Downtown
photo essay of trip through cleveland
"US Route 6 is the longest contiguous transcontinental route in the USA," says the blog site Stay on Route 6. "Running from Provincetown, MA to Bishop, CA (and before 1964 to Long Beach, CA), Route 6 goes through 14 states. This is your guide along all of its original 3,652 miles. From Revolutionary War sites to pioneer settlements and western mining towns, Route 6 offers an in-depth lesson in US History, charms of yesteryear and comforts of modern times."
For this post, the writer takes readers on a visual trip through Cleveland, with stops along the way in downtown, Asiatown, University Circle, Little Italy, Lakewood, and Detroit Shoreway,
Check it out here.
"US Route 6 is the longest contiguous transcontinental route in the USA," says the blog site Stay on Route 6. "Running from Provincetown, MA to Bishop, CA (and before 1964 to Long Beach, CA), Route 6 goes through 14 states. This is your guide along all of its original 3,652 miles. From Revolutionary War sites to pioneer settlements and western mining towns, Route 6 offers an in-depth lesson in US History, charms of yesteryear and comforts of modern times."
For this post, the writer takes readers on a visual trip through Cleveland, with stops along the way in downtown, Asiatown, University Circle, Little Italy, Lakewood, and Detroit Shoreway,
Check it out here.
A new initiative being pioneered by Cuyahoga County, Policy Matters Ohio and a bevy of partners aims to create more energy-efficient municipal buildings and catalyze the creation of green, living wage jobs.
Now that advocacy within the green jobs movement has shifted away from the state and federal level -- where activity is slow or nonexistent -- organizers are counting on this new initiative to help create a new model for energy-efficient construction as well as stimulate good, union jobs in Cuyahoga County.
"We were pushing on the national level, but when the cap and trade legislation fell apart, we still lacked a comprehensive energy strategy," says Shanelle Smith, local organizer for the Emerald Cities Cleveland-Cuyahoga County project. "We had the economic stimulus, but now that the money is on the ground, it's about organizing locally so it benefits all of us."
Emerald Cities, which was approved last week by Cuyahoga County Council, aims to "create a clean energy economy by developing community workforce opportunities, enhancing environmentally sustainable practices and working to make government buildings more energy efficient," according to a release.
The initiative aims to make municipal buildings in Cuyahoga County 20 percent more energy-efficient by 2020. Emerald Cities will achieve this by seeking financing mechanisms to help local governments pay for projects, creating community workforce agreements to help foster union jobs, and participating in the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge.
"We want to build a pipeline to unionized apprenticeships for underrepresented communities," says Smith. "Our goal is to help create family-sustaining jobs."
Now that the initiative has been approved by Cuyahoga County, Emerald Cities partners are working together to assemble a strategic plan for implementation.
Source: Shanelle Smith
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Now that advocacy within the green jobs movement has shifted away from the state and federal level -- where activity is slow or nonexistent -- organizers are counting on this new initiative to help create a new model for energy-efficient construction as well as stimulate good, union jobs in Cuyahoga County.
"We were pushing on the national level, but when the cap and trade legislation fell apart, we still lacked a comprehensive energy strategy," says Shanelle Smith, local organizer for the Emerald Cities Cleveland-Cuyahoga County project. "We had the economic stimulus, but now that the money is on the ground, it's about organizing locally so it benefits all of us."
Emerald Cities, which was approved last week by Cuyahoga County Council, aims to "create a clean energy economy by developing community workforce opportunities, enhancing environmentally sustainable practices and working to make government buildings more energy efficient," according to a release.
The initiative aims to make municipal buildings in Cuyahoga County 20 percent more energy-efficient by 2020. Emerald Cities will achieve this by seeking financing mechanisms to help local governments pay for projects, creating community workforce agreements to help foster union jobs, and participating in the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge.
"We want to build a pipeline to unionized apprenticeships for underrepresented communities," says Smith. "Our goal is to help create family-sustaining jobs."
Now that the initiative has been approved by Cuyahoga County, Emerald Cities partners are working together to assemble a strategic plan for implementation.
Source: Shanelle Smith
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Developers of the long-awaited Flats East Bank development broke ground in the worst economy in generations by hook or crook, breaking the project into phases and layering public-private financing together in a deal that was dizzyingly complex.
This week, they're singing a different tune as they celebrate new leases from five high-profile restaurant tenants, including well-known Akron restaurateur Ken Stewart and national country music venue chain Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill.
Four new restaurants will open as part of Phase I, which is expected to be complete in 2013. I Love This Bar and Grill will open as part of Phase II, which the developers hope to break ground on next year if they can assemble financing.
