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Nexus Cafe & Coffeehouse Now Open
April 3, 2012 – 8:12 amNexus Café & Coffeehouse, the newest member of Cleveland’s growing culinary scene, offers expertly prepared food using locally grown and produced ingredients as well as hand-crafted coffee from a region of Sumatra world-renowned for its beans.
In addition, Nexus – which opened its doors at 627 Prospect Ave. yesterday– provides a place where those living and working downtown can serve their city through coordinated volunteer service opportunities. “Nexus means a place of connecting, and that is precisely what we envision for this newcafé,” said Mickey DeAngelo, head chef and Nexus co-creator. “With Nexus, it’s our goal to be a catalyst for building a healthy and thriving community empowered to address important local and global issues.”
To accomplish this, a portion of the proceeds from every coffee and meal purchased will be invested in the city through Nexus’ “Cleveland, I Love You” initiative. Through “Cleveland, I Love You,” Nexus will work with local nonprofits, churches and social agencies to actively promote community service. Nexus’ impact will be global as well. Each cup of coffee sold will support and provide opportunities for farmers from the highlands of Kepahyang – an area known for producing superior single-origin coffee beans – through a sustainable partnership DeAngelo forged when he visited Sumatra in 2011.
Nexus will also support local businesses, including Berea-based Red Cedar Coffee Co., which will roast Nexus’ coffee beans, and several Northeast Ohio farmers and artisans who will provide the ingredients for Nexus’ menu. DeAngelo previously was sous chef at Saucy Bistro in Westlake and executive chef at Vaccaro’s Trattoria in Akron. His Nexus menu will feature seasonal dishes, including items such as espresso encrusted pork tenderloin wraps, cream spinach grilled ‘atbread pizzas and wheat berry salads.
Located in the former Caddy Shack Lounge space in downtown Cleveland’s historic Gateway district, Nexus houses a 140-seat venue space, which will feature local musicians, artists, business speakers and a variety of other community-enrichment functions. A large conference room is also be available for business meetings and other occasions.
For more information, contact DeAngelo at 216-856-0787 or mickey@nexuscleveland.com, or visit nexuscleveland.com.
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Downtown Cleveland Alliance kicks off the 5th Annual Downtown Photo Challenge
April 2, 2012 – 10:55 amWith the recent beautiful weather, Downtown Cleveland Alliance encourages Northeast Ohio to get outside and capture the people and things that make downtown Cleveland unique. The Downtown Photo Challenge invites amateur photographers, 18 years of age and older, in Northeast Ohio to capture beautiful and unique depictions of Cleveland as seen through the lens of the camera.
There will be one (1) grand prize winner, and three (3) category prize winners, one for each submission category. The prizes for this year’s contest are:
- Grand Prize: $500 and a beautifully framed print of their work provided by The Plain Dealer
- Three (3) Category Prize Winners: $200 and a beautifully framed print of their work provided by The Plain Dealer
Each entrant may submit up to two (2) images and each photo must be submitted to one of the three categories.
• People - People living, working and playing downtown are the city’s heartbeat and we are looking for images that demonstrate this.
• Old is New- Urban revitalization-a second shot for a city’s life. Preserve these moments of our Downtown core as it has new life breathed into it.
• Urban Cycling – Capture the growing trend in alternative transportation in an urban environment
The deadline to submit photos is Friday, August 17th at 11:59p.m Individuals can register for the contest and submit their photos online at www.downtowncleveland.com/photochallenge/
And new this year, Downtown Cleveland Alliance has partnered with the Cleveland Photographic Society to celebrate their 125th anniversary. As part of that celebration they are sponsoring a Photo Scavenger Hunt in downtown Cleveland that is open to the public. Visit www.photos.clevelandphoto.org for more information.
The 2012 Downtown Photo Challenge is made possible by Dollar Bank, PlayhouseSquare, Old Stone Church and the Plain Dealer.
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DITCH THE BORING OFFICE LUNCH FOR POPCORN AND A MOVIE
March 20, 2012 – 1:43 pmTHE DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND ALLIANCE GETS CARRIED AWAY BY SPONSORING POPCORN FOR LUNCH…AGAIN!
