West Park Library Branch Happenings
*The West Park Library is located at 3805 W. 157 St.
Summer Lunch Program: Children up to 18 years old. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; beginning Monday, June 3 – Friday, August 9.
Summer Lit League – Puppet Palooza: Summer Reading program for school-age children
Special programming on Tuesdays, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.; beginning Tuesday, June 4 – Tuesday, July 23.
K-Club: For families with children ages 4-6. All family members can attend. Breakfast provided. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. – noon; beginning Wednesday, May 22 – Wednesday, August 14. *Registration required.
Survival bracelet (paracord): Tuesday, June 4, 4 p.m.
Dan Coughlin, author of Just One More Story: Author visit and talk. Thursday, June 13, 6 p.m.
Father’s Day:
Craft, Thursday, June 13, 1 p.m.
Hooley:
Visit our table at the Kamm’s Corners Hooley Festival, Saturday, June 15, noon – 8 p.m.
National Eat Your Vegetables Day:
Join us for a fun program involving vegetables! Monday, June 17, 11:30 a.m.
Lunch & Learn – Lessons Learned from the Blue Zones: Presented by Brookdale Senior Living Solutions Thursday, June 20, 11:30 a.m.
The longest living people on Earth come from the Blue Zones. Who are they and what can we learn from their way of life? Lunch provided. *Registration required.
Flip Your Flops:
Decorate your flip flops. Thursday, June 20, 1 p.m.
Red, White & Blue Pom-Poms:
Get ready for the Fourth of July by creating your own Pom-Poms. Thursday, June 27, 1 p.m.
Craft – Sun Catchers:
Create your own sun catcher out of old DVDs and CDs, Thursday, July 11, 1 p.m.
Craft – To be announced: Thursday, July 18, 1 p.m.
Christmas in July:
Sock snowperson craft. Thursday, July 25, 1 p.m.
CPL150: Street Festival, Main Library – Downtown Cleveland
Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. West Park Branch will be closed. Eastman branch will be open with limited hours and free Trolley rides from Eastman to Downtown.
Cleveland Metroparks:
Guest speaker and animals. Thursday, August 1, 1 p.m.
Celebrate Woodstock 50 Year Anniversary:
Make your own Lava Lamp, Thursday, August 15, 1 p.m.
All programs are free of charge and are located at 3805 W. 157 St., unless otherwise noted. Please contact the Branch at 216-623-7102 for more information.
New building ensures a bright future for Congregation of St. Joseph
By Jerry Masek
Sisters in the Congregation of St. Joseph have been a part of the West Park community for more than 125 years.
Now their future here has been ensured, as a new motherhouse has been completed at 3430 Rocky River Dr., just north of St. Joseph Academy.
The motherhouse includes private living quarters for about 20 nuns. The new structure is more environmentally-friendly than other buildings on the campus.
Apartments include private bathrooms and kitchens for each nun.
The motherhouse also has a new chapel and new dining room.
Part of the building includes River’s Edge, a spirituality and wellness ministry offering classes, programs, and services to the public.
A new yoga studio is now being used by the many yoga classes that are offered. For details, visit www.riversedgecleveland.com.
West Park Academy holds Kindergarten and 8th grade graduation ceremonies
West Park Academy, 12913 Bennington Ave., is having graduation ceremonies for both Kindergarten and 8th grade classes today. The Kindergarten ceremony was held this morning at 10 a.m. and the eighth grade ceremony is at 2 p.m. this afternoon, Wednesday, May 22.
ODOT to upgrade fencing on Lorain Ave. bridge
By Jerry Masek
A vital transportation link in West Park will soon get some attention from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).
A $620,000 project on the Lorain Road bridge over the Rocky River Valley will start in May, says ODOT spokesman Brent Kovacs. Weather permitting, work will be completed by Labor Day.
Workers will upgrade fencing on the 1,219-foot bridge. Traffic will be maintained, and pedestrian detours will be posted. The structure is part of State Route 10, which runs between Downtown Cleveland and Elyria, where it merges with U.S. Rt. 20 and crosses the nation.
