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Mike Stanek, president of Cleveland Cycle Tours, is offering the newest way to see Cleveland: A group bike tour. But unlike most group bike tours, this one employs just one vehicle. Nearly the whole group gets behind powering this 15-person, 1,600-pound bike.
“We are a group party bike, a group cycling experience,” Stanek explains. “There’s no motor, there’s no other way to move it except to pedal it.”
Ten people pedal Stanek’s 15-person bike, whether it’s a site-seeing tour, a pub crawl, a corporate team-building event or a wedding. Stanek can also haul the bike out to any location a customer chooses. A driver steers and operates the brake. The bike goes four to five miles per hour, and Stanek designs the routes to be mostly flat.
Cleveland Cycle Tours has hosted three or four tours since launching in September. Although Stanek applied for the license in July, some red tape kept him from officially launching. For now he is focusing on a successful spring tour season. He’s received a lot of support so far. “We’re building nice relationships with the taverns downtown and in Ohio City,” he says.
Stanek got the idea from a group in Minneapolis who brought a similar bike there from the Netherlands. Today that company has seven bikes operating in Minneapolis. Stanek hopes to grow his company in Cleveland similarly.
“The ultimate goal is to purchase a second or third cycle for Ohio City and Lakewood,” Stanek says. “The biggest challenge is finding a 10-foot high garage because the bikes are 9-feet, 4-inches tall.”
Right now, Stanek operates Cleveland Cycle Tours with his wife, who runs the daily operations, and oldest son, who drives the bike. Stanek hopes to hire and train three or four more drivers by spring.
Source: Mike Stanek
Writer: Karin Connelly
“We are a group party bike, a group cycling experience,” Stanek explains. “There’s no motor, there’s no other way to move it except to pedal it.”
Ten people pedal Stanek’s 15-person bike, whether it’s a site-seeing tour, a pub crawl, a corporate team-building event or a wedding. Stanek can also haul the bike out to any location a customer chooses. A driver steers and operates the brake. The bike goes four to five miles per hour, and Stanek designs the routes to be mostly flat.
Cleveland Cycle Tours has hosted three or four tours since launching in September. Although Stanek applied for the license in July, some red tape kept him from officially launching. For now he is focusing on a successful spring tour season. He’s received a lot of support so far. “We’re building nice relationships with the taverns downtown and in Ohio City,” he says.
Stanek got the idea from a group in Minneapolis who brought a similar bike there from the Netherlands. Today that company has seven bikes operating in Minneapolis. Stanek hopes to grow his company in Cleveland similarly.
“The ultimate goal is to purchase a second or third cycle for Ohio City and Lakewood,” Stanek says. “The biggest challenge is finding a 10-foot high garage because the bikes are 9-feet, 4-inches tall.”
Right now, Stanek operates Cleveland Cycle Tours with his wife, who runs the daily operations, and oldest son, who drives the bike. Stanek hopes to hire and train three or four more drivers by spring.
Source: Mike Stanek
Writer: Karin Connelly
atlantic cities likes new museum -- but loves university circle
In an article titled, "In Cleveland, a Flashy New Museum But an Even Better Neighborhood," the Atlantic Cities inspects the eds, meds, and cultural facilitiesthat are making University Cicle thrive.
In addition the new Museum of Contemporary Art, about which the writer says, "the sophisticated, gem-shaped museum reminds visitors that Cleveland can still build the kinds of flashy cultural toys associated with bigger, wealthier cities," the real praise is reserved for its neighborhood.
"MOCA Cleveland may make the loudest design statement, but it's far from the only symbol of bold, 21st century urbanism in the University Circle neighborhood."
"The neighborhood has seen a diverse set of investments, including high density residential projects, new medical facilities and academic buildings, even multiple public transit initiatives. University Circle now stands out as a diverse hub of activity in a city clamoring for such things."
Citing university, medical, cultural, and transit facilities as fuel for the recent economic development, the writer calls University Circle, "a Rust Belt planner’s dream of a modern-day economic hub."
Read the rest here.
In addition the new Museum of Contemporary Art, about which the writer says, "the sophisticated, gem-shaped museum reminds visitors that Cleveland can still build the kinds of flashy cultural toys associated with bigger, wealthier cities," the real praise is reserved for its neighborhood.
"MOCA Cleveland may make the loudest design statement, but it's far from the only symbol of bold, 21st century urbanism in the University Circle neighborhood."
"The neighborhood has seen a diverse set of investments, including high density residential projects, new medical facilities and academic buildings, even multiple public transit initiatives. University Circle now stands out as a diverse hub of activity in a city clamoring for such things."
Citing university, medical, cultural, and transit facilities as fuel for the recent economic development, the writer calls University Circle, "a Rust Belt planner’s dream of a modern-day economic hub."
Read the rest here.
art in america mag attends, writes about moca opening
Art in America, an illustrated fine arts journal designed for collectors, artists, dealers, art professionals, was in Cleveland to attend the opening festivities at MOCA over the weekend. They filed a report titled, "MOCA Cleveland Opens in Sleek New Digs."
"Designed by Iranian-born, London-based Farshid Moussavi, the striking new facility resembles a gigantic chunk of a shiny mineral, resting on an airy plaza," writes Brian Boucher. "Six sides, some triangular, some trapezoidal, rise 65 feet from a hexagonal base to form a square roof. The building's exterior is clad with 1,354 black steel panels that create shimmering reflections."
