Unlike at least one popular consumer magazine, CBC doesn’t publish a Most Beautiful People issue. But if we did, I know whom we’d focus on.
The nonprofit community has always been dear to CBC’s heart, and not just because our readership scores indicate nonprofit representatives are big fans of the magazine. Some of the best work in Northeast Ohio — and, in turn, some of the best business stories — arrives out of its nonprofit sector. Despite that, I’m not sure who else is paying attention. Because I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdog — hey, I’m from Cleveland — we’re more than willing to oblige.
That we (and other publications) don’t dedicate an entire issue to nonprofits is an advertising issue. By nature, nonprofits don’t have that kind of money to spend. Instead, our monthly issue themes revolve around more sellable industries, such as medical (this month), tourism (June), and construction (July).
Still, we choose to consistently incorporate nonprofit-related stories into CBC’s monthly agenda, both in print and digital formats.
This print issue on page 34 includes a feature on Janet Kramer, the president of the Ohio Buckeye chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. We send our congratulations to a female business leader who has dedicated the last 20 years to guiding such an influential organization.
Another article on page 12 focuses on Buckeye Industries, the vocational services program of nonprofit New Avenues to Independence. Focused on the recycling of medical waste, Buckeye Industries employs a large number of disabled persons. What a great example of humanitarianism.
Speaking of service, the Rotary Club of Cleveland defines it on page 22. Besides bringing the Tall Ships back to our shores this summer, the group continually cultivates a virtual oasis at the West 25th Street stop on RTA’s Red Line.
In what is a coup for CBC, Kevin Goodman — a true humanitarian as well as a genuine “Mr. Cleveland” kind of guy — is sponsoring full-page advertisements in CBC, beginning this issue. While his downtown-based company, BlueBridge, will be in the backdrop of every ad, the focus each month instead will be on some type of local philanthropic effort. BlueBridge’s first ad, on page 7, highlights Team in Training, the popular program of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As of February, Goodman also writes a philanthropy-specific column for CBC’s monthly enewsletter, Connections. We can’t emphasize how pleased we are to be working with him. Lastly, CBC, since its arrival in 2007, has enjoyed the guidance of editorial board member Blazine Monaco. She has the pulse of the charitable community as well as anyone, and, in fact, is now the president of GiveRight Cleveland, an organization that identifies and forges partnerships between Corporate Cleveland and the nonprofit sector to advance strategic goals.
There is definitely no shortage of Beautiful People in Northeast Ohio, and CBC is proud to feature and work with so many individuals who seem to glow from the inside out.









 

Unlike seemingly every other teen in Garfield Heights, I didn’t have a ticket to see Led Zeppelin at the Coliseum on Oct. 26 or 27, 1980. Not that it mattered — 40 shots of vodka wound up getting the best of John Bonham on Sept. 25, and there forever went the original Zeppelin.
Seven months later this high school junior finally turned the stile to his first concert. Hundreds of shows would follow over the ensuing 32 years, although not that many in the last decade. Severance Hall and the Cleveland Orchestra do me fine these days. But the memories are there — constant reminders that rock and roll was inherent to growing up in Cleveland in the 1970s and ’80s. With this being our annual entertainment issue, here are some of my most vivid concert moments:
Styx, April 9, 1981, Coliseum — I can’t think of a better introduction to live rock (there was no opening act) than Dennis DeYoung, in character as a custodian, taking the stage with a broom in hand and sweeping the Paradise Theatre sidewalk. His opening line: “Tonight’s the night we’ll make history.” Yes, the best of times.
The Who, Dec. 13-14, 1982, Coliseum — Two memories: One, the “preposterous” $20 tickets; two, the opening of “Pinball Wizard,” where it goes from acoustic chords to “BAH-ROOMMM!” (OK, so maybe 40 bucks to see a “super group” two nights in a row wasn’t all that bad.)
The Police, July 30, 1983, Coliseum — It helped that I had a fourth-row seat. It didn’t hurt that the prettiest girl in the house decided I should share that fourth-row seat. Synchronicity, baby.
U2, March 25, 1985, Coliseum — This was my favorite concert until U2’s “Elevation” gig May 3, 2001, at Gund Arena. Unforgettable was when Bono picked a guy from the crowd and asked him to play guitar on “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”
Rush, Dec. 19, 1985, Coliseum — Nothing says male bonding like 20,000 dudes simultaneously air-drumming Neil Peart’s roll at the apex of “Tom Sawyer.”
Van Halen, Aug. 21, 1991, Blossom Music Center — Lawn seats are fun. But leaning on the stage within reach of Eddie Van Halen is more fun. Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Sept. 2, 1995, Cleveland Stadium — I was in a bathroom in the middle concourse when Bruce Springsteen took the stage. I’ll never forget rounding the perimeter of the lower-bowl seats, like Kenny Lofton, trying to get to my seat as The Boss segued from “Bo Diddley” to “She’s the One.” My personal “Chariots of Fire” scene. And one last great time in my beloved stadium.
Metallica, Feb. 19, 1997, Gund Arena —It’s not vintage Metallica, but at one point of “Hero of the Day,” the entire crowd carried the tune’s hook — “Can’t you hear your baby’s crying now?” I was a little late to the party, but Metallica got me that night. Never too old, eh?
AC/DC, Jan. 5, 2009, Quicken Loans Arena — I never thought I’d say this, but it was too loud. Michael Stanley, April 17, 2009, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — All of those MSB concerts over the years, and this Our Lady of the Wayside benefit is the one in which it really sunk in as to what a treasure we’ve had all along in Michael Stanley. A beautiful voice delivering beautiful tunes. Cleveland definitely rocks.