In a feature titled "Five Lessons in Transparency from Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove," Forbes magazine discusses the Clinic's unique approach to medical transparency.

"Cleveland Clinic is the health care industry trailblazer when it comes to publishing its clinical outcomes. As discussed in this earlier story (“How To Report Quality To The Public”), the Ohio hospital system annually publishes Outcomes Books that detail the clinical performance of each of its departments."

Writer David Whelan spoke to CEO -- and "unofficial transparency officer" -- Delos “Toby” Cosgrove, who personally developed the Outcomes Book concept in the first place.

"Almost thirty years ago when he became chair of heart surgery -- and 20 years before he ascended to his current role -- he started measuring and sharing surgical outcomes as a way to hold staff accountable."

The feature goes on to share five lessons from Dr. Cosgrove on how to run a hospital in an increasingly transparent world of health care.

Read the rest here.

In a Chicago Tribune article titled "Mad for a Manhattan," writer Zak Stambor explores the virtues of the iconic cocktail.

"Two parts whiskey to one part sweet vermouth, add a dash or two of Angostura bitters and stir. That's all there is to making a Manhattan. And yet the classic cocktail has endured since the 1870s. It's iconic. And for good reason. Like every great cocktail, the finished product is even better than the sum of the individual components -- no matter how good those ingredients are."

For the article, Stambor hits up Velvet Tango Room owner Paulius Nasvytis for some information.

"It's supposed to be powerful, it should rack (sic) you up in a warm dark liquor embrace," says Paulius Nasvytis, owner of Cleveland's Velvet Tango Room, which helped pioneer the chic cocktail lounge trend when it opened in 1996.

"Even though rye is traditional, Nasvytis prefers the more mellow bourbon. At the Velvet Tango Room, where the bar's three variations on the Manhattan are its most popular drinks, he uses Maker's Mark because of its smooth, honeyed flavor with notes of caramel and dark fruit."

Drink up the rest right here.

In an article titled "Cleveland Clinic Diagnoses Health-Care Act," the Wall Street Journal sits down with CEO Delos "Toby" Cosgrove to discuss the Affordable Care Act.

Anna Wilde Mathews writes, "Just over a year from now, the Affordable Care Act is set to unleash enormous change in the health-care sector, and Cleveland Clinic Chief Executive Delos 'Toby' Cosgrove is preparing his institution by expanding its reach and striving to make caregivers more cost-conscious.

Dr. Cosgrove sat down with the newspaper to discuss the coming changes and how the Clinic is preparing for them.

Read the entire exchange here.

AMOG, an online magazine geared to men, included Cleveland in its recent listing of "The 10 American Cities that Brew the Best Beer."

"There’s a lot to consider when planning a vacation. The cost, climate, and sightseeing, are of course, major factors. But what about the beers that are brewed in that city? Regardless if you want to party like a frat boy or sip on a craft beer during dinner, beer can say a lot about the city of its origin. Whether it’s a revolutionary technique used for brewing, unique flavors or just a local favorite, each city that brews their own beer puts their own stamp on beer. So, before you book anything, check out the 10 American cities that beer the best beer."

Cleveland gets nods for Nano Brew Cleveland, which will “pour you a bready amber ale while they tune your bike.” As well as Market Garden Brewery, Fat Heads, the Brew Kettle and Great Lakes Brewing Company.

"Even towns nearby, like Strongsville and Akron, are great places to check out if you’re a beer enthusiast."

Read the rest here.

In a Science Codex report titled “Cleveland Clinic researcher identifies 2 new genetic mutations associated with Cowden syndrome,” the post highlights Charis Eng, MD, Ph.D., Chair and Founding Director of the Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute's Genomic Medicine Institute’s research and discovery that could lead to better management of Cowden syndrome.

