There’s still time to join Challenge West Park, a community-driven, virtual scavenger hunt open to all ages.

“So far we have 13 teams participating,” notes Lindsay Wheeler of the Bellaire Puritas Development Corp. (BPDC), the organization responsible for organizing this community event. “Including a team from PPG and two from John Marshall.”

“John Marshall School of Civic and Business Leadership is in the lead with 1,200 points,” added Wheeler.

Registration is always open, so you can join any time. The challenge began, Monday, July 20th, and runs for a total of 4 consecutive weeks.

According to BPDC’s web page: “Challenges will task players with locating objects around the neighborhood, creating dances and songs, participating in community efforts, checking into a location or solving a riddle. ”

Sign up here. https://bit.ly/2WRjxXD

COURTESY OF POLICY MATTERS OHIO

50+ groups outline policies to create a 21st century economy that’s good for workers, communities, and the environment

Policy Matters Ohio joined a broad and diverse coalition of thought leaders and organizations from West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio today to release a policy blueprint. By expanding economic opportunity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the blueprint outlines a vision for vibrant Appalachian communities where everyone is paid enough to support themselves and their family, where future generations can put down roots, where they have clean air to breathe and water to drink, whether they are white, Black, Brown or Indigenous.  “The economy comes down to people working, buying and selling. People are the economy. What’s good for people is good for the economy,” said Hannah Halbert, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio. “Right now, our nation is facing unprecedented challenges with the COVID epidemic, a deep economic downturn, extreme inequality, racism, police brutality and the consequences of a changing climate. We’re seeing what happens when powerful corporations use their wealth and influence to direct our public resources into their pockets through tax breaks and tax cuts, depriving our communities of important assets, like the public health infrastructure we need to stay safe and healthy.”   The “New Deal that Works for Us” is built on three pillars: Expanding opportunity through public investments: Creating good jobs that provide a future for all working people, including former coal workers, and regardless of the color of their skin, ethnic background or gender. Building a 21st century sustainable economy: Putting people to work modernizing the electric grid, growing clean and efficient manufacturing, building a sustainable transportation system, repairing damage from the last century, and relaunching the Civilian Conservation Corps for “carbon farming” purposes. Making sure all working people share in prosperity by growing unions and raising wages throughout the economy, ensuring universal health and child care, and promoting local ownership in the region. Halbert said the blueprint can present opportunities for Ohioans working in extraction industries, which have been hit hard by the downturn. The most recent data show the number of Ohio jobs in mining and logging has declined nearly 16% over the year, to about 10,000. The jobs projected to grow fastest in Southeast Ohio — and statewide — are in the service sector, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family services. The top employer seeking workers in the region was Dollar General, according to the state job posting site, OhioMeansJobs.gov. Many of these jobs don’t pay people enough to make ends meet, Halbert said.  “In 2017, during the longest period of economic expansion in our nation’s history, the poverty rate in Appalachian Ohio was 17.2%, 17.8% in Appalachian W.VA., 13.3% in Appalachian Pennsylvania and 25.6% in Appalachian Kentucky,” she said. “Despite some improvement, last Friday’s state-level June jobs report showed that our region has lost more than one out every 10 jobs since February. The federal government needs to jumpstart our economy with federal infrastructure investments.”  The coalition to Reimagine Appalachia, was born out of a broad recognition that years of policies pushed by absentee corporations and their politicians have created an economy that doesn’t work for most people living in the Ohio River Valley. There continues to be a desperate need for family-sustaining jobs in communities of all sizes. This is especially true because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hamstrung already-struggling local economies in the region, while limited federal assistance to families is set to run out.  However, COVID adds to existing economic pain in the region.   Appalachia has long provided the raw materials for the prosperity of the nation, while the region itself has suffered high rates of poverty and unemployment, and low wages. Bad actors in the extractive industries have also left our land scarred, and our workers and neighbors sick, particularly our neighbors of color.  In response, a group of economic, environmental, and community leaders, along with grassroots organizations came together to brainstorm the best pathway to a 21st century economy that’s good for workers, communities, and the environment.   “By gathering ideas and input from groups around the region, we’re building a vision for where we want to go and identifying the steps necessary to get us from here to there,” said Ashley Spalding, research director for Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. “We just need to get federal policymakers to commit the resources.”  Endorsements for the blueprint come from a diverse array of organizations representing the voices of residents across four states in the Ohio River Valley, and are listed in the blueprint itself.   “Federal policymakers are designing stimulus packages and we are on the brink of an election. Now is the time to amplify our voices to ensure the people of Appalachia have a say in how our region rebuilds,” said Stephen Herzenberg, economist and executive director of the Keystone Research Center. “Appalachia needs to be at the table for national climate change conversations, or we’ll be on the menu.”  In the coming months, the coalition will roll out a series of white papers fleshing out the details of the framework. During that period, it continues to seek additional input and support from interested stakeholders, union leaders, grassroots and grasstops organizations, thought leaders, and elected officials. The Reimagine Appalachia coalition will build the vision of a 21st century Appalachia and then work together to make that vision a reality. Get more information on the coalition website here: https://reimagineappalachia.org/ A promotional video for the coalition’s work is available here.