Downtown Cleveland - For six days in March, join the Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA) for popcorn and a movie. That’s right, Popcorn For Lunch is back during the 36th annual Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) at the Tower City Cinemas. On the six selected days, buy any size popcorn and get the same size fountain drink for free! This is a great opportunity to take some time out of your busy schedule and really enjoy your lunch. Bring your co-workers, friends or family members – everyone is welcome.
“The Cleveland International Film Festival gives downtown visitors hundreds of opportunities to let feature and short films take them away,” said Gina Morris, director of marketing and public relations, Downtown Cleveland Alliance. “And what better way to enjoy a lunch break then with popcorn and a great movie.”
CIFF will be showing a collection of independent short films beginning at noon, and the Tower City Cinema’s concession stands will be open between 11 a.m and 1 p.m. – allowing movie goers and non-movie goers alike to enjoy hot and delicious popcorn during their lunch break. Viewers will be able to watch individual shorts lasting between one and 30 minutes, or take a longer lunch and stay for the whole program that lasts between 90 and 100 minutes.
Join us for lunch and get carried away!
Popcorn for Lunch Schedule:
Friday, March 23rd– Independent Shorts Program 4
Monday, March 26th– Independent Shorts Program 1
Tuesday, March 27th– Independent Shorts Program 3
Wednesday, March 28th– Independent Shorts Program 2
Thursday, March 29th– Independent Shorts Program 10
Friday, March 30th– Independent Shorts Program 11
The Cleveland International Film Festival runs from March 22 through April 1.
For more information on Popcorn for Lunch or CIFF, visit www.downtowncleveland.com.
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PNC’s Community Impact
March 19, 2012 – 8:55 amThrough executive leadership, strategic investments and employee volunteerism, The PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE: PNC) is helping to build strong communities and create financial opportunities for individuals, families and businesses. In 2010, more than $60 million was invested in communities across 15 states and the District of Columbia to encourage home ownership, economic development, partnerships with community-based organizations and support early childhood education.
Led by Paul Clark, regional president of the Cleveland market, PNC is dedicated to enriching the area through philanthropy, sponsorships, community development and its signature cause, Grow Up Great.
Through its Community Development Banking group, PNC boosts the quality of life in lower-income neighborhoods through affordable housing, economic revitalization and customized financial solutions. Flexible loans, public-private partnerships and financing that leverages government tax credits and financial education classes help to revitalize communities in need.
A commitment to innovation and green building for more than a decade has enabled PNC to lower costs, increase efficiency and productivity as well as improve the health and vitality of communities. PNC has more newly constructed buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council than any other company on Earth, and is proud of our LEED certified Detroit Crocker branch and recent renovations to PNC Center in Downtown Cleveland that follow green building guidelines.
With more than $45 million in grants in 2010, the PNC Foundation forms partnerships with nonprofit organizations to further community goals focused on early childhood education and community and economic development.
Through a multi-year, $250 million initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life, PNC Grow Up Great and PNC Crezca con Éxito form a comprehensive, bilingual school readiness program. This funding has established innovative programs for preschoolers in math, science, the arts and financial education. Locally, PNC has invested more than $3.5 million in early childhood education grants.
Many of PNC’s 52,000 employees serve as directors for non-profit boards and strategic planners, and assist with financial education classes on banking, budgeting and other financial matters. In Cleveland, over 2,000 Grow Up Great employee volunteers provide in-classroom teacher support, outdoor and indoor cleanup at child care centers, help at special program events and assist with collection drives.
As demographic changes reshape our regions, diversity initiatives make good business sense for PNC, providing opportunities for continued growth. Appreciating and encouraging diverse views allows PNC to better compete for talent while enhancing employee and customer satisfaction.
Named among the leading companies for employees with disabilities by Profiles in Diversity Journal and the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers, PNC demonstrates its commitment to supporting its employees who serve their customers and communities.
For more information, visit www.pnc.com and see Community Involvement, follow @PNCNews on Twitter or watch www.youtube.com/pnc.
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Cleveland Photo Scavenger Hunt Now Underway
March 14, 2012 – 3:50 pmOn Sunday, March 11, the Cleveland Photo Scavenger Hunt officially began. Sponsored by the Cleveland Photographic Society as a part of its 125th Anniversary celebration, the contest challenges participants to find and replicate 125 photos taken in downtown Cleveland.
