10.25-11.01.06

Guide to the Issues

In this week's issue:
* Cool Cleveland Election Interview Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora
* Cool Cleveland Election Preview
* Cool Cleveland BizTech Profile Phil Alexander of Brand Muscle
* Issue 18 Profile Chris Carmody of the Cleveland Film Commission
* RoldoLINK Politicians, Elites use Children to sell a Swindle
* Cool Cleveland Travelogue Vive Les Differences: Une "Clevelander/Parisienne"
* Cool Cleveland Preview Bobby Lanphier Benefit at the Beachland Ballroom
* Cool Cleveland Preview NaNoWriMo
* Cool Cleveland Sounds Pop Quiz Edward Ángel Sotelo
* Cool Cleveland Reads Book Groups
* Cool Cleveland Poem Last Words by Stephen Benefit
* Cool Cleveland Kids podcast click here, CC podcast click here, CC Blog click here

Tuesday, November 7th promises to be critically important for Ohio, and by extension, for the US. With our Governor's, Senate and House races being so hotly contested, Ohio's elected officials will once again determine the nation's balance of power. Cool Cleveland will endorse candidates in our coming special election issues. This week, we endorse the major issues. For the first time, you don't need a reason to vote absentee. So we recommend you get your Form 11A here and vote at your leisure, taking time to research your vote. If you do go to the polls on Tue 11/7 from 6:30AM to 7:30PM, remember to bring your ID: current driver's license, state ID, bank statement, military ID, copy of a current utility bill, or government check, paycheck or other government document. If you forget your ID, remember to cast a provisional ballot, then provide proof of ID up to 10 days later at the Board of Elections at 30th & Euclid. We do hope you find this guide to the issues helpful. How can we be more helpful? Letters@CoolCleveland.com Stay tuned for the rest of our endorsements. –Thomas Mulready

Cool Cleveland Election Interview
 Jimmy Dimora
Cuyahoga County Commissioner

Jimmy Dimora will always tell you what's on his mind, and do it with a smile on his face. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready mixes it up with Dimora on camera at the County administration building about his support for Issues 18 & 19, why he incredulously supports a Democratic candidate for judge that no one likes, and just how desperate he feels our region must be to need slot machines and casinos. Click on the longer version to hear about his own re-election campaign and whether he wants to save the historic Marcel Breuer tower when the County renovates it for their new HQ.
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Cool Cleveland Election Preview
 Your guide to the issues
November 7 election

Cool Cleveland endorsements on the issues:

  • YES on Issue 2 Voting YES on Issue 2 will raise the minimum wage in Ohio by an amendment to the state constitution, and peg it to the rising Consumer Price Index. With poverty a major concern in NEO Ohio and the state, with the minimum wage at a 50-year low, with 700K Ohioans standing to benefit, it's difficult to vote against Issue 2. We don't like that it changes the Ohio Constitution, increases paperwork, and opens some privacy concerns, but these measures are only recommended because the lax Ohio legislature has not acted in the best interests of its lowest wage earners. http://RaiseTheWage.org
  • NO on Issue 3 Another Ohio Constitutional amendment, this one only benefiting nine families in the state: those who already own racetracks, plus Jeff Jacobs and Forest City. They are the only people who would be allowed to install 31,500 slot machines, as a first step towards full-fledged casinos. As strong supporters of NEO's economic development, Cool Cleveland is inclined to support efforts to compete with neighboring states such as Michigan and West Virginia (and soon Pennsylvania), which currently suck hundreds of millions from Ohio gamblers. But rather than offer a master plan for tourism and mixed-use development spurred by gaming, this troubled initiative is sold as our latest silver bullet, creating a permanent private monopoly for the handful of business interests who put up the huge $20 million campaign funds, which is why you've been inundated with "Learn and Earn" advertising. Disingenuous from the start, neither signature collectors nor the ads mention gambling, only grants for the Top 5% of Ohio students to attend college. Critics contend that those grants have huge loopholes and no guarantees they would be instituted as promised. Passage would create an estimated 109K new gambling addicts. They didn't charge enough for the gambling licenses, worth over $100m a year in profits. And why are these gambling profits exempt from the new state CAT Commercial Activity Tax? http://www.VoteNoCasinos.com
  • NO on Issue 4 Another Constitutional amendment (knock it off already!), this one created by the tobacco industry to counteract Issue 5. In fact, if Issue 4 passes, permanently allowing smoking in a wide range of public places (bars, restaurants, hotels, nursing homes...), it would nullify Issue 5, even if 5 passes. Passage of Issue 4, known by their big-budget ads as "Smoke Less Ohio" would also overturn smoke-free laws in 21 Ohio cities, and make it unconstitutional for lawmakers to enact future clean indoor air laws. http://www.SmokeFreeOhio.org
  • YES on Issue 5 Not a constitutional amendment (yeah!) that would effectively bring Ohio into the 21st Century by eliminating smoking in all restaurants, public places and workplaces. Major areas such as NYC have gone smoke free with no negative economic effects. Listen to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Assn, the American Lung Assn, and your own common sense, and help pass this issue. You inhale the equivalent of 1.5 cigs just sitting in a non-smoking section for 2 hours. Smokers would still be able to light up in private residences, vehicles and outdoors. http://www.SmokeFreeOhio.org
  • YES on Issue 18 For Cuyahoga County only, a $.30 per pack tax on cigarettes that would raise over $20 million a year for 10 years, going straight to Cuyahoga County's deserving non-profit arts and cultural organizations. A rigorous panel-based process was meticulously instituted to insure that smaller organizations get a much larger share of their budget than the big boys, a process that has been effectively used by the County's ACE (Arts and Culture for Economic Development) grants over the past 2 years. With the recent demise of the Ohio Ballet, and dozens of cultural orgs in debt, this measure would ensure security for the $1.3 billion arts sector of our regional economy that showcases Cleveland and its suburbs in the best light, strengthening our tourism and hospitality industries, and providing arts education for thousands of public school kids. http://www.CoolCleveland.com/artslevy http://www.Issue18.org
  • YES on Issue 19 For Cuyahoga County only, a replacement of a portion of an existing levy, actually reducing slightly the overall tax, to benefit the General Fund Appropriations for Health and Human or Social Services for 4 years. This is the County's critical "safety net" that 200K citizens a month rely on: funding for Metro General Hospital, support for seniors home health care & independent living, foster care for abused & neglected children, health care for 50K newborns & toddlers, treatment for emotionally disturbed youth. http://www.Issue19.org

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Over $1 Billion in Annual Economic Activity and 10,000+ Jobs are generated through our region's Arts & Culture, which keeps our economy strong. Our A&C draws visitors/tourists to Cleveland who bring money into our economy and helps attract the creative workers we need to keep and grow businesses. Issue 18 will raise a critical $20 million annually for Cuyahoga County's A&C organizations and is not a property tax, but a cigarette tax. With election day only 13 days away, Issue 18 needs your help! Join us for our weekly campaign meeting on Fri 10/27 at 8:30AM at Cleveland Play House. Signs at the door will lead the way to our meeting room. To RSVP or for more information, contact Erin Kaminski at ekaminski05@gmail.com or 216-479-0555 or www.Issue18.org.
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Cool Cleveland NewsLINKS