"The 34,000-square-foot new building gives the non-collecting institution about 8,000 square feet for temporary exhibitions, with three quarters of that area on the top floor and one quarter in a second-floor project space."
Discussions of the opening art exhibit, "Inside Out and from the Ground Up," follows.
Read it all right here.
"Designed by Iranian-born, London-based Farshid Moussavi, the striking new facility resembles a gigantic chunk of a shiny mineral, resting on an airy plaza," writes Brian Boucher. "Six sides, some triangular, some trapezoidal, rise 65 feet from a hexagonal base to form a square roof. The building's exterior is clad with 1,354 black steel panels that create shimmering reflections."
"The 34,000-square-foot new building gives the non-collecting institution about 8,000 square feet for temporary exhibitions, with three quarters of that area on the top floor and one quarter in a second-floor project space."
Discussions of the opening art exhibit, "Inside Out and from the Ground Up," follows.
Read it all right here.
The Cleveland Foodbank has received a $325,000 grant from the Cleveland Foundation that will go towards the cost of expanding its freezer and cooler to provide more fresh produce to families in need.
"Clearly, there's a need and gap in our area," says Karen Pozna, Director of Communications with the Foodbank, citing an annual "meal gap" of 57 million meals in the six Northeast Ohio counties the nonprofit serves. "One of the ways to address it is to distribute more fresh produce, because it's more available and it's also more nutritious."
Food banks across the U.S. have evolved a great deal in recent decades, Pozna says. Although donations of canned goods are still very much needed and accepted, these nonprofits have shifted their focus to trying to get fresh produce into the hands of the families that would benefit from it most. The Foodbank accepts donations from farmers and purchases some produce wholesale.
"Last year, we distributed over 11 million pounds of produce," says Pozna. "We work with over 600 food pantries across Northeast Ohio. We also have 12 trucks at our facility that help distribute produce and other foods to various locations."
The Cleveland Foodbank built a new facility in North Collinwood in 2005, yet it has outgrown its cooler and freezer space as the number of families in need has continued to rise throughout the recession. The Foodbank has the room to expand at its current location, and plans to build an addition to its current building.
Pozna says that Foodbank hopes to raise another another $400,000 this fall so that it can break ground before the holidays. The total cost of the project is over $2 million, and leaders would like to raise $1 million before starting the project. The nonprofit's goal is to have the new freezer and cooler open by June 2013.
Source: Karen Pozna
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"Clearly, there's a need and gap in our area," says Karen Pozna, Director of Communications with the Foodbank, citing an annual "meal gap" of 57 million meals in the six Northeast Ohio counties the nonprofit serves. "One of the ways to address it is to distribute more fresh produce, because it's more available and it's also more nutritious."
Food banks across the U.S. have evolved a great deal in recent decades, Pozna says. Although donations of canned goods are still very much needed and accepted, these nonprofits have shifted their focus to trying to get fresh produce into the hands of the families that would benefit from it most. The Foodbank accepts donations from farmers and purchases some produce wholesale.
"Last year, we distributed over 11 million pounds of produce," says Pozna. "We work with over 600 food pantries across Northeast Ohio. We also have 12 trucks at our facility that help distribute produce and other foods to various locations."
The Cleveland Foodbank built a new facility in North Collinwood in 2005, yet it has outgrown its cooler and freezer space as the number of families in need has continued to rise throughout the recession. The Foodbank has the room to expand at its current location, and plans to build an addition to its current building.
Pozna says that Foodbank hopes to raise another another $400,000 this fall so that it can break ground before the holidays. The total cost of the project is over $2 million, and leaders would like to raise $1 million before starting the project. The nonprofit's goal is to have the new freezer and cooler open by June 2013.
Source: Karen Pozna
Writer: Lee Chilcote
wired mag reviews tremont electric's n-power peg
Wired magazine gets its hands on Tremont Electric’s nPower PEG, and gives it the onec over.
Titled "Need to Gas Up Your Phone? Take a Lap," the feature tests the device and gives it good marks.
"Here’s a familiar scenario: You’re walking somewhere, and you realize you’re going to be late. You reach for your phone to call, but your battery is as dead as Osama. You need some juice, stat. But with no outlet or charger nearby, you’re up the ol’ creek again."
"I’ve just tested a device made for moments like these: Tremont Electric’s nPower PEG backup charger. It purports to capture the energy your body gives off just by just walking or cycling, funneling volts into your dead cellphone battery, and bringing the device back to life or extending talk-time into the great beyond."
And the final verdict:
"Recharges cellphones with low or dead batteries using the kinetic energy of your bodily movements. 14 ounces and not too bulky, so you can carry it anywhere. Great for emergencies."
Read the rest of the review here.
Titled "Need to Gas Up Your Phone? Take a Lap," the feature tests the device and gives it good marks.
"Here’s a familiar scenario: You’re walking somewhere, and you realize you’re going to be late. You reach for your phone to call, but your battery is as dead as Osama. You need some juice, stat. But with no outlet or charger nearby, you’re up the ol’ creek again."
