Naturally Collinwood

The Slovenian Workmen’s Home is located at 15335 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, Ohio and is happy to have a very active Auxiliary a.k.a. “Kitchen Angels.” These volunteers are under the leadership of June Slapnik and hold a Fish Fry not only during Lent, but every Friday during the year except a few holidays. Several of these ladies have been volunteering at the Fish Fry for over 25 years and they continue to have a good time serving their customers from near and far.   

Dinners are served from 3 PM until 8 PM (Lent schedule is 12 noon until 8 PM. The fish is lightly breaded by the ladies, then deep-fried in trans fat free oil. Baked fish is also available. Other items on the menu are: breaded shrimp, breaded pork chops, goulash and macaroni and cheese dinners. Side dish choices are: Slovenian home fries, polenta, cabbage and noodles, French fries, macaroni and cheese and the delicious Slovenian style cole slaw. Of course there is always freshly baked strudel on the menu for dessert. A cash bar is also available.

For birthday, anniversary, funeral brunch, etc. reservations, take-out orders or additional information, call 216/481-5378.

We also have four indoor balina/bocce courts available for league or individual play. Have dinner and then work it off on the courts. Call Joe at 440/376-8317 or 216/481-5378 for reservations or additional information.

A group of local residents along with the OSU Urban Agriculture Program are wanting to make a difference in our community by creating awareness about urban fruit production in order to increase the amounts of fresh and preserved fruits consumed by residents, decreasing the amount of waste generate by fallen fruit, and cultivating appreciation for the value of fruit trees in the urban landscape. 

Proposed activities for this project include meeting to develop the organizational structure of this project, locate landowners in and around the city of Euclid and identify the location and types of fruit trees. As fruit trees were very important in Euclid for family health one hundred years ago, Roy Larick is interested in using Google Earth to help us map the locations of found trees. We will seek permission from tree owners and volunteer groups would go pick fruit that would otherwise go unpicked. Group harvests will be scheduled and the fruit will be distributed to area organizations such as the Euclid Hunger Center, other nonprofits, the culinary school, or even used for food preservation classes and demonstrations. Modeled after other fruit tree projects in the U.S., our project will also provide fruit to the volunteers. We also hope to increase the knowledge and skills related to fruit tree care and maintenance by creating workshops and other educational opportunities for Euclid area residents.

Would you like to help us with this initiative?  Contact Sherrie at 216-798-7089 or Nicole Wright of the OSU Extension Urban Agriculture Program 216-429-8200 x 249 for more information.

The Waterloo Alley Cat Project is a not for profit grassroots volunteer organization in the North Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland that has implemented the trap-neuter/spay-return method to help reduce the number of cats and kittens roaming the streets around the Waterloo Road business district. Since its inception in November 2009, the Project has spayed and neutered over 100 cats and garnered the support of municipal officials, residents and local businesses. Debbie Gulyas, Waterloo Road business owner and project volunteer remarked, “Two years ago it wasn’t unusual to see cats jumping into dumpsters looking frantically for food, or to find kittens living in the bushes on every side street. Today fewer kittens are being born and there are less roaming adult cats because we are taking care of their basic needs; making it a better place for all. I am so proud of our work.”

On Friday, February 3, 2012, Waterloo Alley Cat Project is hosting its 3rd Annual FUNdraiser at The Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road. The night will begin at 7 p.m with a basket raffle and silent auction, emceed by the legendary TV personality The Ghoul, with DJing by artist Jake Kelly. Over 30 fabulous items have been donated by local artists, businesses and individuals. Raffle tickets will be $2 each or 6 for $10; and you must be present to win. Local restaurants will be donating appetizers. Following the raffle and auction, there will be a concert at 9:30 p.m. featuring 3 local bands who will be donating their time and talents: Volcano Fortress, Shitbox Jimmy and The Very Knees.

