Arts + Culture
A recent visit to PlayhouseSquare for "dinner and a show" confirmed that the neighborhood is on a roll. The combination of unseasonably warm weather, a hot new restaurant opening, and a world-class whodunit resulted in a string of sold-out shows filled with well-fed theatergoers.
The Cleveland Plus Marketing Alliance is celebrating its fifth birthday promoting Northeast Ohio as a vigorous regional entity. Like any proud parent, Cleveland Plus executive director Rick Batyko is eager to show off the campaign's accomplishments over its first five years of life. Fresh Water writer Douglas J. Guth spoke with Batyko about the campaign's successful past as well as the Wadsworth native's hopes for the region's future.
Since the financial crowdsourcing website Kickstarter was founded a few years ago by New York entrepreneurs, it has helped to raise millions of dollars for artistic projects, including many in Cleveland.
Just how important is Kickstarter for arts funding? A recent New York Times article reported that the organization expects to raise $150 million in contributions in 2012. By comparison, the National Endowment for the Arts has a budget of $146 million.
Next week, Kickstarter is coming to Cleveland as part of a Midwest tour to showcase how artists can land DIY funding for their creative-minded startups. The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) and the Foundation Center of Cleveland partnered to create the event, which takes place on Thursday, March 29th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Idea Center's Miller Classroom at 1375 Euclid Avenue.
"Kickstarter is important not only because it helps artists raise funding, but also because it leverages their ability to get the word out," says Susan DePasquale, Program Manager with CPAC. "There aren't many opportunities for artists to be funded directly. Kickstarter also allows givers to feel like entrepreneurs."
Source: Susan DePasquale
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Just how important is Kickstarter for arts funding? A recent New York Times article reported that the organization expects to raise $150 million in contributions in 2012. By comparison, the National Endowment for the Arts has a budget of $146 million.
Next week, Kickstarter is coming to Cleveland as part of a Midwest tour to showcase how artists can land DIY funding for their creative-minded startups. The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) and the Foundation Center of Cleveland partnered to create the event, which takes place on Thursday, March 29th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Idea Center's Miller Classroom at 1375 Euclid Avenue.
"Kickstarter is important not only because it helps artists raise funding, but also because it leverages their ability to get the word out," says Susan DePasquale, Program Manager with CPAC. "There aren't many opportunities for artists to be funded directly. Kickstarter also allows givers to feel like entrepreneurs."
Source: Susan DePasquale
Writer: Lee Chilcote
bbc writes about world's first rock concert in cleveland
In the lead-up to the 27th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, articles on the birth of rock and roll are as inevitable as the encore at a rock concert.
Writing for the BBC, Jude Sheerin delves into the start of it all, right here in Cleveland.
"Sixty years ago the world's first rock concert was staged in Cleveland by two men whose passion for music bridged the racial divide in a segregated U.S.," says the writer.
Those "two men" were Alan Freed and Leo Mintz.
"One of them was the [Moondog Coronation Ball] MC, Alan Freed. The other was Leo Mintz, owner of a music store on the fringes of Cleveland's black community."
Sheerin goes on to describe the coining of the phrase 'rock 'n' roll, the events that lead up to the "world's first rock concert," the Moondog Coronation Ball, held March 21, 1952 in the old Cleveland Arena, and the pandemonium that ensued when gatecrashers stormed the 10,000-seat venue.
Spoiler Alert: It did not end as planned.
Read the rest of the liner notes here.
Writing for the BBC, Jude Sheerin delves into the start of it all, right here in Cleveland.
"Sixty years ago the world's first rock concert was staged in Cleveland by two men whose passion for music bridged the racial divide in a segregated U.S.," says the writer.
Those "two men" were Alan Freed and Leo Mintz.
"One of them was the [Moondog Coronation Ball] MC, Alan Freed. The other was Leo Mintz, owner of a music store on the fringes of Cleveland's black community."