The original bridge, built in 1897, was replaced in 1935. It rises 130 feet over the valley floor in the Metroparks.
“Beer: A Brief History:
By: Jenn Wirtz,Restaurant owner & beer drinker
www.derbrau.com
The ingredients are simple: water, barley, hops, and later yeast, that come together and make what we love…
Beer is now over a $110 billion market. The process was refined in Germany before making its way all across the world, including to Cleveland!
Beer, for me, has not only fascinating history, but it inspires a way of life.
My first sip of beer was at age three and it was a DAB. My Opa drank it and when I could walk, to get him to chase me in the backyard, I would steal his DAB, run with it, and sip the bitter beer in its green bottle to make everyone laugh. That was the 80’s and we, after all, are Germans. However, it was approximately 5,000 years ago we can find Babylonian hieroglyphs that reveal ale recipes. In 1999, an archaeologist digging in Egypt put a 2,700-year-old urn under a microscope and deciphered an ale recipe. You can taste what early beer drinkers might have drunk with Dogfish Head’s Midas Touch. Sweet and almost like a wine, it is a high-ABV beer, fit for kings.
However, leave it up to the Germans to invent what we know today as beer. Hops in the 13th century was a game-changer that was a process from Northern Germany. Then, bottom-fermentation in the 16th century gave birth to the lager beer brew. Only a little over 200 years ago, Bavarians brought yeast into the mix. My German ancestors gave way to the idea of mass production with their every expanding polished process. It was in the 1800s that the perfection of lagers changed beer brewing from a home hobby to an industry. Many of those recipes have not changed and our always available on draft at Der Braumeister. Beers like Paulaner, Krombacher, and Weihenstephaner still follow the purity laws of 1516 and the traditional German lager recipes.
Finally, without borders, walls, and little restrictions, 1.7 million beer-drinking immigrants poured themselves into the United States in the 1840s. An estimated 75% of them were German and Irish. The Germans brought the skilled brewing practices and the Irish brought their drinking habits. Ales were within the colonies dating back to 1588; however, it was that wave of immigration that gave birth to beer as we know it and breweries like the legendary German Anheuser-Busch.
Cleveland, like other cities, was no exception. Some accounts have its first brewery opening in 1852. However, with the surge of drinking came the temperance movement. Yet, with the Civil War, early thoughts of prohibition were put on hold- but, in 1920, things changed and prohibition was a thing. As we all know, when someone tells us ‘NO’ or ‘CAN’T’- it sometimes, but not always, inspires rebellion.
And in 1929, Frank Herzog opened a delicatessen in West Park, Cleveland. However, the confectioner’s shop & deli was only a part of the building, next door to that deli with its high windows, unable to see in from street level, was a men’s only German club. It was one of Cleveland’s first taverns and we now know it to be one of Cleveland’s oldest bar and restaurants as Der Braumeister. But that is a history for another day. So in the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 said after repealing prohibition: “I think this would be a good time for a beer.”
In the words of your author: “Prost!”
Visit Der Braumeister at derbrau.com. Learn more about them, view their menu and check out what’s happening and different events.
EDITORIAL: We are Blessed
Those of us who live and work in West Park are abundantly blessed in so many ways.
Those blessings include two great local development corporations — Bellaire-Puritas and Kamms Corners — that guide our neighborhood growth.
Bellaire-Puritas Development Corp.
On April 13 — with an eye toward developing future generations — BPDC sponsored a Youth Job Jam at Gunning Recreation Center. More than 60 local youths gained interview skill with workshop training and practice with adult volunteers. Twelve youths also completed a resume-writing workshop.
The event enjoyed strong community support and that is the key to so many projects. About 30 community and business people volunteered their time on a Saturday, and more than 20 local employers talked to youths about opportunities to work or volunteer this summer.
Feedback from both the youths and volunteers showed the event was a win for everyone. We applaud the strong community support.
