Now that the snow has stopped falling (we hope) and everyone has started to look at their spring tasks, more events seem to be popping up on the calendar. Here are some that you should think about trying to squeeze into your schedule:
Wednesday, April 14
Cleveland Composts! 8:30 – 11 am Trinity Commons, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 A Zero Waste NEO Network Event
This looks to be another great event by E4S. I have been so happy to have connected with Annabel and Victoria at E4S. It was through these guys that I was able to hook up with all the contacts that I needed to make the Hospitality Headquarters reduce its waste to almost zero. It should be fun, we will be hearing from people who are experts in this area: Nancy Hughes, Compost & Recycling Coordinator Cleveland Metroparks Zoo; Jessie Jacobson, Director of Premium Services Aramark – Quicken Loans Arena; Dave Pindel, LEED AP, Herschman Architects, Inc.; Denise Stoudenmire, The George Gund Foundation; Josh Steffen, Hershey Children`s Garden Manager-Cleveland Botanical Garden and Jill Ziegler, LEED AP, Program Manager, Sustainability Initiatives Forest City Enterprises, Inc. Many of these companies are already composting or are finishing their plans to implement a composting program. Cost is $25 for E4s members, $35 for non-members. Register online to pay by card or you can pay by check at the door.
West Side Coop Meeting- 6pm Gypsy Beans and Baking Company. If you have a vested interest in seeing a co op come to Cleveland’s west side, then you should come by and find out where the group is at these days in its plans.
If you have ever thought about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, then come by their location for a volunteer orientation. It is scheduled to run from 6-7 and is a prerequisite for volunteering with them. You don’t have to commit now, but if you think you might want to help them out this summer, get your orientation out of the way now.
Thursday April 15
Now that the taxes are mailed, come to Shaker Sq-area Movers and Shakers at Sarava. This new group will be meeting to network from 5-7:30 pm. I was invited by my pal Rachel Downey of Studio Graphique, so it is sure to be a great mix of people. Come by and meet some great folks!
Friday April 16
If you are interested in learning more about 80 green area businesses, then come to the Green Dream at the Beachwood Community Center, 23235 Fairmount Blvd. from 1-7 pm. Between 1 and 4 each attendee can bring up to 3 boxes of paper to be shredded, so get out your old receipts and bring them by. We exhibited here last year and it was great fun. We will only be spectators this year, but I can’t wait to see the Tesla Roadster that will be on display ans see who is new to the area.
If you do not know of Keller Williams, they are moving into the area like gang busters. They are celebrating the grand opening of their downtown office from 5:30-10 pm. Find them at 700 Johnson Court and help celebrate this contributor to the local economy.
Then it is time again for the 78th St Experience. This open house is in the former American Greetings Creative Studios building between W 78th and W 80th Streets (1300 W. 78th St to 1305 W. 80th St) I always enjoy this show. There are always a ton of great pieces and plenty of good artwork at this show. Check out their Facebook page to see who is being featured this quarter. The event runs from 5-9 pm.
Saturday April 17
Art Cares Initiated by the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) in 2003, ArtCares is a collaboration between the CIA and the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. Born out of the awareness of the devastating impact the AIDS epidemic has had on the world of art, and out of a consequent awareness that artists can contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS, ArtCares celebrates contemporary art by providing opportunities to bid on original works in a variety of media, while enjoying wine and savories at an elegant reception. All proceeds from the event benefit the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.
Tickets for this event are $50 per person, and $100 per VIP. Please contact Rebecca Strong at the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland to order tickets. Call 216-621-0766 ext. 255, or email atrstrong@atfgc.org. I have a few donated pieces up for sale here. Last year the turnout was great and the art was phenomenal. There were some incredible deals as well. I had a hard time not going away with more that I donated.
Sunday April 18
Earth Fest: Earth Day event at the Zoo. This is another great event. You can see most of the zoo, visit the exhibits by 175 participants and have a great time. I will be at the NEO Green Building table in the afternoon, so stop by and say hello. If you want to get in free, simply ride the shuttle from public square. Last year, I got a ton of free stuff, too. Granola bars from Whole Foods, shopping bags, CFL bulbs, and more. I ran into so many friends that it was just one big party! Come join the fun!
Tuesday, April 20th
E4S networking meeting at the Tasting Room of the Great Lakes Brewery. This event is the Small Business Showcase and will feature start ups in the area that are worthy of watching. Great Lakes beer, appetizers, great networking and a good program. Never disappoints. 5:30-8:30 pm.
A Designer’s Footprint is a panel discussion of the creative industry and how it impacts consumer experiences in our city. This event is at the CIA Aitkin Auditorium and starts at 6pm. Come early to see a special viewing of the CIA Spring Design Show. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the event and will be followed by a meet up at the Greenhouse Tavern. I know most of the panel, so I am sure it will be an informative and lively discussion. Panelist include, Bill Doty of Doty & Miller, Dan Cuffaro of the CIA, Susie Frazier Miller an environmental artist, and Jonathan Sin-Jin Satayathum a designer ans sustainability director of the Greenhouse Tavern.
Wenesday April 21
GCA and TiE Ohio Portfolio Showcase. This event should be interesting. I will be going to see the portfolios of local entrepreneurs and see what the local talent is working on. I wrote about Sunflower Solutions and they are likely to be showing off their portable solar array. The event is at the GCA offices-10550 Carnegie Avenue, at kicks off at 5pm. Presentations will start at 5:45 and an open house will follow at 7pm. Register here and join me for an interesting evening.
Thursday, April 22
Crain’s Cleveland Breakfast Series at the Doubletree downtown from 7:30-9:30 am. This month will be a look at the Environmental Economy and Clean Water at a valuable asset. This should prove to be another valuable topic! Tickets are $35, register in advance.
Saturday and Sunday, April 23-25th
Synergy Fest is the weekend long sporting event at CSU. Local area teams and athletes will compete and the Synergy Foundation will hone their skills for the upcoming Gay Games in 2014. The inaugural SynergyFest will host individuals and teams in the following sports: Volleyball, Billiards, Tennis, Flag Football, Racquetball, and Squash. Come for the fun and watch the sports, or if you like you can still sign up until the 16th. Visit the Synergy Fest site for more details.
Saturday, April 24th
Come turn Compost! Last November a group of Cleveland Greenhouse Project members set up Compost Bins at the Trinity Community Garden at East 35th and Cedar. Now we plan to turn and combine the bins and do a site clean-up in preparation for planting. Rain or Shine! Bring rakes and shovels! Refreshments and education provided!
Then on Monday I will be on a panel for the Ohio Museums Association to discuss Going Green at museums. As you can see the calendar is getting pretty stuffed, so sorry I haven’t had the time to post much. In addition, I am planting a large garden (two in fact) in an effort to grow my own food. Let me know if you are planning on going to one of these events, maybe we can meet up. Also, be sure to become a fan of ours on Facebook to see daily posts of interesting articles and things I come across.
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Great Lakes Design Collaborative Fan Page