08.26-09.02.09
VisionQuest

In this week's issue:
* SixthCITY VisionQuest Phase 1: Edgewater to Burke
* Road Trip Bi-Planes and Tri-Motors in Dayton
* STAYcation Olmsted Villages is more than a mall
* Straight Outta Mansfield Out of the frying pan... and into the fire
* DanceWORKS Verb Ballets at Lincoln Park
* RoldoLINK Who Let the Vultures In? Woof, Woof
* Cool Cleveland podcast & BFD blog & Facebook & Twitter

How's your vision, Cleveland? At CoolCleveland.com, ours couldn't be clearer. Every week since 2002, we've been scouring the streets and our hundreds of online sources to bring you the 94 links below, for your consideration and clicking. Jeff Biasella is on fire with the third installment of Sixth City, his provocative vision for Cleveland's waterfront, including why the old Taconite mine should become affordable high rises and get named after Harvey Pekar. Susan Schaul takes us on a road trip to Dayton, and Claudia Taller shows us that Olmsted Villages is more than a mall. Vic & Elsa preview the return of Verb Ballets to one of the city's coolest outdoor stages at Lincoln Park in Tremont. Mansfield feels there's no halfway measures for a local halfway house, and Roldo sees a vulture at the door. And don't forget about those 94 links just waiting to be clicked. So much vision for such a cool town. --Thomas Mulready


VisionQuest
Phase 1: Edgewater Park to Burke Lakefront

GREEN There's a reason why I recently wrote two columns on Toronto's Waterfront in CoolCleveland.com [here and here].

It's not because I like heaping praise on Canada. I'm still mad at Canada for towing my car, ticketing my friend for jaywalking, and Corey Haim. Not for his movies, but for making two-toned spiked hair cool. My childhood was ruined because my dark nappy hair resists color change and gel.

All along I wanted to write this column; my vision of a Cleveland Waterfront. I wrote the other columns so people would see how realistic this project is. I think a lot of the time good ideas in Cleveland are shot down because "hey this is Cleveland."

Up until a few years ago we weren't used to things working out. When a new idea is introduced in Cleveland, it's automatically assumed to be nothing more than a pipedream. But if Toronto has taught us only one thing it's that a Waterfront dream is worth inhaling. So without further ado, here's Phase #1 of how Cleveland should go about designing a Waterfront...

Read more of VisionQuest Phase 1, from the Sixth City series by Jeff Biasella here

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Lorain County Community College enrollment up 14.3 percent from last year and 78 percent higher than in 2000. Read

GREEN Register now for From Rust Belt to Artist Belt II, happening on Thu 9/17 and Fri 9/18 in the Detroit-Shoreway 'hood. Evolve

RTA increases fares again (Again?!) As of Tue 9/1, one ride will be $2.25; all-day pass $5. Read

HOT Positively Youngstown: Entrepreneur mag names Y-town one of the best places to be an entrepreneur. [Pictured: Jim Cossler of Youngstown Business Incubator] Grow

U.S. News & World Report ranks CWRU among nation's top 50 universities for 14th consecutive year. Read

Us, stressed? Forbes still doesn't get it: ranks Cle as nation's 4th most stressful city. Read

Variety plugs Beck Center on their recent efforts to bolster financial stability. Read

GREEN Oberlin College ranked among nation's most eco-enlightened universities. Read

Think your family's weird? Amusing? Quirky? Actors' Summit seeks family stories 300-words or less for their play Are We There Yet? Email them to thackaberryn@actorssummit.org by Thu 9/1. Info

HELP Wanna help train puppies to become guide dogs? Guiding Eyes for the Blind offers weekly Pre-Placement Puppy Orientation classes beginning Wed 9/2 for wannabe trainers. Read


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: Join CAK on Facebook. Get $25 off your next AirTran Airways flight! http://www.facebook.com/akroncantonairport