"Gene-enabled risk assessment and management begins with the identification of all the genes that, when mutated, account for as many or all the individuals with a particular syndrome, in this case CS," said Dr. Eng. "We started with only PTEN, and now we know that SDHB/D, KLLN, PIK3CA and AKT1 account for CS. Each also brings differing risks of breast, thyroid and other cancers, and so this discovery directly aids genetic counseling and clinical management."
 
This comes as great news for individuals carrying an increased cancer risk.
 
“Until now, only four clinical factors were known to predict an inherited PTEN mutation -- and this study's blood test out-predicts them all. Future studies testing thyroid tissue itself may reveal additional biomarkers.”
 
Read the full blog post here or the American Journal of Human Genetics research paper here.

In an Earth Techling piece titled “Minimalist Cleveland Art Museum Seeks LEED Silver,” Randy Woods describes how MOCA is not only a uniquely designed building, but energy efficient as well.
 
“Designed by British architect Farshid Moussavi, the new 34,000-squaure-foot MOCA provides 44 percent more exhibit space than its previous home and is vying for LEED Silver status with a geothermal HVAC system, efficient LED lighting, a compact floor plan that utilizes virtually every square inch for exhibits and easy accessibility to rapid transit.”
 
The efficiency does not stop in design and operation alone: The museum's approach to art holdings is also "green."
 
“In true green fashion, MOCA is applying a minimalist aesthetic to its operational model, focusing not on acquiring permanent collections but on custom-made installations and community programming. By having almost no space available for storage, the museum relies instead on a rotating schedule of artists to create works that can incorporate elements of the museum’s design, including stairwells. This flexible model also makes the $27 million museum less costly to operate.”
 
Explore the entire piece here.

In a KYPost.com article titled “Study: What your kids snack on could determine how full they feel,” Christian Hauser explores the correlation between snacking habits of children and its relation to overall caloric intake.
 
“A new study finds that children who swap foods like potato chips for more nutrient-rich choices like vegetables or cheeses actually consume fewer calories when snacking,” writes Hauser.
 
While idea may appear obvious to some, the study explained that the children needed significantly fewer calories in order to feel satisfied.
 
"Snacks that are higher in fiber and have more protein, like we find in cheese and vegetables, leave your kids feeling fuller and they're likely to eat less,” explains Carrie Gonzales, a pediatric dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic.
 
"I think it always goes back to what's being offered in the home. So, if we do offer more healthful choices like vegetables or cheese versus potato chips, your child will actually eat them. It's just about what you have available,” concluded Gonzales.
 
Read the entire article here.

In a Commercial Property Executive feature titled “Cleveland Metropolitan School District to Auction Off Headquarters in March,” Adrian Matties explains the history behind the district’s prime real estate and potential opportunities it affords the buyer upon its sale.
 
“The historic building was constructed in 1930. It stands six stories high and is located at 1380 E. Sixth St. The property sits on 1.75 acres in the heart of Cleveland, with 209,359 gross square feet of space. It is surrounded by development projects totaling more than $2 billion, among them the Medical Mart, the Flats East Bank Development, the Horseshoe Casino and numerous residential projects.”
 
For a district that is struggling to make ends meet after state budget cuts, the sale of the property should help to fill gaps remaining in the budget.
 
“This offering is a truly rare opportunity to acquire a property that is considered the centerpiece of Cleveland’s downtown lakefront redevelopment,” said Douglas Johnson, managing director of CBRE Auction Services. “The potential demand for truly unique hotel, residential, office and mixed-use space, as well as a growing parking need in the CBD, makes the CMSD site one of the most exciting redevelopment opportunities in Cleveland.”
 
Read the entire post here.

In a Los Angeles Times column titled “Culinary SOS: Divine medley of flavors,” Noelle Carter answers a reader’s question about her experience with Cleveland’s own Market Garden Brewery and shares their recipe for sweet potato pie.
 
“A while ago, on a visit to Cleveland, our son took us to eat and drink at the Market Garden Brewery. I believe it is near the interesting Garden Market on the near west side of Cleveland. I ordered the sweet potato pie. It was out of this world! I was glad I had eaten lightly before devouring it.”
 
