Downtown
One of the newest members of the Cleveland organization Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (E4S) is an organization known for helping people with special needs. Over the past several months, the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Board of DD) has realized ways to help others while helping the environment and the City of Cleveland.
The organization's CleveLand Crops program, in partnership with Stanard Farms and the Ohio State University Extension, is part of the Board of DD's Solutions at Work (S.A.W.) program, which is the state's largest employer of people with disabilities. S.A.W. also operates a discount store in Parma called Just-a-Buck, employing 15 developmentally disabled residents of Cuyahoga County, and Pulley's, a wi-fi coffeehouse in Cleveland's Tyler Village, which employs three adults in the Board of DD program.
CleveLand Crops gives adults with developmental disabilities the chance to nurture plants and vegetables from planting through harvest. The goal of the project is to provide agriculture and employment training for adults by developing 10 sustainable farms that will employ 100 adults from the Board of DD and establishing an Agriculture Education Center at the Stanard Farm to serve as a farming site for CleveLand Crops. Cleveland Crops intends to operate year-round using various facilities in the area.
All of this leads to another goal: repurposing neglected land using sustainable farming practices. Stanard Farm launched in 2010, and this year the Board of DD will open three new farm sites in Cleveland.
SOURCE: Cuyahoga County Board of DD
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
The organization's CleveLand Crops program, in partnership with Stanard Farms and the Ohio State University Extension, is part of the Board of DD's Solutions at Work (S.A.W.) program, which is the state's largest employer of people with disabilities. S.A.W. also operates a discount store in Parma called Just-a-Buck, employing 15 developmentally disabled residents of Cuyahoga County, and Pulley's, a wi-fi coffeehouse in Cleveland's Tyler Village, which employs three adults in the Board of DD program.
CleveLand Crops gives adults with developmental disabilities the chance to nurture plants and vegetables from planting through harvest. The goal of the project is to provide agriculture and employment training for adults by developing 10 sustainable farms that will employ 100 adults from the Board of DD and establishing an Agriculture Education Center at the Stanard Farm to serve as a farming site for CleveLand Crops. Cleveland Crops intends to operate year-round using various facilities in the area.
All of this leads to another goal: repurposing neglected land using sustainable farming practices. Stanard Farm launched in 2010, and this year the Board of DD will open three new farm sites in Cleveland.
SOURCE: Cuyahoga County Board of DD
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Friday at 9:25 a.m., the screens at Tower City Cinemas will begin flickering with some 150 feature-length films and 130 shorts. So begins the 10-day movie marathon known as the Cleveland International Film Festival, which returns for its 35th year. Tasked with picking the flicks is Artistic Director Bill Guentzler, who views over 600 films per year in his quest to select the best.
Unseasonably warm weather brought out St. Patrick's Day revelers in record numbers, with estimates topping 300,000. For one glorious day, Clevelanders joined together to play hooky from work, watch the parade, gobble down corned beef, and maybe a beer or three. Fresh Water photographer Bob Perkoski captured the spirit of the day in this photographic feature.
As founder, president and CEO of Quality Electrodynamics (QED) and founder of solar energy company eQED, Hiroyuki Fujita seems to have his finger on the pulse of emerging innovations. He believes in Cleveland's ability to be a major player, especially in bioscience.
At the recent Summit on Leadership at the Union Club, which this reporter attended, Fujita talked about what's still needed to make Cleveland the undisputed leader in healthcare-related industries.
"Cleveland is very strong in biomedicine," said Fujito, who came here from Japan in 1992 to attend Case Western Reserve University. Where Cleveland needs to develop is in the technical areas that support production. "There should be an education program like medical device assembly to train people so they're ready to go," he said.
"The technology is here -- it goes back to the steel industry in Cleveland," Fujita continued. "It's a matter of transforming that talent to help the biotechnology industry."
Fujita also noted that communication between biotech companies and local suppliers would help form important connections. "Local suppliers may not realize that they can help us," he said.
Fujita started QED five years ago. The company, which manufactures MRI coils, has 75 employees and has partnerships with Toshiba and Siemens. QED has been recognized by Forbes and Inc. magazines as one of the country's fastest growing companies.
SOURCE: Hiroyuki Fujita
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
At the recent Summit on Leadership at the Union Club, which this reporter attended, Fujita talked about what's still needed to make Cleveland the undisputed leader in healthcare-related industries.
"Cleveland is very strong in biomedicine," said Fujito, who came here from Japan in 1992 to attend Case Western Reserve University. Where Cleveland needs to develop is in the technical areas that support production. "There should be an education program like medical device assembly to train people so they're ready to go," he said.
"The technology is here -- it goes back to the steel industry in Cleveland," Fujita continued. "It's a matter of transforming that talent to help the biotechnology industry."