Music in the Meadow with Mo' Mojo Pack a blanket and bring your fam for a night of free music and activities on Wed 8/26. Experience the heat and energy of Cajun zydeco music with Mo' Mojo. (They even play a washboard!) Lawn activities offered at 5:30PM. Music at 6:30PM. Try pre-ordering a picnic dinner. Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Rd., Peninsula. Info

HOT Family Fun Night at Downtown@Dusk Bring your little ones (or big kids) to the Akron Art Museum on Thu 8/27 from 6:30 - 8:30PM for a special arts-infused Dowtown@Dusk concert. Enjoy the neo-soul croonings of Robin Stone [pictured] while your kids make art. No charge. 1 S. High St, Akron. Info

Monthly Pajama Story Time Dress your 2 - 5-year-old in his or her favorite PJs for a special bedtime program at the West Park Branch of Cle Public Library on Thu 8/27 at 6:30PM. Teddy bears and parents invited, too. 3805 W. 157th. Call 216-623-7102 or email cpl-westpk@cpl.org to register. Register

Campfire Songs and Stories + Astronomy Night Roast s'mores around a campfire, listen to animal tales and sing nature songs on Sat 8/29 at 7PM in Swine Creek Reservation, 16004 Hayes Road, Middlefield/Parkman Twps. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Then stay afterwards to gaze at summer constellations and celestial bodies starting at 8:30PM. Info

Abracadabra! Everday Magic Make some magic while learning science and math principles at this seasonal exhibit running from Sat 8/29 to Sun 11/29. Create chemical reactions with body heat, decode secret messages and pull a rabbit outta your hat. The Children's Museum of Cle, 10730 Euclid Ave. Info


Bi-planes and Tri-Motors
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Looking for a different Ohio field trip destination? Rather than flying up and down on the roller coasters at Cedar Point, you can learn about early flight and see military aircraft at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.

Within 17 acres of indoor exhibit space, more than 300 aircraft are displayed. Due to the outstanding exhibits and educational programs, the Museum hosts over 1.2 million visitors (children, adults, and military personnel) a year.

After an easy four-hour drive from Cleveland, you will find yourself standing among three connecting humongous Quonset-style huts (large airplane hangars), exhibiting authentically restored bi-planes and tri-motors, fighter and cargo planes, and located at a neighboring site, the Presidential fleet of Air Force One aircraft...

Read more from Susan Schaul here

SPONSORED: Fancy Flapjacks? Don't miss the United Way of Greater Cleveland Campaign Kickoff and Pancake Flip on Thu 9/3 at Public Square, from 7 AM to 10 AM. Pancakes, sausages, orange juice and coffee are only $5, plus the first 2500 breakfasts will receive Bakers Square and Taste of Cleveland coupons! Fax us for delivery to your downtown office here, or call 216-436-2125 no later than noon on Wed 9/2. More info: 216-436-2121 or mbattle@uws.org. Join us on Public Square because now more than ever, United Way needs you!


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


HOT Cle-Elyria-Mentor area will see country's 4th largest housing price increase (+8.2%) over the next 4 yrs, according to BusinessWeek

GREEN Very cool Business Week spotlights Cle's Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (E4S) Read

HOT Inc. mag names Solon-based Findaway World as one of the Top 500 fastest growing private companies in the US, with Playaway pre-loaded digital audio player [pictured]. Read

GREEN CSU's Nance College of Business receives grant to integrate financial and environmental sustainability principles into international programs. Read

HOT 2009 Medical Innovation Summit on Mon 10/5-7. This year's topic: "Cancer Cures Through Innovation." Register

Great Lakes Science Center provides state-of-the-art classrooms for Cle Metro School District's science-minded MC2STEM High School. Info

Ohio's unemployment rate climbs slightly from 11.1% in June to 11.2% in July. Read

As if we didn't know? Survey finds Ohio workers increasingly losing confidence in economy. Read

CSU students' edible utensils idea wins first place in KSU's Entrepreneurship Immersion Week. Mmm... spoons. Read

GREEN Did'ya hear? The green collar Made in America Jobs Tour kicked off in Cle last week. Read about it. Read