Not sure what the "Garden Market " is, but Carter soldiers on and, after some research of her own, provides the secret to its awesomeness as well as the recipe.
 
“This is no ordinary sweet potato pie. Creamy mashed sweet potatoes are lightly spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla paste, and sweetened with a touch of honey, sugar and muscovado brown sugar -- a rich, dark, unfiltered brown sugar -- for a wonderful medley of flavors. Not too sweet and not overly spiced. In a word: perfect. This is one pie I'll be making again and again.”
 

In a CNET News piece titled “Penguin looks to Los Angeles, Cleveland to expand e-book lending,” Don Reisinger shares the “hardships” many publishing houses are facing now that e-books are commanding a larger share of the market.
 
“The company [announced Nov. 19] that it is expanding its e-book lending program to Los Angeles and Cleveland, the New York Times reported. Penguin launched an e-book-lending service to New York public libraries in September. The success of that program has prompted it to expand elsewhere.”
 
Publishers have cited security issues in the past regarding lending procedures by public libraries and are taking steps to ensure they maintain profitability in this new digital environment.
 
“With this new lending initiative, Penguin has teamed up with a digital book distributor, Baker & Taylor. According to the Times, the Los Angeles County library system, alone, will allow Penguin to reach 4 million people. The company plans to make the service available to folks in Los Angeles and Cleveland in the coming weeks.”
 
Enjoy the complete interesting read here.

In a Rust Wire feature titled “Cities: Rather Than Patronizing Young People, Give Them What They Ask For,” Angie Schmitt writes about the ongoing battle cities face to attract young people to call urban areas their home -- for the long haul.
 
“There is a new initiative called Global Cleveland and it started out as some kind of civic effort to attract immigrants," writes Schmitt. "But one of the major goals of this initiative apparently, is also to attract boomerangers back to Cleveland. Boomerangers, you see, are youngish, well-educated people that split for places like New York and D.C. For some reason, these guys have been identified as 'winnable' and Global Cleveland’s working on promoting a wholesale reversal.”
 
This effort, according to Schmitt, has not been as successful as originally hoped. But what should Cleveland be doing?
 
“The places that are succeeding, they aren’t making a riddle of their methods. They are working very hard to make their environments hospitable to young people. How are they doing that? Through a whole movement called livability.”
 
Read the complete feature here.

An item in Art Daily titled, "Cleveland Museum of Natural History announces capital campaign, leadership team," covers the latest news about the museum's future plans to renovate and expand.
 
"The Cleveland Museum of Natural History has tapped two well-known corporate leaders to serve as co-chairmen of the fundraising campaign for the transformation of the Museum's campus in University Circle. Executive Director and CEO Evalyn Gates, Ph.D., has announced that A. Chace Anderson, the Museum's board president and a partner of CM Wealth Advisors, and Museum trustee James L. Hambrick, chairman, president and CEO of The Lubrizol Corp., will direct the Museum's first significant capital fundraising campaign in its 90-year history."
 
"Remaking and expanding a leading natural history museum is a rare opportunity for Northeast Ohio," campaign co-chair James L. Hambrick was quoted in the piece. "I am delighted to help make a difference on this very important initiative for science education."

"The Museum's collections encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, and research of global significance focuses on 11 natural science disciplines. The Museum actively conserves biological diversity through the protection of more than 5,000 acres of natural areas. It promotes health education with local programs and distance learning that extends across the globe. Its GreenCityBlueLake Institute is a center of thought and practice for the design of green and sustainable cities."
 
Read the rest here.

Writing for Pop & Hiss, the L.A. Times music blog, Randy Lewis reports on the changing of the guard at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. At the end of this year, current vice president of development Gregary Harris will take over the top post from Terry Stewart, who is retiring after 13 years.