Ken Stewart's, well-known for steak and seafood, will add a new name to the downtown restaurant scene. Lago will move its successful Tremont location to a new, larger space in the Flats East Bank. Flip Side is a gourmet burger bar with two locations in Hudson and Columbus, while Dos Tequilas will be a high-end, urban taqueria.
Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill will add a new element to the downtown music scene. The developers hope the venue, a barbeque joint that will be shaped like a guitar, will tap into an unmet demand for live country music in Cleveland.
"We had interested operators from the beginning, but we took our time to select those that were most exciting," says Randy Ruttenberg with Fairmount Properties. "We're currently working on the capital stack for Phase II, which will feature around 150 residential units, waterfront retail and entertainment."
Source: Randy Ruttenberg
Writer: Lee Chilcote
This week, they're singing a different tune as they celebrate new leases from five high-profile restaurant tenants, including well-known Akron restaurateur Ken Stewart and national country music venue chain Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill.
Four new restaurants will open as part of Phase I, which is expected to be complete in 2013. I Love This Bar and Grill will open as part of Phase II, which the developers hope to break ground on next year if they can assemble financing.
Ken Stewart's, well-known for steak and seafood, will add a new name to the downtown restaurant scene. Lago will move its successful Tremont location to a new, larger space in the Flats East Bank. Flip Side is a gourmet burger bar with two locations in Hudson and Columbus, while Dos Tequilas will be a high-end, urban taqueria.
Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill will add a new element to the downtown music scene. The developers hope the venue, a barbeque joint that will be shaped like a guitar, will tap into an unmet demand for live country music in Cleveland.
"We had interested operators from the beginning, but we took our time to select those that were most exciting," says Randy Ruttenberg with Fairmount Properties. "We're currently working on the capital stack for Phase II, which will feature around 150 residential units, waterfront retail and entertainment."
Source: Randy Ruttenberg
Writer: Lee Chilcote
new york times reviews induction ceremony
"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, a gleaming glass pyramid on the shore of Lake Erie, has become a proud symbol of this city. And Cleveland’s rock fans turned out in droves for the hall’s 27th induction ceremony on Saturday, only the third time it has been held here," writes the New York Times.
Highlightes include The Red Hot Chili Peppers playing with Slash of Guns N’ Roses, George Clinton of Parliament-Funkadelic and Ronnie Wood of the Faces and the Rolling Stones. For a Beastie Boys tribute, Kid Rock, Black Thought of the Roots and Travie McCoy of Gym Class Heroes rapped in old-school green Adidas jumpsuits.
"The ceremony, at the stately Public Auditorium -- a 1920s Beaux-Arts monolith a few blocks from the museum -- also honored Donovan; the blues guitarist Freddie King; the linked British invasion bands Small Faces and the Faces; the music executive Don Kirshner; and an array of backup groups."
"And in between encomiums, blistering jams and shaggy-dog stories about rockers’ early years, musicians spoke of cities as inspiration, common ground or hell."
Read the rest of the liner notes here.
Highlightes include The Red Hot Chili Peppers playing with Slash of Guns N’ Roses, George Clinton of Parliament-Funkadelic and Ronnie Wood of the Faces and the Rolling Stones. For a Beastie Boys tribute, Kid Rock, Black Thought of the Roots and Travie McCoy of Gym Class Heroes rapped in old-school green Adidas jumpsuits.
"The ceremony, at the stately Public Auditorium -- a 1920s Beaux-Arts monolith a few blocks from the museum -- also honored Donovan; the blues guitarist Freddie King; the linked British invasion bands Small Faces and the Faces; the music executive Don Kirshner; and an array of backup groups."
"And in between encomiums, blistering jams and shaggy-dog stories about rockers’ early years, musicians spoke of cities as inspiration, common ground or hell."
Read the rest of the liner notes here.
As a region we are fortunate to have NOCHE, the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education, leading our regional efforts to increase college attainment levels. Their efforts, called The Northeast Ohio Talent Dividend, has three primary goals: improve college readiness of high school and adult students, increase student retention through degree completion, and increase degree attainment among adults with some college experience but no degree.
cleveland revs up for rock and roll hall of fame induction festivities
In a long and sweeping feature in Rolling Stone, the magazine highlights the events in Cleveland surrounding the 27th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
"Bill Rowley, chair of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum board, compares the induction ceremony to a Super Bowl that comes to town every three years. Cleveland fans "not only support [the induction] financially, but they will be there at every party, every night, and it will be jam-packed," he says.
"Bill Rowley, chair of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum board, compares the induction ceremony to a Super Bowl that comes to town every three years. Cleveland fans "not only support [the induction] financially, but they will be there at every party, every night, and it will be jam-packed," he says.