Admission for the night is $5; or FREE if you bring cat food (3 cans wet or a bag of dry). 100% of the money raised goes to the care of the cats. If you can’t attend the event, tax deductible donations can be made to Northeast Shores Development Corporation, 317 East 156th St. Cleveland 44110 and mark in the memo:"Waterloo Alley Cat Project."

Deborah Gulyas is a merchant on Waterloo Road:Blue Arrow Records and Books, and This Way Out Vintage Shoppe in the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. And, lover of cats.

Hello Collinwood Family,

Recently, while experiencing one of those amazingly cold and wet evenings that our Northeastern Ohio area is so famous for I remarked to a fellow patron of my Salon that “we may have seen “Indian summer” pass us by”.  She in turn said emphatically “oh no, not at all.  We haven’t seen our first frost.  Indian summer usually lasts a week and appears after the first frost.”   Obviously, given the blustery conditions outside this brief statement from someone I had just met made me want to give her a great big hug and kiss on the cheek.  I instead settled on doing the gentlemanly thing by walking her to her vehicle under my large umbrella and making sure she left safely. 

Later, this brief yet heart-warming encounter made me think and question what does the term Indian summer really mean?  And now, presented for your viewing pleasure, the facts behind Indian summer:

"An Indian summer is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs in the autumn. It refers to a period of considerably above normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions, usually after there has been a killing frost. Depending on latitude and elevation, the phenomenon can occur in the Northern Hemisphere between late September and mid November.  The modern use of the term is when the weather is sunny and clear, and above 21 °C (70 °F), after there has been a sharp frost; a period normally associated with late-October to mid-November.

continued.

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”1 These words are taken from Bible.  The writer in this instance is Matthew; a tax collector and one of the first of many disciples selected by Jesus Christ to carry the Gospel to the “four” corners of the earth.  The speaker is Jesus himself.  The life altering statement is very simplistic and in principle can be applied in many aspects of our daily lives.  Simply put.  “Fill It Or It Shall Be Filled!”  And not only shall it be filled but it will be filled with something much worse than was there in the first place.

The Boardwalk on Waterloo Rd. has said farewell to their wonderful bar manager, Brittainy Heisler. Although it is a bitter-sweet goodbye, this change means there is a semi-new staff serving spirits at the quarter century old establishment. Stop by and meet these lovely ladies for some food and drinks. If you have yet to eat lunch there, then you are missing out. The Boardwalk’s kitchen opens at 10am Monday through Saturday, and 1pm on Sundays. The kitchen stays open until 1:30am every day of the week for the late night grub, and the bar also features week day food specials

On October 1st, 2011 the Boardwalk will be hosting a fundraiser for the Cleveland Police Patrolman’s Association to benefit the men and women that have been affected by the Cleveland Police Layoffs. The event will feature entertainment by the Madison Crawl, a rockin band based out of Cleveland. The $15.00 Donation tickets are on sale now at the Boardwalk. See the Barmaids for details.

So visit the Boardwalk and meet their beautiful ladies, have some food and drinks, buy your tickets to show you support for those that protect us, and as always don’t forget to tip your bartender.

The Slovene Home for the Aged (the Slovene Home), held a groundbreaking ceremony on August 15, 2011, to kick-off Phase II of its three-phase expansion and renovation project. The rain held off to make way for a beautiful, sunny day as staff, board members and residents gathered with project architects from Herman Gibans Fodor, Inc. and Councilman Michael Polensek to commemorate this exciting occasion. Board Chair Bob Klancher made opening remarks and introduced Councilman Polensek, who lauded the Slovene Home’s rich history, tradition and commitment to quality care. 

Also on hand was Anita Gray, Congressional Liaison for Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, representatives from the project construction firm Marous Brothers, and Jure Zmauc, Consul General for the Republic of Slovenia.

The ceremony marked the beginning of construction of a new, state-of-the-art physical therapy suite, as well as 88 private rooms and 31 shared rooms. This expansion will enhance the Home’s short-term rehabilitation services as well as provide a more comfortable environment for existing and new residents. Construction is slated to be complete in May 2012.

