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billboard charts success of 'women who rock' exhibit at rock hall
Writing for Billboard magazine, Jill Mapes offers up a wonderful preview of the new "Women Who Rock" exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
The interactive exhibition spotlights more than 70 artists and fills two entire floors of the museum. The exhibit features artifacts, video and listening stations.
"There's no shortage of exclusive artifacts to pour over," says Mapes. "With famous costumes, instruments and handwritten lyrics spread across two floors at the Cleveland museum, "Women Who Rock" is perhaps more comprehensive than one might imagine."
Some of the women rockers highlighted include Wanda Jackson, Ma Rainey, Madonna, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Rihanna and many more. Artifacts include the leather vest Grace Slick wore on stage at Woodstock, Billie Holiday's fox-fur stoll, outfits from Britney Spears, and Lady Gaga's now-infamous "meat dress."
Rock Hall Chief Curator Jim Henke says, "When people look back at the early days of rock 'n' roll, they tend to think of it as a boy's club. The reality is that there were a lot of females playing a hugely important role."
The exhibit runs now through February 2012.
Read the rest of the charts here.
The interactive exhibition spotlights more than 70 artists and fills two entire floors of the museum. The exhibit features artifacts, video and listening stations.
"There's no shortage of exclusive artifacts to pour over," says Mapes. "With famous costumes, instruments and handwritten lyrics spread across two floors at the Cleveland museum, "Women Who Rock" is perhaps more comprehensive than one might imagine."
Some of the women rockers highlighted include Wanda Jackson, Ma Rainey, Madonna, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Rihanna and many more. Artifacts include the leather vest Grace Slick wore on stage at Woodstock, Billie Holiday's fox-fur stoll, outfits from Britney Spears, and Lady Gaga's now-infamous "meat dress."
Rock Hall Chief Curator Jim Henke says, "When people look back at the early days of rock 'n' roll, they tend to think of it as a boy's club. The reality is that there were a lot of females playing a hugely important role."
The exhibit runs now through February 2012.
Read the rest of the charts here.
Earlier this year, construction began for the new Medical Mart and Convention Center, a project that has received a lukewarm response from skeptical taxpayers. Working hard to prove them wrong is Tony Prusak, who as Director of Convention Sales is tasked with booking events. As a lifelong Clevelander, Prusak is driven by a desire to improve Cleveland's economic future. How? By "selling more cheeseburgers."
Pedal for Prizes is a two-wheeled treasure hunt through Cleveland's Old Brooklyn neighborhood that will offer participants a chance to win more than $2,000 worth of prizes simply by visiting neighborhood businesses. The event takes place this Saturday, May 21st at Loew Park.
Here's how it will work: Upon check-in, bicyclists receive a map of 20 destinations and points of interest in Old Brooklyn. While exploring the neighborhood, riders make pit-stops at local landmarks like Michael's Bakery, Gentile's Imported Italian Foods, and Jack Frost Donuts, collecting raffle tickets at each one. They'll return to Loew Park in the afternoon to enter the tickets into a Chinese-style raffle.
Prizes include two new Trek 7000 hybrid bikes, a one-year membership to the downtown branch of the Cleveland YMCA, a $100 Honey Hut Ice Cream gift basket, a $50 gift certificate to Steelyard Commons, and gift certificates to area restaurants.
Organizers say Pedal for Prizes will not only promote Old Brooklyn as a bike-friendly neighborhood that is chock-full of charming local businesses, but also encourage participants to come back for a closer look.
"It gives neighborhood merchants a unique opportunity to bring hundreds of new people from throughout the region into their shops," says Old Brooklyn resident and event organizer Jeffrey Sugalski. "We hope that they'll return and become patrons in the future."
Pedal for Prizes is supported by Neighborhood Connections, a program of the Cleveland Foundation that provides small grants to grassroots community projects.
Loew Park is located at 3121 Oak Park Avenue in Cleveland. The free event begins at 12 pm.
Source: Jeffrey Sugalski
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Here's how it will work: Upon check-in, bicyclists receive a map of 20 destinations and points of interest in Old Brooklyn. While exploring the neighborhood, riders make pit-stops at local landmarks like Michael's Bakery, Gentile's Imported Italian Foods, and Jack Frost Donuts, collecting raffle tickets at each one. They'll return to Loew Park in the afternoon to enter the tickets into a Chinese-style raffle.
Prizes include two new Trek 7000 hybrid bikes, a one-year membership to the downtown branch of the Cleveland YMCA, a $100 Honey Hut Ice Cream gift basket, a $50 gift certificate to Steelyard Commons, and gift certificates to area restaurants.
Organizers say Pedal for Prizes will not only promote Old Brooklyn as a bike-friendly neighborhood that is chock-full of charming local businesses, but also encourage participants to come back for a closer look.
"It gives neighborhood merchants a unique opportunity to bring hundreds of new people from throughout the region into their shops," says Old Brooklyn resident and event organizer Jeffrey Sugalski. "We hope that they'll return and become patrons in the future."
Pedal for Prizes is supported by Neighborhood Connections, a program of the Cleveland Foundation that provides small grants to grassroots community projects.
Loew Park is located at 3121 Oak Park Avenue in Cleveland. The free event begins at 12 pm.