Fujita also noted that communication between biotech companies and local suppliers would help form important connections. "Local suppliers may not realize that they can help us," he said.
Fujita started QED five years ago. The company, which manufactures MRI coils, has 75 employees and has partnerships with Toshiba and Siemens. QED has been recognized by Forbes and Inc. magazines as one of the country's fastest growing companies.
SOURCE: Hiroyuki Fujita
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
keybank goes green, earns leed gold status
KeyCorp has announced that KeyBank's renovated office space in the historic Higbee Building on Public Square has earned LEED® Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
"The Green Building Council's LEED certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier environment."
The new KeyBank workspace utilizes sustainable technologies and construction practices such as recycled building materials, enhanced natural lighting, personal lighting control systems, CO2 sensors, and outdoor air monitoring systems.
KeyCorp CEO Henry Meyer said, "This renovation represents KeyBank's commitment to strengthen our community's core in the most environmentally responsible ways possible. It enhances one of the most historic buildings in the heart of downtown, it leverages Tower City Center's existing transportation hub and it allows hundreds of our employees to enjoy the growing sense of excitement connected to the area's ongoing economic development."
The KeyBank renovation is one of 62 LEED certified projects in Northeast Ohio. KeyCorp has already received LEED certification for its technology and operations center on Tiedeman Road.
Read the rest of the green news here.
"The Green Building Council's LEED certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier environment."
The new KeyBank workspace utilizes sustainable technologies and construction practices such as recycled building materials, enhanced natural lighting, personal lighting control systems, CO2 sensors, and outdoor air monitoring systems.
KeyCorp CEO Henry Meyer said, "This renovation represents KeyBank's commitment to strengthen our community's core in the most environmentally responsible ways possible. It enhances one of the most historic buildings in the heart of downtown, it leverages Tower City Center's existing transportation hub and it allows hundreds of our employees to enjoy the growing sense of excitement connected to the area's ongoing economic development."
The KeyBank renovation is one of 62 LEED certified projects in Northeast Ohio. KeyCorp has already received LEED certification for its technology and operations center on Tiedeman Road.
Read the rest of the green news here.
cleveland tops for low-stress commutes
A new study by Kiplinger, an internationally recognized publisher of business forecasts and personal finance advice, names Cleveland as one of the top 10 cities for commuters. The Ohio Business Development Coalition issued a press release on the study.
"According to Kiplinger.com, cities must have a metro population of at least one million and a low congestion cost (a measurement of wasted time and fuel as calculated by the Texas Transportation Institute). Kiplinger also factored in the average length of commute, local gas prices, yearly delays per commuter and public transit use."
Ohio is the only state with multiple cities in the top 10. Cleveland is number six on the list, while Columbus is second and Cincinnati is seventh.
Ohio's low-stress, low-cost commutes make it a great choice for executives looking to achieve the best balance between work and life.
"Ohio promises a perfect balance that allows business owners, their employees and their families the opportunity to achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. Ohio offers businesses an environment that makes it easy to foster work-life balance. The convenience of travel, with short commutes from work to home, lower stress and give more time to priority family activities."
Digest the rest here.
"According to Kiplinger.com, cities must have a metro population of at least one million and a low congestion cost (a measurement of wasted time and fuel as calculated by the Texas Transportation Institute). Kiplinger also factored in the average length of commute, local gas prices, yearly delays per commuter and public transit use."
Ohio is the only state with multiple cities in the top 10. Cleveland is number six on the list, while Columbus is second and Cincinnati is seventh.
Ohio's low-stress, low-cost commutes make it a great choice for executives looking to achieve the best balance between work and life.
"Ohio promises a perfect balance that allows business owners, their employees and their families the opportunity to achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. Ohio offers businesses an environment that makes it easy to foster work-life balance. The convenience of travel, with short commutes from work to home, lower stress and give more time to priority family activities."
Digest the rest here.
While the verdict is still out on how powerful the Medical Mart and Convention Center will be to Cleveland's economic growth, the construction that's currently going on is definitely bringing jobs to the area. The Medical Mart reports that more than 200 construction workers are currently on site.
The numbers are impressive for small business enterprise (SBE) companies, with more than 25 SBE subcontractors hired for specific jobs thus far.
Job creation for the construction project is being coordinated by MMPI, the Medical Mart management company; Cuyahoga County; Minority Business Solutions; and Turner Construction Company. Together, these entities have hosted five SBE certification and outreach events, the last of which resulted in 175 interview opportunities for SBE contractors.
There is much work to be done for these employees. Demolition of various buildings is ongoing, with more than 100 trucks hauling away concrete to be recycled each day.
