Author: West Park Times

SUBMITTED – Der Braumeister, Cleveland’s family-owned German bar and restaurant, announces a winter event and promotion schedule.
Der Brau’s Jenn Wirtz (a.k.a. “The Beer Whisperer) curates the most extensive and interesting beer list in town. The upcoming events showcase Jenn’s desire to be different, serving specially-selected beers alongside traditional German and European foods with a modern flair. Der Brau’s atmosphere is reliably fun, comfortable and authentically Cleveland.
Mar. 6 – Apr. 18 Lenten Beer Battered Fish FRYdays Beginning on Ash Wednesday, and every Friday of Lent, Der Brau will serve sustainably-caught white fish, lemon pepper broiled or beer battered, with fries and slaw. Jenn will feature a seasonal brew, Aecht Schlenkerla Fastenbier, the original smoked lentbeer, brewed in accordance with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516. It’s bottom-fermented with a natural red-brown color and slight cloudiness, a strong malt flavor and slight bitterness. The unfiltered yeast provides “Brotzeit,” the German word for snack, to provide nourishment during a time of religious fasting.
Jenn Wirtz, De Brau’s third-generation owner, will donate 10% of every fish dinner sold on Fridays through Lent, to a local school. As second and third generation women business owners, Wirtz hopes to encourage and inspire younger generations to take on leadership roles in the business world with confidence.
Mar. 18-30 Cleveland Restaurant Week – springtime edition As part of this city-wide promotion with Cleveland Independents, Der Brau will offer three courses for $33. The menu will include traditional and decadent dishes like Veal Oscar, locally-sourced Ohio ribeye steaks and a seasonal vegetarian dish that will bend expectations of German-inspired cuisine. Of course, the Restaurant Week special will include Der Brau’s signature house made strudel for dessert. Friday, April 26 ​
​ Maifest Flight Night Maifest in Germany means it’s time to drink Maibock beer. Der Brau will follow German tradition and feature 11 different bock beers on draft, available in full pours or flights. Weather permitting, the patio will open to enjoy malty, roasted, and sweet bocks around a fire pit for toasting springtime, the Tribe and Cleveland. Rain or shine, indoors, outdoors or a combination of both, spring will prevail, for at least one night in late April.
About Der Braumeister Der Braumeister is located at 13046 Lorain Avenue in the West Park neighborhood of Cleveland. The restaurant is owned by Linda Hoertz and Jenn Wirtz, second and third generation owners, and opened in 1983 by Roy and Lydia Hoertz. Known for an extensive beer list with more than 100 selections and modern German and European food made from fresh, local and sustainable ingredients, Der Brau is a drinking and dining destination any season of the year.

What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day?

Feel free to send in information regarding your favorite place to go or thing to do on this day!

Email westparktimes@gmail.com.

BY MEGAN KRUGER

In 2016, my father insisted I have an Irish band play at my wedding. I was marrying into a family that had roots in County Mayo and my future grandmother-in-law still spoke with an Irish brogue.

My father believed this gesture would pay great homage to the Irish family I was raised by and the one I was anxiously awaiting to join. But, I must admit, I was experiencing symptoms of Bridezilla-itis and was not sold on the idea. I had dreams of a rowdy wedding playlist with heavy bass so I could break it down in my white dress. I was reminded once again of the power of my father’s persistence, when I was asked to meet him for a beer at the Treehouse in Tremont, Ohio. The bar was packed body to body and generations of Irish Clevelanders were definitely “breaking it down.” Mary’s Lane, the local Irish-American rock band, shared pints of Guinness with fans all night as they played traditional Irish jigs and some songs of their own creation. My dad knew his idea would see life when my future husband and I were headbanging to Mary’s Lane’s rendition of “Zombie” by the Cranberries, (one of my all-time favorite songs to break it down to). Even though we couldn’t score Mary’s Lane for my big day (they were on tour in Ireland!), my father beamed with pride because the Irish band we hired ended up being the highlight of everyone’s time. My husband and mother-in-law held each other close as they danced to “The Voyage,” and my sister-in-law entertained our guests with years of Irish dancing talent.

