Buzz
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.
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.
msn travel writer calls cleveland 'america's big comeback story'
Writing for MSN Travel, Ken Hegan, a screenwriter and journalist, calls Cleveland "America's big comeback story."
"Never thought I'd ever say this but I just fell in love with Cleveland, Ohio. Now I kinda want to move there," he writes.
Following a brief and painful history lesson, Hegan gets to the good stuff:
"The city's entering a period of 'unprecedented growth. The river's cleaned up, there's a thriving medical industry, houses are cheap, artists can rent old brick warehouse spaces for the price of a Manhattan coffee, the city's enjoying a culinary boom, plus there's a museum devoted to polka music and a festival celebrating duct tape."
"The city's rebuilding and expanding with billions of dollars in new tourism infrastructure that includes a $26-million Museum of Art, new boutique hotels, a new medical convention center... The city is also looking forward to hosting the Summer National Senior Games (July 2013), and The International Gay Games (2014)."
Hegan closes with a bold assertion:
"If I was an artist in America right now (or anyone who wants to live cheaply in The Next Great American City), I wouldn't pay a fortune to starve in Brooklyn. Instead, I'd live like a king, rent an inexpensive brick Cleveland studio, and turn that into a factory of art."
Read the rest here.
"Never thought I'd ever say this but I just fell in love with Cleveland, Ohio. Now I kinda want to move there," he writes.
Following a brief and painful history lesson, Hegan gets to the good stuff:
"The city's entering a period of 'unprecedented growth. The river's cleaned up, there's a thriving medical industry, houses are cheap, artists can rent old brick warehouse spaces for the price of a Manhattan coffee, the city's enjoying a culinary boom, plus there's a museum devoted to polka music and a festival celebrating duct tape."
"The city's rebuilding and expanding with billions of dollars in new tourism infrastructure that includes a $26-million Museum of Art, new boutique hotels, a new medical convention center... The city is also looking forward to hosting the Summer National Senior Games (July 2013), and The International Gay Games (2014)."
Hegan closes with a bold assertion:
"If I was an artist in America right now (or anyone who wants to live cheaply in The Next Great American City), I wouldn't pay a fortune to starve in Brooklyn. Instead, I'd live like a king, rent an inexpensive brick Cleveland studio, and turn that into a factory of art."
Read the rest here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
the atlantic visits sparkbase as part of 'startup nation' series
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, "A Framed First Dollar for the Internet Age," he writes about SparkBase, a Cleveland-based loyalty, gift, and reward card processor.
"SparkBase is a nice success story," he writes. "They've been hiring like crazy in Cleveland, particularly in the last year and a half and are up to 50 people working out of their new offices. They're one of several middleware vendors in the retail space that are emerging to collect and analyze retail data."
The title, by the way, is a reference to SparkBase's conference table, which instead of displaying the company's first dollar earned features the mother boards from their first servers.
Read the rest of the story here.
In a feature titled, "A Framed First Dollar for the Internet Age," he writes about SparkBase, a Cleveland-based loyalty, gift, and reward card processor.
"SparkBase is a nice success story," he writes. "They've been hiring like crazy in Cleveland, particularly in the last year and a half and are up to 50 people working out of their new offices. They're one of several middleware vendors in the retail space that are emerging to collect and analyze retail data."
The title, by the way, is a reference to SparkBase's conference table, which instead of displaying the company's first dollar earned features the mother boards from their first servers.
Read the rest of the story here.
'nerd-friendly' shaker launchhouse featured in the altantic
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, "A Space to Be an Entrepreneur and Not Feel Like You Have Leprosy Here in Cleveland," he writes about Shaker LaunchHouse, where an abandoned car dealership has been transformed into a "lively space for Cleveland's nerds and entrepreneurs alike."
"Run by native Clevelander Dar Caldwell, LaunchHouse takes a bunch of the weird and geeky things going on in the Bay and compresses them into one glorious space filled with entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and (I use this word lovingly) nerds," Madrigal writes.
