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Adheris, the largest provider of direct-to-patient medication adherence programs, has chosen Cleveland-based CellepathicRx as its mobile platform provider. The partnership expands Adheris' delivery of its adherence-focused programs beyond mail to all mobile technology platforms -- text, email, web, and more.
"Medical adherence is a $300 billion a year problem," says Greg Muffler, CEO of CellepathicRx. "Our technology is a mobile platform that creates an ongoing intimate relationship with patients and their providers."
CellepathicRx's mobile health communication platform targets patients to help them understand and adhere to medication regimens, clinical trial protocols, health coaching, and health and wellness programs. The technology has been in development for more than two years, and was released in 2009.
"We chose CellepathicRx because of their deep knowledge of healthcare, retail pharmacies, and pharmaceutical industry technology, as well as the unique, flexible solution they offer," said Jim Rotsart, executive vice president of Adheris. "The use of mobile applications and texting is skyrocketing, so this relationship gives our pharmacy partners the opportunity to offer their patients choices regarding their healthcare -- whether it be receiving reminders, medication education, and/or copay assistance via email, mobile device, or traditional mail."
Muffler calls the relationship with Adheris a milestone for the company. "It's an inexpensive way to develop an ongoing relationship with patients," he says. "Our main goal is to ultimately improve patient outcomes, improve health and wellness, which we believe will have an impact on healthcare costs by getting people to take control of their own healthcare."
Source: Greg Muffler
Writer: Karin Connelly
"Medical adherence is a $300 billion a year problem," says Greg Muffler, CEO of CellepathicRx. "Our technology is a mobile platform that creates an ongoing intimate relationship with patients and their providers."
CellepathicRx's mobile health communication platform targets patients to help them understand and adhere to medication regimens, clinical trial protocols, health coaching, and health and wellness programs. The technology has been in development for more than two years, and was released in 2009.
"We chose CellepathicRx because of their deep knowledge of healthcare, retail pharmacies, and pharmaceutical industry technology, as well as the unique, flexible solution they offer," said Jim Rotsart, executive vice president of Adheris. "The use of mobile applications and texting is skyrocketing, so this relationship gives our pharmacy partners the opportunity to offer their patients choices regarding their healthcare -- whether it be receiving reminders, medication education, and/or copay assistance via email, mobile device, or traditional mail."
Muffler calls the relationship with Adheris a milestone for the company. "It's an inexpensive way to develop an ongoing relationship with patients," he says. "Our main goal is to ultimately improve patient outcomes, improve health and wellness, which we believe will have an impact on healthcare costs by getting people to take control of their own healthcare."
Source: Greg Muffler
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
michael symon tells today show that midwest will get its due
In a recent interview with TODAY, Michael Symon comments on this year's James Beard Award winners and the reputation of the Midwest in the nation's food scene.
Lamenting the oft-overlooked culinary talent in the Heartland, Symon says that "It's not often that the Best Chef in America comes out of the Midwest." While Paul Kahan, one of the five finalists for the Beard's Outstanding Chef category, is based in Chicago, the winner was D.C.-based José Andrés.
But the Midwest will get its due, promises Symon.
"For the first time ever, New York is pulling from the Midwest," Symon explains. "The farm-to-table stuff, that's all Midwest -- we're cities surrounded by farms. The movement with pork -- that's Midwest. The love of sausage, of bacon -- all Midwest."
Watch video of the interview here.
Lamenting the oft-overlooked culinary talent in the Heartland, Symon says that "It's not often that the Best Chef in America comes out of the Midwest." While Paul Kahan, one of the five finalists for the Beard's Outstanding Chef category, is based in Chicago, the winner was D.C.-based José Andrés.
But the Midwest will get its due, promises Symon.
"For the first time ever, New York is pulling from the Midwest," Symon explains. "The farm-to-table stuff, that's all Midwest -- we're cities surrounded by farms. The movement with pork -- that's Midwest. The love of sausage, of bacon -- all Midwest."
Watch video of the interview here.
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
Since its launch in 2000, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission has brought to Cleveland over 85 sporting events with an estimated economic impact of more than $300 million. Those events include the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Senior PGA Championship, NCAA Women's Final Four, and the Gravity Games. This summer, the Commission's flagship event, the Continental Cup, will bring in 4,000 young athletes from 25 countries for four days of competition.
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
When Tyler Elevator moved its facilities to the 'burbs, it left behind over one million square feet of vacant warehouse space. A labyrinth of two-dozen brick buildings spread across 10 acres, Tyler possessed more than its share of challenges when it was acquired by Graystone Properties. Today, Tyler has been reborn as a thriving entrepreneurial district -- a bona fide urban village on the fringes of downtown.
