07.08-07.15.09
IngenioCity

In this week's issue:

When James Levin and I kicked off the first IngenuityFest a few years back, we set out to create an event that could not be denied, ignored or tuned out. We wanted to celebrate the breathtaking richness of our cultural landscape, plugged into the staggering intensity of our technological adroitness. Judging by the schedule for the fifth annual event which kicks off Fri 7/10, this year's Fest should be mind-boggling. We've also got some hot vacation ideas for cool families, suggestions for what to do with those Cleveland Sunday mornings, and the latest in our Sixth City series, from the perspective of a recent grad who loves our ingenious city. Mansfield profiles the genius of E Prep, a rigorous and successful inner city prep school, and we're giving away a new iPhone or iPod, and you can click to win. No shortage of perspicacity here. --Thomas Mulready

Exploring This Year's Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology
Big Bang, Tesla Coil Orchestra, Superman, Screaming Tiki Con are just the beginning...

If there's one thing we've emphasized over the last several years, it's the incredible diversity and artistic exploration found in the annual Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology -- or IngenuityFest, as it's known these days (see video of Ingenuity 2008 here). Cleveland's all-encompassing intersection of creativity returns for its fifth run starting this Friday, July 10 and will take over downtown throughout the weekend. With an mind-blowing melange of artists, live performances, exhbitions, installations and cutting edge tech geek-outs, attendees are sure to find something fun, ponderous and entirely electrifying in the streets and spaces of the host location, PlayhouseSquare Center...

Read more from Peter Chakerian here

IngenuityFest 2009 Day One 07.10.09 With The Big Bang opening ceremonies kicking off Ingenuity 2009 on Fri 9/10' right on Star Plaza with hundreds of drummers led my Marcus Santos, belly dancing by Troupe Shabaana, Great Lakes Pipe & Drum Band, and the world-famous Shaw High School Marching Band, you knew it was going to be a good day. The incessant drumming brought the citizens out of their downtown cubicles and onto the street and into the 26 venues featuring cool art, technology and music.

Watch the slideshow for glimpses of the fun we were having: bands Mystery of Two and Peachcake on the Mainstage, filmmaker/dancer/choreographer Kathy Rose in the Idea Center, KB & The Riptides backing up Ian Charnas and the Tesla Orchestra, If These Trees Could Talk in the All Go Signs Alley, and tons of people with huge grins on their faces. Wonder what will Day Two will bring? http://www.IngenuityCleveland.com.

IngenuityFest 2009 VIP party 07.09.09 While everyone else in Cleveland was resting up for the big IngenuityFest weekend 7.10-12.09, VIPs, board members, funders, partners and the media attended a preview party featuring samples of a number of artists performing in this year's Fest: Wheel of Mashup, Opera in the Alley, Big Bang, Lisa Lock, Woy/Ubu [pictured], UrbanArtz, Eva Kwong, the Electromagnetically Prepared Piano, Speed Shift, Derek Snyder, Jocelyn Chang & Michael Leese, Mike Geither and others. Watch the video for your favorite Cleveland celebrities, and get your tix now. http://www.IngenuityCleveland.com.

Click to WIN You knew it was only a matter of time. Cool Cleveland has acquired the new iPhone 3GS from Apple, and we'll be offering our review shortly. Do you have one yet?

Now you can become eligible to win 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: $13 Blossom Festival Tickets- deadline to purchase extended to Fri 7/10. Save $100 when you purchase the new Lawn Ticket Book, with 10 tickets for $130, good for any Cleveland Orchestra concert (16 concerts to choose from). New: Sit on the Lawn, or in specially designated seating in the Pavilion- first come, first served. Pack a delicious picnic with your favorite beverages and save. New: Kids 12 and under no charge on the Lawn, so you save even more (2 kids per adult ticket)! Enjoy the finest band in the land and trim your family budget at the same time. Get Lawn Ticket books before July 10 (deadline extended) for best discount by phone: 216-231-1111, at Severance Hall, at Blossom, or online: http://www.BlossomLawnFun.com

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Wanna meet #23? LeBron is part of a really cool raffle and the details are here
Are you hip to CIA Grad Mina Hoyle and her BlicksBags? If not, you need to surf over here
Saving the Superman House! Surf over here to learn how it went down
This may be the t-shirt of the year for Clevelanders! We're ready to order ours! Show your love!
Fly the friendly skies? Two Cle airline close calls are blamed on a student air traffic controller? Wow!