Read more here.
"Events like TEDxCLE are changing how people feel about Cleveland and rebranding the city," says founder Hallie Bram Kogelschatz. More than simply inspirational, the annual event is about "inspiration turned into action." Despite a larger space -- the 700-seat Gartner Auditorium at the Cleveland Museum of Art -- all tickets still managed to sell out in minutes. Here's a sample of what's in store.
10 quintessential u.s. meals and where to get them
CNN recentlly published a list of "10 quintessential U.S. meals and where to get them."
"Grilled, fried, slathered in cheese, wolfed down on a street corner. These timeless stateside feeds never disappoint," states the travel feature.
Under the headline "Steak," reads the following:
"Just about every U.S. city has its legendary steak place, but Michael Symon’s Roast in Detroit is the one that sizzles in our dreams.
"The restaurant is located inside the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit hotel, but executive chef Andy Hollyday says don’t be intimidated by the valet or linen. Waiters here wear jeans and the loose, happy-hour vibe at the bar sets the tone for the restaurant.
"Hollyday’s favorite is the 450-gram house-aged rib-eye, aged for three weeks, then grilled over hardwood charcoal and topped with a marinade of orange juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and roasted blue cheese."
Read the whole list here.
"Grilled, fried, slathered in cheese, wolfed down on a street corner. These timeless stateside feeds never disappoint," states the travel feature.
Under the headline "Steak," reads the following:
"Just about every U.S. city has its legendary steak place, but Michael Symon’s Roast in Detroit is the one that sizzles in our dreams.
"The restaurant is located inside the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit hotel, but executive chef Andy Hollyday says don’t be intimidated by the valet or linen. Waiters here wear jeans and the loose, happy-hour vibe at the bar sets the tone for the restaurant.
"Hollyday’s favorite is the 450-gram house-aged rib-eye, aged for three weeks, then grilled over hardwood charcoal and topped with a marinade of orange juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and roasted blue cheese."
Read the whole list here.
wall street journal touts rock hall archives opening
A recent item in the Wall Street Journal highlighted the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame archives.
"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation is best known for its raucous induction ceremonies -- on April 15, acts including the Beastie Boys, Guns N' Roses and the Miracles will be welcomed into the fold. But today, the 29-year-old institution is emphasizing a quieter aspect of its mission with the grand opening of a new library and archives facility near its Cleveland, Ohio, headquarters."
"The library's collection spans more than 3,500 books, 1,400 audio recordings and 270 videos. It includes contracts, correspondence and photographs donated by industry icons such as Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley's original guitarist, whose papers were recently acquired. The Rock Hall had been accumulating such materials for years, but it was difficult for the public to access them; there wasn't much room for storage and research in the museum's pyramid-shaped headquarters."
Read the rest here.
"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation is best known for its raucous induction ceremonies -- on April 15, acts including the Beastie Boys, Guns N' Roses and the Miracles will be welcomed into the fold. But today, the 29-year-old institution is emphasizing a quieter aspect of its mission with the grand opening of a new library and archives facility near its Cleveland, Ohio, headquarters."
"The library's collection spans more than 3,500 books, 1,400 audio recordings and 270 videos. It includes contracts, correspondence and photographs donated by industry icons such as Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley's original guitarist, whose papers were recently acquired. The Rock Hall had been accumulating such materials for years, but it was difficult for the public to access them; there wasn't much room for storage and research in the museum's pyramid-shaped headquarters."
Read the rest here.
saving cities documentary aims to tell true story of a rising rust belt
A year ago, Jack Storey launched an ambitious project to create a documentary about the Rust Belt with no money, no filmmaking experience and no camera.
But he did have Kickstarter.
Today, Storey and his partners have raised over $20,000 through the popular arts-focused fundraising website. They have crisscrossed the Rust Belt region while garnering more than 100 hours of footage of entrepreneurs and civic-minded individuals. Saving Cities, the grassroots "idea bank" that Storey helped found in 2010, plans to release the documentary, entitled Red, White and Blueprints, early next year.
"We're stubborn and we love it here, but we don't defend ourselves very well to the outside, and the perspective of national media tends to be lopsided," explains Storey, who recently participated in a panel discussion of Cleveland artists funded through Kickstarter. "Our goal is to have a very positive piece of media that tells the story of the Rust Belt from boom to decline, and also talks about the future and entrepreneurs who are doing creative things with very few resources."