The contest is open to the general public and participants may enter as individuals or teams. There is no charge to participate.
Contest photos will be released at a rate of 25 photos per month until all 125 images have been released. The contest runs through the end of Daylight Savings Time on November 4, 2012.
To promote the contest, field trips throughout the downtown area will be conducted each month, beginning in April. Prizes for those who submit the most matching images have been donated by downtown merchants and others.
To learn more about the contest and to register, visit www.clevelandphoto.org/photohunt
The Cleveland Photographic Society has been in continuous operation since 1887, making it one of the oldest camera clubs in the country – and still one of its largest and most active. Currently based in Broadview Heights, the club boasts 500 members and hosts a variety of activities to serve photographers of all skill levels and interests. CPS is proud to partner with the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and Cool Cleveland.com in presenting the Photo Scavenger Hunt.
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LEADERS UNVEIL PLANS TO STRENGTHEN CLEVELAND AS A DESTINATION
March 14, 2012 – 1:46 pmOUTCOMES OF NOVEMBER TRAVEL + TOURISM SUMMIT TO BE ANNOUNCED
Press release from Positively Cleveland…
After four months of research, collaboration and idea generation, Positively Cleveland and other civic-minded leaders will come together to unveil plans to strengthen Cleveland as a tourism destination. The Destination Cleveland Travel + Tourism Outcomes Launch will be held at the House of Blues (308 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland) on March 27 from 7:30 – 10am.
Free and open to the public, the event will feature the unveiling of the outcomes of the November tourism summit, celebrate the quick wins related to tourism and allow attendees to engage with Positively Cleveland and other industry partners to continue to create regional economic vitality.
Several leaders will present plans to improve the travel landscape of Cleveland. Presenters will include Joseph Marinucci, President, Downtown Cleveland Alliance; Tony Coyne, Chair, Cleveland City Planning Commission and Group Plan Commission; Terry Stewart, President, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum; Joseph A. Calabrese, Chief Executive Officer, General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority; and David Gilbert, President and Chief Executive Officer, Positively Cleveland.
In a press release, Gilbert said, “With the spotlight shining brightly on Cleveland, our goal with this initiative is to set priorities for the next five years that will strengthen the future of the region as a travel destination.” “Ultimately, our goal is to grow the region’s economy.”
Space is limited, so the public is asked to register by March 16 at http://tinyurl.com/summitlaunchrsvp.
The Outcomes Launch is the product of the Destination Cleveland Travel + Tourism Summit, which was held Nov. 2, 2011. At the event, some of Cleveland’s most notable leaders gathered to create an agenda for how Cleveland looks, acts and feels as a travel destination during a period of unprecedented growth including more than $2 billion in visitor-related infrastructure development.
In attendance at the November summit were more than 200 community ambassadors representing various tourism-related industries including attractions, area convention and visitors bureaus, government officials, hotels, neighborhood organizations, non-profits and more. Led by Cleveland-based Appreciative Inquiry, this group of key leaders and ambassadors were engaged in a day of open dialogue, creative brainstorming and action planning to determine how to improve the overall visitor experience. To view clips from the summit, visit http://youtu.be/zMSCNoUyqBc.
After defining the ideal future for Cleveland’s travel and tourism industry, participants from both events identified 11 key opportunity areas for strategic focus including (1) access to natural resources, (2) connectivity and wayfinding, (3) hospitality, (4) first impressions, (5) attraction bundling and packaging, (6) local youth outreach and education, (7) civic pride, (8) locals as ambassadors, (9) public transportation, (10) signature events and (11) technology.
Through more careful review, these eleven key opportunity areas were merged and summarized into six key opportunity areas that will be overseen by various community organizations, which will be announced during the Outcomes Launch on March 27.
For more information about the Destination Cleveland Travel + Tourism Outcomes Launch, visit www.positivelycleveland.com/destinationcleveland. For media seeking to attend launch, please contact Lexi Hotchkiss at lhotchkiss@positivelycleveland.com or 216.875.6628.
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Colossal Cupcakes Opens this Friday March 16th
March 14, 2012 – 8:27 am
Colossal Cupcakes is opening this Friday at 7AM! Colossal Cupcakes is located at 530 Euclid (storefront of the Colonial Marketplace).