Redefining "Drive-In" No one was hurt when a car driven very slowly (5 mph) topped the curb and took out a cement garbage can and two metal benches, on its way to smashing the front window of Steve Presser's new store Big Fun Cleveland on Clifton Blvd. The window is being replaced, and the store is still open, selling joy buzzers, fake puke and favorite collectables from your childhood. http://www.BigFunBigFun.com

Positively Cleveland received three awards including the 2009 Facilities & Destinations "Top Destination Award" The award indicates industry recognition of premier convention and visitors bureaus that help coordinate meetings, tradeshows and conferences. Positively Cleveland has the distinction of being in the top ten percentile in the nation on this list! http://www.PositivelyCleveland.com.

Cle Journo Douglas Trattner's new Cleveland handbook was recently released through MOON Publishing and it looks like quite a cool read! Definitely not your usual travel guide. http://www.DouglasTrattner.com. http://www.Moon.com.

Skyline Writers Conference: Writing in the Valley Skyline Writers holds its 26th Annual Conference Sat 8/22 at Hines Hill Conference Center in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Join this local writing group for a day of writing immersion. Workshops and presenters are: Thomas Sigert on book proposals, Kristin Ohlson on memoir, Sandra Gurvis on story crafting, Kelly Boyer Sagert on successful freelancing, and Barbara Snow on motivation. The Conference takes place from 9AM - 5PM. It's a great, insightful event for longtime writers, backpack journalists and newcomers alike. Details and registration at http://www.SkylineWriters.com.

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

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

SPONSORED: Weekend (or weekday) getaway Escape to the sylvan environs of Wooster for the only professional company in the world devoted primarily to operetta, The Ohio Light Opera, performed 100% in English with the finest musicians, singers and actors recruited from around the U.S. Performances continue through Sat 8/8 with The Beautiful Helen of Troy, by Jacques Offenbach, the father of Operetta and the Can-Can dance, opening Fri 7/10. Or Johann Strauss, Jr.'s A Night in Venice, which bombed in Berlin, then, with some changes, opened in Venice to ecstatic acclaim. Or choose from 5 other brilliant productions, in the blissful setting of Wooster with fine dining, shopping and charming overnight accommodations. 330-263-2345, http://www.OhioLightOpera.org

Hot Vacation Ideas for Cool Cleveland Families

Don't feel like an 8-hour road trip with two wonderful, but sometimes "challenging" kids? Deciding to vacation closer to home due to current economic conditions? Whatever the reason, a vacation in Cleveland is cool. Not only can you save a few dollars, but you can choose to map out a week of summer fun or spread outings throughout the summer, creating a comprehensive season of fun. Ah, but where to start? Where to go? What to do? Should you do overnight trips or simple day outings? The choice is yours, but we've got some ideas...

Read more from Jeannie Fleming-Gifford here

HOT Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology This weekend-long celebration of art, technology and creativity explodes all over downtown Cleveland starting Fri 7/10 and running like mad throughout the weekend! Check out Peter Chakerian's rundown of the IF's events in this week's issue, as well as his review of the performance art-music outfit Peachcake, who are scheduled to perform. Ya gotta see this! http://www.IngenuityCleveland.com.

Pizza & Portraits The Fine Arts Association hosts this event Wed 7/8 at 6:30PM, complete with dinner and art! Come make a picture that will be treasured for a lifetime. Following a pizza dinner in the evening summer sun, parent/child (or grandparent/child) duos will work together to create self-portraits, each contributing to the other's drawings. Pre-registration required. Make some memories. http://www.FineArtsAssociation.org.