Kamms Corner Development Corp.
KCDC staff is active all year but now, they are working on some high-profile projects. Staff and volunteers are preparing for both the June 15 Hooley, and the June 16 kick-off of the popular Farmers Market.
KCDC is also helping to guide a major restoration of the key public parking lot on Albers Avenue. The project is long overdue. We will experience the smooooth pavement, when work is completed in mid-June.
Summer is a busy time for both groups. We appreciate their hard work and hope that strong community support continues, as we watch West Park grow and prosper.
Photos courtesy of Jerry Masek
CubeSmart Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony set for Wednesday, May 22nd at the previous Giant Eagle Shopping Center on Lorain Ave. in Cleveland, Ohio
CONTENT AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF DEALPOINT MERRILL, LLC.
DealPoint Merrill, LLC, an owner and operator of value-added real estate opportunities and sponsor of real estate investment offerings, redeveloped the 124,000 square foot former Giant Eagle grocery store on 4.3 acres at 13820 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44111.
The redevelopment managed under the CubeSmart self-storage (NYSE: CUBE) a national brand is in addition to a 10,500 square pad for a restaurant planned for the street front pad.
The Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony with City Council Members of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and team members of both CubeSmart and DealPoint Merrill is scheduled for Monday, May 22, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.
“There is a lot of revitalization projects going on in the Cleveland area is this building is a great addition to our climate-controlled self-storage portfolio and an excellent fit for our co-investment and redevelopment projects throughout the United States,” said DealPoint Merrill.
Pay the Day in May
Business Star of The Month: Carol & John’s Comic Book Shop (FREE COMIC DAY MAY 4)
Located in Kamm’s Plaza on Lorain Avenue, Carol &
John’s Comic Book Shop is a treasure.
The store is eye-catching with neon signs and symbols of classic comics such as Batman, Superman and The Green Lantern; all welcoming visitors at the entrance.
Upon entering, one notices flyers lining the nearby glass countertop, promoting upcoming events and recent releases. The bright blue walls have memorable comic book icons and memorabilia as well as related décor. The top shelves of the store contain unique artwork; all in-line with the theme of this shop.
Apparel and figurines are available for purchase.
This store is also incredibly organized, with boxes of comics arranged around the central area of the store; everything in alphabetical order, making it super easy to browse. Even smaller paperback comics are placed neatly into a laminated sleeve, making for a very official and satisfying look and feel to the purchase.
Along the shelves, books of all sizes are placed together so that they fit like perfect puzzle pieces.
Accessibility is not a problem. Employees are also friendly with a light-hearted attitude and are always willing to help as needed, also.
This shop sells old and new comics and will be holding a free comic book day on May 4 this year. Be sure to stop by and check out the welcoming atmosphere yourself!
Si Señor (Kamm’s) Daily Drink & Dinner Specials
CLASH Exceeds Signature Goal for Lead Petition
By Kevin Coleman
Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH) released a proposed ballot initiative in February which would require landlords to test and treat their properties for lead contamination.
CLASH, which is made up of several other community organizations, told City Council that if it did not act, they would begin collecting signatures to force the proposal onto the ballot in November.
City Council did not act. In order to let Clevelanders vote on the legislation, CLASH needed to collect 5,000 signatures for the cause. The coalition has now turned in over 10,500 signatures to City Council just six short weeks after taking to the streets.
Once the Board of Elections certifies that at least 5,000 are “valid” signatures, City Council will have 90 days to adopt the measure before it is officially added to the ballot.
Nora Kelley is a West Park activist with CLASH who has been involved in several political causes since the last election cycle. She says the vast majority of people she petitioned were shocked when they learned that Cleveland did not already have laws to ensure rental properties were lead-safe.
“There is absolutely a huge sense of frustration that this issue has been such a low priority,” she said. “We’re essentially letting our children be the lead detectors instead of requiring landlords to do their due diligence.”