Colossal Cupcakes serves homemade and ample sized cupcakes that offer a unique and homemade delicacy to the Greater Cleveland area. We offer an overwhelming amount of flavors decorated with supreme imagination. We pride ourselves with our star quality service while ultimately providing our customers with a fanciful and appeasing experience. Unlike our competitors, we at Colossal Cupcakes offer not only beauty on the outside of our cupcakes, but most importantly, on the inside as well.
Some of our daily flavors include Pineapple Coconut Rum (the honeymooner), Red Velvet, Blackberry, Coffee Toffee, Chocolate Almond Raspberry, Strawberry Banana, Neopolitan, and much much more! Colossal will be open at 7AM so customers can stop in for coffee and a “Sunday Morning Cupcake” (a butter pancake cupcake topped with maple cream cheese frosting and candied bacon).
Colossal Cupcakes also has a hot chocolate menu including our red velvet hot chocolate smothered with our homemade cream cheese whip cream. We also have cake shakes! Pick any of our cupcakes and we will toss it into a gourmet shake with our homemade French Vanilla ice cream!
Colossal will have a minimum of 12 fully stocked cupcake flavors daily as well as cake pops and mini sampler cupcakes!
Colossal Cupcakes is also a sit down shabby chic style café with wifi. Patio seating will be available during warm weather!
Hours
Monday- Friday 7AM-7Pm
Saturday 10AM-9PM
Sundays Closed
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Downtown Cleveland Alliance names 2012-2014 class of City Advocates
March 14, 2012 – 8:16 amCleveland – Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA) is pleased to announce the 2012 class of DCA City Advocates. Seventeen new participants representing a broad range of professional expertise and personal interests will become the fourth class of City Advocates to make a two-year commitment to DCA’s program.
Launched in 2009, the DCA City Advocates Program serves to provide civic education and fosters active engagement for rising leaders in the Downtown Cleveland community. Through this unique program, participants gain access to Downtown Cleveland Alliance’s staff and board and engage in open dialogue with many established leaders in the private, public and non-profit sectors. In addition, participants work collaboratively on self-selected projects that support Downtown’s quality of life and ability to attract residents, businesses and visitors. They emerge from the program with a fuller understanding of community change processes and the various ways one can become active in civic life.
The 2012-2014 class consists of the following new members that were selected by a committee of DCA staff and board members who reviewed the written applications and interviewed a group of 30 finalists:
Melissa Carney, Fahlgren Mortine
Brittany Cutright, Cleveland Research Company
Chris Fornadel, Great Lakes Theater
Michael Gersper, Gardiner Trane
Donald Holbrook, Calfee, Halter & Griswold
Nita Hoxha,Baldwin Wallace College
Laura Klingler Doyle, Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland
Barbara Lum Thompson Hine
Timothy McCue, O’Neill Foundation
Calvin Ng, Safely Home
KC Petraitis, Ostendorf-Morris Company
Joseph Platten, R.J. Platten Contracting
Marc Pupillo, CVS/Pharmacy
Matt Sattler, Allegro Realty Advisors
Lauren Wiant,PlayhouseSquare Real Estate Services
Ron Willner, Cleveland State University
Mark Wright, Cleveland Cavaliers,The above will join the following 11 current City Advocates who are returning for the second half of their two-year commitment:
Christiana Antwi-Obimpeh, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Victoria Avi, Cleveland State University
Alejandro Cortes, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Tim Farley, Skylight Financial Group
Taylor Hawkins, Bellwether Real Estate Capital
Kari Mirkin, The Foundation Center
Karen Powell, Findley Davies, Inc.
Saira Rahman, B&F Capital Markets, Inc.
Rina Spyrou, Mixed Greens Restaurants
Allison Taller, Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff, LLP
Mary Zenker, Federal Reserve Bank of ClevelandThe Alliance is pleased to see its program graduates continuing to be civically engaged in a variety of ways, including volunteerism, membership in young professional groups, and many other activities. Of note are Ellen Evans and Joseph Giuliano who have taken on leadership roles in the Downtown Cleveland Residents Association, and Andrew Coleman and Jason Russell who have been elected to Cuyahoga County’s Next Generation Council along with incoming City Advocate Timothy McCue.