Summer in the City Concert The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum hosts this summer classic Wed 7/8 at 7PM. Head downtown to the lakefront and educate your kids on why "Cleveland rocks!" Concert takes place on the Rock Hall's Main Stage, a perfect, no-cost, open to the public experience. http://www.RockHall.com.

Fancy Nancy The Children's Museum of Cleveland offers a thrill with their child-only Fancy Nancy workshop Sat 7/11 at 12:30PM. Do your kiddos like being fancy? Your kids get to soak up "fancy science" by making lava lamps and working on other cool hands-on projects while reading some of favorite Fancy Nancy books. Details at http://www.ClevelandChildrensMuseum.org.

HOT Cain Park Arts Festival A feast for the eyes, ears and palate, the annual fest starts Fri 7/10 and runs throughout the weekend. Ranked by Sunshine Artists Magazine as "one of the top 25 festivals in the country," the Cleveland Heights-based fest features a cornucopia of arts, crafts, tasty nosh, live music and more. One of the summer's true pleasures. http://www.CainPark.com.

HOT Dylan, Mellencamp & Nelson Two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and one Country Music Hall of Famer performing on the same stage in Eastlake...? Why not show the kids what a good ol' fashioned "stadium show" was like back in the day this Sat 7/11. Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson?? AND THIS JUST IN: Kids under 14 get in free with an adult paid admission (one kiddo per person). Yeah, how often does something like this happen? Once in a lifetime... and right here in town... so make this your kids' first concert. Score your tickets and details here.

Nature at Night The North Chagrin Reservation serves as the backdrop for this no-cost, open to the public event Sat 7/11 from 5 - 11PM. Enjoy a fun family-friendly night complete with nocturnal animals, bugs, hikes, telescopes, campfires, storytelling and a movie. This is the kind of stuff we grew up with... long before the days of iPods, Nintendo DS and the Internet. Why not scale it back for some outdoor summer fun? http://www.CleMetParks.com or call 440-473-3370.

Felton Thomas has only been on the job a few months as director of the Cleveland Public Library, after arriving from Las Vegas. He's thrilled to be heading up the 3rd largest research library next to NY and Boston.

Watch this video, shot in the amazing Eastman Reading Garden, named after Linda Eastman, the first female library director in the country. With it's public sculptural fountain designed by Maya Lin, who also designed the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington D.C., the Eastman Reading Garden is one of Cleveland's very finest public spaces, featuring Wi-Fi, comfortable benches, and a delightful respite from the hustle bustle of Downtown. http://www.CPL.org

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

Ned Hill, Ph.D. is the new Dean of CSU's Levin College of Urban Affairs and you can read all about it here
Thirteen small businesses and entrepreneurs are the most recent beneficiaries of funding from the Cuyahoga County New Product Development and Entrepreneurship Loan Program. Congrats!
OneCommunity's Scot Rourke and Mark Ansboury named Ernst and Young NEO Entrepreneur of the Year, Supporter of Entrepreneurship. Read more

SPONSORED: FITTech Alert - Exciting happenings at FIT SchoolOne and Campus Outfitters, our sister-companies, are having an exciting and busy summer this year, which is our company's 10th anniversary. SchoolOne is launching our redesigned Student Information System (SIS), which provides teacher, parent and administrator tools in one web-based software package. Campus Outfitters, our K-12 uniform division, opened a new store in Westlake, at Williamsburg Square on Detroit Avenue. This is the Cleveland area's first opportunity to see our great products. Learn more at http://www.fittechnologies.com/about.htm or call us at 216.583.0733.