Phase I of the project, which was completed in March 2011, included relocating the staff parking lot to newly acquired land, a complete reconfiguration of the existing visitor’s parking lot, a more easily accessible entrance, an entry canopy, pedestrian walkways and new boulevard entrance.

The groundbreaking ceremony was a wonderful event that demonstrates the Slovene Home’s ability to continue to serve its residents, respective families, staff, community partners and the Collinwood neighborhood. The Home is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and is looking forward to celebrating 50 more years of excellence. 

Hello Collinwood Family,

Ah, the dog days of summer.  Little League Baseball, Preseason Football, Major League Baseball Teams push towards pennant races and the last bit of heat and humidity before we are “jolted” into the reality of  harsh winds that turn into snowy cold days filled with hot chocolate and the warmth of the Holidays.  Oh, and how can we forget golf outings on are very own lawns.  Putting on the eighteenth hole to beat Arnold, or Jack or Tiger for the US Open Championship.  What?  You mean those holes that are on your pristine lawn or not manmade?  Of course they are not.  They are dug by those wonderful skunks in our area foraging for food.  And what have they found to entice their never ending appetite?  THE GRUB. 

continued.

Friends,

The Salvation Army of Collinwood is having a big outdoor block party this Saturday, August 27th (12-4 p.m.) and would like to invite all of you to join us!  We will have a bouncy house, water slide, sports and carnival games, entertainment throughout the day, face painting, information booths and more!  We will be giving away hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, sno cones and other freebies!  It promises to be a very exciting event.



Blessings!

Lieutenant Chris Mauk
Corps Officer
The Salvation Army
Cleveland Temple Corps Community Center

17625 Grovewood Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44119
Phone: 216.692.1388 Ext. 13
www.clevelandtemple.info

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of
the universal Christian church.  Its message is based on the Bible.  Its
ministry is motivated by the love of God.  Its mission is to preach the
gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without
discrimination.

The big highlight for July's Walk All Over Waterloo was The Boardwalk Classic Car Show. This year, they had twice as many cars pre-register, and the bands Del Rio Bandits and Madison Crawl rocking the Blues all day. As a result the street out front of the Boeardwalk looked and sounded like we traveled back in time. Aside form the car show, Wateroo had lots of other exciting activities going on all day, like the art in the old key bank building and No Problem Printing, sales and specials at all the shops and boutiques, and live music and the Ohio yo-yo chammpionship at the Beachland Ballroom. For the rest of 2011 the Walk All Over Waterloo will be the second Saturday of every month. For more info check out WaterlooArtsDistrict.com

Hello Collinwood Family,

Last month’s article, while touching on the amazing beauty and tranquil simplicity of our neighborhood and the progressive improvements rising up all around us also focused on the need to address the seasonal issue of weed control and prevention.  By the way, did you know that Collinwood was “annexed by the city of Cleveland in 1910? Originally part of Euclid Township, Collinwood grew around the rail yards of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway and that Collinwood became the home of several European ethnic groups along with Southern Appalachians. Later in the 1960s an influx of African Americans also formed a community in Collinwood. South Collinwood was known as "Italian Village" with a population of Italian descendants greater than that of Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood. Central Collinwood was mostly Slovenian, Croatian, German, Polish and some Russians. West Collinwood was mostly Southern Appalachians. North Collinwood was a mixture of all groups including Catholic Irish.”[1]

cont.

I’m willing to bet most of us have ridden a carousel (or “merry go round,” or “Carrousel” if you’re at Euclid Beach of course!) but ever think about what a marvelous piece of engineering a carousel is?

What makes a “merry go round” go ‘round?

Consider this: a carousel uses a mechanism that was pretty much perfected over a century ago. Aside from changes in power (four legged, steam then electric & sometimes gasoline), the basic design is the same regardless of the size of the carousel, and has stood the test of time with very little change.