"I’ve just tested a device made for moments like these: Tremont Electric’s nPower PEG backup charger. It purports to capture the energy your body gives off just by just walking or cycling, funneling volts into your dead cellphone battery, and bringing the device back to life or extending talk-time into the great beyond."
And the final verdict:
"Recharges cellphones with low or dead batteries using the kinetic energy of your bodily movements. 14 ounces and not too bulky, so you can carry it anywhere. Great for emergencies."
Read the rest of the review here.
Peter Debelak was a frustrated lawyer with a passion for woodworking when he stumbled on a soon-to-be-available woodshop space in a former meat processing plant on Cleveland's near west side.
"There was a woodworker who had been in there for 30 years, and his space opened up," says Debelak, who fell in love with the medium of wood 12 years ago and has worked with it ever since. "The opportunity was hard to pass up."
Still, starting the woodshop was a leap of faith. "I realized it was now or never," he adds. "I could get into the inertia of my next job and it would stay an idea, or I could just do it."
This past July, Debelak opened Soulcraft Woodshop, an artistic space for his own furniture making and a hub for woodworking lessons and workshops. He partnered on the project with fellow woodworkers Jim Doyle and Jim McNaughton.
"There's definitely an existing and growing 'maker' movement among people in their 20s and 30s and retirees," says Debelak. "It's about going back and working with your hands, making your own things and having a connection to objects."
Unless you have a woodworking shop in your basement, there is a dearth of spaces to explore this field, he adds. "Shop class has been eliminated in just about every curriculum in public and private schools. There's a hole in terms of market need."
Soulcraft Woodshop currently offers classes on an ad hoc basis based on inquiries. However, the owners will soon roll out regular classes such as "Introduction to Furniture Making" or "How to Build an Adirondack Chair in a Weekend."
Budding woodworkers can also purchase a monthly membership pass for $120 or a pay-as-you-go pass to complete an individual project for as little as $50 to $80.
Soulcraft Woodshop is located in the Hildebrandt Building at 3610 Walton Avenue.
Source: Peter Debelak
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"There was a woodworker who had been in there for 30 years, and his space opened up," says Debelak, who fell in love with the medium of wood 12 years ago and has worked with it ever since. "The opportunity was hard to pass up."
Still, starting the woodshop was a leap of faith. "I realized it was now or never," he adds. "I could get into the inertia of my next job and it would stay an idea, or I could just do it."
This past July, Debelak opened Soulcraft Woodshop, an artistic space for his own furniture making and a hub for woodworking lessons and workshops. He partnered on the project with fellow woodworkers Jim Doyle and Jim McNaughton.
"There's definitely an existing and growing 'maker' movement among people in their 20s and 30s and retirees," says Debelak. "It's about going back and working with your hands, making your own things and having a connection to objects."
Unless you have a woodworking shop in your basement, there is a dearth of spaces to explore this field, he adds. "Shop class has been eliminated in just about every curriculum in public and private schools. There's a hole in terms of market need."
Soulcraft Woodshop currently offers classes on an ad hoc basis based on inquiries. However, the owners will soon roll out regular classes such as "Introduction to Furniture Making" or "How to Build an Adirondack Chair in a Weekend."
Budding woodworkers can also purchase a monthly membership pass for $120 or a pay-as-you-go pass to complete an individual project for as little as $50 to $80.
Soulcraft Woodshop is located in the Hildebrandt Building at 3610 Walton Avenue.
Source: Peter Debelak
Writer: Lee Chilcote
cleveland, among best beer cities in the states
As part of a comprehensive feature on beer in America GQ magazine included a listing of "The 5 Best Beer Cities in America." Cleveland landed on that coveted list.
"The U.S. of A. is going through a beer revolution -- pledge allegiance (and raise a glass) to our country's capitals of brew," begins the thirst-quenching feature.
In regards to Cleveland, which the mag classifies as "The Old-School Beertown," William Bostwick writes, "A hard-working frontier town built on booze (one of its earliest businesses was a distillery on downtown's Whiskey Island), Cleveland has no truck with pretension. Just want a damn beer? You got it: a nice cold lager, clean, bright, balanced. But this is Cleveland, so the beer is Dortmunder Gold from Great Lakes Brewing Co., the best of its kind this side of the Rhine. In a city where you can watch the symphony orchestra while eating a burger at the Happy Dog bar, the beer is top-notch but down to earth, a welcome respite from snootier beer meccas on the coasts. Market Garden's brown ale is the country's best; the pedal-in bar Nano Brew Cleveland will pour you a bready amber ale while they tune your bike; even Heinen's, the (proudly) family-run grocery chain fills growlers."
Read the rest here.
"The U.S. of A. is going through a beer revolution -- pledge allegiance (and raise a glass) to our country's capitals of brew," begins the thirst-quenching feature.
In regards to Cleveland, which the mag classifies as "The Old-School Beertown," William Bostwick writes, "A hard-working frontier town built on booze (one of its earliest businesses was a distillery on downtown's Whiskey Island), Cleveland has no truck with pretension. Just want a damn beer? You got it: a nice cold lager, clean, bright, balanced. But this is Cleveland, so the beer is Dortmunder Gold from Great Lakes Brewing Co., the best of its kind this side of the Rhine. In a city where you can watch the symphony orchestra while eating a burger at the Happy Dog bar, the beer is top-notch but down to earth, a welcome respite from snootier beer meccas on the coasts. Market Garden's brown ale is the country's best; the pedal-in bar Nano Brew Cleveland will pour you a bready amber ale while they tune your bike; even Heinen's, the (proudly) family-run grocery chain fills growlers."