Sheerin goes on to describe the coining of the phrase 'rock 'n' roll, the events that lead up to the "world's first rock concert," the Moondog Coronation Ball, held March 21, 1952 in the old Cleveland Arena, and the pandemonium that ensued when gatecrashers stormed the 10,000-seat venue.
Spoiler Alert: It did not end as planned.
Read the rest of the liner notes here.
Just moments before they took the dais for the Lockwood Thompson Dialogues, presented by the Cleveland Public Library in partnership with LAND studio, local author Michael Ruhlman and award-winning photographer Penny De Los Santos sat down with Fresh Water. The free-flowing conversation touched upon topics ranging from the local food movement to the Cleveland dining scene to food photography. Have a listen.
University Circle Inc. has made exploring the neighborhood and finding new things to do a little easier thanks to a new iPhone app. Developed by FORM in Shaker Heights, the app allows visitors to navigate and learn about University Circle. The app complements the organization’s recently revamped website.
“Our goal was to create a much more visitor friendly website with the app,” says Erika McLaughlin, UCI’s public affairs manager. “We had to address the complaint: I don’t know where to go once I’m there. When the app is open, you’re immediately there.”
The free app has a “You Are Here” feature, which tells users, well, exactly where they are in University Circle. It also provides up to date information on and photos of the museums, restaurants, galleries, schools, entertainment and shopping venues in the area. The app also lists parking locations around the circle.
A GPS feature provides exact directions to where the user wants to go. “It focuses on the gems of University Circle,” says McLaughlin. “Whether you’re walking, driving or riding a bike, the GPS gets you there."
An events section lists timely offerings for the day, week or month. “If you want to check out what’s going on in the Circle, you have it in the palm of your hand," says McLaughlin. “Our goal is to bring you back. If you’re here for one event, you might come back if you know what’s around you. It’s going to enhance your experience in University Circle, whether you’re a visitor or a resident.”
Source: Erika McLaughlin
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Our goal was to create a much more visitor friendly website with the app,” says Erika McLaughlin, UCI’s public affairs manager. “We had to address the complaint: I don’t know where to go once I’m there. When the app is open, you’re immediately there.”
The free app has a “You Are Here” feature, which tells users, well, exactly where they are in University Circle. It also provides up to date information on and photos of the museums, restaurants, galleries, schools, entertainment and shopping venues in the area. The app also lists parking locations around the circle.
A GPS feature provides exact directions to where the user wants to go. “It focuses on the gems of University Circle,” says McLaughlin. “Whether you’re walking, driving or riding a bike, the GPS gets you there."
An events section lists timely offerings for the day, week or month. “If you want to check out what’s going on in the Circle, you have it in the palm of your hand," says McLaughlin. “Our goal is to bring you back. If you’re here for one event, you might come back if you know what’s around you. It’s going to enhance your experience in University Circle, whether you’re a visitor or a resident.”
Source: Erika McLaughlin
Writer: Karin Connelly
A newly unveiled school facilities plan in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District (CH-UH) has the potential to blend historic preservation and neighborhood schools with cutting edge, 21st century learning environments, school leaders say.
The plan calls for eliminating several schools, tearing down 70s-era additions to older, historic buildings that will be preserved, and creating new interiors and additions to facilitate a technology-oriented, interest-based curriculum. Additionally, Wiley Middle School will be torn down and rebuilt.
The plan also retains neighborhood-based schools that are highly valued by the community. It calls for converting several primary schools to K-3rd grade buildings and converting three middle schools to 4th-8th grade buildings.
School leaders arrived at the new plan after presenting an earlier plan that was harshly received at community meetings. The earlier plan called for closing a larger number of buildings and effectively eliminating neighborhood schools. It would have created several large K-8 campuses in addition to the high school.
To gain additional input, CH-UH school leaders will host a series of community meetings at elementary schools in the coming weeks. Then the final plan is expected to be rolled out at a meeting at the high school on April 18th.
“As we move forward in the master facilities planning process, we want to assure our community that we are hearing and respecting all of the input we are receiving,” said Superintendent Doug Heuer in a news release. Heuer also noted that the plan is not yet final and additional refinements can still be made.