Due to European travel restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) has had to postpone indefinitely its presentation of the special exhibition Picasso and Paper this fall (September 22–December 13, 2020). The CMA hopes to reconstitute the show in a future year. Changes to the special exhibition schedule will be announced soon.

“For several years, the CMA staff has been working very hard to bring to Cleveland the large and important exhibition Picasso and Paper,” said William Griswold, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art. “Unfortunately, with the surge of coronavirus infections in this country, the EU has implemented travel restrictions that inhibit the ability of lenders to take part in the installation of the show. There is no way around this, and so we and our exhibition partners, the Royal Academy of Arts, London, and the Musée national Picasso-Paris, have had no choice but to postpone the Cleveland presentation.”

Picasso and Paper is currently on view at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, through August 2, 2020. Tickets are sold out.

Picasso and Paper is organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Royal Academy of Arts, London, in partnership with the Musée national Picasso-Paris.

Please visit cma.org and follow the museum on social media for the most up-to-date information.

About the Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 61,000 objects and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The museum is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship and performing arts. One of the top comprehensive art museums in the nation and free of charge to all, the Cleveland Museum of Art is located in the dynamic University Circle neighborhood.

The Cleveland Museum of Art receives funding from a broad range of individuals, foundations and businesses in Cleveland and northeast Ohio. The museum is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and made possible in part by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically. For more information about the museum and its holdings, programs and events, call 888-CMA-0033 or visit ClevelandArt.org.

Photo by Daian Gan from Pexels

SUBMITTED

Experience, explore, and engage in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville through Cleveland Opera Theater’s abridged mini-series

The first-of-its-kind mini-series event, Cleveland Opera Theater presents a reimagined telling of Rossini’s comedic masterpiece, Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), created especially for our ’20 / ’21 online season. Featuring world class artists from Northeast Ohio and around the world, this entertaining and fresh interpretation will provide family-friendly entertainment and laughs for all ages.

• Saturday, July 25, FREE Summer Concert: on “National Hot Fudge Sundae Day” and “Wine and Cheese Day,” with good pairings possible for fans of all ages Streamed at: www.clevelandoperatheater.org/experience

o July 25, Ep. 1 – Premiere of the Barber Mini-Series

o Aug. 1, Ep. 2

o Aug. 8, Ep. 3

o Aug. 15, Ep. 4

• Sunday, August 30, FREE Summer Concert: Streamed at: www.clevelandoperatheater.org/experience in partnership with Dunham Tavern Museum, on “National Toasted Marshmallow Day -” perfect for s’mores.

o Aug. 30, Ep. 5 – Finale of the Barber mini-series

The Barber mini-series is free to all but donations can be made at ClevelandOperaTheater.org and are greatly appreciated.

Donations are accepted through our website at ClevelandOperaTheater.org.

