CMSD locations and guidelines for meal pickup throughout COVID-19.
CMSD School Meal Pickup
With revenue about to plunge, Cleveland Council should delay vote on Sherwin-Williams incentive package
PRESS RELEASE
| Cleveland City Council is scheduled to vote tonight on an incentive package for Sherwin-Williams Co. worth a reported $100 million. While some of the incentives are dependent on jobs being created and a rise in property values, they include up to $13.5 million for a construction grant. Policy Matters Ohio released the following statement from Research Director Zach Schiller: “As the COVID-19 crisis is forcing employers to lay off workers, the city of Cleveland will lose a large portion of its main source of revenue, the payroll tax. The prospect of an economic downturn makes it unwise for city council to approve the incentives at this time. State policymakers should also think twice about supporting the deal, and in particular subsidizing the move of the company’s research facilities from Warrensville Heights and Cleveland to Brecksville. “Cleveland’s finances alone should be reason enough to delay the deal. There are others. Last year, according to a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, Sherwin-Willaims paid CEO John G. Morikis $14.85 million, 349 times the amount paid to the company’s median employee. The city of Cleveland should not provide $100 million to a company that reinforces inequality. “During 2018 and the first three quarters of 2019, the paint company bought back nearly $1.2 billion of its stock. While such buybacks may lift a company’s stock price, they do nothing to add productive capacity that will lead to our shared prosperity. Indeed, large-scale buybacks weren’t allowed until the 1980s. They certainly don’t suggest that Sherwin-Williams needs these incentives. In fact, on March 19, Sherwin-Williams issued a statement reaffirming its financial guidance to investors. “Recent research shows that most such incentives are unnecessary. ‘Study after study demonstrates that when states and cities give out tax breaks to companies looking to relocate or expand, they typically get very limited bang for their bucks, if any,’ said a recent article in Governing magazine. Timothy J. Bartik of the W.E. Upjohn Institute reviewed 30 studies on such incentives and found at least 75% of the time – and possibly up to 98% of the time – the firms would have made the same decision without the incentives. Sherwin-Williams paid $49 million for land for its new headquarters in downtown Cleveland, before city and state incentives had been approved. “Separate from Cleveland’s pending incentives, Brecksville last week approved its own set of incentives to bring a new Sherwin-Williams research center there. It will replace existing research facilities in Warrensville Heights and Cleveland. Income tax from the 400 Warrensville Heights employees accounts for $1.2 million out of the city’s annual budget of about $20 million. “So far, the the Ohio Development Services Agency and JobsOhio, the state’s privatized economic development entity, have stayed mum on the size of the incentives they will provide Sherwin-Williams. However, it seems clear they will be sizable. This will subsidize an overwhelmingly white, relatively affluent community over a largely black, much poorer community. With thousands of businesses shuttered and 139,000 Ohioans applying for unemployment benefits in the first five days of last week alone, the state will soon experience a major downdraft in revenues. In this environment, it’s especially inappropriate for the state to subsidize the move from Warrensville Heights and Cleveland to Brecksville. |
| “There is an alternative: State policymatters could learn from Kansas City. Last year, the Republican governor of Missouri and the Democratic governor of Kansas agreed not to use tax incentives to get companies to move across the state line in the Kansas City area. Governor DeWine should lead an effort to end unproductive incentive competition that siphons public resources without increasing overall prosperity. “Wherever one comes down on the broader debate over incentives, there is little question that Cleveland and Ohio will soon find themselves scratching for revenue. That means Cleveland City Council should delay its decision on the incentive package. And Ohio and JobsOhio should reconsider the incentives they are about to award.” Learn more about Policy Matters Ohio, here. |
Backyard birds photo in West Park
Photo by Jerry Masek
A 300mm telephoto lens was used to capture rush hour at a backyard bird feeder on Fairville Avenue in West Park.
Protecting Local Food Systems
CONTENT AND PHOTO CREDIT: CITY FRESH
For 15 years, City Fresh’s mission has been to improve the resilience of our community in the face of crisis.