E4S Start-Up Biz Showcase in Akron hits this Wed 7/8 and you can register here
Mayor Frank Jackson headlines next Landerhaven Corp. Club luncheon this Thu 7/9 and the details are here
Strategic Planning and Implementation is the subject of BVU non-profit seminar Fri 7/10. Learn more and register here
Getting Started as a New Leader Learn how to focus time/efforts on tasks and accelerate your ability to achieve results Wed 7/15 from 1 - 5PM at Corp College. Register
Job Search and Career Transitions w/ Laurie Mitchell The com biz headhunter/guru offers a straight-up Q&A Wed 7/15 and the details are here
Leading and Managing This BVU seminar this Fri 7/17 from 8AM - noon at the Penton Media Building. Sounds very worthwhile. Details
The Emergence of Mobile They say mobile is the 'third screen' after television and your computer monitor; learn how to use it to your biz advantage Mon 7/20 in this WebAssoc. event @ Adcom Optiem! Register
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
Crain's upcoming biz breakfast Supply Chain Strategies and Visibility hits this Wed 7/29 at the Ritz-Carlton. Register
Smart Business Live Akron feat. Vicki Tifft Founder & CEO of Clinical Research Management talks Thu 8/13 @ Tangier in Akron. RSVP

What We Really Need? Maybe it's a Casino...?
Our Sixth City Series Continues with a Meditation on Gambling

Minus the brutal murders and the trafficking of narcotics, the first part of my life was a lot closer to an episode of The Sopranos than it was The Cosby Show. In fact, some of my earliest memories include my grandfather teaching me how to play poker and blackjack. Before I could swim, I knew how to fill out squares for the Super Bowl. After the second grade, I still had trouble figuring out fractions... but I knew if a team was -3.5 on the road it meant, "Don't gamble on this game because Vegas doesn't have a clue what is going to happen." I even got away with running a NCAA March Madness pool throughout middle school.

All this is to say that I grew up taking and placing bets and I'll cop to still liking to gamble on occasion. In terms of excitement, a casino in the Cleveland area could be right up there with the Cavaliers drafting LeBron James. I say it could be, but just the same, that doesn't mean I think Cleveland should have a casino. I'm very wary about the possibility of Cleveland having a casino, actually...

Read more from Jeff Biasella here

What To Do With Those Cleveland Sunday Mornings

There's something about Sunday mornings... memories of dressing for church in the kitchen, being propped up in bed with a cup of coffee and newspaper, or waking up at a campsite when the temperature is a cool and bright 55 degrees. Sunday morning memories are part of my subconscious, but I think what sets Sunday mornings apart is how quiet they are. It's easy to have the illusion that we have the world to ourselves.

Because of the quiet, the slowing down, Sunday mornings are full of possibility. Saturday's chores, grocery shopping, soccer games, and dance lessons have been left behind. If you plan it right, Sunday can be a day of freedom to do something daring. You may have a list that includes pole vaulting or cliff diving, but for those of us looking for ways to relax that are not dangerous, here's a "bucket list" for Sunday mornings that can easily turn into summer afternoons this year...

Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

SPONSORED: Blossom summer fun- extended deadline for your next stay-cation right here in cool Cleveland. Check it out: enjoy the sylvan beauty of the Blossom Music Center grounds, your Cleveland Orchestra in the acoustically perfect amphitheatre, and the liberal picnic basket policy (bring your favorite beverage, and all the delicious snacks you want). Spread your blanket on the Lawn, or pop into the designated General Admission areas in the Pavilion (available first come, first served) to enjoy the best music in the world- first come, first served. Best Blossom Festival deal at $13 per ticket when you buy a book of 10 for $130. $13 ticket deadline extended to Fri 7/10 by phone: 216-231-1111, at Severance Hall, at Blossom, or online: http://www.BlossomLawnFun.com

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

Yvonne Hunnicutt On Wed 7/8 at noon, Hunnicutt of Voices for Ohio's Children discusses the work of the Juvenile Justice Initiative to promote reform of the juvenile justice system through coordinating and mobilizing individuals and organizations. More information here. To RSVP, e-mail contact@acluohio.org or call 472-2200.

HOT There Goes the Neighborhood and MOCACleveland's Casual Cocktail It's no cost, it's open to the public and it gives you a shot at networking and amazing art all at once. But consider it Happy Hour with a twist: the latest MOCA exhibition [pictured] There Goes the Neighborhood is on view concurrently. http://www.MOCACleveland.org.