The mission of Cleveland Opera Theater is to advance opera through innovative, accessible, and inclusive experiences. Our vision and our motto is “Opera For All.” We invite you to experience, explore, and engage in opera with us!

COURTESY OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND

Beginning in the month of August 2020 bulk pick-up will operate on its regular schedule. Bulk pick-up will be conducted on the first full week of each month on residents’ regular collection day.Residents should follow regular bulk pick-up guidelines.

As a reminder, residents are permitted to up to three bulk items on tree lawns. More info on proper disposal:

·       Residents may leave out for collection items such as appliances, tables, chairs, mattresses, box springs, couches and furniture.

·       All mattresses, box springs and cloth furniture must be wrapped in plastic.

·       In addition to the three items, residents may leave out up to four tires.

·       The City does not accept construction material.

·       Boxes and loose bags are not bulk items. ​

·      Carpet must be cut and rolled into 3-foot long pieces and must not exceed 40 pounds

The Division of Waste also reminds residents of the following waste regulations:

·       Only waste in officially issued City carts will be accepted and loose trash or bags outside City roll carts will not be accepted

·       The following will be not be accepted in or outside of roll carts: construction materials, paints, hazardous waste, bricks, dirt, concrete, cinder blocks, auto parts, loose metal items, medical waste or fluorescent tubes

·       Do not place hot charcoal ashes in roll carts

·       Do not place ammunition or explosives in City cart. Contact the Division of Police for instructions

·       Roll cart lids must close

·       Do not place carts behind parked cars

·       Place black cart and blue three feet apart on tree lawn

·       No more than 20 bags of yard waste per collection

For more info about waste collection, please call Cleveland’s Division of Waste Collection at (216) 664-3711.

COURTESY OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND

During the week of July 27, 2020, the residential resurfacing 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 September 2020:

·       Carrington Avenue (West 130^th Street to West End)

·       West 135^th Street (Bennington Avenue to Wainfleet Avenue)

·       West 135^th Street (Sandiego Avenue to Lorain Avenue)

·       St. James Avenue (West 140^th Street to West 143^rd Street)

·       Bennington Avenue (West 127^th Street to 12905)

·       West 143^rd Street (Elsetta Avenue to Courtland Avenue)

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.

CONTENT SUBMITTED

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a spotlight on and exacerbated systemic digital inequities in Greater Cleveland, barring students from accessing their education in an age of remote learning, preventing underemployed and unemployed adults from finding or applying for jobs, and denying residents – especially older adults – access to medical support through telehealth services. More than one in five households in Cuyahoga County have no internet access of any kind, with more than half of Cleveland households that make less than $20,000 completely disconnected from the digital world. Additionally, more than half of Cleveland seniors over the age of 65 have neither a home computer nor internet access.

“Internet access is critical to day-to-day life,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. “Our world is becoming increasingly more technological and we do not want to see any family left behind because they don’t have access to a computer or internet. As County Executive, it’s been one of my top priorities to take a look at the ways we can decrease the digital divide and increase prosperity and quality of life in Cuyahoga County.”

The Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Fund, initially launched with $3 million in commitments, will strategically and efficiently address immediate and long-term needs surrounding broadband access, computing devices, digital literacy, and technology support. In addition, The George Gund Foundation announced a $1 million grant to support digital access needs for Cleveland Metropolitan School District students and Say Yes scholars who lack the necessary technology access and devices to learn remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, including hotspots, Wi-Fi access and laptops.

As additional partners join the Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Coalition and resources grow, the Fund will be used to support a comprehensive, short-term strategy for K-12 students in Greater Cleveland, including Cleveland, East Cleveland, Euclid, Warrensville Heights and additional inner-ring suburbs that have high need. T-Mobile will provide 7,500 unlimited data hotspots and $1 million of in-kind equipment donations over the next two years through its EmpowerED initiative, while local organizations PCs for People and RET3 will provide up to 10,000 computers and/or ongoing support to students in public schools and partner charter schools in Greater Cleveland. 