  • ODOT gets a clue Don't tell us they're actually starting to listen to citizens (See ODOT selects boring bridge here). After months of outcry from NEO drivers and businesses about to be affected by the Ohio Department of Transportation's planned Inner Belt renovation, which initially called for closing most exit ramps serving Midtown, this week ODOT said it will delay for up to 2 years the start of the troubled project. They're even reconsidering their questionable design for the "signature" bridge over the Cuyahoga, promised by ODOT but seemingly not delivered in initial designs. Local officials feel the delay indicates ODOT's admission that more work needs to be done talking with the community and delivering an economic impact report. Possibly they have been listening to Cool Cleveland letter writers. So this week, it's time to tell our public servants "thanks for listening," and now let's start scheduling public meetings and impact statements. We suggest you write to project director Craig Hebebrand Craig.Hebebrand@dot.state.oh.us, and ODOT chief Gordon Proctor Gordon.Proctor@dot.state.oh.us, and Proctor's current boss Bob Taft Governor.Taft@das.state.oh.us. While you're at it, you might want to send a note to Proctor's new boss, either Ted Strickland info@TedStrickland.com or Ken Blackwell info@KenBlackwell.com. Don't forget to Cc: Cool Cleveland at Letters@CoolCleveland.com. Congrats cool Cleveland! Read
  • Beck to develop in Lakewood While still maintaining that "anything can happen" over the next few years, Beck Center for the Arts board chair Frederick Unger said the West Side arts center would "redevelop in Lakewood," without committing to their present 5-acre location, and without detailing where the tens of millions of dollars would come from, nor how they would escape their $1 million debt. Lakewood Mayor Tom George and Lakewood Schools superintendent Dr. David Estrop emphasized that they would not be providing funding or tax incentives, although space in the school's new facilities could be shared with the Beck. Estrop's announcement of a collaborative West Shore Career Technical Education District for Lakewood, Rocky River, Westlake and Bay Village, which would be functional in 08-09, was cited as the main reason for staying put rather than pursuing offers to move to Crocker Park in Westlake. Read and Read.
  • Cool Cleveland Podcast Cool things to do this week in Cleveland, at the click of a button. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolCleveland10.27.06.mp3. Add the CC Podcast to iTunes using this link. Don't forget, you can subscribe to this podcast by saving this link in your favorite program that catches podcasts.
  • Buyouts reduce PD staff by 17% 64 of the Plain Dealer's 372 newsroom employees took advantage of favorable buyout packages, ranging from 2 weeks' pay and health care for every year worked, to 2.5 years for those 50+ who've worked there for 20+ years. The causes cited: "declining revenue and circulation for several years." Read. At the esteemed Philadelphia Inquirer, buyouts weren't enough, and the news staff is now looking at layoffs because cash flow is expected to drop from $100 million in '04 to less than $50 million in '06. Read. And San Francisco's largest paper, the San Jose Mercury News, plans to lay off 101 people, 15% (41) of them news staff. Read.
  • To ensure you receive Cool Cleveland every week, take a moment now and add CoolCleveland@CoolCleveland.com to your address book, trusted sender list, or corporate white list.
  • Clinic launches virtual art exhibit Cleveland Clinic launches a Virtual eXpressions Exhibition, an online collection of award-winning student art and the scientific research that inspired it. Visit http://www.ccf.org/expressions.
  • The Holiday Season Approaches and Cool Cleveland will again be your source for links to buying local and supporting NEO's artisans and neighborhood Mom & Pop shops. If you are a local artist, crafty/creative type or store owner with some thrillingly cool and unique loot for holiday shoppers, we want to hear from you. Send us a link with some background on you and your gift offerings to PeterATCoolCleveland.com (replace the "AT" appropriately). We hope to feature as many of you as possible in the coming issues of your Cool Cleveland newsletter. 'Tis nearly the season!

  • Cool Cleveland Kids Tired of all the noise and inappropriate crap? Looking for fun and cool things to do with your kids? Check in on 10-year-old Cool Cleveland correspondent Max Mulready. He's scoured the Web looking for a few cool events to recommend. Check out his short podcast here even if you don't have special software. If you're a whiz kid, you can download it to your iPod or your computer and listen with your own kid. Check below to see the events tagged CC KIDS under Cool Cleveland This Week for our recommendations for a fantastic family week. http://www.coolcleveland.com/files/audio/CoolClevelandKids10.27.06.mp3. Add the CC Kids Podcast to iTunes using this link. Adding this link to your program that catches podcasts, will keep you up-to-date on the latest audio.

Is it Love? Do we make your heart pound a little faster every Wednesday morning, as you scroll through CC, looking for the absolute best things to do with your weekend? Show us the love and introduce us to your significant other(s). You will both be eligible to win a Video iPod compliments of Cool Cleveland. No purchase necessary. Enter often. The more friends you enter, the greater your chances of winning. Sign up by going here.

Tech:Cleveland

A wild and wonderful array of hot tech and business news & events from around Cleveland and around the region. Send your business news and events to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

Cool Cleveland BizTech Profile
 Phil Alexander
Brand Muscle

Phil Alexander's Brand Muscle has made a name for themselves in Cleveland helping clients figure out how to customize branding tools at the local level. With applications that allow for print-on-demand, digital asset management, and automating workflow, Brand Muscle shows clients how to execute localized marketing campaigns. Phil spoke with Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready at the CEO Forum at The Q a few weeks ago, about his company Brand Muscle, and how he learned about accessing federal grant funding at the CEO Forum. http://www.BrandMuscle.com
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Know a cool NEO Business that should be profiled? Events@CoolCleveland.com



*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
What Are the Secrets to Success? Find out for yourself at “Celebrating Success!” the NEO Business Conference featuring entrepreneurs who share their secret strategies and techniques for small business owners. These successful entrepreneurs have creatively identified new markets and opportunities to share with you. Cathy Panzica, founder of Panzica Investments and the Beta Strategy Group, is the keynote speaker and topics for the conference include building winning business strategies, overcoming obstacles and determining if your business idea is viable. Join us on Thu 11/2 at 8AM to 1:30PM with a networking event from 2PM - 4PM at Crowne Plaza, Quaker Square, 135 S. Broadway in Akron. The cost is $50 for the conference, lunch and keynote; $25 for lunch and keynote only. Register by Tue 10/31 at www.neobusinessconference.org.
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BizTech NEWS

  • FLEXMatters launches a new industry for flexible optical and electronic devices Read
  • KSU College of Art opens NYC studio so students learn & connect with pros Read
  • City Club gong returned via US Mail from out of state http://www.CityClub.org
  • Continental profits up Sales up 17%, revenues $237m in Q3 vs. $61m in Q3 '05 Read
  • Google profit doubles Sales up 70%, revenues $733m in Q3 vs. $381m in Q3 '05 Read
  • Lancaster sues S-W over lead paint Joins Akron, Toledo & East Cleveland lawsuits. Read
  • NBC TV lays off 5% of news staff 300 to lose jobs due to migration of news to Internet Read
  • Penton pursued by Lazard, owners of New York magazine, and others. Read
  • Oberlin's kid developers profiled in New York Times as "young, idealistic & now" Read

BizTech Events

  • HOT Artist as Entrepreneur Institute 6-session course at Tower Press starts Mon 10/30 6PM Register
  • NEO Economic Outlook webcast feat. GCP President/CEO Joe Roman, Wed 10/25. Register
  • NEOCAM and the US Business & Industry Council on Trade Policy, Wed 10/25 at City Club. No-cost. Register: 800-767-2267
  • A Seminar for Angel Investors and entrepreneurs, Wed 10/25. Details
  • Information Security Summit on Thu 10/26 and Fri 10/27. Details
  • Smart Business Strategy from Smart Business Live Cleveland, Thu 10/26. Register
  • County's Breuer Tower discussed at CSU Urban Affairs Forum Thu 10/26 5:30PM Register
  • What Matters Most in NEO? Former Cgsmn Dennis Eckart and former County Commissioner Lee Weingart speak at no-cost event @ LCC. Register: (440) 525-7199
  • Mergers & Acquisitions in Your Succession Plan at Corp. College West, Tue 10/31. Details Register: (330) 672-3028.
  • NEOSA Tech & Engineering Career Fair Tue 10/31. Details
  • Key's Meyer & Mooney at CFA lunch about Key's strategy & finance Tues 10/31 at 12:30PM Info

