students and staff. For more info got to: www.cia.edu.

Machines At Play “Careful, this exhibition is alive!” Jean-Pierre Gauthier, Montreal artist, inventor and musician, brings humor and poetry to his kinetic sculptural installations at the Akron Art Museum beginning Sat 9/27 and running through early January 2009. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with the art when Jean-Pierre Gauthier: Machines At Play makes its U.S. premiere at the Museum, featuring eleven installations — several of which fill an entire gallery by themselves. http://www.akronartmuseum.org.

Up is Down Verlezza Dance delivers Sat 9/27 at 7:30PM and Sun 9/28 at 2PM at the Cuyahoga Community College’s Eastern Campus Performing Arts Center. All four members of the Verlezza family — including three as choreographers — will join the rest of the company in two world premieres, flanking two other recently acclaimed works. New works The Secret Story, Blank Canvas, His Moments in Balance and an exploration of The Golden Mean round out the program. call 314-0900 or email: verlezzadancear@gmail.com for details. http://verlezzadance.org.

Year of the Rat St. Clair Superior Development Corporation’s “Year of the Rat Gala Auction Event” celebrates Chinese culture and showcases the decorative rat designs that were on display in the neighborhood over the summer. Enjoy live and silent auctions, entertainment, a sizzling Asian-fusion dinner and more in the Park Lane Villa’s Ballroom Sat 9/27 from 6 – 10PM. Call 881-0644 or email: rbritton@stclairsuperior.org. for details. http://www.stclairsuperior.org/yearoftherat_AUCTION.html.

Light Up the Night w/ BAYarts This 60th Birthday Celebration for the westside arts org hits Sat 9/27 at 5PM on the BAYarts campus (28795 Lake Rd., Bay Village). Enjoy live nusic by Becky Boyd & Real Life, a Silent Auction, a Vivid Jewelers Raffle, original art works by BAYarts artists for sale in main tent, a “grazing menu” of small plates featuring food from 87 West at Crocker Park, Arrabiatas, Cabin Club/Salmon Dave’s, Heinen’s and the Ironwood. Call 440-871-6543 for more info. http://bayarts.net/light-up-the-night.

Sangre De Mi Sangre Blood of my Blood is the debut feature from Oberlin grad Christopher Zalla, which won the grand jury prize for drama at the 2007 Sundance Festival. Zalla speaks & screens his film here on Sat 9/27 at 8:30PM at CIA Cinematheque. http://www.cia.edu/cinematheque

An Evening with Mary Weems Mac’s Backs Poetry on Coventry features a reading and booksigning with Mary Weems, Poet Laureate of Cleveland Heights and author of An Unmistakable Shade of Red & the Obama Chronicles Sat 9/27 at 7PM. “In these poems Mary Weems both challenges and embraces America in all its turbulence and beauty,” says local poetry catalyst, George Bilgere. http://www.macsbacks.com.

SPONSORED: Monologist Ruth Draper was the queen of one-person theatre in the 20th Century. She could crowd a stage all by herself, which led Kenneth Tynan to say in 1952 that “Draper’s solo art was the best and most modern group acting I’ve ever seen.” If you’re not familiar with Draper, her “Debutante at the Dance” will be featured on WCLV’s Weekend Radio this Sat 9/27, at 10PM. Robert Conrad also features other “dance” items including Nichols and May’s Tango. Full details at http://www.WCLV.com.

Remembering the Sights and Sounds of Euclid Beach Park This program on Sun 9/28 from 1 – 5PM is co-sponsored by Cleveland Lakefront State Park and Euclid Beach Park… and it will take you on a trip down memory lane. Take the walking tour to see where rides and attractions once were, free rides on the Thriller and Rocket Ship Car – part of what was once one of the North Coast’s memorable rides, memorabilia displays, purchase a Humphrey popcorn ball or candy kiss, Arts Collinwood will have kids fun activities, and more!! Concession food will be available for purchase. No cost, open to the public. Euclid Beach State Park, 16301 Lakeshore Blvd. Call 440-942-1493 or visit http://www.clevelandlakefront.org for more info.

