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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?

One of my very favorite creative minds and visionaries  in the CLE is Danielle DeBoe and she’s at it again with this year’s “Made in the 216″.

Danielle owns and operates a fabulous boutique in the Gordon Square Arts District called Room Service, and is constantly involved in and provoking forward-moving creative thinking in Cleveland.  She was also a speaker at Cleveland’s TEDXCLE event.

Personally, she’s inspired me to never give up on my dreams and passions and to pursue them courageously and diligently. That’s why I’m so proud to help get the word out about the upcoming “Made in the 216″ (not that she really needs it, haha).

Here’s the scoop:

Made in the 216 | Cleveland, Gordon Square | iCarabout

Made in the 216 | Cleveland, OH | iCarabout.com

How cute is the “love boat” flier?!

Now, I could regurgitate everything on these promotional fliers to you here, but I figure you probably would just look at them. But I also know the type is pretty small on here, so here’s some deets:

June 11: 4-10PM special MIDNIGHT showing of “Out of Place” at Capitol Theater (as seen at Cleveland International Film Festival)

June 12: 11-10PM with AFTER PARTY at the Happy Dog – it’s also Discover Gordon Square Arts District Day!

-60 CLE based designers

-Shopping including: apparel, furniture, jewelry, candles, kids, art, stationary, etc!

-DJ’s and bands all weekend (Over 7!!)

-Food from independent Cleveland caterers!

http://madeinthe216.com

Danielle has really out-done herself this year, which I think is going to be a trend for the years to come. For those of you who didn’t go last year,  GET THERE THIS YEAR! There’s going to be more EVERYTHING – music/shopping/art/films/food/beer all from the LAND!

I’d like to end this post on this inspirational line: “Made in the 216 was designed and created by Danielle DeBoe to prove the viability of Cleveland as a place in which to base your creative endeavor.” <–gives me goosebumps just reading it! GO CLE!

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 know I’ve been blogging about the Weapons of Mass Creation Fest A LOT, but I love it — SO SHOOOSH YOUR MOUTH! Just kidding.

Anyways, there have been some changes since I last posted about WMC.  The festival was going to be held at the Go Media studio but, some fire and safety codes have made that impossible.  Although it’s a bummer, I’m sure everyone would rather be safe than sorry.  Plus, if you want to keep having this awesome event yearly, it’s better to stay on the city’s “good-side”.

After lots of searching and options, WMC Fest will be held at the Parish Hall and Church in the Gordon Square Arts District!

Parish Hall and Church

6205 Detroit Ave.

Cleveland, OH 44102

Jeff Finley, WMC Fest Founder, couldn’t have said it better:  ”It’s actually a much better area for the festival because there are many cool businesses, coffee shops and restaurants right there.”  Here’s a great little video explaining why they had to change the venue and why they’re even more excited now.

In other fun news, Weapons of Mass Creation have had a photo contest going for a while now with Positively Cleveland that ends this coming Tuesday (May 11th)! You have until then to enter a photo of yourself and friends with a creative sign that says, “See you at WMC”. The more creative, the better!

Here’s what you can win:

Grand Prize: THE ULTIMATE WMC CLEVELAND VIP EXPERIENCE

1. 6 VIP/Backstage Passes to WMC Fest, so you and your friends can enjoy the ultimate VIP experience.
2. 6 WMC Gift Bags with shirt, poster, buttons, and other goodies donated by our talented WMC Guests.
3. 2 tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
4. 4 tickets to Cleveland Indians game on 5/19 or 6/8 (great seats behind home plate!)
   -
   Not only do you get to see every band, film, artist, and speaker at Weapons of Mass Creation Fest, you’ll also be granted access to the 3rd floor VIP level where all the bands, artists, and filmmakers hang out. Pretty sweet deal for you and 5 friends!

And to make the deal even sweeter, we teamed up with Positively Cleveland to give you Tribe and Rock Hall tickets!

Second Place: The WMC Cleveland Experience

1. 4 Weekend Passes to WMC Fest
2. 4 WMC Gift Bags with shirt, poster, buttons, and other goodies donated by our talented WMC Guests.
3. 2 tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
4. 2 tickets to Cleveland Indians game on 5/19 or 6/8 (great seats behind home plate!)
   -
   You and 3 friends get to see every band, film, artist, and speaker at Weapons of Mass Creation Fest. And to make the deal even sweeter, we teamed up with Positively Cleveland to give you Tribe and Rock Hall tickets!

Third Place: WMC Cle Fun Pack

1. 2 Weekend Passes to WMC Fest
2. 2 WMC Gift Bags with shirt, poster, buttons, and other goodies donated by our talented WMC Guests.
3. 2 tickets to Cleveland Indians game on 5/19 or 6/8 (great seats behind home plate!)
   -
   You and a friend get to see every band, film, artist, and speaker at Weapons of Mass Creation Fest. And to make the deal even sweeter, we teamed up with Positively Cleveland to give you Tribe tickets!

For more information on the WMC Fest and to see the 2o10 Art/Design/Music/Film line-up, go to http://www.wmcfest.com/#