Stories
After 35 years in the ad game -- and induction into the Advertising Hall of Fame -- Alan Glazen retired, looking forward long days spent swinging on his Lake Erie island hammock. But that's not what happened. Despite not knowing the first thing about running a restaurant, Glazen reluctantly found himself doing exactly that. As the owner of three successful concepts, Glazen wants others to join him.
brookings says cleveland faring better than other large metros
In a recently released report titled "How We're Doing: An Uneven Recovery at Home and Abroad," the Brookings Institution boils down the current state of recovery thusly:
"The U.S. economy as a whole is recovering, but that recovery is not broadly shared -- at home or abroad."
Continuing, the reports says that key indicators suggest that the economic recovery in the United States continues to move forward. Output is rising, credit conditions are thawing and firms are hiring.
But the degree at which the recovery is taking place depends on where one resides. And, perhaps surprisingly, it is metropolitan areas hardest hit by the recession, like Cleveland, that are faring the best.
"The differences in the speed of recovery have been striking. Areas heavily linked to the auto industry, such as Cleveland and Detroit, have benefited from the resurgence of manufacturing activity since 2009. On average, the unemployment rates of these urban economies have fallen two percentage points in the past year - double the national decline. Conversely, metro areas that were hit hard because of their exposure to the housing bust, such as Las Vegas and Tampa, have been slow to recover, with their housing markets still facing significant structural problems. Unemployment rates in many of the areas hurt by the housing bust are little changed from a year ago."
Study the rest of the data here.
"The U.S. economy as a whole is recovering, but that recovery is not broadly shared -- at home or abroad."
Continuing, the reports says that key indicators suggest that the economic recovery in the United States continues to move forward. Output is rising, credit conditions are thawing and firms are hiring.
But the degree at which the recovery is taking place depends on where one resides. And, perhaps surprisingly, it is metropolitan areas hardest hit by the recession, like Cleveland, that are faring the best.
"The differences in the speed of recovery have been striking. Areas heavily linked to the auto industry, such as Cleveland and Detroit, have benefited from the resurgence of manufacturing activity since 2009. On average, the unemployment rates of these urban economies have fallen two percentage points in the past year - double the national decline. Conversely, metro areas that were hit hard because of their exposure to the housing bust, such as Las Vegas and Tampa, have been slow to recover, with their housing markets still facing significant structural problems. Unemployment rates in many of the areas hurt by the housing bust are little changed from a year ago."
Study the rest of the data here.
What started as a business plan competition at Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 2003 has today turned into a thriving pet insurance business for CEO Laura Bennett and chief marketing officer Alex Krooglik. Embrace Pet Insurance offers comprehensive insurance plans for pets with a focus on customer service.
"It came about when a friend's cat got sick," explains Bennett. "She spent $5,000 to take care of it. We saw pet insurance had huge potential, it's an unpenetrated market." While 25 percent of pet owners in the U.K. have pet insurance, only sixth-tenths of one percent insure their pets in the U.S.
Pet care is a $50 billion a year market, according to the American Pet Products Association, $14 billion of which is spent on veterinarian bills.
"People are still spending on their pets, even in a recession," says Bennett. "This is for people who would spend anything to bring their pet back to health, to do what is right." The two won the business plan competition, graduated and decided to launch Embrace in Beachwood in 2003.
After a somewhat rocky start, they found funding through JumpStart in 2004 and sold the first policy, to Bennett, in 2006. They've received additional investments over the years, and have relied mostly on word of mouth for their growth and success.
Bennett, who has a background in finance, crafts the policies like traditional insurance plans for cars and trucks. Policy owners can pick and choose their level of coverage, and even hereditary and chronic conditions can be covered. "We give a lot of options, even a health spending account for pet wellness," says Bennett. "There's a lot of actuarial science behind it."
In an industry that is growing by 25 percent annually, Embrace Pet Insurance has grown exponentially. They now have 23 employees and are continuing to hire. "We want to build on that momentum," says Bennett. "I see us in the next five years going from 23 people to 50 to 60."
"Alex and I created this out of nothing, it was just something in our heads," says Bennett. "We've struggled, we've worked really hard, it's been fantastic."