Source: Doug Heuer, CH-UH School District
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The plan calls for eliminating several schools, tearing down 70s-era additions to older, historic buildings that will be preserved, and creating new interiors and additions to facilitate a technology-oriented, interest-based curriculum. Additionally, Wiley Middle School will be torn down and rebuilt.
The plan also retains neighborhood-based schools that are highly valued by the community. It calls for converting several primary schools to K-3rd grade buildings and converting three middle schools to 4th-8th grade buildings.
School leaders arrived at the new plan after presenting an earlier plan that was harshly received at community meetings. The earlier plan called for closing a larger number of buildings and effectively eliminating neighborhood schools. It would have created several large K-8 campuses in addition to the high school.
To gain additional input, CH-UH school leaders will host a series of community meetings at elementary schools in the coming weeks. Then the final plan is expected to be rolled out at a meeting at the high school on April 18th.
“As we move forward in the master facilities planning process, we want to assure our community that we are hearing and respecting all of the input we are receiving,” said Superintendent Doug Heuer in a news release. Heuer also noted that the plan is not yet final and additional refinements can still be made.
Source: Doug Heuer, CH-UH School District
Writer: Lee Chilcote
What makes a neighborhood thrive? Is it a coffee shop? A fistful of chef-owned bistros? What about a grocery store and dry cleaners? When it comes to Cleveland's various neighborhoods, some seem to have all the pieces in place. Ohio City, Tremont, Detroit Shoreway… these budding burgs appear to have everything a resident could want and need. But do they?
On the heels of St. Patty's Day, which gives cause for merriment whether you're Irish for one day or your entire life, comes Dyngus Day. And Justin Gorski, aka "DJ Kishka," invites you to dig deep to find your ethnic roots and celebrate Cleveland's Polish heritage in style.
"I'm Polish, and I always had pride in that," says Gorski, who created the Polka Happy Hour at the Happy Dog seven years ago. "My grandmother made pierogi and potato pancakes. It's great to be able to celebrate the ethnicity of Cleveland."
Gorski was inspired to create a Dyngus Day celebration in Cleveland after he traveled to Buffalo two years ago to perform. Dyngus Day festivities there attract more than 60,000 people each year. The event is a traditional pagan holiday that began as a celebration of the rites of spring, but was co-opted by a Polish Catholic king many eons ago. Today, it is widely celebrated as the Polish version of Mardi Gras, and always takes place on the Monday after Easter.
Last year's event attracted 1,500 people, and DJ Kishka is hoping for 5,000 at this year's celebration. Bars and restaurants in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood have banded together to promote the event. Organizers are planning an Accordion March along W. 58th Street, the traditional crowning of Ms. Dyngus (kind of a polka-themed talent show), live music and an appearance by Big Chuck.
Gorski says Cleveland's strong Polish community will keep Dyngus Day growing, and it will help attract visitors to the revitalized Gordon Square Arts District.
Dyngus Day will take place on Monday, April 9th. The crowning of Ms. Dyngus will take place at 5 p.m., with the Accordion March immediately following.
Source: Justin Gorski
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"I'm Polish, and I always had pride in that," says Gorski, who created the Polka Happy Hour at the Happy Dog seven years ago. "My grandmother made pierogi and potato pancakes. It's great to be able to celebrate the ethnicity of Cleveland."
Gorski was inspired to create a Dyngus Day celebration in Cleveland after he traveled to Buffalo two years ago to perform. Dyngus Day festivities there attract more than 60,000 people each year. The event is a traditional pagan holiday that began as a celebration of the rites of spring, but was co-opted by a Polish Catholic king many eons ago. Today, it is widely celebrated as the Polish version of Mardi Gras, and always takes place on the Monday after Easter.
Last year's event attracted 1,500 people, and DJ Kishka is hoping for 5,000 at this year's celebration. Bars and restaurants in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood have banded together to promote the event. Organizers are planning an Accordion March along W. 58th Street, the traditional crowning of Ms. Dyngus (kind of a polka-themed talent show), live music and an appearance by Big Chuck.