Red, White and Blueprints will highlight the connections between small, hyperlocal efforts taking place in various Rust Belt cities to paint a coherent picture of a diverse, interconnected region. It will also suggest that Rust Belt cities could do a significantly better job sharing successes between various metropolitan areas, and in turn, furthering these connections for mutual benefit.
"All of these cities used to be connected by railroads," says Storey. "We're talking about the Rust Belt as a mega-region. We can digitally reconnect these cities in conversation."
Saving Cities has launched another Kickstarter campaign to fund the final leg of the documentary, including editing and duplication. Storey hopes to begin sending the film to festivals and organize a series of community screenings next year.
Now that the project is nearing fruition, Storey has a better understanding of why he needed to do it. "Maybe for good reason, we're the only people to do this. We were crazy enough to get in a car and drive around the region several times. In hindsight, I'm glad we did it, but it was a huge undertaking."
Source: Jack Storey
Writer: Lee Chilcote
But he did have Kickstarter.
Today, Storey and his partners have raised over $20,000 through the popular arts-focused fundraising website. They have crisscrossed the Rust Belt region while garnering more than 100 hours of footage of entrepreneurs and civic-minded individuals. Saving Cities, the grassroots "idea bank" that Storey helped found in 2010, plans to release the documentary, entitled Red, White and Blueprints, early next year.
"We're stubborn and we love it here, but we don't defend ourselves very well to the outside, and the perspective of national media tends to be lopsided," explains Storey, who recently participated in a panel discussion of Cleveland artists funded through Kickstarter. "Our goal is to have a very positive piece of media that tells the story of the Rust Belt from boom to decline, and also talks about the future and entrepreneurs who are doing creative things with very few resources."
Red, White and Blueprints will highlight the connections between small, hyperlocal efforts taking place in various Rust Belt cities to paint a coherent picture of a diverse, interconnected region. It will also suggest that Rust Belt cities could do a significantly better job sharing successes between various metropolitan areas, and in turn, furthering these connections for mutual benefit.
"All of these cities used to be connected by railroads," says Storey. "We're talking about the Rust Belt as a mega-region. We can digitally reconnect these cities in conversation."
Saving Cities has launched another Kickstarter campaign to fund the final leg of the documentary, including editing and duplication. Storey hopes to begin sending the film to festivals and organize a series of community screenings next year.
Now that the project is nearing fruition, Storey has a better understanding of why he needed to do it. "Maybe for good reason, we're the only people to do this. We were crazy enough to get in a car and drive around the region several times. In hindsight, I'm glad we did it, but it was a huge undertaking."
Source: Jack Storey
Writer: Lee Chilcote
oregonian visits the rock and roll hall of fame and museum
In this travel feature for the Oregonian, a writer visits the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
"Ever wonder why geezer rockers continue to tour across the country playing songs that haven't been hits since Richard Nixon was president?" begins the item.
"Come to Cleveland and find out. Like tie-dyed pilgrims, the over-40 generation flocks to this glass pyramid in the heart of Middle America to relive the soundtrack of their lives at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
"The Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones, Woodstock, R&B, Motown, Elton, Springsteen. All are celebrated in full glory. There's everything from Jimi Hendrix's hand-scribbled "Purple Haze" lyrics to Janis Joplin's 1965 psychedelic-painted Porsche."
Read the rest here.
"Ever wonder why geezer rockers continue to tour across the country playing songs that haven't been hits since Richard Nixon was president?" begins the item.
"Come to Cleveland and find out. Like tie-dyed pilgrims, the over-40 generation flocks to this glass pyramid in the heart of Middle America to relive the soundtrack of their lives at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
"The Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones, Woodstock, R&B, Motown, Elton, Springsteen. All are celebrated in full glory. There's everything from Jimi Hendrix's hand-scribbled "Purple Haze" lyrics to Janis Joplin's 1965 psychedelic-painted Porsche."
Read the rest here.
Do you want to see more mountain bike trails in the Metroparks? Or spur trails that lead visitors through secluded, natural landscapes? Could the Metroparks take over the city's ailing, neglected lakefront park system, which suffers from millions in deferred maintenance from the cash-strapped State of Ohio?
These issues and many others will be the focus of public meetings scheduled in April and May by the Cleveland Metroparks. The Metroparks is seeking to present and gather feedback on its Emerald Necklace Centennial Plan, a document that has been in the works for more than two years and will guide the park system for the next decade.
The focus of the Metroparks over the past 10 years has been on preserving a well-maintained park system while also completing a loop trail through the Emerald Necklace. The new Master Plan will address basic maintenance needs like roads and bridges, while also planning for new projects, such as completing more spur trails. The plan comes at a crucial time, as the park system is dealing with a decline in state funding and the need to pass a new operating levy in 2013.