HOT Omar Tyree The author of 15 novels will kick off Cleveland Public Library’s Writers and Readers 2008-2009 Series this Sun 9/28 at 2PM with a no-cost, open to the public event at the Main Library, Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium, E. 6th Street and Superior Avenue. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Born in Philadelphia and educated at Howard University, Tyree is one of the most renowned contemporary writers in the African American community. Tyree has sold more than 1.8 million books worldwide. As an author, he is best known for jumpstarting the popularity of the “urban fiction” movement. http://www.cpl.org.

Grammy Nominee Maria Muldaur The veteran of the Greenwich Village folk heyday in the early 1960s has spent the last four and a half decades weaving her folk, blues, roots and pop influences into a unique sound that speaks to matters the heart that are universal as they are personal. The Telarc artist Muldaur sings about positive solutions and pro-peace with help from Joan Baez, Odetta, and Bonnie Raitt in the July 2008 release of Yes We Can! Get into the spirit with Muldaur and the Free Radicals live at Nighttown Sun 9/28 at 7PM and 9PM. 12387 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights. Call 795-0550 or visit http://www.nighttowncleveland.com.

HOT Autism Speaks Fundraiser feat. Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich Thousands of individuals, families and friends whose lives are impacted by autism will join together to raise much-needed funds for critical scientific research and to increase awareness about a growing health crisis that now affects 1 in every 150 children at the second annual Cleveland and Northeast Ohio Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism on Sun 9/29 at 10AM at Progressive Field. Joining the walkers at this year’s event, sponsored by Toys “R” Us, will be honorary chairs Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich. All proceeds from the event benefit the national advocacy organization Autism Speaks. Call 538-9543 or e-mail dporrazzo@autismspeaks.org for info, tickets or volunteer opportunities. 2401 Ontario St. http://www.autismspeaks.org.

SPONSORED: Omar Tyree, Author of 15 Novels, will launch Cleveland Public Library’s Writers and Readers 2008-2009 Series on Sun 9/28 at 2PM. (No admission fee, open to the public.) Located at the Main Library, Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium, E. 6th and Superior. His visit is also part of CPL’s Urban Experience Summit 2008. Seating is first-come, first-served. www.cpl.org.

Ohio Department of Development Economic Development Strategic Plan They’ve got one, and it should be of interest to residents of NEO. The Plan is said to fulfill a mission of changing the trajectory of Ohio’s economy. The ODOD is seeking to work collaboratively with all regional stakeholders and partners to purposefully redesign Ohio’s business climate — all in an effort to increase the global competitiveness of Ohio’s businesses. Learn more Mon 9/29 at 8:30AM at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University, 1717 Euclid Ave. To view or download a copy of their full plan, visit http://www.strategicplan.development.ohio.gov.

Eat Local Challenge The Market Cafe and Wine Bar is up to the challenge. Bon Appetit Management company’s “Eat Local Challenge” is Tue 9/30 at lunchtime. Each station of the cafe will offer at least one dish prepared entirely from local ingredients (those grown within 150 mile radius from the cafe). Details at http://www.themarketcafeandwinebar.com.

HOT Cardinals, feat. Ryan Adams perform this Tue 9/30 at 8:30PM at PlayhouseSquare. Cardinals are the backing band and current project of the alt-country star and former Whiskeytown frontman Adams, a Grammy nominee who has proved himself to be “beyond prolific” as a songwriter as of late. Touring in anticipation of a new fall long-player, the group’s gig is a one-night only opportunity. Call 241-6000 or visit http://www.playhousesquare.org.

Local Author Night An array of local authors will descend on Joseph-Beth for a night of book discussions and signings Tue 9/30 at 7PM. Join poet Dennis Stanfield, who authored of A Walk Through My Mind, Tanya Pilumeli, author of the young adult novel The Dragonfly Keeper, Debbie Alferio author of the fiction novel, Waiting for Tomorrow and Kimberly Faith Brown author of the fiction novel, And Still, They Wait. The holidays are coming; books by local authors make great gifts. http://www.josephbeth.com.