Below is a good explanation of how a carousel works (from enotes.com):

“The carousel revolves around a stationary center pole made of metal or wood. An electric motor drives a small pulley that is controlled by a clutch for smooth starts. This pulley turns a drive belt and a larger pulley that turns a small-diameter, horizontal shaft. The end of the shaft is a pinion gear that turns a platform gear. The platform gear supports a vertical shaft that turns another pinion gear and final drive gear attached to the support beams of the carousel, called sweeps, which extend outward from the center pole like the ribs of an umbrella and support the platform, horses, and riders. The sweeps hold cranking rods that are turned by small gears at the inner ends that are driven by a stationary gear on the center pole. Horse hangers are suspended from the cranks, and as they turn, the horses move up and down about 30 times per minute. A typical carousel platform with horses and riders may weigh 10 tons and be driven by a 10-horsepower electric motor. After the motor's revolutions are reduced by the series of gears, the riders on the outer row of mounts will gallop along at about 5-11 miles per hour.”

I have loved animals ever since I was a little girl. I met Ginger in early July 2010 at Euclid Beach where she is the guardian of more than 3

I was so amazed by their dedication to these cats. I did not know what a feral cat was, or about the terrible problems of over population of stray, feral and abandoned cats. I learned that there are more than 3,400 homeless cats just in the North Collinwood area. That made me cry…I was so sad to think that these sweet furry kitties had no one to take care of them.

I now understand that the overpopulation of unwanted cats and kittens is due to people not getting their cats spayed or neutered. It only costs $10 at the Cleveland Animal Protection League to have them fixed, and they receive all their shots. So, if only people would be caring pet parents and take them to the APL there would be no more unwanted kittens! I help Ginger every Sunday to feed and trap, you see, we feed those cats that have been fixed and returned to their original home outdoors because they are too wild to get adopted.

8 feral cats. Brian is cat daddy for over 100 cats that live at the Euclid Beach Trailer Park.

I have a dear old friend who lives on a 10 acre farm in Newbury in Geauga County who laughs whenever I say that I live on an oasis near Eden because in actuality I live in the Collinwood section of Cleveland, which my friend feels is overcrowded with questionable safety. 

Firstly, it must be said that an unfinished article entitled “Waterloo Alley Cat Project corrections to Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project update” in the Collinwood Observer, Vol. 3, Issue 1, March 2011, was mistakenly printed by The Observer. Both the publisher and the authors would like the entire readership to know that the article should be disregarded. Waterloo Alley Cat Project would also like to sincerely apologize to Ginger Hannah of Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project for any misunderstanding and/or ill will caused as a result of this inadvertent error. Both groups are dedicated to the common cause of managing the feral cat population.

Join the Euclid Beach Adopt-a-Beach Team for the first Spring Beach Cleanup at Euclid Beach Park, Saturday March 19, 10am-12pm -- and take part in World Water Day 2011. Volunteers will meet in the park pavilion at 10 am and then head down to the beach with the indefatigable Stephen Love, to collect trash and recyclables (an eye-opening experience, Stephen reports), conduct beach observation and interactive water quality tests and wrap things up at 12 pm with refreshments, pictures, a trash-weighing contest, World Water Day activities and a look at upcoming events for spring-summer 2011. Wear closed-toe shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Disposable gloves, trash bags, trash pickers, rakes and refreshments will be provided. The entrance to Euclid Beach Park is at 16250 Lakeshore Blvd.

If you miss this one, there will be more: April 16, 10am-12pm; May 21, 10am-12pm; June 18, 10am-12pm. For more information on the Euclid Beach Adopt-a-Beach Team, e-mail stephen.love20@gmail.com or call 216-571-0685. The Team is also on Facebook -- http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Euclid-Beach-Adopt-a-Beach-Team/110703672309610?ref=ts. More info can be found at http://www.greatlakes.org/Page.aspx?pid=525. And information on World Water Day can be found at http://www.worldwaterday.org/

MESSAGES FROM THE NATURALIST 

I want to point out that there is a call for photos for display in the Exploration Station for the summer months.  If you have some photos of people, places, or wildlife that were taken within the areas of Clevelandlakefront or Headlands Beach State Parks that you'd like to share please consider submitting them for display.  Submission guidelines can be found on our website (click on 'Exploration Station' to reach the link).