My new-found love for Irish music was initiated that first night listening to Mary’s Lane in a crowded Irish pub. My fangirling did not stop there. In fact, Mary’s Lane 2018 released album, “Wild Unknown”, was my top played album on Spotify in 2018. So when I had the chance to sit down with the members of my favorite Irish band for an interview, I jumped at the opportunity. I needed to know what music they liked to break it down to; what songs they love to play live, and how they pull inspiration from the Rock n’ Roll Capital of the World, Cleveland, Ohio.

Weeks away from their annual St. Patrick’s Day performance at PJ McIntyre’s, I met the band during sound check after they loaded equipment in from a windy, cold Cleveland night. Playing at PJ’s is a sort of homecoming for the band, as Pat Campbell was one of the first pub owners to give them a stage and time slot to showcase their music. Members Pat Mulloy, Michael Crawley, Mark Whalen, Matt Sofranko, Tessa Thistlethwaite, and Brent Hopper make up the Irish band that is rooted in rock n’ roll. Nine to five gigs, hobbies and simply being Irish in Cleveland brought these musical nomads together 10 years ago. For born and raised Clevelanders, rock n’ roll was inevitably a theme of inspiration for the band, but the Irish community has been at the core of inspiration for the members who believe this town nurtured their sound to become what it is today. “We always see familiar faces in the crowd supporting us, the Cleveland Irish community is close knit and rallys around the ones they love”.

Some members of Mary’s Lane grew up listening to Irish music in the community they play their originals for today. They once belonged to the same fan bases that now follow their music and come out to see their shows. Vocalist and guitar player, Michael Crawley, as a kid loved going to see Alec DeGabriele of New Barleycorn, perform. Crawley considers DeGabriele to be the Godfather of Irish music here in Cleveland. As a child, he sat among generations of Irish Clevelanders, and hoped one day he’d be the guy on stage. The nurturing and supportive space for musicians that Irish Cleveland cultivates is what allows each member of Mary’s Lane to express themselves creatively with original songs and lyrics. Not only does each member contribute to the creation of lyrics, (most frequently around Pat Mulloy’s kitchen table) five out of the six members also have a set of pipes behind their strings. Because of this, Mary’s Lane has a unique approach to their gigs, each vocalist taking a turn at band leader.

For Mulloy, writing is the fuel behind his passion. He knew that in order to truly stand on their own two feet, the collaborative needed to produce and create their own storyline. And that’s exactly what their music does– tells a story. Not only does the audience get to sing along to stories of Irish heritage, but each member has used writing to pay homage to a phase in their life or a tale they experienced. Mulloy, who wrote and sings on the track “Smoke” likes to keep a mystery to the meaning of the song. Some fans have their theories and he loves allowing everyone to come to their own conclusions. Crawley’s “Box of Roses” was a tribute song to his father’s passing in 2009, when generations of family and friends gathered to celebrate a loved one’s life. “Last Gift”, is a creation by SoFranko, who wanted to address the somberness and anxiety we all feel when a loved one is sick or passing. He wrote the song when his grandmother was ill and wanted the anthem to be a tribute to life, something people could celebrate. SoFranko says the first time the band played “Last Gift” it was far too slow and depressing, so they sped it up and added some life to the tune because “no one wants to be depressed in an Irish pub”. Mulloy and SoFranko believe having so many talented writers in the band is what really pushes the lyrics forward. There is definitely a sense of healthy competition when creating original songs but at the end of the day songs that end up on their albums are piecemeal of sorts, pulling something from each member’s repertoire.

While a lot of the band’s writing is influenced by an underdog mentality, something rooted in every Clevelander, Mulloy attributes a lot of the band’s sound progression to Brent Hopper. Hopper spiced things up when he joined the crew a few years ago. “Someone’s got to spike the punch bowl and Brent definitely stepped up our professionalism, he brings a dynamic to the band that allows us to really jam out in a new and different way”. The sound Mulloy describes is a versatile, uplifting, heartfelt rally cry for their fans.

