And the nominees are…
Who’s the most unmiserable in the (Cleve)land? Take a look at this year’s top nominees and then vote for your favorites:
Brent Durken
Who? Highly dynamic CLE photographer
Why? Local history buff and photographer Durken started his blog, Cleveland in HDR to more “accurately represent the range of intensity levels found in real scenes.” His photos to do just that — in more than just the photographic sense.
Justin Fleming
Who? Neighborhood progress advocate
Why? When he’s not biking, sailing or Taco Tuesdaying, Fleming works for Neighborhood Progress, a nonprofit that provides low-interest loans and guidance to community projects that remake our city blocks, where he’s said to execute his duties with the “nerdiest enthusiasm.” Nice!
Justin Gould
Who? Lawman Cleveland lover
Why? Assistant prosecutor of juvenile justice by day, extoller of CLE virtues by… the rest of the day. Gould keeps his friends (and followers) on the up about our culinary treasures and sings the glories of this city every day.
Joe Haden
Who? Super cutie Cleveland Browns cornerback
Why? One of the most exciting defensive players in the NFL, Haden jumped into the CLE scene the minute he was drafted, and I’d love to create The Ultimate Pro-athletes Guide to Cleveland with him.
Julia Kuo
Who? New to Cleveland
Why? LA-bred and St. Louis-educated, illustrator Kuo launched her CLE love with “100 Days of Cleveland,” a day-by-day tour of her favorite places in the city. The project nabbed much praise and attention, particularly from Cleveland writer Justin Glanville. The two recently penned and illustrated my favorite book of 2011, New to Cleveland.
Valerie Mayen
Who? Queen of a future fashion empire
Why? Ever walk out in a Yellowcake dress and not have someone swoon over it? Exactly (it doesn’t happen). Mayen is a godsend to my closet and — even more so — to a bright, brave new fashion future in Cleveland… and beyond.
Nicole McGee
Who? Repurposeful artist
Why? McGee’s Plenty Underfoot pop-ups, including Collective Upcycle, are leading the handmade, repurposed-arts revolution that’s changed the way we do decor.
Katie O’Keefe
Who? Pinky, the Cleveland evangelist
Why? Katie‘s unabashed, always-on enthusiasm for all things CLE garnered several nominations and regularly wins over even the toughest cynics.
Ramon Rivas II
Who? Curator of Cleveland comedy
Why? Standup comedian Rivas is deadset on turning CLE into a comedic hub, bringing the nation’s funniest (known and unknown) to play Chucklefck shows at intimate venues, like Reddstone and Grog Shop.
Chris Sorenson
Who? Miss Crafty Goodness, that’s who
Why? Sorenson ditched her day-job to open her all-the-time arts/craft show, Crafty Goodness in Lakewood. The shop highlights and hocks wares of local artists and demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit building our local arts scene.
Jack Storey
Who? Rust Belt revivalist
Why? From a Rust Belt documentary to brainstorming brunches, community development to reshaping the way we think about vacant land, Jack Storey of Saving Cities is making civic sexy to a whole new generation of revivalists.
Wally Waterdrop
Who? Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) clean-water mascot
Why? More than just your average drop, Wally works to keep our lake great, making sewers and wastewater flow, well, interesting.