HOT Art On Tap The Cleveland Museum of Art hosts this new series of three young professional events Wed 7/8 (TODAY!), Wed 8/12 and Wed 9/9. Mixing networking with art, live music, gallery strolls, nosh and bevvies and more, who could ask for more? Each event runs from 5:30 - 9PM; Great Lakes Brewing Company is sponsoring! http://www.ClevelandArt.org.

Awake at the End Loren Weiss and Meredith Holmes will be discussing and signing Awake At the End Wed 7/8 at 7PM at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. the book is a poet laureate anthology that collects the output of the first three Cleveland Heights poets laureates--Holmes, Weiss, and Mary Weems. It is a reflection on life, love, family, and their hometown. http://www.JosephBeth.com.

HOT Alfred Stieglitz & The Art of Camera Work Hear noted local photographer Herb Ascherman Jr., discuss the legendary photography of Stieglitz, focusing on his years as the publisher of Camera Work -- the quarterly journal featuring examples of leading innovators of photography and helped to establish photography as a fine art Wed 7/8 at noon. Cleveland Public Library, Main Library Building Special Collections, 3rd floor, 325 Superior Ave. Call 623-2818 for info.

Walk & Dine The 12th Annual Walk & Dine Event in the Historic Gateway Neighborhood hits Wed 7/8 starting at the Statler Arms at 1127 Euclid Ave. Walking Tours from 6:30PM - 9:30PM conclude at Pickwick & Frolic from 8:30 - 11PM. Tours take you inside new and interesting living spaces in the Gateway Neighborhoods, showcasing downtown living. Sound fun? Call Kelly at 771-1994 and get in on it. Details.

GREEN Blue Pike Farm Market Every Thursday, including this Thu 7/9 from 4 - 7PM, get a load of this 21st Century farmstand. Hey, you're probably downtown anyway... why not score some fresh, locally-grown goodies for your dinner tonight? Runs now through October. Score details here.

HOT Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology This weekend-long celebration of art, technology and creativity explodes all over downtown Cleveland [pictured] starting Fri 7/10 and running like mad throughout the weekend! Check out Peter Chakerian's rundown of the IF's events in this week's issue, as well as his review of the performance art-music outfit Peachcake, who are scheduled to perform. Ya gotta see this! http://www.IngenuityCleveland.com.

HOT Cain Park Arts Festival A feast for the eyes, ears and palate, the annual fest starts Fri 7/10 and runs throughout the weekend. Ranked by Sunshine Artists Magazine as "one of the top 25 festivals in the country," the Cleveland Heights-based fest features a cornucopia of arts, crafts, tasty nosh, live music and more. One of the summer's true pleasures. http://www.CainPark.com.

Derek Gelvin and Gordon Dwight On Fri 7/10 from 5:30 - 9PM and Sat 7/11 from 1 - 5PM, legation gallery will be exhibiting Cleveland Institute of Art graduate/ sculptor Derek Gelvin gelvinstudio.com) as well as custom jeweler, Gordon Dwight. DJ Jeff Harrell (Vice Verses) will be spinning for the Friday night event. Call 961-2590 or visit http://www.MySpace.com/Leagtion.

Comedy Hot Off the Grill The Powerhouse Pub on the West Bank of the Flats features local comedians Ryan Dalton, and the Something Dada and Last Call Cleveland comedy troupes Fri 7/10 at 7:30PM. Let's face it, we all need a laugh; this is going to be the place to get it. 2000 Sycamore, between the Improv & Howl at the Moon. http://www.FWPUB.itgo.com.

BBQ... Backyard and Beyond Cleveland Art Riot and Low Life Gallery co-anchor this art opening and reception on Fri 7/10 from 7 - 11PM. "BBQ" is synonymous with summer and has become a staple in American culture. It's a unique social environment; exclusive art created by Aaron Gunderson, Chris Kulscar, Hannah Verbeuren and Kerry Lange explores the summery subject matter. 16001 Waterloo Rd. http://www.MySpace.com/LowLifeCleveland.

HOT 78th Street Studios Experience This quarterly event showcasing the West Side of Cleveland's largest art center -- and the home to world-class art galleries, artist studios, and creative businesses -- hits Fri 7/10 from 5:30 - 9PM and Sat 7/11 from 1 - 5PM. And while you're there, soak in and check out the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood's supercool vibes. http://www.78StreetStudios.com.

