Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP) has targeted efforts to increase awareness, education and outreach and later, testing and vaccines, to at-risk and underserved community members. Those efforts continue today.
“Throughout the past year, we’ve worked independently, with state and local government, and other community partners to increase awareness and knowledge about COVID, along with access to testing and vaccines for the more vulnerable and underserved Black, Hispanic/Latino, low-income and refugee populations in our community – the very populations that have been disproportionately affected by the virus,” says Jean Poster, RN, MS, NFP’s president and CEO.
Since January 2021, NFP has:
provided 29,000 vaccinations to 15,000 individuals
4,250 shots since August
Conducted 100 community vaccination clinics with community partners
Along with participating in The Cleveland Community Health Centers COVID Services collaborative in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Cleveland Department of Public Health and local hospital systems, NFP partnered with LaSagrada Familia Church, the Hispanic Roundtable. Saint Paul AME Church and other local community organizations to prioritize the information and care provided to communities of color.
“It is not only our mission, but also our obligation as a federally qualified community health center to create and provide systems of care that are equitable and accessible to all Clevelanders,” says Polster. “Our COVID-19 outreach efforts were, and continue to be, very deliberate. We want to help reduce virus-related illness and death among those who are most at-risk.”
In these times when our country is faced with battling the ongoing pandemic along with racial disparity, NFP continues to fight to address both by providing COVID-19 outreach, education and more. Testing and vaccines (including pediatric and booster vaccines) are available by appointment at NFPs seven community health center locations on Cleveland’s near west side.
About Neighborhood Family Practice
Founded in 1980 in response to a concern that residents of Cleveland’s near west side lacked access to primary health care, NFP focuses on providing high quality primary care in the patient’s neighborhood setting. Today, its seven public transit friendly locations offer same day appointments to a service area that spans twelve neighborhoods across Cleveland’s west side and is comprised of a highly diverse mix of residents. Accredited by The Joint Commission and designated as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, Neighborhood Family Practice provides primary care, women’s health and midwifery services, behavioral health, dental and case management appointments to more than 21,000 patients at its combined locations. www.nfpmedcenter.org
Majority of funds are part of President Biden and Democrats’ American Rescue Plan
CONTENT SUBMITTED
Today, Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) voted in favor of Substitute House Bill (HB) 169 to appropriate $4.18billion to support education, expand access to childcare and improve public health, among other investments in Ohio’s working people, families and communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill is funded through several federal COVID-19 relief packages, the majority of which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act backed by Democrats and signed into law by President Biden earlier this year.
Hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to Ohio under the American Rescue Plan were at risk of expiring had the General Assembly not taken legislative action on the funds this month.
“This is timely, bipartisan legislation that will ensure we are bringing the full power and resources of the United States to bear against the public health crisis that has upended every aspect of our society,” said Rep. Sweeney. “Learning loss from the pandemic has been devastating, and we cannot allow our children, who are the future of Ohio, to continue to fall behind. That’s why almost 60% of this bill, nearly 2.5 billion dollars, will go towards education. We are only able to make such a sweeping appropriation because of the leadership of President Biden as well as Senator Sherrod Brown and Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Marcia Fudge, Joyce Beatty and Tim Ryan, who are the only members of Ohio’s Congressional Delegation that voted for the American Rescue Plan.”
Sub. HB 169 includes:
$2.48 billion for K-12 schools;
$1.05 billion to help health care providers hire and retain employees;
$639 million in supplemental child care grants to enhance the hiring and retention of staff and improve access to child care;
$250 million in grants for law enforcement agencies;
$91.1 million for the Department of Health to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and address other public health priorities;
$7.3 million to prevent youth homelessness.
The American Rescue Plan is landmark legislation for the Biden administration and advances many long-held Democratic priorities, including investments in working people, families and communities as Ohio and the nation continue to build back amid the COVID-19 pandemic after decades of failing to invest in families and communities.
The Plan will lower health insurance premiums, extend tax credits to families with children and invest in jobs. The American Rescue Plan is widely regarded as one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in history, with targeted aid to families making less than $90,000 annually. No Republican members of Congress voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan.
Sub. HB 169 now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.
District 2 County Councilman Dale Miller — a veteran of 40+ years in public service — has many goals as 2022 begins.
