Each year we like to gather an eclectic group of friends and business associates for a holiday lunch. 75 techies, media, non-profits, politicians, business, cultural, sports - they were all represented at Bo Loong.
Rania Abadi, Dan Hanson and Nada Martinovics
Lawrence Boston, Derick Polk, Margaret Bernstein, Greg Bell and Manny Leaks
Nela Park GE Lighting Holiday Light Display 100th Anniversary 2024
Nela Park in East Cleveland, Ohio was the first industrial park in the world and was home to most of the lighting breakthroughs of the last century. Thomas Edison was a founder. Albert Einstein and other notables visited.
For 100 years GE has decorated their campus at Nela Park in East Cleveland, Ohio for the holidays. Over the years they have showcased the latest and greatest lighting technologies and developments in the display. This year's theme is "100 Years," because the first display was 100 years ago in 1924. You will see a 30 foot birthday cake as well as a huge candle facing Noble Rd. Warch the video below.
Catch a movie in the six-story high Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater. Enjoy alternating showings of “Superpower Dogs” and “Desert Elephants,” on the hour 5 to 7 p.m. Explore our special exhibition, Dogs! A Science Tail. This fills an entire gallery with hands-on science exhibits highlighting the dynamic nature of the bond between humans and dogs and explores the extraordinary way that dogs see, hear and smell. See if you can run fast enough to beat a Pomeranian or a greyhound, play a round of dog trivia, and test your skills as an interpreter of dog barks and body language.
President & CEO Kirsten Ellenbogen said the new evening hours reflect the Science Center’s commitment to providing greater access. “So many of our exhibits and films are fun for all ages! We want to make sure we’re welcoming all audiences at times that make sense for them. We know our location, attached parking, and extensive facility make us easy to access. Adding Thursday evening hours will make us even more appealing.”
During the extended hours, all exhibit galleries will be open, in addition to the Science Center’s parking garage, theater, concession stand and store. General admission to the museum includes the special exhibition, the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, the new Cleveland Creates Gallery, and hundreds of hands-on exhibits.
BlueBridge Networks celebrates two decades of innovation
The article tells about Kevin's personal story and the growth of BlueBridge as well as his leadership and support of Cleveland’s arts and cultural anchors, and BlueBridge’s efforts to bridge Cleveland’s digital divide.
Brothers John and Kevin Goodman at BlueBridge's 10th anniversary
Fun with Numbers
If you divide 1 by 998,001 you get all three-digit numbers from 000 to 999 in order, except for 998.
More Fun with Numbers
Featured Items
They're Baaaaack - in AsiaTown
The three young unintentional heroes who solved a series of murders in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens find themselves in the middle of another mystery.
In Murder in AsiaTown DJ, Ren and Peggy, called a modern Mod Squad, discover a decades old murder case from Cleveland’s Chinatown. While working to showcase and document the history of the Chinese community and neighborhood they stumble upon some disturbing news. Their efforts take them all over the Chinatown and AsiaTown neighborhoods of Cleveland Ohio and includes numerous historic facts and stories. When it looks like they have the case solved, a surprising twist emerges.
This is Cleveland author Dan Hanson's second book. The first book, Murder in the Cultural Gardens, is a “whodunit” murder mystery set in the real world Cleveland Cultural Gardens. An unlikely new “Mod Squad” stumbles upon a series of murders in their beloved Gardens and assist in solving the crimes. All 30+ of the Cultural Gardens are covered in the book so readers learn about this treasure while trying to figure out the mystery.
You can find them on Amazon and in local bookstores like Mac'sBacks on Coventry. Or email for autogaphed copies. They make great Christmas gifts!
A Record new Prime Number
The Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search verified that this massive number is indeed prime. Which also means that a new perfect number has been discovered. The last record held for an unusually long time-almost 6 years. We'll see how long this stands.
First Scientific Calculator (HP-35) and other Slovenian Science Accomplishments
On Friday September 13, 2024 the Slovenian Museum & Archives held the grand opening of a new exhibit, Us & Them: Without Frontiers. Organized by the Technical Museum of Slovenia, Us & Them: Without Frontiers examines the fascinating scientific connections between Slovenia and the United States, and the benefits that have resulted from both cultural migration and shared knowledge.