Source: Laura Bennett
Writer: Karin Connelly
"It came about when a friend's cat got sick," explains Bennett. "She spent $5,000 to take care of it. We saw pet insurance had huge potential, it's an unpenetrated market." While 25 percent of pet owners in the U.K. have pet insurance, only sixth-tenths of one percent insure their pets in the U.S.
Pet care is a $50 billion a year market, according to the American Pet Products Association, $14 billion of which is spent on veterinarian bills.
"People are still spending on their pets, even in a recession," says Bennett. "This is for people who would spend anything to bring their pet back to health, to do what is right." The two won the business plan competition, graduated and decided to launch Embrace in Beachwood in 2003.
After a somewhat rocky start, they found funding through JumpStart in 2004 and sold the first policy, to Bennett, in 2006. They've received additional investments over the years, and have relied mostly on word of mouth for their growth and success.
Bennett, who has a background in finance, crafts the policies like traditional insurance plans for cars and trucks. Policy owners can pick and choose their level of coverage, and even hereditary and chronic conditions can be covered. "We give a lot of options, even a health spending account for pet wellness," says Bennett. "There's a lot of actuarial science behind it."
In an industry that is growing by 25 percent annually, Embrace Pet Insurance has grown exponentially. They now have 23 employees and are continuing to hire. "We want to build on that momentum," says Bennett. "I see us in the next five years going from 23 people to 50 to 60."
"Alex and I created this out of nothing, it was just something in our heads," says Bennett. "We've struggled, we've worked really hard, it's been fantastic."
Source: Laura Bennett
Writer: Karin Connelly
eater.com runs round-up of must-hit cleveland hotspots
Eater.com, a national website that covers restaurants, chefs and food personalities, recently ran an article titled "The Eater Cleveland Heat Map." A regular feature of the publication, the Heat Maps tell readers about "newish locales that have been garnering serious buzz."
For the Cleveland article, Eater's first major heat-check of the 216, the pub asked local food writer (and Fresh Water managing editor) Douglas Trattner to describe 10 new places that have locals talking, drooling and, of course, eating. Singled out for inclusion are ABC the Tavern, AMP 150, Sweet Moses, Happy Dog, Dim and Den Sum, Deagan's, Fat Casual BBQ, Cropicana, Washington Place Bistro, and Market at the Fig.
Accompanying those listings is an interactive map.
In addition to the national version of Eater, the website features city-specific sites devoted to foodie locales such as New York, Chicago, Portland and Seattle. For now, Cleveland will have to fall under the province of Eater National.
Digest the entire meal here.
For the Cleveland article, Eater's first major heat-check of the 216, the pub asked local food writer (and Fresh Water managing editor) Douglas Trattner to describe 10 new places that have locals talking, drooling and, of course, eating. Singled out for inclusion are ABC the Tavern, AMP 150, Sweet Moses, Happy Dog, Dim and Den Sum, Deagan's, Fat Casual BBQ, Cropicana, Washington Place Bistro, and Market at the Fig.
Accompanying those listings is an interactive map.
In addition to the national version of Eater, the website features city-specific sites devoted to foodie locales such as New York, Chicago, Portland and Seattle. For now, Cleveland will have to fall under the province of Eater National.
Digest the entire meal here.
As a law student at CSU's Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Art Geigel noticed a flaw in the way he and his fellow students took notes in class. Almost everybody took notes using their laptops and Microsoft Word, compiling seemingly endless documents with no way of organizing the information.
"I kept thinking to myself, 'There's a better way to do this than to keep taking notes in one constantly growing Word document,'" says Geigel.
That "better way," says Geigel, is GroundBooth, an online program for law students to take notes, share outlines and collaborate. "The whole goal is to make technology work for law school students better than it has been. We're trying to tailor GroundBooth to the habits of law students."
The service is free. GroundBooth plans to earn income from ad revenue, supplemental sales of reference materials and additional website features. The company is currently in talks with Supreme Bar Review about a partnership. The website now supports 13 law schools including Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Marshall, Stanford, and Harvard.
Geigel, who just finished his second year of law school, studied computer science as an undergrad at Hiram College and was a web developer before creating GroundBooth. He officially launched the company with three friends in January, and has partnered with Shaker LaunchHouse, which has matched GroundBooth with several mentors and is providing office space, in addition to a cash investment.
Source: Art Geigel
Writer: Karin Connelly
"I kept thinking to myself, 'There's a better way to do this than to keep taking notes in one constantly growing Word document,'" says Geigel.