Writing about some of the more eccentric "tenants," he notes, "I'm not sure I could explain to an economic development officer or even some venture capitalists why these guys are so important in the formation of new companies, why you need them drinking beer with the entrepreneurs, or why their love for the sheer thingness of things is so exhilarating. But I'll put it like this: these guys are the wizards, even if they aren't the kings or the knights. They're the soul of a tech scene, even if they may never sign a term sheet, trademark a name, or raise seed capital. And where they are, there is magic."
Read the rest of the news here.
In a feature titled, "A Space to Be an Entrepreneur and Not Feel Like You Have Leprosy Here in Cleveland," he writes about Shaker LaunchHouse, where an abandoned car dealership has been transformed into a "lively space for Cleveland's nerds and entrepreneurs alike."
"Run by native Clevelander Dar Caldwell, LaunchHouse takes a bunch of the weird and geeky things going on in the Bay and compresses them into one glorious space filled with entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and (I use this word lovingly) nerds," Madrigal writes.
Writing about some of the more eccentric "tenants," he notes, "I'm not sure I could explain to an economic development officer or even some venture capitalists why these guys are so important in the formation of new companies, why you need them drinking beer with the entrepreneurs, or why their love for the sheer thingness of things is so exhilarating. But I'll put it like this: these guys are the wizards, even if they aren't the kings or the knights. They're the soul of a tech scene, even if they may never sign a term sheet, trademark a name, or raise seed capital. And where they are, there is magic."
Read the rest of the news here.
look! up in the sky! it's a bird, it's a plane, it's...
Comics Alliance, "where comic books and pop culture collide," writes about the permanent exhibit dedicated to Superman that will soon appear at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
"Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... Wait, it actually is a plane. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport will open a permanent exhibit dedicated to Superman next month, celebrating the work of local boys made good, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster."
Set to debute next month, the exhibit will celebrate the work of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two Glenville boys who dreamed up the comic. The exhibit, which was designed by Studio Graphique and will be located in the baggage claim area, features wall panels explaining the origins of the Superman character as well as a "larger-than-life" statue of the hero for visitors to photograph themselves with.
"We want the phrase, 'Meet me at Superman,' to become a common saying at the airport," explained Michael Olszewski, president of the Siegel and Shuster Society.
The exhibit will be unveiled at 5pm on October 11.
Read the rest of the news here.
"Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... Wait, it actually is a plane. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport will open a permanent exhibit dedicated to Superman next month, celebrating the work of local boys made good, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster."
Set to debute next month, the exhibit will celebrate the work of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two Glenville boys who dreamed up the comic. The exhibit, which was designed by Studio Graphique and will be located in the baggage claim area, features wall panels explaining the origins of the Superman character as well as a "larger-than-life" statue of the hero for visitors to photograph themselves with.
"We want the phrase, 'Meet me at Superman,' to become a common saying at the airport," explained Michael Olszewski, president of the Siegel and Shuster Society.
The exhibit will be unveiled at 5pm on October 11.
Read the rest of the news here.
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.
new data reveals that travel and tourism is on the rise in cle
According to The Economic Impact of Tourism Study, organized by the research firm Tourism Economics and coordinated by the Ohio Tourism Division, Northeast Ohio tourism is up significantly
Visitor volume to Cuyahoga County has jumped to 14.9 million visitors in 2011, compared to 13 million in 2009. Those visitors generated $6.7 billion in related business activity, which constitutes a 12-percent jump in the same time period.
The travel and tourism industry is Cuyahoga County’s fourth largest employer, with tourism supporting 1 in every 11 salaried jobs. In 2011, tourism employment accounted for more than 60,946 individuals, generating $1.8 billion dollars in wages.
Tourism in Cuyahoga County contributed more than $886 million in taxes, with $265 million for state taxes and $194 million in local taxes in 2011.
“The tourism industry is a major contributor to the economic vitality of our region,” Positively Cleveland’s President/ CEO David Gilbert said. “Visitors to our region buy local products and services, support area amenities, generate tax revenues and sustain jobs.”
More on the way
With $2 billion in visitor-related development underway throughout Northeast Ohio, numbers are increasing in both business and leisure travel. Visitors to Downtown Cleveland are expected to double in 2013, equating to a projected six million visitors.
Read the rest of the report here.
Visitor volume to Cuyahoga County has jumped to 14.9 million visitors in 2011, compared to 13 million in 2009. Those visitors generated $6.7 billion in related business activity, which constitutes a 12-percent jump in the same time period.
