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Just this past Thursday (June 17th) there was a flash mob sighting near the fountain at the Tower City Center. Around lunchtime, some members of the Shaker Dance Academy teamed up with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Akron appeared from the crowd and danced their little tushies off! The group totaled almost 200!!

I think this is the cutest thing ever, especially since the kids did it in hopes that LeBron would notice their support of him and stay in Cleveland. Although I’m sure NY will be quick to make fun of these efforts and call us “pathetic” for trying…even though they’re doing the same thing. (Don’t get me started…)

I’m pretty sure the flash mob was organized by Positively Cleveland, WKYC and morethanaplayer.org — the video is from Positively Cleveland.

By the way, have you been to morethanaplayer.org yet? I’m sure you’ve at least seen the billboards around Cleveland. Check it out if you have some time. The site was started by ‘Fans for LeBron’ to let him know just how special he is to our city.

More About Them:

‘Fans for LeBron’ is a grassroots group committed to keeping one of Northeast Ohio’s greatest assets in Cleveland. We understand that LeBron means so much to our community in so many different ways. He impacts our local economy and the awareness of Cleveland both nationally and internationally, and he improves the fabric of life across our region with his inspiration and local charitable benefits.

‘Fans for LeBron’ committee members share a passion for the region and understand that LeBron’s impact goes well beyond basketball and he is “more than a player.” We want to show him why it’s so important for him to stay home.

The ‘Fans for LeBron’ committee members are:
Keith Abrams
Bill Applegate
Rick Batyko
Steve Bitto
Rob Boenau
Douglas Boodjeh
Fred Botek
Steve Carver
John Cimperman
Ray Davis
Molly Dixon
Greg Easterly
Roger Frank
David Gilbert
Ken Hejduk
Charles Michener
Gary Mincer
Jerry Murphy
Ray Murphy
John & Karen Nestor
Bill Platko
Kameika Smith
Steven Tatar
Jeff Wilson
Adam Zuccaro

I was just recently tipped off to an amazing challenge coming up supporting all of our favorite local businesses here in Cleveland.

Interested?  I know, so was I!

I Buy NEO,  a program powered by COSE to support Northeast Ohio small businesses, has organized its 2nd annual “Buy Local Week” starting July 3 – 10, 2010.

For this week, Clevelanders are encouraged to purchase only from regional vendors.  In fact, you can take the “Buy Local

COSE | Cleveland, OH | iCarabout.com

Challenge” and pledge to spend $100 to NEO owned businesses by filling out a promise form on the ibuyneo.com website.  In return for taking the $100 challenge, participants will receive a Buy Local discount card they can use in the month of July saving them money at over 40 local attractions, restaurants, and events.

To pledge to the “Buy Local Challenge”, visit http://www.ibuyneo.com/buylocalchallenge.asp

If spending $100 isn’t in the cards for you, there are other ways you can help promote and support “Buy Local Week”.  You can just make sure your purchases are made from locally owned vendors that week, or you can also get a badge or widget from ibuyneo.com to post on your site. If you’re on twitter, you can also use this #buylocalneo hashtag.

I’m actually a huge fan of this “100 Ways to Buy Local” widget which lists ideas for purchases locally more often — so cute and clever!

Although I try to buy locally as much as I can, I love this effort because it really brings attention to our great Cleveland+ businesses right in our own backyards. Most of us would agree that we’d rather SUPPORT our city’s economy rather than chase potential businesses out of NEO.  I’m especially interested in bringing more regional vendors, companies and career opportunities to Downtown Cleveland — both to utilize empty space we already have and to encourage new construction and growth.

Here is some info from ibuyneo.com about “Buy Local Week”:

• -If everyone in Northeast Ohio redirects $100 to a locally owned business, the local economic impact would reach approximately $48 million, creating jobs and many other opportunities for the region.
• -Buy Local Week is an important initiative as it helps to level the playing field.  Small businesses often times do not have the marketing budgets and resources to compete with the big box retailers.  Buying from locally owned businesses creates jobs in the region and keeps our neighborhoods unique and thriving.

One last bit of information I’ll share is that on July 12th, COSE will announce how many millions of dollars were redirected to support NEO vendors.  This money will in turn go towards making Northeast Ohio and the surrounding area a more profitable and growing region.

So why not support this great effort and help out our city’s small businesses? There are many ways to contribute, even if you don’t have the extra money to spend!

What are your favorite local shops, restaurants and vendors in Cleveland?

Greenhouse Tavern | Cleveland, OH | iCarabout.com

A good friend of mine, and fellow Cleveland-lover (even while living in Chi), is throwing a great event this weekend with his girlfriend to raise money for CHOSA –  Children of South Africa. (Here’s his official fundraising page: http://chosafilm.org/)

On Sunday, May 16, The Greenhouse Tavern on E.4th Street in Cleveland will be hosting the event and donating to this amazing cause.  All you have to do is show up, tell your server that you’re there to support CHOSA and Greenhouse donate 10% of your check and $1 of a TBA drink to the fundraiser.

How AWESOME is that?!

Well…let’s break it down and see:

• -You get to dine at the Best New Restaurant in Cleveland 2010 – via Metromix.com.  (Awesome status = A+)
• -Your food will be made by Chef Jonathon Sawyer, named one of Food and Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs of 2010.  (Another “awesome-ness” status of A+)
• -The Greenhouse Tavern is the first certified Green Restaurant in Ohio, and they support local farmers by buying locally.  (Awesome status = A++ for the health/eco consciousness)
• -You get to help out a really great cause. (A+++ for “awesome-ness and the good feeling of helping others in need)

On top of all that, the food at Greenhouse Tavern is just PHENOMENAL in general…even without knowing all those facts. I’d say it’s a WIN-WIN all around, wouldn’t you?

