Ramen noodles may have been the late-night snack that powered you through finals in college, but they've come a long way since you left the dorms.

From Portland to New York's East Village, contemporary noodle houses have been springing up with abandon in recent years, offering tasty, affordable dishes that fuse Japanese and American ingredients.

Now award-winning chef Jonathon Sawyer, owner of Greenhouse Tavern, is opening Noodlecat, a modern noodle house in downtown Cleveland. The 83-seat restaurant, located around the corner from East Fourth Street on Euclid, will offer traditional and modern Japanese noodle dishes from $10 to $14.

Much like the Greenhouse Tavern, Sawyer plans to use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, with the vegetarian-based noodles made by Cleveland-based Ohio City Pasta. Sawyer is also angling for Noodlecat to become the second certified green restaurant in Ohio (the first being Greenhouse). The Green Restaurant Association certifies establishments 'green' based on such criteria as water efficiency, waste reduction, energy use and sustainable food offerings.

Inspired by the creativity of other noodle houses, Sawyer even sent staffers to train at New York's famed Momofuku Noodle Bar in the East Village.

Diners can grab a sneak peek of Noodlecat during the Brick & Mortar restaurant pop-ups taking place June 21 through 24. Chef Chris Hodgson of the popular food truck Dim and Den Sum, and national food celebrity Lee Anne Wong will be the featured chefs. The restaurant pop-up concept has gained popularity recently as an affordable way for chefs to test new concepts.

Noodlecat, which is located at 240 Euclid Avenue, will hold its grand opening party on July 11th.


Source: Noodlecat
Writer: Lee Chilcote

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has secured Cleveland's place in rock history, yet many of the legendary performances enshrined there would be lost forever without the artful eye of music photographers.

Now a new exhibition, entitled "Visual Music: Northeast Ohio Photographers Look at Rock and Roll," celebrates these unsung historians of the music scene. It opens with a reception on Saturday, June 11th at the Waterloo Road Gallery and runs through Saturday, June 25th, when it wraps up with an all-day open house during the Waterloo Arts Festival.

The first-of-its-kind show includes work by George Shuba, a photographer who captured the Beatles and the Rolling Stones when they played here in the 1960s; Bob Ferrell, Stephanie Saniga and Anastasia Pantsios, who shot local stages in the 1970s when Cleveland was considered a "breakout" market for many major artists; Karen Novak, who dodged stage divers and braved sweaty mosh pits to capture the underground shows of the Euclid Tavern in the 1990s; and Bryon Miller, who has shot many of the most creative bands playing today.

"Visual Music," which was curated by longtime music photographer and journalist Anastasia Pantsios, includes work by a dozen photographers. In a press release, Pantsios expounded on the breadth of this unprecedented exhibit.

"All of these artists have created distinctive bodies of work, many of which have never been exhibited in a gallery setting," she said. "With over 200 prints, this is the largest survey of local music photography ever seen."


Source: Anastasia Pantsios
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Progressive Insurance in Mayfield Village plans to hire 125 customer service representatives in its Cleveland call center by the end of June. The company is the fourth largest auto insurer in the nation and aims to be the largest, according to spokesperson Brittany Senary.

"We're recruiting because the number of policyholders we have continues to grow," says Senary. "In fact, our auto policies are up six percent year over year right now and our special-lines policies are up five percent year over year. And we do want to be the top insurer in the country."

Progressive experienced a growth spurt last September when the company hired 260 customer service reps in its Cleveland and Mentor call centers.

"While there's not one specific thing I can point to as the reason for the growth, we do believe that drivers choose us because we make it easy to understand, buy, and use auto insurance," says Senary. "We have about 8,600 employees in Northeast Ohio and room for more."

Potential employees need to have a proven track record. "We are looking for a minimum of two years post-secondary education or two years work experience in a customer service environment, along with proven job stability of at least one year with a past employer," says Senary. "And we are looking for people who are enthusiastic about helping people with their insurance needs."

The company offers $12 to $15 an hour plus medical, dental, vision and life insurance in addition to perks such as tuition reimbursement, casual dress and on-site health and fitness services.


Source: Brittany Senary
Writer: Karen Connelly

The apartment buildings that line East Boulevard in Glenville boast stunning architectural details such as ornate columns, artisan brickwork and broad balconies that overlook Rockefeller Park. They attest to the wealth that once existed on this grand old street.

Yet for decades, East Boulevard has deteriorated as owners struggled with a soft market, much-needed repairs and soaring energy costs. Despite its proximity to University Circle and Rockefeller Park, the area was long considered "dicey."