SOURCE: Medical Mart and Convention Center
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
The numbers are impressive for small business enterprise (SBE) companies, with more than 25 SBE subcontractors hired for specific jobs thus far.
Job creation for the construction project is being coordinated by MMPI, the Medical Mart management company; Cuyahoga County; Minority Business Solutions; and Turner Construction Company. Together, these entities have hosted five SBE certification and outreach events, the last of which resulted in 175 interview opportunities for SBE contractors.
There is much work to be done for these employees. Demolition of various buildings is ongoing, with more than 100 trucks hauling away concrete to be recycled each day.
SOURCE: Medical Mart and Convention Center
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
These days, it seems that everyone is singing Pittsburgh's praises. Our Rust Belt neighbor to the east recently scored a Google corporate office. And last year, perennial Cleveland-basher Forbes Magazine named Pittsburgh the country's most livable city. Ouch. Clearly Pittsburgh is doing something right. Simply put: That city is light years ahead of Cleveland when it comes to bike-friendliness -- and bike-friendly cities are more attractive to young professionals, the creative-class folks who hold the keys to economic prosperity.
"Bioscience is one of the driving forces in Cleveland," said Baiju Shah, president and CEO of BioEnterprise. In case you need hard numbers to back up that claim, Shah noted that more than 600 healthcare related companies exist in the region.
Shah served as moderator for the 4th Annual Summit on Leadership, which was presented on March 10 by the Cleveland Business Leaders Committee of the Union Club.
What does Cleveland have that innovators in biomedicine and healthcare seek? According to Hiroyuki Fujita, founder, president and CEO of Quality Electrodynamics (QED), it's the established presence of top-notch healthcare, research and educational institutions. "Cleveland is known throughout the world in the healthcare industry," he said. "With major players like Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University, it's a one-stop shop."
Backed by this level of support, entrepreneurs, inventors and researchers feel confident developing technologies and creating start-ups in Cleveland. "The surgeons at the Clinic take time to work with medical companies," said Patrick McBrayer, president and CEO of AxioMed Spine Corporation. "I have never seen a more nurturing group."
Gil Van Bokkelen, chairman and CEO of Athersys, Inc., agreed. "Cleveland is a good place to establish a company and get things started. There's a lot more energy here than I anticipated."
And there's potential for much greater growth in the next 10 to 15 years, according to Geoffrey Thorpe, founder of NDI Medical. "People are leaving California for the first time, which means there's an opportunity for the Midwest to be competitive."
Sources: Baiju Shah, Hiroyuki Fujita, Patrick McBrayer, Gil Van Bokkelen
Writer: Diane DiPiero
Shah served as moderator for the 4th Annual Summit on Leadership, which was presented on March 10 by the Cleveland Business Leaders Committee of the Union Club.
What does Cleveland have that innovators in biomedicine and healthcare seek? According to Hiroyuki Fujita, founder, president and CEO of Quality Electrodynamics (QED), it's the established presence of top-notch healthcare, research and educational institutions. "Cleveland is known throughout the world in the healthcare industry," he said. "With major players like Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University, it's a one-stop shop."
Backed by this level of support, entrepreneurs, inventors and researchers feel confident developing technologies and creating start-ups in Cleveland. "The surgeons at the Clinic take time to work with medical companies," said Patrick McBrayer, president and CEO of AxioMed Spine Corporation. "I have never seen a more nurturing group."
Gil Van Bokkelen, chairman and CEO of Athersys, Inc., agreed. "Cleveland is a good place to establish a company and get things started. There's a lot more energy here than I anticipated."
And there's potential for much greater growth in the next 10 to 15 years, according to Geoffrey Thorpe, founder of NDI Medical. "People are leaving California for the first time, which means there's an opportunity for the Midwest to be competitive."
Sources: Baiju Shah, Hiroyuki Fujita, Patrick McBrayer, Gil Van Bokkelen
Writer: Diane DiPiero
Two Cleveland organizations aimed at drawing area teens toward an interest in employment and business have joined forces. E CITY Cleveland (which stands for Entrepreneurship: Connecting, Inspiring and Teaching Youth) and Y.O.U. (Youth Opportunities Unlimited) united earlier this year to pool their resources and heighten their outreach.
E CITY's entrepreneurial programs were completed by more than 300 teens last year. Y.O.U.'s offerings, which include mentoring and job placement, made a difference for more than 4,600 teens in Cuyahoga County, many of whom were considered at-risk or in danger of not completing their high school studies.
The offerings of each organization are unique so that, when combined, they provide a full package of opportunities for young adults ages 14 to 19 to pursue their interests and develop life skills.
Y.O.U. and E CITY will focus on integrating volunteers and sharpening their combined offerings. Another goal of the merger is to develop additional programs for children in the City of Cleveland and elsewhere in the region.