"Overall, we want to take what’s a wonderful regional treasure and make it a little more national without giving up the great regional base,” Harris is quoted as saying in the article. "One goal will be boosting attendance at the Cleveland facility itself, which sees about half a million visitors annually."

Also in Harris' plans is expanding the base.

"We’ve been building this great base and want to make it better,” Harris said. “We want to expose more people to it, and we’re working to find ways to be relevant and to stay relevant to younger audiences. By definition, this museum focuses on older acts, in that to be inducted you have to have made a record 25 years ago. So that’s part of what we’re looking at.”

Read the rest of the liner notes here.

For four years now, Michelle Venorsky has organized a delicious raffle that benefits Veggie U, the non-profit arm of the Chef's Garden that educates fourth-graders around the country on making better eating choices. The program funds education kits and lesson plans for teachers in our area and others.
 
To date, the raffles have raised $11,750 for the program.
 
As always, Venorsky -- aka Cleveland Foodie -- has assembled an impressive list of participating restaurants, all of which have generously donated gift cards.
 
Here's how it works: By donating as little as $5 to Veggie U, you will automatically be entered to win one third of $1,850 worth of gift cards. By upping the donation to $10, $25, $50 or more, you can increase your odds of victory. The more you donate, the better the chance of winning.
 
To donate and enter, simply call Veggie U directly (419-499-7500, M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and reference Cleveland Foodie when donating. Or, click here to make your donation online.
 
Deadline is Noon on December 21. The drawing will take place shortly thereafter.
 
Here's the tasty lineup:
 
Fahrenheit $100
Paladar $50
Noodlecat $50
Greenhouse Tavern $50
Fire $50
Western Reserve Wines $50
Blue Canyon $50
Pura Vida $50
Light Bistro $50
Spice Kitchen & Bar $50
AMP 150 $50
Flour $50
Umami $50
Momocho $50
Hodge’s $50
Washington Place Bistro & Inn $50
Mahall’s $50
Melt $25
SOHO $50
Urban Herbs 14-jar gift set
Miles Farmers Market $50
Burntwood Tavern $50
Veggie U sampler box
CVI dinner $100 value
Welshfield Inn $50
87 West $50
Flying Fig $50
Cedar Creek Grill $50
Luna Bakery $50
Deagan’s $50
Lola $50
Parallax $50
L’Albatros $50
Chinato $50
Cowell & Hubbard $50
 
For more info, click here.

In an article titled "A Cleveland Newspaper Takes Steps to Prevent Cuts," New York Times writer Christine Haughney covers local efforts by the Plain Dealer staff and its readers to stave off further layoffs and service reductions.

In January, a three-year agreement between the paper and the guild will end, opening the door for further cuts.

"While workers at many newspapers owned by Advance Publications have tried to brace themselves for what seems to be the inevitable -- layoffs and the end of a daily print product -- reporters and editors at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland are fighting back in an unusual way: they are taking their case directly to the public," Haughney writes.

"The staff there has started a campaign to rally community support and to try to prevent cuts like the ones Advance has made in other cities. Using money provided by Local 1 of the Newspaper Guild and a grant from the Communications Workers of America, organizers have produced a television commercial, created a Facebook page that has attracted nearly 4,000 “likes” and started a petition that has nearly 6,000 signatures so far."

“We’ve been surprised and gratified and really humbled by the amount of response we’ve gotten,” said John Mangels, a science writer for the paper, who was quoted in the article.
 
Read the rest here.

In a Fast Co. feature titled "Cleveland’s Sparkling New Museum Of Contemporary Art," Kelsey Campbell-Dollaghan writes about the new museum and its non-collection programming. A slideshow offers stunning shots of the museum -- inside and out.

"Welcome to the new museum: an organization that eschews acquisitions and permanent collections for a smaller building and leaner operation, focusing on in-situ installations and community programming," writes Campbell-Dollaghan.