Read the rest here.
renter's boom startup featured in the atlantic
Alexis Madrigal, senior editor at The Atlantic, has been writing about "Rust Belt" startups as part of an ongoing series called "Startup Nation."
In a feature titled, "Helping Apartment Complexes Help You," he writes about Renter's Boom, a Cleveland startup that works with rental-management companies "to turn their social media pages into leasing hubs."
"They set up Facebook pages for these companies and help them build apps so that people can check out apartments, make appointments, and send referrals within the social network. They also work to help the companies integrate Google's various products that renters may use," Madrigal writes.
Read the rest here.
In a feature titled, "Helping Apartment Complexes Help You," he writes about Renter's Boom, a Cleveland startup that works with rental-management companies "to turn their social media pages into leasing hubs."
"They set up Facebook pages for these companies and help them build apps so that people can check out apartments, make appointments, and send referrals within the social network. They also work to help the companies integrate Google's various products that renters may use," Madrigal writes.
Read the rest here.
If you don't know the name Scott Kim, then you likely have been missing out on some of the most thrilling food presently served in Cleveland. Kim's Shaker Square restaurant Sasa encourages exploration through a bevy of Japanese small plates. With Accent, slated to open in just weeks, the chef's culinary borders will expand past those of Japan to include influences from Korea, India, China and beyond.
see also: 2013 call for artists
Cleveland Public Library in partnership with LAND studio invites artists, designers and other creative professionals to create a temporary public art project in the library’s Eastman Reading Garden.
As part of an annual program called See Also, one artist (or team of artists) is selected to exhibit an artwork from May until October in this visible and beloved space in the heart of downtown.
For 2013, organizers are asking artists to think BIG:
"In the spirit of thinking big for our city, Cleveland Public Library and LAND studio challenge artists to design thoughtful, wacky, novel or whimsical concepts for a jury of local stakeholders to consider for installation in the Eastman Reading Garden. Artists are encouraged to develop concepts that deal with the garden space specifically, or present ideas for sites throughout the city at the scale of the garden."
One or more artists will be selected to create an installation for the garden that showcases their big dreams for a small space.
All proposals must be received at LAND studio’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday November 9, 2012. Hand deliveries will be accepted. If you have any questions regarding the site or the materials that are to be submitted, please call LAND studio at 216-621-5413 x117 or email ssiebert@land-studio.org.
As part of an annual program called See Also, one artist (or team of artists) is selected to exhibit an artwork from May until October in this visible and beloved space in the heart of downtown.
For 2013, organizers are asking artists to think BIG:
"In the spirit of thinking big for our city, Cleveland Public Library and LAND studio challenge artists to design thoughtful, wacky, novel or whimsical concepts for a jury of local stakeholders to consider for installation in the Eastman Reading Garden. Artists are encouraged to develop concepts that deal with the garden space specifically, or present ideas for sites throughout the city at the scale of the garden."
One or more artists will be selected to create an installation for the garden that showcases their big dreams for a small space.
All proposals must be received at LAND studio’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday November 9, 2012. Hand deliveries will be accepted. If you have any questions regarding the site or the materials that are to be submitted, please call LAND studio at 216-621-5413 x117 or email ssiebert@land-studio.org.
Mobile workforce management software company TOA Technologies has spent most of its existence dealing with the "nuts and bolts of American industry," says Jeff Wartgow, vice president of channels and alliances. It's the company's tech, for example, that ensures the cable technician is getting a proper signal so he can complete his work.
Thanks to its recent partnership with Racktime Sales & Marketing Services, a Netherlands-headquartered field marketing services provider, TOA now gets a taste of the "sexy" side of the tech industry, Wartgow says. Racktime will be using TOA's new ETAworkforce and ETAdirect Professional software to optimize its mobile business operations, which include cool stuff like DVD displays and Playstation demo booths.
"Racktime is a fun, young company," says Wartgow. "It's great to see that side of the culture coming into the market."
"Field marketing" represents the distribution or sampling of promotions in the public space. TOA software will assist Racktime in automating assignments, optimizing schedules and providing its customers with real-time visibility and collaboration capabilities.
Field marketing "is a completely new frontier for us," Wartgow says. "We had to find a progressive prospect like Racktime willing to take a risk on us."
Creating a product far afield from its core is exciting, says the TOA vice president. "Our mission is to keep expanding and taking on these challenges," adds Wartgow. "It's energizing to [work in] this part of the market."
SOURCE: Jeff Wartgow
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
Thanks to its recent partnership with Racktime Sales & Marketing Services, a Netherlands-headquartered field marketing services provider, TOA now gets a taste of the "sexy" side of the tech industry, Wartgow says. Racktime will be using TOA's new ETAworkforce and ETAdirect Professional software to optimize its mobile business operations, which include cool stuff like DVD displays and Playstation demo booths.
"Racktime is a fun, young company," says Wartgow. "It's great to see that side of the culture coming into the market."