SOURCE: Y.O.U.
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
E CITY's entrepreneurial programs were completed by more than 300 teens last year. Y.O.U.'s offerings, which include mentoring and job placement, made a difference for more than 4,600 teens in Cuyahoga County, many of whom were considered at-risk or in danger of not completing their high school studies.
The offerings of each organization are unique so that, when combined, they provide a full package of opportunities for young adults ages 14 to 19 to pursue their interests and develop life skills.
Y.O.U. and E CITY will focus on integrating volunteers and sharpening their combined offerings. Another goal of the merger is to develop additional programs for children in the City of Cleveland and elsewhere in the region.
SOURCE: Y.O.U.
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Greater Clevelanders are fortunate to live near an abundant source of fresh water. Lake Erie and the Great Lakes contain one-fifth of the world's fresh water supply. Many places in the world are not so lucky -- in fact, more people die each year from contaminated water than from all forms of violence and war combined.
This month, a group of environmental artists are taking over a vacant space at Tower City Center to create an art display on the importance of water. The exhibit, which will be displayed during the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF), from March 24 to April 3, is being organized as part of World Water Day events for Sustainable Cleveland 2019, an effort to create a green economy in Cleveland by 2019.
The sculpture, which will be crafted from decorated two-liter bottles, will educate Clevelanders about the importance of water conservation, and will also raise funds for a water well that will serve an elementary school in rural Uganda. The school, St. Charles Elementary School, is a sister school to Carl and Louis Stokes Central Academy, a K-8 public school in Cleveland.
For the project, 150 students at Stokes Academy will carry their own two-liter bottle of water with them on a bus from their school to Tower City on World Water Day, which takes place Tuesday, March 22nd. It's a gesture of solidarity with their pen pals in Uganda, who each fill their own bottles and carry them to school on a daily basis. The artists will also travel to the school to educate students on the importance of water.
Lead artist Nicole McGee and other project leaders will also work with Stokes students to help them decorate the two-liter bottles to represent the meaning of water in their lives.
Source: Nicole McGee
Writer: Lee Chilcote
This month, a group of environmental artists are taking over a vacant space at Tower City Center to create an art display on the importance of water. The exhibit, which will be displayed during the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF), from March 24 to April 3, is being organized as part of World Water Day events for Sustainable Cleveland 2019, an effort to create a green economy in Cleveland by 2019.
The sculpture, which will be crafted from decorated two-liter bottles, will educate Clevelanders about the importance of water conservation, and will also raise funds for a water well that will serve an elementary school in rural Uganda. The school, St. Charles Elementary School, is a sister school to Carl and Louis Stokes Central Academy, a K-8 public school in Cleveland.
For the project, 150 students at Stokes Academy will carry their own two-liter bottle of water with them on a bus from their school to Tower City on World Water Day, which takes place Tuesday, March 22nd. It's a gesture of solidarity with their pen pals in Uganda, who each fill their own bottles and carry them to school on a daily basis. The artists will also travel to the school to educate students on the importance of water.
Lead artist Nicole McGee and other project leaders will also work with Stokes students to help them decorate the two-liter bottles to represent the meaning of water in their lives.
Source: Nicole McGee
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Homeowners were taking out equity loans with alarming abandon just a few years ago, yet now many are reluctant to invest money in their homes. "With housing values falling, demand for home repair loans has also fallen," says Larry Slenczka, Vice President of Community Development for Dollar Bank.
Yet Dollar Bank continues to finance home rehabs through a partnership with Cleveland Action to Support Housing (CASH), a nonprofit whose mission is to revitalize Cleveland neighborhoods through home repair lending.
"CASH has been successful in identifying projects driven by investors," says Slenczka. "Their transactions tend to be very solid loans that have a very low default rate." CASH offers investors and owner-occupants a reduced interest rate. Currently, that interest rate is 2.6%.
Even as the average homeowner sits on the sidelines, some rehabbers are jumping in and finding deals. And the glut of vacant properties in Cleveland has presented an opportunity for savvy investors; while foreclosure rates nationwide reached their lowest level in four years last month, Cleveland still has a backlog of empty homes.
Yet while it seems anyone with a credit card can snap up a cheap foreclosure -- plumbing optional, of course -- that's just the beginning of the process. Getting a loan is no simple feat. Struggling with unsold inventories, many banks are cautious about lending to investors, while others aren't lending at all.
That's where CASH comes in. The nonprofit's partnerships with Dollar Bank and other lenders help owners get financing. In addition to offering a reduced rate, CASH helps owners to pick a contractor, develop a list of repairs, and inspect the work.
"Everybody wins," says Slenczka. "The neighborhood benefits from reinvestment, the benefits from private investment, and the bank benefits from a healthy market return."
