News

The fire-breathing dragons and wand-waving wizards of the four mountain tops were a winning recipe for the writing success of Sophia Lashley-Uzomah, a seventh-grader at St. Jerome Elementary School. She recently won the award for Most Imaginative Setting for the second annual Seventh Grade Fantasy Creative Writing Contest sponsored by Magnificat High School. The title for the winning work is, "The Dragons of Glacia Mountain."

Sophia, who also writes poetry for the St. Jerome School Journal--which is the school's newspaper--said she was very excited when she learned she had won this contest.

"My mom said there was a letter in the mail from Magnificat High School," Sophia said. "When I found out I had won I couldn't stop smiling."

Sophia also spoke of how proud her family at home and at school have been of her winning story.

On January 6, the quiet streets at the northeast corner of the neighborhood were disrupted when a drug bust just over the city line in Euclid turned into a chase. A multi-agency task force involving officers from the Cleveland Police Narcotics Unit, Euclid Police, FBI and State Highway Patrol intervened in a delivery to a home on Naumann Avenue of at least two kilos of cocaine.

Four suspects fled, one on foot and three in a car. The suspect on foot, a juvenile, was immediately arrested by Euclid PD. The other three suspects, John Campbell, 28, of Lexington, Ky., Chase Downey, 24, also of Lexington, and Francisco Rodriguez, 19, of Midway, Ky., evaded police and sped away in a car towards E. 185th Street.

At that point, task force officers called for backup from Cleveland's 5th Police District. The suspects crossed E. 185th  to Canterbury Road and made a left, heading west on Lakeshore to Crestland, where they headed north, apparently unaware that the street ends at the lakefront and Coronado Beach Club. At this point, the suspects abandoned their car and fled.

The pursuit took in every block north of Lakeshore from Wildwood State Park to the hospice property, with teams of officers moving up the streets. One suspect, Downey, made it to Maplecliff before being apprehended by police. Suspect Campbell, clad in a bright red sweatshirt, was found hiding in a trashbin in a backyard on East Park Drive. Rodriguez was arrested as well, thanks to a tremendous show of force by CPD and task force members.   

In an update to a story that appeared in the Observer in January, 2010, several of Collinwood's promising youth recently completed what is becoming their annual tradition of charity during the holiday season. Two local organizations continued to benefit from the efforts of these young people. Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital's Circle of Friends program, a fund for children who might need special services at Rainbow that their families cannot afford, and Under the Wing, which, along with medical care and adoption, fosters animals whose owners have had to go into an emergency shelter, were beneficiaries for the fourth and fifth year in a row, respectively.

2011 was the fourth year Devlin Chambers and friends baked cookies and sold them for the Rainbow Cookie project that Devlin started, in 2008. In the fifth year of their project, Collinwood residents Jessica, Forrest, and Meghan were joined by friend Kirsten and put together their Christmas tea at the home of Lorraine Bertosa. The Christmas tea raised $450 for a five-year total of about $1,500 while the Christmas cookie project for Rainbow raised over $200, for a four-year total of about $600. Local businesses again helped out with donations. Manager Mike Romano of Dave's Supermarket on Lakeshore Boulevard gave a gift card to help defray the cost of cookie ingredients for the Circle of Friends project.

continued...

Where does it go?  It’s not a topic frequently discussed, but the answer is of utmost importance to your health. “It” is the wastewater – both sanitary sewage and stormwater – that leaves your home and the homes and businesses of more than one million customers throughout Northeast Ohio. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) is responsible for treating all of that wastewater (approximately 93 billion gallons) each year before it is returned to the environment.

Wastewater from the Collinwood neighborhood is transported to the Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant on Lakeshore Boulevard near East 140th Street; this facility treats more than 90 million gallons of wastewater each day before returning it to Lake Erie. The wastewater treatment process is a very technical process; it is also very expensive.

Rates: The Sewer District has historically billed customers based on the amount of water used each quarter. The current rate is $49.55 per MCF for Cleveland residents (1 MCF = thousand cubic feet or 7,480 gallons).

In the past, the Sewer District charged customers a minimum charge of 1 MCF regardless of how much water was actually used. In fact, the minimum charge was the Sewer District’s top customer complaint, so it has been eliminated and replaced with a quarterly “Base Charge” of $5.85 for 2012. With the elimination of our minimum charge, many customers--particularly those with low water usage--will see a decrease in their average bill in 2012.