"Field marketing" represents the distribution or sampling of promotions in the public space. TOA software will assist Racktime in automating assignments, optimizing schedules and providing its customers with real-time visibility and collaboration capabilities.
Field marketing "is a completely new frontier for us," Wartgow says. "We had to find a progressive prospect like Racktime willing to take a risk on us."
Creating a product far afield from its core is exciting, says the TOA vice president. "Our mission is to keep expanding and taking on these challenges," adds Wartgow. "It's energizing to [work in] this part of the market."
SOURCE: Jeff Wartgow
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
If someone loses a leg or arm due to war or accident, a recent endowment from Parker Hannifin Corporation to Cleveland State University is aiming to place the school among the top national options for replicating that lost limb.
Parker Hannifin, a manufacturer of motion technologies, has pledged $1.5 million to CSU for a professorship and the overall study of human motion and control. The money will be spent on a new laboratory in human motion. The lab will include treadmills, motion sensors and three-dimensional imaging equipment, all targeted at developing improved methods to duplicate healthy limbs in prosthetics and orthotics, says Joe Mosbrook, CSU's director of communications.
Working in the laboratory will be biomechanics researcher Dr. Antonie van den Bogert, named the Parker Hannifin Endowed Chair in Human Motion and Control. Van den Bogert began his tenure this fall in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at CSU’s Fenn College of Engineering.
The researcher is known for the development of computer simulation methods studying the effects of neuromuscular control and mechanical devices on human movement. Much of his prior work concentrated on the mechanics of sports performance and injuries. "He's a leader in this field," says Mosbrook. "We are very grateful to have someone of his caliber at the university."
Long term, the Parker Hannifin endowment could make CSU an epicenter for critical prosthetics and orthotics technology and research. The company "has been a great partner and benefactor to us for a long time," Mosbrook says. "This [endowment] is an important step forward for the university and the entire region."
SOURCE: Joe Mosbrook
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
Parker Hannifin, a manufacturer of motion technologies, has pledged $1.5 million to CSU for a professorship and the overall study of human motion and control. The money will be spent on a new laboratory in human motion. The lab will include treadmills, motion sensors and three-dimensional imaging equipment, all targeted at developing improved methods to duplicate healthy limbs in prosthetics and orthotics, says Joe Mosbrook, CSU's director of communications.
Working in the laboratory will be biomechanics researcher Dr. Antonie van den Bogert, named the Parker Hannifin Endowed Chair in Human Motion and Control. Van den Bogert began his tenure this fall in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at CSU’s Fenn College of Engineering.
The researcher is known for the development of computer simulation methods studying the effects of neuromuscular control and mechanical devices on human movement. Much of his prior work concentrated on the mechanics of sports performance and injuries. "He's a leader in this field," says Mosbrook. "We are very grateful to have someone of his caliber at the university."
Long term, the Parker Hannifin endowment could make CSU an epicenter for critical prosthetics and orthotics technology and research. The company "has been a great partner and benefactor to us for a long time," Mosbrook says. "This [endowment] is an important step forward for the university and the entire region."
SOURCE: Joe Mosbrook
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
uptown project in university circle primed for its public debut
Following a spate of recent openings, the Uptown Cleveland project has more than doubled the number of stores and restaurants previously available along Euclid Avenue in University Circle. It also has brought high-end contemporary design to an area known for traditional, classic architecture.
"All of the retail space is full, and we're pretty excited about that," says Tammy Oliver, Director of Leasing and Marketing for MRN Ltd., the developer of the project, which includes ground-level retail with apartments above. "We pretty much came into construction with letters of intent on everything."
Some of the new businesses that have opened include Constantino's Market, Barnes and Noble, Panera, Starbucks, Verizon Wireless, Jimmy John's, Chipotle and Anne van H. Businesses that will open this fall include Accent (a new restaurant helmed by chef Scott Kim), Mitchell's Ice Cream, a second location for ABC the Tavern, and three additional restaurants.
The project includes a brick interior courtyard for strolling, patio dining and events. The public space between Uptown and the new Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA), which was named Toby's Plaza in honor of donor Toby Lewis, will be programmed by its owner, Case Western Reserve University.
"We're hoping you can wake up and do tai chi or yoga there, lay out and read or simply have lunch there," says Oliver. "There will be a constant change of events and programming, and we want to involve the community and visitors in that."
The Uptown apartments, which are priced aggressively for the Cleveland market, are more than 70 percent leased, says Oliver. She cites the loft-style ceilings, large windows, green features, high-end finishes and flexible spaces as the reasons why.
"There is a demand for this new style and new way of living in Cleveland," she says. "This is the only new construction apartment building to be built in Cleveland for many years. Historic renovations bring fantastic character, but with modern living spaces such as these, you can bring your own character."
Source: Tammy Oliver
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"All of the retail space is full, and we're pretty excited about that," says Tammy Oliver, Director of Leasing and Marketing for MRN Ltd., the developer of the project, which includes ground-level retail with apartments above. "We pretty much came into construction with letters of intent on everything."
Some of the new businesses that have opened include Constantino's Market, Barnes and Noble, Panera, Starbucks, Verizon Wireless, Jimmy John's, Chipotle and Anne van H. Businesses that will open this fall include Accent (a new restaurant helmed by chef Scott Kim), Mitchell's Ice Cream, a second location for ABC the Tavern, and three additional restaurants.