Send your BizTech events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com


Cool Cleveland This Week
10.25-11.1

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

WED

  • FutureHeights Click. Bid. Buy. Online benefit auction is now open with new items being added daily. Participating in this virtual event supports efforts to keep Cleveland Heights a locally-owned, vibrant community. To "window shop" log onto http://www.FutureHeights.org.
  • Jeffry Chiplis The Neon Sculpture exhibit is showing now through Sat 11/11. Learn more about the artist and the exhibit here. http://www.ParishHallCleveland.com.
  • Startup Ink On Wed 10/25 from 5PM Alternative Press Magazine will be in the house for a lecture as part of the Startup Ink series! Call 421-8071 for more information. FUTURE Center at the Cleveland Institute of Art, 11610 Euclid Avenue.
  • Urinetown at the Carousel Laugh till you cry, now through Sat 12/4, during the hilarious semantics of the cast and uproarious parodies ranging from Fiddler on the Roof to Les Miserables and an irresistible and celebrated musical score. Call 800-362-4100. Carousel Dinner Theatre, 1275 East Waterloo Road, Akron. http://www.CarouselDinnerTheatre.com.

THU

  • Fall for the Arts Playhouse Square Foundation's Arts Education Department offers a professional development opportunity for Northeast Ohio educators on Thu 10/26 at 4PM. Visit www.PlayhouseSquare.org for info.
  • Steven Delopoulos Hear the soulful folk/rock sounds of Delopoulos during a dynamic evening of passionate lyrics, soulful melodies and acoustic guitar virtuosity on Thu 10/26 at 7:30PM. Get tix for the 14th Street Theatre event at www.PlayhouseSquare.com.
  • HOT Ana Marie Cox had a long, disastrous career in MSM before being forced into the shallow waters of the blogsphere. Find out how being saddled with poor people skills and snarkism led her to internet journalism with its higher toleration for misfits and on to being a columnist for Time magazine and Time.com. Thu 10/26 at 8PM. Oberlin. www.Oberlin.edu.
  • GemINi How did the twins come to be? GemINi, a performance duet by Aaron Rapljenovic and Zoe Schultz, tells the beautiful tale of the astrological sign through dance, butoh, and performance art. This installation explores the mythology of Gemini with a modern twist on Thu 10/26 at 8PM through Sun 10/29 at 3PM. www.cptonline.org.
  • Burn This is a play about passion and how it can change two people who fall in love, inspiring them to experience life to the fullest. Attend no-cost performances on Thu 10/26 through Sat 10/28 at 8PM. http://www.Charenton.org.
  • Consenting Adults Did you know that Cool Cleveland is strictly an “opt in” newsletter? That means that tens of thousands of consenting Clevelanders choose (and dare we say “look forward to”) finding their own private issue in their in-box every week. To learn more about advertising with Cool Cleveland, click here.

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Breathtaking, Legendary Whether you've always wanted to experience opera at its finest or consider yourself quite the connoisseur, you won’t want to miss the weekend of Fri 10/27 – Sun 10/29 at Oberlin College’s Artist Recital Series www.oberlin.edu/arseries. The breathtaking and highly acclaimed tenor Juan Diego Flórez presents a rare American recital on Sun 10/29 at 3PM. He is joined by pianist Vincenzo Scalera in a program that includes works by Rossini, Mozart, Fauré, Bizet, and others. Later that evening, at 8PM, legendary mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne presents the second of two public master classes (the first occurs on Fri 10/27 at 7PM). Both events take place in Finney Chapel. Tickets for the Flórez recital range from $12-30; tickets for Horne’s master classes are $5 for the public and free with an Oberlin College I.D. Contact Central Ticket Service at 440-775-8169 for complete ticket information.
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FRI

  • Dialogue with Donors Get the inside track on getting funding for your arts organization directly from corporate funders on Fri 10/27 at 9AM. Registration required. Call 861-1937 x25. Heights Library, 2345 Lee Road, Cle Hts. http://www.HeightsArts.org.
  • Storm Thogerson The legendary rock artist has designed album covers for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Alan Parsons Project, 10cc, The Raspberries, and, recently, Muse. Catch the exhibition of his prints - Taken by Storm - on display now along with The Sight of Sound - an exhibit of several local artists' take on how they'd design a CD cover for their favorite artist. Gallery 324.
  • CC KIDS Enchanted Forest Celebrate the traditions and lore of Halloween with cookies, cider and lots of engaging activities on Fri 10/27 and Sat 10/28 from 6 - 8PM at Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. Call 321-5935. www.ShakerLakes.org.
  • Bold Slavic Village Hot Slavic Village happenings include: A Halloween costume party will be held at Dennis Althar's Broadway Free Library Fri 10/27 from 6PM. Call 429-3000. The Bontifantes Boys' Choir of the Czech Republic will perform at Bohemian National Hall (4939 Broadway Avenue) on Fri 10/27 at 7:30PM. Call 663-5668. Two performances of Verdi's La Traviata on Fri 10/27 at 8PM at the Alliance of Poles Auditorium (6966 Broadway Ave) and on Sun 10/29 at 3PM at the Bohemian National Hall (4939 Broadway Ave). Call 441-2822. Join GetHepSwing at Bohemian Hall for a swing revival on Sat 10/28 from 9PM at Bohemian National Hall (4939 Broadway Ave). Call 361-3262 or visit http://www.GetHepSwing.com/. The Morgana Run Trail Ribbon Cutting on Mon 10/30 at 1PM in the Edens and Avant parking lot. Call 429-1182.
  • Godfather of Poetry Slam Marc Smith, the inventor of poetry slam, joins Michael Salinger to host a day of professional development activities for local artists on Fri 10/27 followed by a performance at 7:30PM. Tix are just five bucks at the door. Call 348-7909. Idea Center's Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre, 1375 Euclid Ave. http://www.playhousesquare.org/arts-education.
  • Marilyn Horne Master Class The legendary mezzo-soprano will be in residence as Distinguished Professor of Voice from Fri 10/27 through Tue 10/31. Watch as Horne works with Oberlin voice majors. Oberlin. www.Oberlin.edu.
  • RFK Explore an intimate portrait of Robert F. Kennedy - a champion of peace, justice, equality and responsibility - during a critically acclaimed solo performance that runs from Fri 10/27 at 8PM through Sun 11/19. Get tickets at www.ClevelandPlayHouse.com.
  • Preservation Hall Jazz Band Hear this multigenerational, high-energy band dishing up a heaping helping of New Orleans jazz at Playhouse Square on Fri 10/27 at 8PM. www.PlayhouseSquare.org.
  • And Baby Makes Seven The play, by Paula Vogel, opens Fri 10/27 at 8PM. Call 687-0074. http://www.Convergence-Continuum.org.

WCLVnotes Live concerts by The Cleveland Orchestra return to the WCLV 104.9 airwaves this Sat 10/28 at 8PM. Music director Franz Welser-Moest conducts an attractive program that includes one of the great violin concertos of the repertoire – the Brahms, with one of the great violinists of the age – Frank Peter Zimmermann. The program concludes with a real barn-burner – Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, which Stalin thought was a glorious ode to Soviet Communism, but it was really a satire on the system. Complete details on all of WCLV’s unique classical music programming are available on the WCLV website at www.WCLV.com. WCLV is a Cool Cleveland partner.