The travel and tourism industry is Cuyahoga County’s fourth largest employer, with tourism supporting 1 in every 11 salaried jobs. In 2011, tourism employment accounted for more than 60,946 individuals, generating $1.8 billion dollars in wages.
Tourism in Cuyahoga County contributed more than $886 million in taxes, with $265 million for state taxes and $194 million in local taxes in 2011.
“The tourism industry is a major contributor to the economic vitality of our region,” Positively Cleveland’s President/ CEO David Gilbert said. “Visitors to our region buy local products and services, support area amenities, generate tax revenues and sustain jobs.”
More on the way
With $2 billion in visitor-related development underway throughout Northeast Ohio, numbers are increasing in both business and leisure travel. Visitors to Downtown Cleveland are expected to double in 2013, equating to a projected six million visitors.
Read the rest of the report here.
cleveland featured on two upcoming food network shows
Cleveland will get its close-up on the Food Network in two very visible ways this week.
On Sunday's airing of The Great Food Truck Race (9 p.m.), the popular show hosted by Tyler Florence rolls into Cleveland, with stops throughout town. The show was taped this past summer.
A new show called $24 in 24, hosted by Jeff Mauro, will premier on Monday, September 24, at 10:30 p.m. with multiple stops in Cleveland. The show originally was slated to air later in the season but was moved up to the premier, presumably because of its quality.
On the show, Jeff Mauro, winner of the seventh season of Food Network Star and host of Sandwich King, hits the road in search of budget-friendly eats across America.
While in Cleveland, Mauro made stops at Danny's Deli, Palookaville Chili, ABC the Tavern, and the West Side Market.
On Sunday's airing of The Great Food Truck Race (9 p.m.), the popular show hosted by Tyler Florence rolls into Cleveland, with stops throughout town. The show was taped this past summer.
A new show called $24 in 24, hosted by Jeff Mauro, will premier on Monday, September 24, at 10:30 p.m. with multiple stops in Cleveland. The show originally was slated to air later in the season but was moved up to the premier, presumably because of its quality.
On the show, Jeff Mauro, winner of the seventh season of Food Network Star and host of Sandwich King, hits the road in search of budget-friendly eats across America.
While in Cleveland, Mauro made stops at Danny's Deli, Palookaville Chili, ABC the Tavern, and the West Side Market.
greater cle firms nabbed $1B in vc cash in 5 years
According to a report released by the Venture Capital Advisory Task Force based on data provided by investors and collected by tech-based development organizations BioEnterprise and JumpStart, Greater Cleveland companies attracted $961 million from venture capitalists and angel investors from 2007 to 2011.
That figure represents a 26-percent increase in dollars when compared to the previous five years.
“There is a dramatic change in the activity, the number of investable companies and the quality of the companies in the pipeline in Northeast Ohio from 10 years ago,” says Bill Trainor, co-founder and Managing Director of Mutual Capital Partners Funds I & II.
The bulk of the money went to companies in the fields of biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare service, IT, and software.
“We’re only beginning to see the results of the public, private and philanthropic initiatives begun almost 10 years ago to accelerate the successes of startups in the state,” says Doug Weintraub, JumpStart’s chair and an active investor in the region. “Given that Northeast Ohio started ramping up activity to assist and support the creation and growth of tech companies in 2005 and 2006 -- and that the National Venture Capital Association estimates the average time from initial investment to a company’s exit is about nine years -- we can expect even more success stories in the coming years.”
Read the rest of the news here.
That figure represents a 26-percent increase in dollars when compared to the previous five years.
“There is a dramatic change in the activity, the number of investable companies and the quality of the companies in the pipeline in Northeast Ohio from 10 years ago,” says Bill Trainor, co-founder and Managing Director of Mutual Capital Partners Funds I & II.
The bulk of the money went to companies in the fields of biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare service, IT, and software.
“We’re only beginning to see the results of the public, private and philanthropic initiatives begun almost 10 years ago to accelerate the successes of startups in the state,” says Doug Weintraub, JumpStart’s chair and an active investor in the region. “Given that Northeast Ohio started ramping up activity to assist and support the creation and growth of tech companies in 2005 and 2006 -- and that the National Venture Capital Association estimates the average time from initial investment to a company’s exit is about nine years -- we can expect even more success stories in the coming years.”