Current Cost-Saving Programs

• Homestead Rate Program
  How It Works: A reduced rate is available to elderly or disabled customers. Who May Qualify: Customers 65 and older, or anyone under 65 who is totally disabled. Household income must not exceed $30,500 and applicants must own the property in which they live.
• Summer Sprinkling Program
  How It Works: Customers typically use more water in the summer (watering lawns, filling pools) so from May 1 through September 30, sewer charges are based on average winter water usage or actual summer water usage, whichever is lower. Who May Qualify: Owners who occupy a one-, two-, three- or four-family home.
• Wastewater Affordability Program
  How It Works: it is designed to assist homeowners--regardless of age--who have a limited income (currently 200% of federal poverty level). They will receive a reduced rate, approximately a 40 percent discount on their consumption charge.  Who May Qualify: Owners occupying one- two- three- or four-family homes.
• Crisis Assistance Program
  How It Works: It will assist customers encountering an unexpected crisis, such as job loss or high medical expenses. The Sewer District will prevent shut-off of water and sewer services, offer a payment plan and pay up to $300 toward your past sewer charges.Who May Qualify: Owners occupying one- two- three- or four-family homes.

Sewer District customers wanting to learn more about the Homestead Rate Program or Summer Sprinkling Program should contact the Sewer District’s Customer Service Department at 216-881-8247 or www.neorsd.org/save.

The Cleveland Housing Network is administering the Crisis Assistance Program and Wastewater Affordability Program; they can be reached at 1-888-901-1222.

If you would like the Sewer District to come out and speak to your group, club or organization, please contact Jennifer Elting, Public Information Specialist, at 216-881-6600 or eltingj@neorsd.org.

 

Have you grown accustomed to seeing homes being rehabbed in our neighborhood? The work doesn’t stop with just houses! Several local companies are expanding and improving the apartments available in the area. Among them: Marcella Court Apartments, on the corner of Lakeshore Blvd. and Marcella Rd. They have completed their transformation from a tired, troubled property to an updated home for new residents! The 19-unit building is owned and managed by Nasvytis Group Ltd. It joins White Stone Manor Apartments and Beacon Hill Apartments as a premier, affordable apartment community owned and managed by the local, second-generation family business.

The suites have new kitchens and bathrooms, hardwood style flooring, carpeting, fixtures, and glass block accents. Care was taken to be as “green” as possible, utilizing water saving fixtures, installing dishwashers, and utilizing glass block windows. The newly updated laundry room boasts an energy efficient hot water system. All common areas were also remodeled.  

“When we took over the property, we wanted to improve the suites,  provide quality apartment homes at an attractive price point, and improve the neighborhood,” explains Vilija Nasvytis Klimas, the managing partner. “We found that the open layout of the suites is perfect for those who need a not-too-big suite in a convenient location.” The Marcella Court community enjoys being close  to shopping, freeways, public transportation, Waterloo, and Wildwood Park. All of the one-bedroom units currently rent for $450 per month. 

The property had only 4 tenants when it transferred to the current owners, but is now fully occupied. “What a difference in how the place looks!” marvels  Mr. Gary Lipka, one of the legacy tenants, adding, “and I love the security cameras!” The on-site manager, Charles Eppinger, a veteran in the rental housing field, takes much pride in maintaining the property to high standards. 

Many tenants go for walks in the nearby Wildwood Park, and enjoy some of the country’s most beautiful sunsets. In front of Marcella Court Apartments is a sign which shows the sunset time each day. Just a friendly reminder that the best things in life are sometimes right in our back yard!

Vilija Nasvytis Klimas grew up in the Nottingham area, and currently works managing several apartment buildings in the Lakeshore area, as well as working in residential real estate sales.

 

We would like to share a recap of the accomplishments of the Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project over the past 2 ½  years:

2009: 79 cats/ kittens surrendered to the APL; 2010: 254, cats/kittens rescued, surrendered to the APL, plus 68 cats TNR;2011: 209 cats/kittens rescued and surrendered to the APL; plus 36 cats TNR.

That is a total of 542 cats/kittens off the streets of North Collinwood neighborhoods (which includes Wildwood Marina, the Euclid Beach Mobile Home Park, the State Park pier and Euclid Beach Villa Apartments). Plus 104 cats TNR. ”NO more unwanted kittens.” Our primary focus is the historic Euclid Beach area where unwanted cats and kittens are routinely dumped and left to fend for themselves. Every spring people will dump their pregnant cats on the beach. These terrified cats then hide until their babies are born, bring into the world countless more cats doomed to a life of hardship.