Home Business Network Annual Luncheon: Spotlight on Success Windows Wed 8/26 10:30AM w/Hal Becker & MT Nobleman. Register
HOT MedCity News 1st Annual Summer Cornhole Tournament and Networking Event at Edgewater Park on Thu 8/27 from 4 - 8PM. Details
GREEN Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition mtg at Youngstown's Kilcawley Cntr on Wed 9/2 from 9 - 11AM. Info
GREEN E4S Start-Up Business Member Roundtable at E4S Connection & Learning Cntr on Wed 9/2 5 - 7PM. RSVP
Design Controls for the Medical Device Start-Up at Lerner Rsrch Institute, Rm NA1-138 on Thu 9/3 7:15 - 10:45AM. Register
GREEN eco-SMART Manufacturing Sustainable Strategies breakfast @ Ritz-Carlton on Thu 9/10 from 7:30 - 9:30AM. Register
Fashion Group Intl. of Cle Entrep Ntwk Event Shaker Hts Country Club Thu 9/10 6:30PM. julietleddy@roadrunner.com Register
Innovation in Business Conference on Wed 9/23 honors Rising Stars, Visionaries & Master Innovators. Register
HOT Networking In The Middle VII on Wed 9/23 at 5:30PM at Akron-Canton Airport, for YPs from across the region. Register
Downtown Akron Employee App & Get Out of the Office Wrap-up Party Lock 2 Park Fri 9/4 11AM. Music, ice cream & bingo. Details

SPONSORED: Last weekend to see the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom! Catch some of the coolest concert music ever written, by the best band in the land: Debussy's La Mer on Sat 8/29 and Ravel's Bolero on Sun 8/30, conducted by the magnificent Giancarlo Guerrero. No charge for kids on the Lawn, so don't let the summer escape without a visit to Blossom for The Cleveland Orchestra. Get tix by phone: 216-231-1111, at Severance Hall, at Blossom, or online: http://www.ClevelandOrchestra.com


Olmsted Villages
From Farming to Shopping Destination

North Olmsted - it's where Great Northern Mall is, right? That would be right, but the Mall along with the chain restaurants and multitude of strip shopping centers, wasn't built until about 30 years ago. In the mid-1970's, finding one's way to North Olmsted, a small town whose high school was known for its musicals and whose citizens still kept horses, meant driving out Lorain Road rather than Route 480.

Look more closely, and you'll find a place rich in history and community spirit: Springvale Ballroom, the oldest operating ballroom in northeast Ohio; the Rocky River Nature Center, surrounded by massive shale cliffs that rise above the cottonwoods and willows; a covered bridge, centuries-old cemeteries and historic homes dot the area; and Grand Pacific Junction's quaint shopping district, not complete without tea at Clementine's or picture taking at the Gazebo...

Read more about Olmsted Villages from Claudia Taller here


Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com


WOW! Wade Oval Wednesdays Toss a blanket on the University Circle lawn one more time for the last WOW! concert of the season on Wed 8/26 from 6 - 9PM. Blues act the KingBees will perform. Wade Oval in University Circle. Info

HELP Celebrity Bartending Hump Day Happy Hour Have a drink served by a local celebrity to benefit animal rescue groups Berea Animal Rescue and Second Hand Mutts on Wed 8/26 starting at 5PM. Celebrities and politicians will be pouring. Garage Bar, 1859 W. 25th. http://www.BereaAnimalRescue.com


Walk All Over Waterloo The merchants of Waterloo are pulling together to offer cool after-work activities on Thu 8/27. Pull a chair in front of Low Life Gallery for an old school video game showdown. Bring vinyl toys to swap at Shoparooni and take recyclables to Music Saves for money off music. Every Thu up 'til 9/10. 6 - 10PM. http://www.NortheastShores.org/walk.php?d=waterloo