Now two apartment buildings have been purchased and renovated by the Famicos Foundation, a nonprofit that serves the Glenville and Hough neighborhoods by developing affordable and market-rate housing. The group has renovated 1341 East Boulevard into six apartments, each with three bedrooms and two baths. All six suites have been pre-leased, with the first tenants taking possession in July.

Although the building's exterior has been carefully preserved -- the massive columns holding up the porches were rebuilt to match the crumbling originals -- much of the interior is new. The developer installed new heating, plumbing and electrical systems, replaced the old kitchens with fresh contemporary ones, added amenities like in-suite laundry, and upped storage space.

Also, many of the exquisite original details have been refurbished -- including oak hardwood floors, leaded-glass windows, fireplaces (many suites have two) and natural woodwork.

David Fagerhaug, Senior Project Manager with the Famicos Foundation and a resident of East Boulevard, says that the 2,000-square-foot apartments lease for $825 per month. Although he'd like to get higher rents, he says it's a good sign that the tenants are frequently professionals and University Circle employees.

The renovation of 1341 East Boulevard was made possible using federal historic tax credits, a $600,000 grant from the City of Cleveland's Housing Trust Fund and $188,000 in federal stimulus funding. Fagerhaug says that he'd like to see more buildings renovated along the street, and to see rents increase so that public subsidy is not needed to justify renovation costs.

The project was also aided by a low interest rate loan from Dollar Bank in partnership with Cleveland Action to Support Housing (CASH), a nonprofit whose mission is to spur neighborhood revitalization through home repair lending.


Source: David Fagerhaug
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Within3 has created a way for health professionals to communicate and consult with each other, no matter where they are or with whom they are affiliated. The Cleveland-based company builds online communities for health systems, medical associations, research institutions and health professionals. Within these communities, members can access advice and research that was previously unavailable. These communities provide networking opportunities with other health professions, information on HIPPA and compliance regulations and access to information on best practices within the industry.

"Our underlying vision is to completely change healthcare, to allow health care providers to connect and collaborate in real time," says Anthony Broad-Crawford, senior vice president and CTO. "Think of us as a highly specialized Facebook group."

Founded in 2004, Within3 developed their communities around extensive research on how medical professionals communicate best. Their clients include the top seven pharmaceutical companies and three of the top medical associations in the country. "All of our patents and studies are around how physicians make decisions and interact," says Broad-Crawford. "Our platform has brought them together in a way that historically has never been done before."

Within3 has experienced tremendous growth since its founding. "We've gone from three people in a room to 55 total spread around the country in four years," says Broad-Crawford. The company just hired a CFO and senior VP of strategic client development, and is looking to fill a host of other positions. "I personally am hiring 12 people," he adds.

Broad-Crawford finds Cleveland the perfect place to run a technology business.

"What really excites me about Cleveland is how much talent is actually here and how close-knit that talent actually is," he says. "You always hear 'Why Cleveland?' We always say, 'Why not Cleveland?' We're very thankful we've had the success we've had. It's not just a thrill, it's fantastic. "


Source: Anthony Broad-Crawford
Writer: Karen Connelly

The 22nd Parade the Circle takes place this Saturday, June 11, on and around Wade Oval in University Circle. The always stimulating Parade kicks off at noon and features wildly colorful floats, puppets, costumes, dancers and musicians. Other events in the area will feature music, food and art. As a longtime fan of the event, Fresh Water photographer Bob Perkoski fashioned a slideshow of past parades.

More than 750 people turned out at the new home of Shaker LaunchHouse last week to welcome the business incubator and celebrate entrepreneurial business in the region.

Speakers included Senator Sherrod Brown, Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken, author and entrepreneur Ratanjit Sondhe, Benoy Joseph and Dick Pogue. Brown is the author of the Business Incubator Promotion Act and has spearheaded efforts to reduce brain drain in Ohio. Sondhe, founder of Poly-Carb in Solon, spoke about the importance of entrepreneurial communities. He mentioned that he wished LaunchHouse was around when he was starting out.

Pogue announced that the first corporate gift from the Shaker Heights Development Corporation for the economic development work at Shaker LaunchHouse is $25,000 from New York Community Bank.

Thirty-five companies exhibited in the 23,000-square-foot renovated car dealership, including LaunchHouse's 12 portfolio companies as well as area entrepreneurs educating visitors on their endeavors. Companies included everything from Wow! Cookies!, a gourmet cookie delivery company, to Sunflower Solutions, which develops and manufactures renewable energy products.

"The huge turnout for this event goes to show that this region is ready to support entrepreneurial efforts," said Todd Goldstein, co-founder of LaunchHouse. "I saw a lot of introductions take place that night so the networking alone is going to produce some real opportunities going forward."

