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Nominate mom for WP Mother-of-the-Year!

Nominate mom for WP Mother-of-the-Year!

Give mom a unique, unforgettable gift this year – the distinction of being nominated as a West Park Mother-of-the-Year! 

We’re asking you to send in 50 words or less on why your West Park mother is special.  

Does your mother currently live in West Park (west of W. 117th)? Was she previously a resident of the neighborhood?  If so, please send your submissions to us via email at westparktimes@gmail.com by May 3, and include a phone number so we can call if we have questions. 

*Submissions will be published online on Mother’s Day. 

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Guest Commentary: Let’s Rethink the Kmart Site

Guest Commentary: Let’s Rethink the Kmart Site, Cleveland, OH, West Park, Redevelopment, City Planning, News, West Park Times, Opinion, Column


By Mandy Metcalf

City planner and Ward 17 resident

The owner of the former Kmart site at West 150th Street and Lorain Avenue is proposing some new tenants for the site, but the vision for the redevelopment of the property should be bolder and more compatible with the historic neighborhood character of West Park than what is being proposed.

I’ve lived in the Kamm’s Corners neighborhood for 15 years. One of the things I love most is its traditional character. Originally a streetcar suburb, as it grew, the West Park area was built to accommodate cars, but not at the expense of people. Details like placing garages behind houses help to create its walkable feel. Preserved clusters of historic commercial and mixed-use buildings built close to Lorain Avenue create a unique neighborhood identity to take pride in. The Kmart development, in contrast, was a product of a different time, when car-oriented convenience took precedence over placemaking across the country.

These days, brick-and-mortar shopping centers are struggling with on-line competition. Those that are successful have once again positioned themselves as community destinations that contribute to neighborhood character, with spaces designed for people as well as for cars. The International Council of Shopping Centers report Envision 2020: The Future of the Shopping Center Industry calls for shopping centers to take on a role as cultural centers and fully integrate into surrounding communities by creating places that offer memorable experiences.

The City of Philadelphia published some helpful guidelines on reimagining shopping centers as community spaces in January 2021. Included are the following ideas:

·         Make them safer. Build walkways through the parking lot and separate them from traffic with trees and shrubs. 

·         Make them more welcoming. Turn areas outside store entrances into public open space that connects the street to the store. 

·         Make them more active. Allowing apartments, offices, and hotels will add more life – and more shoppers – to the centers. Adding small parks, benches, and outdoor dining will create spaces for people to stay instead of grab-and-go.

·         Make them greener. Trees and other plants separate pedestrians from cars, offer shade, and soak up stormwater.

·         Create “Main Streets.” Orienting buildings towards walkways, drive aisles, and green spaces can make shoppers feel like they are downtown.

The West Park Shopping Center site design needs to be rethought to include public gathering places and more mixed uses. This would create a safer, more welcome environment for families and seniors. There are a number of ways this could be accomplished on the site while reusing the existing buildings.

Additional buildings on outparcels could”

A) be arranged around a community green or plaza, or

B) be oriented to create a traditional “Main Street” retail area within the site, or

C) be oriented toward Lorain Avenue in conjunction with roadway and streetscape enhancements to improve the pedestrian experience on Lorain Avenue. 

New buildings could incorporate mixed use, multiple levels, or rooftop dining. The outparcels could be leased by community organizations that would manage some buildings and spaces. 

Importantly, the historic mixed-use Marquard building needs to be saved intact and incorporated into the site. This building should be the inspiration for the character of the shopping center. If a redevelopment of the site cannot manage to include this building, then it is a development that is not able to be compatible with or contributing to the character of West Park.

TLM Realty is working with an architectural consultant, Onyx Creative, that has the capacity to create a high-quality design for the site. We need to raise the expectations for this project. It will have a lasting impact on the character of West Park. Attend the virtual public meeting on April 14 to express your concerns.

—

Mandy Metcalf is a city planner for Greater Cleveland RTA. She previously worked for Environmental Health Watch, Cleveland EcoVillage, and the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative. She served on the Lorain Variety Design Review Committee and received a James Marston Fitch fellowship for independent study in historic preservation. Her views are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her employer, any organization or The West Park Times.