Don't forget about the new 'Ask A Naturalist' program on the Ohio State Parks Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/ohiostateparks#!/ohiostateparks?v=wall ).  Check the wall for videos to watch (a new one was posted on Friday).  Post comments and ask your own questions - which may be answered in a future segment.

For questions, more information, or pre-registrations, lease call 216-881-8141 ext. 3001. Check out photos from 2010 programs and events at www.clevelandlakefront.org & click on Naturalist Photo Album. Programming is available for youth and Scout groups, schools and preschools, etc. FREE of charge. Please call for topics and schedule availability.

Looking for volunteer opportunities? Need to fulfill a community service requirement? Contact us regarding possible projects available at the park.

Exploration Station: The Nature Center At Cleveland Lakefront State Park, 2011 Spring Hours

March Saturdays: 5, 12 and 19, 1-4 pm

April Saturdays: 2, 9, 16 and 23, 1-4 pm

May Saturdays: 14, 21 and 28, 1-4 pm

March Photo Exhibit: Dike 14 Winter Scenes from 2/20 Photo Safari Event (Public Submissions)

April & May Exhibit: Art from students at St. Rocco School (Christine Siarka’s classes)

Do you have some great shots of people, places, or wildlife take

Dear Editor,

I just read the story Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project Update by Ginger Hannah in Volume 2, Issue 12 of the Collinwood Observer and feel that a serious clarification needs to made due to false statements and implications made by Ms. Hannah.

A totally separate group known as The Waterloo Alley Cat Project is, and has been since 2009, dedicated to the humane trap-neuter/spay-release (TNR) method that is helping to reduce the stray cat overpopulation in North Collinwood.

Ms. Hannah used statistics in her story directly derived from the work performed by The Waterloo Alley Cat Project which she does not contribute to in any way; voluntarily or monetarily. Ms. Hannah states in her article that, “In North Collinwood, we TNR 68 cats...” When in fact, this work was done solely by WACP using their own money. WACP deserves to receive the recognition, particularly considering their seriously underfunded struggle that is improving the quality of life in North Collinwood’s Waterloo Road art and business district. 

Thank you for your kind consideration of the facts. Ms. Hannah’s efforts in the Euclid Beach area are greatly appreciated.

Donations can be made to Northeast Shores Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which acts as fiscal agent for Waterloo Alley Cat Project.  Please write WACP on the memo line of your check and mail to: 317 East 156th St., Cleveland 44110.

Bill Gibson of Blue Sky Bike Shop (565 E 185TH ST) sponsored Race #8 in the 2010 Northeast Ohio Cyclocross (NEOCX) series, "Blue Sky (or Not!) CycloCross" at Coulter Avenue Park in Euclid (also known as the sledding hill behind McDonald's.) The event took place on Sunday, November 14, 2010. 102 racers participated, coming from as far away as Michigan, Pittsburgh and Erie, Pa. There were three races: a Novice Category race 30 minutes in length, a Sport Category race 45 minutes in length. and an Expert Category race 60 minutes in length. Matt Weeks was the top man, Sally Price was the top woman and Ryan Madis was the top Junior. Euclid and Collinwood area racers who participated were: Andrius Stalliulionis 8th. Steve Drazdik 22nd, Chris O"Donnell 23rd, William Maxwell 24th - all in the Novice race. Cheers to them for rising up to the challenge. Ten per cent of all proceeds went to the Euclid Police Athletic League.