Overpopulation is a constant challenge, and we work day and night to keep the four colonies at Euclid Beach under control. Thanks to our efforts, and your support, we have a resident population of approximately 129 now-healthy feral cats. As part of our trap, neuter and release program we work with the Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL) to find loving forever homes for cats and kittens sufficiently friendly to become household companions, rather than returning them to an environment where they lack the skills to thrive—or even survive—and may become victims of abuse. Feral old cats and cats with health issues are surrendered to the APL and humanely euthanized. 

EBFCP shall continue our efforts to TNR and rescue abandoned, feral and stray cats and kittens for 2012. Gladly, last year our numbers dropped, because our efforts with TNR have reduced the number of unwanted litters of kittens. 

continued...

In the Spring, 2010, HUD and the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation, commonly known as the Cuyahoga Land Bank, forged a nationally groundbreaking agreement whereby HUD would transfer low-value, vacant and abandoned properties to the Cuyahoga Land Bank for $100.  HUD ended up with these properties as a result of mortgage foreclosures guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). This agreement was considered essential to stabilizing real estate market values. Instead of transferring these properties to speculators and perpetuating the cycle of tax foreclosure and abandonment, HUD transfers these properties to the Cuyahoga Land Bank for $100 after paying all current taxes.  After one full year, HUD and the Cuyahoga Land Bank have renewed the contract for another year based on the need and success of the relationship.

Frank Ford, Senior Vice President for Research and Development of Neighborhood Progress, Inc. hailed this renewal as an essential step toward stabilizing real-estate values in Cuyahoga County in removing blighted and abandoned properties from the market.  “In order to preserve the value of the good apples in the basket, you have to remove and demolish the rotted apples,” said Ford.  The Cuyahoga Land Bank has a similar agreement with Fannie Mae.

The new agreement calls for transferring HUD-owned properties in Cuyahoga County valued at under $30,000.  Once acquired, the Cuyahoga Land Bank evaluates all properties, demolishes those that are beyond repair and preserves those homes capable of being rehabilitated. Any experienced rehabbers are welcome to acquire properties from the Cuyahoga Land Bank, provided they agree to an enforceable and detailed rehabilitation program.

continued

 

I want to thank the residents and businesses of Collinwood who took the time to voice their strong opposition to the proposed closing of the Collinwood Post Office Branch. In the past week, I received nearly one thousand letters and signatures asking me to stand with the community and urge the United States Postal Service (USPS) to reconsider. Rest assured, I agree. Those letters make a powerful statement about the devastating impact closing this branch would have. I forwarded all of your petitions, along with my own letter of objection, to the USPS Regional Director and I will follow up with the Director to ensure it is received and reviewed.

continued.

Friends,

Do you know someone who needs help this Christmas?  Unfortunately, during
these trying economic times far too many of us do.  It may be you, a family
member, a neighbor, or co-worker that  has fallen on tough times....we are
seeing many people seeking our assistance for the very first time.  For 120
years The Salvation Army in Collinwood has been providing hope to people
who have found themselves in the mists of these circumstances at Christmas
time and throughout the year.

As in the past , we will continue to meet these needs this Christmas.  If
you know someone who needs our help this Christmas, please pass this
information on to them.  Help us spread the word so that as many as
possible can find the help that they need.

  Families with children 12 and under may sign up to receive:
       Toys
       A Gift Card for Holiday Food
       "Coats for Kids"
  Registration for Christmas Assistance Dates (this coming week):
       Wednesday November 2 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
       Thursday November 3 - 9 a.m.. - 3 p.m.
       Friday November 4 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
       Saturday November 5 - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  At The Salvation Army:  17625 Grovewood Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44119
  This location serves the following zip codes:
       44110
       44117
       44118
       44119
       44121
       44123
       44124
       44132
       44143
  If you zip code is not listed, please call 216.692.1388 to find The
  Salvation Army location that serves you.
  Please bring the following information:
        Government issued I.D. or Drivers License
        Birth Certificate or Current Medical Benefit Card for EACH child
        (newborn - 12 years old)
        Proof of income
  For more information, call The Salvation Army at 216.692.1388

Blessings!