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West Park resident Nancy Mendez named new President/CEO of Starting Point

SUBMITTED

The Board of Directors of STARTING POINT, the child care, early education and out-of-school time resource and referral agency for Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula counties, today announced Nancy Mendez has been appointed the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 3. 

Ms. Mendez has an impressive background as a leader in the human services field and brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She comes to Starting Point from United Way of Greater Cleveland, where she was the Vice President of Community Investment and Chief Community Investment Officer. There she played a significant role in launching the Community Hub for Basic Needs and the Impact Institute and was responsible for overseeing the organization’s community impact programs, special projects, allocations, grants management and 2-1-1 Helplink service. 

According to Adam Munson, Chairman of the Starting Point Board of Directors, “We are fortunate to have found exactly the right person in Nancy Mendez to build on the legacy of Starting Point’s founding Executive Director Billie Osborne-Fears and position Starting Point for a successful future. Nancy is a thoughtful, enormously capable executive whose work in addressing community needs and core issues like poverty has already made a meaningful impact on the Northeast Ohio community. We look forward to Nancy leading and empowering our incredibly talented and dedicated Starting Point staff to continue their work to create opportunities and achieve positive outcomes for our community’s families and children.  Based on her exceptional track record of service and strategic vision for Starting Point, we are fully confident that our agency will benefit greatly from Nancy’s leadership, advocacy, stature in the community and fervent passion for early childhood education and youth development.” 

“We thank our Interim Executive Director Debbie Fodge for her extraordinary stewardship of Starting Point during the period following the unexpected passing of Billie Osborne-Fears, who had led the agency since its founding 30 years ago, and the unprecedented hardships caused by the pandemic. Her accomplishments in moving the agency forward during this very difficult time have been truly remarkable.”

As the new leader of Starting Point, Ms. Mendez will lead the $12 million nonprofit organization’s nationally-recognized, comprehensive child and youth development programs that have transformed the child care, pre-school and out-of-school time landscape here and influenced programs throughout Ohio. Starting Point provides Northeast Ohio’s children and families access to high quality, convenient and affordable child care options; offers early childhood professionals new opportunities for training and education; and has launched numerous innovative programs to address community needs, such as Universal Pre-Kindergarten, the Boys Project, the Special Needs Project and other initiatives.

In response to the appointment, Ms. Mendez said, “I am excited to take on this important responsibility. At United Way, I worked with Billie on many issues critical to our community, including the pervasiveness of poverty among children, and have long recognized the remarkable breadth of the work Starting Point has done to offer the support and high quality services children and their families need to thrive. Coming to Starting Point offers me the rare opportunity to carry forward Billie’s incredible work, in partnership with her accomplished Starting Point staff.” 

United Way of Greater Cleveland’s President and Chief Executive Officer, August Napoli, added, “This is great news for Cleveland, and I can’t speak highly enough about Nancy’s leadership. At United Way of Greater Cleveland, we’re so proud of her accomplishments and all that she has achieved on behalf of those who live in poverty across our city, our County and the Northeast Ohio Region. I’m most grateful for Nancy’s partnership with me in developing the two signature programs for the new United Way, the Community Hub for Basic Needs and the Impact Institute. We look forward to continuing our important work and partnering on future Starting Point programs which aid those in need of essential resources and support.”

Nancy Mendez serves on the boards of The George Gund Foundation, JumpStart and Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. She was selected as a member of the Leadership Cleveland class of 2020 and has been named as a 2013 Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan by the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission.  In 2013, Ms. Mendez was a United Way Global Fellow, part of an elite group of national and international United Way staff selected to participate in the 2013-2014 United Way Fellowship Program.  She resides in the West Park neighborhood of Cleveland. 

Starting Point, a non-profit agency, is Northeast Ohio’s child care, early education and out-of- school-time resource and referral agency, serving children, youth, families, early childhood and youth professionals and communities in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties. For more information, please visit www.starting-point.org.