That "better way," says Geigel, is GroundBooth, an online program for law students to take notes, share outlines and collaborate. "The whole goal is to make technology work for law school students better than it has been. We're trying to tailor GroundBooth to the habits of law students."
The service is free. GroundBooth plans to earn income from ad revenue, supplemental sales of reference materials and additional website features. The company is currently in talks with Supreme Bar Review about a partnership. The website now supports 13 law schools including Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Marshall, Stanford, and Harvard.
Geigel, who just finished his second year of law school, studied computer science as an undergrad at Hiram College and was a web developer before creating GroundBooth. He officially launched the company with three friends in January, and has partnered with Shaker LaunchHouse, which has matched GroundBooth with several mentors and is providing office space, in addition to a cash investment.
Source: Art Geigel
Writer: Karin Connelly
The second annual Cleveland Asian Festival will be held this weekend, Saturday and Sunday May 21 and 22, at the Asia Plaza shopping center and on surrounding streets. The festival is a celebration of the culture, diversity, and people who live, work and play in the AsiaTown neighborhood. The event will build upon its remarkable success last year, when over 10,000 attendees showed up at the first-ever event.
explorys investment by austin venture firms in the news
The Austin American-Statesman covered the recent investment of $11.5 million by Austin Ventures and Austin-based Santé Ventures into Cleveland-based healthcare technology firm Explorys.
"Explorys was spun off from the Cleveland Clinic in 2009 to commercialize technology designed to help the hospital system analyze clinical data. Since then, a number of other major hospital systems have begun using Explorys' database of patient information."
Explorys says its system is one of the largest clinical databases in the world, with information on 10 million patients. Explorys told the Statesman that it will use the new money to double its 25-person staff and expand its server complex by adding capacity and data centers.
Austin Ventures general partner John Thornton said in the article, "Explorys is now positioned to quickly and effectively scale to the data needs of the health care providers. We are excited to provide an opportunity for them to continue their forward momentum and drive network growth."
Read the rest here.
"Explorys was spun off from the Cleveland Clinic in 2009 to commercialize technology designed to help the hospital system analyze clinical data. Since then, a number of other major hospital systems have begun using Explorys' database of patient information."
Explorys says its system is one of the largest clinical databases in the world, with information on 10 million patients. Explorys told the Statesman that it will use the new money to double its 25-person staff and expand its server complex by adding capacity and data centers.
Austin Ventures general partner John Thornton said in the article, "Explorys is now positioned to quickly and effectively scale to the data needs of the health care providers. We are excited to provide an opportunity for them to continue their forward momentum and drive network growth."
Read the rest here.
It's the Chinese year of the rabbit and the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation is celebrating by displaying 24 fiberglass bunny sculptures, painted and decorated by Northeast Ohio artists. Each sculpture is sponsored by a local business. They are being installed around the neighborhood today.
This is the sixth year the organization has hosted the public art event. The installation celebrates Cleveland's Asian, artistic and business communities in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.
"St. Clair-Superior has one of the highest Asian populations in Northeast Ohio," says project coordinator Becca Britton. "We have a blossoming arts district here and we also have a thriving business community. The community really appreciates it and celebrates it."
The public has come to embrace the sculptures, which began with the year of the dog. In early years there was a lot of vandalism and theft, Britton says, which has diminished over the years. "Everyone leaves them alone," she says. "They really appreciate them."
More than 90 artists submitted designs this year. A panel of three professional artists chose their favorites, which were then put into a portfolio for companies to choose from. Winning artists receive a $400 stipend and two tickets to a gala event.
This year's favorites include a rabbit exploding with butterflies and another blowing bubbles on roller skates. "Every year the artists are getting more creative," says Britton.
The rabbits will be on display through Labor Day. They will then be auctioned off, with proceeds going to next year's project.
Source: Becca Britton
Writer: Karin Connelly
This is the sixth year the organization has hosted the public art event. The installation celebrates Cleveland's Asian, artistic and business communities in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.
"St. Clair-Superior has one of the highest Asian populations in Northeast Ohio," says project coordinator Becca Britton. "We have a blossoming arts district here and we also have a thriving business community. The community really appreciates it and celebrates it."