Source: Jeffrey Sugalski
Writer: Lee Chilcote
After 35 years in the ad game -- and induction into the Advertising Hall of Fame -- Alan Glazen retired, looking forward long days spent swinging on his Lake Erie island hammock. But that's not what happened. Despite not knowing the first thing about running a restaurant, Glazen reluctantly found himself doing exactly that. As the owner of three successful concepts, Glazen wants others to join him.
What started as a business plan competition at Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 2003 has today turned into a thriving pet insurance business for CEO Laura Bennett and chief marketing officer Alex Krooglik. Embrace Pet Insurance offers comprehensive insurance plans for pets with a focus on customer service.
"It came about when a friend's cat got sick," explains Bennett. "She spent $5,000 to take care of it. We saw pet insurance had huge potential, it's an unpenetrated market." While 25 percent of pet owners in the U.K. have pet insurance, only sixth-tenths of one percent insure their pets in the U.S.
Pet care is a $50 billion a year market, according to the American Pet Products Association, $14 billion of which is spent on veterinarian bills.
"People are still spending on their pets, even in a recession," says Bennett. "This is for people who would spend anything to bring their pet back to health, to do what is right." The two won the business plan competition, graduated and decided to launch Embrace in Beachwood in 2003.
After a somewhat rocky start, they found funding through JumpStart in 2004 and sold the first policy, to Bennett, in 2006. They've received additional investments over the years, and have relied mostly on word of mouth for their growth and success.
Bennett, who has a background in finance, crafts the policies like traditional insurance plans for cars and trucks. Policy owners can pick and choose their level of coverage, and even hereditary and chronic conditions can be covered. "We give a lot of options, even a health spending account for pet wellness," says Bennett. "There's a lot of actuarial science behind it."
In an industry that is growing by 25 percent annually, Embrace Pet Insurance has grown exponentially. They now have 23 employees and are continuing to hire. "We want to build on that momentum," says Bennett. "I see us in the next five years going from 23 people to 50 to 60."
"Alex and I created this out of nothing, it was just something in our heads," says Bennett. "We've struggled, we've worked really hard, it's been fantastic."
Source: Laura Bennett
Writer: Karin Connelly
"It came about when a friend's cat got sick," explains Bennett. "She spent $5,000 to take care of it. We saw pet insurance had huge potential, it's an unpenetrated market." While 25 percent of pet owners in the U.K. have pet insurance, only sixth-tenths of one percent insure their pets in the U.S.
Pet care is a $50 billion a year market, according to the American Pet Products Association, $14 billion of which is spent on veterinarian bills.
"People are still spending on their pets, even in a recession," says Bennett. "This is for people who would spend anything to bring their pet back to health, to do what is right." The two won the business plan competition, graduated and decided to launch Embrace in Beachwood in 2003.
After a somewhat rocky start, they found funding through JumpStart in 2004 and sold the first policy, to Bennett, in 2006. They've received additional investments over the years, and have relied mostly on word of mouth for their growth and success.
Bennett, who has a background in finance, crafts the policies like traditional insurance plans for cars and trucks. Policy owners can pick and choose their level of coverage, and even hereditary and chronic conditions can be covered. "We give a lot of options, even a health spending account for pet wellness," says Bennett. "There's a lot of actuarial science behind it."
In an industry that is growing by 25 percent annually, Embrace Pet Insurance has grown exponentially. They now have 23 employees and are continuing to hire. "We want to build on that momentum," says Bennett. "I see us in the next five years going from 23 people to 50 to 60."
"Alex and I created this out of nothing, it was just something in our heads," says Bennett. "We've struggled, we've worked really hard, it's been fantastic."
Source: Laura Bennett
Writer: Karin Connelly
eater.com runs round-up of must-hit cleveland hotspots
Eater.com, a national website that covers restaurants, chefs and food personalities, recently ran an article titled "The Eater Cleveland Heat Map." A regular feature of the publication, the Heat Maps tell readers about "newish locales that have been garnering serious buzz."
For the Cleveland article, Eater's first major heat-check of the 216, the pub asked local food writer (and Fresh Water managing editor) Douglas Trattner to describe 10 new places that have locals talking, drooling and, of course, eating. Singled out for inclusion are ABC the Tavern, AMP 150, Sweet Moses, Happy Dog, Dim and Den Sum, Deagan's, Fat Casual BBQ, Cropicana, Washington Place Bistro, and Market at the Fig.
Accompanying those listings is an interactive map.
In addition to the national version of Eater, the website features city-specific sites devoted to foodie locales such as New York, Chicago, Portland and Seattle. For now, Cleveland will have to fall under the province of Eater National.
Digest the entire meal here.
For the Cleveland article, Eater's first major heat-check of the 216, the pub asked local food writer (and Fresh Water managing editor) Douglas Trattner to describe 10 new places that have locals talking, drooling and, of course, eating. Singled out for inclusion are ABC the Tavern, AMP 150, Sweet Moses, Happy Dog, Dim and Den Sum, Deagan's, Fat Casual BBQ, Cropicana, Washington Place Bistro, and Market at the Fig.
Accompanying those listings is an interactive map.