The swift spread of COVID-19 has us all on edge. Our reliance on global systems of rapid delivery is and will continue to be tested. Cooking at home, eating well, and getting plenty of rest is going to be more important this year than ever. We sincerely hope you are well and taking good care of yourselves.
On our end, we are exploring ways to alter our distribution model to ensure your health and safety as well as that of our volunteers, hosts, farmers, and staff. Details will be forthcoming as we approach June, but at this time, we’re sprouting seeds in the high tunnels, pruning the orchards, and planning for a busy summer ensuring everyone is able to eat local and enjoy the bounty of fresh, healthy, delicious foods.
Remember that participating in City Fresh is an excellent way to:
- ensure that you are eating your allotment of fresh veggies
- bolster access to fresh local food for all thanks to tiered pricing and participation in SNAP
- support small farmers in sustainable agriculture
We hope to see you this season.
Where to buy beer, liquor, and more this St. Patrick’s Day
Ohio bars and restaurants are closed until further notice as of March 15.
Fortunately, you can still drink for St. Patrick’s Day. Although, it is advised to do so at home this year. Below are a number of places in West Park that provide beer, wine, and/or spirits.
Vinny’s Beverage (Beer and Wine)
Address: 13531 Lorain Ave.
*Until further notice, open until 9 p.m. daily.
C & S Beverage & State Liquor Agency
Address: 15649 Puritas Ave.
Open 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Sundays.
Ann’s Beverage
Address: 14120 Lorain Ave.
Open 10 a.m. until midnight, Monday through Sunday (as listed online).
Mosey In Beverage, Inc.
Address: 14016 Triskett Rd.
Open 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. until 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., Sundays.
RJS Beverage
Address: 14801 Puritas Ave.
Open 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m, Monday through Thursday, and Sundays; 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Charlie’s Beverage
Address: 15803 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44111
Open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sundays. (As listed online)
“Our goal is for everyone to get through this,” Governor Mike DeWine announced. “Our hope is that next St. Patrick’s Day, everyone will be there and that they’ll have the opportunity to live their life and live their American dream. But, if people are not around, they can’t do that.”
PHOTO CREDIT Stéphan Valentin
2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Induction Week postponed, facility temporary closed to public
Pixabay Photo
As of March 13, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is temporarily closed to the public.
The 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Induction Week festivities have also been postponed until later this year, at a date that is to be determined.
According to the Rock Hall’s web site:
“Given this temporary closure, we have postponed the following events:
- Wednesday, March 18 – Spotlight: Janis Joplin
- Wednesday, March 25 – Film Series: Linda Ronstadt
If you have purchased a ticket for a postponed event, we will issue a full refund and alert you via email of the opportunity to purchase when the event is rescheduled. If you have purchased a ticket for general admission, it will be honored at our Box Office upon your future visit or refunded.
We look forward to welcoming fans back to our Museum in the near future.
Meanwhile, we encourage teachers working to create plans for distance learning to explore our free online resources that help you engage students through the power of rock & roll. Visit Rock Hall EDU (edu.rockhall.com), our new digital learning platform, to create a free account and access professionally developed lesson plans, activities, presentations, videos, playlists and other digitized primary source materials from our Library & Archives. Our resources meet national and state learning standards in a variety of subject areas, including music, social studies, English and more.”
Voters urged to vote early, by mail due to polling location closures
CONTENT SUBMITTED
The following is a statement by Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and County Council President Dan Brady regarding the need to close some polling locations amidst coronavirus concerns
March 11, 2020― “We fully understand the State’s desire to relocate polling locations that were to be based in residential senior citizen facilities. It is a prudent and necessary precaution, and the health and safety of our community must come first. At the same time, this may create voting obstacles for tens of thousands of County residents who use those polling locations.
“We fully understand the State’s desire to relocate polling locations that were to be based in residential senior citizen facilities. It is a prudent and necessary precaution, and the health and safety of our community must come first. At the same time, this may create voting obstacles for tens of thousands of County residents who use those polling locations.