OK, so, what the heck is CycloCross? According to Gibson, CycloCross is not what people typically think when they think of bike racing. It's like steeplechase on wheels. Well, with cowbell-bearing bystanders. It's fast, fun and family friendly. Even dogs came out to watch. It's a grassroots kind of sport. It's not just for pros - people who would never think of racing bikes do this, too - just less smoothly and more slowly. The hill at Coulter Park, already popular for sledding, will now be appreciated by - or infamous to, depending who you ask - those who meandered up, down and around it as a CycloCross course. Gibson really wants to make sure all who volunteered for setting up the course and running the event know they were greatly appreciated with a special thanks to Jim Sonnhalter, a bicycling enthusiast and the City of Euclid's Community Projects Manager for the Department of Community Services and Economic Development.

Gibson is a self-proclaimed middle of the pack racer. He says it's a great sport for the average person who wants to do something athletic, the kind of person who would do something like a 10K or tri-athlon. He feels it's relatively safe because the worst thing that happens is someone falls on the grass or in the mud and hops back up. Said Gibson, "Everyone has their own reaons. Maybe we're sick, but we love it." 

Dear Animal Lover,

It has been more than seven months since the Cleveland Plain Dealer did a feature story about the feral cat project at historic Euclid Beach. We would like to give you an update on what we have been able to achieve, thanks to you and other very generous donors.

So far this year we have helped more than 312 cats and kittens - that’s up 391% from last year.

We have worked tirelessly to help sick, old and unaltered stray and feral cats. Our primary focus is the Euclid Beach area because that is where people endlessly dump unwanted cats and kittens, but we also care for other needy cat colonies in North Collinwood. Because our focus is primarily Euclid Beach we felt that changing our name from North Collinwood Feral Cat Project to Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project was appropriate.

In the Euclid Beach area (which includes Wildwood Marina, the Euclid Beach Trailer Park, the Pier and the Euclid Beach Villa apartments) we have trapped, neutered and released (TNR) 21 cats, and surrendered to the Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL) more than 89 sick, old, and friendly cats, plus 39 sick and healthy kittens.

Manor Care Euclid Beach in Cleveland held a special celebration in honor of the elders residing at their skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. A number of friends and family who have a great deal of affection and respect for the elders in their community were host to a "Celebration of our Elders" party on Friday, September 24. This special celebration spotlighted all the members of Manor Care Euclid Beach who were 80 and older.

This noteworthy occasion’s special guest of honor was Ms. Inez Patterson. Inez is the longest living resident residing at Manor Care Euclid Beach and was celebrating her 101st birthday on September 26th, 2010.

Inez Lutherol Patterson was born September 26, 1909 in Greensboro, North Carolina and was raised by her grandparents. Inez was educated in the Greensboro Public School system and graduated from high school at the age of 16. Later she relocated to Cleveland, Ohio to be closer to her mother.

FACTS ABOUT CAR WASHING

For many, car washing is a summertime ritual. Often, citizens don’t know that by washing all that grime off your vehicles they might actually be causing harm to our local waterways.

Water entering the storm drain, unlike water that enters sanitary sewers, does not undergo treatment before it is discharged into our waterways.  When cars are washed on streets and driveways, that dirty water eventually winds up in rivers, streams, creeks, and lakes.

Washing one car may not seem to be a problem, but collectively car washing activity adds up to big problems for our local lakes, creeks and streams.  Pollution associated with car washing degrades water quality while also finding its way into sediments, impacting aquatic habitats.

Join volunteers in caring for our beaches by removing litter and collecting information on beach health. Information collected during Adopt-a-Beach events is used in pollution prevention education and to make positive changes for our Great Lakes beaches, Saturday, October 16th and November 13th 2010 at the Euclid Beach park Pavilion, 16250 Lakeshore blvd. Cleveland OH.

Join The Euclid Beach Team As We Clean and Screen Euclid Beach on Saturday, August 21st!!

From October 2009, through July 2010 our team has collected over 500 pounds of trash!! Imagine what we can do with your help!

