SUBMITTED

Need a last minute gift idea? Der Braumeister has you covered. Owner Jenn Wirtz, known locally as the Beer Whisperer, has decided to take her restaurant’s carefully curated and renowned beer list a step further with a brand new Beer of the Month club. 

Starting in January, members will receive access to 2 liters of exclusive brew, along with specially paired food items prepared by new Executive Chef Jason Quinlan, plus glassware, a vintage Der Braumeister ceramic mug, year-round discounts at the restaurant, and VIP access to their upcoming Beer Pairing dinner events. 

If the first month preview is any indication of just how exclusive this craft beer club will be, members will not be disappointed. January’s featured beer is the uber exclusive Aventinus doppelbock beer, not found anywhere else on draft in Ohio except in Der Braumeister’s Beer Club. The 2 liters of beer comes with Aventinus glassware, two appetizers and a dessert for 2 prepared by Chef Jason.

“As an avid beer lover, I have always wanted Der Brau to reinvent the beer club. We started one in 1984, a year after opening and before anyone else was really carrying imports,” said Wirtz. “My goals for the restaurant in 2021 are to really spotlight just how extensive and exclusive the beers we bring in are. And now customers can get access to these exclusives while also supporting a local business during a pandemic, so it’s a win-win for everyone!”

You can learn more about the new Beer Club and sign up directly online with options to pay as you go, monthly or annually at https://derbrau.com/beer-of-the-month-club/. January’s exclusive will be made available for members to pick-up on January 15th, 2021.

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Founded in 1983, Der Braumeister is one of Cleveland’s oldest bar and restaurant establishments, featuring unique dishes, made from scratch by newly appointed Executive Chef Jason Quinlan who offers a modern take on Bavarian and European inspired meals. The bar offers over 100 imported, unique and exclusive beers, a range of cocktails and wine – all available for carryout. The restaurant is currently open Tuesday – Saturday for happy hour and dinner, and is also open for Saturday brunch from 10am-2pm. For more information and to learn more about their private events and extensive catering menu, visit derbrau.com.

FROM ‘STRAIGHT FROM CITY HALL’

Karrie D. Howard, Director of Public Safety for the City of Cleveland, has declared a Snow Emergency Parking Ban for the city of Cleveland effective at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. As a result, stopping, standing, and parking of vehicles will be restricted and prohibited on City streets with posted red and white signs until 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, unless heavy snowfall continues and the ban is further needed. 

Parking is prohibited on designated Snow Emergency streets, which are identified as necessary for transportation, the movement of food and fuel supplies, medical care, fire, health and police protection and other vital facilities of the City. Significant snowfall can cause streets to become congested and un-passable.

Vehicles left parked in the roadway prevent snowplows from clearing streets, which can make driving down these streets impossible. This results in bottlenecks and gridlock which can hamper response by emergency vehicles.

For this reason, citizens are asked to avoid parking vehicles on all city streets to allow snow plows sufficient time to remove snow and ice from the roads.

City of Cleveland works to clear snow throughout the City’s neighborhoods, waste collection will be delayed by one day this week due to snow

The City of Cleveland continues snow removal operations as snowfall remains steady into the evening. The Department of Public Works is equipped with more than 50 snow plows and other snow removal vehicles and 34,000 tons of salt to clear 52 street routes throughout Cleveland.

During the day, the City pulled additional crews from Utilities, Park Maintenance and Urban Forestry and Traffic Engineering to supplement our usual fleet of snow removal vehicles. The priority has been to clear main streets first. This additional staffing allowed us to move into residential streets earlier in the day. At noon on December 1, crews turned their attention from main streets to side streets. Our crews will continue to work full shifts throughout the night and, if necessary, throughout Wednesday.

The Division of Streets is monitoring its Automated Vehicle Locator system, which allows the city to track its fleets and be more efficient in the systematic snow removal operations.

The City of Cleveland Department of Public Works WILL NOT collect waste on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Waste collection trucks are not able to reach side streets due to the severity of the storm. Waste collection will be delayed by one day for remainder of the week.  