In addition to the national version of Eater, the website features city-specific sites devoted to foodie locales such as New York, Chicago, Portland and Seattle. For now, Cleveland will have to fall under the province of Eater National.
Digest the entire meal here.
The second annual Cleveland Asian Festival will be held this weekend, Saturday and Sunday May 21 and 22, at the Asia Plaza shopping center and on surrounding streets. The festival is a celebration of the culture, diversity, and people who live, work and play in the AsiaTown neighborhood. The event will build upon its remarkable success last year, when over 10,000 attendees showed up at the first-ever event.
It's the Chinese year of the rabbit and the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation is celebrating by displaying 24 fiberglass bunny sculptures, painted and decorated by Northeast Ohio artists. Each sculpture is sponsored by a local business. They are being installed around the neighborhood today.
This is the sixth year the organization has hosted the public art event. The installation celebrates Cleveland's Asian, artistic and business communities in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.
"St. Clair-Superior has one of the highest Asian populations in Northeast Ohio," says project coordinator Becca Britton. "We have a blossoming arts district here and we also have a thriving business community. The community really appreciates it and celebrates it."
The public has come to embrace the sculptures, which began with the year of the dog. In early years there was a lot of vandalism and theft, Britton says, which has diminished over the years. "Everyone leaves them alone," she says. "They really appreciate them."
More than 90 artists submitted designs this year. A panel of three professional artists chose their favorites, which were then put into a portfolio for companies to choose from. Winning artists receive a $400 stipend and two tickets to a gala event.
This year's favorites include a rabbit exploding with butterflies and another blowing bubbles on roller skates. "Every year the artists are getting more creative," says Britton.
The rabbits will be on display through Labor Day. They will then be auctioned off, with proceeds going to next year's project.
Source: Becca Britton
Writer: Karin Connelly
This is the sixth year the organization has hosted the public art event. The installation celebrates Cleveland's Asian, artistic and business communities in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.
"St. Clair-Superior has one of the highest Asian populations in Northeast Ohio," says project coordinator Becca Britton. "We have a blossoming arts district here and we also have a thriving business community. The community really appreciates it and celebrates it."
The public has come to embrace the sculptures, which began with the year of the dog. In early years there was a lot of vandalism and theft, Britton says, which has diminished over the years. "Everyone leaves them alone," she says. "They really appreciate them."
More than 90 artists submitted designs this year. A panel of three professional artists chose their favorites, which were then put into a portfolio for companies to choose from. Winning artists receive a $400 stipend and two tickets to a gala event.
This year's favorites include a rabbit exploding with butterflies and another blowing bubbles on roller skates. "Every year the artists are getting more creative," says Britton.
The rabbits will be on display through Labor Day. They will then be auctioned off, with proceeds going to next year's project.
Source: Becca Britton
Writer: Karin Connelly
As president and CEO of NorTech, a nonprofit technology-based economic development organization serving 21 counties in Northeast Ohio, Rebecca Bagley is always looking for ways for her Cleveland-based company to be more competitive regionally and nationally. Her recent appointment to the U.S. Department of Commerce Innovation Advisory Board by commerce secretary Gary Locke will further her mission.
Bagley and 14 other board members will conduct a study of U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation. The study will help form national policies at the heart of U.S. job creation, competitiveness and global strength. "The idea is to do a study on how the United States can be more globally competitive," says Bagley. "It's obviously very exciting to be a part of this advisory board and the study."
Nominated by NorTech board chair Tim Reynolds, Bagley sees her background in finance, as well as her leadership at NorTech, as the reasons for her appointment. Before joining the company she worked in the private sector in investment banking and as deputy secretary for the Technology Investment Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Bagley is a nationally-recognized expert in technology-based economic development. She brings that same expertise to the region in developing Northeast Ohio's technology initiatives. "We've been working in the region to increase Northeast Ohio's competiveness," she says. "For NorTech this raises visibility of the region and validates the work being done here."
The board's first meeting is in Arlington, VA in June. They will meet every three months.
Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
Bagley and 14 other board members will conduct a study of U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation. The study will help form national policies at the heart of U.S. job creation, competitiveness and global strength. "The idea is to do a study on how the United States can be more globally competitive," says Bagley. "It's obviously very exciting to be a part of this advisory board and the study."
Nominated by NorTech board chair Tim Reynolds, Bagley sees her background in finance, as well as her leadership at NorTech, as the reasons for her appointment. Before joining the company she worked in the private sector in investment banking and as deputy secretary for the Technology Investment Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Bagley is a nationally-recognized expert in technology-based economic development. She brings that same expertise to the region in developing Northeast Ohio's technology initiatives. "We've been working in the region to increase Northeast Ohio's competiveness," she says. "For NorTech this raises visibility of the region and validates the work being done here."
The board's first meeting is in Arlington, VA in June. They will meet every three months.
Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
When Murray Hill Market opened in Little Italy in January, owner Michelle Iacobelli Buckholtz revived the tradition of the small neighborhood market that existed when her father grew up in the area.
This summer, Buckholtz will bring back another grand neighborhood tradition: the sidewalk cafe and alfresco market. Having obtained her peddler's license, she plans to add outdoor seating and sales displays this summer.
"We want to be different from Whole Foods and other grocery stores, and one way to do that is to offer a unique experience and personal service," says Buckholtz.
