It's December 1st already! Only 24 days to find a special gift for everyone on my list -- and that includes some hard to please friends and relatives. Where do you shop in Cleveland if you hate Walmart and try to avoid the crowds and monotonous merchandise of the malls? There are plenty of galleries, boutiques, books stores, thrift stores and websites with unique gifts and shopping them can help support local artists, entreprenuers and charities.

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Hodge School is a former elementary school, a turn-of-the-century brick building with wide, tall halls and many wide-open rectangular rooms still with the original blackboards and children’s coat closets. The building is currently being used as an artist live-work space. But it is not just the building that is conducive to art; an artists’ community is thriving there.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2005

‘Emerging Cleveland’ to lead holiday tours for ex-pats

CLEVELAND -- The student chapter of the American Planning Association at CSU’s Levin College of Urban Affairs will present a holiday tour of new developments and off-the-beaten-track gems in the City of Cleveland.

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The Hodge School Open Studios and Exhibition

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The November 22, 2005, NEO Excellence Roundtable focused on the future of the regional landscape and economy as impacted by the I-90 Innerbelt and bridge over the Cuyahoga River. Several dozen NEO leaders joined together at the City Club to discuss with Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Director Paul Alsenas a vision to redesign the Innerbelt and replace the current I-90 bridge with a world-class, high-design bridge to the south of the current structure, creating a new landmark for the region and an ideal gateway into our city for the future.

The Friends of the Cleveland State University Library will hold an
amazing vinyl record sale on Thursday, December 1, 2005 from 9:00 a.m.
– 5:00 p.m. Browse through more than 6,000 LPs, mostly classical, that
date from the mid-1950s to the mid-1980s. Major labels include Mercury
Living Presence, RCA Red Seal (Shaded Dogs), Columbia Masterworks, and
Philips. Records will sell for $1 each. The sale will be located on the
first floor of the Library, near the Circulation Desk.

For more information, call 216-687-2475

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Please join us November 25 from 7pm-10pm for the opening reception of our Holiday Showcase.
http://www.assemblegallery.com/index.php?subject=events&sub=0511_holiday

Are
you looking to get your shop-on this Friday, but not looking forward to
fighting the crazy crowds at the malls? Are you tired of the same-old
super store gift selection? Well if you are (and even if your not) we
have just the suggestion for you.

This weekend, 1300, Bazaar
Bizarre and Assemble are teaming up to provide an alternative to the
old day-after-thanksgiving shopping experience. Over 50 participating
artists will call the 1300 complex home this weekend for a all out
opportunity to provide one of a kind gifts for the holidays gift giving
season, all the while supporting local artists... getting cash into
their pockets as well for their gift giving desires as well.
http://www.13hundred.com

Bazaar
Bizarre is an underground craft fair (not your granny's craft fair)
featuring one-of-a-kind hip handmade gifts. With over 25 vendors, this
year's event promises to be a fantastic. Vendors on hand will include:
Anezka Handmade , Gracie Sparkles, Jenny Harada, six dozen of one /
Akron Stitch 'n Bitch, Cleveland Stitch 'n Bitch, Mr. Pickle's Room /
Fatty & Humper Designs, Hawkwolf's Armory & Accoutrements, Lise
Anderson, Lynn Shoup / I Felt Like It, Chocolate Bunnies, Tiny Rat,
Zippull, Madison Benjamin, Aqua Cherry, Sapling Press, Artifactual
Creations, Blobby Farm, Revamp'd, Luscious LaVerne's, Black Skull Bags,
ESP Designs, Sierra Cole, Miss Chief Productions, Tekkat, and many
more.
http://www.bazaarbizarre.org

As
a special addition, Greg Der Ananian, Bazaar Bizarre’s founder, will
also be in attendance to sign his new book Bazaar Bizarre: Not Your
Granny's Crafts.

In accompaniment to Bazaar Bizarre, Assemble
Gallery will be hosting a special Holiday Showcase for the weekend,
featuring local artists and crafters.

New artwork will be on
display and available for purchases at rock-bottom prices by the likes
of: Kris Barnes, Andy Baron, Jessica Berbaraich, Mary Dennis, Julia
Dennis, Brian Kelly, Lauren Herzak-Bauman, Arabella Proffer and Colin
Toke. Special product-lines by Heart Break Nurse, Girly Pants, Strhess
Clothing, Super Industrial Love, and There-She-Goes will also be
featured in Assemble store at special holiday prices as well.

An
opening reception for Assemble's Holiday showcase, and a preview party
for Bazaar Bizarre will take place this Friday from 7pm-10pm. So swing
by 1300 and Assemble, have a drink, relax, have a drink or two, shop
and most of all, avoid the mall-madness this Friday.

Bazaar
Bizarre and the Holiday Showcase will also be open Saturday from 12pm-
9pm and on Sunday from 12pm-6pm. Please note though, since many of the
pieces are one-of-a-kind items, and this show is a first come first
serve event, it's better to shop early for the best selection. All
items bought during the event can be taken home same day.
http://www.assemblegallery.com

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Videographers Karen Kilroy and Jimmy Friend shot video of the Storm the Palace forum, November 1, 2005, and edited that down into short clips of great ideas surfaced during the world cafe portion of the event - visit the links below to see the action.

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