07.22-07.29.09
Eating Cleveland

In this week's issue:

We don't care what you eat. As long as you're eating healthy and you're eating Cleveland. Once again, Cool Cleveland tips you off to the coolest stuff to stuff your face (and head) with: this week we feature a guide to area farmer's markets, a rock 'n roll BBQ, and four books on this week's theme. Roldo blueprints the history of tax abatements, and Mansfield opines on chronic tardiness. Walk+Roll rolls into both Detroit Shoreway and Slavic Village, and we announce our next Cool Cleveland event with Adoption Network Cleveland on Sat 8/8: a bowling party in Parma. Now if that doesn't sound fun, I'll eat my hat. --Thomas Mulready

Have fun with Thomas Bowlready
At Adoption Network Cleveland's Lanes for Change on 08.08

How fun is this? Join your fellow Cool Clevelanders on Sat 8/8 at Freeway Lanes in Parma as Cool Cleveland teams up with Adoption Network Cleveland for Lanes For Change 2009, giving you the opportunity to meet Thomas Bowlready, bowl a few games and have a blast.

No ordinary fund-raiser, Lanes For Change supports the good work of Adoption Network Cleveland as they change lives and create futures, with a cool bowling party featuring:

Put together your own team, bring the family, or just show up ready to bowl with official mascot Thomas Bowlready (shoes are provided at no charge) from 9:30AM to noon on Sat 8/8 at Freeway Lanes at 12859 Brookpark Road in Parma. Get the details at: http://www.www.AdoptionNetwork.org/coolcleveland.

Click to WIN Haven't picked up the new Apple iPhone 3GS yet? We're OK with that.

Get this: We're giving away the new iPhone or an iPod simply by clicking on the SPONSORED: links and Sponsored Videos in this week's issue of CoolCleveland.com below. Click as many times as you want. The more different links you click, the better your chances of winning. Click below and best of luck! Click to WIN

SPONSORED: An adventure in your own backyard More families are staying close to Cleveland this summer. Why not make it an adventure and visit the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for their two cool summer exhibits: Surviving: The Body of Evidence, with interactive activities examining human evolution; and Visions of Galapagos, blending the colorful art of Cleveland Heights resident and autistic artist Seth Chwast with the observations of the famous naturalist Charles Darwin. Plus, T-Rex is now on permanent exhibit at CMNH! Get your summer fun info at http://www.CMNH.org

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President Obama is headed to Shaker Heights tomorrow and the deets are here
The end of an era at Mike's Barn? Read his latest newsletter here
Euclid Ave. is now Cherry Tree Lane from Public Square to E. 17th St! Click
Local cook/author Michael Ruhlman tweets that Ratio iPhone app could be out by this fall. Beta-testing?
GREEN Public transportation saves 398 million gallons of fuel each year. So use your melon... and RTA
Phantasy Niteclub spared in a fire last week that decimated the Attic thrift shop in Lakewood Deets
CSU Day at Cedar Point is coming up; good deal on tix here
We're big fans of the Eating Cleveland blog and if you don't read it yet, click here
Also fond of Cleveland Foodie and she blogs about the city's nosh here
And to complete the foodie trifecta, if you don't read the Chef's Widow blog you don't know what you're missing

Money Magazine tabbed Wooster as 20th-most affordable place to live in the country, citing median home price ($104,500) and median family income p/y ($61,793) as the reason. Click.

Did your 09/10 marketing plan just kick in? Don't forget to include Cool Cleveland sponsored links and videos. Info@CoolCleveland.com.

GREEN Civic Innovation Lab's latest lab champs are green ones! Michael Dungan and Stephanie Spear each awarded $30K for BeeDance and Expedite Renewable Energy, respectively. Congrats!