When each member takes the mic, fans have the ability to relate to the stories and lyrics of many different vocalists and walks of life. Whalen, who brings the bang to the band’s sound believes the variety of musical talent is what really sets Mary’s Lane apart. It’s not every day you can witness live music and have five vocalists all carry their own. Not to mention a vocalist who can also play the banjo, electric/acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, or bagpipes! Things were really amplified for Whalen and the crew in 2017 when the band traveled to Ireland for their first international tour. All the band members were anxious about how their interpretation of Irish music would be received inside the music halls of County Mayo. Whalen says the band loves to open up to “Green and Red of Mayo” and as soon as he hears the bagpipes, he’s transported to another headspace, where all the anxiety fades away. When Whalen looked up from his drums to see body to body crowds in the Irish pubs of Achill Island, his passion for what Mary’s Lane had been working on for years was legitimized. During their Ireland tour, the band was invited to play at Matt Molloy’s Irish pub, owned by the grammy award winning singer from The Chieftains.

At Matt Molloy’s pub, laughter is the language and Mary’s Lane had the chance to play their songs and some traditional tunes to an audience that was singing along! Holding a real-life Grammy wasn’t too bad either!

While the pub performances in Ireland provided once in a lifetime memories for the band, one of their favorite performances happened right here in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2016, Mary’s Lane was named Best Band in Cleveland which came with the honor to play a few sets at Cleveland Public Hall. A venue that was played by the Beatles and other legends that fill the showcases of the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Mulloy said before they opened up he was looking down at his shoes and thinking “wow, John Lennon once stood where I’m standing”.

When I asked each of the members how they got their start, I inquired whether or not their middle school self would think what they’re doing today is cool. Whalen who learned how to play the drums in a dingy old basement believes he’s still that same guy, just beating on stuff till it sounds good. Mulloy who played at his high school rock off still loves playing some of the songs he wrote when he was getting started. Crawley envisioned himself being the vocalist/bagpipe player/guitarist he is today. Thistlethwaite doesn’t think the shy and nervous middle schooler Tessa would recognize the women who bagpiped across Europe or rocks out with her fiddle on stage in front of rowdy crowds. The only answer that truly differed from the rest came when I asked SoFranko, what middle school Matt would think of his playing today, he responded, “No, not cool”.

Mary’s Lane is a local band with international recognition. I asked the members what should be the biggest takeaway from my interviews with them and Mulloy answered family. Family in the crowd, family on stage. “We treat the band like a family, through thick and thin, we stick with it”.

If you want to celebrate with one of Cleveland’s best Irish bands this St. Patrick’s Day you can catch them at one of their favorite community spots, PJ McIntyre’s in Kamms Corner.

Favorite song to play live?

• Zombie — Crawley & SoFranko
• Smoke — Whalen
• Rain On My Parade — Thistlethwaite
• Anything that incorporates guitar toys — Mulloy

Favorite song to play for yourself?

• Mr. Brightside — Whalen
• Everything that Glitters (Is Not Gold) — Crawley
• Smoke — SoFranko
• Anything sad or depressing — Thistlethwaite

Favorite St. Patrick’s Day Tradition?

• Going to St. Colman’s morning mass with the band — Crawley, SoFranko, Whalen, Thistlethwaite and Mulloy.

People are catching on. One passerby knocks on the newly decorated storefront window and emphatically waves. Another person beeps from a vehicle, sticking their head out to catch a glimpse of an old friend.
Customers of Smoke Zone II, formerly located at 13034 Lorain Ave., can now find a familiar face at a brand-new store right down the street. Get Lit Smoke & Vapor is located at 12204 Lorain Ave., and is owned by former Smoke Zone II employee, Tina Gasner.
“I worked at Smoke Zone II for 3 years,” said Gasner. “In that time, I got to know a lot of people in this area and really fell in love with the community.”
According to Gasner, after her experience learning and meeting people at the former store, she knew she wanted to open her own store.
“I really would like everyone who used to come into Smoke Zone II to be aware that Get Lit Smoke & Vapor is here for them, and I want them to know that I miss them!” She added. “We’re also really excited to open our doors to new people, and to get to know and help others.”
“I’m always looking to make the inventory bigger,” Gasner noted. “We’re adding stuff all the time.”
The store currently carries Backwoods cigars, farmer’s tobacco or ‘roll your own,’ including Arrowhead, Buoy, Premier, Farmer’s Gold, and Golden Harvest.
“We carry hard to find tobaccos,” said Gasner.
“We’re here to help,” said Gasner, who periodically answers questions from customers regarding different products. With Gasner, and her staff at the store, it’s always a casual, amiable encounter.
“We also carry CBD from Ohio-based companies,” she said. “They are local and are really good companies, including ZuRI and 3 Chi.” The store also carries quality kratom products.
“ZuRI proudly manufactures a full line of over 70 hemp-derived CBD supplements including tinctures, capsules and topicals, including its best-selling Freeze Pain Relief Rub here in Ohio,” said Mike Dutton, director of product development at ZuRI. “ZuRI’s main focus is to provide health and wellness through alternative approaches with THC Free CBD that is 3rd party lab tested for quality.”
The folks at Get Lit are invested in their customers, and they are far more than simply knowledgeable and friendly— they are also caring members of the community. Stop in and say hello today!
There will also be a GRAND OPENING EVENT on March 16th, at the store. Stop in during store hours. See coupons in the West Park Times for savings!!! Don’t forget to show your support and like Get Lit on Facebook!
“Our customer service is always friendly,” says Gasner. “We are great at helping people find the right products, including hand-rolled tobacco replacements for brand names, for example, for those looking to save money.”