The project—which showcases original memorabilia as well as digital interactive tools—tells the compelling stories of individuals who have a strong, direct connection to the US, including Slovenian American astronaut Sunita Williams, Voyager engineer Anton Mavretic, professor of experimental physics Anton Peterlin, planet hunter Marija Strojnik, professor of electronics Aleš Strojnik, Silicon Valley pioneer France Rode, and inventor Peter Florjancic.
Take the Pledge - Do Your Part to bring this to Cleveland
The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission just doesn't stop. After the successful Pan Am Masters Games they went right onto the next event for the City. There's now an opportunity to attract an event that will bring over 125,000 people to the city. And you can help out. Here are some details:
"Cleveland is The Land, Ohio is The Heart of it All and the Special Olympics is fueled by the Flame of Hope burning in the heart of its inspiring athletes. The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Special Olympics Ohio and Destination Cleveland are teaming up to bring the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games to our city. We're talking over 5,500 athletes and coaches, plus 125,000 family members and fans. They'll all be here to witness the largest inclusive sporting event in our city's history. But we can't do it alone. Sign our pledge to help bring the Special Olympics to The Land today, rally your friends and family to sign, and join us in bringing this historic event to Cleveland."
Don't worry. The Pledge is asking for money or locking in commitments.
It asks if you want the event to come to Cleveland in 2030 and if you are willing to attend events, cheer on athletes and maybe volunteer. They reported that in just the first a week they received over 5,000 pledges but we need more to show what Cleveland can do!
Kevin Goodman - New DigitalC Data Center at BlueBridge Networks
DigitalC is headquartered at the MidTown Tech Hive in Cleveland, Ohio's Hough neighborhood. DigitalC's vision is to change the world one connection at a time by offering superior internet, accessible community space, and tailored digital skills training to ensure an equitable digital future. They're on a mission to deploy a premier, state-of-the-art network that is affordable, reliable, and sustainable to bridge the digital divide - for good.
They just reached a new milestone as they announced the launch of a second Data Center in order to boost network redundancy and service quality. The Data Center will be located at BlueBridge Networks in Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland.
We spoke with Kevin Goodman, BlueBridge Networks Managing Director and Partner, to get his perspective on the launch. Kevin told of his personal and firm's commitment to bridging the digital divide and the benefits of a second data center. He spoke of the pioneers of Digital C such as Lev Gonick and Dorothy Baunach who inspired him. And he told of his commitment to Cleveland emphasizing BlueBridge Networks' dedication to building a network "for Cleveland, by Cleveland."
Watch the interview
Horror Hotel Film Festival
The 13th (oooh - scary) year of the Horror Hotel Film Festival was held from Thursday June 20 - Sunday June 23 at the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel in Cleveland Ohio. Over 230 films were submitted and the best 100 were screened over the weekend. In addition industry leaders in film making, distribution, casting and so on gave lectures and be available to meet and interact with. For the fan, there was a convention area with vendors selling their Horror and other souvenirs and memorabilia.
Steve Zilber, president of the Cleveland Go Club told us about the game of Go which dates back 3-4000 years. Originating in China, the game of Go moved to Japan and other countries.
There are white or black stones - all have the same "powers". Steve said the game scales well so they have a 9x9 board, 13x13 and 19x19 which experts like him play on.
Steve and the Cleveland Go Club were at the 2024 Cleveland Asian Festival inside Asia Plaza and playing and teaching the game of Go. Watch the short video.
Historic St. Casimir Goes Green and Wins Big
St. Casimir's Church at East 83rd and Sowinski in Cleveland won the Green Building Challenge for its effort in water conservation, management. New downspouts and a bioretention basin help keep water out of the sewer system and help recharge groundwater. Interlocking pavers on church ground allow water to seep through to the ground. Their project will keep 820,000 gallons of water per year from the sewer system.
John Niedzialek, an earth science teacher and member of the parish council, said the system helps reduce the burden of storm water going into the sewer system. "So that (it) won't overload and we won't have to close our beaches after a big rain anymore. And helps keep Lake Erie clean."
Children at Wilson School, the public elementary school next door to the church, helped paint rain barrels. They capture water than can be reused for gardening. The church was up against NASA in the water challenge category.
Niedzialek told Spectrum news why he thinks the church won. "Well, I just have to say, our engineering is heavenly," he said with a smile.