Source: Larry Slenczka
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Yet Dollar Bank continues to finance home rehabs through a partnership with Cleveland Action to Support Housing (CASH), a nonprofit whose mission is to revitalize Cleveland neighborhoods through home repair lending.
"CASH has been successful in identifying projects driven by investors," says Slenczka. "Their transactions tend to be very solid loans that have a very low default rate." CASH offers investors and owner-occupants a reduced interest rate. Currently, that interest rate is 2.6%.
Even as the average homeowner sits on the sidelines, some rehabbers are jumping in and finding deals. And the glut of vacant properties in Cleveland has presented an opportunity for savvy investors; while foreclosure rates nationwide reached their lowest level in four years last month, Cleveland still has a backlog of empty homes.
Yet while it seems anyone with a credit card can snap up a cheap foreclosure -- plumbing optional, of course -- that's just the beginning of the process. Getting a loan is no simple feat. Struggling with unsold inventories, many banks are cautious about lending to investors, while others aren't lending at all.
That's where CASH comes in. The nonprofit's partnerships with Dollar Bank and other lenders help owners get financing. In addition to offering a reduced rate, CASH helps owners to pick a contractor, develop a list of repairs, and inspect the work.
"Everybody wins," says Slenczka. "The neighborhood benefits from reinvestment, the benefits from private investment, and the bank benefits from a healthy market return."
Source: Larry Slenczka
Writer: Lee Chilcote
When you grab a quick cat nap during the day, you run the risk of either sleeping too little so that you're yawning in front of your co-workers or sleeping so much that you snooze right through your 2 p.m. sales meeting.
Local inventor Jonathan Husni wants you to get the ideal 20 minutes of quality sleep so you can be your productive self. Husni's Power-Nap Machine is a pocket-sized media player that produces inaudible sound waves that induce REM sleep -- the short, deep rest that accounts for about 90 to 120 minutes of a good night's sleep. While the sound waves work their magic, the user hears only a pleasant waterfall. At the end of it, the Power-Nap brings "the user to a refreshed state of heightened wakefulness," Husni says.
The nap machine is part of the Power Nap group of sleep products that includes CDs filled with computer-generated sound waveforms. Power Nap line of products was created by Acendex, a Beachwood-based network technology firm. Husni is president and founder of Acendex.
SOURCE: Jonathan Husni
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Local inventor Jonathan Husni wants you to get the ideal 20 minutes of quality sleep so you can be your productive self. Husni's Power-Nap Machine is a pocket-sized media player that produces inaudible sound waves that induce REM sleep -- the short, deep rest that accounts for about 90 to 120 minutes of a good night's sleep. While the sound waves work their magic, the user hears only a pleasant waterfall. At the end of it, the Power-Nap brings "the user to a refreshed state of heightened wakefulness," Husni says.
The nap machine is part of the Power Nap group of sleep products that includes CDs filled with computer-generated sound waveforms. Power Nap line of products was created by Acendex, a Beachwood-based network technology firm. Husni is president and founder of Acendex.
SOURCE: Jonathan Husni
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
antenna mag devours cle’s current crop of food trucks
Antenna Magazine visited Cleveland's current crop of food trucks as part of the series "Fast Food: Taste-testing the best of what the nation's roads have to offer." The series has also featured food trucks in New York City, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Portland.
The reporters were pleasantly surprised by what Cleveland had to offer. "Sure, the weather was below freezing, but the people we met and the food we ate made us happy we'd made our way there. Maybe it was because their food was filled with pride and love for their city."
Their first stop was Asian-fusion truck Umami Moto, started by couple Jae Stulock and Sandy Madachik. "While a lot of Cleveland trucks shut down during winter, these two braved the weather with their hot Thai, Vietnamese, Korean and all-around Asian dishes."
Next up was Dim and Den Sum, serving "comfort food with an Asian twist." After working for major restaurants in New York and Arizona, Chris Hodgson returned to his native Cleveland to launch Dim and Den Sum. Hodgson gives back to the community by providing ex-convicts with culinary training and counseling so that they can be placed into jobs upon completion of the program.
The writers also were impressed by the fresh-faced Jibaro truck, which serves Caribbean food. "Fully aware of what we put in our bodies, they use only the leanest meats and whole grains, combining ingredients like seaweed and bison burgers that are shockingly delicious."
Seti's Polish Boys, in business since 2001, was another Antenna favorite. "You could say that Seti's Polish Boys is kind of the original gangsta of food trucks." The sausage sandwiches are topped with French fries, coleslaw and barbeque sauce.
"One bite and dribble down our sleeves, and we knew exactly why Seti is the Cleveland legend he is."
Digest the rest here.