HOT Cool Cleveland is hiring We're looking for a great writer who is connected to the cool stuff in town and can meet deadlines. You know who you are. Info@CoolCleveland.com

SPONSORED: Performance and Literary Artists: $20K fellowships available The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture invites you to learn about a new opportunity for professional artists in Cuyahoga County - the Creative Workforce Fellowship. Learn about eligibility for this $20,000 fellowship, generously funded by Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, by attending one of five upcoming workshops. Click here for details! http://www.cpacbiz.org/business/CWF.shtml

Kevin Cronin & Jo Wasik are power users who know how to take advantage of the Cleveland Public Library's full range of services. Kevin likes to log on with his library user ID, orders his books online and picks them up at a branch conveniently located on his way home.

Jo doesn't even read books these days. She searches online at CPL.org for the books she wants, downloads the book in digital format from their eMedia collection, and reads them on her computer. She can renew the books online, and never pays late fees. Become a power user, and explore The People's University at a branch near you today. http://www.CPL.org

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: Watch these cool videos and get involved in Adoption Network Cleveland's Lanes For Change on Sat 8/8 from 9:30AM-noon at Freeway Lanes in Parma. First, watch the video interview with Drew Goddard, who, as a single guy at age 38 decided to start a family, and used Adoption Network Cleveland's Adoption Navigators to help him find his new sons Drew and Tony, also featured in the video. Then, watch the video of Thomas Bowlready's visit to Adoption Network Cleveland's office, as he prepares to join the bowling fun on Sat 8/8. http://www.www.AdoptionNetwork.org/coolcleveland.

Eatin' Good, Green & Local

Before kids, you may have eaten what you wanted, when you wanted, and how you wanted it (bring on the nacho cheese!). Then, along comes a munchkin and things change.

Suddenly, it becomes clear that if you want him or her to eat well, you are going to have to be an example...

Read more from Jeannie Fleming-Gifford here

SPONSORED: A Rhapsody on the Lawn! Imagine experiencing Gershwin's jazz-inspired Rhapsody in Blue with the kids on the Lawn at Blossom Music Center for The Cleveland Orchestra. And get this: no charge for kids 12 and under! Plus groove to Slaughter on Tenth Avenue and other jazz-tinged favorites while enjoying your favorite beverage and a your own picnic on the Lawn. Come early for a Wine Tasting Festival featuring 4 local wineries. Get tix by phone: 216-231-1111, at Severance Hall, at Blossom, or online: http://www.BlossomLawnFun.com

HELP 27th Irish Cultural Festival It's a three-day Celtic music extravaganza filled with dancers, workshops, exhibitions, pipe bands, great nosh and more! Hit the Cuyahoga Country Fairgrounds starting Fri 7/24 and running through the weekend. If the weather holds, this long-standing Cle tradition is worth a ride out to Berea for. Proceeds benefit Holy Family Home and the Make a Wish Foundation (both great charities). Details, tix, info and schedules at http://www.ClevelandIrish.org.

Walk+Roll: Detroit Shoreway / Gordon Square See "This Week" or learn more here.

HOT GREEN Sand Sculpture Workshop & Beach Clean-up Arts Collinwood and other local groups and residents come together Sat 7/25 from noon - 10PM to get Villa Angela Beach lakefront state park (at Lakeshore Blvd and E. 174th St) for a day full of art and outdoor preservation on the lake! Found-objects fun, sculpture workshops, a campfire, food, fun, prizes and a cool sunset are just the beginning. Family friendly fun with a positive message. http://www.ArtsCollinwood.org.

HOT Strawbale City! Come build the first strawbale greenhouse in Cleveland at Vel's Purple Oasis Farm this Sat 7/25 and Sun 7/26 Located at 10837 Frank Ave. in Cleveland, this supercool event is geared at folks of all ages! Come and check out this great learning experience; stay for the whole weekend and help folks out with building... not to mention learning how to build one yourself! Or just come at any time to observe; that's OK with the organizers, too! Details here.

Cycle Canalway See "This Week" or learn more here.

Walk+Roll: Slavic Village / Broadway See "This Week" or learn more here.