"That’s the mission behind the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened its first permanent building in October. The MoCA is a non-collecting museum, which means it has no permanent collection, which in turn means that it needs less space and money to operate. The museum’s new 34,000-square-foot building, designed by Iran-born, London-based architect Farshid Moussavi, cost only $27 million."

"Because MoCA needs very little storage space, almost all of its four floors can host exhibitions -- even a fire stairwell that has been turned into an audio art gallery."

We'll spare you Campbell-Dollaghan's trite platitudes about Cleveland's poverty, foreclosure rates, and "urban revitalization-by-the-arts."

See the article here.

This animated video premiered at the 4th Annual Sustainable Cleveland Summit in September.

"It illustrates the vision for a local and sustainable food system in the Cleveland region, and how people can get involved," explains Jenita McGowan of the Mayor's Office of Sustainability  "As part of the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 year of local foods celebration, we wanted to create a video that is fun, simple and easy to understand.  It is our goal that this video resonates specifically with residents of Northeast Ohio using recognizable icons, such as the West Side Market.”

To come up with its annual College Destinations Index, the American Institute for Economic Research evaluates each community’s overall academic and cultural environment, quality of life and employment opportunities in the area.
 
“At a time when approximately half of current college graduates are unemployed or underemployed, the pros and cons of a particular college destination should be an important factor in making a college selection,” says Julie Zhu, the AIER research analyst who oversaw compilation of the Index.
 
The index includes the top 75 US towns and cities for college students with student populations of 15,000 or more.
 
Cleveland is ranked #12 under Mid-Size Metros.
 
“The characteristics that make up a great college destination often make a location ideal for business, retirement and tourism," says Steven Cunningham, AIER Director of Research and Education. "A top AIER College Destinations Index ranking should be just as important to the town or city as it is to the schools located there and the families and students attending or considering them.”
 
Read all about the rankings here.

Cleveland-based Paladar restaurant is impressing the locals in South Florida, where a new outpost of the Latin-themed eatery recently opened.

In a Miami New Times article titled "Paladar: New Entry at Gulfstream Park Serves Up Winning Latin Fare," the food writer spoke fondly of the new restaurant, which is the fourth in the locally owned chain.

"Who would have thought that a respectable nuevo Latino restaurant would arrive in South Florida by way of Cleveland and Annapolis? Well, that's what's happened with the opening of Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar at The Village at Gulfstream Park. Paladar got its start in Cleveland in 2007 and opened in Annapolis three years later. A fourth location will be opening soon in Bethesda."

"Always on the lookout for new places to eat and drink, Short Order checked out Paladar and was impressed with the setting, ambiance, service and food."

Read the rest right here.

Offered as a sort of travel guide to travelling Pittsburgh Steelers fans, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently ran a feature titled "On the road with the Steelers: Cleveland."
 
Writer Gretchen McKay does a great job providing tips on where to eat, drink and enjoy the scene in Cleveland.
 
"A growing foodie destination with a landmark public market and a lively arts community, there's plenty of fun in store for the weekend traveler. So much, in fact, that Travel and Leisure named it one of America's 'favorite cities' in 2009 for affordability and its rockin' music scene: in addition to one of the world's best-known music museums, it boasts a renowned orchestra," writes McKay.
 
As for foodie-friendly spots, McKay writes:
 
"Many of the best tastes of Cleveland can be found in its historic West Side Market in an arched NeoClassical/Byzantine building in the Ohio City neighborhood. In October, the public market celebrated its 100th birthday with a parade, but every day here feels like a celebration for food lovers. Home to more than 100 vendors that show off the city's ethnic diversity -- you'll find everything from Old World smoked meats and pierogies to produce and gourmet cheeses to a French creperie serving to-order sweet and savory crepes -- it's been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network."

"Even though Cleveland and Pittsburgh have similar demographics, Cleveland's food scene has a higher national profile. As former PG restaurant critic China Millman pointed out in a 2010 travel story, the food here really rocks."


Read the rest of the article here.