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

In a playoff series that had parents and other spectators both nervous and mystified at times, the Cardinals team captured the Northeast Cleveland Little League (NEC LL) second-half championship with two narrow victories over the White Sox, who had won the first-half crown.

            In the first game, played at Humphrey Field, Manager Dave Cruickshank’s Cardinals won by an 8-7 score as they held off a late White Sox rally.

           Troy Cruikshank smacked a solo home run in the first inning to get the Cards going. Then, after second baseman Mark Csoltko hit an infield sacrifice to advance Jeremiah (“Jeri”) Green to second, Green moved to third on a throwing error and scored on a wild pitch to give the Cards a 2-0 lead.

            In the fourth inning, the Cards extended their lead to 6-0 on Csoltko’s RBI single, and added another run when Marias “Tim” Rubin smacked a deep single past the Sox infielders. However, he was tagged out at second trying to stretch his hit into a double. Rubin, the Cards’ lanky pitching ace, tossed perhaps his best game of the season and got plenty of offensive support as his teammates batted around in the fourth inning.

continued.

 

UpStage Players, the Collinwood-based children’s theater company, recently entered into a partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland to form a Builders Club within the company. Builders Club is an international organization for middle school students that focuses on developing leadership through service. The creation of this student-led service club as a value-added part of a theater/drama company, rather than a club in a middle school, makes it the first of its kind in not only the State of Ohio, but also the United States.

“UpStage is so excited to be working with this international group that so clearly is aligned with all of the standards UpStage is known for, such as: leadership, team building, community, responsibility, tolerance, inclusion, commitment, standing up for what is right, sharing your talents, imagination and more,” said Carrie Walsh-Hilf, artistic director. “The club will build activities centered on the arts to give back and build up community while developing student leaders.”

Jerry Seppelt, Kiwanis member and advisor to the group, explained, “This is a unique opportunity because it is based on drama. These kids can take their drama and acting skills and bring them to the community. Builder’s Clubs are always student-led. They come up with the ideas, the leadership and the programming. I told them that it is their imagination and excitement that can make it happen.”

continued.

Northeast Plumbing & Mechanical is celebrating it’s 6th year in business by  offering a 10% discount for elderly, police, fire, teachers, EMS, active and retired military for the rest of the year.

Owner Chris Baggott, who was a commercial pilot for close to a decade, started Northeast Plumbing & Mechanical in 2005 while he was still flying for Air Excellence.   Having grown up in the restaurant equipment business – Chris’s family owns Crescore in Mentor - he apprenticed at an early age at the factory and learned welding, pipe fitting and plumbing.  Years later, after putting these skills to use as a landlord, Chris decided to follow in his family’s footsteps by opening his own business. 

During his time as a commercial pilot, Chris provided countless trips for high profile clients such as Martha Stewart, Emril Lagasi, former presidents, famous musicians, golf pros, governors, senators and others.  This experience servicing society’s upper crust engrained in Chris the superior customer service skills and commitment to excellence that he employs at Northeast Plumbing & Mechanical.  Unlike your average plumber, Chris takes the time to get to know his customers, listens carefully to their problems and remains approachable while working to solve their issues. 

“My favorite part of being a plumber is helping people solve problems,” said Chris.  “It was a natural transition for me to move from the mechanical maintenance work I learned as part of my family’s business to flight engineering to the complex problems that often arise from plumbing.”

Northeast Ohio Plumbing & Mechanical offers complete plumbing services in addition to Heating and A/C repair, ventilation, heater installation, A/C installation and HVAC maintenance.  Their service area includes Lakewood, Rocky River, Westlake, North Olmsted, Parma, Parma Heights, Mayfield, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, Euclid, South Euclid, Cuyahoga Heights, Middleburg Heights, Avon and Cleveland.

 

A dilapidated, peeling and rusting produce market was reborn last week thanks to a generous Lakewood painting contractor and a prominent Cleveland corporation.

The once aged and tired-looking Coit Road Farmer’s Market in East Cleveland, a non-profit with an 80-year history, was chosen as the recipient of the annual Neubert Painting Charity Paint Giveaway. The market now boasts a barn-red hue that’s as fresh as the produce sold inside. 

“We couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out or with Neubert Painting’s generosity,” says Kevin Scheuring, a Collinwood resident and vice president of the Coit Road Famer's Market Preservation Society. “The new look really reflects what we’re all about. Despite the fact that we have great food and good farmers, people have a hard time getting past the shabby exterior. This will make a huge difference to us and to the people in the neighborhood.”