BAYarts presents Moko Bovo In appreciation for the support of the arts in greater Cleveland S.A.L.T.* (Sustainable Arts Leaders Talks) BAYarts presents the "old school" and Neo-Soul sounds replete with global grooves that tracie soul from the states back to Africa, Brazil, and Caribbean on Sun 7/26 from 7 - 9:30PM. This no cost, open to the public concert event takes place across from Huntington Beach in the Cleveland Metroparks. Gratis parking, along with great beverages, boxed picnics and more available from Vento Trattoria right nearby. Part of a great summer live music series; details here.

SPONSORED: "King in its field" "...for 3 decades," according to Plain Dealer critic Donald Rosenberg, who's seen it all. What was he referring to? Why, the Ohio Light Opera in Wooster, which has all 7 productions in this year's season up and running from now through Sat 8/8. Take your pick of classics like Offenbach's The Beautiful Helen of Troy, or Victor Herbert's Mlle. Modiste, or Gilbert & Sullivan's Ruddigore, all presented with professional cast and staging in the delightful surroundings of Wooster, just an hour's drive from Cleveland, with fine dining, shopping and charming overnight accommodations. 330-263-2345, www.OhioLightOpera.org.

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

You should save the date for COSE's Small Biz Conference Talk about valuable! Details
Managing Conflict in the Workplace Learn the five basic modes people use in dealing with conflict and learn successful conflict resolution Wed 7/22 from 8:30A - 4:30P. Register
GCIC's Breakfast Seminar Series on Thu 7/23 focuses on med tech and looks pretty cool to us
Crain's upcoming biz breakfast Supply Chain Strategies and Visibility hits this Wed 7/29 at the Ritz-Carlton. Register
Smart Business Live Akron w/Vicki Tifft Founder/CEO of Clinical Research Management on Thu 8/13 @ Tangier in Akron. RSVP
AMPLIFY Speaker Series highlights "education in action" Wed 8/26 at Corporate College East; details and reg here

SPONSORED: Summer is flying by! So why not plan a weekend getaway to Boston or NYC? You’ll save money doing it during AirTran Airways big sale! Fly nonstop from Akron-Canton Airport aboard comfy, new Boeing jets with in-flight Wi-Fi and business class seating on every flight. Or why not plan your winter getaway to Ft. Lauderdale or Ft. Myers? Nonstop service begins in November. Visit http://www.AirTran.com today. Sale ends Tuesday, July 28.

Rock & Roll with the Best of Cleveland's Barbecue

Get down and get sauced with the city's finest foodies and barbecue aficionados when Cleveland Food Rocks serves up its first ever Rock 'n Roll BBQ Throwdown Sunday, June 26 from 1 - 5PM in the tented parking lot at Beachland Ballroom. The purpose of the throwdown is simple: Eat some great BBQ, dig some great local bands and raise operational costs for Cleveland Food Rocks -- the non-profit, grassroots organization exclusively tasked with promoting the city's good eats.

"We're going to have an unbelievable list of restaurants and chefs doing some form of barbecue," Steve Schimoler, chef/owner of Crop Bistro and Cleveland Food Rocks organizer [center, with microphone] said. "The rule is no chef's coats allowed. It's going to be strictly t-shirts and flip-flops. This event is really for us..."

Read more from Cynthia Schuster Eakin here

SPONSORED: They flirt with a muse most concerned with ghosts, fever dreams, and love gone wrong. The "1930s punk" music of Squirrel Nut Zippers is a hybrid of Southern roots, blues and jazz playing at Cain Park this Sat 7/25. Call 216-371-3000, say you’re cool and your ticket is only $10! http://www.CainPark.com/concerts_list_jazz.asp

Drew Goddard was single, 38 years old, and wanted to become a dad. He worked as a teacher at Cleveland School of the Arts, so he was familiar with kids, but looked to Adoption Network Cleveland to help him through the process.