The public has come to embrace the sculptures, which began with the year of the dog. In early years there was a lot of vandalism and theft, Britton says, which has diminished over the years. "Everyone leaves them alone," she says. "They really appreciate them."
More than 90 artists submitted designs this year. A panel of three professional artists chose their favorites, which were then put into a portfolio for companies to choose from. Winning artists receive a $400 stipend and two tickets to a gala event.
This year's favorites include a rabbit exploding with butterflies and another blowing bubbles on roller skates. "Every year the artists are getting more creative," says Britton.
The rabbits will be on display through Labor Day. They will then be auctioned off, with proceeds going to next year's project.
Source: Becca Britton
Writer: Karin Connelly
Hollywood might be known as the Dream Factory, but it has begun producing something far more real for Cleveland: jobs and economic growth. Thanks to the recently passed Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, Cleveland already is experiencing a considerable boost in the quantity and quality of movie productions that film here. And that's only the opening scene, promises Ivan Schwarz, executive director of the Cleveland Film Commission.
As president and CEO of NorTech, a nonprofit technology-based economic development organization serving 21 counties in Northeast Ohio, Rebecca Bagley is always looking for ways for her Cleveland-based company to be more competitive regionally and nationally. Her recent appointment to the U.S. Department of Commerce Innovation Advisory Board by commerce secretary Gary Locke will further her mission.
Bagley and 14 other board members will conduct a study of U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation. The study will help form national policies at the heart of U.S. job creation, competitiveness and global strength. "The idea is to do a study on how the United States can be more globally competitive," says Bagley. "It's obviously very exciting to be a part of this advisory board and the study."
Nominated by NorTech board chair Tim Reynolds, Bagley sees her background in finance, as well as her leadership at NorTech, as the reasons for her appointment. Before joining the company she worked in the private sector in investment banking and as deputy secretary for the Technology Investment Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Bagley is a nationally-recognized expert in technology-based economic development. She brings that same expertise to the region in developing Northeast Ohio's technology initiatives. "We've been working in the region to increase Northeast Ohio's competiveness," she says. "For NorTech this raises visibility of the region and validates the work being done here."
The board's first meeting is in Arlington, VA in June. They will meet every three months.
Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
Bagley and 14 other board members will conduct a study of U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation. The study will help form national policies at the heart of U.S. job creation, competitiveness and global strength. "The idea is to do a study on how the United States can be more globally competitive," says Bagley. "It's obviously very exciting to be a part of this advisory board and the study."
Nominated by NorTech board chair Tim Reynolds, Bagley sees her background in finance, as well as her leadership at NorTech, as the reasons for her appointment. Before joining the company she worked in the private sector in investment banking and as deputy secretary for the Technology Investment Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Bagley is a nationally-recognized expert in technology-based economic development. She brings that same expertise to the region in developing Northeast Ohio's technology initiatives. "We've been working in the region to increase Northeast Ohio's competiveness," she says. "For NorTech this raises visibility of the region and validates the work being done here."
The board's first meeting is in Arlington, VA in June. They will meet every three months.
Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
Tucked between University Circle and Cleveland Heights, Little Italy is one of Cleveland's most charming and historic neighborhoods. Aluminum-sided doubles nestle against modern pastel-colored townhomes, while art galleries and Italian restaurants dot Mayfield and Murray Hill roads.
Although Italians no longer are the neighborhood's predominant ethnic group, much of the real estate is still owned by the Italian families that settled here nearly a century ago. Popular with Case Western Reserve University students and hospital employees, the area's mix of residents now reflects the diversity of University Circle.
Yet while today's Little Italy may have "just as many Chinese as Italians," says Ray Kristosik, Executive Director of the Little Italy Redevelopment Corporation, a new wave of immigrants is arriving on these shores, and they're less likely to come from Sicily than Mayfield Heights and Solon.
"Empty-nesters are beginning to move back to the area, including Italian-Americans that have family roots in the neighborhood," he says. "People love its proximity to University Circle, and the fact that while we have development, parts of the Little Italy look just like they did 80 years ago."
The influx of empty-nesters has been facilitated in part by the development of new and rehabilitated housing. Townhome projects such as Villa Carabelli, Random Road Lofts and 27 Coltman have provided contemporary, upscale housing choices for professionals seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Although Kristosik says that it's important to ensure that that the area's historic housing is preserved, he believes that the new development taking place is contributing to the area's revitalization by attracting people to move back to the urban core.