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Former K-Mart site, proposed West Park Plaza renderings

 A map of the proposed West Park Plaza, as presented to the Far West Design Review Committee building on April 7.    The red lines show proposed lanes for pedestrian traffic. Walkability will be important to customers.    A community meeting to discuss the project will be hosted at 6:30 p.m. by the West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development. Register at http://westparkkamms.org/

The brown building on Lorain Ave. — Popeye’s — is not part of the project. It will remain as is. 

In the foreground, see a 2,200 square foot coffee bar with a drive-thru that accommodates up to 15 cars, and outside seating.
    The abandoned Kmart building will be renovated and divided up into space for 3 retailers. Each will have 25,000-35,000 square feet.
    In the top left, (east side of property) see a proposed grocer site, with 19.080 square feet.
    Near the top center, see a free-standing retail building of 8,587 square feet. The total site has 501 parking spaces.
 
   In the top left, (east side of property) see a proposed grocer site, with 19.080 square feet.
    Near the top center, see a free-standing retail building of 8,587 square feet. The total site has 501 parking spaces.
 
Renderings by ONYX creative for TLM Realty Corp.

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Next Cleveland consent decree community conversation April 14

By Rich Weiss, Neighborhood & Community Media Association of Greater Cleveland

Have you ever wondered: “How is the dedication to community engagement reflected in the Cleveland Police Department’s current budget?”

Do you have a handle on: “What is the CPRB (Civilian Police Review Board) and what is its function?”

In the moment—when you or a loved one comes face-to-face with Cleveland Police Department policies—will you know: “Are body cameras used by all officers, and what is the protocol for turning body cameras on and off?”

These were just a few of the questions from community members just like you during the March 10, 6 p.m., public meeting sponsored by the local chapters of the United Way and NAACP on the Cleveland Consent Decree.  The Wednesday evening input meeting theme was on Cleveland Police Department accountability, transparency, and oversight, but it was not your last chance to have an impact on the Consent Decree and how it is implemented.  This was only the third in a monthly 10-part meeting series to which you are not only invited—the convening organizations believe your input, your concerns, and your questions are vital to the success of the discussion series.

The next meeting is at 6 p.m. on April 14, and the theme will be Citizen Complaints and the Office of Professional Standards.

To answer the call for your input, your concerns, and your questions, register for any of the eight remaining Consent Decree public meetings by visiting unitedwaycleveland.org.

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Cleveland Police commander to retire after more than 30 years of service

STRAIGHT FROM CITY HALL NEWSLETTER

Mayor Jackson, Director of Public Safety Karrie D. Howard and Police Chief Calvin D. Williams announce that Cleveland Police Acting Deputy Chief Deirdre Jones is retiring after serving with the Cleveland Division of Police for over 30 years. Commander Jones currently serves as the Acting Deputy Chief of Administrative Operations, overseeing the Bureau of Communications and Property Control and the Bureau of Support Services, including the Communications Control Section, Logistics, Property, Personnel, Records and the Training Section.

“I congratulate Acting Deputy Chief and Commander Deirdre Jones on her appointment as Chief of Police/Director of Security at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA). Deputy Chief Jones has served the Division of Police in several key leadership roles,” said Mayor Jackson. “Additionally, she was the first female to supervise the Division’s Homicide Unit. Acting Deputy Chief Jones is also the first-ever LGBTQ Liaison to the Department of Public Safety, Divisions of Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Service, promoting equity and inclusion within public safety. It is for these reasons and more that I ask the citizens to join me in congratulating Acting Deputy Chief Jones, whom I know will serve GCRTA well in her new role. I wish her well in her new position.”

Jones was appointed to the rank of Commander of the Bureau of Support Services in 2016 and to Acting Deputy Chief of Administrative Operations in 2021.  She was the first female to supervise the Division’s Homicide Unit. Commander Jones is also the first-ever LGBTQ Liaison to the Department of Public Safety, Divisions of Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Service, promoting equity and inclusion within public safety.

“I am proud to have worked alongside Commander Deirdre Jones, and am happy to know that she will continue to serve the citizens of the City of Cleveland in her new role,” said Cleveland Director of Public Safety, Karrie D. Howard. 