Read the rest of the news here.
cle botanical garden first in state to be certified by sustainable sites
Cleveland Botanical Garden earned certification from the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) this week, making it the first organization in Ohio and one of just 11 nationwide to receive the designation. Of the eight organizations to receive SITES certification this week, the Garden was the only one to achieve a three-star rating.
SITES is a partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center of The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden.
Sustainable features added as part of the Garden’s two-year effort to achieve certification include a low-maintenance lawn along East Boulevard, a rain garden that captures runoff, native plants and a green roof that reduces energy costs and slows stormwater runoff. Other behind-the-scenes efforts include composting leftover food from the Garden Café and training all new employees in green practices.
“The Garden is committed to promoting green living to our guests and the Greater Cleveland community at large, and the best way to do that is by example,” says Garden Executive Director Natalie Ronayne. “We hope people will come to the Garden, see what we do here to preserve the environment and then take home some ideas of what they can do.”
Read the rest of the green news here.
SITES is a partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center of The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden.
Sustainable features added as part of the Garden’s two-year effort to achieve certification include a low-maintenance lawn along East Boulevard, a rain garden that captures runoff, native plants and a green roof that reduces energy costs and slows stormwater runoff. Other behind-the-scenes efforts include composting leftover food from the Garden Café and training all new employees in green practices.
“The Garden is committed to promoting green living to our guests and the Greater Cleveland community at large, and the best way to do that is by example,” says Garden Executive Director Natalie Ronayne. “We hope people will come to the Garden, see what we do here to preserve the environment and then take home some ideas of what they can do.”
Read the rest of the green news here.
cpt's ray bobgan in american theatre mag
In a long American Theatre feature and interview titled "The Cleveland Connection," former Plain Dealer theater critic Tony Brown writes about Raymond Bobgan, executive artistic director of Cleveland Public Theatre.
"Cleveland Public Theatre has long been a place of artistic collaboration that earns the right to use the word public in its name," writes Brown. "The cutting-edge theatre has led the metamorphosis of a rough inner-city neighborhood, where once crack dens and motorcycle bars set the tone, into a burgeoning and lively arts district populated with some of Cleveland’s best restaurants and nightclubs."
Of Bobgan, Brown writes, "He turned CPT’s fiscal and creative situation around, despite all the financial risks of doing theatre in a slow economy, not by pulling back but by programming even more theatre, and a riskier kind of theatre to boot. With a relatively modest $1.2 million annual operating budget, CPT does the kind of nontraditional, discipline-bridging theatre -- and has had the kind of success with it -- that even the city’s two far-larger LORT theatres have been obliged to marvel at."
Read the rest of the playbill here.
"Cleveland Public Theatre has long been a place of artistic collaboration that earns the right to use the word public in its name," writes Brown. "The cutting-edge theatre has led the metamorphosis of a rough inner-city neighborhood, where once crack dens and motorcycle bars set the tone, into a burgeoning and lively arts district populated with some of Cleveland’s best restaurants and nightclubs."
Of Bobgan, Brown writes, "He turned CPT’s fiscal and creative situation around, despite all the financial risks of doing theatre in a slow economy, not by pulling back but by programming even more theatre, and a riskier kind of theatre to boot. With a relatively modest $1.2 million annual operating budget, CPT does the kind of nontraditional, discipline-bridging theatre -- and has had the kind of success with it -- that even the city’s two far-larger LORT theatres have been obliged to marvel at."
Read the rest of the playbill here.
planning for gay games, cleveland is 'ahead of schedule'
Metro Weekly, D.C.'s gay and lesbian news magazine, writes in an article titled "Planning for Gay Games in 2014 is ahead of schedule" that "Many people around the world were shocked when Cleveland beat Boston and Washington, D.C., in the battle to host the Gay Games in 2014. However, Ohio's second largest city is proving it is not just up for the task but ready to set the bar for future Gay Games."
Leading up to the Gay Games, which will take place in Cleveland Aug. 9 to 16, 2014, organizers are ahead of schedule when it comes to planning. Organizers announced that 26 hotels in Cleveland and Akron, which is co-hosting the games, have been officially contracted to provide than 20,000 rooms to accommodate more then 11,000 expected participants.