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
Cleveland-area SPR Therapeutics is tackling the chronic pain market with its Smartpatch technology. The Smartpatch external stimulator delivers an electrical signal to an electrode placed in the muscle. The electrical signals stimulate the target nerve within the muscle, thereby exercising the muscle to treat the pain. The Smartpatch system will serve the $150 billion pain market, in particular those suffering shoulder pain from strokes, as well as chronic lower back pain.
"It's a very simple short-term therapy that can eliminate chronic pain," says Maria Bennett, president and CEO of SPR. "It can be administered by a surgeon or non-surgeon, has no side effects and is completely reversible."
The company, which was founded in January 2010, is a spinoff of NDI Medical, which developed the technology and licensed it SPR. JumpStart Ventures announced last week that it will invest $250,000 in SPR Therapeutics to help bring the technology to market later this year or in early 2012.
"JumpStart's investment really allows us to complete the commercialization," says Bennett. "It helps us get to market, be prepared with all the pieces and parts so we can really hit the ground running."
Meant for use up to 30 days, Smartpatch has also demonstrated long-term pain relief. The company's series of clinical feasibility studies demonstrated that, at the end of the short-term therapy, 84 percent of patients experienced a significant reduction in pain and 40 percent were pain free. After completing the Smartpatch therapy, 78 percent of these patients continued to have significant pain relief.
Source: Maria Bennett
Writer: Karin Connelly
"It's a very simple short-term therapy that can eliminate chronic pain," says Maria Bennett, president and CEO of SPR. "It can be administered by a surgeon or non-surgeon, has no side effects and is completely reversible."
The company, which was founded in January 2010, is a spinoff of NDI Medical, which developed the technology and licensed it SPR. JumpStart Ventures announced last week that it will invest $250,000 in SPR Therapeutics to help bring the technology to market later this year or in early 2012.
"JumpStart's investment really allows us to complete the commercialization," says Bennett. "It helps us get to market, be prepared with all the pieces and parts so we can really hit the ground running."
Meant for use up to 30 days, Smartpatch has also demonstrated long-term pain relief. The company's series of clinical feasibility studies demonstrated that, at the end of the short-term therapy, 84 percent of patients experienced a significant reduction in pain and 40 percent were pain free. After completing the Smartpatch therapy, 78 percent of these patients continued to have significant pain relief.
Source: Maria Bennett
Writer: Karin Connelly
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
Pastry chef Courtney Bonning plans to open Bonbon Pastry and Café this summer in the former Athens Bakery shop at W. 26th and Lorain Avenue, further boosting available food offerings in Ohio City.
"We'll be opening a full bakery that will serve fresh, handmade croissants and desserts as well as a European-style café," says Bonning. "You'll be greeted by beautifully prepared items when you walk in the door, all priced below $15."
Bonning worked in Napa Valley, Seattle and the Cleveland Ritz-Carlton before launching her own bakery a couple years back in Detroit Shoreway. She was inspired to make the leap to the new 2,000-square-foot storefront after witnessing the momentum of the Market District. The new businesses popping up around the West Side Market will help drive traffic to her café, she says.
Bonbon will also serve a brunch-style menu featuring sandwiches, salads, small plates and egg-based dishes. In the summer months, tables and chairs on Lorain will transform it into a sidewalk café. It will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Bonning is especially excited about the businesses opening in the adjacent United Bank Building, which is owned by MRN Ltd., the developers of East Fourth Street and Uptown in University Circle. Penzeys Spices opened last year, and this summer, Crop will open its new location.
"We fell in love with the historic bank lobby, a gorgeous space with high ceilings, and we're sold by MRN's commitment to changing the neighborhood," says Jackie Schimoler, co-owner of Crop with her husband Steve. "It's a great location."
Next door to the restaurant, the Crop Shop will feature fresh, locally grown food such as heirloom tomatoes or specialty sausages used in Crop's dishes. Schimoler envisions it as a separate venture that feeds the restaurant, and vice-versa. "Whatever product we don't sell at the market, we'll just use at the restaurant."
Source: Courtney Bonning, Jackie Schimoler
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"We'll be opening a full bakery that will serve fresh, handmade croissants and desserts as well as a European-style café," says Bonning. "You'll be greeted by beautifully prepared items when you walk in the door, all priced below $15."
