The Plain Dealer's Phillip Morris is Pulitzer finalist

We've been Phillip Morris fans since the days when his fresh take on our town was buried inside The Plain Dealer's editorial pages.

So we named Morris one of our Most Interesting People in 2008 when his column was moved to the Metro page and his common-sense opinions reached a wider audience. Obviously, we couldn't get enough of the guy and included him in our February 2009 feature, Singles File, as one of our 20 Sexy Singles. Now, Morris adds another honor to his resume: He was named a 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary on Monday.

Beyond the print journalism awards that the Pulitzer Prize is most commonly associated with, Cleveland also achieved some recognition in other categories:

Perfectly timed with our April article honoring National Poetry Month, Ashland University faculty member Angie Estes was honored as a poetry finalist for her book Tryst.

The Cleveland Chamber Music Society was given the privilege to host the first performance of Fred Lerdahl’s String Quartet No. 3 in December 2009, which was named a finalist in the only music category.

And thanks to Playhouse Square’s 2010-2011 Broadway Series, Clevelanders will get a chance to see Pulitzer Prize winning drama Next to Normal in June 2011.

Check out the rest of the 2010 winners and finalists here.

Singles Update: Coming Together

Our February cover girl Melissa Mack wanted to meet all the other sexy singles we selected for our annual issue so she organized a get-together at the House of Blues' Foundation Room last night for everyone (and let us tag along to take in all the action). 

Twelve of the 20 singles showed up anxious to learn a little bit about each other, pose for some pics (see above) and get the scoop on their dating lives (Melissa Barber revealed that she has been on a few dates with a guy she used to ride the school bus with when she was 14). 

There was even a little grumbling about how some of their photo shoots and articles turned out (it's okay, we can take the criticism). Michael Goulis expressed some uncertainty for our picture selection of him in a wife-beater (hey, we wanted to show off his cool tattoos!) and Mike Minnick was saddened by the fact that he was the last single featured in the magazine. 

Kathryn Eyring (the self-proclaimed grandma of the group) brought an issue of the magazine for everyone to autograph as they all shared a meal, laughs and emails to stay updated on how everyone is doing with being single (or not) in Cleveland.

Reason #29 To Love Google Alerts

Sometimes it's like getting a letter from a friend buried in a pile of junk mail. These two showed up yesterday.

The Francis Blog takes on our Sexy Singles issue: "I was looking through the latest edition of Cleveland Magazine ... which is profiles of some of Cleveland’s most famous (and sexiest!) singles. I only got two in and realized that I could write a fairly epic blog about them so I decided to cap it there." Honestly, it is pretty epic.

And then I got an alert on LAZ, Lazaro Gamio, a student at CIA. His Cosmonaut Kid sketches — and the finished book spread — are really cool. The character (at left) reminds me of something my kids watch, but I can't put my finger on it. At first I thought it was the main character from Disney's Atlantis, but that's not it. I can't wait to see what his little truck sketches turn into -- or what gem my next Google Alert brings.

Singles Update Part 2: Tim Richards' V-Day

Tim Richards: Well, I went to Bistro 185 on the East Side for Valentine's Day dinner. I had to put some of the food on layaway because I couldn't afford it all with my radio salary. LOL. Great dinner, but she texted her friends the whole time (not cool). Ladies and gentlemen, this is why Tim Richards is single. 

For more on what some of our other Sexy Singles did this past V-Day, check out our post below.

Singles Update: How We Spent V-Day

They laid it all out for us in the February issue: their bad habits, perfect date, No. 1 dating rules and more. Did it score any of them a date on Feb. 14? We checked in with some of our Sexy Singles to see if they were lucky in love or still celebrating singlehood. Here's what they had to say about the big day. 

Michael Goulis: I'd rank my V-Day as an 8, but only because I had such a busy week. I was worn out from filming scenes for an independent film I'm working on during the day on Saturday, etc. But, I did end up at the Michael vs. Prince party at the B-Side and it was a hot one! I was simultaneously invited to go by a young lady who emailed me specifically from the article and one of my best guy friends/group of guy friends as we hang out there a bit anyway. That being said, I got to chit chat with a pretty young lady and hang out with my friends so it was the best of both worlds ... definitely a good time. Oh, the young lady and I will most likely be going out or something again this week ... we're into a lot of the same stuff.  

Angie Stetzy: I had a very enjoyable Valentine's Day weekend. Not only did I share a seafood dinner this Valentine's Day with my son on Saturday, but on Sunday, I shared good conversation over wine with a someone I met through the magazine. The gentleman that I met turned out to be someone I had gone to junior high school with and never knew it!

Melissa Mack: I had a wonderful Valentine's Day! I went to my 5-year-old niece's All-Star Cheerleading Competition near Pittsburgh, Pa. I also competed in our Parent's Hip-Hop Dance Team. My niece's Tiny All-Star Cheerleading Squad and Hip-Hop Dance Team won first place. We (the Parent's Hip-Hop Dance Team) had no competition so we automatically took first place. Then, I ended Valentine's Day by treating my family to a wonderful dinner at Hickory Grille in Hermitage, Pa. Rating: 10 (I try to live every day to its fullest!)

Ciarra Nelson: My Valentine's Day was wonderful! I spent it with family during the day and the night with friends. I went on a date on Sunday. The single life is great but I am dating a new guy! Hopefully I will be inviting you all to my wedding next year! Thanks for everything!

Nicole Burke: This year, Valentine's Day could have been the worst to date. On Feb. 11, I was laid off! Boo, I know. However, I was lucky to have recently met someone who asked me (sexy single and unemployed) to be his Valentine and took me out for a great night. Although we had plans to go to Dave & Buster's so I could "school" him in basketball, so did everyone else in Cleveland and it was packed. So we ended up at Carraba's. It was a night of good conversation and a memorable evening with a a great guy. I give it a 10!