SAT

  • CC KIDS Halloween Spooktacular Celebration Bring the youngins on Sat 10/28 and Tue 10/31 from 11AM to 4PM for seasonal games and crafts. Come dressed in costume and get two bucks off regular admission. http://www.ClevelandChildrensMuseum.org.
  • CC KIDS Spookers and Haints Activities for kids of all ages include spooky folktales with storyteller Lynette Ford on Sat 10/28 at 12PM and a chance to create your very own pumpkin masterpiece with carver extraordinaire Richard Alford on Sun 10/29 from 12 - 4PM. Call 330-836-5533 or visit http://www.StanHywet.org.
  • HOT Rabbits Over Clevyland A festival of poetry, music, film and bookmaking - celebrating the life of d.a. levy - kicks off on Sat 10/28 at 12PM with a poetry reading at Gallery 324 in the Galleria and continues on Sun 10/29. Call 397-3956 or email greenpandapress@yahoo.com for more info. http://www.myspace.com/rabbitsoverlevyland06.
  • Listing Tip of the Week Post your listing on your website. Seriously. If it's not important enough to make it on your site...see where we're goin' with this? Update your website with your smokin' hot event then send us the 411 - including the deep link to the event - to Events@CoolCleveland.com.
  • CC KIDS BOO-Tanical Bash Explore the Children's Garden before the butterfly gates close for the season. Trick-or-treating, fortune telling, stories, crafts, and games on Sat 10/28 from 1 - 4PM. Check out www.cbgarden.org for all the details.
  • Forest Hill: The Rockefeller Estate (Images of America) Author Sharon E. Gregor will be available for a book signing at Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Boulevard on Sat 10/28 at 1PM. Call 795-9800. http://www.LoganberryBooks.com.
  • CC KIDS Creepy Camp-In An overnight adventure for parents and kids. Campers will investigate some of the coolest, yucky, slimy and most disgusting things about their bodies on Sat 10/28 from 5:30PM to Sun 10/29 at 10AM. Call 231-6904. www.HealthSpaceCleveland.org.
  • HOT Artist Showcase at The Beachland Don't miss the first "Ante Up Audio Artist Showcase" on Sat 10/28 at 7PM at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. www.AnteUpAudio.com.
  • Beck Meets Broadway Beck alumni and Broadway stars Rebecca Pitcher and John Wasiniak - both currently appearing on Broadway in Phantom of the Opera - accompanied by Broadway musical theater director Jack Lee will perform as part of BeckCabaret on Sat 10/28. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 6:30PM; dinner and dessert reception at 7:30PM; Cabaret show at 9:30PM. Call 521-2540 x242. Signature at LaCentre in Beachwood. http://www.BeckCenter.org.
  • Tango Fire The hottest tango company in Buenos Aires makes its North American debut on Sat 10/28 at 7:30PM at John Hay High School Auditorium. www.ClevelandArt.org.
  • Chicago Udu Calls On Sat 10/28 a performance featuring acclaimed Italian improvisers Danielle Cavallanti and Tiziano Tononi takes place at the Old Orthodox Church next door to the Parish Hall, 6205 Detroit Ave. http://www.ParishHallCleveland.com.
  • HOT Something Dada Anniversary Benefit Help the improvisational comedy troupe celebrate its twelfth anniversary and raise funds for a new venue on Sat 10/28 at 8PM at the Tower Press Building. Make reservations at 696-4242. http://www.SomethingDada.com.
  • Do We “Hit the Spot?” If you look forward to receiving your weekly issue of Cool Cleveland, think how it will spice up the life of say, Stan, in the Accounting Department. Help ALL your lonely, unfashionably dressed friends by passing Cool Cleveland on for a good weekly read.

SUN

  • CC KIDS Caribbean Cruise Special appearances by the Miller South Steel Drum Band, Juneteenth Cultural Club and Pointe West Dancers make for a fun family event with Caribbean music, New Orleans jazz, Trinidadian calypsos, tunes from the Pirates of the Caribbean and more on Sun 10/29 at 3PM. http://www.AkronSymphony.org.
  • Tremont Market It's your last chance to get locally grown herbs, vegetables and fruit as well as locally produced arts and crafts on Sun 10/29 from 10AM to 2PM. Get your local goodies at the market at the corner of Starkweather and Professor in Tremont. Email questions to tremontmarket@yahoo.com.
  • HOT Juan Diego Flórez The acclaimed tenor has emerged as one of today's most dynamic vocalists. See Flórez accompanied by Vincenzo Scalera on piano on Sun 10/29 at 3PM. www.Oberlin.edu. Oberlin.
  • Breastfest features Robin Stone, V A Dare feat. Alexis Antes, Corrine Noelle, Becky Boyd, Claudia Schieve, Ki Allen, Tracy Marie and Kristine Jackson. The fundraising event runs from 4PM-12AM on Sun 10/29 and proceeds will benefit The Barb Leslie Patient Care Fund. http://www.Breastfest.net.
  • West Shore Chorale Featuring over 5 choir groups the West Shore Chorale takes place on Sun 10/29 at 7:30PM at 20770 Hilliard Boulevard in Rocky River. For more information visit www.WestShoreChorale.org or call 556-4368.

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Young, Talented, Spirited Experience some of the region's most gifted student musicians, who will play for you in a special recital open to the public - with no admission – on Wed 11/1 at 8PM in Oberlin’s historic Finney Chapel. Hear tomorrow’s stars today when the Oberlin Conservatory of Music showcases its most gifted musicians as part of the Danenberg Student Honors Recitals, the first of two concerts for the year. The concert will feature percussionist Jonathan Hepfer, Min Jung Kim on piano, organist Daniel Tappe, Yan Tong on violin, and soprano Stephanie Washington. Free parking is available throughout the campus. The second concert in the series will be held on 4/4/07 at 8PM. Mark your calendars now! For more information on the Conservatory and its events, visit www.oberlin.edu/con.
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MON

  • Mass Production: Artists' Multiples and the Marketplace This uniquely focused exhibition opens Mon 10/30 in Folk Hall at the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art. For more information visit http://www.uakron.edu/art or call 330-972-5951.
  • Charities and Politics Talk at Case On Mon 10/30, from 4:30PM in the Gund School of Law, Moot Court Room (first floor, room # A59), The Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Case Western Reserve University will present The Norman A. Sugarman Memorial Lecture in Nonprofit Law. http://www.Case.edu.
  • HOT UnSilent Film An improvised live score performed by Thieves Like Me, fluxmonkey, tofu, Shawn Holt, Geo Jones and Steven K. Smith will accompany a showing of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on Mon 10/30 at 8PM. The film features John Barrymore - yep, Drew's grandfather - in the dual role as the conflicted Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Edward Hyde. The Hi-Fi Concert Club, 11729 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. http://unsilentfilm.blogspot.com/.

