SNOOP! around the Variety Theatre
 February 23 event free for members

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls: Join us for another captivating SNOOP! as we sneak behind the scenes at the historic Variety Theatre on Lorain Avenue in Cleveland. The theatre, designed by architect Nicola Petti, was built in 1927 and sold to Warner Brothers in 1929. Before closing its doors in 1984 the theatre was used for vaudeville acts, movies, concerts, wrestling, a haunted house, and a charter school. Now Cleveland Councilwoman Dona Brady plans to renovate the building and give it a new life. Join us at 10:00 a.m. for the tour and learn what's in store for the historic Variety Theatre. This event is free but you must be a member to attend. Not yet a member? Join at the special price of $15 and you too can SNOOP! RSVP to Erin Dorsey, 216-426-3103.

 

 2008 Preservation Award Nominations
 submissions must be in by February 15

There's still time to nominate an outstanding preservation project for the Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland's 2008 preservation awards. The two organizations will hold a combined awards ceremony at the Celebration of Preservation on May 8 at the Ohio Theatre. If you know of an exemplary project, put into service by February 15, 2008, or an individual who has made a significant, positive impact in the revitalization of Northeast Ohio through historic preservation, we want to hear from you! Eligible projects must be located within Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, or Summit County. Nomination forms must be submitted by February 15.

 

 "The Green Issue"
 the greenest building is the one already built

In last month's Perspectives we told you about National Trust for Historic Preservation President Richard Moe's speech at the National Building Museum. With "green building" all the rage, Americans are beginning to realize what preservationists have long known: contrary to much of the hype around sustainable design and construction, the "greenest" building is often one that has already been built. Now the National Trust offers more about this important topic with the January/February 2008 issue of Preservation magazine, available in print and online. Share this important information. To learn more locally, attend a free evening workshop on sustainability and historic preservation at Oberlin College on March 11 (see the calendar for more information).

 

 New Tool to Calculate Embodied Energy
 www.thegreenestbuilding.org

A website sponsored by the May T. Watts Appreciation Society has launched a new feature that calculates embodied energy in buildings, the sum total of the non-recoverable energy expended during construction, manufacturing and transport of materials. The Embodied Energy Calculator attempts to quantify this. The site also includes a Demolition Energy Calculator. You can then convert these figures into terms that can be given relevance to the public. These are very valuable new tools for those looking to make the connection between historic preservation and "green building" to save irreplaceable historic resources.

 

 State Historic Preservation Tax Credit Update
 six additional Cleveland projects

On December 28, 2007 Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher announced an additional eleven awards through the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. The recipients will invest more than $84 million combined in projects to revitalize their historic properties. Of the eleven awards announced, six are in the city of Cleveland. Olney Gallery and House, Higbee House, Krather Block, Scott A. Rogers Co. Building, Cogswell Hall and Capitol Theater will invest a combined total of over $27 million in their projects, more than thirty percent of the total investment for award winners statewide.

 

 Cleveland Arts Prize Nominations
 due February 29

The Cleveland Arts Prize is seeking nominations to recognize artists from our region that have made significant creative contributions in the fields of Design, Music & Dance, Visual Arts and Literature and for leadership and support for the arts. Nominations close February 29. The awards ceremony will be held June 26 at the Cleveland Play House.

 

 Statehood Day 2008
 come show why "History Works" in Ohio

Join fellow history lovers in Columbus on Wednesday, March 5 to advocate for the issues important to preserving our state's history. Statehood Day is a great chance let everyone know how history works in your community. Meet at the Ohio Statehouse from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for special guest remarks, a luncheon and small-group meetings with state legislators. These meetings will be set up for you. To attend, please RSVP to Todd Kleismit via email or by calling 614-297-2355.

 

 High Praise for 2007 Benefit
 Moreland Courts highlighted at gala

We are thrilled to share that the Cleveland Restoration Society's 2007 benefit, Moreland Mystique: Opening the Door to Moreland Courts, was recognized by Currents as one of the top benefits of last year! Nearly 400 guests enjoyed the event on April 28, which included tours of several of the spectacular suites in the complex, displays by the Shaker Heights Historical Society and Western Reserve Historical Society, the Restore Cleveland! Auction, an elegant dinner served by the Skating Club, and dancing to the sounds of Phil Ogilvie's Rhythm Kings. Many thanks to our benefit chairs Nancy Griffith, Nancy Seitz and Gail Arnold and our staff and volunteers for making this event a smashing success and to Currents for the recognition!

 

 News from the Sarah Benedict House
 

A New Addition
The Cleveland Restoration Society is pleased to announce a new addition to our family. Felicia Hall, Director of Administration, welcomed Anthony McKinley Young, a healthy 8 lb. baby boy on Tuesday, January 22 at 11:25 a.m. Mom and baby are doing very well. Congratulations to Felicia and her family!

A New Beginning
We extend our best wishes to Deanna Bremer Fisher as the new Executive Director of FutureHeights, a non-profit organization that promotes vibrant and sustainable community life in Cleveland Heights. As CRS's Director of Marketing and Development since 2002, Deanna has led many important efforts for us with creativity, dedication, and determination. We will miss her, but look forward to working with her in her exciting, new position. Congratulations, Deanna!

 

 Calendar of Events
 what to do, where to do it, and when to go

February 2
"Textiles: From Household Goods to Museum Artifacts" Workshop
2915 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., $$
Intermuseum Conservation Association

February 5
Trinity Cathedral Lighting Dedication
2021 East 22nd Street, Cleveland
Pancake supper at 6:00 p.m., ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

February 6
Communities of Choice: Green Neighborhoods
Keynote by Tom Hicks, Vice President of LEED,
U.S. Green Building Council
4:00-6:00 p.m., registration required
Glickman-Miller Hall, Levin College of Urban Affairs
Cleveland State University

February 7-8
Historic Tax Credit Developer's Conference
St. Pete Beach, FL, registration, $$$
Nixon Peabody and the Reznick Group

February 7-9
"Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities"
Washington, DC, $$$
New Partners for Smart Growth Conference

February 22
"Rebuilding New Orleans" Brown Bag Lunch
12:00-2:00 p.m., registration required
Glickman-Miller Hall, Levin College of Urban Affairs
Cleveland State University

February 23
SNOOP! of Variety Theatre
10:00 a.m., RSVP to Erin Dorsey
Cleveland Restoration Society, 216-426-3103

February 23
eMerge: A Celebration
Cleveland Museum of Natural History, $$
Center for Regional Sustainability

February 24
"Young Leaders Telling Old Stories
Euclid Avenue Congregational Church
9606 Euclid Ave., 3:00 p.m.
Restore Cleveland Hope, 216-383-1684

March 5
Statehood Day
Ohio Satehouse Atrium, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
RSVP to Todd Kleismit, 614-297-2355

March 5
Green $ense
Pittsburgh, registration discounted before 2/20, $$$
Green Building Alliance

March 10-11
"Beyond the Velvet Ropes: Successful House Museums for the 21st Century"
Wausau, Wisconsin
National Trust for Historic Preservation

March 11
"The Greenest Building is Already Built!"
Center for Environmental Studies
Oberlin College, 7:30 p.m.
Cleveland Restoration Society
Lorain County Preservation Network
Oberlin Heritage Center