Buckholtz says that Murray Hill Market, which offers fresh fruits and vegetables as well as gourmet prepared foods, has been successful at reaching a wide audience, including students living in the neighborhood, older Italian families seeking to reconnect with their roots, University Circle employees and East Siders who work downtown. "People stop to pick up dinner on their way home," she says.
Buckholtz was inspired to create the market after a trip to New York to visit her son in college. After she observed the mouth-watering, fresh fare at every corner store, she decided to create a market in Cleveland. She knew it would work because there are no fresh, high-quality grocery stores in University Circle, an area that is on track to create 10,000 new jobs between 2005 and 2015.
Yet her international-flavored market, which Buckholtz describes as "Italian with a twist," does not seek to recreate the past. Although Little Italy's restaurant mix remains mostly Italian, the Murray Hill Market offers a contemporary mix of cuisine, including Jewish and French pastries, Middle Eastern dishes, and Puerto Rican rice and beans.
"This area is part of University Circle, and I wanted to create an international market with more than just Italian food," Buckholtz says.
Buckholtz regularly serves meatball subs with her mother's sauce, yet finds the older Italian women that shop here are often the toughest critics. "Everyone's mother makes the best sauce," she says with a laugh.
Source: Michelle Iacobelli Buckholtz
Writer: Lee Chilcote
This summer, Buckholtz will bring back another grand neighborhood tradition: the sidewalk cafe and alfresco market. Having obtained her peddler's license, she plans to add outdoor seating and sales displays this summer.
"We want to be different from Whole Foods and other grocery stores, and one way to do that is to offer a unique experience and personal service," says Buckholtz.
Buckholtz says that Murray Hill Market, which offers fresh fruits and vegetables as well as gourmet prepared foods, has been successful at reaching a wide audience, including students living in the neighborhood, older Italian families seeking to reconnect with their roots, University Circle employees and East Siders who work downtown. "People stop to pick up dinner on their way home," she says.
Buckholtz was inspired to create the market after a trip to New York to visit her son in college. After she observed the mouth-watering, fresh fare at every corner store, she decided to create a market in Cleveland. She knew it would work because there are no fresh, high-quality grocery stores in University Circle, an area that is on track to create 10,000 new jobs between 2005 and 2015.
Yet her international-flavored market, which Buckholtz describes as "Italian with a twist," does not seek to recreate the past. Although Little Italy's restaurant mix remains mostly Italian, the Murray Hill Market offers a contemporary mix of cuisine, including Jewish and French pastries, Middle Eastern dishes, and Puerto Rican rice and beans.
"This area is part of University Circle, and I wanted to create an international market with more than just Italian food," Buckholtz says.
Buckholtz regularly serves meatball subs with her mother's sauce, yet finds the older Italian women that shop here are often the toughest critics. "Everyone's mother makes the best sauce," she says with a laugh.
Source: Michelle Iacobelli Buckholtz
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Last year, Judson at University Circle tried something radically different. The nonprofit senior living campus gave two apartments to Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) students in exchange for their participation in Judson's intergenerational programs.
The students quickly found that any time they practiced their instruments in public, they attracted an appreciative audience. Over the course of a year, they developed friendships that spanned generations.
Now one of Judson's intergenerational programs, Community Partners, has been nominated as one of 20 semi-finalists for the prestigious Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence, a $100,000 grant from the California-based Eisner Foundation.
The Eisner Prize will recognize an individual or a non-profit organization that "excels in uniting multiple generations, especially seniors and youth, to bring about positive and lasting changes in their community," according to a press release. Members of the pulbic can cast their vote by visiting the website.
Judson created its first intergenerational collaboration with Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights 30 years ago. Today, Judson works with over 40 different educational and civic groups throughout Greater Cleveland. Judson's senior residents volunteer in local schools and communities, and in turn, students and adults volunteer at all three Judson facilities, Judson Manor, Judson Park and South Franklin Circle.
"Judson's intergenerational programs offer purposeful two-way learning opportunities that create meaningful relationships for all program participants," said Rob Lucarelli, Judson's Director of Communications, in a press release. "Using curriculum and arts-based programs that serve as a national model for connecting generations, we help to enrich lives and stimulate minds of all ages."
Individuals may vote for Judson once every 24 hours until May 15th.
Source: Rob Lucarelli
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The students quickly found that any time they practiced their instruments in public, they attracted an appreciative audience. Over the course of a year, they developed friendships that spanned generations.
Now one of Judson's intergenerational programs, Community Partners, has been nominated as one of 20 semi-finalists for the prestigious Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence, a $100,000 grant from the California-based Eisner Foundation.
The Eisner Prize will recognize an individual or a non-profit organization that "excels in uniting multiple generations, especially seniors and youth, to bring about positive and lasting changes in their community," according to a press release. Members of the pulbic can cast their vote by visiting the website.
Judson created its first intergenerational collaboration with Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights 30 years ago. Today, Judson works with over 40 different educational and civic groups throughout Greater Cleveland. Judson's senior residents volunteer in local schools and communities, and in turn, students and adults volunteer at all three Judson facilities, Judson Manor, Judson Park and South Franklin Circle.