He worked with an Adoption Navigator who helped him with training and finding a match. When Devon entered his life, he knew he had found his calling. A year later, he went through the process again and met Tony, and now the three of them share a home and a family. Watch the video of Drew and his boys, and see for yourself how happy they are. Consider joining us at the upcoming Cool Cleveland bowling party Lanes For Change and support the good work of Adoption Network Cleveland. http://www.AdoptionNetwork.org

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Inside the Mind of a Terrorist: The Unabomber The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage hosts this intriguing event Wed 7/22 at 7PM. When a criminal case makes national headline and involves mental illness, Dr. Phillip J. Resnick, Director of Forensic Psychiatry at CASE School of Medicine is often called upon as a leading expert. Enter the mind of Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, as Dr. Resnick reveals his analysis of thousands of pages of documents, including Kaczynski's diaries and infamous manifesto. http://www.MaltzMuseum.org.

HOT Thursday Night Live Block Parties Starting with a kickoff Thu 7/23 from 5 - 9PM, soak up the after-work vibes of the Sparx Thursday Night Live (TNL) block party (repeating 7/30, 8/6, and 8/13). Hit W. 9th St. between Johnson Ct. and St. Clair for an open-air happy hour! Various West 9th restaurants and bars offer a uniform happy hour; live bands, a cornhole tournament and a movie at sunset are part of the fun. Deets here.

HOT GREEN Blue Pike Farm Peach and Barbecue Festival The 3rd Annual fest hits Thu 7/23 from 4 - 7PM at Blue Pike Farm's 900 E. 72nd St. location in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood [pictured]. Featuring fresh peaches from Wolf Family Farms, BBQ by Wild Bill's championship BarBQ team, musical guests Squeal'n Like A Pig, a car & truck parade and special pastries by Lucy's Sweet Surrender, ya can't go wrong. feat your heart, head and hearty appetite in the heart of the city. Call 373-9461 for more info. Info.

AHS 17th Annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium hits the Cleveland Botanical Garden Thu 7/23 - Sat 7/25. "Gardens can be a common denominator and model for living and growing together." So says the American Horticultural Society, which focuses on how gardens bring us together. Leading national children's and youth gardening experts, teachers, parents, volunteers, and youth explore how gardens bring together diverse communities and foster curiosity, wonder, beauty, understanding, and acceptance. Learn more at http://www.CBGarden.org.

Art On Wheels Benefit/CD Release Party Cleveland area acoustic duo 2 Men and a Campfire collaborates with local charity Art On Wheels for an evening of upbeat folk songs, food, entertainment, door prizes, raffle and more Thu 7/23 from 7 - 10PM at the Agora Ballroom, 5000 Euclid Ave. Tickets for the event are available here (click "CD Release Party"). http://www.2menandacampfire.com. http://www.AOWInc.com.

GREEN Much Abrew The Nature League of The Cleveland Museum of Natural History offers a private tour of the Great Lakes Brewing Company Thu 7/23 at 6PM. Learn how GLBC's award-winning microbrews are made while touring their brewhouse, tank farm, beer coolers and more. Space is limited; call 231-1177 or 800-317-9155, ext. 3279 to snag a spot on this coveted tour. 2516 Market Ave. Details at http://www.CMNH.org.

HELP Christmas Eve in July Baby Shower Sounds a bit confused, but this benefit for Providence House Fri 7/24 from 11AM - 2PM and 4 - 7PM promises great family fun for a great cause. The event includes pictures with Santa, face painting, a lemonade stand, baby shower cake and kids games. Each participant must bring at least one item from their wish list to join the fun; see that list and score details at http://www.ProvHouse.org. 2037 W. 32 St., Ohio City. Call 651-5982 ext. 226 for additional details.

Big Love Love is drama. At a coastal Italian villa, a quirky assortment of brides, grooms and other characters explore all the wacky facets of love starting Fri 7/24 at 8PM with convergence-continuum. Mayhem ensues: skinny-dipping in the fountains, dancing in drag and crazy love "connections" abound. Crazy brides, too? [pictured] Is there big love in Big Love ? We'd love to tell you, but this sounds like a production that needs to be witnessed to be believed... Liminis, 2438 Scranton Rd., Tremont. Info/duckets by calling 687-0074 or clicking http://www.convergence-continuum.org.