The project includes a brick interior courtyard for strolling, patio dining and events. The public space between Uptown and the new Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA), which was named Toby's Plaza in honor of donor Toby Lewis, will be programmed by its owner, Case Western Reserve University.
"We're hoping you can wake up and do tai chi or yoga there, lay out and read or simply have lunch there," says Oliver. "There will be a constant change of events and programming, and we want to involve the community and visitors in that."
The Uptown apartments, which are priced aggressively for the Cleveland market, are more than 70 percent leased, says Oliver. She cites the loft-style ceilings, large windows, green features, high-end finishes and flexible spaces as the reasons why.
"There is a demand for this new style and new way of living in Cleveland," she says. "This is the only new construction apartment building to be built in Cleveland for many years. Historic renovations bring fantastic character, but with modern living spaces such as these, you can bring your own character."
Source: Tammy Oliver
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Intergenerational School, a high-performing charter school that is part of the Breakthrough Schools network, recently signed on to become part of the redeveloped Saint Luke's Hospital campus at Shaker Boulevard and E. 116th Street.
The highly-rated school, which has operated out of the nearby Fairhill Center for the past decade, will have the opportunity to grow within the Buckeye-Shaker Square community, customize classroom space to meet their unique needs and engage the seniors living at Saint Luke's.
"It's a great school and this will be a catalytic project for the community," says Joel Ratner, President of Neighborhood Progress Incorporated (NPI), the nonprofit developer of the Saint Luke's project. "Their model is to create intergenerational learning opportunities for kids, and now they'll be able to physically do that."
TIS is part of Phase III of the Saint Luke's project, says Ratner. Phases I and II are low-income senior housing. This final phase will complete the redevelopment of the historic, red brick hospital, which has been badly vandalized since it closed over a decade ago. Ratner also expects the Boys and Girls Club to open a small space in the building, and NPI will move its office headquarters there, as well.
NPI is now in a frantic push to complete the project by July 1, 2013 so that TIS can move in before the start of the 2013-2014 school year. The organization must raise another $3 million by May of next year in order to make that happen.
So far, the Cleveland Foundation, Saint Luke's Foundation and several private individuals have contributed to the project, which will cost a total of $6 million.
"We've already ordered the windows," says Ratner. "That alone was half a million dollars, including installation, because there are literally hundreds of custom windows. We're doing this project because it's the right thing to do."
Ratner also hopes the presence of TIS will help improve Harvey Rice School, a newly built K-8 school that is not performing well. "We'd like to get mentors there like they have at TIS, and potentially do programming together," says Ratner. "The Cleveland schools say they're open to it. This will be a huge lift."
Source: Joel Ratner
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The highly-rated school, which has operated out of the nearby Fairhill Center for the past decade, will have the opportunity to grow within the Buckeye-Shaker Square community, customize classroom space to meet their unique needs and engage the seniors living at Saint Luke's.
"It's a great school and this will be a catalytic project for the community," says Joel Ratner, President of Neighborhood Progress Incorporated (NPI), the nonprofit developer of the Saint Luke's project. "Their model is to create intergenerational learning opportunities for kids, and now they'll be able to physically do that."
TIS is part of Phase III of the Saint Luke's project, says Ratner. Phases I and II are low-income senior housing. This final phase will complete the redevelopment of the historic, red brick hospital, which has been badly vandalized since it closed over a decade ago. Ratner also expects the Boys and Girls Club to open a small space in the building, and NPI will move its office headquarters there, as well.
NPI is now in a frantic push to complete the project by July 1, 2013 so that TIS can move in before the start of the 2013-2014 school year. The organization must raise another $3 million by May of next year in order to make that happen.
So far, the Cleveland Foundation, Saint Luke's Foundation and several private individuals have contributed to the project, which will cost a total of $6 million.
"We've already ordered the windows," says Ratner. "That alone was half a million dollars, including installation, because there are literally hundreds of custom windows. We're doing this project because it's the right thing to do."
Ratner also hopes the presence of TIS will help improve Harvey Rice School, a newly built K-8 school that is not performing well. "We'd like to get mentors there like they have at TIS, and potentially do programming together," says Ratner. "The Cleveland schools say they're open to it. This will be a huge lift."
Source: Joel Ratner
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The recession pushed many people to trade in conventional careers for artistic pursuits. But establishing an arts studio or workshop is expensive and time consuming. Enter the ready-made studio. From community darkrooms and wood shops to collaborative sewing and printmaking co-ops, collaborative arts studios continue to pop up to serve the burgeoning "maker class."
cle zoo welcomes one millionth visitor of the year
On Monday, October 1, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo welcomed its one millionth visitor of 2012, making it 20 straight years the attraction drew one million or more in attendance.
This year’s one millionth visitor was Tara L. of Parma Heights, and her three children, Patrick, Piper and Phineas. The family won a Zoo prize pack including a ZooParent animal adoption package from the Cleveland Zoological Society, limited edition Zoo posters and more.
"The Zoo is very fortunate to have such a supportive community surrounding it in Northeast Ohio,” explains Zoo Director Steve Taylor. “The public votes with its feet, and to have sustained such an attendance record for so long is evidence that people enjoy coming here and spending time with their families.”