Miller represents Ward 16 and 17 in West Park, plus Lakewood and Rocky River. His term expires in 2024.
Focus On Goals
COVID-19: Getting the pandemic under control is a top priority. “We have to make the vaccine easier to obtain for everyone. Only 56 percent of the County workforce is vaccinated. We need to do better.”
OPOIDS: “700 persons died of overdoses in 2021. That’s just horrible. We need to do more.”
JUSTICE: “The County Jail, the Mental Health Diversion Center and bail reform are all key this year. We need to help keep more people from entering the system.”
CLIMATE CHANGE: “The County needs to use more clean energy, and help reduce the impacts of climate change.”
In 2021, West Park attorney Ross DiBello lost a bid to become Cleveland’s next mayor.
In 2022, he still plans to exercise his First Amendment right to free speech.
“I hope the City puts better policies in place. We need to see a better use of our tax dollars,”DiBello said.
“I’ll continue to comment at City Council meetings, and on Twitter. I hope my campaign inspires more people to run. I will encourage that. We need to keep fighting the good fight.”
Term limits are definitely needed for the Mayor and City Council, he said. “Holding public office should not be a career, or an entitlement. We also need to change the process of filling City Council vacancies.”
DiBello said he has no immediate plans to run for public office again. Besides his law work, he and his wife volunteer at the City Kennel.
In the middle of the pandemic, Ross DiBello collect signatures for his mayor bid.
During the Sept. 14 primary, Ross DiBello greets voters at Gunning Recreation Center.
Sullivan was known for saying, “We’re going to have a really big show.”
And those big shows are coming back to the IX Center in West Park — now open under new management. With more than 1 million square feet, 28 meeting rooms and 7,200 parking spaces, the IX Center is viewed as one of the top 10 convention centers in the nation.
Here’s what’s planned for early 2022.
Jan. 22-23, Today’s Bride Wedding Show.
Feb. 4-13, The Great Big Home and Garden Show.
Feb. 25-March 6, Cleveland Auto Show.
CHANGED TO MARCH 17 TO 20, Cleveland Boat Show. Boat show dates are now March 17-20
Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors returns to the Cleveland Opera Theater stage this holiday season after Covid-19 forced the production into the digital realm last year. Performances will take place December 17-19, 2021 across Cuyahoga County in an effort to make the production geographically accessible to Northeast Ohio residents. In the spirit of the holiday season, this production is presented free of charge thanks support from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and the Kulas Foundation with 100% of donations received supporting The City Mission’s Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center.
For 10 years, Cleveland Opera Theater and The City Mission have come together to produce this holiday favorite. Michael Parry, Donor Relations Officer at The City Mission, says Amahl is not only an inspiring story and beautiful musical gift to the greater Cleveland community, but “it generates awareness of and support for The City Mission’s work. We are happy to partner with Cleveland Opera Theater on this production.”
The mission of Cleveland Opera Theater is to advance opera through innovative, accessible, and inclusive experiences. While this generally means for our audience members, the company also makes a concerted effort to collaborate with Cleveland’s myriad training programs to feature and promote local professional artists including younger singers starting their professional careers. As in 2019, this year’s production of Amahl and the Night Visitors will feature members of Cleveland Institute of Music’s youth choirs supplemented by select adult singers, under the direction of Conductor Jennifer Call. She says, “this beautiful story of hope and kindness is a perfect close for our Fall semester and for our return to ensemble singing after the year apart. Performing in this production is always a wonderful collaboration to introduce our young singers to opera and the art of storytelling as part of a professional production.”
About Amahl and the Night Visitors:
Based on Italian folk tales of the Nativity and Epiphany, Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors is a retelling of the story of the Magi from the point of view of a young shepherd named Amahl, who needs a crutch to walk and lives in poverty with his widowed mother near Bethlehem. They receive visitors, three kings, who seek shelter on their journey to bring gifts to a newborn child. A vivid and accessible tale originally created for television, Amahl and the Night Visitors is truly an opera for all!
About Our Production:
Performances are free and un-ticketed. Cleveland Opera Theater is enforcing strict preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 including socially-distanced seating for attendees. Visit Clevelandoperatheater.org/amahl.