The reporters were pleasantly surprised by what Cleveland had to offer. "Sure, the weather was below freezing, but the people we met and the food we ate made us happy we'd made our way there. Maybe it was because their food was filled with pride and love for their city."
Their first stop was Asian-fusion truck Umami Moto, started by couple Jae Stulock and Sandy Madachik. "While a lot of Cleveland trucks shut down during winter, these two braved the weather with their hot Thai, Vietnamese, Korean and all-around Asian dishes."
Next up was Dim and Den Sum, serving "comfort food with an Asian twist." After working for major restaurants in New York and Arizona, Chris Hodgson returned to his native Cleveland to launch Dim and Den Sum. Hodgson gives back to the community by providing ex-convicts with culinary training and counseling so that they can be placed into jobs upon completion of the program.
The writers also were impressed by the fresh-faced Jibaro truck, which serves Caribbean food. "Fully aware of what we put in our bodies, they use only the leanest meats and whole grains, combining ingredients like seaweed and bison burgers that are shockingly delicious."
Seti's Polish Boys, in business since 2001, was another Antenna favorite. "You could say that Seti's Polish Boys is kind of the original gangsta of food trucks." The sausage sandwiches are topped with French fries, coleslaw and barbeque sauce.
"One bite and dribble down our sleeves, and we knew exactly why Seti is the Cleveland legend he is."
Digest the rest here.
'largest feature film ever made in ohio' coming soon
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission has announced that Marvel Studios will shoot parts of the film The Avengers in Cleveland.
"Marvel Studios is bringing The Avengers to Ohio for two reasons: the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit and the efforts of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. We look forward to collaborating with the Film Commission and working in the great state of Ohio," said Louis D'Esposito, Co-President of Marvel Studios.
The Ohio Film Tax Credit was passed in July 2009 and 12 projects have been approved to receive the tax credit since then. Ten of these films will be produced in Northeast Ohio and will employ more than 1,800 cast and crew as well as thousands of extras.
The Avengers will also be filmed in New Mexico and New York. The all-star cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Clark Gregg and Samuel L. Jackson. It will be written and directed by Joss Whedon.
"The production will be the largest feature film ever made in Ohio, as well as the largest Marvel Studios production to date. The film will employ hundreds of Ohio-based cast and crew, and use local service and supply vendors. Pre-production is already underway with principal photography scheduled to start in April 2011 and running through September 2011."
View the dailies here.
"Marvel Studios is bringing The Avengers to Ohio for two reasons: the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit and the efforts of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. We look forward to collaborating with the Film Commission and working in the great state of Ohio," said Louis D'Esposito, Co-President of Marvel Studios.
The Ohio Film Tax Credit was passed in July 2009 and 12 projects have been approved to receive the tax credit since then. Ten of these films will be produced in Northeast Ohio and will employ more than 1,800 cast and crew as well as thousands of extras.
The Avengers will also be filmed in New Mexico and New York. The all-star cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Clark Gregg and Samuel L. Jackson. It will be written and directed by Joss Whedon.
"The production will be the largest feature film ever made in Ohio, as well as the largest Marvel Studios production to date. The film will employ hundreds of Ohio-based cast and crew, and use local service and supply vendors. Pre-production is already underway with principal photography scheduled to start in April 2011 and running through September 2011."
View the dailies here.
Last October, Cleveland's ViewRay unveiled a research radiation therapy system to the medical device community. Now comes word that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted ViewRay clearance for its radiotherapy treatment planning and delivery software, a key element of the radiation therapy system.
This is a critical step toward FDA approval of the system, according to Gregory M. Ayers, M.D. and Ph.D., president and CEO of ViewRay. "It's exciting to see such progress with a product we believe will offer an advancement in radiation therapy," he says.
Combining MRI and radiotherapy delivery, the system provides a continuous MRI during radiation treatment. This helps doctors to see exactly where the radiation is going and to deliver precise treatment.
A recent $20 million Series C financing will help ViewRay in the final stages of development for commercial distribution. For now, the ViewRay system is only used in non-human settings.
A team of physicians and researchers leads the privately held medical device company. ViewRay is currently in growth mode and building its staff in quality assurance, software engineering, clinical science and sales.
SOURCE: Gregory M. Ayers
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
This is a critical step toward FDA approval of the system, according to Gregory M. Ayers, M.D. and Ph.D., president and CEO of ViewRay. "It's exciting to see such progress with a product we believe will offer an advancement in radiation therapy," he says.
Combining MRI and radiotherapy delivery, the system provides a continuous MRI during radiation treatment. This helps doctors to see exactly where the radiation is going and to deliver precise treatment.
A recent $20 million Series C financing will help ViewRay in the final stages of development for commercial distribution. For now, the ViewRay system is only used in non-human settings.