EDSI hosts the Irish
The 182nd St Patrick's Day Parade in Cleveland was held on Sunday March 17, 2024. Before the Parade the United Irish Societies (UIS) Parade Committee met (and partied) at the headquarters of Enterprise Data Solutions, Inc. (EDSI) right at the start of the parade route at 1717 Superior Ave.
Pat Connor and Jeff Manuszak of EDSI told us about their Data Center and Cloud and other network services.
What's the Irish connection? Pat's parents actually started the Irish Heritage Club back in the day and they have been strong supporters of the community for years. When the UIS Parade members needed a headquarters, Pat, Jeff and the EDSI team stepped in.
Watch the short video
2024 Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair Grand Prize Winners
The Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair (NEOSEF) announced the grand prize winners for 2024. Five high school grand prize winners will receive a $100 cash award and an all-expense-paid trip to compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Los Angeles, CA May 12-17.
“Please join me in congratulating our grand prize winners,” said Oanh Loi-Powell, NEOSEF board president. “These students epitomize next generation science and deserve recognition, admiration, and appreciation for their hard work. We are immensely proud of them.”
NEOSEF grand prize winners
About NEOSEF
NEOSEF is a Society for Science affiliated regional science fair. Established in 1953, NEOSEF organizes the annual science and engineering fair for northeast Ohio students and sends the top winners to compete at Regeneron ISEF.
On April 8, 2024 a total solar eclipse will cross North America. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. People viewing the eclipse from locations where the Moon's shadow completely covers the Sun - known as the path of totality - will experience a total solar eclipse. The sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people along the path of totality will see the Sun's corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun.
Hundreds of thousands of people will want to view this once-in-a-lifetime experience. (The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next one to pass over Ohio is predicted for 2099.)
Total Eclipse Fest Project Manager Megan Landean with card and instructions to make your own pinhole device
Since 1969, the famous weather predicting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil has had an abysmal overall accuracy rate of less than 40%. Even flipping a coin will get you 50%. And his Ohio copy, Buckeye Chuck, has been replaced by a stuffed animal.That leaves the orange cat Concord Casimir as the go-to spring forecaster.
Concord Casimir studies the weather maps
John Niedzialek teaches Earth Science and Meteorology at Lakeland College. A dozen years ago, John found the orange tabby outside St. Casimir Church in Cleveland and annually predicts the weather in the way he eats pierogis. If he eats them sloppily, Cleveland is in for a long, messy spring; if Casimir eats them normally, then it's winter as usual; and if he swallows the pierogis in one gulp, the region can look forward to a warm coming summer.
Concord Casimir will make his forecast again this Friday at High noon. No, he will not be getting up at 6 am like that not so smart critter in Pennsylvania. After all, why would you get up at 6 am when you can eat a pierogi at noon to predict the weather? Niedzialek says, "He works one day out of the year and still complains about it."
Concord Casimir and his Master, John Niedzialek
Casimir has not missed a forecast yet and his Master, John Niedzialek says that it has something to do with where he was found at the church that many say is a miracle story.
Come back to see how the miracle cat does this year.
Annual Magnum Holiday Lunch
Each year we like to gather an eclectic group of friends and business associates for a holiday lunch. 75 techies, media, non-profits, politicians, business, cultural - they were all represented at Bo Loong.
Dan Hanson with serial entrepreneurs Tim Mueller (Vantage One, City of Cleveland Tech Czar, etc.) and Ron Copfer (Fathom IT, Visual Evidence, RBX, etc.)
Rania Abbadi, Lisa Wong, Johnny Wu, Carmen Blackwell and Dan Hanson
The Hudson Library & Historical Society hosted a virtual evening with Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, Author of iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It.
So cool to hear from the Woz and to be able to ask questions in the chat.
Wings of Women Event
Women Tech Leaders Event
Science at new Art Museum Exhibit
A new exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art called China's Southern Paradise: Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta will be open from September 10, 2023 to January 7, 2024.
It's a large and diverse exhibition. It features more than 200 objects from Neolithic times to the 18th century, ranging from jade, silk, prints, and paintings to porcelain, lacquer, and bamboo carvings.
Portraits of the Qianlong Emperor and His Twelve Consorts
One part of the exhibit shows the Lifecycle of a Silkworm.
You can also see Carbonized Rice from Mount Tianluo which is the earliest archeological evidence of domesticated rice in the world.