Gorski says Cleveland's strong Polish community will keep Dyngus Day growing, and it will help attract visitors to the revitalized Gordon Square Arts District.
Dyngus Day will take place on Monday, April 9th. The crowning of Ms. Dyngus will take place at 5 p.m., with the Accordion March immediately following.
Source: Justin Gorski
Writer: Lee Chilcote
To conduct an authentic test of what it's like to be a tourist in Cleveland, Positively Cleveland recently sent several Northeast Ohioans on all-expenses-paid trips to parts of the city with which they were unfamiliar. The outcomes of this "mystery shopper" test were revealing, if not exactly surprising: Safety, wayfinding signage and public transportation ranked among participants' top concerns.
Lexi Hotchkiss, Communications Manager with Positively Cleveland, says the "Tourist for a Day" effort was part of a larger, regional initiative to make Cleveland a more visitor-friendly destination. The "Destination Cleveland" project has been launched by Positively Cleveland and other civic-minded partners in anticipation of $2 billion in tourism-related development that is currently being invested in downtown Cleveland.
"Our new President and CEO, David Gilbert, started the process when he joined the organization," explains Hotchkiss. "We knew it was time to look at Cleveland in a different way, and really examine how we look, act and feel as a destination."
In November, Positively Cleveland held a summit with over 200 community ambassadors, ranging from government officials to hotel managers. This unprecedented, collaborative effort to take Cleveland's tourism economy to the next level resulted in 11 focus areas. Top government officials also signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to work together on this effort.
In a few days, tourism leaders are set to unveil and begin implementing a new, five year plan to improve Cleveland as a travel destination. Positively Cleveland and its partners are holding the Destination Cleveland Travel and Tourism Outcomes Launch on Tuesday, March 27th from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the House of Blues. The event is free and open to the public.
"Tourism is the fourth largest private sector economy in Ohio," says Hotchkiss. "One of the things we really want to do is engage locals as ambassadors of our city."
Source: Lexi Hotchkiss
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Lexi Hotchkiss, Communications Manager with Positively Cleveland, says the "Tourist for a Day" effort was part of a larger, regional initiative to make Cleveland a more visitor-friendly destination. The "Destination Cleveland" project has been launched by Positively Cleveland and other civic-minded partners in anticipation of $2 billion in tourism-related development that is currently being invested in downtown Cleveland.
"Our new President and CEO, David Gilbert, started the process when he joined the organization," explains Hotchkiss. "We knew it was time to look at Cleveland in a different way, and really examine how we look, act and feel as a destination."
In November, Positively Cleveland held a summit with over 200 community ambassadors, ranging from government officials to hotel managers. This unprecedented, collaborative effort to take Cleveland's tourism economy to the next level resulted in 11 focus areas. Top government officials also signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to work together on this effort.
In a few days, tourism leaders are set to unveil and begin implementing a new, five year plan to improve Cleveland as a travel destination. Positively Cleveland and its partners are holding the Destination Cleveland Travel and Tourism Outcomes Launch on Tuesday, March 27th from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the House of Blues. The event is free and open to the public.
"Tourism is the fourth largest private sector economy in Ohio," says Hotchkiss. "One of the things we really want to do is engage locals as ambassadors of our city."
Source: Lexi Hotchkiss
Writer: Lee Chilcote
pnc breaks ground on new community resource center in fairfax neighborhood
A new community resource center being created by PNC Financial Services will better connect the Fairfax neighborhood's residents and small businesses to economic opportunities in Northeast Ohio. It will also celebrate the rich history and legacy of a neighborhood that was once home to Langston Hughes and houses Karamu Theatre.
PNC recently broke ground on PNC Fairfax Connection, a new facility that is being built on the site of a former dry cleaner at E. 83rd St. and Carnegie Avenue. The 6,400-square-foot facility was designed by Richard Fleischman and ESI Design. PNC officials hope to celebrate a grand opening here in the fall.