Read the rest here.
This year’s one millionth visitor was Tara L. of Parma Heights, and her three children, Patrick, Piper and Phineas. The family won a Zoo prize pack including a ZooParent animal adoption package from the Cleveland Zoological Society, limited edition Zoo posters and more.
"The Zoo is very fortunate to have such a supportive community surrounding it in Northeast Ohio,” explains Zoo Director Steve Taylor. “The public votes with its feet, and to have sustained such an attendance record for so long is evidence that people enjoy coming here and spending time with their families.”
Read the rest here.
TWIST Creative had been adverse the word "agency" for many years, as the term represented something the Cleveland-based branding firm was not. That all changed eight months ago when TWIST shifted its strategy to target bigger clients, spurring a period of growth that has led to a flurry of new hires as well as new customers.
That's four new hires and about 20 new clients to be exact, says Michael Ozan, TWIST's president and chief creative officer, who in 2000 founded the firm with wife Connie. Add promotions and an overall company realignment to that list and TWIST has had a very busy 2012.
"We looked at our market position and decided to turn in the direction of being an agency," says Ozan. "We needed more people [on hand] to make that change."
In September, TWIST hired a new director of media relations, an art director and two designers. The agency also named marketing director Josh Taylor as its new director of strategy and development, while lead senior designer Chris Oldham is now director of design operations.
To its burgeoning client portfolio TWIST added 20 new brands, including big-name consumer product companies Hoover Vacuum and Hinkley Lighting; aerospace industry manufacturer Voss Industries; and multi-market restaurateur Paladar.
This was an exciting year, but one also full of difficult changes, says design director Connie Ozan. Although the former boutique is now a full-service brand agency, the challenge for TWIST looking ahead is to continue to grow its position within the market.
"There's been lots of energy over the last eight months," she says. "It will take awhile for the new team to gel, but 2013 is going to be a great year."
SOURCE: Michael Ozan, Connie Ozan
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
That's four new hires and about 20 new clients to be exact, says Michael Ozan, TWIST's president and chief creative officer, who in 2000 founded the firm with wife Connie. Add promotions and an overall company realignment to that list and TWIST has had a very busy 2012.
"We looked at our market position and decided to turn in the direction of being an agency," says Ozan. "We needed more people [on hand] to make that change."
In September, TWIST hired a new director of media relations, an art director and two designers. The agency also named marketing director Josh Taylor as its new director of strategy and development, while lead senior designer Chris Oldham is now director of design operations.
To its burgeoning client portfolio TWIST added 20 new brands, including big-name consumer product companies Hoover Vacuum and Hinkley Lighting; aerospace industry manufacturer Voss Industries; and multi-market restaurateur Paladar.
This was an exciting year, but one also full of difficult changes, says design director Connie Ozan. Although the former boutique is now a full-service brand agency, the challenge for TWIST looking ahead is to continue to grow its position within the market.
"There's been lots of energy over the last eight months," she says. "It will take awhile for the new team to gel, but 2013 is going to be a great year."
SOURCE: Michael Ozan, Connie Ozan
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
Lindsay Sims has been a lifelong renter and knows the headaches involved with trying to reach a property management office for leasing information. She also knows that property managers are not using social media effectively to promote their properties.
So, in 2011 Sims founded Renter’s Boom, a resource for property managers to use sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as leasing portals.
“We are a software and service company smashed together,” says Sims. “We offer three apps: refer a friend, a listings app, and a make an appointment to see an apartment app. It makes it easy because that’s where some users spend five to 10 hours of their day.”
Sims originally designed a maintenance app where renters could text the property managers. But after going through the Bizdom U program, she refocused her businesses. “I figured out what business was going to work,” she says. “The feedback was property managers wanted to know how to handle social media.”
With that feedback, Sims developed Renter’s Boom. “For the past six months we were really running as fast as we can, figuring out the silver bullet that works,” she says. Originally working out the Beta Space at MAGNET, Sims recently moved into new offices at E. 55th and Euclid.
Business is good. Sims has a solid client base and hopes to start hiring around the first of the year. “I want to make sure our revenue strategy is okay,” she explains. “But I’ll be looking for people to get our clients serviced -- sales and marketing people.” In the meantime, Sims is looking for a fall intern to help with the daily operations.
Source: Lindsay Sims
Writer: Karin Connelly
So, in 2011 Sims founded Renter’s Boom, a resource for property managers to use sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as leasing portals.
“We are a software and service company smashed together,” says Sims. “We offer three apps: refer a friend, a listings app, and a make an appointment to see an apartment app. It makes it easy because that’s where some users spend five to 10 hours of their day.”
Sims originally designed a maintenance app where renters could text the property managers. But after going through the Bizdom U program, she refocused her businesses. “I figured out what business was going to work,” she says. “The feedback was property managers wanted to know how to handle social media.”
With that feedback, Sims developed Renter’s Boom. “For the past six months we were really running as fast as we can, figuring out the silver bullet that works,” she says. Originally working out the Beta Space at MAGNET, Sims recently moved into new offices at E. 55th and Euclid.