The IX Center Indoor Amusement Park begins on March 29 and runs through April 22. Tickets are on sale now. Visit IXAmusementPark.com.

PHOTO & STORY COURTESY OF CMSD NEWS BUREAU

Cleveland has been become the fourth chapter of Say Yes to Education, a historic development that will bring college scholarships to CMSD students while also providing services designed to keep them on track to graduation.
For a city with the nation’s second highest rate of child poverty and a low percentage of college graduates, the move promises to be a game changer. Besides opening doors for students who may have once dismissed post-secondary education as unaffordable, creating Say Yes Cleveland has the potential to attract new residents and spur economic growth.
Philanthropist George Weiss, who founded the national nonprofit Say Yes organization 31 years ago, announced Cleveland’s selection Jan. 18 at the John Marshall Campus. Students who packed the gym stood and cheered, while others saw the event live-streamed in an overflow area and high schools across the District.
“Say Yes to Education is the right thing at the right time for the Cleveland schools, for the city of Cleveland and for you,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson, who joined other community leaders in applauding the news.
How the scholarship plan works
Starting this spring, students can receive scholarship for up to the full value of tuition, minus federal and state aid, for any public two-year college, four-year college or Pell-eligible technical program in Ohio.
Scholarships also can be used at the more than 100 private colleges and universities that belong to the National Higher Education Compact. The names of 12 new compact members were announced Jan. 18, including local institutions Case Western Reserve, John Carroll, Baldwin Wallace and Notre Dame.
The scholarships can be used only for tuition, not for expenses such as housing, books and meals.
Recipients must live in the District and attend CMSD or partnering charter high schools. Current high school students who maintain residency can qualify, but starting with the Class of 2023, recipients must have been enrolled continuously from ninth grade through graduation.
Students entering the gym did not know why they had been called together; seniors Lynnae Howard and Jasmin Diaz were unaware even as they took the stage to extend greetings to dozens of community leaders and other adults in attendance.
“People are in debt because of college,” said Lynnae, who plans to attend Ashland University, another new compact member, to study forensic science or prepare for a career in the sports industry. “It’s amazing we don’t have to worry about that.”
“I think it’s going to change lives,” said Jasmin, who intends to study social work at Ohio State University. “A lot of people don’t have this kind of opportunity.”
CMSD, Say Yes hope to reverse trend
Under The Cleveland Plan, CMSD has seen its graduation rate reach a series of record highs, and fewer of those graduates have required remediation in college.
But the number of District graduates who enroll in college within a year has gone down, with the most recent data available, for the Class of 2016, showing it at less than 50 percent.
District CEO Eric Gordon and others believe the trend is related to cost. Gordon notes that Buffalo, another Say Yes chapter, has seen college enrollment rise.
“Our families don’t have conversations about going to college,” Gordon said. “Parents don’t want to promise their kids something they can’t give them.”
Say Yes Cleveland is a community effort. Besides the District, partners include Cuyahoga County, the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland Teachers Union Local 279 and the Cleveland Council of Administrators and Supervisors, an association of District officials. Foundations and other entities provided strong support.
“When there’s a challenge, we find a way to come together and make a difference,” Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish told the students in the audience Jan. 18. “We’re here for you, and we will not let you down.”
The community is raising enough money for an endowment that will fund scholarships for 25 years – two generations of students. So far, more than 40 foundations, corporations, families and individuals have contributed nearly $90 million, or $15 million more than the national Say Yes organization had required to launch the chapter.
The number needs to reach $125 million. Say Yes Cleveland will seek to raise the balance over the next five years, and leaders are confident they will reach their goal.
Say Yes Cleveland is trying to create a culture around going to college or enrolling in other post-secondary training. They say the mindset is critical to keeping the region competitive in an ever-changing economy.
“Have tenacity and dare to dream big,” KeyBank Chairman and CEO Beth E. Mooney, another speaker, told the students at John Marshall. “When you’re done, there’s a place for you in our companies.”
To read the full story, visit ClevelandMetroSchools.org/news.