Birds, Beasts, Brats & Beer is the theme of the next Nature League get-together at the Cle Museum of Natural History on Thu 8/27. Chomp on brats from the West Side Market and sample free brews from Great Lakes Brewing Co. while touring the Perkins Wildlife Cntr & Woods Garden. Plus, a bobcat demonstration to enliven the scene. 6 - 8:30PM. 21+. 1 Wade Oval Dr. Details


HOT Electric Roller DiscoTech Experience a space in a new way--on wheels! The Leff Electric Bldg is mostly vacant but offers awesome views of downtown and the lake. On Fri 8/28, from 7 - 10PM, this largely forgotten bldg comes alive with rollerskating, dancing, a wheel-in theatre and retro pop bar. Leff Electric Bldg., 1163 E. 40. http://www.ClevelandRolls.org

Jim Kozel on The Red Stage Cleveland's newest outdoor venue, at the Beck Cafe attached to the Beck Center, features live music in a delightful urban garden setting, complete with a dizzying selection of drinks, snacks and international art. Luthier, musician, songwriter and boat builder Kozel strums stories, songs and instrumentals. The first 10 people to mention CoolCleveland.com starting at 7:30PM on Fri 8/28 receive a complimentary beverage; the next 10 get 50% off. http://www.BeckCafe.com and http://www.JimKozel.com

HOT Spicy Dames and Tales of Mystery Femme fatales are the focus of artist Mallorie Freeman's solo exhibition running from Fri 8/28 to Sun 9/13. Freeman's paintings and mixed media works [pictured], inspired by '40s pulp fiction, tell tales of murder, mystery and mayhem. Opening reception on Fri 8/28 from 7 - 10PM. William Rupnick Gallery, 1667 E. 40 St., Unit 1-A. After-party at Tremont's Lava Lounge at 10PM. Details

Erotic Art Exhibition ProvocativeArtShow.com's mission is to "encourage, appreciate and proliferate erotic art in all forms." This is done via its erotic art shows. Experience an eclectic mix of sensory arousal on Fri 8/28 at 6PM and Sat 8/29 from 8PM to 2AM. 21 and over w/ ID. Anatomy Night Club, 1299 W. 9th. http://www.ProvocativeArtShow.com

No Pinheads Allowed features work by KRK Ryden, a self-proclaimed follower of de-evolution, and is scheduled to coincide with DEVOtional 2009. Ryden's artwork embraces absurdity and is inspired by comic books, punk rock and, yes, Akron's own Devo. This should be interesting. Opening reception on Fri 8/28 from 6 - 11PM. Asterisk Gallery, 2393 Professor Ave. http://www.AsteriskGallery.com

Absolute Intense Wrestling: Honor and Vengeance This ain't your average made-for-TV wrestling. This is the "most intense pro wrestling in the United States" and it's going down on Fri 8/28. Brace yourself for the 3-Way Intense Division #1 Contendership Match and the Absolute Championship Match, among other bouts. Doors open at 7PM. West Park Party Cntr, 3556 W. 130th. http://www.AIWrestling.com

GREEN Critical Mass The point of Critical Mass is to promote cycling as means of transportation, assert the bicycle's place in the road and to show some pedaling pride. On Fri 8/28 join others on bike for a group ride around downtown. Have fun, ride in solidarity and get some exercise. Meet around 5:30PM at Public Square. Last Fri of the month. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3082935471

HELP Not In My Sandbox Comedy troupe Friends with Benefits' goal is to give more to charity than Oprah. Help them realize this goal on Fri 8/28 with a night of improv comedy for a cause. All profits go to Kiran's Fund, which helps children with complex medical needs. Doors open at 7:30PM. Hilarity ensues at 8PM. Powerhouse Pub, West Bank of the Flats. http://www.FWBimprov.com


DEVOtional 2009 is the largest Devo fan gathering on planet Earth. Listen to performances of skewed Devo songs (like old-time bluegrass and electro-glitch style Devo covers) and chow on food made by Devo's elusive Bob "Bob2" Casale. You can even video chat with attendees of Brazil's own Devo gathering! Can u take it? Sat 8/29 at 12PM. Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Rd. Tickets: Tickets or Info