Approximately 35 sports and culture events will be a part of Gay Games. Events will run the gamut from softball, track & field, soccer and swimming to volleyball, bowling, marathon and rowing to band, orchestra and cheer.
"Cleveland has long been active in promoting the city as a welcoming destination for LGBT visitors. Positively Cleveland launched its gay travel marketing campaign in 2007 that included the creation of an LGBT section of its website."
Following the move to be the host city for the Gay Games, Cleveland created a domestic partnership registry and granted domestic partner benefits to city employees.
In 2011, The Advocate named Cleveland among its list of "Gayest Cities in America."
Read the rest here.
Leading up to the Gay Games, which will take place in Cleveland Aug. 9 to 16, 2014, organizers are ahead of schedule when it comes to planning. Organizers announced that 26 hotels in Cleveland and Akron, which is co-hosting the games, have been officially contracted to provide than 20,000 rooms to accommodate more then 11,000 expected participants.
Approximately 35 sports and culture events will be a part of Gay Games. Events will run the gamut from softball, track & field, soccer and swimming to volleyball, bowling, marathon and rowing to band, orchestra and cheer.
"Cleveland has long been active in promoting the city as a welcoming destination for LGBT visitors. Positively Cleveland launched its gay travel marketing campaign in 2007 that included the creation of an LGBT section of its website."
Following the move to be the host city for the Gay Games, Cleveland created a domestic partnership registry and granted domestic partner benefits to city employees.
In 2011, The Advocate named Cleveland among its list of "Gayest Cities in America."
Read the rest here.
cleveland is best example of 'market city,' says smithsonian
In the Smithsonian blog, Sarah Rich describes "What Public Spaces Like Cleveland’s West Side Market Mean for Cities," a lead-up of sorts to the Public Markets Conference to be held in Cleveland next week.
Rich writes that, "Markets have long been an important organizing principle for infrastructure, traffic patterns, and human activity in a city, but in many places, the grand buildings that once housed central markets have gone neglected, and the businesses inside are long shuttered. Where public markets are still in operation or have been revived, however, it’s hard to find a stronger example of the power of placemaking."
These places are Market Cities, where public food sources “act as hubs for the region and function as great multi-use destinations, with many activities clustering nearby… Market Cities are, in essence, places where food is one of the fundamental building blocks of urban life -- not just fuel that you use to get through the day.”
"There are a number of good examples of market cities in the U.S., but one of the best is Cleveland, where the century-old West Side Market has become a key engine in the city’s revitalization. The market building itself is one of Cleveland’s finest architectural gems -- a vast, red-brick terminal with stunningly high vaulted ceilings, book-ended with massive, arched windows."
"The West Side Market is now just one (albeit sizeable) node in a buzzing network of food-related endeavors -- restaurants, farmers’ markets, urban farms -- which are assembling into a whole new identity for the Rust Belt city."
Read the rest of the report here.
Rich writes that, "Markets have long been an important organizing principle for infrastructure, traffic patterns, and human activity in a city, but in many places, the grand buildings that once housed central markets have gone neglected, and the businesses inside are long shuttered. Where public markets are still in operation or have been revived, however, it’s hard to find a stronger example of the power of placemaking."
These places are Market Cities, where public food sources “act as hubs for the region and function as great multi-use destinations, with many activities clustering nearby… Market Cities are, in essence, places where food is one of the fundamental building blocks of urban life -- not just fuel that you use to get through the day.”
"There are a number of good examples of market cities in the U.S., but one of the best is Cleveland, where the century-old West Side Market has become a key engine in the city’s revitalization. The market building itself is one of Cleveland’s finest architectural gems -- a vast, red-brick terminal with stunningly high vaulted ceilings, book-ended with massive, arched windows."
"The West Side Market is now just one (albeit sizeable) node in a buzzing network of food-related endeavors -- restaurants, farmers’ markets, urban farms -- which are assembling into a whole new identity for the Rust Belt city."
Read the rest of the report here.
west shoreway a 'freeway without a future'
In an article titled "Which Urban Freeways Are Ready to Go?" Next American City writer Alex Vuocolo highlights an issue near and dear to many a Clevelander's heart.