So, the CHOSA fundraising bash starts at 2:oopm and goes until 5:00pm, which means it won’t interfere with the plans of those of you running in the Cleveland Marathon. By the way, Joe and Courtney (the folks throwing this event) are running the half-marathon that morning as well — if you’re there, make sure you congratulate them!

Link to the official facebook event HERE.

CHOSA Fundraiser at Greenhouse Tavern | Cleveland, OH

Here is some more info on CHOSA – Children of South Africa for those of you who want to know a little more about the oranization:

CHOSA’s mission is to identify and support community based organizations (CBOs) that reach out and take care of orphans and other vulnerable children in South Africa.

CHOSA takes a holistic approach to community development. By supporting these CBOs, we help empower other marginalized people in these communities. Moreover, through community participation, CHOSA promotes local action, self-empowerment, and peer-to-peer networking as essential strategies for community-owned development.

OUR VISION:

CHOSA’S vision is based on the belief that every South African child is entitled to grow up in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment that will lead to uplifting the entire community. In order to achieve this, our goal is to create an organization that is based on integrity, compassion and efficiency.

THE FACTS:

1. Half the world’s children are devastated by poverty – UNICEF
2. 60 % of the Children of South Africa are in poverty – Statistics South Africa
3. There are about 12.5 Million AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa – UNAIDS
4. More reasons why you should help . . .

Joe also has a great blog you should check out, Cleveland! Joe Baur’s Blog: mildlyrelevantthoughts.com

AND in case you missed Joe’s official CHOSA fundraising page before: http://chosafilm.org/

I heard about this awesome festival going on this coming weekend (May 15th, Saturday) from a few friends and just HAD to post something about it on iCarabout.  

It’s perfect timing anyways because it’s the day AFTER our ‘Tis Cleveland party the night before! (You’re coming, aren’t you?!? – RSVP HERE) Besides that, it’s the perfect example of how the city of Cleveland and its surrounding suburbs are making efforts to improve themselves and progress. 

Here’s all the info you need to know, via TisCleveland.com:

A great way to support the city of Cleveland and it’s surrounding suburbs in their efforts to improve and involve the community! Kamm’s Corners is throwing a street festival next Saturday and ‘Tis Cleveland thinks you should know about it!

The Hooley on Kamm's Corners | Cleveland, OH | iCarabout.com

Takes Place Saturday, May 15!

“Hooley,” Irish slang for party or celebration, is the new name of what will become an annual street festival right in “downtown” Kamm’s Corners.

This year is particularly special because not only will Mayor Jackson attend to officially cut the ribbon on our beautiful new Streetscape, but we will also concurrently host a “Walk+Roll”event in our neighborhood, encouraging visitors to explore on foot, skate, and bike. At the same time, participants may choose to represent and support the Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market. Find out how by clicking here.

Lorain Avenue will be closed to traffic from W.168th to Rocky River Drive on Saturday May 15th from Noon to 8 p.m. for The Hooley. A stage will be set up at Rocky River Drive facing east, and the day long festival will feature live music, great food, a host of children’s activities and entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more! For a flyer with the full schedule of events,click here.

Plan to join in the fun!

Click here for streetscape improvement drawings.

For more info:http://www.kammscorners.com/

Fact: Pearl Jam is coming to Quicken Loans Arena this Sunday, May 9, 2010.

Fact: I’m a little biased towards Map Room because I work there, love everyone I work with and just love the bar in general. Deal with it.

Fact: Gillespie’s Map Room is hosting THE OFFICIAL PEARL JAM TEN CLUB PARTY on Sunday before the concert!!

Gillespie's Map Room | Cleveland, OH | iCarabout.com

The party is also hosted by Jib Machine Records and The Wishlist Foundation, a Pearl Jam fan nonprofit organization and trust me, it’s going to be HUUUUUGE.  I could go on and on talking about this amazing event and how they’re helping various breast cancer support organizations in honor of Mother’s Day, BUT I’ll let you just read this instead:

Sunday May 9th Starting at 11:30 am

The Wishlist Foundation, a Pearl Jam fan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is hosting pre-concert fundraiser at Gillespie’s Map Room / Jib Machine Records from 12-7 PM to celebrate legendary rock band Pearl Jam’s stop at the Quicken Loans Arena on Mother’s Day, May 9th. In honor of Mother’s Day, the fundraiser will benefit various breast cancer support organizations. Canned food and dried goods will also be collected for local food depository organizations.

Attendees will be able to make donations at the event and receive incentive items like Pearl Jam inspired t-shirts, posters, wristbands, mouse pads and ticket albums and can enter a raffle to win fan-donated Pearl Jam memorabilia. There will also be a silent auction that features autographed items donated by band members as well as items donated by our sponsors. All proceeds from the raffle and auction will go to aid in breast cancer advocacy and education.

The day kicks-off at 10 AM at Studio 13 when Charlie & Regi of JibNation will do a special one-hour broadcast on Scrub Radio (http://www.scrubradio.com). The Map Room opens at 11:30 AM and will feature Wishlist Foundation activities, Jib Machine Records/13 Recordings/Hold On Recordings catalog display, BEER TUB specials featuring Craft products from Premium Beverage, extra coverage by Majestic Tents, DJ spinning live PJ shows and more.

All ages are welcome to attend the fundraiser at Gillespie’s Map Room / Jib Machine Records in Cleveland’s historic warehouse district at 1281 West 9th Street (216-621-7747) from 12-7 PM. Canned food and dry goods will also be collected. For more information, please visit www.wishlistfoundation.org.

Pearl Jam Pre Party | Map Room Cleveland | iCarabout.com

So get on down to Map Room this coming Sunday, even if you don’t have tickets to the concert!! The party will be amazing, you’ll be helping a great cause AND I’ll be bartending.