Friday, December 17, 2021 @ 7:00p – Church of the Saviour, 2537 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 Saturday, December 18, 2021 @ 7:00p – Old Stone Church, 91 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113 Sunday, December 19, 2021 @ 3:00p – Rocky River United Methodist Church, 19414 Detroit Rd. Rocky River 44116.
View more information here. https://www.clevelandoperatheater.org/amahl
The Cleveland Department of Public Health has launched a new COVID-19 Dashboard in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University. View the dashboard here. The dashboard provides concise data summaries and a map of current infection risk for government officials and the general public. All displayed data on the Cleveland COVID-19 Dashboard are updated before 6:00 a.m. EST daily.
About the City of Cleveland
The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life for its residents by strengthening neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing diversity and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, play, and do business. For more information on the City of Cleveland, visit online at www.city.cleveland.oh.us, Twitter at @cityofcleveland or Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofcleveland.
The City of Cleveland’s Rockefeller Park Greenhouse will hold its annual Friends of the Greenhouse Park Greenhouse Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature many varieties of poinsettias. Rockefeller Park Greenhouse is located at 750 East 88th St. (On the northeastern edge of the Rockefeller Park between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and East 88th Street.)
Poinsettia plants will be sold for $5 by cash or checks made payable to Friends of the Greenhouse. To view and share more information about the greenhouse plant sale, download the flyer here.
The Rockefeller Park Greenhouse is a City-owned botanical garden and greenhouse housing four acres of specialty plant collections, seasonal floral displays and indoor and outdoor themed garden displays. The public greenhouse is wheelchair accessible and offers free admission year-round.
COVID-19 protocols will be in place and masks are required.
For more information about the Poinsettia Plant Sale or the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, visitrockefellerparkgreenhouse.orgor call 216-664-3103.
To celebrate the start of the holiday season, Hudson Conservatory of Ballet (HCB) will present two performances of The Nutcracker at Hudson High School on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m.
HCB is thrilled to welcome Lea Fleytoux and Jarod Curley of American Ballet Theatre (ABT) to the stage to perform the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. ABT is recognized as one of the world’s leading ballet companies performing at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center in New York City. Both Fleytoux and Curley have performed as corps de ballet members with ABT since June 2019. Fleytoux, originally from Paris, trained in the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School before moving her way up into the company. Curley, originally from Bethesda, Maryland began in the ABT Studio Company before he was promoted to apprentice and then corps de ballet member. Along with these two guests, two local male dancers, Antonio Morillo and Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni of Verb Ballet, located in Cleveland, will appear as additional characters throughout the ballet.
Currently in its 8th season, HCB has made its traditional version of the classic holiday ballet a staple in the community for the past six years. Directors Eric Carvill and Sunita Joshi started the tradition in 2015 by presenting the second act of the ballet, the Land of the Sweets. Each season, the production has grown to include Act One scenes such as the Waltz of the Snowflakes, the Party Scene, and the Battle Scene. Now wIth a complete ballet and 70+ member cast, the story keeps getting better.
This season’s production includes new features in every scene. The Party Scene will include added dresses and a reupholstered sofa matching the Victorian-style era in which the Stahlbaum family lives. Godfather Drosselmeyer will perform new tricks such as making flowers appear out of thin air and pulling a multi-colored scarf out of a town boy’s ear. Her majesty the Rat Queen, featured in the Battle Scene, will be adorned with a new Queen-of-Hearts-inspired costume including a military-style jacket and a custom made headpiece complete with a heart studded crown. The updated Snowflake corps bodices will give an extra sparkle to the magical Snow Scene. In the Land of the Sweets, the Arabian Coffee and Chinese Tea dances include added dancers and therefore new choreography and costumes to bring the sweets to life. Lastly, the most recognizable and audience favorite Waltz of the Flowers dance will feature new handmade corps de ballet costumes that mimic a bouquet of flowers with evergreen bodices and layers upon layers of pink and yellow tulle.