A team of physicians and researchers leads the privately held medical device company. ViewRay is currently in growth mode and building its staff in quality assurance, software engineering, clinical science and sales.
SOURCE: Gregory M. Ayers
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
cle 'top 10 emerging fashion destination'
CheapFlights included Cleveland on its recent list of the World's "Top 10 Emerging Fashion Destinations."
"With the increase in cheap flights making different countries and cultures more accessible, the world evolves more fully into a globalised society with a lifestyle that takes influence from many different cultures. As such, it makes sense that fashion would influence travel and travel would influence fashion, putting new cultures top of mind and opening doors and minds to new looks and new locations," says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for CheapFlights.
The list notes Cleveland's own Fashion Week, established in 2002 by the Cleveland Fashion Institute, which takes place during the first week of May. The event features hot new designers from across the U.S. and includes runway shows as well as parties and lectures.
Sydney, Beirut, Johannesburg, and Toronto also made the CheapFlights fashion list.
Enjoy the entire line here.
"With the increase in cheap flights making different countries and cultures more accessible, the world evolves more fully into a globalised society with a lifestyle that takes influence from many different cultures. As such, it makes sense that fashion would influence travel and travel would influence fashion, putting new cultures top of mind and opening doors and minds to new looks and new locations," says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for CheapFlights.
The list notes Cleveland's own Fashion Week, established in 2002 by the Cleveland Fashion Institute, which takes place during the first week of May. The event features hot new designers from across the U.S. and includes runway shows as well as parties and lectures.
Sydney, Beirut, Johannesburg, and Toronto also made the CheapFlights fashion list.
Enjoy the entire line here.
Malik Moore is excited about the $2 billion worth of development that is planned or underway in the Flats and adjacent neighborhoods. At the same time, however, as the area is redeveloped as a hub for entertainment, housing, offices, industry and recreation, he wants to ensure that residents' voices are being heard.
"As this neighborhood grows, we want the residents to grow with it," said Moore, Executive Director of the Downtown Cleveland YMCA, at last week's forum on mapping out the future of the Flats. Over 350 people attended the event.
The YMCA has formed a partnership with the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). Starting in March, the nonprofit will offer several new initiatives to residents of Lakeview Terrace, a public housing project in the Flats, including the REACH program, an effort to address health disparities among low-income and minority groups. A college readiness program will also be offered to Cleveland Municipal School District students.
"Lakeview Terrace is located in the shadow of Ohio City, an area that has seen redevelopment," said Moore in a recent interview. "As we look at ways to redevelop the Flats, we need to build bridges between communities."
Moore says that the Y's programs will help to lessen the physical and social isolation experienced by Lakeview Terrace residents. "Through broadening the social network these youth have available to them, we can reduce the likelihood of high-risk behaviors," he said.
Although the proliferation of new condos and townhouses in the Flats make clear that demand for housing exists here, more than one speaker cited the area's crumbling infrastructure and lack of neighborhood amenities as quality of life barriers.
While competing interests between industry, entertainment, recreation and housing have long stymied the Flats' redevelopment, speakers at the forum challenged the audience to work together to revitalize one of Cleveland's oldest neighborhoods.
Source: Malik Moore
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"As this neighborhood grows, we want the residents to grow with it," said Moore, Executive Director of the Downtown Cleveland YMCA, at last week's forum on mapping out the future of the Flats. Over 350 people attended the event.
The YMCA has formed a partnership with the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). Starting in March, the nonprofit will offer several new initiatives to residents of Lakeview Terrace, a public housing project in the Flats, including the REACH program, an effort to address health disparities among low-income and minority groups. A college readiness program will also be offered to Cleveland Municipal School District students.
"Lakeview Terrace is located in the shadow of Ohio City, an area that has seen redevelopment," said Moore in a recent interview. "As we look at ways to redevelop the Flats, we need to build bridges between communities."
Moore says that the Y's programs will help to lessen the physical and social isolation experienced by Lakeview Terrace residents. "Through broadening the social network these youth have available to them, we can reduce the likelihood of high-risk behaviors," he said.
Although the proliferation of new condos and townhouses in the Flats make clear that demand for housing exists here, more than one speaker cited the area's crumbling infrastructure and lack of neighborhood amenities as quality of life barriers.
While competing interests between industry, entertainment, recreation and housing have long stymied the Flats' redevelopment, speakers at the forum challenged the audience to work together to revitalize one of Cleveland's oldest neighborhoods.
Source: Malik Moore
Writer: Lee Chilcote
It all started with pencils.
Faber-Castell was founded 250 years ago in Germany as a pencil manufacturer. Today, the company produces professional art supplies sold around the world. Cleveland is home to Faber-Castell USA, which in 1999 acquired Creativity for Kids, a Cleveland company that makes activity kits for children.