"Our CEO said, 'I want you to create something that redefines the relationship between a bank and a community,' so we did," says Paul Clark, PNC Regional Vice President. "Fairfax stood out because of the pride of the community, its proximity to University Circle and the Cleveland Clinic, and the strength of its leadership."
PNC Fairfax Connection will offer access to technology and training, resources to connect residents to jobs, and intergenerational, youth and early childhood programming. It will also help celebrate the cultural legacy of Fairfax.
As examples of possible outcomes, Clark cites a goal of increasing the number of local residents hired by major employers, helping small businesses to connect with each other and to large entities such as the Cleveland Clinic, and youth programs that help aspiring filmmakers to produce state-of-the-art movies.
The facility is being built on the site of the former Swift Dry Cleaner, and will remediate a dilapidated building and brownfield along Carnegie Ave. It is being created in partnership with the Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation. Clark says the distinctive, glassy architecture will "set a high bar."
Source: Paul Clark
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Photo: Bob Perkoski
PNC recently broke ground on PNC Fairfax Connection, a new facility that is being built on the site of a former dry cleaner at E. 83rd St. and Carnegie Avenue. The 6,400-square-foot facility was designed by Richard Fleischman and ESI Design. PNC officials hope to celebrate a grand opening here in the fall.
"Our CEO said, 'I want you to create something that redefines the relationship between a bank and a community,' so we did," says Paul Clark, PNC Regional Vice President. "Fairfax stood out because of the pride of the community, its proximity to University Circle and the Cleveland Clinic, and the strength of its leadership."
PNC Fairfax Connection will offer access to technology and training, resources to connect residents to jobs, and intergenerational, youth and early childhood programming. It will also help celebrate the cultural legacy of Fairfax.
As examples of possible outcomes, Clark cites a goal of increasing the number of local residents hired by major employers, helping small businesses to connect with each other and to large entities such as the Cleveland Clinic, and youth programs that help aspiring filmmakers to produce state-of-the-art movies.
The facility is being built on the site of the former Swift Dry Cleaner, and will remediate a dilapidated building and brownfield along Carnegie Ave. It is being created in partnership with the Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation. Clark says the distinctive, glassy architecture will "set a high bar."
Source: Paul Clark
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Photo: Bob Perkoski
This year’s film festival is up to 318 films from 60 countries, ranging from documentary to feature length drama. But there are three films that will be of particular interest to Clevelanders. All documentaries, the flicks cover post-recession life of Detroit, Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson, and what it means to be black in today’s society.
As local artists with a common love of vintage art tools, friends Jamye Jamison, Elizabeth Emery and Wendy Partridge decided there was a need for some uniquely Cleveland promotional goods. So they formed CLE Collectiv, which produces a line of handmade note cards that celebrate all things Cleveland.
The trio creates the cards at Zygote Press using handset, vintage metal and wood type printing materials on 1950s-era Vandercook proofing presses. The cards are two-color and they can print up to 350 cards in one print run. All the paper is sourced from off-cuts that would otherwise be thrown away. Cards are folded and assembled by hand.
“We kind of started it as a little bit of a hobby,” says Jamison. “Just because we felt there was a void of interesting letterpress cards about Cleveland."
Current designs include “CLE - the place to be,” “CLE - full city, half price,” “I (heart) Cleveland” and “Cleveland - gentrify this!” Due out in June are “West Side Market - makin' bacon since 1912”
and “Cleveland - it grows on you.”
“We’ve been trying to come up with funny, quirky sayings about Cleveland, whether positive or poking sly fun at the city,” says Jamison.
The different cards feature vintage images found at Zygote, such as the Terminal Tower from around the time it was built, or a Tremont steel mill.
The cards are $5 each, three for $14 or 5 for $20. They are available at CLE Clothing Co., duoHOME, Heights Arts, Room Service, and Zygote Press. They can also be found on the CLE Collectiv Etsy page.