The characters donning these new and existing costumes are performed by students in HCB’s Conservatory program as well as selected dancers from its Full Season Program. HCB’s Conservatory consists of 42 students ages 9-18 who train anywhere from 7-15 hours per week in classical ballet and contemporary styles. Students compete and are recognized in regional, national, and international competitions such as the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) and American Dance Competition and International Ballet Competition (ADC IBC), attend prestigious summer intensives all over the country, and have been selected to attend year-round programs at world-renowned training schools both nationally and internationally.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at hudsonconservatory.com/nutcracker or at the door. Performances will be held at Hudson High School located at 2500 Hudson Aurora Road in Hudson, OH. Theater doors will open 45 minutes prior to the start of each performance. All audience members are required to wear a mask.
Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Director of Public Safety Karrie D. Howard and Police Chief Calvin D. Williams announce two Command Staff appointments to the Cleveland Division of Police following recent supervisory retirements. The appointments will fill the roles of Commander of the Bureau of Special Investigations and Commander of the Bureau of Special Services. These appointments will take effect on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.
Ali Pillow, Commander of the Bureau of Special Investigations
The Commander of the Bureau of Special Investigations oversees the Investigative Section which includes the Accident Investigation Unit, the Homicide Unit and the Financial Crimes Unit, the Technical Section which includes the Crime Scene and Records unit, the Forensic Unit and the Photography Unit, the Special Victims Section which includes the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit and the Domestic Violence Unit, as well as the Administrative Section consisting of the Central Charging Office and the Criminal Statement Unit.
Commander Ali Pillow was appointed to the Division of Police in 1993. Pillow served the Division of Police in the Fifth District on Basic Patrol and in the Vice Unit before being promoted to Sergeant in 2008, to Lieutenant in 2015 and to Captain in 2020. Commander Ali Pillow has served the Division of Police as a Narcotics and Gang Unit Supervisor, an Internal Affairs Unit supervisor, as Public Information Officer, Lieutenant overseeing the Homicide Unit, as the Executive Officer of the Bureau of Special Investigations and as Acting Internal Affairs Superintendent. He has received multiple awards including the Medal of Heroism (2), Police Officer of the Year, Chief’s Special Commendation and Chief’s Outstanding Unit Award.
Alfred Johnson, Commander of the Bureau of Special Services
The Commander of the Bureau of Special Services oversees the Strategic Enforcement Section including the Narcotics Unit, SWAT, the Northern Ohio Law Enforcement Task Force, STANCE, the Gang Impact unit, the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, HIDTA, the Domestic Violence Warrant Unit and the Violent Crimes Task Force.
Commander Alfred Johnson was appointed to the Cleveland Division of Police in 2007. He served the Division of Police in the Fifth District and Third District on Basic Patrol and in the Community Services Unit, as well as within the Gang Impact Unit. Commander Alfred Johnson was promoted to Sergeant in 2017, serving as a supervisor within the Gang Impact Unit. Johnson is the recipient of multiple awards including a Chief’s Commendation, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Chief’s Outstanding Unit Award and a Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Award.
Cleveland Division of Police Announces Police Chaplain Appointments
Six Police Chaplains Appointed
CLEVELAND- Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Director of Public Safety Karrie D. Howard and Police Chief Calvin D. Williams announce six Police Chaplain appointments to the Cleveland Division of Police. The appointments will fill the roles of vacant Police Chaplain positions. These appointments will take effect on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.
Chaplain Rosa Colondres
Chaplain Rosa Colondres is a Pentecostal Minister and is currently serving as an Ordained Minister with the Iglesia Cristiana. Ms. Colondres is an Ordained Pastor for Juveniles and has a Bachelors in Biblical Theology. Ms. Colondres lives in the City of Cleveland and speaks Spanish fluently. Ms. Colondres hopes to help officers in crisis.
Chaplain Craig Donofrio
Chaplain Craig Donofrio is a Pastor at St. James Lutheran Church in Cleveland (Old Brooklyn Area) and has been an ordained Pastor for 22 years. Mr. Donofrio served as a Chaplain in New York for First Responders after the terrorist attacks of September 11thand since then has become fond of officers and Firefighters. Mr. Donofrio understands the traumas that officers face in their duties. He is eager to help officers and looks forward to being part of the team.
Chaplain Freddie Graves Jr.
Chaplain Freddie Graves Jr.is the lead Pastor of The Rock Church. Mr. Graves received a Master of Arts Degree in Black Church Studies from Ashland Seminary. His extensive professional experience includes serving as Pastor and a Minister of Worship of various churches and organizations. Mr. Graves feels it is important that the Community understand that officers are there to help others and that they are human too. Mr. Graves is excited to be a Police Chaplain.