Decorating Dialogues Don't give away or sell anything -- be it old clothes or questionable home furnishings -- until you' hit this decorating dialogue at the Ohio Design Centre in Beachwood on Fri 7/10 at noon. Local interior designers will showcase the interesting layers of design inspired by the past, not so distant to old-world, including how to intermingle the various design elements and eras into artistic spaces. Register by calling 831-1245 or visit http://www.OhioDesignCentre.com.

Rock'n Art Night If the Tremont Art Walk and Halloween had a baby, it would be born on Sat 7/11 at 6PM with this event at Mulberry's (2316 Mulberry Ave., West Bank of the Flats). Dress up as your favorite performer or famous piece of art work; a prize will be awarded for most unique or best look-alike costume. Come dance, drink and mingle with local artists who will have their one of a kind art work on display! http://www.MulberrysCleveland.com.

HOT Dylan, Mellencamp & Nelson Two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and one Country Music Hall of Famer performing on the same stage in Eastlake... at a great outdoor baseball stadium... your kids are comp'ed... and the possibility of an end-of-show jam session...? Please tell us you don't need any more encouragement than that to hit Classic Park Sat 7/11. Score your tickets here.

Pictures at an Exhibition Lionel Bringuier, assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will make his debut with The Cleveland Orchestra in a concert featuring Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (orchestrated by Maurice Ravel) at the Blossom Festival on Sat 7/11 at 8PM. Other works to be performed; details at http://www.ClevelandOrchestra.com.

HOT Evil Dead: The Musical at Beck Center has been extended through late July! Check it out tonight Sat 7/11 at 7PM in their studio theatre. The Bruce-Campbell-led cult classic film translated to the stage with reckless abandon and if you haven't seen it, here's your last chance! Score details at http://www.BeckCenter.org.

Better Erin O'Brien, sister of John O'Brien will read from Better and talk about her late brother's writing at Mac's Backs Books on Coventry, 1820 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights this Sat 7/11 at 7PM. This no cost, open to the public event is part of all the great stuff happening on Coventry this weekend. Details at http://www.MacsBacks.com.

Escape to Brasil! On Sat 7/11 from 9PM - 2AM, check out percussionist Marcus Santos, live music, Bahian Street food stands, fruit drink specials, a "Samba Joia" traditional Carnaval percussion line, samba dancers a Capoeira Show (Brazilian Martial arts/dance), DJ Felix and more. Call 295-1200 or visit http://www.SergiosCleveland.com.

SPONSORED: Live from Cain Park WCLV 104.9 will be live at the Cain Park Art Festival this coming Sat 7/11, from 11AM to 4PM, with regular reports on activities and talking to artists. Stop by and say hello to Jacqueline Gerber, host of WCLV's First Program. That evening at 8PM, Jayce Ogren, who stepped in at the last moment the weekend of May 29th for Franz, conducts Mahler's Symphony No. 5. Full details on WCLV's classical music programming at http://www.WCLV.com.

HOT Bravo Broadway! The Cleveland Orchestra performs Bravo Broadway: Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Blossom Festival on Sun 7/12 at 7PM. Vocalists Christiane Noll, Aaron Lazar, and William Michals will be soloists; the Blossom Festival Chorus also will take part in the program. http://www.ClevelandOrchestra.com

Second Sunday Concert Series Soprano Amy Christina Hall will offer a Goethe-inspired program with Nathan Carterette at the piano in the first of a three-part Summer Concert Series at Church of the Epiphany Sun 7/12 at 3PM. No cost, open to the public with reception following on the church lawn. 21000 Lake Shore Blvd., Euclid. For details, call 731-1316 or visit http://www.EpiphanyEuclid.org/Parish-News.

The Artists formerly known as 2 Skinny Dorks & The Family Skinny, the local acoustic pop-funk outfit, perform at Cain Park's Evans Amphitheater on Tue 7/14 at 8PM. Skinny is the third installment in Cain Park's two-buck Tuesday concert series! http://www.CainPark.com.