Jones will officially retire from the Cleveland Division of Police in the coming weeks. She will continue to serve the citizens of the City of Cleveland as the next Chief of Police of the GCRTA Police Department. An Acting Deputy Chief of Administration will be appointed until a new member of the Cleveland Division of Police Command Staff is selected.

“Commander Dierdre Jones has been a dedicated member of the Cleveland Division of Police, bringing many new and forward thinking ideas to the table during her career,” said Cleveland Police Chief Calvin D. Williams. “I look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role as Chief, and know she will do well.”

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Conceptual plans presented for new West Park Plaza

Conceptual plans presented for new West Park Plaza

By Jerry Masek

Using a space as large as Public Square, conceptual plans for the new West Park Plaza were presented to the Far West Design Review Committee this morning. Developers said they have some retail commitments, but are not ready to offer names. Earlier, Ward 17 Councilman Charles Slife said plans included at least one national retailer.

Calling the plan “a work in progress,” developers proposed to:

* Divide the vacant Kmart building into three retail spaces.

* Add a drive-thru coffee bar near the intersection of Lorain Avenue and West 150th Street.* Demolish a 24,000 square foot building that housed Dollar General on the east end of the property, ay14651 Lorain Ave.. Build a new structure there, which will house a grocer. Rubin’s Deli, a popular eatery, plans to move to the north side of Lorain Avenue in the same area.

* Demolish the mixed-use Marquard Building, 14737 Lorain Ave.

* Add a ground-level landmark sign on the northwest corner, at West 150th and Lorain Avenue.

* Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen will remain, as that site is not owned by the developers.

A community meeting to discuss the proposed development begins at 6:30 pm on April 14, hosted by West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development. To register for that meeting, go to http://westparkkamms.org/event/kmart-redevelopment-4-14-21/

The committee will vote on the proposed development after residents have had a chance to comment. Later, the proposal will move to the City Planning Commission.

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Two new electric vehicle charging stations to be installed in Cleveland

STRAIGHT FROM CITY HALL NEWSLETTER

In partnership with the Northeast Ohio Area Coordinating Agency (NOACA), the City of Cleveland applied for and received grant funding for two electric vehicle charging stations through the Ohio EPA’s disbursement of the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Fund. These publicly accessible stations will be located at the City of Cleveland’s new Ward 1 Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center and at the Red Lot at Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Both will be 240-V, Level 2 charging stations, which allow for 25 miles of range per hour of charging – or full charge in about 4-5 hours. Across Cuyahoga County, 22 charging stations received funding through the OEPA grant program and will be implemented over the next two years. Along with a $3 million allocation toward regional EV charging stations from NOACA, Sustainable Cleveland is hopeful that residents, employees, and visitors to the City will continue to see accelerated development in robust EV infrastructure.

Follow this link for a full list of OEPA grant recipients.  

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New West Park mural underway

A new mural is underway in West Park at Puritas Avenue and W. 161st St. 

Celebrating inclusivity, particularly concerning those with disabilities, the title and theme of the mural is “More Alike Than Different” and will be painted by Garrett Weider with help from the community. 

Weider was approached by those with the Bellaire Puritas Development Corporation as well as those with the organization the Up Side of Downs. Other organizations involved include Hyland Software and non-profit organizations North Coast Community Homes, The Arc of Greater Cleveland, UCP of Greater Cleveland, ADA Cleveland, Koinonia, Youth Challenge, New Avenues to Independence, Inc., and the HELP Foundation. 

According to Weider, those involved with the project who requested he design it initially liked his work called Bridge Blooms on Bridge Avenue and W. 48th St. in Ohio City. It is “this building covered by flowers,” he describes, calling it a “neighborhood beautification project.”

He says the Ohio City project concept translates well for what he envisions for the new West Park mural at Puritas Avenue.

“Symbolically it totally works,” he says. “I’m switching the design up a little bit. It’s going to have all kinds of colors and flowers and mixing in some of the logos of the sponsors.”