“The City Advocates program is attracting the brightest, most passionate people in the community,” says Laura Kushnick, Director of Development and Community Relations at DCA. “The number of applicants has grown every year. It’s a testament to the positive energy in Downtown Cleveland that is driving people to look for meaningful ways to experience and support the forward momentum.”
For more information on the City Advocates program, visit http://downtowncleveland.com/get-involved/city-advocates.aspx or contact Laura Kushnick, lkushnick@dcacleveland.net, 216‐736‐7799.
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Cleveland International Film Festival
March 5, 2012 – 12:55 pm
The 36th annual Cleveland International Film Festival heads into town beginning Thursday, March 22nd through Sunday, April 1st. The premier film event in Ohio, the CIFF presents a full survey of contemporary international and American Independent filmmaking, with more than 150 features and 130 short subjects from approximately 60 countries.Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 9th. Ticket prices for most films are $10 per film for CIFF members and $12 for non-members. Tickets will be available online at www.clevelandfilm.org, by telephone (1.877.304.FILM), at the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Box Office in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas, or by mail using the Program Guide order form. Program Guides will be available throughout the region, including all Dollar Bank locations, the week of March 5th.
POPCORN FOR LUNCH is back!
Spend your lunch hour at the 36th Cleveland International Film Festival watching any (or all) of a program of collected short subject films. These screenings typically last between 90 and 100 minutes, but individual shorts can have a running time between one minute and 30 minutes.
Tower City Cinemas will offer a Buy Me / Get Me Concession Special between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on March 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30. Buy any size popcorn and get the same size fountain drink for FREE.
Popcorn for Lunch Schedule
Friday, March 23rd @ 12:00 Noon – Independent Shorts Program 4
Monday, March 26th @ 12:00 Noon – Independent Shorts Program 1
Tuesday, March 27th @ 12:00 Noon – Independent Shorts Program 3
Wednesday, March 28th @ 12:00 Noon – Independent Shorts Program 2
Thursday, March 29th @ 12:00 Noon – Independent Shorts Program 10
Friday, March 30th @ 12:00 Noon – Independent Shorts Program 11Popcorn for Lunch is presented by Downtown Cleveland Alliance
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St. Patrick’s Day Specials
March 5, 2012 – 12:07 pm
Check out some of the places Downtown that will be offering live entertainment and fun all day on Saturday, March 17th
Barley House
St. Patrick’s Fest—an outdoor St. Patty’s Event Like None Other
Gates open at 10am
Live Irish & Rock Music
Green Blossom Special-10:30am
Vegas Baby-5:00pm
Bagpipers and Irish Dancers ALL DayClick here for more details
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Wonder Bar
Wonder Bar will open at 11am so stop on in where the Murphys and Jameson will be flowing! Need some food to keep you going? Our chef will be cooking up corned beef sandwiches and reubens all day long! Pants on Fire will perform at 4pm.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________House of Blues
House of Blues® Cleveland will hold its 8th annual celebration on Saturday, March 17th. It is Cleveland’s largest unofficial St. Patrick’s Day Party! House of Blues® Cleveland is THE place to be on the big day to enjoy some rockin’ Irish music, giveaways and much more. The festivities begin at 8:00 AM and include:$12 Irish Food Buffet available in the Music Hall
Entertainment at Music Hall hosted by Joe Cronauer
9 am – Noon: The Endorsements
Noon – 2:30 pm: DJ Sparky B
2:30-4:00 pm: Prodigals
4:00-6:00 pm: DJ Sparky BCambridge Room
9 am - Noon: Boys from the County Hell - A Tribute to The Pogues
1 pm: Plaid SabbathLook for more updates to come at houseofblues.com/cleveland
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Greenhouse Tavern & Noodlecat
3.17.12 7am-11pm St Patty’s Day 2012Noodlecat & The Greenhouse Tavern are hosting some killer Irish parties for your St. Patty’s enjoyment! Both patios will be rockin’ with whiskey, Victory Brewing Co. kegs, street food, and tons of fun! Noodlecat has Irish Ramen Special and GHT has a three-course lunch menu full of Irish pride… not to mention the VIP party on the rooftop! Get tix for the rooftop here: www.whiskeybells.eventbrite.com
Stay tunes for more St. Patrick’s Day entertainment to be added…