Chaplain Theodore Kavouras
Chaplain Theodore Kavouras is a Deacon at Christ Lutheran Church (Cleveland). Mr. Kavouras was elected Deacon in April of 2021. He has a Bachelor of Science from Indiana Wesleyan University. Mr. Kavouras’ father is currently a Police Chaplain and through his father he has learned of the troubles that First Responders face and wants to help officers through difficult times.
Chaplain Timothy Rosenberger Jr. *Mr. Rosenberger was unable to attend today’s ceremony and will be sworn in at a later time.
Chaplain Timothy Rosenberger Jr. is a Lutheran Pastor and the youngest applicant at 26 years of age. Rosenberger has a Master of Divinity Degree from United Lutheran Seminary. Mr. Rosenberger Jr. has a Doctor of Ministry from Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University and is the Lead Pastor at Sola Caritas Metropolitan Community Church. He currently lives and works in Ohio City. His Ministry was originally conceived for the LGTBQ Community but has grown to welcome others who may feel dislocated. He has always wanted to be a Chaplain for First Responders.
Chaplain Grady L. Stevenson Jr.
Chaplain Grady Stevenson is the City of Cleveland Executive Director of the Community Relations Board where he works to promote relations among Cleveland’s racial and cultural groups. He began his career with the City of Cleveland in 1989 serving as a meter reader and later a customer service representative with the Departments of Public Works and Public Utilities. He returned to the City in 2006 to work for the Department of Community Relations as a supervisor in the areas of community outreach and crisis intervention. Mr. Stevenson worked as a liaison from the city to local families victimized by violence, planned several community events to increase positive relationships between the police force and the public, and has connected several ethnic communities within Cleveland to local resources. He also serves as the Pastor of Damascus Road Ministries. Stevenson hopes to bridge the gap between the community and the police. Mr. Stevenson studied at the Northeast Ohio School of Ministry.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: West Park UCC and Christ UMC are hosting a joint Christmas Eve Service on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. in the parking lot behind Marc’s (13693 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44111). All are welcome to this drive-in celebration of the birth of Christ.
ALSO: COMMUNITY CUPBOARD food pantry is open on 2nd and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Refugees welcome. Now a special Halal section. In addition to regular food supplies, there will be a special holiday “breakfast bag” on Dec. 18. Turkeys available on Nov. 20.
Beginning Nov. 4, 2021, weather permitting, the City will restart concrete repairs on Rocky River Drive from Lorain Avenue to McKinley Avenue. A portion of the street will be closed and one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction. A complete closure is not expected to occur. No on-street parking will be permitted for the duration of the project in the affected areas and no parking signs will be posted.
The project includes repairing broken concrete pavement and adjusting sunken or damaged utility castings. The work will take place during the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The concrete repair project is expected to complete by the end of December 2021.
Questions? Contact the City of Cleveland’s Construction Inspector, Eric Faehner (216) 857-3028.
Editor’s Note: Road construction invariably presents hazards to the public. All travelers are urged to use caution in construction zones. Public safety and the safety of workers is a top priority.
The City of Cleveland will begin its seasonal leaf pick-up program on Nov. 8, 2021. The program provides leaf pick-up in high leaf-generation areas, reducing the need for residents to manually collect leaves.
Residents in the designated high leaf-generation areas should expect leaf pick-up signs posted one week prior to service.
To streamline the pick-up process, residents are encouraged to rake leaves from their property onto the tree lawn. Residents are also asked to park off-street, if possible, during the service period to accommodate city crews.
Each area will be serviced a minimum of two times within the 8-week period (weather permitting).
High generation areas have the highest concentration of city-owned trees located on tree lawns and/or those areas potentially causing flooding or other hazardous conditions. The current high leaf-generation areas have been verified by the Division of Urban Forestry, the County Tree Canopy, the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Public Works. The city’s six service stations will systematically deploy sweepers, leaf machines, end loaders and leaf blowers in these areas on both 1st & 2nd shifts Monday through Friday from Nov. 8, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021.
Residents outside of the high-generation areas can bag any leaves gathered in their yards and set it out with their trash on their designated waste collection day. These residents are allowed up to 20 bags of leaves during the fall season.
Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) was named the Ranking Member of the House Finance Committee. She fills the role formerly held by Erica C. Crawley, now a Franklin County Commissioner. Rep. Sweeney becomes likely the youngest-ever ranking member on the powerful Finance Committee.
“I am very grateful to have been entrusted with this responsibility. It is further evidence that not only are young women more than capable of holding public office, but they can also rise to important leadership roles and make a real difference,” said Ranking Member Sweeney.
“As someone involved in the budget process for the last four General Assemblies, I understand the gravity of matters before the Finance Committee, from appropriating billions in federal dollars to overhauling the way we fund our children’s education. There are real problems that Ohioans face every day, and it is my hope that we will work together to focus on them in this committee.”
The House Finance Committee oversees all budgetary and fiscal matters that go before the General Assembly. It is the largest committee in the House, encompassing a third of its members. The panel is charged with crafting a balanced budget that funds every aspect of state operations, totaling more than $70 billion. It is also responsible for more than $7 billion in transportation funding to maintain and invest in Ohio’s roads, highways and public transportation. The body will also allocate the remainder of critical federal pandemic relief dollars and tackle the upcoming capital budget, which funds important brick and mortar projects in every corner of the state.
Rep. Sweeney today was also named to the state’s Controlling Board, the body that regularly meets to approve the allocation of state and federal funding to state agencies and other entities. It is a seven member panel, which practices legislative oversight to ensure that public tax dollars are spent appropriately. As a fiscal watchdog on the Controlling Board, Rep. Sweeney will also help explain complex budgetary matters for the general public.
Actor ‘J.J.’ embraces good times & challenging ones
This person is male. He’s an actor. He is slender with a height over six feet.
He’s got an infectious smile, and with being very likeable around people, he knows how to create good times. And although he’s called by his first name, he’s also known as J.J. Overall, he’s Dyn-O-Mite! But he’s not wonderful actor/comedian Jimmie Walker, aka J.J. from television show Good Times. He is, however, actor Jordan Johnson-Hinds.
Jordan Johnson (J.J.) Hinds, the youngest of 4 children, was born on November 1, 1989, in Ontario, Canada. As his parents were separated, J.J. shared his time growing up between both his mother and father.
Although rewarding to see both of his parents, it wasn’t easy to bounce from household to household. These were challenging times.
“Back then, that’s just how life was. I lived with my dad during the week and went to my mom’s house on the weekends. Until you’re older and you begin to become more knowledgeable on childhood development, you don’t realize that having both parents in the home is so important. But as humans, we adapt, and I love the fact that my parents were always respectful towards one another. They definitely would have won the co-parenting award!” says J.J.
As a child, J.J. went to St. Sylvester Catholic Elementary School. When he became a teenager, he attended Francis Libermann Catholic High School, and at a young age, he got bitten by the acting bug. After seeing a friend of one of his siblings act in a production, J.J. knew he was up for the invigorating challenge.
“I saw a friend of my older brother in a movie at the city mall, at which point I said, ‘If he could do it, I could do it.’ Acting was always something that I loved. It was the look of it, the energy you feel in the cinema when people are drawn to the faces on the screen. The ability to create characters within worlds, and tell stories that uplift and inspire others was always something that appealed to me,” says J.J.
While a student at Libermann, J.J. took acting courses from a prestigious talent agency. When J.J. became a senior, he transferred to Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School where his good times rolled. He hosted talent shows, broadcasted morning announcements, and landed his beginning acting jobs.
J.J. remembers being young when his father first took him and one of his siblings to Los Angeles, California, and as J.J. soaked up the aura of lights, camera, and action; for him, it was a match made in heaven.
“My father brought my brother and myself to Los Angeles, Calif., when I was 7 years-old. And seeing this place that had palm trees, movie studios, superstars, and all the fun things constantly happening, I fell in love,” he says.
While in high school, wanting to broaden his horizons both physically and professionally, J.J. traveled back and forth to the United States and spent much time in Los Angeles to see live, firsthand, professionals act in real studios and work on real projects. At these studios, J.J. attended tapings of documentaries and comedy shows. Having family members with connections in the entertainment industry, J.J. received the privilege to meet actors and other entertainers. His time spent in Los Angeles as a child prepped him for Hollywood, an environment he still enjoys and can be starry-eyed in when meeting the famous, yet he is also a focused professional who approaches the famous and others affably. These were good times. Dyn-O-Mite!