What Women (Really) Want Can the McCain-Palin or Obama-Biden tickets really make government more responsive to the concerns and needs of American women? Can there be a “Women’s Agenda” that advances women’s rights? Join this panel discussion on Wed 10/1 at 7:30PM at the Max Wohl Civil Liberties Center, 4506 Chester Avenue and find out. http://www.ACLUohio.org.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Joel Smirnoff
President, Cleveland Institute of Music

Joel Smirnoff laughs easily. The new President of Cleveland Institute of Music has played with the Julliard String Quartet for 22 years, and served as the first violin for the past 11 years. Smirnoff loves new violins (the old ones are “known quantities”) and new music, and has played blues and jazz, winning a Grammy for his playing with Tony Bennett. His wife, acclaimed violinist Joan Kwuon, who plays the 1735 “Mary Portman” Guarneri del Gesu, studied at CIM and they are both happy to settle here in Cleveland after whirlwind careers in NYC. Smirnoff also appreciates the intimate CIA, where he thinks young students may be able to “intensively focus” on their music studies without the distractions he saw in NYC. He raves about Keith Fitch, the new head of composition at CIA, and looks forward to the close relationship with the Cleveland Orchestra which he knows from his days growing up listening to them on the Cleveland Orchestra radio network. Welcome Joel! http://www.CIM.edu

SPONSORED: FITTech Alert – Network Security Your anti-virus is updated, your data is backed up, your spam filter is monitoring email, and your firewall is operational. But is your business really protected? In today’s environment you may need more. You need to check the access points into your network. Where are the access doors and windows—are they protected against intrusion? Call us for a network security assessment to see how safe your business is. Learn more at http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/video/networkFIT.html.

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

Mayor Jackson, city did all it could to keep Eaton Corp. downtown. Click
Ohio’s Economic Development Strategic Plan is interesting reading. Find it here
NatCity gets punked on two different stock indexes. Ouch!
Tell Congress “No Blank Check” on Wall Street bailout: taxpayers should reap profits, CEOs should pay… Sign Petition
The job hunt gets harder according to the stats found here and here
GREEN GreenCityBlueLake compiles great green jobs info on their site page found here
Ohio leads the nation in Advanced Energy Project Growth. Click
GREEN NEO Bioscience Job Fair is a great way to connect employers, educators, and job seekers to view a kaleidoscope of career opportunities. Click
GREEN Retailer Discount Drug Mart brightens shopping experience with energy-saving GE Lamps! Switch On!
Akron-Canton Airport has another record-breaking month their second best ever. Click
Speaking of CAK, What kind of traveling hat do you wear? The airport (and Cool Cleveland) wants to know! Click

Michael Lagoni and his 20-something colleagues have started a local chapter of Minds Matter with a $30K grant from the Civic Innovation Lab, assisting high-achieving high school students from low-income families gain admission to undergraduate programs at top colleges using mentors to coach students on application writing, study habits and the college admission process. http://www.mindsmatter.org/chapter_cleveland.asp

Small Biz Diversity Event This Fri 9/26 at 8:30AM the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, the City of Cleveland and RTA are sponsoring a supplier diversity event to teach minority-led business owners how to earn business from large companies and organizations. The event coincides with the opening of the RTA HealthLine and kicks off at East Mount Zion Baptist Church, 9990 Euclid Ave. The meeting will be the region’s first collaborative supplier diversity event held by some of Cleveland’s premier medical institutions. http://www.clevelandclinic.org/diversity.

GREEN The Downtown Cleveland Alliance found eco-friendly cleaning products manufactured right here in Cleveland by State Chemical to tackle a variety of graffiti, stickers, gum, and sidewalk stains. The products keep the city clean, protect the environment and support local business. That’s what we here at CC like to see. Eco-friendly cleaning products from State Chemical can be found http://www.statechemical.com.

Kristie Van Auken
MyTravelingHat.com ticket giveaway
Akron-Canton Airport

Kristie Van Auken, marketing director at the Akron-Canton Airport, finds herself donning her “picking-up-my-friend-at-the-airport” cap today as she discusses with Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready how convenient it is to pick up your friend at the airport. After an easy drive down I-77, you can relax in your car in a free waiting lot instead of driving around in circles at the big airport. If your friend is hit with an unexpected delay, you can go inside to enjoy plush leather seating or leave your cell phone number with the information desk and hit the Strip just 2 exits south of CAK. When your friend’s flight arrives, she’ll give you a buzz and you can swing by the front of the terminal, pick ‘er up and be on your way in minutes. Kristie thinks you will agree that picking up a friend at the airport is nice and easy at CAK. Plus, anyone can enter the “My Traveling Hat” contest to win two round-trip tickets on AirTran Airways! www.MyTravelingHat.com