Cle Dragon Boat Festival Did you know?: Dragon boat racing is over 2000 years old. Witness this ancient race form (and exciting spectacle) on Sat 8/29 as several boats race in the Flats [pictured- photos by Rick & Donna Villa]. Opening festivities include the painting of the eyes, martial arts performances and Japanese drumming. Starts at 10AM. Cyrus Waterfront Restaurant Patio, 2000 Sycamore St. Info

HELP Cruise for a Cause III Cruise Lake Erie aboard the Nautica Queen on Sat 8/29 in support of the Cleveland Tenants Organization. Enjoy speakers, food and raffle prizes as you take in some of the best views of the city. Board at 1PM. Back by 4PM. The Nautica Queen on the West Bank of the Flats. http://www.ClevelandTenants.org

Summer Night Insect Recital I Cle is so musical that even our insects put on recitals! The conditions in southern Summit County are ripe for an insect percussion ensemble on Sat 8/29 from 7:30 - 9:30PM. Explore a bog with Cle Institute of Music faculty Lisa Rainsong, who'll introduce you to the performers and interpret every chirp. Directions emailed upon registration. Register

HOT Antique is the New Punk Sip on drinks, snag some hors d'oeuvres and check out cutting-edge contemporary art curated by SPACES. Following will be an Antiques Roadshow-style event where people's treasures (or trash) are evaluated by auction house professionals. (This means you'll see plenty of genuinely surprised or deflated faces...) Sat 8/29 from 6:30 - 9PM. Gray's Auctioneers, 10717 Detroit. http://www.SpacesGallery.org/grays

SPONSORED: It was the routine that launched Bill Cosby's career - his classic riff on Noah. You can re-enjoy it this Sat 8/29, at 10PM on WCLV 104.9's Weekend Radio with Robert Conrad. Conrad continues the Biblical theme with Lord Buckley's Jonah and the Whale and Stiller and Meara's The Whale. Complite details on all of WCLV's programming at http://www.WCLV.com.


HELP Artsyism Join artists, art-lovers and others to raise money for the Cle Chapter of Autism Speaks on Sun 8/30 from 12 - 5PM. Located in a beautiful, arts-infused Cle Heights backyard, this garden party/benefit features paintings for sale, handmade jewelry, dance performances, chair massages & more [pictured]. 1579 Compton Rd., Cle Heights. RSVP. http://www.DonaldBinghamSchmitt.com

A Day in the Park Celebrate Cuyahoga Valley National Park through pictures and video. Hear tips on park photography on Sun 8/20 at 10AM, then go out and take your own nature pictures and videos. Submit your work to on-hand Ideastream staff to have it work featured online or on WVIZ/PBS. Happy Days Lodge, 500 W. Streetsboro Rd., Peninsula. http://www.WVIZ.org/park

HOT You are there! Hear the music of George & Ira Gershwin, fashioned after original recordings ca. 1920-1943 by Joan Ellison & Mark Flanders, vocalists with Jennifer Heemstra, piano. The Corning Mansion, Bratenahl. Includes wine on the lakefront terrace and desserts & coffee with the performers, with on-site parking. Sun 8/30 at 4PM. Limited seating - tickets in advance only: 216.681.1621.

2nd Annual Historic Cle Cemeteries Progressive Scavenger Hunt Hop on over to 3 Cle cemeteries-Monroe St., Erie St. and Woodland-for scavenger hunts. Once you've filled out a search form, you can draw a card to win big. Hey, the winning hand wins $100! Get searchin' on Sun 8/30. Register at 1PM. Begin at Monroe Street Cemetery, 3207 Monroe St. Info


Dick Gregory @ Nighttown Social satirist and civil rights activist Dick Gregory changed the way white Americans viewed African American comedians. Gregory broke stereotypes with his politically-charged comedy and went on to become a best-selling author. Catch him at a rare and intimate performance on Mon 8/31 at 7 and 9PM. Nighttown, 12387 Cedar Rd., Cle Heights. http://www.DickGregory.com Tickets