Guests were treated to a buffet of hors d'oevres during the event, and the Umami Moto food truck was also on site. SLH plans to host regular entrepreneurial events in addition to weekly educational meetings.

Source: Todd Goldstein
Writer: Karen Connelly

With the goal of creating a 20-megawatt wind energy pilot project seven miles offshore from downtown Cleveland, LEEDCo is well on its way to unveiling the first freshwater wind farm in North America. If all goes as planned, this project will lead to additional turbines generating 1,000 MWs of wind energy by 2020. Writer Patrick Mahoney had an opportunity to "shoot the breeze" with LEEDCo president Dr. Lorry Wagner, the driving force behind the project.

Since Veronica Walton created an urban farm on Ansel Road several years ago, she's been asked countless times about her lush, bountiful plots: "I'm looking for a job," some would say. "Can I work here?"

When asked such questions, Walton, who is the Director of the nonprofit NEO Restoration Alliance, would extol the virtues of urban farming. She explained the difference between community gardens and urban farmers, who sell their crops to customers via local farmers markets. Yet until recently, she's been unable to point to a truly local example where small-scale farmers could sell their harvest.

That's about to change. This summer, Gateway105 Farmers Market will launch at the intersection of East 105th and Ashbury streets. The market will provide the Glenville, Hough and University Circle neighborhoods with fresh, locally grown food. It will also feature work by local artists, complementary family activities, musical performances and free health screenings from local institutions.

Organizers of the market, which kicks off on Friday, July 1st and runs every Friday through October, hope to reach local residents and University Circle employees who shop for groceries before heading home from work.

The farmers market was organized by NEO Restoration Alliance and the Famicos Foundation, a nonprofit community development organization that serves the Glenville and Hough neighborhoods and develops affordable and market-rate housing.

"This is about building a community of individuals that learn to develop entrepreneurial skills, while providing a service to the community at the same time," says Walton.


Source: Veronica Walton
Writer: Lee Chilcote

By enrolling their employees in corporate wellness programs, companies are finding they can keep healthcare costs down, increase employee productivity, and reduce absenteeism, all by managing -- and in some cases reversing -- chronic illnesses. It's what folks like to call a win-win situation.

Joel Borwick has owned Seitz-Agin Hardware in Cleveland Heights for 38 of the store's 56 years. To loyal customers, he and his staff are well-known for dispensing home repair tips, doling out contractor referrals, and selling only what shoppers need.

The store has proudly survived the onslaught of big box stores. When Home Depot and Wal-Mart opened at nearby Severance, Seitz-Agin trundled on, propelled by a loyal fan base and friendly personal service. Years of customer appreciation awards and press clippings from local publications adorn the walls.

Now, after decades as a fixture on Lee Road, Seitz-Again will close its doors for good on June 18th. Borwick has inked a deal to sell the building to Heights merchant Bill Mitchell, who owns Mitchell's Fine Chocolates just down the block.

In the end, it wasn't the big box stores that did the shop in, explains Borwick. Ultimately, it was the economic downturn and change in consumer buying habits that bested Borwick. The store began losing money several years ago when its contractor business dropped off. When the housing market stalled, many contractors were out of work.

Today's homeowners also prefer to hire contractors rather than fix up homes themselves. And they look online first for products, Borwick says. This shift has made it tough for small hardware stores to keep their doors open.

Since news broke about Seitz-Agin's departure, a steady stream of customers have stopped by each day to purchase one last can of paint or tube of caulk, and to wish Borwick and his staff well and thank them for their years of service.

Mitchell says he hopes to find a new tenant for the Seitz-Agin storefront by Labor Day.


Source: Seitz-Agin
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Researchers at CWRU have invented a polymer coating that can repair itself. Stuart Rowan, CWRU professor of macromolecular science and engineering, along with his team and researchers from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and the Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, has spent the last three years developing a rubber-like protective coating that heals itself when an ultraviolet light is shined on it for just a few seconds.

"The idea was to develop a coating that, if it was damaged in any way, we could repair just by shining a light on it," says Rowan. "A lot of my research is creating stimulating response materials."

The science behind the technology involves taking a long chain of polymers and reducing it to small chains. When the UV light -- much like the light used in dentist offices -- shines on them, the polymers become temporarily unglued. They reassemble when the light is shut off, thus repairing the scratches.

"It works perfectly for coating penetrations," says Rowan.

The scientists envision that self-healing polymers like theirs could be used in automotive paints, varnishes for floors and furniture, and many other applications. "The material could be used in potentially any paint or coating use," says Rowan.

Their findings were published in the April 21 issue of the journal Nature.

The team is currently in talks with companies to see if there is an interest in commercializing the material.