Source: Jamye Jamison
Writer: Karin Connelly
The trio creates the cards at Zygote Press using handset, vintage metal and wood type printing materials on 1950s-era Vandercook proofing presses. The cards are two-color and they can print up to 350 cards in one print run. All the paper is sourced from off-cuts that would otherwise be thrown away. Cards are folded and assembled by hand.
“We kind of started it as a little bit of a hobby,” says Jamison. “Just because we felt there was a void of interesting letterpress cards about Cleveland."
Current designs include “CLE - the place to be,” “CLE - full city, half price,” “I (heart) Cleveland” and “Cleveland - gentrify this!” Due out in June are “West Side Market - makin' bacon since 1912”
and “Cleveland - it grows on you.”
“We’ve been trying to come up with funny, quirky sayings about Cleveland, whether positive or poking sly fun at the city,” says Jamison.
The different cards feature vintage images found at Zygote, such as the Terminal Tower from around the time it was built, or a Tremont steel mill.
The cards are $5 each, three for $14 or 5 for $20. They are available at CLE Clothing Co., duoHOME, Heights Arts, Room Service, and Zygote Press. They can also be found on the CLE Collectiv Etsy page.
Source: Jamye Jamison
Writer: Karin Connelly
newsmax previews rock hall renovations
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is gearing up to unveil it $6.9 million renovation project writes Sandy Fitzgerald in a brief report for Newsmax. This latest renovation is the most extensive since the museum opened in 1995.
The renovations were completed just in time for the upcoming sold-out induction ceremonies that will take place on April 14.
Among the improvements made is the red carpet entrance, as well as new interactive displays, improved signage, and revamped exhibits with more of a natural flow.
“Ninety percent of the people who come to the museum love the experience,” said Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the museum. “But what don’t they like? What have we learned over the years that we can do better? We stepped back and compiled those improvements, to make it a better experience without trying to transform it into a brand-new museum."
Read the full article here.
The renovations were completed just in time for the upcoming sold-out induction ceremonies that will take place on April 14.
Among the improvements made is the red carpet entrance, as well as new interactive displays, improved signage, and revamped exhibits with more of a natural flow.
“Ninety percent of the people who come to the museum love the experience,” said Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the museum. “But what don’t they like? What have we learned over the years that we can do better? We stepped back and compiled those improvements, to make it a better experience without trying to transform it into a brand-new museum."
Read the full article here.
Cleveland rocks, that much we know. But for many local musicians, "rocking" isn't always enough to pay the bills. To make both music and a living, many must find -- or create -- music-related day jobs that supplement the bottom line. But the good news is two-fold: Cleveland musicians are supportive of one another, and here, a person doesn't have to work 60 hours a week just to pay the rent.
When actor Bill Morgan travels into Cleveland schools to create artistic productions that star both hearing and deaf actors, he continues to be amazed by students' reactions and the type of creativity that is often unleashed through nonverbal communication.
Morgan can hear, yet the productions that he creates through SignStage Theatre help to educate hearing individuals on the issues faced by the deaf community. They also bring hearing and deaf students together through entertainment.
"We ask kids to use their physical actions rather than just their voices, and they really start to use their imaginations more," says Morgan. "We have hearing students interacting more with deaf students, whereas normally they're not. That opens kids up to what deaf kids can do, while also empowering deaf students."
SignStage is a program of the Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center (CHSC), a nonprofit originally founded in 1921 to provide lip reading classes for adults who are deaf and hard of hearing. In the past 91 years, the CHSC has grown to serve nearly 8,000 adults and children each year in 14 counties in Northeast Ohio.
Morgan is particularly excited about an upcoming residency through the Ohio Arts Council at a Cincinnati area school. There he will have a chance to create programs at an innovative school that integrates deaf and hearing children using the arts. "Such programs are becoming more acceptable," he says. "I've also found that there is now a better understanding of the needs of the deaf community."