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400 Wines, So Little Time Come to the widely acclaimed Heinen's/WVIZ World Series of Wine Grand Tasting events at the Terrace Club at Jacobs Field Fri 11/3 at 7:30PM, Sat 11/4 at 1PM and/or Sat 11/4 at 7:30 PM. With over 400 wines presented by more than 100 of the world's finest producers at each of the three tastings, you're guaranteed to find varieties and vintages representing your favorite wine regions. You'll also have ample opportunities to sample exciting new selections, and rare or hard-to-find labels. Over the years, World Series of Wine Grand Tastings have become famous for their lavish arrays of hors d'oeuvres, making them unforgettable culinary adventures. Try the Pumpkin Ravioli, Shrimp Shaomai, Bruchetta de Parma and Roasted Beef Aram Sandwiches. Bring friends! Order tix today at www.wviz.org/wsw/grand.shtml.
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WED

  • Brownbag Concerts The Trinity Chamber Players go Mozart on Wed 11/1; pianist, Raul Herrera, performs music by Mexican composers on Wed 11/8; Trinity Chamber Orchestra and flutist, Linda White perform on Wed 11/22 and organist Alan Lewis performs on Wed 11/29. All concerts at noon. http://www.mandpa.org.
  • Mid-Term Election Forum Case Western Reserve Center for Policy Studies hosts a Mid-Term Election Forum. The event takes places from 4PM on Wed 11/1, in the 1914 Lounge in Thwing Center, 11111 Euclid Ave. Visit www.Case.edu.
  • Startup Ink On Wed 11/1 4:30PM Danny Creadon, owner and master-mind behind Factory 13 Experimental Skateboards will be discussing his unique approach to custom-built skateboards. Call 421-8071. FUTURE Center at the Cleveland Institute of Art, 11610 Euclid Avenue. www.cia.edu.
  • HOT Architecture and Motion Learn about the intersection of art and architecture from representatives of the Cleveland Art Museum, Cleveland Institute of Art, MOCA and the Akron Art Museum on Wed 11/1 at 7PM. http://www.ClevelandFilm.org.
  • Singin' in the Rain Gather your loved ones or co-workers this holiday season and celebrate the Carousel way with the classic musical that has spanned generations as it takes on a new look, with mesmerizing visual effects beginning Wed 11/8. Show runs through 1/6. Call 800-362-4100. Carousel Dinner Theatre, 1275 East Waterloo Road, Akron. http://www.CarouselDinnerTheatre.com.


Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Issue 18 Profile
 Chris Carmody
Cleveland Film Commission

Chris Carmody is on a roll. As president of the Film Commission, he helped bring in Spiderman III for filming in Cleveland earlier this year, offering the old 375K sf Convention Center comp as a location for building sets, storing props, even cooking meals and repairing crashed cars. Cool Cleveland's Thomas Mulready stopped him outside of Art House on Denison at a recent Issue 18 rally, and they discussed exactly how you sell a film to Hollywood producers, why two film producers have recently moved to Cle from LA, and exactly what Issue 18 means to Cleveland's local film community. http://www.ClevelandFilm.com
Watch The Movie:  Windows movie  Mac movie



RoldoLINK
Politicians, Elites use Children to sell a Swindle
By Roldo Bartimole

The shameful use of children to sell a gambling issue reveals how depraved and immoral our local politicians and business leaders have become.

The disgraceful use of children to sell a gambling issue reveals the wantonness and lack of credibility of our local politicians.

What credibility do our local politicians have left? The lack of a moral compass is incredible.

Is there nothing they won’t stoop to in selling what their corporate benefactors desire? They play us for fools.

The fraudulently labeled “Learn & Earn” Issue 3 peddlers use TV images of children to sell their profit-making gambling business. I never noticed the word “gambling” or “slots” in the advertising. They speak only of “gaming.”

Gaming does have some proper descriptive quality to this venture. It well describes what the proponents of the gambling/slots are doing - gaming the public...
Read RoldoLINK here

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Stop Being a Spectator and Get in the Game! United Way of Greater Cleveland Sports Auction on WTAM has begun, so bid now on great deals by tuning into WTAM 1100 and logging onto www.cleveland.com/sportsauction now through Thu 11/2! Find priceless, Cleveland sports teams' autographed memorabilia from the Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers and Indians. These items were donated to support the community through United Way and range from a LeBron James jersey to a Charlie Frye helmet to a Travis Hafner bat. Other great items up for bid include a Willie McGinest jersey; Reuben Droughns autographed helmet; Zydrunas Ilgauskas autographed jersey; Cavaliers 2006-07 Team autographed basketball; Grady Sizemore autographed commemorative 2006 pink Mother's Day bat; and a C.C. Sabathia autographed game-used baseball hat. Log onto www.cleveland.com/sportsauction now!
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Emissions from the blogsphere
Andy Timity shares a martini-making machine from the '96 Tremont Art Walk. Chris Varley talks about a program designed to get girls interested in information and communications technologies. Frank Mills thinks it's time to turn Urban Planning on its head. Ed Morrison summarizes the backlash Issue 3 is causing for Cleveland's leadership around the state. Scott post pictures of the bought-by-AG Memphis Drive-In. Chris notes over one million "podiobooks" have been downloaded. Check the Cool Cleveland weblog here, where Peter Chakerian uncovers his own Lundgren shocker, comments on the increased "Sex Ed" in CPS, wonders who the City Club's Chuck Barris is, and compares the PD reduction in staff to recent developments with a Boston news giant. When you're through, add your own comments, questions and attitude. Letters@CoolCleveland.com.

Cool Cleveland Travelogue
 Vive Les Differences: Une "Clevelander/Parisienne"

I’ve not quite overcome my recent jet lag and the airplane cold that was given to me as a frequent flyer reward for puddle jumping the Atlantic. As a Clevelander/ Parisienne, I am always either excited to enter or excited to leave my respective countries. Upon my arrival I often require a full week to remember how to speak the national language. Most of the time, I will just jumble the words and leave it to the listener to decipher what I am attempting to say. Often I confuse Clevelanders by giving them French kisses instead of an appropriate handshake. The French are miffed when I offer my hand instead of my mouth. After 12 years of playing ping-pong between two continents, I have acquired a duel personality (my family and friends will argue that this state of mind existed way before my premier departure).

Nevertheless, in Paris I am different. I wear only heels and expensive hosiery, I sashay like the natives and I can effortlessly contort my face to express my every French emotion. My skill of doing a Parisienne "BOF" of indifference is sure perfection. My natural ability to make a sly smirk and to raise my left eyebrow to convey either flirtations or signal caution gives me bonus points here because the "Frenchies" admire quality gestures. These people are the masters of Le Geste and because of this very few words are actually necessary to communicate here. In Cleveland my carriage and face are different, I walk casually in flats and easily fall into the popular American slouch position that I find both comfortable and reassuring. A hearty belly laugh is a Cleveland luxury for me (in Paris such behavior would leave the French to question my mental stability)...
Read the travelogue by Denajua here

*************** SPONSORED LINK ***************
Lust, Love and Intrigue It’s all happening at the Cleveland Institute of Music Wed 11/8 – Sat 11/11 at 8PM as the CIM Opera Theater presents La Traviata and Friends. Directed by David Bamberger, and presented in concert format, the CIM Opera Theater and the CIM Orchestra will join together to present an evening of scenes from celebrated operas, including Carmen, Hansel and Gretel, Don Giovanni, La Bohème and the entire first act of La Traviata. Don’t miss your chance to hear great opera at CIM! Tickets are on sale now! Adults $15; Students and Seniors $10. Call 216-791-5000 and mention Cool Cleveland or order online at www.cim.edu and enter code 1106 to receive $2 off per ticket.
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Cool Cleveland Preview
Bobby Lanphier Benefit at the Beachland Ballroom

Local musician Bobby Lanphier would love to be at the party being thrown in his name at the Beachland Thursday night, but he can’t.

Lanphier, who plays guitar in greasy rock favorites the Whiskey Daredevils and fronts his own band, the Bitter Disappointments, was severely injured on Oct. 4 when a man driving a stolen car plowed into his vehicle on St. Clair Ave. He sustained a fractured skull, lacerations to his spleen and liver and endured 200 stitches to his head and face.

He is in the process of recovering, but is unable to work and is saddled with thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Luckily, Lanphier has a lot of friends on the local music scene, and five bands he has close ties to are coming together this Thursday, October 26 for a benefit show that will, with a little more luck, help him get by. It’s a mother of a Cleveland bill that includes the Uncle Scratch’s Gospel Revival, Hayshaker Jones, Lords of the Highway, This Moment in Black History and a reunion of the Cowslingers.