"Judson's intergenerational programs offer purposeful two-way learning opportunities that create meaningful relationships for all program participants," said Rob Lucarelli, Judson's Director of Communications, in a press release. "Using curriculum and arts-based programs that serve as a national model for connecting generations, we help to enrich lives and stimulate minds of all ages."
Individuals may vote for Judson once every 24 hours until May 15th.
Source: Rob Lucarelli
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Photo: Lonnie Timmons III
Joyce Mariani created "Opera in the Garden," a free outdoor concert that takes place each summer in Rockefeller Park's Italian Cultural Garden, to celebrate Italian immigrants' contributions to the city of Cleveland and enliven the 80-year-old public space.
Although Mariani sets up 200 chairs in the idyllic garden, you might want to bring one from home; last year, over 800 people showed up.
"People find something universal in the Italian cultural experience," says Mariani, Executive Director of the Italian Cultural Gardens Foundation. "And this is an outdoor museum to Italian culture in Cleveland."
Mariani has launched an ambitious effort to expand the garden according to original, unfinished plans. Now that she has raised more than $465,000 towards the $750,000 fund-raising goal, work has begun on a large statue of Dante and a dedication is planned for the fall. Future plans call for filling an empty quadrant of the garden with a small pantheon, as well.
"It just goes to show that if you believe in something, people will tap into your dream," Mariani says.
The Italian Cultural Garden was founded in 1930 by Italian-American businessman Philip Garbo. Its prominent features include a column from the Roman Forum and a bust of Virgil that was sent by the Italian government. Garbo's company, the Italian Fresco and Decorating Company, designed and painted decorative art and frescoes in residences, churches and over 100 theaters, including the Ohio Theatre. The design of the upper garden is taken from the Villa Medici in Rome.
This year's Opera in the Garden will take place on Sunday, July 31st at 6 p.m. in the Italian Cultural Garden (990 East Boulevard).
Source: Joyce Mariani
Writer: Lee Chilcote
COSE members will bring their causes to Columbus on Wednesday, May 25, for COSE Day at the Capitol. For the past five years, COSE members have used the day to meet with policy makers, network and bring their issues to the table.
"People don't have to be political," says Brynn Allio, director of government and external relations for COSE. "They just have to be willing to share their stories."
About 50 participants will board a bus in Cleveland at 6:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Independence and attend a reception breakfast at 9:15 a.m. in Columbus. Members will then spend the day talking to legislators -- speaker of the house William Batchelder, senate president pro tem Keith Faber, senate minority leader Capri Cafaro, and BWC administrator Steve Buehrer.
"They will break into groups to meet with the legislators and talk about their issues of concern," explains Allio. "Small business owners are really busy, but they are taking a day to talk with legislators. It's always nice when legislators connect with small business owners and we like to facilitate that when we can."
Some hot topics Allio expects to be covered include access to capital and healthcare. "Small business owners generally want to be able to offer health insurance to their employees, but it's increasingly difficult with rising rates," she says.
The day culminates with a reception before participants board the bus home to Cleveland. The event is only open to COSE members and costs $20 for the day. Call 216-592-2497 for more information.
Source: Brynn Allio
Writer: Karin Connelly
"People don't have to be political," says Brynn Allio, director of government and external relations for COSE. "They just have to be willing to share their stories."
About 50 participants will board a bus in Cleveland at 6:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Independence and attend a reception breakfast at 9:15 a.m. in Columbus. Members will then spend the day talking to legislators -- speaker of the house William Batchelder, senate president pro tem Keith Faber, senate minority leader Capri Cafaro, and BWC administrator Steve Buehrer.
"They will break into groups to meet with the legislators and talk about their issues of concern," explains Allio. "Small business owners are really busy, but they are taking a day to talk with legislators. It's always nice when legislators connect with small business owners and we like to facilitate that when we can."
Some hot topics Allio expects to be covered include access to capital and healthcare. "Small business owners generally want to be able to offer health insurance to their employees, but it's increasingly difficult with rising rates," she says.
The day culminates with a reception before participants board the bus home to Cleveland. The event is only open to COSE members and costs $20 for the day. Call 216-592-2497 for more information.
Source: Brynn Allio
Writer: Karin Connelly
Architect David Ellison had been watching the dilapidated cluster of buildings at the southwest corner of W. 41st and Lorain fall apart for years. His dismay only grew as copper thieves looted the property, rainwater poured through the roof, and illegal activity soared in the shadows of the boarded-up building.
When Ellison learned that the City of Cleveland had granted a permit to tear the buildings down, he decided to do something. "One way to improve real estate values is to remove eyesores," he says. "Since I'm a homeowner in the neighborhood, I wanted to protect my investment."
Ellison had a different idea. He purchased the condemned buildings from Ohio City Near West (now Ohio City, Inc.). Four years later, thanks to extensive renovations, he has preserved an important piece of Ohio City's history. After peeling off layers of rotting additions, he brought back to life a beautiful brick Victorian. During the intervening span, he battled city bureaucracy, cost overruns, the credit crunch and the recession.
Ellison recently moved his architectural offices into half of the first floor, and has plans to renovate the second floor as leasable office space. He has applied for financing to finish the project, but has not been able to obtain a loan in part because Lorain Avenue's commercial rental rates make it difficult to justify the costs.
