As always I am trying to bring all my peeps together for a good morning meeting. So please join me at the Cleveland Social Media Club meeting on September 24^th, 2008 @ 8am. The Social Media Club (www.socialmediaclub.com) is being organized for the purpose of sharing best practices, establishing ethics and standards, and promoting media literacy around the emerging area of social media.

For stimulating conversation (and so early in the morn), interesting people (this I can guarantee) and to learn more about what Cleveland SMC has to offer please attend its first meeting again on September 24^th, 2008 @ 8am. Meeting will take place at Spaces Gallery located at 2220 Superior Viaduct, Suite 3, Cleveland, OH 44113.

And because it’s the most important meal of the day, breakfast will be enjoyed: you bring the cereal and SMC will supply the milk.

For more information visit:  www.clevelandsmc.ning.com.

Another great week-end in Cleveland. All the activities in this City make me proud to call Cleveland home, but let’s provide everyone a recap of what happened and what cool venues the “Tech Czar” was honored to attend.

·         Thursday Night was the launch of the Tech Center @ Leader and Digital Cocktails with a cool mix of tech CEO’s, technologists and real estate guru’s. I guess of this mixing leads to real estate development that is tech centric.  And the Tech Center @ Leader, along with the Tech Hotel, are prime examples of how the not so subtle change in Cleveland’s economy from manufacturing to technology is creating new models for buildings to change the method by which they attract and service tech companies. The Tech Center is a really cool place to be. Great group of people, probably a total of 60 people lot of fun.  

·         After the Digital Cocktails event headed over to Corner Alley on E. Fourth with Rachel, Andy Halko and Eric Purcell both of Insivia. Tech Emperor, I understand, was hurting the next morning from some sort of “squirrel attack.”

·         Playhouse Square Foundation had their annual tenant party out on Star Plaza on Friday Evening. Star studded affair with Tiffany Myroniak of Cleveland Magazine, Tom Furnas of IdeaStream, Art Falco of Playhouse Square Foundation and Tom Einhouse of PSF Management attending as well. Felt like Hollywood for a second or two.

·         Also on Friday evening, FIT Technologies had a little birthday soiree for our beloved VP/Co-Founder Michelle Tomallo at Scorcher’s on East 12^th Street. Good times, man, good times.  A lot of talking smack, bets on the big college games during the week-end, and fried food eating contests. I love this company. Won a big bet with our CEO – she owes me $50.

·         After all of this frivolity on Friday, Rachel and I stole away to Light Bistro in Ohio City. I have to say the portions were just perfect – had some good flatbread with provolone, sun dried tomatoes and pesto. Also had something akin to a fried cheese dumpling and some grilled shrimp.

·         Saturday enjoyed the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame smash Michigan. And what in the hell happened to Ohio State at USC? USC looks vicious, man.

·         I have to say the Pandemonium Event at Cleveland Public Theater was awesome! Great show by Judith Ross and crew over at SPT. Food was great, really cool people walking through the theaters, sharp entertainment. Rachel looked great. Saw a lot of good people I know including Jim Rokakis who was the Host this year for Pandemonium. Will not find a nicer guy in politics. Caught a cold is really the only bad note. But I will survive. Proud to be on the Host Committee for the Pandemonium Event. Going next year.

·         Sunday I nursed my cold.

Okay, so let’s have a good week Cleveland. I do hope to see you around enjoying this beautiful City.

I know the frustration many of us have with the lack of lake front development in Cleveland. During my time in the Campbell Administration there was a lot of work done in creating a long-term, and very provocative might I say, lake front plan. What was lacking I believe was a catalyst development that would stoke future development and enhance what has already been created on Cleveland’s lakefront – meaning the Stadium, Great Lakes Science Center and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

It gives me a thrill to announce the Rockometer. The Rockometer is a uniquely themed special events center to further enhance Cleveland’s rock music legacy. My dear, dear friend Christopher Axelrod has created a dynamic lake front development idea. Take a peak my friends – www.therockometer.com. One you enter the site click on some renderings but more importantly click on “Learn More About the Rockometer” and download the PDF. Let me know what you think. This is creative, but realistic, concept that could really spur lakefront development in a fun, creative way.