In fact, Kristosik is looking forward to the day his own kids head off to college. "I can't wait for them to grow up so I can move back to the neighborhood," he says.
Source: Ray Kristosik
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Although Italians no longer are the neighborhood's predominant ethnic group, much of the real estate is still owned by the Italian families that settled here nearly a century ago. Popular with Case Western Reserve University students and hospital employees, the area's mix of residents now reflects the diversity of University Circle.
Yet while today's Little Italy may have "just as many Chinese as Italians," says Ray Kristosik, Executive Director of the Little Italy Redevelopment Corporation, a new wave of immigrants is arriving on these shores, and they're less likely to come from Sicily than Mayfield Heights and Solon.
"Empty-nesters are beginning to move back to the area, including Italian-Americans that have family roots in the neighborhood," he says. "People love its proximity to University Circle, and the fact that while we have development, parts of the Little Italy look just like they did 80 years ago."
The influx of empty-nesters has been facilitated in part by the development of new and rehabilitated housing. Townhome projects such as Villa Carabelli, Random Road Lofts and 27 Coltman have provided contemporary, upscale housing choices for professionals seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Although Kristosik says that it's important to ensure that that the area's historic housing is preserved, he believes that the new development taking place is contributing to the area's revitalization by attracting people to move back to the urban core.
In fact, Kristosik is looking forward to the day his own kids head off to college. "I can't wait for them to grow up so I can move back to the neighborhood," he says.
Source: Ray Kristosik
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Adheris, the largest provider of direct-to-patient medication adherence programs, has chosen Cleveland-based CellepathicRx as its mobile platform provider. The partnership expands Adheris' delivery of its adherence-focused programs beyond mail to all mobile technology platforms -- text, email, web, and more.
"Medical adherence is a $300 billion a year problem," says Greg Muffler, CEO of CellepathicRx. "Our technology is a mobile platform that creates an ongoing intimate relationship with patients and their providers."
CellepathicRx's mobile health communication platform targets patients to help them understand and adhere to medication regimens, clinical trial protocols, health coaching, and health and wellness programs. The technology has been in development for more than two years, and was released in 2009.
"We chose CellepathicRx because of their deep knowledge of healthcare, retail pharmacies, and pharmaceutical industry technology, as well as the unique, flexible solution they offer," said Jim Rotsart, executive vice president of Adheris. "The use of mobile applications and texting is skyrocketing, so this relationship gives our pharmacy partners the opportunity to offer their patients choices regarding their healthcare -- whether it be receiving reminders, medication education, and/or copay assistance via email, mobile device, or traditional mail."
Muffler calls the relationship with Adheris a milestone for the company. "It's an inexpensive way to develop an ongoing relationship with patients," he says. "Our main goal is to ultimately improve patient outcomes, improve health and wellness, which we believe will have an impact on healthcare costs by getting people to take control of their own healthcare."
Source: Greg Muffler
Writer: Karin Connelly
"Medical adherence is a $300 billion a year problem," says Greg Muffler, CEO of CellepathicRx. "Our technology is a mobile platform that creates an ongoing intimate relationship with patients and their providers."
CellepathicRx's mobile health communication platform targets patients to help them understand and adhere to medication regimens, clinical trial protocols, health coaching, and health and wellness programs. The technology has been in development for more than two years, and was released in 2009.
"We chose CellepathicRx because of their deep knowledge of healthcare, retail pharmacies, and pharmaceutical industry technology, as well as the unique, flexible solution they offer," said Jim Rotsart, executive vice president of Adheris. "The use of mobile applications and texting is skyrocketing, so this relationship gives our pharmacy partners the opportunity to offer their patients choices regarding their healthcare -- whether it be receiving reminders, medication education, and/or copay assistance via email, mobile device, or traditional mail."
Muffler calls the relationship with Adheris a milestone for the company. "It's an inexpensive way to develop an ongoing relationship with patients," he says. "Our main goal is to ultimately improve patient outcomes, improve health and wellness, which we believe will have an impact on healthcare costs by getting people to take control of their own healthcare."
Source: Greg Muffler
Writer: Karin Connelly
When Murray Hill Market opened in Little Italy in January, owner Michelle Iacobelli Buckholtz revived the tradition of the small neighborhood market that existed when her father grew up in the area.