Winter weather preparedness tips:

• CodeRED: Winter weather brings many challenges for our citizens and in order to stay informed of emergencies during this winter season, the City encourages everyone to sign up for CodeRED or to install the free app on the Apple or Google Play stores. It is simple and easy to access. Click on this link and follow the instructions to subscribe by email.
• Don’t Block the Box: Ensure you can move all the way through an intersection before the traffic signal changes. Stopping in the middle of an intersection prohibits oncoming vehicles from passing through that intersection and can result in gridlock. In addition, blocking the box can prevent the passage of emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks and ambulances. Be aware of traffic control officers who may be outside on the street directing traffic.
• Check Emergency Supply Kits: Do you have extra winter clothes, sufficient food and water, extra batteries, flashlights and a battery or hand-crank radio? What about medications, toys for the kids, pet food, and copies of important information such as numbers for your local utilities? While checking on your own supplies, take some time to check on your neighbors and the elderly. Ensure that all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home are working properly.
• Take personal precautions and check on the vulnerable: The cold weather may put a strain on your heart. Follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or other strenuous work. Many injuries result from falls on ice-covered surfaces. Keep steps and walkways clean and free of ice. Infants and the elderly are most at risk for cold-related illness. Keep in touch with elderly or at-risk neighbors or relatives, making sure they are safe and that their homes are adequately heated.
• Dress appropriately in the cold: Almost all cases of hypothermia and frostbite are preventable. If you must be outside, dress appropriately: wear loose fitting layers to provide overall body warmth, a hat, scarf, mittens and boots will provide additional protection from the elements. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs. Keep dry and change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. If you suspect hypothermia or frostbite, call 911 immediately. If possible, protect the person from further exposure to the cold, remove any wet clothing and warm without rubbing the affected areas.
• Pay attention to snow parking bans: If snow accumulation exceeds 2 inches or more, a Snow Emergency Parking Ban may be enacted. The ban allows plows sufficient time to remove snow and ice and move through city streets at a good pace. When a snow ban goes into effect, stopping, standing, and parking of vehicles will be restricted and prohibited on City streets with posted red and white signs. Anyone who fails to comply will be ticketed and towed.
• Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather: Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water. Don’t forget or skip planning and preparing for your animals! For concerns about pets outside in extreme weather, please call (216) 664-3069.
•  Stay Connected: Check on friends and neighbors, especially those who are seniors or have young children.
• Power Outages: If you’re experiencing power outages call/ contact:
  • CPP: Call (216) 664-3156 or visit CPP.org.
  • The Illuminating Company: Call 888-LIGHTSS/(888)-544-4877) or visit  firstenergycorp.com/outages  
    • Click here to view the outage map.
• Cleveland Water Department Issues: If customers experience a water service emergency, please call (216) 664-3060.​

Public Works and Port Control Hiring Snow Removal Vehicle Operators

The City of Cleveland Department of Public Works is hiring Snow Removal Vehicle Operators. This position is seasonal and will be used only during the snow removal season. Required qualifications include:

• High School Diploma or GED;
• Valid Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) Type B with Air Brake Endorsement; and
• Good driving record.

The City of Cleveland Department of Port Control is also hiring Snow Removal Vehicle Operators. This position is seasonal and will be used only during the snow removal season. Airport and departmental requirements include:

• Must successfully complete a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 10 year fingerprint-based Criminal History Records Check and employment background check and Security Threat Assessment.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug test; and
• Must successfully complete all applicable regulatory airfield Ground Vehicle Operator and Winter Operations training/assessments and maintain corresponding airfield driving privileges.

For more information and to view more available City of Cleveland positions, click here.

SUBMITTED

It is with great sadness that Horizon Education Centers announces the passing of its founder, Mary Smith.

Horizon was founded in 1978 as the brainchild of Mary Smith, a mother of four, who was tired of seeing a large number of children come home from school only to be supervised by a television set.  

Today, Horizon has become one of the most prominent sources of childcare, preschool, and after-school programming in Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties.

Find the obituary here. https://bit.ly/3lw9Wiu

West Park United Church of Christ will host a community Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. on Dec. 24.  A drive-in service with safety in mind will take place at the old K-Mart parking lot (corner of West 150th and Lorain), featuring a retelling of the Christmas story. We will also be singing some of our most beloved Christmas songs. Stay in your car, turn on your radio, and experience the magic of Christmas with our community neighbors and partners.

By Peter Pluto

West Park resident 

The day that President Donald Trump and Vice President Michael Pence were elected in 2016, the Dow Jones Average — a strong index of our economy —  lifted off like a Jupiter C rocket.

The economy

Trump’s tax cuts, new agreements with other countries, and other economic policies thrust Americans into the workforce in record numbers.  

Unemployment was at record numbers, including numbers for Black, Latino, and Asian Americans. Even during the depth of COVID-19, the Dow was better than levels during the eight years before Trump.

Thanks to Trump, a powerful economy was created that keeps confounding the “experts.” 

• Manufacturing employment rebounded quickly.
• We see “Help Wanted” signs once again.
• We have low prices on gas.

Under Trump’s leadership, America can finally produce enough oil to supply our needs. America is no longer dependent upon Middle Eastern oil. We can also negotiate good prices.