VOTE EARLY or VOTE BY MAIL. The deadline for voters to request mail-in ballots is noon on Saturday, March 14. If you would like to vote by mail, please go to boe.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/VoteByMail.aspx. You can mail in your ballot or drop it off by 7:30 p.m. on election day. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections will be accepting curbside drop-off of ballots on election day at the back of their offices at 2925 Euclid Avenue.Registered voters may also vote early, in person, at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.”
Dates and times for early voting are:
| Wednesday, March 11 | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday, March 12 | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Friday, March 13 | 8 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday, March 14 | 8 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday, March 15 | 1 PM–5 PM |
| Monday, March 16 | 8 AM–2 PM |
Here is the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections link to full details about polling changes and a list of impacted locations: https://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/locationchangemarch2020.aspx
Buyers Outlet now hiring
Buyers outlet is now hiring.
City Fresh Starts June 15th! Are you ready?
CONTENT AND PHOTOS CREDIT OF CITY FRESH
There’s just 6 more days left in our Early Bird sale! Order your veggie shares today and you’ll enjoy 2019 prices! This sale ends March 15.
Joining City Fresh is a great way to put your money where your values are. Eat well, support small farmers, combat climate crisis, offset the effects of income inequality, and build community – all for the price of dinner!
Eating locally and seasonally is a long term strategy for social and environmental change. Seasonal foods pack intense nutrition. Sustainable growing practices support the environment, improving the quality of soil, water, and air. Vegetables are good for your body: your heart, brain, and immune system depend on powerful nutrients. Getting your fresh local foods from folks in your neighborhood who love good eating helps connect you to others. Food is at the basis of all cultural traditions. It’s collaborative. It’s a way to exchange ideas and show love.
Join us in our efforts: connect, volunteer, eat well! Get all the good things we’ve got growing this season. Tag us on social media and let your communities know that you stand up for change! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Support sustainable agriculture and access to fresh food for all!
10 tips for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in West Park
1.) Early in the morning, VOTE! March 17 is also Ohio’s Presidential Primary. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. First the ballot, then the booze.
2.) Worship with fellow Irishmen at a 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, 4427 Rocky River Dr. at Puritas Ave. March 17 is the 172nd anniversary of the church. After Mass, attend a reception with food and fellowship in the Lower Church.
3.) At 11:30 a.m., Lolly the Trolley leaves the St. Patrick Church parking lot, to be part of the Downtown parade. You can walk in the parade or stay in the trolley. To reserve your seat and pay $15, stop at the Rectory office during regular business hours. The parade starts at 1:05 p.m. on Superior Ave., from East 18th Street to Public Square.
4.) For more flexibility, join the thousands of people who ride RTA to the parade. March 17 is usually RTA’s heaviest ridership day of the year.
5.) Leave early, and give yourself lots of time. RTA operates extra rail service all day, but you may have to wait a bit.
6.) Be sure to park legally at an RTA station at Brookpark, Puritas-W. 150, West Park and Triskett. Transit Police may ticket and tow cars that block the smooth flow of traffic.
7.) Problems finding a parking place? For updated information, listen to radio traffic reports, or follow RTA on Twitter or Facebook, or visit rideRTA.com.
8.) Dispose of open beverages before riding RTA. Transit Police will enforce regulations.
9.) Leave your bike at home. With most trains filled to capacity, RTA will not allow customers to board with their bikes.
10.) After the parade, the celebration continues at many West Park night spots, especially those at Kamm’s Corners. Be sure to park legally.
These tips should help keep your Irish eyes smiling all day.
CIFF44 program line-up now live
It’s here! The #CIFF44 program line-up is now live at www.clevelandfilm.org! Look for Program Guides to hit the streets beginning March 2. Find them at Cleveland Cinemas locations, most libraries, Dollar Bank branches, and coffee houses throughout the area.
