Lunchtime Party

Hints of sunshine and blossoms on the trees remind us it's time to part from our desk and eat lunch outside.

Make midday a celebration with weekly Walnut Wednesdays, starting tomorrow through Sept. 25 at the up-and-coming NineTwelve District at  East 12th Street and Walnut Avenue.

From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. this week, the Downtown Cleveland Alliance brings food trucks, including Umami Moto, Fired Up Taco Truck, DonutLab and more to the district as local band Faction plays covers from a wide range of musical genres.

Samantha Severo, DCA marketing and public relations specialist, sees the events as a way to bring some added excitement to the city's central business district. "We want to show that neighborhood and that side of town that there is foot traffic," she explains.



And on May 16, don't miss the first of four once-monthly Pop-Up Parties taking place in Perk Plaza. Delight your ears from 5-8 p.m. with the sounds of Justo Saborit Latin Soul as you dine on food truck treats and sip local brews from Great Lakes Brewing Co. This year's after-work parties feature a new element: shopping. Treasures from Cleveland Handmade and other local artisans will be available during a sidewalk sale with a flea market feel.

The E-Line trolleys now have extended hours in the NineTwelve District, making it even easier for Clevelanders to get their weekday lunch fix.

Walnut Wednesdays and Pop-Up Parties give the downtown workforce something to look forward to this summer while bringing new energy to the neighborhood surrounding renovated Perk Plaza. "You can see people who pour out of these buildings," Severo says, "just showing how lively it is."

Avengers aftermath

East Ninth Street, ravaged by a superhero battle.






Looks like someone's finally found a use for the Ameritrust Tower. It really does look like a hive for an evil alien race.

Filming for "The Avengers" starts off with a bang

The camera was in place. Police demanded everyone stand back. Crew members shouted, “Cover your ears!” The crowd of onlookers quieted in anticipation as the director yelled “Rolling!” A thunderous roar sounded as fire from dozens of explosions rumbled down East Ninth Street, erupting into one large blast. Cars flipped. Smoke billowed and then, in a matter of seconds, it was over.

Monday was Marvel Studios's first day of filming for "The Avengers" on the streets of Cleveland. East 9th Street between Euclid and Prospect Avenue will be closed until the end of the month. Employees at Medical Mutual caught a video of the explosion from their office that overlooked the action. Bystanders also posted videos of the scene to YouTube.

Marvel Studios will film throughout Cleveland for the remainder of the month, closing streets in the process. Euclid Avenue from East 6th to East 12th streets will be closed Aug. 15-24, Walnut Avenue from East 9th to East 12th streets will be closed Aug. 22-Sept. 2 and South Roadway from Superior to Ontario avenues will be closed f Aug. 17-30. Marvel will also film at the Detroit-Superior Bridge on August 29. The cast and crew will also take to the Chevrolet Powertrain Building in Parma on August 23-24, where more explosions are expected.

The movie combines popular Marvel Studios superhero franchises Iron Man, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger and stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlet Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner. It will hit theaters May 4, 2012