We will start by meeting in the pavilion at 10am and then head down to the beach collecting the trash we find (this is an eye opening experience!). We will then conduct beach observation and interactive water quality tests. Finally, we will wrap things up at 12pm with some refreshments, pictures, a trash weighing contest and a look at our upcoming events for Fall 2010.

On Saturday, July 17th, volunteers from Arts Collinwood, Tri-C, Baldwin-Wallace College, Business Volunteers Unlimited, The City of Cleveland Division of Water and local residents came together to clean and screen Euclid Beach Park! Even in the summer heat, we collected close to 76 pounds of trash including 745 cigar tips, 350 pieces of plastic, 220 caps/lids and much more!

The beach cleanup was only part of whole day of fun in the sun activities! There was a sand castle contest with over 50 participants, performances by Cleveland’s very own Show Wagon Crew, an instrument making workshop and even a visit by the Metroparks Naturetracks bus.

Instrument making workshops were provided by Craig Woodson, who taught 100 visitors how to make their own drums and maraccas.  Musical performances were provided by Show Wagon, courtesy of the City of Cleveland's Bureau of Cultural Arts.  Nearly 100 people particpated in the sand castly contest, with 21 teams winning prizes for everything from best use of found objects to best wildlife depiction, for the larger than life sand sea turtles that invaded Euclid Beach.  Judges were  Councilman Michael Polensek, Laura Robinson, owner of Helping Hands Daycare on E. 185th, and William Meyers, a local resident and Arst Collinwood trustee.  An estimated 250 people participated in the event throughout the day.

Summer has finally arrived and there are many things to do at your local state park (Wildwood, Villa Angela, Euclid Beach).  With playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing piers, boat ramps, beaches, and multi-purpose trails there are many opportunities to get out and enjoy the outdoors with your family.  If you’re not sure about exploring on your own why not join one of the park sponsored activities? There are programs for discovering nature, canoeing, fishing, and much more.  The complete schedule is available online by visiting the park website at www.clevelandlakefront.org and clicking on ‘Naturalist Programs’ or check out the bulletin board next time you’re at the park. And best of all, these activities are FREE!!!

Among the many positive aspects of the Collinwood neighborhood is that we have a genuine jewel right in our own front yard: Lake Erie. A great pleasure of mine is a run (OK, a slow jog) followed by a swim in the lake.

Along with all of its beauty, though, the lake still holds many perils. It's relative shallowness makes its behavior the most unpredictable of the five Great Lakes. Riptides/ripcurrents and undertows are not uncommon.

Spring has arrived on Nottingham Rd!

Started in 1930 by Felix and Angela Cavotta, Cavotta's Garden Center is a family business where our customers have become family over the past eighty years. Just as our parents and grandparents, we strive to provide the best for your garden, the freshest produce and the same warm and friendly atmosphere that our friends have come to expect from us. 

This year we’ve added bagged soil, chicken and cow manure and a large selection of herbs. Lots of Heirloom tomato plant varieties to choose from along with your basic Big Boy’s and just about anything you’d want for your garden. Annuals and perennials galore and beautiful hanging baskets everywhere.  We also have fresh eggs available daily from our own chickens.

Adopt-a-Beach is a volunteer organization and subsidiary of the Alliance for The Great Lakes, a Chicago based non-profit dedicated to sustaining and improving the health of our lakes and beaches. Each month our team conducts beach clean-ups and monitors bacteria counts. The data is utilized by the Alliance to secure grant funding to target beach/water quality issues. What we can surmise from our data collection at Euclid Beach thus far is that our lakefront parks face a number of challenges from improper waste disposal/management to high levels of bacteria in the water. 

I was recently listening to the radio while driving to work and heard that Cleveland had been named "the worst winter city". I asked myself, if this is true, why am I here? I’m not a big fan of cold temperatures and blustery winds! But there are certainly some beautiful scenes and fun activities that make it all worthwhile.