Renovating the upstairs into apartments is another option, but financing for mixed-use projects is notoriously difficult to obtain. "It's tough to get financing for a residential project in a commercial zone," he says.
Although he's discouraged by the slow pace of his project, Ellison says that Lorain Avenue has steadily improved over the years, and his renovation has helped. "The street needs more occupancy so we can push the criminal activity away," he says.
Ellison says that the rebirth witnessed in the Gordon Square Arts District can happen here. The key to success, he says, is diversifying the retail offerings on Lorain so that they serve local residents' needs while also attracting shoppers that live outside the neighborhood.
Source: David Ellison
Writer: Lee Chilcote
When Ellison learned that the City of Cleveland had granted a permit to tear the buildings down, he decided to do something. "One way to improve real estate values is to remove eyesores," he says. "Since I'm a homeowner in the neighborhood, I wanted to protect my investment."
Ellison had a different idea. He purchased the condemned buildings from Ohio City Near West (now Ohio City, Inc.). Four years later, thanks to extensive renovations, he has preserved an important piece of Ohio City's history. After peeling off layers of rotting additions, he brought back to life a beautiful brick Victorian. During the intervening span, he battled city bureaucracy, cost overruns, the credit crunch and the recession.
Ellison recently moved his architectural offices into half of the first floor, and has plans to renovate the second floor as leasable office space. He has applied for financing to finish the project, but has not been able to obtain a loan in part because Lorain Avenue's commercial rental rates make it difficult to justify the costs.
Renovating the upstairs into apartments is another option, but financing for mixed-use projects is notoriously difficult to obtain. "It's tough to get financing for a residential project in a commercial zone," he says.
Although he's discouraged by the slow pace of his project, Ellison says that Lorain Avenue has steadily improved over the years, and his renovation has helped. "The street needs more occupancy so we can push the criminal activity away," he says.
Ellison says that the rebirth witnessed in the Gordon Square Arts District can happen here. The key to success, he says, is diversifying the retail offerings on Lorain so that they serve local residents' needs while also attracting shoppers that live outside the neighborhood.
Source: David Ellison
Writer: Lee Chilcote
wsj calls playhousesquare 'model of economic viability'
Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Joel Henning, arts and culture reporter, calls Cleveland's PlayhouseSquare "a model of economic viability in the arts."
"Several Cleveland performing-arts and public-media organizations are in better shape than their counterparts around the country because they are part of PlayhouseSquare, a unique business model in downtown Cleveland," Henning writes.
PlayhouseSquare, the second-largest performing arts center in the country by audience capacity, boasts 10 performance spaces with a total of more than 9,000 seats. It attracts more than a million visitors to 1,000 performing-arts events each year.
What makes PlayhouseSquare unique, the article states, is that it not only renovated and manages the spaces, but also created a local development corporation that owns and/or manager more than 2.6 million square feet of office and retail space.
Next up, reports Henning, is housing. Quoting PlayhouseSquare's Allen Wiant, "We want to build 58 stories of housing in the next few years."
Unlike years past when few lived downtown, there are now 12,000 downtown residents and the residential occupancy rate is at 95%.
Read the rest of the playbill here.
"Several Cleveland performing-arts and public-media organizations are in better shape than their counterparts around the country because they are part of PlayhouseSquare, a unique business model in downtown Cleveland," Henning writes.
PlayhouseSquare, the second-largest performing arts center in the country by audience capacity, boasts 10 performance spaces with a total of more than 9,000 seats. It attracts more than a million visitors to 1,000 performing-arts events each year.
What makes PlayhouseSquare unique, the article states, is that it not only renovated and manages the spaces, but also created a local development corporation that owns and/or manager more than 2.6 million square feet of office and retail space.
Next up, reports Henning, is housing. Quoting PlayhouseSquare's Allen Wiant, "We want to build 58 stories of housing in the next few years."
Unlike years past when few lived downtown, there are now 12,000 downtown residents and the residential occupancy rate is at 95%.
Read the rest of the playbill here.
more food truck round-ups to pop-up in the 216
While the City of Cleveland sorts out the particulars of the new food truck legislation, food truck operators and fans continue to find ways to congregate.
Now into its third month, the undeniably successful C-Town Chow Down has just announced the specifics of the next tweat-up. Scheduled once again for Tremont's Lincoln Park, the event will take place May 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expected food rigs include Cakes Plus, JiBARO, Nosh Box, Seti's Polish Boys, StrEat Mobile, Zydeco Bistro, Umami Moto and more.
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Momocho, chef and owner Eric Williams decided to host a food-truck hoedown. From 6 to 9 p.m. this coming Monday, May 9, the Momocho parking lot will be filled with popular rigs serving the best mobile fare. In addition to Short Rib One, Rocco Whalen's aptly named Fahrenheit truck, guests can hit JiBARO, Dim and Den Sum and Umami Moto.
Momocho will open its restaurant and patio for seating and drinking only. Traditional margaritas will be offered for $5 and Tecate beer for $2.
For these and all food truck events, bring cash.