"Bob’s got a lot of friends from a lot of different worlds," Cowslingers/Whiskey Daredevils singer Greg Miller said. "He’s got his folk thing; people know him from the Daredevils and from the Town Fryer scene. He has friends in the blues community. It’s really cool to see all these people from different elements coming together to help him."

The Cowslingers are also raffling off an opportunity to take an all-expenses-paid Hawaiian vacation with drummer Leo P. Love. Love won the trip, which includes tickets to the NFL Pro Bowl, after setting a Guinness World Record for watching the most consecutive hours of television. The band is selling 200 raffle tickets at $20 a pop with all proceeds going to Lanphier.

Those who cannot attend the show, but wish to make a donation may send checks payable to the Bobby M. Lanphier fund to the Whiskey Daredevils, P.O. Box 771101, Lakewood, OH, 44107 or stop by the Town Fryer, 3859 Superior Ave., where owner Susie Porter is keeping a donation jar. The Fryer is also selling several pieces of original photographic artwork to benefit the fund.

Miller said musicians and service-industry workers like Lanphier who find themselves in such unfortunate situations have little financial recourse except the generosity of friends.

"The situation was a total wrong-place, wrong-time thing, and unfortunately Bob has no sort of social safety net," Miller said. "He has to rely on the good will of others."

From Cool Cleveland contributor Leslie Basalla lbasalla77@msn.com

Cool Cleveland Preview
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) Preview November 1st - November 30th

You are destined to be a great writer; yet the reality of your everyday life keeps getting in the way. It happens. But, when do you plan on doing something about it? Y'know, that itch you've got to tell your story. Okay, so maybe you are not trying to pen the "Great American Novel"; but, perhaps you've got an itch for mystery writing, historical romance, fantasy, chick lit, or whatever. If you've never made the time, or you just lack the discipline - Stop looking at me! - then consider participating in NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month. I chatted with the Municipal Liaison for Cleveland, Christine Huth Pyscher, known in the NaNoWriMo circle as Geology Girl

Cool Cleveland: Who should participate in NaNoWriMo?

Christine Huth Pyscher: This event was made for anybody who has ever thought, "I should write a novel." This is the way to do it. You get support from the worldwide NaNoWriMo community and here locally we meet regularly to support one another.

CC: There are quite a few Cleveland participants here. I’ve seen postings from Cleveland, Mentor, North Ridgeville, Sheffield Lake, Avon… What kind of support goes on during the month?

CHP: We are having our kick-off party on Sun 10/29 from 2 - 4PM at the Brooklyn Library (4480 Ridge Road). It's open to the public. We'll have snacks. Past participants will share their experiences and any pitfalls. New participants will get their questions answered. We even share our story ideas...
Read the preview by Roxanne Ravenal here

Cool Cleveland Sounds Pop Quiz
Edward Ángel Sotelo of Cobra Verde and New Lou Reeds

Edward Ángel Sotelo gets around. He's played bass with a veritable hit parade of Northeast Ohio acts, including Mike Uva & Hook Boy, Viva Caramel, Doug Gillard, Proletarian Art Threat and the Conservatives. Most folks know his work with the New Lou Reeds and Cobra Verde, two bands with equally fervent followings.

The New Lou Reeds have just released a new effort called Top Billin' and have been touring to support it; Cobra Verde is currently in the studio constructing their latest masterpiece. During a break in the action, Sotelo sat down with our own Leslie Basalla for a brand new guerilla segment called Cool Cleveland Sounds Pop Quiz. Enjoy!

Cool Cleveland: You just came off a tour with New Lou Reeds, what were you guys grooving to in the van?
Edward Ángel Sotelo: A lot of reggae -- dancehall stuff, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse. We had a compilation, so I’m not sure who all the bands were. As far as rock stuff goes, it was Karp, they’re an old Northwest punk band. A lot of old Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin. We actually don’t listen to a lot of rock in the van. It’s usually soul and R&B and stuff that’s more groove-oriented.

CC: What are the biggest differences between being on the road with the Reeds versus with Cobra Verde?
EÁS: The jokes are different. With the Reeds the jokes are about wordplay and booze and food. With Cobra Verde it’s more about how many times you can tell the same joke and still have it be funny. Also the New Lou Reeds tend to eat way more food. When the Reeds tour we make it about how much free alcohol and greasy food we can consume. The guys in Cobra Verde aren’t really big eaters. I’m pretty sure (singer) John (Petkovic) subsists on salad and Gummi Bears.

CC: You’ve been in a lot of bands. How large a flat surface would it take to chart the family tree of your Cleveland music career?
EÁS: I guess you’d have to chop the tree down and see where it falls. Actually, it could probably be done on a handful of soggy bar napkins.

CC: That said, is there any band you haven’t been in that you wish you were in?
EÁS: Local or national?
CC: Either.
EÁS: Jeez. It would have been pretty cool to be in the Jesus Lizard. It wouldn’t just be rock and roll either. I would have loved to be (Motown backing band virtuoso) James Jamerson. Not that I think I could ever be that funky at all.
CC: How about locally?
EÁS: Actually, one of the best things about being “on the scene” here is that you can see all the cool things other people are doing. They’re all doing so much fresh interesting stuff. Why would I want to butt in?

CC: I know quite a few musicians who admire your playing, and the local rags have nominated you for best bassist more than once. Is there anyone in town you would be afraid to take on in a Cleveland bass-off?
EÁS: Matt Charboneau (Up Ensemble, ex-Revelers, Perfect Guy), easily Matt Charboneau, but he and I have a comedic rivalry that goes way back.

CC: And who could you totally mop the floor with?
EÁS: Oh man, that’s not cool. I don’t want to start any fights.
CC: I’m giving you a chance to jokingly call out one of your friends.
EÁS: I’m not sure if everyone would have a sense of humor about it.
CC: Alright, no beefs will be started here.

CC: You write a lot of the blurbs about upcoming bands for the Beachland’s newsletter, what’s been your most memorable turn of phrase?
EÁS: I really like to try to fit the word "lysergic" in. It's a total rock critic word. I also really like making up words like "metalicious" or "popperific." You just take an adjective and mate it with a genre or a drug. I condone that everyone do it. Make up words and use them in your everyday conversation.

The New Lou Reeds will play the Beachland Tavern this Friday, October 27 at 9PM with the Archie Bronson Outfit and Benjy Feree. Cobra Verde will headline an Ante Up Audio Artists showcase featuring bands in both the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern on Saturday, October 28 at 8PM. Visit http://www.beachlandballroom for more information.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Leslie Basalla lbasalla77@msn.com

Cool Cleveland Reads
Book by Book: Cleveland Reads in Book Groups

Gustave Flaubert, author of Madame Bovary, once said “Read in order to live.” I thought about that quote at book group last night where clusters of friends talked about good summer beach books, books read in other book groups, and armfuls of books gathered on frequent library trips, books they just had to read. Books are our lifeblood, our passion, our connection with people and the universe. We would be lost without books.

Reading has not gone out of style. Entering a bookstore on a Saturday night, I’m reassured of our culture’s love of books. Book discussion groups are all the rage now in private homes, on television, and in libraries and book stores.

Our Westside book group started back in 1986, when a couple of us decided it would be fun to start a book discussion group. We had no idea we were following the tradition of Victorian women portrayed in Helen Hoover Santmyer’s And Ladies of the Club. Our initial group was college-educated men and women in vocations revolving around reading and writing: librarians, teachers, paralegals. We chose classics and biographies and prize-winning fiction. In preparation, some of us read the author’s biography, others did their own research of criticism, and the leader prepared intellectual discussion questions to bring to the group.