2008 NanoMedicine Summit drops into Cle on Thu 9/25 and Fri 9/26. Learn more and register here
GREEN 3rd Ann NEO Energy Conf Learn energy cost-cutting/savings strategies, help save on bottom line and learn ESPs and MROs on Tue 9/30. Details
6th Ann Medical Innovation Summit This amazing three-day event starts Mon 11/10 and runs through midweek. Jim Tobin, Pres/ CEO of Boston Scientific headlines. Learn about it all here

Bioneers 2008 You meant to come last year and let it slip. Don’t let it happen again. Bioneers is truly a place where it is impossible not to be inspired; to find the resources and colleagues to create the change everyone is talking about. This is where you find out how to do your part by listening to and touring and networking with amazing organizations and individuals who have rolled up there sleeves and done the work. Be there to take one of 9 tours, attend some of the 16 local workshops, listen to the 15 national speakers brought from the headwaters conference in California (http://www.bioneers.org), practice yoga, NIA, Tai Chi and PARTY!! Daily sessions begin at 9am and continue until 6PM. Catch The Wave Fri 10/16 6-8PM: see a cutting-edge Eco-Fashion Show and dine on gourmet local eats and drinks (cash bar). Sat 10/17 from 7:30 – 9:30PM, attend the second Home Grown Folk Music Concert featuring local favorites Beth Gatchell, Pete McDonald, Hal Walker and Rebecca Wohlever. This leading edge forum is held at The Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, CSU. Get all the details and register for one, two or all three days at http://www.gcbl.org/bioneers.

SPONSORED: Be the Plus – and Win Two Continental Airlines Tickets! Cleveland Plus wants to see your enthusiasm for the region. The “Be the Plus” online contest gives you a chance to do just that. To enter, request or download a “+” sign from www.clevelandplus.com/betheplus or create an imaginative “+” sign; capture yourself or friends on camera with the plus as they enjoy a favorite event, happening or place in Northeast Ohio; and upload the video or picture with a brief testimonial to www.clevelandplus.com/betheplus by Sept. 30.

Exciting Careers in the 21st Century… Needs You!

Is your company or nonprofit organization concerned about Northeast Ohio’s brain drain? Then be a part of Exciting Careers in the 21st Century, an up-close, interactive engagement that allows college-motivated students to explore an exciting lineup of new careers that suits their interests and talents. Students will take part in real-world demonstrations of technology and innovations from companies and organizations across area, and yours could be one of them. Some of the on-site demonstrations already scheduled feature hot majors and career fields: CSI forensics, engineering, manufacturing, software design and development, video gaming, 3-D visualizations, biotechnology, medical imaging, digital communications and more. Highlights include inventions and applied research demonstrations from Cleveland State’s accomplished faculty. Student teams will compete in Nintendo Wii and Guitar Hero games for prizes.

By showcasing the latest technology and innovations from leading organizations in Northeast Ohio, high school, community college and four-year college students throughout the area can discover what it takes to be part of the new technologies that will help them prepare and make informed career decisions about their future. Last year, more than 500 students attended this event. If your company would like to show off its technological wares or if you need a great group of motivated students as a test group for new products, please contact Nancy Edwards-Grady at Cleveland State’s Career Services Center at 687-2233 or visit http://www.csuohio.edu/career.

Exciting Careers in the 21st Century takes place on Fri 10/3 from 9AM – 2PM in Cleveland State University’s Physical Education Building (Woodling Gym), 2451 Euclid Ave.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Susan Petrone susanATtheinkcasino.com

SPONSORED: A World of Opportunities Go global with help from The Global Business Center at CSU. The Center offers an undergraduate and graduate Certificate in Global Business to assist you in building a successful career in global business. Through TARGET, a year-long global business training and mentorship program, we assist SMEs in developing their organization’s global business capabilities. Our REACH program is designed to assist more experienced suppliers, service firms and manufacturers in Northeast Ohio design a comprehensive global strategy. The Global Business Center has been recognized by the state of Ohio and the U.S. Department of Education for its innovative education programs, research and related business services. Take advantage of the cost-effective education, market research and business consulting services offered by the Global Business Center by calling 216.687.4750 or email gbc@csuohio.edu. Info at www.csuohio.edu/business/global.