New March Cartoon from Dean Norman
Horizon Education Centers acquires two Family Life Child Care Centers
Horizon Education has announced that they have acquired in a purchase from Ohio Guidestone, two Family Life Child Care Centers (Berea and Lakewood Facilities).
Horizon Education Centers is a leader in quality early care and education, preparing children and families for life for over 40 years. Horizon is a mission driven nonprofit making sure all families have access to high-quality programs, regardless of income or where they live.
Horizon is proud to be part of Cuyahoga Counties’ top-rated program. All ten of Horizon Education Centers are rated high-quality under Ohio’s Step Up To Quality Rating System. This rating ensures that your child will experience the following: qualified teachers, proven curriculum, family engagement, developmental screenings and electronic access to your child’s individual learning.
Horizon has formed partnerships and collaborations that have flourished with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), Pre4Cle, Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), PNC Bank, Starting Point, Art House, Music Settlement, Cleveland Public Library (CPL) and the Cleveland Food Pantry. These programs focus on Horizon’s core mission, and bring in many other organizations in a united effort for children and youth. We thank all our supporters and funders for their faith and investment in Horizon. We also appreciate the thousands of parents that choose us for their children; there is no stronger endorsement. Horizon Education Centers also has afterschool programming in two local Cleveland schools for the 2019-20 school year: Global Ambassadors Language Academy, and Louis Agassiz Elementary School.
Horizon Education Centers are open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for care and education.
For more information on any of our 10 centers, please give our Administration office a call at (440) 779-1930. Please visit our website at www.HorizonOhio.org.
Meet & greet Charles Slife, Feb. 27
Cuyahoga County Mayors & City Managers Association unanimously endorses Health and Human Services Levy
SUBMITTED — The association representing city leaders throughout Cuyahoga County has endorsed the county’s Health and Human Services Levy, which will appear on March ballots as Issue 33. The vote to support the levy was unanimous.
Richard Bain, secretary of the Cuyahoga County Mayors & City Managers Association and mayor of Pepper Pike, said: “The Health and Human Services levy will provide the critical funds necessary to support vital services for our county’s kids, seniors, healthcare and family services. Supporting the levy will address the gap in funding caused by growing needs and expenses. This is an essential levy we can – and the county mayors have – all agreed upon.”
Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter encouraged residents to “please vote for Issue 33” on the March 17th ballot.
“There’s a social obligation to help those in need but there’s also compelling economic reasons to do so,” Mayor DeGeeter said. “If we don’t invest now in the county’s wide-ranging services paid for by this levy, then we’re going to pay for it later in higher public expenses related to the court system, first responders, opioids epidemic, and much more.”
Lakewood Mayor Meghan F. George agreed, saying “I see the need for this funding every day in our city. It makes good sense to help people who are the most vulnerable. By doing so, we help elevate the economic health of our entire community.’’
Levy leaders attribute the need for additional health and human services funding to four primary factors:
• Protracted Poverty: One out of five Cuyahoga County residents live in poverty, which for a family of three is an annual income of $21,330 or less.
• The Opioid Epidemic: The rate of opioid-induced deaths in the county is 2.5 times the national average. Opioid addiction among parents has caused the number of children in Cuyahoga County who are in foster care or under protective supervision to grow by nearly 70% since 2016.
• Demographic Challenges and Needs: Several age groups of county residents—including infants, working-age adults and older adults 65-74—have mortality rates higher than the state average. In 2017, neonatal infant mortality for all children born in Cuyahoga County was worse than it was in many impoverished countries.
• Insufficient Federal and State Support: Successive federal and state administrations have reduced their contributions to the Health and Human Services safety net.
Cuyahoga County’s Health and Human Services system provides vital lifelines for more than 400,000 residents facing critical needs. It’s a small cost that has a huge impact, costing property owners less than $3.50 per month more (about $1 a year more) for every $100,000 in property value. It would generate an additional $35 million in annual health and human services funding.