“Having a whole bunch of these flowers that are all of these different colors and things is kind of representative of all of humanity to me.” 

According to Weider, the splash of color this mural will bring is going to breathe new life into the area. 

The mural kicked off March 21st, also World Down Syndrome Day. Weider says the activity drew the attention of onlookers, who appeared curious and even excited — some even beeping and smiling while driving past. 

“Hopefully people want to slow down and take pictures in front of it,” the artist says. “I really want to make it a destination spot… That’s what happened with the Bridge spot. It’s really become sort of like a landmark, and I really want that for this as well.” 

According to Weider’s Instagram page: “…’More Alike Than Different’ will bring awareness and celebrates those with down syndrome and other disabilities. I’ll be working with the community throughout the summer and will finish by the fall… “

In addition to this new mural, another mural by Weider can be found inside The Wash House & Cafe at 15149 Lorain Ave.

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National retailer coming to Kmart site in West Park

National retailer coming to Kmart site in West Park, Cleveland, OH

By Jerry Masek   

“It’s exciting to know that a national retailer is coming to West Park,” Ward 17 Councilman Charles Slife says.    “Since I took office, the first question every resident asks me is — ‘What’s going to happen to the Kmart site?'”   

Today, Crain’s Cleveland Business and The West Park Times are releasing details of the project. Printed copies of Crain’s will be on newsstands Monday.   

The name of the retailer has not yet been released.   

Kmart, at 14901 Lorain Ave,, was a major player in West Park from 1982 until January 2018. That’s when Sears Holdings Corp, closed 45 stores, including 5 in Ohio. The store here had 89,000 square feet of selling space.    The store’s closing left a gap in West Park. The Kamm’s Corners Development Corp. (KCDC) and then-Councilman Marty Keane immediately began talks to bring a tenant to that site. Those talks continued last year with the West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development, and Slife, who replaced Keane on City Council. 

Project details

Crain’s talked with an attorney representing TLM Realty, owners of the site. He said TLM proposes:

  • Divide the vacant Kmart building’s 106,000 square feet among as many as three retail outlets.
  • Add retail uses in new buildings in the vast parking lot.
  • Demolish part of a largely empty building on the east side of the parking lot.
  • Demolish the Marquard Building. It contains first-floor retail space and apartments on Lorain Avenue.
  • Those moves would allow more space for free-standing retail buildings on the property.  

Two public meetings set

Residents will have two opportunities to learn about the project. At 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, the Far West Design Review Committee will hear four presentations, including one by Michael Oestreich of TLM Realty, The Committee is a neighborhood arm of City Planning Commission, which will hear the presentation later. The official agenda says the project will include “renovation and new additional buildings.” The project is still in the “conceptual” phase.    Slife said that although the Committee meeting is open to the public, there will be little or no interaction with residents.    That interaction will come a week later, in a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 14. Residents are encouraged to attend that meeting and bring their questions and comments. 

Background    

The Kmart site was formerly known as Herrington Farm. Before Kmart could build there, residents of a trailer park had to be evicted. 

Read Crain’s story, subscription needed www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/west-cleveland-shopping-center-redo-talks-loom

Register for April 7 meeting planning.clevelandohio.gov

Register for April 14 meeting http://westparkkamms.org/

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Making Veggie Eating Easier

City Fresh, Veggie Recipes, Vegetables, Shares, Cleveland, OH, CLE

From the City Fresh newsletter

Subscribe here

One of the big barriers a lot of folks have to CSA shares is, well, all the vegetables. For some, shares don’t have enough veggies, but those tend to be few and far between. For most, shares can sometimes be a LOT. Even the most culinarily nimble among us can encounter struggle when shares are a little bit extra. This is why we try to source recipes that focus on being quick and easy. After a long day of work, cooking needn’t be a huge chore. No one wants to find themselves saying, “but I just made dinner yesterday!”

The good news is that your friendly neighborhood City Fresh volunteer is likely an old hat at all of this and will have lots of good advice for you at your pick up. We’re also geared up to offer simple, fast pointers each week in this very newsletter. Here’s some tips and tricks to making the most of your shares this season.