In spite of an onslaught of electronic gadgets and high-tech toys, Faber-Castell USA and Creativity for Kids have remained lucrative and kept an 80-person staff. "We have had two record-setting years in 2009 and 2010," says Jamie Gallagher, CEO of Faber-Castell USA.
How does the company stay sharp? "We have a nice portfolio of product lines that enable us to be diversified during challenging times," Gallagher says.
Creativity for Kids helps Faber-Castell build brand awareness in the United States, according to Gallagher. Often, this is accomplished by combining products from the two lines into a single kit. For example, Creativity for Kids' Do Art Drawing Power, which teaches children sketching and drawing techniques, includes Faber-Castell Color Grip EcoPencils.
Gallagher says the goal of Faber-Castell USA is to deliver "opportunities for creativity and self-expression while highlighting the importance of quality. Despite difficult times, we haven't compromised that or tried to reinvent our brands."
That doesn't mean Faber-Castell USA isn't interested in growing. The company recently launched a line to expand interest in papercrafting for adults. "The product line, Design Memory Craft, features products that make designing with color simple to do," Gallagher says.
SOURCE: Jamie Gallagher
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Faber-Castell was founded 250 years ago in Germany as a pencil manufacturer. Today, the company produces professional art supplies sold around the world. Cleveland is home to Faber-Castell USA, which in 1999 acquired Creativity for Kids, a Cleveland company that makes activity kits for children.
In spite of an onslaught of electronic gadgets and high-tech toys, Faber-Castell USA and Creativity for Kids have remained lucrative and kept an 80-person staff. "We have had two record-setting years in 2009 and 2010," says Jamie Gallagher, CEO of Faber-Castell USA.
How does the company stay sharp? "We have a nice portfolio of product lines that enable us to be diversified during challenging times," Gallagher says.
Creativity for Kids helps Faber-Castell build brand awareness in the United States, according to Gallagher. Often, this is accomplished by combining products from the two lines into a single kit. For example, Creativity for Kids' Do Art Drawing Power, which teaches children sketching and drawing techniques, includes Faber-Castell Color Grip EcoPencils.
Gallagher says the goal of Faber-Castell USA is to deliver "opportunities for creativity and self-expression while highlighting the importance of quality. Despite difficult times, we haven't compromised that or tried to reinvent our brands."
That doesn't mean Faber-Castell USA isn't interested in growing. The company recently launched a line to expand interest in papercrafting for adults. "The product line, Design Memory Craft, features products that make designing with color simple to do," Gallagher says.
SOURCE: Jamie Gallagher
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
As the saying goes, "you've got to spend money to make money." With a new $35 million award in tax credits from the U.S. Department of Treasury, Cleveland Development Advisors (CDA) plans to spur economic development in the city by financing projects that lead to more business opportunities.
CDA, an affiliate of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, was one of six entities in Ohio to be awarded this latest round of federal tax credits. CDA plans to use the award to focus on economic development in the areas of technology, business and industrial expansion and retail, residential and hospitality projects.
In a statement released by CDA, Mayor Frank Jackson called the federal tax credits another sign that Cleveland's economy is growing. "Tax credit financing, afforded by the allocation, together with local bank commitments and city investments, will make high-profile job-producing developments feasible in our neighborhoods and downtown," Mayor Jackson said.
Past awards from the Treasury Department resulted in the financing of 20 projects that, according to CDA, generated 2,800 jobs, 390,000 square feet of office space, and 450,000 square feet of industrial space in Cleveland. The East 4th Street neighborhood, Capitol Theatre in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, Arbor Park Plaza in the Central Neighborhood and the UpTown project in University Circle all have benefited from CDA's investment in federal tax credits.
SOURCE: CDA
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
CDA, an affiliate of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, was one of six entities in Ohio to be awarded this latest round of federal tax credits. CDA plans to use the award to focus on economic development in the areas of technology, business and industrial expansion and retail, residential and hospitality projects.
In a statement released by CDA, Mayor Frank Jackson called the federal tax credits another sign that Cleveland's economy is growing. "Tax credit financing, afforded by the allocation, together with local bank commitments and city investments, will make high-profile job-producing developments feasible in our neighborhoods and downtown," Mayor Jackson said.
Past awards from the Treasury Department resulted in the financing of 20 projects that, according to CDA, generated 2,800 jobs, 390,000 square feet of office space, and 450,000 square feet of industrial space in Cleveland. The East 4th Street neighborhood, Capitol Theatre in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, Arbor Park Plaza in the Central Neighborhood and the UpTown project in University Circle all have benefited from CDA's investment in federal tax credits.
SOURCE: CDA
WRITER: Diane DiPiero