Source: Stuart Rowan
Writer: Karen Connelly

Salty Not Sweet, an independent boutique and letterpress studio, opened this month in a storefront on West 25th Street in Ohio City. It is one of several new businesses that have opened this year in the Market District, adding to a redevelopment trend in the area.

The store, which first opened a year ago in the Waterloo Arts District, features unique wares that are carefully sourced by co-owner Candra Squire, including merchandise from Megan Lee Designs (a screen-printed clothing line from Chicago) and Helen Pe (a Brooklyn artist who makes tiny original drawings in ring settings).

The new Salty Not Sweet also features vintage goods. In fact, most of the shop displays are made from vintage materials, including old soda crates, refinished furniture and tea cups that are all for sale.

The new location is primed to become a local crafters' paradise. Co-owner Melissa Major makes soap, candles and original lines of handmade home and body goods in a studio in the back of the store. Customers can watch Major work while they browse the store's offerings. The "Salty girls" promise to add public workshops that will be taught by area artists and crafters in the coming months.

Co-owner Candra Squire came up with the name "Salty Not Sweet" when a friend asked her to describe her work a few years ago, and it stuck. In addition to representing out-of-state artists, the shop offers Squire's original, tongue-in-cheek greeting cards (which are plenty salty, and not at all sweet).

Salty Not Sweet is located at 2074 West 25th Street.


Source: Salty Not Sweet
Writer: Lee Chilcote

New Life Community and Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cleveland (IHN) have come together to form Family Promise of Greater Cleveland, the largest organization in Greater Cleveland focused exclusively on helping homeless families transform their lives and achieve long-term stability while helping families remain together.

The two organizations officially merged on May 1. For the past two years, the organizations have worked to integrate staff, resources and programming to serve more families with even better outcomes at a lower cost per household served. Since 1990, New Life Community has helped more than 700 families. IHN has served more than 450 families since its shelter program was formed in 1998.

Family Promise will serve more than 100 families a year. "The goal is to definitely help families become self-sufficient and find new housing as rapidly as possible, and then maintain their housing long-term," says associate director Sarah Cruise. "By merging we've been able to combine our programming and serve more families long-term."

Two facilities -- an emergency shelter in Tremont for up to six days and interim housing in Mount Pleasant for up to six months -- a job preparedness program and case management services will give families all the resources to get back on their feet. "We're developing a relationship," says Cruise. "We can access services in the community and help with crises, the spiraling down that happens.

The home-based case management aspect of Family Promise is helping to serve more families quickly. "There is such demand for family housing," says Cruise. "By moving families faster, and individualizing the services, we're really serving families in a way that promotes long-term stability."

Source: Sarah Cruise
Writer: Karin Connelly

Good design can stop a man in his tracks. It's what makes that concert poster scream, that neon sign hum, and that brand logo unforgettable. These consumer experiences come courtesy of the creative men and women who dare to be bold, better, brilliant. Many of the brightest design minds will be headlining the second annual Weapons of Mass Creation Fest, to be held June 11 and 12.

A recent study by the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) examines where artists are living in Northeast Ohio. Perhaps it's no surprise that artists tend to populate urban neighborhoods where they can find spacious, affordable housing (including space for studios), walkable streets, diversity and public spaces that foster social interaction.

The report shows that Cleveland Heights is Northeast Ohio's top community for artists -- collectively, the Cedar-Fairmount, Coventry, Severance, Forest Hills, Cedar-Lee and Shaker Square neighborhoods contain 19.4 percent of the region's artists. Other artist-rich neighborhoods include Little Italy/University Circle, Lakewood and Detroit Shoreway.

Yet CPAC's report, entitled "Putting Artists on the Map," also suggests that successful artist-based community development is about more than just counting galleries or lofts where artists congregate. Artist-based development builds relationships between artists and community members, fostering lasting ties that fuel the artist's creativity while aiding the neighborhood's redevelopment.

"Artist-based community development is more than opening an art gallery or having an artist move into a neighborhood," CPAC's report states. "This type of development involves the creation of a more organic relationship between artists and their neighbors."

"This can mean a neighborhood takes steps to identify its hidden arts and culture assets by finding its gathering places and influential figures. Artists can be engaged by making beautiful and interesting public spaces and help unite residents in the process."

The report suggests that neighborhoods like Cleveland Heights, University Circle and Detroit Shoreway should gear their community development programs and policies towards promoting artist-based community development. This spring, CPAC launched its own Artist Community Development Initiative.

To complete the analysis, CPAC mined the databases of large arts organizations such as the Ohio Arts Council to determine where artists live.


Source: CPAC
Writer: Lee Chilcote