The grill is your friend: Especially in summer months when temps are at their highest, turning on the oven is not something we often want to do. Using a grill therefor solves multiple issues. Vegetables can be cut in large piecesrather than finely chopped, or sometimes grilled whole. You can use a grilling basket or make a foil envelope and toss chopped veggies in oil and the seasonings of your choice. There are even things that you might not think to grill – like romaine lettuce.

Prep veggies ahead of time: Lots of things can be prepared in advance of actually using them. Just like buying a bag of chopped veggies in the grocery, you can simplify your approach. Be sure to focus on eating the most delicate items first (and brush up on proper veggie storage). Wash your lettuce and greens and have them spun and ready to go for salads and sautes all week. Future You will thank you.

The miracle of a sheet pan dinner: There are tons of recipes that are practically just “chop it all up, coat it in oil, throw it in the oven.” If you find a recipe that has veggies you don’t have, feel free to substitute. Start mixing by color and texture. Combine a starch, something green, and a protein, toss in olive oil and your favorite seasonings and bake at 350° until the smell is right. This approach can keep you going for months.

Eat a salad for dinner on pick up day: On the day you pick up your share, you might not feel up to cooking once you get everything home. This is a great night to make a salad and top it with whatever you’ve got in the fridge: leftover meats, a hard-boiled egg, some cheese, etc. You finish your greens and minimize your time in the kitchen.

There’s no one right way to eat your veggies. Part of the adventure of CSA is playing fast and loose with the rules in the kitchen and getting really really familiar with all the seasonal fare we offer. Join us on Facebook or Instagramand share your ideas for keeping things easy!
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Photo credit unsplash.com
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Ward 16 Resurfacing

STRAIGHT FROM CITY HALL NEWSLETTER

During the week of March 29, 2021, the City of Cleveland’s Residential Resurfacing Program will begin in Ward 16. Advance notice signs will be posted to advise the public of road improvements.  The following streets will be resurfaced and completed by the end of April, 2021.

Street PrefixProject NameFROM:TO:
W139thSherryBelleshire
W149thJustinPurtias
BenningtonWest 130thEnd

One lane of traffic will be maintained for local traffic for the duration of each project and no detours are expected. Access to all businesses, residences and side streets will be maintained during construction. On-street parking will not be allowed during construction.

2021 Road Resurfacing Project Description:

  • This work represents an investment of $12 million in the City’s Residential Roadways.
  • With the completion of the Pavement Management Study in 2017 and the continued evaluation of the City’s roadway network, the City has a grading system that allows streets in the greatest need of resurfacing to be selected for repair. The City is using the ‘worst first’ approaches for road resurfacing.

Questions? Contact the City’s Administrative Manager, Cherita Anglen at (216) 420-7605.

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Palm Sunday in West Park

(Photo featured is of Palm Sunday at Blessed Trinity in April of 2019, and was taken by Jerry Masek for the West Park Times).

According to Wikipedia: “Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels…

In most liturgical churches Palm Sunday is celebrated by the blessing and distribution of palm branches or the branches of other native trees representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Christ as he rode into Jerusalem…”

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Ohio Department of Job and Family Services warns of unemployment fraud

STRAIGHT FROM CITY HALL NEWSLETTER

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has reported that thousands of new unemployment claims are being investigated as potential cases of fraud.  According to the ODJFS, in the week ending Feb. 6, there were 140,444 new unemployment claims filed in the state. That’s a 194% increase from the prior week.

If you suspect that your personal information has been stolen and/or you received a 1099-G tax form from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and did not apply for unemployment benefits in 2020, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services encourages you to do the following:

Step One: Report Identity Theft to ODJFS 
Visit https://unemploymenthelp.ohio.gov/

  • Click “Report Identify Theft”
  • Click “Report Identify Theft Individuals” 

Complete the secure online form and submit. The ODJFS will issue confirmation emails to everyone who files a report with information about identity theft and protection. The agency will process the reports, conduct investigations and, if necessary, issue corrections to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on 1099s issued to victims. You can also call the Ohio Unemployment ID Theft Hotline at (833) 658-0394. 