This summer, Buckholtz will bring back another grand neighborhood tradition: the sidewalk cafe and alfresco market. Having obtained her peddler's license, she plans to add outdoor seating and sales displays this summer.
"We want to be different from Whole Foods and other grocery stores, and one way to do that is to offer a unique experience and personal service," says Buckholtz.
Buckholtz says that Murray Hill Market, which offers fresh fruits and vegetables as well as gourmet prepared foods, has been successful at reaching a wide audience, including students living in the neighborhood, older Italian families seeking to reconnect with their roots, University Circle employees and East Siders who work downtown. "People stop to pick up dinner on their way home," she says.
Buckholtz was inspired to create the market after a trip to New York to visit her son in college. After she observed the mouth-watering, fresh fare at every corner store, she decided to create a market in Cleveland. She knew it would work because there are no fresh, high-quality grocery stores in University Circle, an area that is on track to create 10,000 new jobs between 2005 and 2015.
Yet her international-flavored market, which Buckholtz describes as "Italian with a twist," does not seek to recreate the past. Although Little Italy's restaurant mix remains mostly Italian, the Murray Hill Market offers a contemporary mix of cuisine, including Jewish and French pastries, Middle Eastern dishes, and Puerto Rican rice and beans.
"This area is part of University Circle, and I wanted to create an international market with more than just Italian food," Buckholtz says.
Buckholtz regularly serves meatball subs with her mother's sauce, yet finds the older Italian women that shop here are often the toughest critics. "Everyone's mother makes the best sauce," she says with a laugh.
Source: Michelle Iacobelli Buckholtz
Writer: Lee Chilcote
This summer, Buckholtz will bring back another grand neighborhood tradition: the sidewalk cafe and alfresco market. Having obtained her peddler's license, she plans to add outdoor seating and sales displays this summer.
"We want to be different from Whole Foods and other grocery stores, and one way to do that is to offer a unique experience and personal service," says Buckholtz.
Buckholtz says that Murray Hill Market, which offers fresh fruits and vegetables as well as gourmet prepared foods, has been successful at reaching a wide audience, including students living in the neighborhood, older Italian families seeking to reconnect with their roots, University Circle employees and East Siders who work downtown. "People stop to pick up dinner on their way home," she says.
Buckholtz was inspired to create the market after a trip to New York to visit her son in college. After she observed the mouth-watering, fresh fare at every corner store, she decided to create a market in Cleveland. She knew it would work because there are no fresh, high-quality grocery stores in University Circle, an area that is on track to create 10,000 new jobs between 2005 and 2015.
Yet her international-flavored market, which Buckholtz describes as "Italian with a twist," does not seek to recreate the past. Although Little Italy's restaurant mix remains mostly Italian, the Murray Hill Market offers a contemporary mix of cuisine, including Jewish and French pastries, Middle Eastern dishes, and Puerto Rican rice and beans.
"This area is part of University Circle, and I wanted to create an international market with more than just Italian food," Buckholtz says.
Buckholtz regularly serves meatball subs with her mother's sauce, yet finds the older Italian women that shop here are often the toughest critics. "Everyone's mother makes the best sauce," she says with a laugh.
Source: Michelle Iacobelli Buckholtz
Writer: Lee Chilcote
michael symon tells today show that midwest will get its due
In a recent interview with TODAY, Michael Symon comments on this year's James Beard Award winners and the reputation of the Midwest in the nation's food scene.
Lamenting the oft-overlooked culinary talent in the Heartland, Symon says that "It's not often that the Best Chef in America comes out of the Midwest." While Paul Kahan, one of the five finalists for the Beard's Outstanding Chef category, is based in Chicago, the winner was D.C.-based José Andrés.
But the Midwest will get its due, promises Symon.
"For the first time ever, New York is pulling from the Midwest," Symon explains. "The farm-to-table stuff, that's all Midwest -- we're cities surrounded by farms. The movement with pork -- that's Midwest. The love of sausage, of bacon -- all Midwest."
Watch video of the interview here.
Lamenting the oft-overlooked culinary talent in the Heartland, Symon says that "It's not often that the Best Chef in America comes out of the Midwest." While Paul Kahan, one of the five finalists for the Beard's Outstanding Chef category, is based in Chicago, the winner was D.C.-based José Andrés.