There has also been discussion about the Metroparks taking over lakefront parks in Cleveland, as well as Wendy Park at Whisky Island and, ultimately, the newly-created Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. According to Jim Kastelic, Senior Park Planner at the Metroparks, the Master Plan directly addresses these opportunities.
"When we surveyed Northeast Ohioans about whether Cleveland's lakefront parks should be operated by the same organization, 47 percent said yes and 37 percent said they weren't sure," says Kastelic, who cites the Metroparks' recent acquisition of two acres at Rivergate Park in the Flats and its agreement to manage the Towpath Trail in Cleveland as evidence of its commitment to urban parks and recreation. "That tells us that it's something that we need to look at."
Kastelic says the Centennial Plan will also focus on such key areas as green infrastructure, health of surrounding watersheds, strengthening the Metroparks' role in urban areas and creating a regional greenway system.
Additional meetings slated for April and May will largely focus on plans for individual Metroparks. Once the plan is finalized, the Metroparks will develop a list of strategic priorities and seek a levy in November of 2013.
Source: Cleveland Metroparks
Writer: Lee Chilcote
These issues and many others will be the focus of public meetings scheduled in April and May by the Cleveland Metroparks. The Metroparks is seeking to present and gather feedback on its Emerald Necklace Centennial Plan, a document that has been in the works for more than two years and will guide the park system for the next decade.
The focus of the Metroparks over the past 10 years has been on preserving a well-maintained park system while also completing a loop trail through the Emerald Necklace. The new Master Plan will address basic maintenance needs like roads and bridges, while also planning for new projects, such as completing more spur trails. The plan comes at a crucial time, as the park system is dealing with a decline in state funding and the need to pass a new operating levy in 2013.
There has also been discussion about the Metroparks taking over lakefront parks in Cleveland, as well as Wendy Park at Whisky Island and, ultimately, the newly-created Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. According to Jim Kastelic, Senior Park Planner at the Metroparks, the Master Plan directly addresses these opportunities.
"When we surveyed Northeast Ohioans about whether Cleveland's lakefront parks should be operated by the same organization, 47 percent said yes and 37 percent said they weren't sure," says Kastelic, who cites the Metroparks' recent acquisition of two acres at Rivergate Park in the Flats and its agreement to manage the Towpath Trail in Cleveland as evidence of its commitment to urban parks and recreation. "That tells us that it's something that we need to look at."
Kastelic says the Centennial Plan will also focus on such key areas as green infrastructure, health of surrounding watersheds, strengthening the Metroparks' role in urban areas and creating a regional greenway system.
Additional meetings slated for April and May will largely focus on plans for individual Metroparks. Once the plan is finalized, the Metroparks will develop a list of strategic priorities and seek a levy in November of 2013.
Source: Cleveland Metroparks
Writer: Lee Chilcote
'voice your choice' project helps students articulate musical choices
Pop music is notoriously ephemeral. In fact, many of the hottest chart toppers from recent years already have faded into the dusty annals of stardom.
Yet, get into a conversation with the average 15-year-old and he or she will happily rave about their favorite artists. Still, while these young people may have strong feelings about which artists truly matter and have staying power, can they support their claims using a strong argument backed by analysis?
That's exactly what a new project launched this year by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum asks students to do. "Voice Your Choice," a national project that invites students to create their own inductee class, aims to help teach students to make aesthetic judgments and learn history through music.
"We try to teach kids in the 7th-12th grades how to articulate their own aesthetic standards," says Lauren Onkey, Vice President for Education and Public Programs at the Rock Hall. "That's really hard to do, because a lot of the time when we're talking about music we love, we just love it. But why? This project is about developing our own criteria and describing them in detail."
The project garnered video and essay submissions from 25 schools around the country, as well as one in Canada and Australia. This week, as a flurry of Induction Week activities happen in Cleveland, the Rock Hall will host a group of educators for a teacher development workshop focused around "Voice Your Choice."
"One of the things that teachers struggle with are content standards in different disciplinary subjects," says Onkey, who adds that the Rock Hall's on site educational programs reach 20,000 students each year and thousands more through distance learning offerings and curricula it shares with teachers. "They tell us this is a really great teaching tool for getting at those standards."
Voice Your Choice is also a great tool for reaching students in their own milieu. "An artist from the 1950s might as well be from the 1850s for many young people. Yet if music is presented in the right way, they'll embrace it from all over the map."
Source: Lauren Onkey
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Yet, get into a conversation with the average 15-year-old and he or she will happily rave about their favorite artists. Still, while these young people may have strong feelings about which artists truly matter and have staying power, can they support their claims using a strong argument backed by analysis?