"To many city-dwellers, the obsolescence of aging urban highways is obvious. Here in Philadelphia, for instance, I-95 is fast-approaching the end of its design life. What will become of it -- particularly a three-mile stretch along the Delaware River that divides the city from its waterfront -- has occupied the concern and imagination of residents and city planners alike."
Cleveland's West Shoreway is just such a stretch -- and we aren't the only ones who think so.
The Congress for the New Urbanism, a proponent of more walkable and less automobile-oriented cities, identifies urban freeways primed for demolition crews. In its most recent listing of "2012 Freeways Without Futures," a dozen urban American freeways are called out for the following factors: “The age and design of structures, redevelopment potential, potential cost savings, ability to improve both overall mobility and local access, existence of pending infrastructure decisions, and community support.”
Here are the freeways included:
1. I-10/Claiborne Overpass, New Orleans
2. I-895/Sheridan Expressway, New York City (Bronx)
3. Route 34/Oak Street Connector, New Haven
4. Route 5/Skyway, Buffalo
5. I-395/Overtown Expressway, Miami
6. I-70, St. Louis
7. West Shoreway, Cleveland
8. I-490/Inner Loop, Rochester
9. I-81, Syracuse
10. Gardiner Expressway, Toronto
11. Aetna Viaduct, Hartford
12. Route 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct, Seattle
Read the rest here.
"To many city-dwellers, the obsolescence of aging urban highways is obvious. Here in Philadelphia, for instance, I-95 is fast-approaching the end of its design life. What will become of it -- particularly a three-mile stretch along the Delaware River that divides the city from its waterfront -- has occupied the concern and imagination of residents and city planners alike."
Cleveland's West Shoreway is just such a stretch -- and we aren't the only ones who think so.
The Congress for the New Urbanism, a proponent of more walkable and less automobile-oriented cities, identifies urban freeways primed for demolition crews. In its most recent listing of "2012 Freeways Without Futures," a dozen urban American freeways are called out for the following factors: “The age and design of structures, redevelopment potential, potential cost savings, ability to improve both overall mobility and local access, existence of pending infrastructure decisions, and community support.”
Here are the freeways included:
1. I-10/Claiborne Overpass, New Orleans
2. I-895/Sheridan Expressway, New York City (Bronx)
3. Route 34/Oak Street Connector, New Haven
4. Route 5/Skyway, Buffalo
5. I-395/Overtown Expressway, Miami
6. I-70, St. Louis
7. West Shoreway, Cleveland
8. I-490/Inner Loop, Rochester
9. I-81, Syracuse
10. Gardiner Expressway, Toronto
11. Aetna Viaduct, Hartford
12. Route 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct, Seattle
Read the rest here.
leisure group travel pays tribute to 100-year-old west side market
“Whether you’re hankering for a hot dog or gyros, exotic cheeses, a hot donut or fresh-ground peanut butter, head for the West Side Market, a Cleveland institution celebrating its 100th year,” writes Randy Mink in an article published in Leisure Group Travel, a trade publication for group travel buyers.
While we Clevelanders take pride in the iconic market that has served us well for 100 years, it still is able to captivate those who walk the isles for the first time.
“With its Old World charm, the market makes a great lunch and shopping stop for groups. Reflecting Cleveland’s ethnic diversity, it offers a variety of tempting prepared foods, from Polish pierogis to Cambodian, Mexican and Middle Eastern specialties. At Frickaccio’s Pizza Market you can pick up all kinds of pizza supplies, including frozen dough, as well as hot pizza, toasted subs and pepperoni rolls.”
While we Clevelanders take pride in the iconic market that has served us well for 100 years, it still is able to captivate those who walk the isles for the first time.
“With its Old World charm, the market makes a great lunch and shopping stop for groups. Reflecting Cleveland’s ethnic diversity, it offers a variety of tempting prepared foods, from Polish pierogis to Cambodian, Mexican and Middle Eastern specialties. At Frickaccio’s Pizza Market you can pick up all kinds of pizza supplies, including frozen dough, as well as hot pizza, toasted subs and pepperoni rolls.”
Read the full lengthy feature here.