BY JERRY MASEK

Every time you buy a $1 Lottery ticket, you contribute 25 cents toward the education of public school students in Ohio. This is a small but consistent part of education funding.

Eighteen schools in West Park are among those that benefit from the Lottery. West Park covers zip codes 44111 and 44135.

Where the money goes…

In fiscal year 2018, the Ohio Lottery generated a record $4.1 billion in sales. Of that, $3.16 billion came from the sale of traditional lottery games.

For every $1 customers spend on the Ohio Lottery, here is where it goes. This breakdown is for traditional lottery game sales only. It does not include sales, prizes, operation expenses or profits from video lottery terminal operations at Ohio’s seven racinos.

By law, Ohio Lottery profits support public school operations, K through 12. On average, 25 cents of each dollar is transferred to the Lottery Profits Education Fund (LPEF). From there, it goes to the Ohio Department of Education, which distributes it to public schools, based on a formula. The formula was determined by the Ohio General Assembly.

During fiscal 2018, the Lottery transferred $1.09 billion to the LPEF — the highest profit transfer in the Lottery’s 44-year history. Of that, $794.7 million was generated from the sale of traditional lottery games.

Since the Lottery began in 1973, more than $24 billion has been transferred to education.

-64 cents from each dollar is returned to Lottery customers in prizes. These prizes range from a $1 payoff on an instant ticket, to million-dollar prizes in multi-state games. During fiscal 2018, the Lottery awarded $1.99 billion in prizes.

-6.5 cents is paid in commissions to retailers who sell Lottery tickets. There are about 10,000 retailers in Ohio.

-4.5 cents goes to fund Lottery operations.

There are many factors that contribute to financing education. For more information on how Ohio schools are funded, visit education.ohio.gov.

Jerry Masek worked as a public information officer for the Ohio Lottery from 1992-2000.

PHOTO & STORY BY JERRY MASEK

Almost 10,000 retailers sell Lottery tickets in Ohio. In many cities, one or two retailers gain a reputation for selling winning tickets.

In West Park, that place is the EZ Mart Food Store, 4163 Rocky River Dr. at Valleyview Avenue.

Annually, the store sells more tickets than most other retailers in West Park — more than $1.14 million in fiscal 2018, and about $627,000 from July through December 2018.

More sales means more winners.

Several years ago, the store sold a $1 million winning ticket on a $20 instant game.

The store also sold a $50,000 Cash Explosion winner in May 2018, and a $250,000 Mega Millions winner in 2011. Posters announcing major winners are used as wallpaper throughout the store. Winners come from all over.

Customers come from near and far to buy Lottery tickets at the store, says Ron Ashraf, who owns the business with his brother, Shawn.

Several regular customers have moved from West Park to Rocky River, about 10 miles away, but they still drive back to his store to buy Lottery tickets, Ron said.

Top-selling retailers in 44135 during fiscal 2018

EZ Mart Food Store, 4163 Rocky River Dr., $1.14 million
Convenient Food Mart, 14302 Puritas Ave., $848,207
Grayton Road Tavern, 4760 Grayton Road, $790,646
Winners Sports Bar & Grill, 5300 Riverside Dr., $741,008
Friendly Food Mart, 4050 W. 140 St., $501,209

Top-selling retailers in 44111 during fiscal 2018

Giant Eagle, 3050 W. 117 St., $1.17 million
Charlie’s Beverage, 15803 Lorain Ave., $1.13 million
Convenient Food Mart, 12520 Lorain Ave., $1.07 million
The Third Place, 3314 Warren Road, $946,392
T & W Mart, 15239 Triskett Road, $883,524