We drank tea. Eventually, we ate dessert as well...
Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

Instant Karma
Quick reviews of recent events
Going out this weekend? Take along your PDA and your digital camera. Scratch out a few notes to send us with a picture of it for our Instant Karma real-world reviews of what's really happening. We'd love to hear from you. Send your stuff to Events@CoolCleveland.com

AtTENtion Span @ CPT, 10/18
What: TITLEWave Theatre's festival of 8 strong new ten-minute plays, including 3 by area authors.
Hits: All the plays had something going for them, but it’s the comedies that ruled. Greg Vovos' office satire The Memo had razor-sharp direction and howlingly funny takes by Russell Stich and Sean Booker as beleaguered data entry dudes. Randy Wyatt’s delightful cartoon Depart Mental let us overhear the unexpressed thoughts of a bitchy customer, harried clerk, and officious store manager at a cosmetics counter, while Eric Coble's smart Baggage Unattended sent up airport security paranoia. The most memorable performance was Doug Kusak’s sympathetic sad sack in Patrick Gabridge’s whimsically compassionate Measuring Matthew, about an obsessive-compulsive guy and the girl who got away.
Near-miss: The directors mixed it up by staging throughout the cavernous Gordon Square space, from the balcony to side platforms to an arena-style boxing ring. Fun idea, but having people swivel their chairs in different directions rather than herding them closer to each area often left folks miles from the action, which hampered audibility and the enjoyment of subtler dramatic pieces, which begged for intimacy, like Paul Donnelly’s tender-awkward Mission Accomplished or Chris Johnston’s The Wrong Bus.
Backstory: This one-weekend-only gig, part of CPT’s new “Not Quite Theatre” series, was strong enough to merit a longer run and a return engagement.
from Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 10/19
‘Mad scenes’ in operas are usually a guaranteed crowd pleaser, so why not one for soloist with orchestra? That may not have been the intent of the composer—or the soloist, Marisol Montalvo—but that was the overall effect of her mesmerizing performance of Hérodiade-Fragmente by composer/guest conductor Matthias Pintscher.

Gowned in a beyond-brilliant red gown Ms. Montalvo sang the nearly-half hour work from memory, an awesome feat even had one not heard the composer describe her performance as ‘living the music.’ The soprano has a beautiful rich voice which combines with a regal presence to absolutely command attention. The text combines the characters of Hérodiade and her daughter, Salomé, and then this persona looks in a mirror, sometimes played by the orchestra.

Myriad sounds, shimmering or somewhat brassy surround the singer, continuing or playing behind and under her notes, but seldom over them. It was a masterful blending of timbre and sonority.

Opening the program was Im Sommerwind, an early work by the young Anton Webern. This piece would be an intriguing entry in a ‘name the composer’ contest, as hardly anyone would ever be able to correctly identify its creator. It’s a peaceable sort of ramble through the countryside, lushly romantic in style, heavily influenced by Webern’s predecessors Wagner and R. Strauss. The middle section is jocular in nature before being jostled aside by the spring wind.

The second half of the program was devoted to a suite from the incidental music to Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien of Claude Debussy, for three soloists and chorus plus large orchestra. As in the earlier works, Mr. Pintscher was decisive and expressive in conveying his wishes to the musicians, without using a baton.

This is a huge, problematic and programmatic work, which if done in its entirety, takes up to six hours! The suite, however, used segments from four of the five scenes: The Court of Lilies, The Magic Chamber, Council of the False Gods and Paradise. Mezzo-sopranos Sandra Ross and Kimberly Lauritsen and the women of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus were featured in the first portion, producing billows of brilliant sound. The second scene was purely orchestral, slightly pastoral in essence.

Soprano Laura Claycomb was immediately remembered as the Nightingale of last season, and for good reason. Her voice soars effortlessly into the stratosphere, easily lulling the listener into a sense of complete joy in the combined tales of resurrection and redemption. The orchestral accompaniment was rich but never overpowering.

Paradise sounded as though it was based in Rome during the era of Centurions marching hither and thither, all to the colorful sound of trumpet and brass fanfares.

The next series of concerts feature violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann in the Brahms Violin Concerto, Golijov’s Last Round and the triumphant Fifth Symphony of Dmitri Shostakovich, in this his centennial year. Franz Welser-Möst conducts. For tickets or information about these or other upcoming concerts, call 231-1111, or visit the orchestra’s web-site: http://www.clevelandorchestra.com

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATadelphia.net

Frozen @ The Bang & the Clatter 10/20
What: Bryony Lavery’s three-hander about a serial killer of little girls, the mother of one of his 10-year-old victims, and the psychiatrist whose studies show serial killers as brain-damaged abuse victims.
What's hot: Deliberate, quirky, yet heartbreakingly real, Kate Duffield’s mother has the most memorable material and dominates the play with her quiet complexity -- some of her scenes would melt a heart of stone. The intense Sean Derry is both creepy and pathetic, although his accent and perpetual twitches sometime get in his way.
Ice cold: Director Sean McConaha turns the evening into a 3-hour Arctic slog with unnecessary blackouts and lugubrious cello interludes that add at least an extra 45 minutes to an already overlong script. And a miscast Laurel Johnson is miles out of her depth -- she’s more perky weathergirl or annoyed sophomore than grieving mid-life professional.
Backstory: Lavery sparked controversy when she was hit with a plagiarism charge over her portrayal of the psychiatrist, some of whose dialogue came straight from a New Yorker interview with a real-life expert. But incorporating the research makes for some fascinating and troubling insights.
Details: Thru 11/12 @ Summit Arts Space, Akron. http://www.bnctheatre.com/
from Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com

The Burial at Thebes @ Ensemble 10/21
What: Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet Seamus Heaney’s adaptation of Sophocles’ classic Antigone.
Who rocks: Heaney makes the play a commentary on the tragic consequences of “stay-the-course” rulers who can’t listen to advice, centering it around the appalling conduct of King Creon, who sentences his noble niece to death because he can’t brook dissent. Robert Hawkes lends an exasperated humanity to the pigheaded ruler as he carries the play on his broad back, and Rick Kesler thunders as doom-seer Teresias.
What's rocky: Unlike other adaptations which give the characters more complex psychological positions, Heaney’s declamatory style and black-and-white sermonizing -- Creon bad, Antigone good – combined with director Lucia Colombi’s stand-orate-and-point blocking too often make it slow-going, even at a terse 80 minutes with a competent cast. And Jeffrey Smart’s costumes include some major distractions, from the too-revealing slit in Antigone’s skirt to downright goofy headdresses reminiscent of Sun Ra.
Backstory: Given a 2004 commission by Dublin’s Abbey Theatre for its 100th anniversary, Heaney wanted to point up the play’s current relevance to the war in Iraq. His author notes make it clear that the Bushian "you’re a traitor if you don’t agree with me/I’m the Decider" stances are a direct parallel.
Details: Thru 11/5. Brooks Theatre at the Cleveland Play House. http://www.ensemble-theatre.com
from Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein LindaATcoolcleveland.com