But the Midwest will get its due, promises Symon.
"For the first time ever, New York is pulling from the Midwest," Symon explains. "The farm-to-table stuff, that's all Midwest -- we're cities surrounded by farms. The movement with pork -- that's Midwest. The love of sausage, of bacon -- all Midwest."
Watch video of the interview here.
Last year, Judson at University Circle tried something radically different. The nonprofit senior living campus gave two apartments to Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) students in exchange for their participation in Judson's intergenerational programs.
The students quickly found that any time they practiced their instruments in public, they attracted an appreciative audience. Over the course of a year, they developed friendships that spanned generations.
Now one of Judson's intergenerational programs, Community Partners, has been nominated as one of 20 semi-finalists for the prestigious Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence, a $100,000 grant from the California-based Eisner Foundation.
The Eisner Prize will recognize an individual or a non-profit organization that "excels in uniting multiple generations, especially seniors and youth, to bring about positive and lasting changes in their community," according to a press release. Members of the pulbic can cast their vote by visiting the website.
Judson created its first intergenerational collaboration with Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights 30 years ago. Today, Judson works with over 40 different educational and civic groups throughout Greater Cleveland. Judson's senior residents volunteer in local schools and communities, and in turn, students and adults volunteer at all three Judson facilities, Judson Manor, Judson Park and South Franklin Circle.
"Judson's intergenerational programs offer purposeful two-way learning opportunities that create meaningful relationships for all program participants," said Rob Lucarelli, Judson's Director of Communications, in a press release. "Using curriculum and arts-based programs that serve as a national model for connecting generations, we help to enrich lives and stimulate minds of all ages."
Individuals may vote for Judson once every 24 hours until May 15th.
Source: Rob Lucarelli
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The students quickly found that any time they practiced their instruments in public, they attracted an appreciative audience. Over the course of a year, they developed friendships that spanned generations.
Now one of Judson's intergenerational programs, Community Partners, has been nominated as one of 20 semi-finalists for the prestigious Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence, a $100,000 grant from the California-based Eisner Foundation.
The Eisner Prize will recognize an individual or a non-profit organization that "excels in uniting multiple generations, especially seniors and youth, to bring about positive and lasting changes in their community," according to a press release. Members of the pulbic can cast their vote by visiting the website.
Judson created its first intergenerational collaboration with Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights 30 years ago. Today, Judson works with over 40 different educational and civic groups throughout Greater Cleveland. Judson's senior residents volunteer in local schools and communities, and in turn, students and adults volunteer at all three Judson facilities, Judson Manor, Judson Park and South Franklin Circle.
"Judson's intergenerational programs offer purposeful two-way learning opportunities that create meaningful relationships for all program participants," said Rob Lucarelli, Judson's Director of Communications, in a press release. "Using curriculum and arts-based programs that serve as a national model for connecting generations, we help to enrich lives and stimulate minds of all ages."
Individuals may vote for Judson once every 24 hours until May 15th.
Source: Rob Lucarelli
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Photo: Lonnie Timmons III
bnet includes cleveland in list of best places to find a great job
BNET, CBS's interactive business network, includes Cleveland among its listing of Fifteen Best Cities to Find a (Great) Job. The list is based on an analysis of Indeed.com job listings.
Coming in at Number Three, Cleveland is listed as the "Comeback City."
"Once a manufacturing town, Cleveland was hit hard as factories closed. But the city fought back, nurturing the service sector and attracting employers from Sherwin-Williams to NASA. Some areas of the city remain rough, but sports fans get a local NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball team and music lovers have the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame."
Also on the list are Columbus, Austin, Baltimore, Seattle, New York, and Boston.
Read the rest of the good news here.
Coming in at Number Three, Cleveland is listed as the "Comeback City."
"Once a manufacturing town, Cleveland was hit hard as factories closed. But the city fought back, nurturing the service sector and attracting employers from Sherwin-Williams to NASA. Some areas of the city remain rough, but sports fans get a local NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball team and music lovers have the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame."
Also on the list are Columbus, Austin, Baltimore, Seattle, New York, and Boston.
Read the rest of the good news here.
Since its launch in 2000, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission has brought to Cleveland over 85 sporting events with an estimated economic impact of more than $300 million. Those events include the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Senior PGA Championship, NCAA Women's Final Four, and the Gravity Games. This summer, the Commission's flagship event, the Continental Cup, will bring in 4,000 young athletes from 25 countries for four days of competition.