That's exactly what a new project launched this year by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum asks students to do. "Voice Your Choice," a national project that invites students to create their own inductee class, aims to help teach students to make aesthetic judgments and learn history through music.
"We try to teach kids in the 7th-12th grades how to articulate their own aesthetic standards," says Lauren Onkey, Vice President for Education and Public Programs at the Rock Hall. "That's really hard to do, because a lot of the time when we're talking about music we love, we just love it. But why? This project is about developing our own criteria and describing them in detail."
The project garnered video and essay submissions from 25 schools around the country, as well as one in Canada and Australia. This week, as a flurry of Induction Week activities happen in Cleveland, the Rock Hall will host a group of educators for a teacher development workshop focused around "Voice Your Choice."
"One of the things that teachers struggle with are content standards in different disciplinary subjects," says Onkey, who adds that the Rock Hall's on site educational programs reach 20,000 students each year and thousands more through distance learning offerings and curricula it shares with teachers. "They tell us this is a really great teaching tool for getting at those standards."
Voice Your Choice is also a great tool for reaching students in their own milieu. "An artist from the 1950s might as well be from the 1850s for many young people. Yet if music is presented in the right way, they'll embrace it from all over the map."
Source: Lauren Onkey
Writer: Lee Chilcote
LeanDog Software Studio has seen success as a software delivery firm and the team enjoys sharing their knowledge and mentoring others in the field. So the natural progression for the 55-person company was to expand into the world of fostering entrepreneurs in the tech field. The launch of LeanDog Labs does exactly that.
“Labs was really a part of our original vision of LeanDog,” says Nick Barendt, director of LeanDog Labs. “Very early on we were working with startups, but we were bootstrapped as a startup ourselves and cash poor. We really wanted to get back into working with Cleveland-based startups.”
LeanDog Labs teaches what they know to up-and-coming technology experts. They don’t invest in the companies; they are focused on being a technology partner. “We’re not looking to fund or provide office space. We’re there on the technology end to help entrepreneurs deliver their vision,” says Doc Norton, director of LeanDog Studio. “We’re looking to be a delivery partner in the startups.”
The company is in a position now to help out. LeanDog grew to 45 people from 18 people last year, and has hired 10 employees this year -- four of them just last week. Barendt and Norton see that growth as an opportunity to spread the expertise around.
“We're looking to work with entrepreneurs to help build their product vision,” says Barendt. “We have an absolutely amazing group of developers with incredibly diverse experiences, from mobile and web to financial and insurance to real time control and embedded systems, and we can make that collective experience available to our entrepreneurial partners.”
Source: Nick Barendt and Doc Norton
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Labs was really a part of our original vision of LeanDog,” says Nick Barendt, director of LeanDog Labs. “Very early on we were working with startups, but we were bootstrapped as a startup ourselves and cash poor. We really wanted to get back into working with Cleveland-based startups.”
LeanDog Labs teaches what they know to up-and-coming technology experts. They don’t invest in the companies; they are focused on being a technology partner. “We’re not looking to fund or provide office space. We’re there on the technology end to help entrepreneurs deliver their vision,” says Doc Norton, director of LeanDog Studio. “We’re looking to be a delivery partner in the startups.”
The company is in a position now to help out. LeanDog grew to 45 people from 18 people last year, and has hired 10 employees this year -- four of them just last week. Barendt and Norton see that growth as an opportunity to spread the expertise around.
“We're looking to work with entrepreneurs to help build their product vision,” says Barendt. “We have an absolutely amazing group of developers with incredibly diverse experiences, from mobile and web to financial and insurance to real time control and embedded systems, and we can make that collective experience available to our entrepreneurial partners.”
Source: Nick Barendt and Doc Norton
Writer: Karin Connelly
When Jeremy Amos and Matt Benton were working together at a bank a few years back, they constantly heard from potential investors about how difficult the college admissions process was for their children. They found that finding the right college was often confusing, complicated and even expensive.
So, in 2011, Amos and Benton came up with Upclique -- a free forum to connect students with the information they need to find the college that fits their needs, and allowing colleges to attract quality students. “We offer students a very detailed search tool that helps them narrow down their number of potential schools to a list that is manageable,” says Amos. “Once they have narrowed their list we provide them with all the necessary info they will need regarding the school to make a quality decision.”
Amos describes Upclique as the FaceBook of academia. “Our main goal was to create a site where students, parents, college counselors and college personnel come together,” says Amos. “They can come to our site not knowing a thing about what to do or where to go and we can immediately help them from this point."