Bonning worked in Napa Valley, Seattle and the Cleveland Ritz-Carlton before launching her own bakery a couple years back in Detroit Shoreway. She was inspired to make the leap to the new 2,000-square-foot storefront after witnessing the momentum of the Market District. The new businesses popping up around the West Side Market will help drive traffic to her café, she says.
Bonbon will also serve a brunch-style menu featuring sandwiches, salads, small plates and egg-based dishes. In the summer months, tables and chairs on Lorain will transform it into a sidewalk café. It will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Bonning is especially excited about the businesses opening in the adjacent United Bank Building, which is owned by MRN Ltd., the developers of East Fourth Street and Uptown in University Circle. Penzeys Spices opened last year, and this summer, Crop will open its new location.
"We fell in love with the historic bank lobby, a gorgeous space with high ceilings, and we're sold by MRN's commitment to changing the neighborhood," says Jackie Schimoler, co-owner of Crop with her husband Steve. "It's a great location."
Next door to the restaurant, the Crop Shop will feature fresh, locally grown food such as heirloom tomatoes or specialty sausages used in Crop's dishes. Schimoler envisions it as a separate venture that feeds the restaurant, and vice-versa. "Whatever product we don't sell at the market, we'll just use at the restaurant."
Source: Courtney Bonning, Jackie Schimoler
Writer: Lee Chilcote
For decades, Ohio City's Lorain Avenue has been a symbol of beautiful decay. But thanks to the development boom taking place along West 25th Street, more entrepreneurs are beginning to set up shop on Lorain. Among the additions are a gourmet chili restaurant, vintage clothing store, architecture office and yoga studio -- all part of the neighborhood's burgeoning artisan economy.
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
At a ceremonial groundbreaking last week, Neighborhood Progress (NPI) and Pennrose Properties celebrated a $15.1 million project to renovate the former St. Luke's Hospital into 72 units of affordable senior housing. The event highlighted the project's sustainability features, the rich history of Saint Luke's and a grassroots effort to involve youth in beautifying the building.
Ohio Housing Finance Agency Director Doug Garver told the audience that the Saint Luke's project was selected to receive competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) because of its unmatched site amenities. The renovation will be energy-efficient, and the site is adjacent to a school, a library, a public transit station, a walking path, shopping and parks. "It's truly green in every sense," he said.
Denise San Antonio Zeman, President and CEO of the Saint Luke's Foundation, highlighted the rich history of Saint Luke's Hospital. Cleveland General Hospital, as it was known then, was originally located at 274 Woodland Avenue. "Public health nurses rode around on bicycles to make their rounds," she said. "Today, we'd call that green."
Throughout its long history, Saint Luke's Hospital remained committed to the needs of the community and the poor, Zeman added. "Now it's time to change the hospital's focus to meet the contemporary needs of the community," she said.
The developers also highlighted artists Angelica Pozo and Anna Arnold, who recruited Harvey Rice Elementary School students to create artistic boards that will cover up windows in the portion of the building awaiting future redevelopment. "This was a way to involve the local community while also beautifying the building," said Joel Ratner, President of NPI.
Sources: Doug Garver, Denise Zeman, Joel Ratner
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Ohio Housing Finance Agency Director Doug Garver told the audience that the Saint Luke's project was selected to receive competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) because of its unmatched site amenities. The renovation will be energy-efficient, and the site is adjacent to a school, a library, a public transit station, a walking path, shopping and parks. "It's truly green in every sense," he said.
Denise San Antonio Zeman, President and CEO of the Saint Luke's Foundation, highlighted the rich history of Saint Luke's Hospital. Cleveland General Hospital, as it was known then, was originally located at 274 Woodland Avenue. "Public health nurses rode around on bicycles to make their rounds," she said. "Today, we'd call that green."
Throughout its long history, Saint Luke's Hospital remained committed to the needs of the community and the poor, Zeman added. "Now it's time to change the hospital's focus to meet the contemporary needs of the community," she said.
The developers also highlighted artists Angelica Pozo and Anna Arnold, who recruited Harvey Rice Elementary School students to create artistic boards that will cover up windows in the portion of the building awaiting future redevelopment. "This was a way to involve the local community while also beautifying the building," said Joel Ratner, President of NPI.
Sources: Doug Garver, Denise Zeman, Joel Ratner
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Clevelanders are having a love affair with locally grown, seasonal food -- and that romance is playing out at numerous farmers markets around town. These days, it's possible to shop at a different neighborhood farmers market practically every day of the week, a far cry from when just a handful existed. What's more: Cleveland-area farmers markets will reap approximately $2.5 million this year, great news for small entrepreneurs and the local economy.