COVID-19

When COVID-19 emerged, Trump stopped travel from China and Europe early, in spite of political resistance by his rivals and the World Health Organization’s odd claim that stopping travel would do more harm than good.  

When Doctor Deborah Birx reported that World Health Organization test kits were unreliable, Trump asked American companies to develop a new test. Within weeks, America had a brand new five-minute test.

When the normal manufacturers could not produce enough ventilators, Trump asked companies like Ford Motor to change their lines. America now exports ventilators all over the world.  

Trump’s March 2, 2020, meeting with top pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies illustrates the talents of a business-oriented leader who assembles the best people, listens to them, offers full cooperation, and gets a group of fierce American business competitors to work together to solve a problem

When Trump asked about mask re-use, Battelle of Ohio quickly responded.  Battelle contacted Governor DeWine, who called President Trump. Within days, Battelle was sterilizing masks with full Food and Drug Administration approval. 

Trump recognizes a problem, inspires the experts, and gets solutions approved immediately. He is not your normal politician.

Throughout the pandemic, Trump quickly provided people, money, equipment, and encouragement to state governments, particularly New York and New Jersey. which had 28 percent of the nation’s COVID-19 deaths. Examples of Trump’s actions:

• Suspended taxes.
• Arranged immediate Small Business Administration loans and the Payroll Protection Program for businesses.
• Sent stimulus checks to virtually every American family, with additional dollars for families with children, to help them get through this virus.

Law and Order

In 2016, Trump’s appeal was his pledge to support police. He takes law, order, and public safety very seriously. He stands strongly against calls to defund the police. Trump has asked, and in some cases nearly begged, mayors of cities with weeks and months of rioting, looting, and shooting, to request the National Guard and federal law enforcement assistance to restore order and safety.

Trump is sending people and money to cities to reinforce local police. He has gained support from Black and Latino communities with Opportunity Zones and increased economic investments in minority communities.

Peace

Trump’s international peace efforts have led to three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.

• He has disarmed the threat of nuclear war from North Korea.
• ISIS has been defeated.
• Trump mediated an incredible treaty between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The world is a lot more peaceful than it was four years ago, which strengthens America’s national and economic security. 

Pro-life

Trump and Pence clearly promote and defend life, another clear distinction from their opposing party. 

In closing

Trump’s policies clearly reflect the values held by many West Park residents. These policies support public safety, law and order, and our first responders. They support economic growth and keeping tax dollars in your family’s pockets, not the government’s coffers.

The 2020 election is not a personality contest, it is about which candidate offers the best policies for our economic, personal, and national security.  President Trump has earned four more years to build upon his achievements in these areas.

Peter Pluto is a member of the Central Committee of Republican Party of Cuyahoga County and Ward 17 Republican Club.

Editor’s note: The West Park Times strives to be a neutral, unbiased local news source. The ideas and thoughts expressed in this piece are the opinions of an individual and are not necessarily representative of the views of the West Park Times or its members.

If you’d like to voice your opinion, please feel free to do so in the comments section.

FROM THE CITY OF CLEVELAND NEWSLETTER, ‘STRAIGHT FROM CITY HALL’

Today at 6:05 p.m. emergency sirens will sound for one minute in unison to urge residents to change their smoke alarm batteries when they adjust their clocks for daylight saving time this weekend.

“Working smoke alarms save lives,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “As you change your clocks this Saturday, I encourage everyone to also change the batteries in your smoke alarms. It might just save the lives of your loved ones.”

The “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” campaign is a national home fire safety program sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and endorsed locally by the Cleveland Division of Fire and the American Red Cross.

Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities related to residential fires by providing an early warning signal and allowing critical extra seconds to escape, according to the NFPA. Although smoke alarms are in a large percentage of Cleveland homes, nearly one-third do not work because of worn or missing batteries.

In addition to urging residents to change smoke alarm batteries, the Cleveland Division of Fire’s Public Education Office recommends that every resident take a few minutes to review fire-safety measures. This includes checking the smoke alarms, establishing an emergency escape route, (identify two ways out of each room), and designating a common meeting place once outside of the home.

Cleveland Fire Stations will have a limited supply of batteries available to residents on a first come, first served basis. Residents may call (216) 361-5535 to request a smoke alarms if they do not already have them on every floor of the house and every room where people sleep.

Residents visiting Fire Stations are required to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose (available upon request.) Temperature checks and social distancing guidelines will be followed.

FROM THE CITY OF CLEVELAND NEWSLETTER

On Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 8, 66R buses will replace Red Line trains between Tower City and Windermere stations due to work on the new E. 79th St. station.