SignStage helps hearing students to overcome prejudice, says Morgan, and to realize deaf people are not handicapped. Deaf people can be found in professions ranging from medicine (including doctors) to manufacturing (they're sometimes hired to work around noisy machines that hearing people can't tolerate).
Source: Bill Morgan
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Morgan can hear, yet the productions that he creates through SignStage Theatre help to educate hearing individuals on the issues faced by the deaf community. They also bring hearing and deaf students together through entertainment.
"We ask kids to use their physical actions rather than just their voices, and they really start to use their imaginations more," says Morgan. "We have hearing students interacting more with deaf students, whereas normally they're not. That opens kids up to what deaf kids can do, while also empowering deaf students."
SignStage is a program of the Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center (CHSC), a nonprofit originally founded in 1921 to provide lip reading classes for adults who are deaf and hard of hearing. In the past 91 years, the CHSC has grown to serve nearly 8,000 adults and children each year in 14 counties in Northeast Ohio.
Morgan is particularly excited about an upcoming residency through the Ohio Arts Council at a Cincinnati area school. There he will have a chance to create programs at an innovative school that integrates deaf and hearing children using the arts. "Such programs are becoming more acceptable," he says. "I've also found that there is now a better understanding of the needs of the deaf community."
SignStage helps hearing students to overcome prejudice, says Morgan, and to realize deaf people are not handicapped. Deaf people can be found in professions ranging from medicine (including doctors) to manufacturing (they're sometimes hired to work around noisy machines that hearing people can't tolerate).
Source: Bill Morgan
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Garfield Heights historically has been known as the "City of Homes," yet Mayor Vic Collova wants to update that quaint image. The time is right to attract new businesses and development, he says, and the city's infrastructure, proximity to highways and business-friendly approach make it competitive.
"We haven't had a lot of new businesses moving here, and we're really trying to change our mindset," he says. "What we're doing is aggressive for Garfield Heights, but not for other areas that are more business-minded."
Like many inner ring suburbs that have a flat or declining residential tax base, Garfield Heights is now trying to diversify its tax rolls by attracting new economic development. The city has cause to celebrate a major victory this month, as the rapidly growing ebook and audio book distributor Overdrive recently broke ground on a new, $10 million world headquarters. The facility will immediate employ nearly 200 people, and could eventually employ up to 300 people.
Collova says former Governor Ted Strickland's administration was instrumental in keeping Overdrive in Ohio (the current facility is located in Valley View), and a package of incentives that included a 10-year, 100-percent tax abatement helped lure the firm to Garfield Heights. The Ohio Department of Development also provided a $200,000 grant to build a new road to service the facility.
In a competitive economic landscape in which cities and states are, for better or worse, bidding against one another to land new development projects, Collova says Garfield Heights "offered a package to meet Overdrive's needs." He adds that Economic Development Director Noreen Kupan "did a great job negotiating."
Yet Collova says regardless of incentives, the location near I-480 is becoming "one of the most sought after locations in the city" because it offers great highway access and more than 180,000 cars per day drive through the area.
The location once was home to Nestaway, a company that closed years ago and left behind a vacant building. When Overdrive moves into its new headquarters later this year, it will be one of the largest employers in the City of Garfield Heights.
Source: Vic Collova
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"We haven't had a lot of new businesses moving here, and we're really trying to change our mindset," he says. "What we're doing is aggressive for Garfield Heights, but not for other areas that are more business-minded."
Like many inner ring suburbs that have a flat or declining residential tax base, Garfield Heights is now trying to diversify its tax rolls by attracting new economic development. The city has cause to celebrate a major victory this month, as the rapidly growing ebook and audio book distributor Overdrive recently broke ground on a new, $10 million world headquarters. The facility will immediate employ nearly 200 people, and could eventually employ up to 300 people.
Collova says former Governor Ted Strickland's administration was instrumental in keeping Overdrive in Ohio (the current facility is located in Valley View), and a package of incentives that included a 10-year, 100-percent tax abatement helped lure the firm to Garfield Heights. The Ohio Department of Development also provided a $200,000 grant to build a new road to service the facility.