The Coal Men @ Wilbert's Break out of your typical Tuesday routine. Spend this Tues 9/1 unwinding to the soulful alt-country, roots-rock melodies of Nashville's the Coal Men at Wilbert's Food & Music. 8PM. 812 Huron Ave. http://www.myspace.com/thecoalmen or http://www.wilbertsmusic.com


HOT Intellectual Property and the Arts Forum Explore issues of copyright and intellectual property from a variety of perspectives on Wed 9/2 from 6 - 9PM. Join indie musician, arts activist and "citizen lobbyist" Mark Hosler of the band Negativland for a mixed-media lecture about his experiences with fair use of property in the arts. Legal reps will be on-hand to discuss their side of the story. Aitken Auditorium @ Cle Institue of Art, 11141 East Blvd. Register

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com


Out of the frying pan... into the fire

Just when it appeared that things could not get any worse for Alternatives Agency (a halfway house located in my ward on E. 55th Street near Hough) they did.

The former director of the facility recently pled guilty to using the agency as an ATM to illegally enrich himself and a number of his business associates. So this past May a new director, Thomas Griveas, was brought in to set the agency back on course.

The problem is that it seems as if Griveas knows little, if anything, about prisoner reentry, and perhaps less about politics and diplomacy...

Read more of Mansfield Frazier here


Verb Ballets comes to Lincoln Park

What aspect of summer are you least prepared to part with? This summer, it seems as though we're just getting with the outdoor dance concerts when we're down to the last one, Verb Ballets' concert this weekend at Tremont's Lincoln Park.

Following in the footsteps of television's Dancing With the Stars, Verb brings us Lady Be Good, a world premiere choreographed on Verb by champion ballroom dancer Gary Pierce.

Bringing ballroom dance into the theater is a fun premise, but it's always a question of bridging the gap between what Langston Hughes called "innocent amusement" and professional performance, making steps that are fun to do fun to watch...

Read the preview of Verb Ballets by Elsa Johnson & Victor Johnson here


Who Let The Vultures In? Woof, Woof
Plus: RTA Getting Out of the Transit Business- Really

Here's how honest Jeff Jacobs is.

Back in the late 1980s when his dad, Dick Jacobs, was taking millions in subsidies thanks to George and George, I learned that Jeff wanted to take over Lakeview Terrace, a public housing project overlooking Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. It fit his Flats plans.

I called one of his aides, James Rusnov, and asked about Jacobs's interest in the property to expand his Flats developments. Yes, I was told.

A minute later I called Jeff Jacobs. Ah, he denied it.

"We're neighbors," Jacobs, the vulture, said coyly...

Read more from Roldo Bartimole here



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

Joffrey Ballet & Cleveland Orchestra @ Blossom 8/22/09
Read the review by Kelly Ferjutz here

Joffrey Ballet & Cleveland Orchestra @ Blossom 8/22/09
Read the review by 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) A Family Affair How Michael Fleming fell in love on Lorain.

CoolCleveland.com

2) On The Right Side of History Thoughts on Toronto's (and Cleveland's) waterfront. CoolCleveland.com

3) Got No Car? Walk, Why Don'tcha? Roldo bemoans RTA's cuts. CoolCleveland.com

4) Join Akron-Canton Airport's Facebook Fan Page and get $25 off your next AirTran tix. Really. AirTran.com

5) Live on the Red Stage at the Beck Cafe, Lakewood's newest music, art & coffeeshop. BeckCafe.com.

Clear-eyed and painless Many thanks for their vision and hard work this week: Roldo Bartimole, Jeff Biasella, Roy Berko, Kelly Ferjutz, Mansfield Frazier, and Elsa Johnson & Victor Lucas, Susan Schaul, Claudia Taller and Sarah Valek. 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.

We have the vision,
--Thomas Mulready
LettersATCoolCleveland.com
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