“Being around that prepared me for Hollywood in a way, because I spent family Christmases and New Years with famous family members. It kind of normalized it. So now, I can still fan-out when I see a celeb I recognize, but it’s also something that doesn’t faze me. I just try to be me, no matter who I’m speaking to,” J.J. says.
As inspired as J.J was to pursue a career in acting, he was also still a teenager who wanted to have fun, explore life, and grow up to find his way in a world where there is no shortage of grim, ubiquitous happenings. Just like any normal teenager, J.J. made errors, wanted to attend adolescent events, shied away from positive pep-talks, and wasn’t thrilled about his parents constantly monitoring his every move.
Although J.J. eventually saw the light, at first, he experienced some dark days. These were challenging times.
“My hero is my father. He raised stubborn kids in a society where it’s so easy to fall off the right path. Even though I made mistakes, he was and is always there for me to bring me back. I now realize every lecture, every party he never let me go to, ringing off my phone, and bothering the crap out of me was all for a reason. And for that, I genuinely thank you. I love you pops!” says J.J.
In getting past his teenage dramas, J.J. eventually graduated from high school with a performing drama award. He advanced his acting training by attending George Brown College where he took a one year course in Performing Arts. Soon enough, his acting career blossomed. These were good times. Dyn-O-Mite! These good times afforded J.J. opportunities to act in both Canadian and American projects. J.J. began doing advertisements and guest starred on Canadian television sitcom Life with Derek and Canadian television comedy series The Jon Dore Television Show. He entered the limelight in 2009 with playing Remo Benzina in Season 2 of Canadian television crime drama series Flashpoint. In 2010, J.J. guest starred in Canadian television police drama Rookie Blue. In 2012, J.J. guest starred on Canadian television drama series The L.A. Complex. In 2012, J.J. played a rapper on Canadian American science fiction police procedural television series Beauty & the Beast. In 2014, J.J. guest starred in Season 5 of Canadian television drama series The Listener. In 2014, J.J. guest starred in Canadian television comedy drama miniseries The Best Laid Plans. During the same year, J.J. began playing the part of Ryan in Canadian drama web television series entitled Teenagers. Also beginning in 2014, J.J. guest starred in Canadian children’s television show Odd Squad. J.J. graced the film arena in 2014, playing in the remake of the 1987 American superhero film, RoboCop. In 2015, J.J. guest starred in Canadian television medical drama Saving Hope. In 2016, J.J. guest starred in Canadian television news satire The Beaverton. During the same year, J.J. began playing the reoccurring character Nate Desmond in Canadian television drama series Murdoch Mysteries. During the same year, J.J. began playing the role of Frisky in Canadian television sitcom LetterKenny. In 2017, J.J. guest starred on Season 2 of American supernatural television drama Shadowhunters. The same year, he began playing Stuart on American television crime drama Blindspot, and as Oliver Grady on American legal drama Suits. And in 2017, he again graced the film arena as Richard in Canadian romance comedy John Lives Again.
In 2020, J.J. was cast in both American science fiction television comedy-drama that airs on Amazon Prime Video entitled Upload, and in Canadian television drama Nurses. Upload takes place in the future year 2033 when humans can “upload” themselves into a virtual afterlife of their choosing. When computer programmer Nathan dies prematurely, he is uploaded, but soon finds himself under the thumb of his possessive, still-living girlfriend, and he bonds with a living female customer service representative who has her own struggles. J.J. plays the part of Jamie Arpaz, Nathan’s best friend and business partner. J.J., a creative, friendly, and witty person who has a gift of gab and is sensitive to the need of others, feels comfortable playing Jamie. “Jamie was super fun to play because his energy is so authentic. He has one singular vision, and he doesn’t steer away from that. It’s always a bit easier to step into the life of a character when you have similar interests. Ambition and change are two words that best describe Jamie Arpaz!” he says.