HOT Mount &'s/Land(e)scape Kathryn Widen, 2009 Graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art (BFA, Painting /Visual Culture) celebrates the opening of her new painting exhibition at Wooltex Gallery starting Fri 7/24 from 5 - 8PM with an Opening Reception. Expect incredible depth and perspective in Widen's landscapes; exhibition runs through late August. http://www.TheWooltexGallery.com. http://www.KatherineWiden.com/home.html.

Kent Blues Fest With a slate of no cost shows Fri 7/24 and a packed line-up the following day, Sat 7/25, this promises to be a great time for blues fans in NEO. Check out live performances by the Kidney Brothers, Frankie Starr, Robert Lockwood Jr.'s All-Star Band, Cleveland Fats, Colin John Band, Mike Lenz and headliners Mick Taylor and the Numbers band. Should be a riot! Check out schedule and details at http://www.KentBluesFest.com.

A Shot in the Dark Get active with this schedule of family friendly runs organized by Hermes Cleveland and sponsored by the Winking Lizard Tavern Sat 7/25. There are two- and four-mile courses to choose from; participation scores you access to some yummy treats, a beer garden, live music by the 80s tribute act Breakfast Club and more! We'll let them tell you the rest.

Walk+Roll: Detroit Shoreway / Gordon Square Walk+Roll Cleveland is rocking it out in all of the great neighborhoods this summer; in this installment of biking, walking, sk8ing and human-powered motion hits Sat 7/25 from 1 - 4PM! Nearly three miles of streets and paths are a part of this tour of a "transformative neighborhood" making waves and national news. Walk+Roll partners with the Detroit-Shoreway Community Development Organization on this special event and you can learn more here.

Cycle Canalway Bring your bike, your family and your friends for a festival in the Canalway and support the further development of the Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga County! Choose from a 23-mile leisurely bicycle ride complete with a trip on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, or a more family friendly, 10-mile jaunt to Thornburg Station Sat 7/25. A post-ride BBQ lunch with live entertainment, "goodie bags," a free t-shirt and chances at free stuff round out the event, which starts and ends at Morgan's Hollow Picnic Area (E. 49th St., just off I-77). Score deets at http://www.OhioCanal.org/CycleCanalway.htm.

Mike St. Jude & the Valentines One of Cleveland's unsung psychedelic soul-garage pop-rock acts celebrates the release of their second long player this Sat 7/25 at 9PM at The Happy Dog, with special guests Paper Airplanes (Columbus), Chief Bromide and Alan Madej. Grab a coupla cold ones and hit what promises to be a superfun gig. 5801 Detroit Ave. Read Peter Chakerian's review of their new release in this week's issue. http://www.MySpace.com/MikeStJude.

Squirrel Nut Zippers How would you describe a North Carolina band (as opposed to a Massachusetts candy) that mixes Southern roots traditions with blues and jazz and throws in a dash of swing? You might not be able to confine it to one genre, or conjure up quite the right adjectives, but you would definitely know this band when you heard it. Squirrel Nut Zippers, featuring original and founding members Katherine Whalen, Jimbo Mathis, Chris Phillips, Je Widenhouse and Stuart Cole, is bringing its unmistakable sound to Cain Park's Evans Amphitheater on Sat 7/25 at 8PM. http://www.CainPark.com.

Walk+Roll: Slavic Village / Broadway This installment of the walking/cycling/body movement event takes the Walk+Roll [pictured] aesthetic to an ambitious new height! Nearly eight miles of streets and paths will be used for this route which will include two Cleveland Metroparks, an inner-city golf course, a waterfall and history center, numerous new commercial and residential projects, public art projects, Cleveland Botanical Garden's community garden, bicycle polo, skateboard lessons, youth concerts and many historic churches. It hits Sun 7/26 from 1 - 4PM. Score details here.