The urgency of the issue was underscored in a study released earlier this year by Case Western Reserve University. The report found that, of all Ohio children who tested positive for elevated levels of lead in their blood, 40-percent resided in Cuyahoga County. The study also established that 10-percent of children born in Cuyahoga County in 2012 had elevated levels of lead in their blood by age 5.
Sadly, these numbers may not illustrate the true urgency of Cleveland’s lead problem. Kelley says that one of the leading issues facing CLASH is the lack of lead screening for children at risk of lead poisoning.
“We don’t truly know how widespread the issue is because we are only made aware that a house is contaminated with lead after it is found in a child’s blood,” she said. “By the time resources are finally brought to bear, irreparable damage has already been done.”
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Even amounts measured in millionths of a gram can be detrimental to a child’s brain development and has been linked to several cognitive deficiencies. However, the measures suggested by CLASH would not require landlords to conduct a complete abatement.
The legislation proposed by CLASH requires properties to be certified as “lead-safe” before any family moves in. This means that, while there may still be detectable levels of lead, it would not be of grave concern to the occupants of the home. In addition, the proposal aims to establish a fund for both private and public designation to assist landlords in testing their properties and completing any necessary abatement.
Kelley says City Council’s failure to act quickly is especially frustrating because the legislation is practical and in the best-interest of all Cleveland residents. The seven organizations which comprise CLASH have spent years working closely with other cities who have used similar solutions to deal with their own lead issues.
“Our coalition’s central message is that this needs to be handled as a city-wide public policy issue which is taken care of quickly and comprehensively,” she said.
Residents of West Park and Greater Cleveland can take their own precautionary measures by using a simple lead testing kit in their home. Also, Kelley says the best way to tangibly support the cause is to contact City Council and the Mayor’s office to ensure your voice is heard.
“Everyone should be calling and telling our representatives to not wait on this issue any longer,” she said. “When we put millions of public dollars into renovating an arena but can’t ensure our children are safe from lead, we have some pretty mixed up priorities.”
Horizon Summer Camp Reigstration Open, also Scholarship Available
Summer camp registration has opened.
Horizon is a strong believer that you need to challenge students to keep their minds and bodies moving over the summer months.
Horizon offers plenty of hands on science, math, art, and learning resources. Recent studies have shown that kids can lose up to two months’ worth of reading and math skills over summer
vacation.
Horizon also offers a
scholarship program for those families needing a little extra help with finances.
Horizon is also looking for companies/families to donate to our Off-Campus Summer Camp Activities Scholarship Program.
Horizon is a nonprofit
organization and donations are tax deductible.
Applicants for the summer camp program should apply by May 20.
To learn about requirements, registration for summer camp and more, visit https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/.
Register for Camp Forbes Now
Summer camp registration has opened.
Horizon is a strong believer that you need to challenge students to keep their minds and bodies moving over the summer months.
Horizon offers plenty of hands on science, math, art, and learning resources. Recent studies have shown that kids can lose up to two months’ worth of reading and math skills over summer
vacation.
Horizon also offers a
scholarship program for those families needing a little extra help with finances.
Horizon is also looking for companies/families to donate to our Off-Campus Summer Camp Activities Scholarship Program.
Horizon is a nonprofit
organization and donations are tax deductible.
Applicants for the summer camp program should apply by May 20.
To learn about requirements, registration for summer camp and more, visit https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/.
C.L.A.S.H. “LEAD SAFE” INITIATIVE PETITIONS OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED BY COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS. GOES TO CITY COUNCIL FOR 90 DAYS AND THEN COULD GO TO NOVEMBER ELECTION BALLOT
PRESS RELEASE SUBMITTED
Cleveland, OH — Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH) announced today that
the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (BOE) has officially certified its petitions for a proposal for a city of Cleveland law mandating a “Lead Safe” standard for all rental housing and day care centers. CLASH filed petitions on April 2 with signatures from 10,338 Cleveland residents. The city charter will now require City Council to review the proposal for no more than 90 days and vote it up or down. If the proposal is rejected by City Council the charter allows CLASH to request that the BOE place it on the November 5th election ballot.