Nurses follows five young nurses who dedicate their lives to working on the front lines of a busy downtown hospital as they deal with high-stake situations that hospital life brings, and they still cope with handling their own personal life struggles. The shows current airing is more than apropos, being shown at a time when the world is in a pandemic. In real life, in the midst of a world-wide crisis, J.J. has had his fill of the pandemic. These were challenging times. J.J.’s family endured the loss of a family friend due to COVID-19. Having family who work in the medical profession, including a sister and a cousin who are nurses, some relatives who are doctors, and even friends who are veterinarians, from stories he’s heard, J.J. knows what medical professionals have gone through to care for sick patients. On Nurses, from what he does, J.J. knows first-hand the dedication and knowledge it takes to care for sick patients. J.J. plays the part of Keon Colby, a former college football star who’s currently a nurse whose heart of gold is as giant his 6’3” height. Although season 1 of Nurses was filmed pre-pandemic, the show still highlights the role medical professionals play in everyday life. “We’re still showing the crucial importance that frontline workers have even under normal circumstances and the empathy that nurses show,” said J.J. During the pandemic, although J.J. is honored to be working on Nurses, on a show where medical personnel are hailed as heroes, seeing the real life rough situations the pandemic has brought, coupled with filming the show and working hard to bring his character to life on television, is arduous. These were challenging times. J.J. understands his great responsibility to develop Keon.
“It was like an adrenaline rush. It was exhausting. It was liberating. But it was also a lot of pressure because you knew deep down that you had a responsibility to represent these frontline workers, these first responders, everybody who was an essential worker, even the people who were delivering the food with Uber and Door Dash – hats off to them, for throughout the whole quarantine, they were the ones working, so it was just a tremendous sense of responsibility that I had pepping and feeling throughout the whole project for sure,” says J.J.
Also to better help J.J. become Keon, he watched shows that many argue are the best medical shows –tops, and on behalf of another actor, he gave him props. J.J. took the necessary time to prepare for Keon.
“I did the prep. I looked at ER. I looked at Scrubs – my haircut in the first season of Nurses was kind of like Donald Faison’s from Scrubs. I wanted to pay homage in a settle way to the ones who did it before us,” he says.
When filming season 2 of Nurses, J.J. wanted to further develop Keon, committing to mastering the medicine portion of nursing and balancing caring for sick people. J.J. prepped Keon to master medicine and patients.
“Going into season 2, I wanted to do more work on the actual medicine, so that was a major committed obsession that I had. I had a lot of pages of back story and medical terms – that’s what a real nurse is. They’re not dealing with this one patient – they have eight other patients, depending on the day,” says J.J.
From working on Nurses for two seasons, J.J not only developed his character, but he has also bonded well with his cast mates. “With moving into season 2, we had this layer of trust and a year of experience together in the trenches and then, we brought it into season 2. Then during the quarantine, all of that connected and it was just a special thing that came out of it and we all felt it. From day one of production of season 2 to the end, it was like this electricity throughout the set.” These were good times. Dyn-O-Mite!
As Nurses continues to fuse the cast towards future successful seasons, and as J.J continues to develop Keon, J.J. continues to develop J.J. Besides his vast acting experience in television and regular films, J.J. has also acted in the independent film Sun Gazer, an experience that enhanced him making and perfecting two independent films, Garbage Day and All I Want for Christmas. J.J.’s complete acting experiences has definitely helped segue him to even a better writer, another of his pastimes, and currently he and a friend are working on a screenplay entitled Mathematics, a project he foresees it doing well. J.J. assures that his screenplay serves the human interest, but is reticent to elaborate, and his silence only entices others to see it upon its upcoming debut.
“Mathematics is a human story that is going to be revolutionary,” he says.
Time is on J.J.’s side, and will definitely reveal his journey not only as an actor, but also as a writer, a path that looks promising.
J.J. continues to perfect his craft and build his impressive resume, currently starring opposite actress Jennifer Garner in the 2021 Netflix Family comedy film Yes Day. And J.J. will star in the upcoming American action-thriller film opposite Aaron Eckhart entitled Ambush. J.J. is likely to ambush the Hollywood scene one day with his acting and writing talents, a rising star with a bright future who is certainly under the microscope, continuously being watched and followed by fans and casting crew. Inadvertently, to prep J.J. for being under the microscope, maybe those times his parents monitored his every move came in handy after all. These are good times. Dyn-O-Mite!