Step Two: 

How to File Your Taxes (if you received a 1099-G): Please follow the IRS guidance to taxpayers on identity theft involving unemployment benefits. You can find it here. 

Step Three: Protect Your Identity 
Many resources are available for victims of identity theft to help them protect their identities. ODJFS strongly urges anyone who suspects they may be a victim of identity theft to take appropriate action to protect themselves. Here are some recommended resources: 

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45th Cleveland International Film Festival Announces Program Lineup

SUBMITTED

The 45th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF45 Streams) program lineup is now live at clevelandfilm.org. 

CIFF45 Streams will take place entirely online April 7-20, 2021 at clevelandfilm.org. The Festival will showcase 116 feature films and 182 short films – 46% of which are made by female filmmakers – during its extended 14-day run. Most films in this year’s lineup will be accessible nationwide, and they will be available on demand, on a first come, first served basis, through the end of the Festival. Be sure to continue to check clevelandfilm.org for program updates between now and April 20th. 

Tickets go on sale to members on Monday, March 22nd at 11:00 AM ET and to the public on Friday, March 26th at 11:00 AM ET. If you are not yet a member, you can become one by visiting clevelandfilm.org/membership. Two of the three membership levels include all-access passes.

Ticket are $8 for CIFF members and $10 for non-members, with the exception of Opening Night, which is $20 for CIFF members and $25 for non-members. Once on sale, tickets can be purchased at clevelandfilm.org.  CIFF45 Streams Opening Night is sponsored byDollar Bank. 

CIFF45 STREAMS

In addition to the hundreds of films being offered, CIFF45 Streams will consist of filmmaker conversations and Q&As, audience voting, filmmaker awards, the annual Challenge Match, podcast episodes, and merchandise, as well as audience engagement activities and events. For more information, please visitclevelandfilm.org. 

The Cleveland International Film Festival is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Also, theCleveland International Film Festival is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

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Shift to hybrid moves into second phase

COURTESY CMSD NEWS BUREAU

The second phase of the CMSD reopening plan began Monday as students in preschool through second grade and ninth and 12th graders returned to school for hybrid learning.  

At William Rainey Harper School, music, balloons and a blue walkway were just some of the accessories staff used to welcome students back to the building.  

“I’m nervous,” Leighanna Rollins said as she dropped her son off at school. 

With mixed emotions, parents said goodbye to their children with hugs and kisses.  

“It is about time,” Kristin Gardener said while walking her daughter, who is in kindergarten, to the front door. 

The return to school building comes almost a year to the day that Gov. Michael DeWine sent children home for remote learning to slow the spread of COVID-19.  

“We have been preparing and planning for their return ever since,” Principal Ajayi Monell said. “I am so excited.” 

Safety precautions, including temperature checks when students enter the building and requirements to wear facemasks and maintain social distancing, are in place at all CMSD school buildings.

Students whose families chose hybrid learning have been grouped into cohorts, with some attending in person on Monday and Tuesday, others Thursday and Friday. They will work remotely on other days.

At East Technical High School, students who have returned are eager to learn, even if things are different.  

“It just brought me more joy to be in the school,” said Za’Nya, a ninth-grader who was experiencing her very first day attending high school. “It felt so amazing.”

Now that the District has transitioned to hybrid learning, some students, like Omarion, feel their grades will improve.   

“I wasn’t doing so good in the classes online because of lack of focus,” said Omarion, a senior. “So now that we are back in school I can write stuff down and turn it in to my teachers.” 

CEO Eric Gordon has said that some students thrived in remote learning but acknowledged that others had difficulty adjusting.    

“A lot of kids struggled,” he said.  “They need to see their teachers and have that interaction.”  

Gordon says brighter days are ahead now that students are returning to the classroom.  

“It has been a long year for all of us,” he said. “But our kids are back. This is a great day. We are finally seeing our way through this pandemic.”

The third and final phase of the transition to hybrid will come next week with the return of students in the third through eighth grades and 11th and 12th grades.