Now into its third month, the undeniably successful C-Town Chow Down has just announced the specifics of the next tweat-up. Scheduled once again for Tremont's Lincoln Park, the event will take place May 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expected food rigs include Cakes Plus, JiBARO, Nosh Box, Seti's Polish Boys, StrEat Mobile, Zydeco Bistro, Umami Moto and more.
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Momocho, chef and owner Eric Williams decided to host a food-truck hoedown. From 6 to 9 p.m. this coming Monday, May 9, the Momocho parking lot will be filled with popular rigs serving the best mobile fare. In addition to Short Rib One, Rocco Whalen's aptly named Fahrenheit truck, guests can hit JiBARO, Dim and Den Sum and Umami Moto.
Momocho will open its restaurant and patio for seating and drinking only. Traditional margaritas will be offered for $5 and Tecate beer for $2.
For these and all food truck events, bring cash.
When sculptor John Ranally set up his live/work space in a two-story building at W. 30th and Lorain Avenue, back in 1981, he was among the first wave of urban pioneers to redevelop Ohio City.
Working with his neighbors, he fought abandoned storefronts, crime and a perception that the neighborhood was going downhill. "Things couldn't get any worse than it was then," he says. "and part of the reason why you're seeing redevelopment on Lorain now is because of the people that people stayed."
Today, Ranally's home and studio are nestled amongst the St. Ignatius High School campus. The school's commitment to Ohio City and Lorain Avenue are one of the reasons the street is beginning to see a renaissance, he says.
Yet their relationship wasn't always so cozy. In the 1970s and 1980s, when the Jesuit academy tore down blocks of dilapidated buildings to expand its campus and create a buffer from blight, Ranally found himself in the thick of a vitriolic neighborhood dispute. He even displayed a sign on his building that asked, "St. Ignatius, why are you tearing our buildings down?"
Today, Ranally says that St. Ignatius has made amends by beautifying and stabilizing the neighborhood, providing outreach programs for youth, and constructing buildings like the Breen Performing Arts Center. "We were at odds then, but if it weren't for St. Ignatius, things would be much tougher here," he says.
This summer, St. Ignatius plans to renovate the publicly accessible "mall" that provides a walkway from Lorain to Carroll Avenue for the first time in 30 years. Improvement plans include upgraded lighting, drainage and landscaping.
"Thirty years ago, the City of Cleveland allowed us to close W. 30th Street in order to create the mall, which we consider our campus' central hallway," says Father William Murphy, President of St. Ignatius. "It's always been open to the public. We're very interested in and committed to the vibrancy of Lorain Avenue and Ohio City."
Murphy cites the completion of the Breen Center as an example of new development that fits into Lorain Avenue's context. "We made a deliberate decision to put the building right on the street," he says. "We want it to feel like a high-density area."
Source: John Ranally, Father William Murphy
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Working with his neighbors, he fought abandoned storefronts, crime and a perception that the neighborhood was going downhill. "Things couldn't get any worse than it was then," he says. "and part of the reason why you're seeing redevelopment on Lorain now is because of the people that people stayed."
Today, Ranally's home and studio are nestled amongst the St. Ignatius High School campus. The school's commitment to Ohio City and Lorain Avenue are one of the reasons the street is beginning to see a renaissance, he says.
Yet their relationship wasn't always so cozy. In the 1970s and 1980s, when the Jesuit academy tore down blocks of dilapidated buildings to expand its campus and create a buffer from blight, Ranally found himself in the thick of a vitriolic neighborhood dispute. He even displayed a sign on his building that asked, "St. Ignatius, why are you tearing our buildings down?"
Today, Ranally says that St. Ignatius has made amends by beautifying and stabilizing the neighborhood, providing outreach programs for youth, and constructing buildings like the Breen Performing Arts Center. "We were at odds then, but if it weren't for St. Ignatius, things would be much tougher here," he says.
This summer, St. Ignatius plans to renovate the publicly accessible "mall" that provides a walkway from Lorain to Carroll Avenue for the first time in 30 years. Improvement plans include upgraded lighting, drainage and landscaping.
"Thirty years ago, the City of Cleveland allowed us to close W. 30th Street in order to create the mall, which we consider our campus' central hallway," says Father William Murphy, President of St. Ignatius. "It's always been open to the public. We're very interested in and committed to the vibrancy of Lorain Avenue and Ohio City."
Murphy cites the completion of the Breen Center as an example of new development that fits into Lorain Avenue's context. "We made a deliberate decision to put the building right on the street," he says. "We want it to feel like a high-density area."
Source: John Ranally, Father William Murphy
Writer: Lee Chilcote
More then $140 billion in gift cards are purchased each year, generating more than $1.8 billion in associated transaction fees. SparkBase, a Cleveland company founded in 2004, is the industry leader in software processing of gift cards, reward and loyalty programs. SparkBase's software makes sure purchases are recognized when a gift card is swiped, measures demographics, and tracks buying habits on rewards cards.
This time last year, SparkBase had a handful of customers and seven full-time employees. Today, the company has grown to 20 employees.
"Lately we have grown exponentially," says Andrew Kraynak, vice president of marketing for SparkBase. "In the past six to nine months we have really seen things take off."
In fact, SparkBase is hiring 10 more people to keep up with current needs. The company is looking for everything from client service managers to Java developers. "We're staffing based on current needs," says Kraynak. "We'd like to be ahead of the curve and hire ahead of the curve."