“The Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Coalition is a comprehensive effort to keep public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic partners engaged with the overall strategy of addressing digital inequities in Greater Cleveland,” said Leon Wilson, Cleveland Foundation chief of digital innovation and chief information officer. “It will help us to best understand how to deploy the dollars in the Digital Equity Fund and it will create a unified voice as we advocate together for additional dollars to our region, as well as substantive changes to broadband policy at state and national levels.”

The Coalition will ensure that organizations on the ground have the resources and political support to work quickly and effectively to bridge the digital divide. Strategies will focus on engaging and supporting students, underemployed adults, and senior citizens as key demographics.

“The ability to connect to friends and family, work and education, medical care, and more has become a basic requirement of life in the 21^st Century, akin to being able to make a phone call or visit in person,” said Shontel Brown, Cuyahoga County District 9 Councilwoman. “Our social, political, and economic system has created and perpetuated the digital abandonment of the most vulnerable members of our community. This program is a way that we can start to right that wrong.”

“There are many underlying reasons why a person may be cut off from the robust and interconnected digital world: lack of access to the hardware itself or perhaps digital redlining that plagues inner cities, or maybe just a lack of experience and training in using the internet,” said Yvonne Conwell, Cuyahoga County District 7 Councilwoman. “The Digital Equity Fund addresses this complex problem holistically, with multifaceted solutions.”

Coalition members are also seeking additional refurbishable computers to distribute throughout the community. If individuals, organizations and corporations are interested in donating used technology, please contact PCs for People at (216) 600-0014 or e-mail cleveland@pcsforpeople.org.

“Pre-pandemic, students without internet access beyond the traditional school day were already negatively impacted by the expanding homework gap, but this upcoming school year promises to exacerbate this digital learning gap as kids try to keep up with distance learning,” said Dr. Kiesha Taylor, T-Mobile’s National Education Administrator. “When organizations driven by a common purpose come together – as done here with the Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Fund – the results can be extraordinary. T-Mobile is proud to support this much needed initiative.”

Leaders of the Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Coalition include the following, with 60-70 additional organizations contributing their voice and expertise:

·         Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center

·         City of Cleveland

·         Cleveland Foundation

·         Cleveland Innovation Project

·         Cleveland Metropolitan School District

·         Cleveland Neighborhood Progress

·         Cleveland Public Library

·         Cuyahoga County

·         Cuyahoga County Public Library

·         Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority

·         Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio

·         Greater Cleveland Partnership

·         OhioMeansJobs | Cleveland-Cuyahoga County

·         Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation

·         Urban League of Greater Cleveland

To give to the Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Fund, visit clevelandfoundation.org/DigitalEquity. For more information, visit clevelandfoundation.org/DigitalExcellence.

By Jerry Masek

Clevelanders are being fed a daily diet of divisive politics, pandemics, racism, violence, and the stock market is currently an economic roller coaster. 

Is it any wonder that we have just been named “the most stressed city” in the nation? Great. That’s another thing we can stress about. 

Stress is now part of the ‘Big Three of medical issues. Your doctor will tell you this: To stay healthy, be smoke-free, maintain a healthy body weight, and reduce your stress.

Stress: bad news and good news

The bad news: too much stress can kill you. 

The good news: there are many things you can do to reduce your stress, and West Park is rich in resources. People often say things like, “Bob stresses me,” and that’s not correct. What you mean to say, “I allow myself to become stressed by what Bob does.” Yes, you can control your stress, more than you realize. Here are your stress-busters.

What you can do right now

1. Select stations that tell the news without hype. Public TV and NPR keep you informed, and are better for your health.
2. Laughter IS the best medicine. At least once a day, tune in to the Comedy Channel or share a good joke.
3. Take a hike, Mike. The Metroparks are open 24/7.

Listen to Michelle Star talk about yoga.

Michelle Star of West Park has practiced and taught yoga for 50 years. She has experienced stress but does not dwell on it.

“When you are stressed, you focus your attention outward, on your panic and anxiety. You may not even be aware of your own inner peace and strength,” she says.   