Defending the Indefensible

Juvenile Court Judge Alison Nelson Floyd recently made a horribly wrong call that ultimately resulted in the death of a teenager. When the 17-year-old, that currently stands accused of killing the other teen, appeared in Judge Floyd’s courtroom the day before the shooting, his probation officer and mother supposedly begged Judge Floyd to lock the youth up for the safety of the community. Instead, Judge Floyd again released him.

One can reasonably suspect that the mother might have been in fear of her own son, the thugs that he was hanging out with, or rival gang members who knew where she and her son lived. With her son locked up perhaps she would have been able to better sleep nights. Living in fear of one’s own personal safety is no doubt pure hell.

The question reverberating around the county — and perhaps by now even the country — is why? Why didn’t Judge Floyd simply listen to the people who knew the teenager best, and do what they requested? By ignoring their pleas, she undermined the authority of both an officer of the court and a parent. But there could be more to this story than immediately meets the eye…
Read more from Mansfield Frazier here

A Clevelander Explores the Alaskan Frontier

When people ask me about our trip to Alaska this summer, I tell them the land is big, beautiful, and wild, and the people are resilient. It feels like the frontier. In fact, it is the frontier. With 600,000 people in a territory 2.3 times the size of Texas, Alaska is mostly wilderness. The Alaska Highway traverses through Anchorage and Fairbanks and up to Prudhoe Bay, but 40% of Alaskans have no access to roadways and must use dog sleds, bush planes and boats to travel; no roads go in or out of Juneau or many of the other towns in Alaska. Native American and Russian cultures permeate a place slow to change in a place where permafrost lies below the surface, glacier-spread mountains cover vast expanses of the land, and fish remains a major food source in a place almost surrounded by water.

In 1796, the swampy floodplain at the mouth of the Cuyahoga was the frontier. By the time of the 1832 cholera epidemic, only 600 people lived here — it was a frontier because it was remote, much as Alaska is today. General Moses Cleaveland oversaw the settlement on part of the Western Reserve tract of the Northwest Territory granted to the State of Connecticut, which was populated by Native Americans; Alaska’s native population is evident. (Check out Cleveland: A Concise History, 1796-1996 (the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History) by Carol Poh Miller and Robert Anthony Wheeler). The first settler in Cleveland was Lorenzo Carter, who built a log cabin on the banks of the Cuyahoga River; we saw log cabins all along the Chena River and in downtown Fairbanks. Native American populations and culture were obliterated by epidemic diseases, violence, displacement and intermarriage…

Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

This week’s most active post on BrewedFreshDaily.com

“One of my first posts,” writes Toni Chanakas, “was my ‘Job Hunt’ back in February…I have been so positive in trying to obtain a new opportunity because I am an extravert, I love talking to people and I am not afraid of putting myself out there. Hence, networking was my ticket to a new rewarding position. A few people, I know found wonderful opportunities just that way. ‘What aren’t you talking to people, some would say?’ ‘Or, I go to a new networking event EVERY DAY.’ Now we are into September, and I have had interviews, one that I thought I was going to get because I was so proactive in finding the opportunity. Bad, I put all of my eggs in one basket. I finally believe what some people have been telling me, ‘It is the economy.’ ‘Don’t take it personally.’ Right or wrong, it has been a very challenging experience for me…”

Read and add your comment here

A Little Book Loving
Reading as a Public Display of Affection

I looked around the bus on my way to the Park-N-Ride today and noticed that about half the riders were reading, a fourth were plugged into audio, and another fourth were napping or resting their eyes. Most of the people reading were reading novels. They say people aren’t reading books anymore. Have you been in a bookstore today? They are full of people. Amazon.com and other web shopping connections make it easy to get a book.