HOT HELP GREEN Rock N' Roll BBQ Throwdown Cleveland Food Rocks delivers this tasty (on a number of levels) shindig Sun 7/26 from 1 - 5PM in the tented parking lot of the beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Rd., in the Collinwood neighborhood. Read Cynthia Eakin's feature in this week's CC to learn more. Tix and info: http://www.ClevelandFoodRocks.com.

HELP CSU Summer Stages is downtown's only summer theatre company performing three shows in a rotating repertory! They're doing a "flagship musical" Return to the Forbidden Planet by Bob Carlton, the 1977 Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning drama The Shadow Box, and Chekhov in Yaltaby by Jeffrey Haddow and John Driver. Their benefit performances offer each organization half of the night's ticket proceeds! On Sun 7/26, the Hospice of the Cleveland Clinic is the recipient. Learn about other benefactors and subsequent performances at http://SummerStages.Blogspot.com. Plan to attend great theatre for great causes.

HOT Cleveland Artists' Foundation Garden Party Party with panache Sun 7/26 and enjoy a (hopefully) bright July afternoon in an award-winning garden! Enjoy the exquisite setting and a respite from the sun on the large shaded terrace, as you enjoy delectable eats and a rustic barn full of art and other surprises. Deets and tickets here.

Cleveland International Piano Competition It's been called "American Idol for Classical Music Lovers." We're not sure about that, but the 34 pianists from around the world competing for a performance with The Cleveland Orchestra and a first prize cash award of $50K might disagree. The only thing missing is Ryan Seacrest. It starts Mon 7/27 and runs through early August at The Cleveland Play House and Severance Hall. Performances run daily; ticket prices vary. More details can be found at http://www.ClevelandPiano.org/JustTheFacts.html.

HELP Larchmere Merchants Association Fundraiser The LMA is sponsoring a fundraiser for street beautification -- including street banners and flowers -- and you can help. Come support local merchants and improvements to the community's main street Tue 7/28 from 6 - 8PM at the Academy Tavern, 12800 Larchmere Blvd. on their brand new patio! Your donation scores apps and your first cocktail. Tix in advance or on site at the event. Questions? Call 707-0301 or email leea@shad.org.

SPONSORED: Piano battle- Round One On Tue 7/28, WCLV 104.9, begins its twelve day wall-to-wall live coverage of the Cleveland International Piano Competition. Rounds One, Two and Three take place at the Bolton Theatre of the Cleveland Playhouse. Then on August 7th and 8th, the action moves to Severance Hall for the Concerto Rounds with The Cleveland Orchestra and Jahja Ling. The whole world will be listening at http://www.WCLV.com.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Lakewood Alive & Well StreetWalk 2009, based loosely on last year's Walk + Roll event in Lakewood, the first-ever StreetWalk featured an eclectic mix of healthy activities in three zones on a Detroit Avenue blissfully absent of auto traffic for 5 hours on the gorgeous afternoon of Sat 7/18. Exercise classes, walking tours of Downtown Lakewood, breakdancing, skateboarding, and belly dancing alternated with stages for alternative bands like 70 Lewis, Coffinberry, and Jesse Barnes.

The kids played 4-Square, hipped hula hoops and enjoyed balloons by Flower Clown, while adults learned about the Jordan's Family Foundation, Jazzercise, Pilates and Body Sculpting. Watch this short video for highlights and snapshots. http://www.LakewoodStreetWalk.com

Oops, My Bad...

One of the consistent complaints of minorities in Greater Cleveland is that we're not invited to the political table until after the deal is done; our input is not solicited in the formative stages of whatever project happens to be in the works; we're just asked to sign on after the fact so that the actual designers can then claim "inclusion." The county "reform" plan currently being touted is the most recent example of this brand of legerdemain...

Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

Walk+Roll Keeps Cleveland on its Heels, Wheels
Is Cleveland the next Paris? The next Bogota?

Cleveland is "into" cycling. And as popularity grows, Cleveland is starting to resemble Paris, France, or Bogota, Colombia. Bike paths are being grafted onto city streets, cycling events like Walk+Roll Cleveland are spotlighting the benefits of biking, and bicycles are becoming the preferred mode of transportation for many.