“Take your focus away from news of the day and turn it inward. After 50 years, I know it works.”   

You can search for online videos for “Michelle Star yoga.” She also offers private classes. Send your questions to MichelleStarYoga@gmail.com. 

Breathe in…hold it….exhale…and relax.

RiversEdgeCleveland.com    

One of West Park’s greatest assets has gone 100 percent on-line, to protect the health of nuns who reside there. All offerings are listed on their web site — yoga, massage, reiki and much more. Call (216) 688-1111 or send questions to info@riversedgecleveland.com.

Looking for a workout?

Gunning Recreation Center, 16700 Puritas Ave., has reopened, with an indoor track and weight room. Call ahead to make a reservation — they have to monitor how many people are inside the building. Be sure to wear a mask…

The YMCA has also re-opened at 15501 Lorain Ave. For info, check their web site or call (216) 941-5410. Again, wear a mask.

WestParkMassotherapy.com 

Practitioners include four Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs) and a certified hypnotist. All sessions are by appointment and all state guidelines are followed. For a massage appointment, call (216) 671-6080.

For a hypnosis session — in-person or via Skype — call (216) 210-5504.

*Jerry Masek, a certified hypnotist in West Park, is active in local holistic groups. If you have a topic for a future column, send it to westparktimes@gmail.com.

Note: This column is in no way intended to replace or contradict advice given by a professional physician or doctor.

Today the City of Cleveland announced that COVID-19 rental assistance program applications are now available.

City officials released the following:

CHN Housing Partners and EDEN, Inc. announced today the details of the COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program funded by the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. The program is designed to help residents of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County who are having difficulty making rental payments due to the economic impact of the pandemic and who meet income eligibility requirements. Those interested can apply at www.neorenthelp.org.

Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s administration allocated $11.3 million as part of the Mayor’s Restart CLE plan aimed at helping the City’s residents and businesses recover from the adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, County Executive Budish’s administration allocated $6.8 million. The funds are a mix of Community Development Block Grant dollars and dollars from the Coronavirus Relief Fund provided by the CARES Act. 

“The rental assistance program is intended to alleviate the burden on Clevelanders needing assistance as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “It is our intent that this assistance helps ease renters’ worries by providing resources during these stressful and uncertain times.”

CHN is the entry point to access rental assistance as well as a broad array of housing, financial counseling and referral resources. Depending on the nature of the financial hardship, Cleveland residents may be referred to EDEN for longer-term assistance.

Eligible households are those earning 120 percent of Area Median Income or less, which is up to $90,000 in annual income for a family of four.

Eligible applicants will receive up to three months of rental assistance which will be paid directly to the landlord. Priority is given based on criteria such as eviction status, accurate information and complete documentation.

Residents should go online to http://www.neorenthelp.org in order to apply. They must have specific documentation in order to quality.

Required documents include:

·       Verification of COVID-19 related hardship (loss of income, illness or increased expenses)

·       Photo identification for all adults in the home

·       Social Security cards for all household members

·       Proof of income (tax returns, paystubs or fixed income benefit award letter)

·       Lease agreement

·       Proof of citizenship

·       Copies of utility bills

CHN will also screen applicants for utility assistance programs that may help make their electric, gas and water/sewer bills more affordable. Those who qualify for rental assistance may be required to attend more in-depth financial counseling, provided by CHN, as a condition for rental assistance.

A hotline has been set up to answer questions. That number is 833-377-RENT (7368). No applications can be taken over the phone. Residents are encouraged to apply online at www.neorenthelp.org and can be completed with a mobile phone. A paper application can be printed out, completed and emailed to info@neorenthelp.org or left in the rental assistance drop box at CHN’s offices located on the first floor of 2999 Payne Ave.

COVID-19 testing was held today at Blessed Trinity Church, 14040 Puritas Ave. The testing is a collaboration between the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, MetroHealth and Blessed Trinity. You must pre-register before testing, call for more information 216-201-2084.

See photos of today below. Individuals could drive thru or walk up.

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(Photos by Jerry Masek for The West Park Times)