Joyce Mariani created "Opera in the Garden," a free outdoor concert that takes place each summer in Rockefeller Park's Italian Cultural Garden, to celebrate Italian immigrants' contributions to the city of Cleveland and enliven the 80-year-old public space.
Although Mariani sets up 200 chairs in the idyllic garden, you might want to bring one from home; last year, over 800 people showed up.
"People find something universal in the Italian cultural experience," says Mariani, Executive Director of the Italian Cultural Gardens Foundation. "And this is an outdoor museum to Italian culture in Cleveland."
Mariani has launched an ambitious effort to expand the garden according to original, unfinished plans. Now that she has raised more than $465,000 towards the $750,000 fund-raising goal, work has begun on a large statue of Dante and a dedication is planned for the fall. Future plans call for filling an empty quadrant of the garden with a small pantheon, as well.
"It just goes to show that if you believe in something, people will tap into your dream," Mariani says.
The Italian Cultural Garden was founded in 1930 by Italian-American businessman Philip Garbo. Its prominent features include a column from the Roman Forum and a bust of Virgil that was sent by the Italian government. Garbo's company, the Italian Fresco and Decorating Company, designed and painted decorative art and frescoes in residences, churches and over 100 theaters, including the Ohio Theatre. The design of the upper garden is taken from the Villa Medici in Rome.
This year's Opera in the Garden will take place on Sunday, July 31st at 6 p.m. in the Italian Cultural Garden (990 East Boulevard).
Source: Joyce Mariani
Writer: Lee Chilcote
COSE members will bring their causes to Columbus on Wednesday, May 25, for COSE Day at the Capitol. For the past five years, COSE members have used the day to meet with policy makers, network and bring their issues to the table.
"People don't have to be political," says Brynn Allio, director of government and external relations for COSE. "They just have to be willing to share their stories."
About 50 participants will board a bus in Cleveland at 6:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Independence and attend a reception breakfast at 9:15 a.m. in Columbus. Members will then spend the day talking to legislators -- speaker of the house William Batchelder, senate president pro tem Keith Faber, senate minority leader Capri Cafaro, and BWC administrator Steve Buehrer.
"They will break into groups to meet with the legislators and talk about their issues of concern," explains Allio. "Small business owners are really busy, but they are taking a day to talk with legislators. It's always nice when legislators connect with small business owners and we like to facilitate that when we can."
Some hot topics Allio expects to be covered include access to capital and healthcare. "Small business owners generally want to be able to offer health insurance to their employees, but it's increasingly difficult with rising rates," she says.
The day culminates with a reception before participants board the bus home to Cleveland. The event is only open to COSE members and costs $20 for the day. Call 216-592-2497 for more information.
Source: Brynn Allio
Writer: Karin Connelly
"People don't have to be political," says Brynn Allio, director of government and external relations for COSE. "They just have to be willing to share their stories."
About 50 participants will board a bus in Cleveland at 6:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Independence and attend a reception breakfast at 9:15 a.m. in Columbus. Members will then spend the day talking to legislators -- speaker of the house William Batchelder, senate president pro tem Keith Faber, senate minority leader Capri Cafaro, and BWC administrator Steve Buehrer.
"They will break into groups to meet with the legislators and talk about their issues of concern," explains Allio. "Small business owners are really busy, but they are taking a day to talk with legislators. It's always nice when legislators connect with small business owners and we like to facilitate that when we can."
Some hot topics Allio expects to be covered include access to capital and healthcare. "Small business owners generally want to be able to offer health insurance to their employees, but it's increasingly difficult with rising rates," she says.
The day culminates with a reception before participants board the bus home to Cleveland. The event is only open to COSE members and costs $20 for the day. Call 216-592-2497 for more information.
Source: Brynn Allio
Writer: Karin Connelly
When Tyler Elevator moved its facilities to the 'burbs, it left behind over one million square feet of vacant warehouse space. A labyrinth of two-dozen brick buildings spread across 10 acres, Tyler possessed more than its share of challenges when it was acquired by Graystone Properties. Today, Tyler has been reborn as a thriving entrepreneurial district -- a bona fide urban village on the fringes of downtown.