The Greek Cultural Garden hosted a Lecture Series in the summer of 2023 showcasing some of the great thoughts from Greek cultural luminaries. On August 19, 2023 the topic was Demystifying the Golden Ratio and it was presented by math professor Athanasious Sarantopoulus.
Athanasious Sarantopoulus
In mathematics, two quantities are in the golden ratio if their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities. It's usually denoted by the Greek letter phi and is an irrational number with a value of about 1.618. What makes it interesting is, as Athan explained, the principles and applications of the Golden Ratio, and the interconnectedness of art and science.
Making commemorative prints at Cleveland Asian Festival
Zygote Press is an established, nonprofit community printmaking studio, gallery, archive, and education center that supports artists through residency programs, studio access, and artistic development in a collaborative environment open to all. They had a booth at the annual Cleveland Asian Festival on May 20 and 21, 2023 and showed attendees how to make their own commemorative prints using their relief printing press.
Liz Maugans, Joe Sroka, Bellamy Printz, and Kelly Novak founded Zygote Press in 1996 as an open, collaborative shop - to give artist printmakers affordable access to facilities. At the time, many college print departments and print businesses were downsizing and transitioning to digital production. The Zygote founders worked to inherit and purchase discarded presses and other pieces of printing equipment, and so populated the shop with the tools necessary for a functioning studio.
The Cleveland Guardians have a lot of new merchandise and promotional items for the 2023 season. One of the interesting new things is the abundance (about 50%) of cashless options to buy a hot dog and a beer or whatever. Not just at the stands but also for about half the vendors coming to your seat.
There is also a new system to get a beer quickly. Visit the area, swipe you card, grab the beer you want and as you leave the area the technology charges your credit card while you are heading back to you seat, never missing any action. I can't wait to try that
Cybersecurity Update with Terin D. Williams - DHS - CISA
It's been a while since peers could gather in person and learn about and discuss important IT and Business issues. So it was great to see so many people out and about at this event sponsored by Box and ASMGi.
The hot topic that drew the large crowd was Cybersecurity with a presentation by Terin D. Williams, Cyber Security Advisor, Ohio, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.
Since we started in the mid-90's the volunteers (we are all volunteers) of Computers Assisting People (CAP) have refurbished over 25,000 PCs and countless peripherals and donated them to over 550 Cleveland area schools and non-profits in every ward of the City and East Cleveland and beyond.
We are partnering with the Rotary Club of Cleveland to have a Community Day where people can learn about how to get a computer, how to donate, how to volunteer and more. Resources, pizza and fun.
We hope you can attend. Let us know if bringing a group (school class, Scouts, etc.) so we can have enough pizza. If you are a company and want to be involved - a resource table or just chipping in for the tchotchkes and food - please let us know.
Here is a flyer you can share. Thanks
The Tudors: Art and Majesty in Renaissance England
The Cleveland Museum of Art opened a new exhibit - The Tudors: Art and Majesty in Renaissance England - which is the first exhibition in the US to trace the transformation of the arts in Tudor England.
It includes huge tapestries that fill entire walls, suits of armor, sculptures, portraits and more.
The Tudor dynasty ruled for only three generations but it transformed England from a land devastated by the War of the Roses to a major player in Europe and eventually the rest of the world. This exhibit covers the larger than life personas of Henry VII, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
Tudor Family Tree
As a mathematician (and geek), I was very interested in the Astronomicum Caesareum books. Henry VIII had a large and impressive book collection
Each year we like to gather an eclectic group of friends and business associates for a holiday lunch. No, it's not just techies. Media, non-profits, politicians, business, cultural - they were all represented.
The food and atmosphere at Emperor's Palace in Old Chinatown is always terrific and they opened up just for our 70 or so guests
Victor Ruiz, Jessica Davis and Ron Copfer
George Koussa, August Pust, Margaret Wong, Annie Pu and Mehmet Gencer
See how to get invited next year, who was there and view:
Nela Park is the headquarters of GE Lighting, located in East Cleveland, Ohio. Nela Park was the first industrial park in the world and was home to most of the lighting breakthroughs of the last century. Thomas Edison was a founder. Albert Einstein and other notables visited.
Dan Hanson was raised in East Cleveland and his family visited the world-famous Christmas lighting display every Christmas season. You used to be able to drive through the campus but in recent years the display is all along Noble Rd. He takes us on a tour of the 2022 display.
Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET) Open House
For more than 30 years, the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET) has been providing Northeast Ohio manufacturers with the guidance they need to achieve long-term success. They service 18 counties in Northeast Ohio and consult on a wide range of manufacturing needs to create jobs and drive change by collaborating with manufacturing CEOs, governments, community leaders and educators to solve problems and build opportunities.
They opened a new facility at 63rd and Chester and Great Lakes Geek Dan Hanson took a walk through the amazing new facility. As you will see, there are robots, arc welders, tools for forming metal, grinders, vacuum lifts, 3D printers, injection molding, die cutting and much more. Plus state of the art classrooms and information showing the well-paying job and career opportunities in manufacturing.
The beautiful new building has an extra component for the community. On the west side of the building there is an incredible playground with fun activities that will also teach scientific principles.
Having come of age with many of the luminaries of Cleveland Technology the Great Lakes Geek has begun a series of episodes on Cleveland Tech History including:
Ron Copfer - Serial Entrepreneur and Tech Pioneer
Jim Cookinham - Godfather of Cleveland Tech Industry
Chris Thompson -Journalist who changed Cleveland's Tech Scene
Tim Mueller - From Web 1.0 pioneer to Deputy Mayor
Free Webinar on November 9, 2022 - Budgeting for IT in a Volatile World.
In order to properly budget for your IT needs in 2023, you must first understand the changing landscape of business. In today’s world, companies must be agile and able to respond quickly to changes in order to remain competitive. The days of spending huge sums of money on an inflexible IT infrastructure are over. As technology becomes more and more essential for business success, the need to carefully plan and budget for your IT needs becomes increasingly important. In this webinar, we will explore how to aggregate your 2023 IT budget with compliance, risk, and agility in mind.
Panelists include George Mehokwho is a chief information officer, author, and advisor with more than 30 years of experience in the technology industry. George is currently the founder and managing partner of robotic process automation and systems integration consulting firm ApertureXI Technologies.
Branndon Kelley is the CIO for AMP. He has more than 20 years of experience providing vision, leadership, governance and execution for technology programs, projects and departments.
Kevin Goodman is Managing Director at BlueBridge Networks, Ohio’s leading managed IT and data center provider.
We are honored to have the technology leaders of BlueBridge Networks as a sponsor of the Great Lakes Geek Calendar of Events.
Submit your open-to-the-public event (it doesn't have to be free, just open to all) and we will post. You can also sign up for the free Great Lakes Geek eNews which includes upcoming events.
"It just didn’t seem right to DJ. A body found bludgeoned in a place known for “Peace through Mutual Understanding.” But there she was, crumpled behind a bust of composer Franz Liszt in the Hungarian Cultural Garden. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911. “What is the nature of your emergency?” the dispatcher queried. With a suddenly very dry mouth DJ managed to get out, “There’s been a murder in the Cultural Gardens.”
That's the beginning of the recently published first novel by Dan Hanson.
The whodunit, titled Murder in the Cultural Gardens, takes place in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and all 30+ gardens are featured during the mystery. You may even recognize some of the characters.
Click the link above to learn more or to purchase in paperback or Kindle version from Amazon. Or contact Dan via the Murder in the Cultural Gardens webpage to have a signed book delivered.
What the Great Lakes Geek is reading
Geek Book
The Great Lakes Geek just finished reading (listening to actually) Make Your Bed - Little things that can change your life by Admiral William H. McRaven (US Navy Retired)
On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, "What starts here changes the world," he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better.
Computer techies (OK, geeks) Bob Coppedge and Dan Hanson used to take groups to various places of interest to computer professionals (OK, other geeks). They called it Bob and Dan's Excellent Adventures.
This video from 2004 was just unearthed from some old DVDs. This was a different adventure as Bob and Dan visited a cemetery and visited the graves of some old technology - from dBase to Win 95 before facing their own demise.
By popular demand (really, would we lie to you?) the Great Lakes Geek is bringing back the free Geek eNews. It will be sent via e-mail whenever we have something really good to share. Not too often, we promise.
So sign up and look for the news, tips, puzzles, contests, special offers and other information that only the Great Lakes Geek can bring you.
Order Domain Names, e-mail accounts, web hosting, SSL certs and the usual menu of Internet items for great prices at Great Lakes Geek Domains. Follow the link at the bottom of the nav bar (under search) or click to visit
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