In a competitive economic landscape in which cities and states are, for better or worse, bidding against one another to land new development projects, Collova says Garfield Heights "offered a package to meet Overdrive's needs." He adds that Economic Development Director Noreen Kupan "did a great job negotiating."
Yet Collova says regardless of incentives, the location near I-480 is becoming "one of the most sought after locations in the city" because it offers great highway access and more than 180,000 cars per day drive through the area.
The location once was home to Nestaway, a company that closed years ago and left behind a vacant building. When Overdrive moves into its new headquarters later this year, it will be one of the largest employers in the City of Garfield Heights.
Source: Vic Collova
Writer: Lee Chilcote
local editor shares her ciff picks with the huffpo
“One of my favorite events of the year is right around the corner -- the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) from March 22 to April 1," writes Stefanie Penn Spear, editor of EcoWatch for the Huffington Post.
Spear states in her lengthy feature that while she enjoys a wide variety of offerings the festival offers, environmental documentaries are always her favorite.
EcoWatch is sponsoring a film in the festival titled Dirty Energy, “which documents the personal stories of those directly affected by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and their struggles to rebuild their lives amidst the economic devastation and long-term health risks afflicting the area.”
Spear goes on to detail another film titled Cape Spin, which she was given the opportunity to preview, about a political battle over the 2001 proposal for a Cape Wind’s energy project.
Read the detailed story here.
Spear states in her lengthy feature that while she enjoys a wide variety of offerings the festival offers, environmental documentaries are always her favorite.
EcoWatch is sponsoring a film in the festival titled Dirty Energy, “which documents the personal stories of those directly affected by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and their struggles to rebuild their lives amidst the economic devastation and long-term health risks afflicting the area.”
Spear goes on to detail another film titled Cape Spin, which she was given the opportunity to preview, about a political battle over the 2001 proposal for a Cape Wind’s energy project.
Read the detailed story here.
The Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA), a civic education and engagement program, named 17 new city advocates for 2012. “It’s a chance to know the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and get the inside scoop on what’s going on downtown,” explains Laura Kushnick, DCA’s director of development and community relations.
The advocates serve a two-year term. They have access to DCA staff and community leaders to learn what it takes to facilitate civic change in the city. The advocates are encouraged to bring their own ideas to the table. Past projects have included happy hours and social events, building playgrounds and dog parks, and updating the city’s Wikipedia pages.
“There are a whole range of things people do,” says Kushnick. “We try to encourage people to be ambitious, but think about what they can do in small groups. We really view the program as an opportunity to learn what it takes to get things done.”
This is the fourth class in the program. Applicants come from all walks of life. “We cast as wide a net as we can” says Kushnick. “We put the word out through young professional groups. We try to assemble a strong group of people with a wide array of interests and professional backgrounds. Most of the advocates either work or live downtown.”
The 17 members were selected by a committee of DCA staff and board members who reviewed the written applications and interviewed a group of 30 finalists. They join 11 current advocates who are in their second year.
Source: Laura Kushnick
Writer: Karin Connelly
The advocates serve a two-year term. They have access to DCA staff and community leaders to learn what it takes to facilitate civic change in the city. The advocates are encouraged to bring their own ideas to the table. Past projects have included happy hours and social events, building playgrounds and dog parks, and updating the city’s Wikipedia pages.
“There are a whole range of things people do,” says Kushnick. “We try to encourage people to be ambitious, but think about what they can do in small groups. We really view the program as an opportunity to learn what it takes to get things done.”
This is the fourth class in the program. Applicants come from all walks of life. “We cast as wide a net as we can” says Kushnick. “We put the word out through young professional groups. We try to assemble a strong group of people with a wide array of interests and professional backgrounds. Most of the advocates either work or live downtown.”
The 17 members were selected by a committee of DCA staff and board members who reviewed the written applications and interviewed a group of 30 finalists. They join 11 current advocates who are in their second year.
Source: Laura Kushnick
Writer: Karin Connelly