Raphaela Platow The Nesnadny + Schwartz Visiting Curator program at MOCACleveland features the Director and Chief Curator of the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati on Wed 7/15. Platow will explore the relevance of contemporary art and institutions. Details on the lecture at http://www.MOCACleveland.org.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

E Prep: The Future of Urban Education

John Zitzner is an entrepreneur, a visionary, and some would say that he's a bit of a dreamer. He was positive that in the proper setting, inner-city kids could do as well educationally as their better situated suburban counterparts, and he set about to prove it. With the assistance of the able team of educators he has assembled at E Prep School, a charter school sponsored by the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD) he is achieving phenomenal success with a cross-section of grade 6 through 8 students -- educational refugees from the public school system if you will -- who are willing to face up to the challenges of a rigorous educational environment. And no, he's not cherry picking, he'll accept all who are sincere about learning in a safe, caring (albeit rigorous) educational setting...

Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here?

What Year Will You Have the World?
Peachcake
Mainstream Records

In my world, a Peachcake is a great summer treat: a homemade peach kuchen that I make from deliciously juicy local fruit and drizzle with a ginger green tea glaze. Yeah, I'm something of a frustrated chef deep down inside and I usually refer to my little dessert as a peachcake.

So imagine my surprise when a CD by a band named Peachcake shows up and begs for a review. OK, ya got me. With a summery cover, hopelessly puzzling song titles and the promise of performance art spirit and electronic beats, I was glad to cut into the duo's What Year Will You Have the World? effort. And Stefan Pruett and John O' Keefe don't disappoint; you'll definitely need a fork for this one, because it's just desserts (natch) offer the absurdity we all need in the "Summer of Shaq" and in surviving the "24-Hour 'Michael Jackson Is Dead' Newscycle." At last year's Ingenuity Festival of Art & Technology, Peachcake used electronic beats to great effect, drilling down lighthearted humor underpinned with synthesizer craziness...

Read more from Peter Chakerian here

Does Jimmy Dimora Deserve His Rights?
Plus: Strickland, A Magical Hundred-Grand and a Cornucopia of Other Roldo Goodness

Does Jimmy Dimora deserve the privilege of being considered innocent until proven guilty? I don't think the Plain Dealer believes so. I can't argue with there being news coverage of the county corruption issues. However, I think the Plain Dealer has been using the mess for a circulation boost.

Big black headlines almost daily. Lots of space that give the impression of a crusade. Large photographs of public officials. It all has the quality of a campaign. However, editors don't run for office.

Yet, they are running these days -- for their lives -- and the temptation to play a juicy story big to attract and keep readers and subscribers has to be enticing. Newspapers are troubled by declining interest and declining revenues. Anything that can change that formula presents opportunities...
Read more from Roldo Bartimole here

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

Little Shop of Horrors @ Beck Center 6/25
Read more from Roy Berko here

The Odd Couple @ Porthouse Theatre 7/3
Read more from Roy Berko 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) Bar Symon Iron Chef opens in Avon Lake.
BarSymon.com

2) Don't pay for your kids on the lawn at Blossom They are comp with an adult ticket.
BlossomLawnFun.com

3) K&D is out as County Developer County corruption scandal widens.
CoolCleveland.com

4) The Ultimate Date Night (or Afternoon) Ohio Light Opera in Wooster is a short road trip.
OhioLightOpera.org

5) Ingenuity Rocks PlayhouseSquare Tesla Orchestra and more, starting July 10.
Watch the cool video of the Tesla Coil, and get tix here: IngenuityCleveland.com.

Seven the Hard Way Our luck might not always be red-hot, but in Northeast Ohio, you don't have to gamble on the wealth of resources we have. Just click through your Cool Cleveland every week and you'll see what the Hard Corps mean. Thanks to Peter Chakerian, Claudia J. Taller, Mansfield B. Frazier, Kelly Ferjutz, Roy Berko, Jeff Biasella, Susan Schaul and Jeannie Fleming-Gifford. 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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