In the places where I live my life, like the bus, people are reading. I said to the woman beside me, “we should start an RTA rider book exchange.” She laughed, but she thought there was some truth in what I suggested. Think about it—we could have space on the bus, maybe in the rack on top, where people put their used books and can choose the next one they’ll read. It would be completely on the honor system. We could leave notes in the books, things like, “I really liked the comic relief Falstaff provided,” or “Harry Potter seems younger than 17 in this book in the series” or “do you think there really is a ‘secret’?” The questions would cause us pause, get us to think…

Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

Links to interesting NEO blogs

Jones Day sues BlockShopper.com for taking its name in vain on the internet.
Ghoulardifest will be held 10.17-19.
Community allows us to live out our values.
The Youngstown Business Incubator is almost single-handedly… responsible for Federal Street’s resurgence.
An Open Letter to Cleveland’s Leaders to get their act together from a Gen Y blogger.
Cleveland ranks #1 for Local Foods according to SustainLane.

Jambo
The Terry Barrett Band
Dharma Bell Records

Admit it, you’re clutching to the end of summer. I am, no doubt about it. I mean, really, where the heck did it go so fast? I didn’t get to nearly the number of baseball games, picnics or tiki bars… did you? Prolong a bit of that summery magic just a little but longer with a local foursome called The Terry Barrett Band. They’re an upbeat, island-minded quorum that relishes upbeat positivity, multi-culti inspiration and infectious island grooves. After spinning Jambo it’s hard not to think about how Johnny Clegg & Savuka and Rusted Root — spiced with a little Radio Margaritaville — propels their very best tracks. “Tangerine Moon” and “A Simple Plan” are the clear highlights on this 42-minute gem; both are tangy, breezy and beach-minded cuts with Key West flair and chiming guitar underpinnings. Ever so slightly tribal, other cuts like “Righteous Man,” “Thorn in My Heart” and “Black & White” are nice attention grabbers. Barrett (vocals/guitars) and his band are fun, upbeat, family-friendly and keep the warmth from July lingering for these ears. I’ll be excited to hear the new disc they’re starting this fall. It’s likely to at least be as good as this one… now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m done. I’m going to snag a Corona and go sit in a lounge chair somewhere warm. Listen to audio clips here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/tbarrettband.

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

Who knew writing about classical music could be a contact sport? Evidently it is as witnessed by the terse announcement buried at the top of p. 3 of last Sunday’s arts section of the Plain Dealer that nationally respected classical music critic Donald Rosenberg would no longer be reviewing Cleveland Orchestra concerts. Rosenberg’s reassignment to general arts and entertainment reporting seems to be in response to Orchestra boosters who can’t hear anything wrong with Franz Welser-Most’s leadership. Does that mean that Rosenberg’s replacement, Zachary Lewis, must now mind his manners or get knocked from the ring as well…?

Read more from Laura Kennelly here

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

The Town Pants @ Stampers 09/18 What a revelation! Friends invited us out to Stampers Grill Pub on Lorain, where Jim Stamper books quality music, often with an Irish flair, for a “Halfway To St. Paddy’s Day” concert by The Town Pants after witnessing their legendary recent gigs at Put-In-Bay and the Great Blue Heron Music Festival in Sherman, NY. Hailing from Vancouver, BC, these feisty youngsters race between trad Irish folk tunes featuring the Keogh Brothers, Dave & Duane on banjo & acoustic guitar, with mohawk-spiked fiddle by Kyle Tayler, and Aaron Chapman on tin whistle, to run-amok punk fired by the bare-handed Mo Sherwood on djembe-fueled drum set and Dino DiNicolo on 5-string bass. Watch the vid to see the musicality for yourself. No wonder fans visited Cleveland from Pittsburgh to catch their gig, and others came from far & wide, staying at nearby motels just to check out this hot combo up close. Watch for them to return, with a Cleveland fan club! www.TheTownPants.com and Stamper’s Grill Pub

Urinetown @ Beck Center 9/12 It’s back, and it’s good: Urinetown: The Musical opened at the Beck over the previous weekend, and plays through October 12. Matthew Wright wins you over right away, playing a cheekily irreverent part with (gasp) cheeky irreverence. Colin James Cook’s straight- arrow Bobby Strong provides exactly the right straightmanship, if that’s the word. The show is, in short, an excellent piece of musical theater…
Read more from Marcus Bales here

