I can't believe its May. I feel like just the other day I saw my own shadow and we were all condemned to six more weeks of winter!

Typically, our organization begins a slow-down this time of year. In most cases we look back at the success that took place from September through April, we enjoy our May luncheon, and we go our separate ways until we do it all over again in the fall. May serves as a winding down period after a typically busy late winter, early spring period.

This year might be a little different. Thanks to the efforts of our board members, SME Cleveland has at least two A-list events planned for the summer months.

Rose Dipietro is currently building a summer business after-hours event. Once a month during the SME season our organization has hosted a business after hours at a local bar. For the summertime, Rose is working with the Cleveland Indians, a long time SME partner and supporter, on an evening event that will take place at Progressive Field's new party deck in right field.

Details will be forthcoming via email, but you can bet a mid-summer Tribe game with all the ballpark fix'ins is in order for June.

Hank Frisch has logged numerous hours creating the Cleveland Business Run. Slated for August 24, Hank, his company, Team Promotions, and a host of volunteers have laid the ground work for this inaugural event. The Cleveland Business Run, which will include a briefcase relay, 5K run and 2K walk, will benefit SME and the American Diabetes Association.

Following the run, Team Promotions will be hosting nearly three dozen venders in a West Sixth Street carnival of games, prizes, and fun. The carnival will be presented in cooperation with the Historic Warehouse Festival.

Additional details are available at www.clevelandbusinessrun.com.

So there you have it. While we're steaming towards the end of another SME calendar year, we're not about to close up our doors for the summer. Visit www.smecleveland.com for additional details on our organization's upcoming events.

Mike Maleski