Brad Sellers, Mayor of Warrensville Heights said: “Issue 33 is needed to help our community’s most vulnerable through programs including care for abused and neglected children and home services so that our seniors can live independently at home. In light of recent cuts in state and federal support, we need to protect our safety net system for tens of thousands of citizens in every community in the county.”
Register for the Job Jam, happening in March
Submitted by the Bellaire-Puritas Development Corporation
It’s time to start thinking about summer jobs.
Local agencies seek young adults, ages 14 through 20, adult volunteers to help them with mock interviews, and companies that offer jobs.
It all comes together at the West Park Youth Job Jam, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday March 14, at the Gunning Recreation Center, 16700 Puritas Ave. Check-in at 9:30 a.m. Lunch is provided.
The annual event is hosted by the Bellaire Puritas Development Corporation, the lead-agency for West Park’s MyCom youth development initiative. Businesses with locations in West Park, nearby neighborhoods, or on major public transit routes, will attend to talk with applicants and take resumes and applications. A variety of positions in food service, retail, and customer service will be available.
During the morning, young adults will practice their interview skills with volunteers and learn how to make the best possible impression on potential employers.
Later, youths age 14 to 15 will practice speaking with employers and sign up for summer activities and volunteer opportunities.
Those age 16 through 20 should come “dressed to impress” with copies of their resume to talk with employers, submit applications, and potentially land a job.
Y.O.U.
The event is co-sponsored by Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), a non-profit workforce development organization that serves persons age 14 to 24. Their Summer Youth Employment Program, open to youths age 14 to 18, provides six weeks of paid-work experience. Registration opens Feb. 1 at youthopportunities.org. Y.O.U. will be on-site at the Job Jam to help youths register and answer questions.
Register for the Job Jam
Young adults can register today. Send your name, age, school, phone number and e-mail address to Vanessa Lange.
E: v.lange@bpdc.org
T: 216-671-2710
Adult volunteers and employers who have jobs should also contact Lange.
Read more at westparktimes.com.
Talk with Election officials tomorrow
West Park residents can learn more about myths surrounding the Board of Elections by attending a special presentation from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Feb. 6 at the Cuyahoga County Library, 21255 Lorain Road, Fairview Park.
Topics include election security, provisional ballots and Vote-By-Mail.
The Presidential Primary is set for March 17, 2020, which is also St. Patrick’s Day. Voters who attend the Feb. 6 meeting can apply for Vote-By-Mail, and update their voter registration. Bring your questions.
CIFF44 is delighted to unveil this year’s theme: SEE BEYOND
CONTENT SUBMITTED
The theme is a nod to exploring new and different places, ideas, and conventions. The Festival enthusiastically challenges its audience to do this through the remarkable on-screen stories brought to Cleveland each year by exceptionally talented filmmakers from around the world.
The theme, designed by the team at Type Twenty Seven is also a celebration of the Festival’s home in Tower City Cinemas for the last 30 years. During that time, the Festival’s growth exceeded all expectations by screening more than 7,000 films and welcoming over 1.6 million film fans.
“See Beyond resonated with our design team as a way to showcase elements of Tower City Center that are not normally recognized,” said Brittyn DeWerth, Creative Director and Owner of Type Twenty Seven. “By looking beyond the basics, our goal was to illustrate the exquisite architectural details—revealing the beauty it holds. In addition, the choice of color allows for a visual pop of information, and subtle tone-on-tone in the background begs to be explored.”
The Festival is once again working with Fusion Filmworks to produce the CIFF trailer, which will be released on Opening Night at Playhouse Square on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
The 44th Cleveland International Film Festival will be held March 25 – April 5, 2020 at Tower City Cinemas. More than 600 screenings will take place during the 12 days of the Festival, with over 400 guest filmmakers from around the world who will be on-hand for Q&As. CIFF44 program details will be available at clevelandfilm.org on Friday, February 28, with Program Guides hitting the streets the week of March 2. Tickets will go on sale to CIFF Members on Friday, March 6th and to the general public on Friday, March 13. For more information, please visit clevelandfilm.org.