2008 Cleveland Women’s Show, I-X Center, 9/12 – 9/14 When I arrived at the Cleveland Women’s Show at the I-X Center, I noticed it was abuzz with products and services for every woman’s need. There were booths dedicated to heath care, spas, jewelry, fertility and even non-fertility. There was a lot of excitement around the Cleveland Firefighter’s Fashion Show, starring hunky guys of every size, shape and color. And the women showed their appreciation with melodic cat calls and thunderous applause. (After the show, the men walked though the I-X Center like they owned the place – and women waved and flirted with the newfound celebs.) Another hit of the conference included the Hematite Booth (jewelry made from volcanic lava, rich in minerals, boasting healing properties), selling more than they’d ever sold at a three-day show. And finally, the most innovative product that I spotted throughout the weekend was the Miche Bag, this company sports a clever handbag that comes with changeable magnetic outer “shells” – to match every outfit in a women’s closet. from Cool Cleveland contributor TL Champion http://www.IXcenter.com

The Glass Menagerie @ Cleveland Play House 9/18 Some people can never become accustomed to the place and time in which they find themselves. Somewhere in the past was so much better or happier or comfortable that only memories of that time can support them. Such is the story of Amanda Wingfield, a slightly-faded Southern belle, now reduced to living in a tenement in St. Louis with only a son and daughter for company. The Glass Menagerie is one of the earlier plays by Tennessee Williams, and his first real hit. Amanda once had a husband, but (in one of the greatest lines ever) ‘he fell in love with long distance’ and disappeared from the family’s life…
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

The Glass Menagerie @ Cleveland Play House 9/20 THE GLASS MENAGERIE, now on stage at the Cleveland Play House, was Tennessee Williams’ first successful professional play. In spite of the fact that theatre critics are often maligned, Williams’ career as one of America’s greatest modern playwrights may never have taken place if not for two determined Chicago reviewers…
Read more from Roy Berko here

Caroline, Or Change @ Karamu House 9/20 On the surface, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, now being co-produced by Dobama and Karamu at the Karamu Performing Arts Center facility, is a glimpse at a personal childhood experience of author Tony Kushner. The musical centers on Caroline Thibodeaux, a divorced, middle-aged African-American, $30 a week maid, who works for a Jewish family in the suburban enclave of Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 1963. Caroline is resistant to the sweep of change she sees around her…
Read more from Roy Berko here

Cool Cleveland readers write

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

On Cool Cleveland’s perceived political bent I enjoy receiving your newsletter, promoting cultural, artistic, and entertaining events happening in Cleveland. I even promote some of the events in the Church Bulletin I edit for St. Stanislaus Church. However, and this is my opinion, I think we can do without the political commentary! There are many people like myself who are not on the left side of the political spectrum and still love our city and promote it. I’m sure most of your audience is hip and trendy and prone to be Democrat. But there are many people, who are not as hip, but still enjoy Cleveland Culture in a more conservative manner. Probabably a whole lot of us! (We have elected a couple of Republican Mayors from this town). Bottom line — I love the newsletter, the politics turns people of the opposite persuasion off. I think you would want to reach the widest possible audience you can. Just my opinion! Keep up the good work. From Cool Cleveland reader Bogdan Pieniak bpieniakATameritech.net.

Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com

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

1) Cool Cleveland party at Ray’s for Civic Innovation Lab’s 5th b-day at Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park
Party info and Online discount tickets

2) Cool Cleveland party at CMNH to network & celebrate the RACE exhibition.
Party info and Online discount tickets

3) Ohio City Blues & Brews was sweet. Get ready for Wine Tasting 10/23.
OhioCity.com

4) Straight Outta Mansfield The Tonya Harding School of Politics.
CoolCleveland.com

5) Community Partnership for Arts and Culture releases findings of a recent constituent survey. 2nd week in Top 5!
CPACbiz.org

Gettin’ Outta Dodge Thanks to the lovely and talented Hard Corps, we’re gettin’ out a bit & unpluggin’. Hopefully you’ll find something in this week’s labored-over ish to help you do the same. Cheers to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Mansfield B. Frazier, Claudia J. Taller, Susan Petrone, Jeannie Fleming-Gifford, Kelly Ferjutz, Linda Eisenstein, Roldo Bartimole, Marcus Bales and the Sandbridge Breakfast Club. And lastly, though certainly not least, thanks to our readers and everyone who partners with us. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com.

Download the Cool Cleveland podcasts and videos each week at http://www.CoolCleveland.com
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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: LettersATCoolCleveland.com
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–Thomas Mulready
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