Since its official launch at the end of February, Upclique has recruited 180 colleges, 35 high schools and 150 students and parents. “We’ve had really great growth,” says Amos.
Upclique’s revenue comes from third party sponsors in academics. They recently received an investment from Ancora Advisors in Beachwood, and they are endorsed by the National Catholic College Admission Association, which represents more than 200 colleges across the country.
Amos and Benton recently hired a CTO, who contracts with four outside developers.
Source: Jeremy Amos
Writer: Karin Connelly
So, in 2011, Amos and Benton came up with Upclique -- a free forum to connect students with the information they need to find the college that fits their needs, and allowing colleges to attract quality students. “We offer students a very detailed search tool that helps them narrow down their number of potential schools to a list that is manageable,” says Amos. “Once they have narrowed their list we provide them with all the necessary info they will need regarding the school to make a quality decision.”
Amos describes Upclique as the FaceBook of academia. “Our main goal was to create a site where students, parents, college counselors and college personnel come together,” says Amos. “They can come to our site not knowing a thing about what to do or where to go and we can immediately help them from this point."
Since its official launch at the end of February, Upclique has recruited 180 colleges, 35 high schools and 150 students and parents. “We’ve had really great growth,” says Amos.
Upclique’s revenue comes from third party sponsors in academics. They recently received an investment from Ancora Advisors in Beachwood, and they are endorsed by the National Catholic College Admission Association, which represents more than 200 colleges across the country.
Amos and Benton recently hired a CTO, who contracts with four outside developers.
Source: Jeremy Amos
Writer: Karin Connelly
Since its inception in 1984, Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil has entertained over 100 million spectators. Close to 15 million people will see a show in 2012 alone. The now-world famous acrobatic theatre troupe bounds into Cleveland this weekend to perform Dralion. Fresh Water photographer Bob Perkoski "snuck" into Thursday's rehearsal for some rare behind-the-scenes glimpses of what goes into preparing for a show.
Moving counter to the assertion that Print is Dead!, two local optimists have just launched a new print magazine. Edible Cleveland is a new print quarterly that focuses on the local food scene -- not just restaurants and chefs, but also farmers, history, tradition and lore. FW's Erin O'Brien brakes bread with publishers Noelle Celeste and Jon Benedict.
Ameica21 Project and BioEnterprise will host the country’s first Minority Biomedical Entrepreneurship Conference May 21-22 at the Cleveland Marriott to increase minority competitiveness in the biomedical industry, as well as provide a forum for networking and education. Minorities currently represent less than five percent of the biomedical workforce.
“America21 Project has paired with BioEnterprise to help connect the disconnected,” says Johnathan Holified, co-founder and chief evangelist for America21 Project, a minority innovation and competitiveness initiative. “We believe the initial conference will be the first step in connecting minorities, particularly African Americans and Latinos. We want to establish Cleveland hospitals as a community that welcomes these inspirations.”
The event will offer panel discussions and workshops on the key issues and practical advice on starting and growing a biomedical company. The conference will also allow for entrepreneurial pitch sessions with investors and mentors. “The pitch sessions will allow entrepreneurs to showcase their companies to potential investors and get feedback,” says Holified.
Frank Douglas, president of the Austen BioInnovation Institute and former executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Aventis will be the keynote speaker. A national steering committee of Hispanic and African American leaders in the biomedical industry will also attend.
Holified expects about 150 people to attend the event, and hopes it will gain popularity at future conferences. “Our intent is to grow the conference and make it an annual destination,” he says.
Source: Johnathan Holified
Writer: Karin Connelly
“America21 Project has paired with BioEnterprise to help connect the disconnected,” says Johnathan Holified, co-founder and chief evangelist for America21 Project, a minority innovation and competitiveness initiative. “We believe the initial conference will be the first step in connecting minorities, particularly African Americans and Latinos. We want to establish Cleveland hospitals as a community that welcomes these inspirations.”
The event will offer panel discussions and workshops on the key issues and practical advice on starting and growing a biomedical company. The conference will also allow for entrepreneurial pitch sessions with investors and mentors. “The pitch sessions will allow entrepreneurs to showcase their companies to potential investors and get feedback,” says Holified.
Frank Douglas, president of the Austen BioInnovation Institute and former executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Aventis will be the keynote speaker. A national steering committee of Hispanic and African American leaders in the biomedical industry will also attend.
Holified expects about 150 people to attend the event, and hopes it will gain popularity at future conferences. “Our intent is to grow the conference and make it an annual destination,” he says.
Source: Johnathan Holified
Writer: Karin Connelly
After developing their idea for an online funeral services resource at the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business’ 10-Xelerator last summer, Mike Belsito and Bryan Chaikin have proved eFuneral to be a successful endeavor.