When cycling advocate Lois Moss, formerly of Century Cycles, organized the first Walk+Roll event in Rockefeller Park four years ago, the event ignited events in other cities...

Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

Is this the best guidebook to Cleveland, ever? If there's a better one, we're not aware of it. And it's no wonder when one of the region's top food and culinary writers spends a year researching and writing it.

We recommend buying two, so you can keep one in your car, and have a spare to give away. The book is that good, that well written (by local maven Douglas Trattner), and that essential to daily life in Cleveland. Even if you've lived here your entire life, you will learn much in just a few minutes of browsing the Moon guide...

Read more about the Moon Guide to Cleveland here

A Trifecta of Tasty, Tantalizing Treatises

Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking
Michael Ruhlman
Scribner

Cleveland Ethnic Eats
Laura Taxel
Gray & Company

Pedaling To Lunch
Stan Purdham
University of Akron Press

Looking to change things up in the kitchen? Or maybe you're hoping for a new local gastronomic hangout to partake of...? Perhaps you'd like to weave a bike ride into a lunch plan? If any of these three thoughts can be attributed to you, we've got you covered in three quick book reviews that Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian considers essential summer reading: Cleveland cook/ chef/ scribe Michael Ruhlman's book Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking, Laura Taxel's Cleveland Ethnic Eats and the hybrid-book Pedaling to Lunch...

Read more from Peter Chakerian here

Here's to Your Black & Blue Heart
Mike St. Jude & the Valentines

A friend loaned me Mike St. Jude & The Valentines debut Fallout Patterns of the Hoodshot Blues shortly after it came out in 2006. With one spin, I decided that this would be a band that went completely underappreciated. The group's sophomore effort ranges from soul, folk, "easy rock" and new wave, to the garage-y sounds of Badfinger and Love... squarely positioned in somewhere between 1967 and 1977 at any given time...

Read more from Peter Chakerian here

Some Kinds of Corruption Are OK with Our Leaders
Get Ready for the Tax Abatement Antacids...

Civic corruption comes in many forms. We have been hearing a lot about corruption these days. However, the focus is very narrow. Unnecessarily so. The Plain Dealer simply ignores the corruption that makes today's hyper County sleaze activity look minor league. Even little league. We're going to talk about multi-million dollar corruption. Nothing petty. And all legal...

Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

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

Godspell @ Mercury Summer Stock 7/10
Read more from Roy Berko here

Cleveland Orchestra @ Blossom Festival 7/11
Read more from Laura Kennelly here

Return to the Forbidden Planet @ CSU Summer Stages 7/11
Read more from Roy Berko here

New Tricks Quartet @ Nighttown 7/16
Read more from Greg Cielec here

The Shadow Box @ CSU Summer Stages 7/17
Read more from Roy Berko here

Mary Poppins @ State Theatre 7/19
Read more from Laura Kennelly here

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

1) An Inconvenient Theatre Near West Theatre is changing lives through art. For 6 bucks a person.

CoolCleveland.com

2) NYTimes hips themselves to Cleveland's E. 4th Street which grew "organically over time, like a real urban neighborhood." NYTimes.com

3) 15 big celebrations to round out a great Cleveland summer. FleeToTheCleve.wordpress.com

4) The ABC's: Awesome, Beautiful and Child-friendly Guide to outdoor family adventures. CoolCleveland.com

5) Meet Thomas Mulready's alter-ego at Adoption Network Cleveland's Lanes for Change on Sat 8/8. AdoptionNetwork.org.

Relish the homecooked goodness of Cool Cleveland every Wednesday, then push away from the table hit the town! Cheers to the Hard Corps -- Peter Chakerian, Kelly Ferjutz, Claudia J. Taller, Mansfield B. Frazier, Jeannie Fleming-Gifford, Roy Berko, Greg Cielec, Laura Kennelly and Roldo Bartimole -- for their hard work every week. 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.

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--Thomas Mulready
LettersATCoolCleveland.com
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