Kraynak attributes SparkBase's success to hard work by the company's founders. "A small company takes time to get traction and for the message to resonate," he says. There was a lot of heavy lifting by the founders and we're beginning to see the fruits of that."
Kraynak also gives a nod to Cleveland's support of small business. "A lot of people believe in us," he says. "Clevelanders are working together and they are supportive of small business here. Many of our investors are from Northeast Ohio."
Source: Andrew Kraynak
Writer: Karin Connelly
Kionte Watkins began riding the RTA HealthLine bus rapid transit to work about a month ago to save money on gas. On Friday, April 29, she received more than just a little savings at the pump from RTA when she became the HealthLine's 10 millionth rider.
As number 10,000,000 Watkins received a free one-year pass. "I was just about to buy a weekly pass after work," says Watkins. "It was very exciting. It just topped off my week."
Watkins also received tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a family pass to the Cleveland MetroParks Zoo, and gift cards to area restaurants. Other riders that morning received free one-week passes.
Watkins, 26, is an outreach specialist for the Empowerment Center on Euclid Avenue and E. 30th Street. She rides the #35 to Public Square and then transfers to the HealthLine. The HealthLine, which runs up and down Euclid Avenue between Public Square, University Circle and East Cleveland, has been increasingly popular since it was introduced in October 2008.
"Especially with gas prices rising, it's a good time to find an economic option for getting to work and play," says RTA spokesperson Mary McCahon. "The HealthLine has been growing fast and exceeding expectations. Ten million is a big number in two-and-a-half years."
The 10 millionth-rider event was held to thank RTA customers for their loyalty and support. RTA general manager Joe Calabrese presented Watkins with an oversized fare pass, as well as the other riders with their free weekly fare passes.
Source: Kionte Watkins
Writer: Karin Connelly
As number 10,000,000 Watkins received a free one-year pass. "I was just about to buy a weekly pass after work," says Watkins. "It was very exciting. It just topped off my week."
Watkins also received tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a family pass to the Cleveland MetroParks Zoo, and gift cards to area restaurants. Other riders that morning received free one-week passes.
Watkins, 26, is an outreach specialist for the Empowerment Center on Euclid Avenue and E. 30th Street. She rides the #35 to Public Square and then transfers to the HealthLine. The HealthLine, which runs up and down Euclid Avenue between Public Square, University Circle and East Cleveland, has been increasingly popular since it was introduced in October 2008.
"Especially with gas prices rising, it's a good time to find an economic option for getting to work and play," says RTA spokesperson Mary McCahon. "The HealthLine has been growing fast and exceeding expectations. Ten million is a big number in two-and-a-half years."
The 10 millionth-rider event was held to thank RTA customers for their loyalty and support. RTA general manager Joe Calabrese presented Watkins with an oversized fare pass, as well as the other riders with their free weekly fare passes.
Source: Kionte Watkins
Writer: Karin Connelly
Sharie Renee finds the beauty in what most people would deem garbage. As founder and CEO of Cosmic Bobbins in the St. Clair-Superior District, she takes old paper materials -- such as magazines or brochures -- and transforms them into fashionable accessories.
Cosmic Bobbins puts an emphasis on social awareness. As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of funeral directors, Renee would contemplate on the meaning of life and the importance of giving back.
"When you're always watching the end of life, you think about what it's all about," she says. "We're all here for a period of time and what comes is an ideology on what business is all about and the social good of making the world a better place."
That ideology is the focus of Cosmic Bobbins. The company revolves around recycling -- or upcycling -- while also supporting and employing charitable organizations both locally and internationally.
Renee works with United Cerebral Palsy in Cleveland, employing up to 38 people in a sheltered work environment, and works with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, teaching sewing skills. Internationally, Renee works with a village outside of Mexico City, employing residents for her weaving and folding needs. "We're giving back to the world one magazine at a time," says Renee.
Most of her clients are businesses that also look out for the environment. She has created pencil holders from old annual reports for University Circle Inc., handbags out of old newsletters for the Cleveland Botanical Garden, and scissors cases for Paul Mitchell from old brochures.
Source: Sharie Renee
Writer: Karin Connelly
Cosmic Bobbins puts an emphasis on social awareness. As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of funeral directors, Renee would contemplate on the meaning of life and the importance of giving back.
"When you're always watching the end of life, you think about what it's all about," she says. "We're all here for a period of time and what comes is an ideology on what business is all about and the social good of making the world a better place."
That ideology is the focus of Cosmic Bobbins. The company revolves around recycling -- or upcycling -- while also supporting and employing charitable organizations both locally and internationally.
Renee works with United Cerebral Palsy in Cleveland, employing up to 38 people in a sheltered work environment, and works with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, teaching sewing skills. Internationally, Renee works with a village outside of Mexico City, employing residents for her weaving and folding needs. "We're giving back to the world one magazine at a time," says Renee.
Most of her clients are businesses that also look out for the environment. She has created pencil holders from old annual reports for University Circle Inc., handbags out of old newsletters for the Cleveland Botanical Garden, and scissors cases for Paul Mitchell from old brochures.
Source: Sharie Renee
Writer: Karin Connelly