Originally called FunerAlly, the company was founded in June 2011. Belsito and Chaikin changed to name to eFuneral when they went live in February. The company provides an online platform for families to quickly find, compare and select a funeral provider. “eFuneral is a simple way for our customer base to understand it is technology focused,” explains Belsito. “One of the things we underestimated is how difficult it would be to create a brand name.”
After some tweaking to make sure eFuneral is easily found through search engines like Google, business has boomed. Sixty-five funeral homes in Northeast and Central Ohio are now listed on the site. “We want to make sure that when others turn to the web to find funeral services they find eFuneral,” says Belsito. “Dozens of inquiries immediately came through, from pre-planning to immediate needs.”
Offline, groups like Hospice and religious organizations have partnered with eFuneral. The service is free for users. Revenue is earned through marketing fees and premium memberships that funeral homes purchase.
eFuneral is doing well. The company now has four employees. The company is still on a learning curve, but Belsito and Chaikin are eager learners. “Our goal is to prove the model we built and the business we built and learn as much from our customers as we can,” Belsito says. “Year one is about learning as much as we can so we can scale up nationally.”
Source: Mike Belsito
Writer: Karin Connelly
Originally called FunerAlly, the company was founded in June 2011. Belsito and Chaikin changed to name to eFuneral when they went live in February. The company provides an online platform for families to quickly find, compare and select a funeral provider. “eFuneral is a simple way for our customer base to understand it is technology focused,” explains Belsito. “One of the things we underestimated is how difficult it would be to create a brand name.”
After some tweaking to make sure eFuneral is easily found through search engines like Google, business has boomed. Sixty-five funeral homes in Northeast and Central Ohio are now listed on the site. “We want to make sure that when others turn to the web to find funeral services they find eFuneral,” says Belsito. “Dozens of inquiries immediately came through, from pre-planning to immediate needs.”
Offline, groups like Hospice and religious organizations have partnered with eFuneral. The service is free for users. Revenue is earned through marketing fees and premium memberships that funeral homes purchase.
eFuneral is doing well. The company now has four employees. The company is still on a learning curve, but Belsito and Chaikin are eager learners. “Our goal is to prove the model we built and the business we built and learn as much from our customers as we can,” Belsito says. “Year one is about learning as much as we can so we can scale up nationally.”
Source: Mike Belsito
Writer: Karin Connelly
the rust belt brain gain, creatives flocking to cleveland
A multi-part spread in Details magazine trumpets the remarkable rise of the so-called "Rust Belt."
In the piece titled, "Talented, educated, creative people are no longer fleeing the region -- they're flocking to it," the writer kicks off with:
"Rust connotes decay and neglect -- and indeed, the Rust Belt's decline coincided with a massive brain drain. But in the past half decade, the region has retained more of its homegrown talent while drawing the best and brightest from across the country."
Cited in the article is a Brookings Institution report that found "cities like Pittsburgh and Columbus have increased their college-educated population in recent years, and Cleveland and Buffalo are on their way -- having stanched their decades-long outward migration."
Called out for special attention are Clevelanders Eric Kogelschatz and Hallie Bram.
"In Cleveland, Eric Kogelschatz founded the think tank shark&minnow with his wife, Hallie Bram Kogelschatz, after both fled high-powered marketing jobs in Boston; besides organizing TEDxCLE (last year's sold out in two hours), the organization collaborates on events with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Museum of Art. What prompted the move? "We really didn't know what we were getting into," Eric admits. "But we were tired of Rust Belt cynicism."
Read it all right here.
In the piece titled, "Talented, educated, creative people are no longer fleeing the region -- they're flocking to it," the writer kicks off with:
"Rust connotes decay and neglect -- and indeed, the Rust Belt's decline coincided with a massive brain drain. But in the past half decade, the region has retained more of its homegrown talent while drawing the best and brightest from across the country."
Cited in the article is a Brookings Institution report that found "cities like Pittsburgh and Columbus have increased their college-educated population in recent years, and Cleveland and Buffalo are on their way -- having stanched their decades-long outward migration."
Called out for special attention are Clevelanders Eric Kogelschatz and Hallie Bram.
"In Cleveland, Eric Kogelschatz founded the think tank shark&minnow with his wife, Hallie Bram Kogelschatz, after both fled high-powered marketing jobs in Boston; besides organizing TEDxCLE (last year's sold out in two hours), the organization collaborates on events with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Museum of Art. What prompted the move? "We really didn't know what we were getting into," Eric admits. "But we were tired of Rust Belt cynicism."
Read it all right here.