“It has been a privilege for us to work with thousands of Cleveland residents to advocate for the change necessary to protect our children,” says Jeff Johnson, CLASH member and former City Councilman. “This is what democracy looks like. This petition process is exactly the type of citizen action that the city charter encourages. We hope City Council members respond to these residents by seriously considering the legislation and voting to pass this proposed lead safe law.”
CLASH appreciates the hard work of hundreds of citizens who talked with thousands of Cleveland residents about the proposal and secured their signatures of support. Over 250 volunteers and others worked over six weeks understanding the urgent need to end the lead crisis in the city. CLASH thanks them all.
“For 6 weeks in the cold of February and March our volunteers spoke to Cleveland residents about this ordinance,” added Milo Korman, CLASH and DSA member as well as an active signature gatherer, “We heard thousands of stories from mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and cousins about their loved ones who have suffered from the terrible condition of childhood lead poisoning. The support for this legislation was overwhelming. The people of Cleveland have spoken: they ask that City Council take lead safe housing seriously. If not, then the citizens of Cleveland have the right to have their voices heard at the ballot box.”
The proposed ordinance and ballot initiative will activate the most important investment in city housing in generations. The proposal would require that all Cleveland rental properties and day care center buildings built before 1978 be tested for lead hazards and be certified as “Lead Safe” by 2021. It also includes protections for tenants, creation of a city fund for public and private contributions to assist landlords and other requirements that will educate the public about the dangers of lead poisoning to neighborhood children.
CLASH, on behalf of the citizens who signed the petitions, is looking forward to working with City Council, Mayor Frank Jackson, and the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition to pass this proposal. The charter requires within 90 days for City Council to hold public hearings during its consideration of the CLASH proposal.
“We ask that City Council review our proposed new law and work with us knowing that it has significant support from their constituents,” says Rebecca Maurer, CLASH attorney. “We should all have the same goal: change the law to protect our children from lead poisoning. We hope we can achieve that goal collaboratively with City Council and the members of the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition. We seek passage of our proposal by City Council this summer, but if not, CLASH is prepared to go to the November ballot to ask the citizens to decide.”
ABOUT CLEVELAND LEAD ADVOCATES FOR SAFE HOUSING
Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH) is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable citizens in the City of Cleveland. Member organizations include the Cleveland Lead Safe Network, Single Payer Access Network, Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus, Black Lives Matter of Cuyahoga County, Cleveland End Poverty Now Coalition, Organize!Ohio, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless and the Cleveland Democratic Socialists of America.
Easter egg hunt
Easter Egg Hunt at Blessed Trinity Saturday April 13th
The First District Community Relations Committee and Ward 16 Councilman Brian Kazy are co-sponsoring their annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday April 13th at Blessed Trinity Church, 14040 Puritas Ave. The egg hunt starts promptly at 12:30 for children up to age 11. Contact Tammy Hanna with any questions at (216) 664-6632. F
Camp Forbes registration now open through May 17
City of Cleveland residents ages 9 through 13 are eligible for one free week of overnight summer camp at Camp Forbes. The first week of camp starts June 3rd; the final week starts July 29th.
Register at any Cleveland Recreation Center now through May 17.
Spaces are limited and fill up fast!
Bring proof of age, shot records, and a current utility bill to register.
CMSD Invites Public Input on Long-Term School Planning
CMSD NEWS BUREAU
CMSD will engage the community in planning the future of academic programs and buildings.
The Board of Education is revisiting the District’s master facilities plan. Cleveland’s population patterns have changed since the plan was last updated five years ago, and the board wants to ensure that the taxpayers’ investment matches community needs.
The independent Bond Accountability Commission has called for a fresh look, citing trends in enrollment and construction costs. The BAC was created to monitor a building and renovation program that has been funded by the state and local bond issues.
Continue reading “CMSD Invites Public Input on Long-Term School Planning”