December is one of our favorite months. Not only is it a fantastic party season in Cleveland, the weather is usually somewhat mild, and all our prodigal sons return to spend the holidays with their families. The big bonus is all the cultural activities teed up for you and your family this month. And to top it off, Cool Cleveland throws our own shindig (see below), on 12/14 at Fat Fish Blue. We'll see you there! –Thomas Mulready

Helen Welch
Since Helen Welch moved to Cleveland from London, she has released a CD, One Dream, with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and this month she performs Swingin' Christmas at Carousel Dinner Theatre on Mon 12/4 and Mon 12/11, then her show Jingle Bell Swing at the Palace Theatre on Sun 12/17 at 3PM, both shows featuring a 10-piece big band and the 40-member Walsh Jesuit Show Choir. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready caught her bubbling British personality in this video interview. http://www.HelenWelch.com

1) AP Gushes over CLE as destination A positive and important bit of feedback from the Associated Press, who rarely hand out kudos like this every day. http://www.smh.com.au/news/Technology/CYBERTRIPS-Have-a-good-time-in-and-around-Cleveland/2006/10/17/1160850888800.html

2) Cool Cleveland Video Interview with Dan Gilbert owner of Quicken Loans and the Cleveland Cavaliers, on his dot-com start-ups, their cool corporate culture, and why Gilbert likes Mulready's hat. WIN: http://www.CoolCleveland.com/files/video/DanGilbert.wmv, MAC: http://www.CoolCleveland.com/files/video/DanGilbert.mov

3) A Steelyard Paradox Controversial Steelyard Commons is set to open soon, placing Home Depot, Target, Wal-Mart in the valley where steel mills once stood, Cool Cleveland examines this sign of the times. Cool Cleveland Comment Steelyard Paradox

4) NEO libraries rule American Public Library Ratings by Hennen's are in, and NEO libraries topped virtually every category. For libraries over 500K population, Cuyahoga County Public Library is #1. More stats here: http://www.haplr-index.com/ALProofHAPLR_2006.pdf

5) The Cleveland Store CSU prof and Urban Affairs Dean Mark Rosentraub, proposes that CLE build a series of "stores" in immigrant hotspots to attract our nextgen entrepreneurs and then interviews about it. http://coolcleveland.com/index.php?n=Main.CoolClevelandCommentTheClevelandStoreAndImmigration, WIN: http://www.CoolCleveland.com/files/video/MarkRosentraub.wmv, MAC: http://www.CoolCleveland.com/files/video/MarkRosentraub.mov

On Cool Cleveland's new design
the new look is really eye-catching (and no, it doesn't make your butt look big). also, wanted to thank you for the election guide, it really helped a lot. yay for the arts [Issue 18]! yay for smoke-free-ohio! yay yay yay! from Cool Cleveland reader Lisa Green

On Steelyard Commons I'm glad we now have an opportunity to purchase what we need without leaving the neighborhood. Plus, I think Steelyard Commons is an awesome reuse of space! from Cool Cleveland reader Sandy Smith



Saturday, December 2

  • Northside Arts and Cultural District Art Walk Bundle up and hit Akron for an evening of art, entertainment and refreshments. Visit 12 or more locations and enter to win an original artwork. Call 330-253-8050 for more info.

Sunday, December 3

  • University Holiday CircleFest CC KIDS Day of seasonal music, gift shopping, workshops, refreshments from 1 - 5:30PM. Sample UC museums of gardens at no charge. http://www.UniversityCircle.org.

Wednesday, December 6

  • Warehouse Dist Holiday Tour Great CLE neighborhood food paired with (self-)guided tours, and festive performances by "Dickens' Carolers" and Prayer Warriors. http://www.WarehouseDistrict.org.

Saturday, December 9

  • Defrag 2006 "Linking Ohio's Rich Media Resources & Renegades" is subject of a full day of forums, presentations and workshops focused on the future of digital media industries in Ohio. Cleveland Institute of Art, 11610 Euclid Ave.

Tuesday, December 12

  • Saving Our Shoreline Discover how/why erosion occurs, learn about successful erosion control and financing at 7PM. Wasmer Auditorium, Lakewood Hospital, 14519 Detroit Ave. http://LakewoodAlive.com.

Thursday, December 14

  • CC's Holidaze Hullabaloo Everyone's invited to Cool Cleveland's infamous x-mas party, complete with open bar, unlimited buffet and off-the-hook entertainments. See below. http://www.CoolCleveland.com.

Saturday, December 16

  • A Hip-Hop AESOP HOT Written by NY Drama Desk Award winner Je Franklin and composed by Sheryl Robinson Pattilo. Talented local actors and poets put a slam-poetry/hip-hop twist on classic Aesop fables. http://www.Karamu.com.

Sunday, December 17

  • Jingle Bell Swing Brit vocalist Helen Welch, now calls NEO home and has developed a large fan base with regular performances at Carousel Dinner Theatre, Nighttown, and other local jazz clubs. She makes her Playhouse Square Center debut at 3PM. http://www.PlayhouseSquare.org.

Thursday, December 21

  • Festival of Lights Light up the darkest day of the year and learn why many cultures observe seasonal days of celebration during Dec. Enjoy a feast, a winter walk through a woods at 6PM. Call 330-657-2796 x100 or visit http://www.cvnpa.org.

Tuesday, December 26

  • Emerging Cleveland Tours Book your visiting relatives on a tour that will have them lickin' their chops and wondering why they ever left home on Tue 12/26 and Wed 12/27 at 10AM. http://www.EmergingCleveland.com.

Holidaze Hullabaloo 12/14

With Fat Fish Blue as the hosts of our next Cool Cleveland holiday party, you know you can count on a maxified par-tay with all the the delicious ingredients from the Big Easy! Join us Thu 12/14 from 5:30-8:30PM. MAP

You get all this:

  • Unlimited Louisiana Cajun buffet
  • Open bar with beer and wine
  • Hot Chocolate Peppermint Schnapps drink special
  • Swamp pop with Cats On Holiday
  • Party late with the Gaetano Letizia Band
  • iPod giveaway

Ticket prices go up every week, so score now by clicking here:
https://CoolCleveland.net/tickets/121406/index.php

How do you win a video iPod? Introduce a friend to Cool Cleveland and each of you will be eligible to win a top-of-the-line Video iPod compliments of Cool Cleveland. No purchase necessary. Enter at the party tonight, or enter as many friends as you wish by clicking here. The more friends you enter, the greater your chances of winning. Sign up by going here.

Win a Video iPod!
Subscribe to the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-blast, and you’re automatically entered to win a top-of-the-line Video iPod! Perfect for downloading Cool Cleveland’s video interviews, podcasts and Kids podcasts.
To enter, visit:
(:divend:)