Business is good. Sims has a solid client base and hopes to start hiring around the first of the year. “I want to make sure our revenue strategy is okay,” she explains. “But I’ll be looking for people to get our clients serviced -- sales and marketing people.” In the meantime, Sims is looking for a fall intern to help with the daily operations.
Source: Lindsay Sims
Writer: Karin Connelly
When a tragedy happens anywhere in the world, Crisis Mappers are there to communicate what’s going on and what’s needed. Jen Ziemke, assistant professor of international relations at John Carroll University, cofounded Crisis Mappers along with Patrick Meier to organize a network of 4,000 mappers worldwide to assist in that communication.
The first International conference on Crisis Mappers was held at John Carroll in 2009 and the 100 attendees created the Crisis Mappers Network to gather and report critical information on catastrophes around the world. “Crisis Mappers really grew out of its own demand,” says Ziemke. “After the conference people wanted to stay in touch so we created a basic website. Now we’re a mix of every country in the world.”
The Crisis Mappers help get the word out and report on the situation in crises such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti or the uprising in Libya. “We’re seeing a change in how technology enables people to get the story out in real time,” Ziemke explains. “There’s a lot of sharing on the network and Google groups.” There are 1,724 Google group members in 161 countries. More than 4,000 are on the Crisis Mappers network.
During the Libya crisis, the United States called upon Crisis Mappers to identify refugees and where they were headed, as well as report food and water requests. “We were able to visualize and make sense of it really fast,” Ziemke says.
Now Crisis Mappers is working with Tremont Electric to provide portable nPower communication devices, charged through the user’s kinetic energy, to people who are off the network.
“Crisis Mappers are often off the grid,” says Ziemke. “They typically have cell phones, but no power.” The two organizations are working through Indiegogo to raise money for the devices.
Crisis Mappers will have its fourth conference in October in Washington, D.C. “We’re using the power of people to feed information into the system and having volunteers make sense of it,” says Ziemke.
Source: Jen Ziemke
Writer: Karin Connelly
The first International conference on Crisis Mappers was held at John Carroll in 2009 and the 100 attendees created the Crisis Mappers Network to gather and report critical information on catastrophes around the world. “Crisis Mappers really grew out of its own demand,” says Ziemke. “After the conference people wanted to stay in touch so we created a basic website. Now we’re a mix of every country in the world.”
The Crisis Mappers help get the word out and report on the situation in crises such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti or the uprising in Libya. “We’re seeing a change in how technology enables people to get the story out in real time,” Ziemke explains. “There’s a lot of sharing on the network and Google groups.” There are 1,724 Google group members in 161 countries. More than 4,000 are on the Crisis Mappers network.
During the Libya crisis, the United States called upon Crisis Mappers to identify refugees and where they were headed, as well as report food and water requests. “We were able to visualize and make sense of it really fast,” Ziemke says.
Now Crisis Mappers is working with Tremont Electric to provide portable nPower communication devices, charged through the user’s kinetic energy, to people who are off the network.
“Crisis Mappers are often off the grid,” says Ziemke. “They typically have cell phones, but no power.” The two organizations are working through Indiegogo to raise money for the devices.
Crisis Mappers will have its fourth conference in October in Washington, D.C. “We’re using the power of people to feed information into the system and having volunteers make sense of it,” says Ziemke.
Source: Jen Ziemke
Writer: Karin Connelly
efuneral's digital approach to funeral home shopping gets praise
Alexis Madrigal, senior editor at The Atlantic, has been writing about "Rust Belt" startups as part of an ongoing series called "Startup Nation."
In a feature titled, "Bringing Innovation to the Funeral-Home Business (No, Really)," he writes about Cleveland-based eFuneral, which brings funeral home shopping into the digital age.
"The idea for the company did not originate in dreams of Instagram glory or joviality," he writes. "His cousin died, and when his family went to plan the funeral, they encountered some difficulty in selecting a funeral home. There were 12 places within two miles of where his cousin lived. How do you pick one?"
"For us, the big question wasn't, 'Where is there a funeral home?'" founder Mike Belsito was quoted. "It was, How are we supposed to know which of these is going to provide us good service? And what is it going to cost?'"
"We had more information on where to go to dinner, where we're spending 40 bucks, than we did for my cousin's funeral," he said.
Considering that funeral services are some of the highest ticket items someone pays for in their life after a house and a car, a modern tool for shopping seemed a great idea.
Read the rest of the news here.
In a feature titled, "Bringing Innovation to the Funeral-Home Business (No, Really)," he writes about Cleveland-based eFuneral, which brings funeral home shopping into the digital age.
"The idea for the company did not originate in dreams of Instagram glory or joviality," he writes. "His cousin died, and when his family went to plan the funeral, they encountered some difficulty in selecting a funeral home. There were 12 places within two miles of where his cousin lived. How do you pick one?"
"For us, the big question wasn't, 'Where is there a funeral home?'" founder Mike Belsito was quoted. "It was, How are we supposed to know which of these is going to provide us good service? And what is it going to cost?'"
"We had more information on where to go to dinner, where we're spending 40 bucks, than we did for my cousin's funeral," he said.
Considering that funeral services are some of the highest ticket items someone pays for in their life after a house and a car, a modern tool for shopping seemed a great idea.
Read the rest of the news here.