Modern Orthodox @ JCC/Tri-C East 10/22
What: A charming if fluffy romantic sitcom about two secular Jewish yuppies who become unwittingly involved with a strictly Orthodox diamond seller who has never been on a date. Think of The Man Who Came to Dinner crossed with Annie Hall.
Reasons to go: In his tallis and NY Yankees yarmulke, Brian Zoldessy is so adorable as the lovesick schlemiel Herschel, you could eat him with a spoon. And Lara Mielcarek is radiant as the overwhelmed obstetrics resident Hannah - smart and pretty and thoroughly irresistible. Holly Facer has a fun scene as Herschel's Internet hookup from Jewdate.com.
Caveats: Larry Nehring has a hard time animating Ben, the contrived, spiky sitcom character whose life gets changed by Herschel. And the Tri-C auditorium is awfully big for this intimate trifle, even though they've blocked off half the hall.
Target audience: Although the JCC audience is overwhelmingly older folks, the play is essentially date material.
Details: Thru 11/5. Cuyahoga Community College – Eastern Campus, 4250 Richmond Rd. (at Harvard near I-271). 216-382-4000 X 274. http://www.clevejcc.org/arts-and-culture.asp
from Cool Cleveland contributor Linda Eisenstein Linda@coolcleveland.com

Urinetown @ Carousel Dinner Theater, 10/22 Carousel’s got it all figured out. First you start with a delicious meal (I highly recommend the onion soup and creme brulee), then you pile on the entertainment with live music and lots of laughs. Their current production, Urinetown, is a musical, believe it or not. In fact it’s a three-time, Tony Award-winning musical satire that pokes fun at its own weird name and the concept of musicals in general. Brimming with laughs and intrigue from a storyline that includes greed, idealism, corruption, murder, and abuse of power, Carousel’s Urinetown delivers a jam-packed show. The cast is loaded with extremely talented singers, actors and comedians and the performance is a high energy, foot stomping, musical with a Romeo and Juliet type of love story. Take two young lovers who try to make it despite the odds, throw in the prohibition of private toilets (yes, you read that correctly) and you’ve got a great, albeit “zany,” show! Urinetown “runs” now through 11/4. Singing in the Rain (with real rain pouring on stage!) is the next show at Carousel, 11/8–1/6. I can’t wait. From Cool Cleveland correspondent T.L. Champion

Yr Turn
Cool Cleveland readers write
We encourage our readers to speak out by sending us letters and commentary. Send your letters to Letters@CoolCleveland.com. You must include your full name (required) and you may include your e-mail address (optional). You may also create a new Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail e-mail address and submit it with your letter. Letters submitted to Cool Cleveland, or edited portions, may be published in an upcoming issue of Cool Cleveland at our discretion.

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

On Cool Cleveland Thank you, Thomas and crew for graciously including Passport Project in coolcleveland. We have gotten mad response--including nearly 200 hits on our website today! Will be forwarding--and trying to win that i-pod. ;-)
from Cool Cleveland reader Chloë Hopson, Passport Project chloeATpassportproject.org

On Cool NEO Thanks for another great issue of Cool Cleveland. You helped me and the family plot out our stops for the coming weekends. While I know you are focused on Cleveland area, I wanted to make sure you are aware of another great destination in Akron. The Magical Theatre Company is a wonderful place to take the kids. Dennis and Holly have created a first class cultural gem focused on children’s theatre. NEO is lucky to have it. http://www.MagicalTheatre.org
from Cool Cleveland reader Mark Bachmann mbachmannATmarcusthomasllc.com

On Issue 18 arts & culture levy It's ignorant and irresponsible to promote Issue 18, especially under the guise that a tax on cigarettes is going to hit Big Tobacco where it hurts, like this week's issue suggests. Are you kidding me?!? Such a sumptuary tax won't bother cigarette producers in the slightest; if it does pass, they will simply pass any increased costs on to the addicted smoker, as they have done in the past. But who cares about all smokers anyway. They're worth less than unaddicted folks like you and me, right? Sin taxes are a terrible political philosophy and truly the poorest excuses for public policy, suggesting that the enrichment of some people's lives in exchange for the slow-death of others is an OK business practice. I am disappointed (not to mention "shocked and awed") that a forward-thinking publication like CoolCleveland.com would print such a blatantly false claim, supporting the medieval thought process of this issue AND, in the same breath, align itself with "old guard" political thinking that has seemingly worked so well in our city to date. We can all do better. Issue 18 should geared to the glut of administratively top-heavy health care organizations in Northeast Ohio, paying for a comprehensive smoking cessation program and honorably supporting the viable economic development in our area that has taken place already in the health care industry. There has to be another way to pay for the arts and culture in this town... maybe a sales tax on those people who actually consume it? Those people should be willing to pay the extra buck to see it succeed and thrive...? Revenue sharing. What a concept! I should run for office!!! Don't fool yourself. Big Tobacco is going to have the last laugh either way. If Issue 18 passes, I hope that everyone who consumes arts and culture in Northeast Ohio observes a moment of silence before doing so... to honor those ailing in hospitals and hospices across our region, and to those who gave their lives for such privilege.
from Cool Cleveland reader Dave Stafford davidstafford66ATyahoo.com

While I whole-heartedly support the arts and culture community in Cuyahoga County, I believe voting for Issue 18 is a bad way to get government money for the arts. The basic premise is the fact that the majority of smokers are, socioeconomically speaking, middle to lower class. So, essentially, as a community we are opting to punish the middle/lower class in order to raise money for our arts organizations. I find that hypocritical, seeing as arts organizations want to liven the community - but somehow, I don't think John Doe from Factory A cares much for dance, theater, orchestra, or art so much as a nice pack of cigarettes and a cold bottle of beer. Let's not take from the poor and give to the elite.
from Cool Cleveland reader Mike Shafarenko mshafarenkoATgmail.com

Send your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com

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

1) Recycling guide Probably one of the most clicked links in CC history, now for the second week in a row-a PDF recycling guide.
www.CuyahogaSWD.com

2) AP Gushes over CLE as Travel Destination A very positive and important bit of feedback from the Associated Press, who rarely hand out kudos like this every day.
www.smh.com.au.

3) Issue 18 Profile Sheryl Hoffman of Art House.
www.CoolCleveland.com.

4) 2nd Dist Vice Squad Shuts down hub of arts and culture, the Church in Tremont.
http://www.TheClevelandChurch.com.

5) 99 best places to work in NEO 2006 winners from Employers Resource Council.
www.NorthCoast99.com.

We've got issues And we mean that both endearingly and seriously. Soak up this week's issue and you'll have 'em, too. With original weekly contributions, the Hard Corps are here to help you sort and solve 'em all. It's free and better than therapy. Give it up for Peter Chakerian, Roxanne Ravenel, TL Champion, George Nemeth, Leslie Basalla, Kelly Ferjutz, Linda Eisenstein, Roldo Bartimole, Denajua, Claudia J. Taller and everyone who partners with us. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Download the Cool Cleveland podcast each week at http://www.CoolCleveland.com. Click on the Cool Cleveland Blog here. Read the Cool Cleveland column each month in Cleveland Magazine here. Listen to Cool Cleveland on WCLV-FM 104.9 twice each Friday during drive time. Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com, and your letters to: Letters@CoolCleveland.com. For your copy of the free weekly Cool Cleveland e-zine, go to http://www.CoolCleveland.com.

Cool Cleveland Poem

Last Words
by Stephen Benefit

This Earth is vacant and bare
The smell of death is in the air
We look without seeing
The art has no meaning

Black soulless eyes
Knowing everything dies
Your time is now, our time was then
Even though we walk among men

Mortals bundled in the cold
No longer will we fit in that mold
Winters chill warm on our face
The fear of death no longer the case

The feeling of both predator and prey
Only vulnerable during the day
Tonight you will be watched
Not knowing that your life will soon be lost

Your 'now' will soon be 'then'
A life's blood across our grin
Our worry is not the hand you were dealt
We do not care how you felt

You are ours to be used as food
Like the beast of the field is to you
But we are the beasts, the demons of dreams
And we will survive by any means...

-S.Benefit-

What are your Issues, Cleveland?

--Thomas Mulready
Letters@CoolCleveland.com

all contents ©2006 MulreadyGROUP all rights reserved
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