More than 60 employees from Neubert Painting volunteered their time to paint apply the more than 100 gallons of paint donated by Sherwin-Williams. The project had a total retail value of $16,000.

The Coit Road Farmer’s Market was chosen from more than 50 nominations by John Neubert, CEO of Neubert Painting as the 2011 recipient of its annual Charity Paint Giveaway. “This is a landmark building,” says Neubert of the 1932 structure. “It is often hard for people in urban areas to find fresh produce, and Coit Road Farmer’s Market fills that need, while also serving as an important part of the economic foundation of this community” he says. The Coit Road Farmer’s Market includes an urban farm and a community garden where residents can plant their own produce and sell them at the market.

Founded by John Neubert in 1975, Lakewood-based Neubert Painting has been a leading painting contractor in the Cleveland and Akron for 36 years. The company paints about 300 homes every year. Since 2008, Neubert has chosen a worthy recipient for its annual Charity Paint Giveaway.

 

Dear Friends of Euclid Beach Feral Cats 

Since 2009 Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project (which includes Wildwood Marina, the Euclid Beach Mobile Park Homes, the state park pier and Euclid Beach Villa Apartments) has worked tirelessly to help sick, old and unaltered feral cats. Our primary focus is the historic Euclid Beach area where unwanted cats and kittens are routinely dumped and left to fend for themselves. Like every other spring, this past spring was kitten season, when people dump pregnant cats on the beach. These terrified cats then hide until their babies are born, bringing into the world countless more cats doomed to a life of hardship and loneliness.

continued.

In the two years since its formation as a tool to battle the foreclosure crisis, the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation, commonly referred to as the Land Bank, has acquired more than 1,200 abandoned properties, forged groundbreaking partnerships with Fannie Mae, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and leading banks, and has been recognized as a national role model for other communities.  After two years, there are agreements in place and are still unique on a national level.  These relationships have now turned into ongoing partnerships.

cont.

 

The Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation (Cuyahoga Land Bank) has gained some welcome collaboration in the battle to alleviate the impact of foreclosure and abandonment in Cuyahoga County from and Bank of America and Wells Fargo. 

A few weeks ago, Wells Fargo, working through the REO Clearinghouse (REO CH), began donating vacant and foreclosed low asset properties to the Cuyahoga Land Bank along with a contribution toward demolition equal to $3,500 per property in their NSP 2 target areas and $7,500.00 per property in the rest of Cuyahoga County.   Bank of America recently entered into a similar agreement with the Cuyahoga Land Bank to donate up to 100 vacant and foreclosed low asset properties following the same monetary donation structure as the Wells Fargo agreement.

“The Cuyahoga Land Bank is thrilled to be adding Bank of America, along with Wells Fargo, to a continually growing list of partners in our efforts to eliminate blight and return properties in Cuyahoga County to productive use,” said Gus Frangos, President and General Counsel for the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation. “Each partnership we are able to establish provides us with more resources to tackle the issues of blight created by foreclosure and abandonment within our communities.”

cont.

 

In this day and age, fundraising is getting much harder.  Club memberships are dwindling or aging and the job market adds to the lack of support that organizations are getting from the community.  We as the Euclid Kiwanis Club have been very fortunate.  All of the money we raise in the community, goes back into the community in the form of projects throughout the year.  We are in the process of paying four seniors, from the city of Euclid, who graduated this year, with $1000.00 scholarships.  Two from Euclid High School and two from Notre Dame Cathedral Latin.  Out BOOTS AND SHOES Program with the Payless Shoe Source provides 100 gift certificates, in the amount of $25.00, to needy school children.  We have a Terrific Kids Program with two of the Pre-Schools in Euclid.  We provide safe seats and Teddy Bears to the Euclid Police Department and we are and have been a monthly supporter of the Mary Mavec Opportunity School for the past 70 years.  Our presence is felt in the community.  We have been told we are one of the best kept secrets in Euclid, but that is not what we want.  We want to be known by the work we do in the commuity.   Currently we are having a Poor Man's Raffle with an $800.00 jackpot, spaghetti meatball dinner and loads of fun.  We are only selling 125 tickets for a donation of $15.00.  It will be at the Euclid Square Mall and doors open at 5:30 pm on July 9th.  If you need more information or tickets, please call 216-261-3630 or 216-299-6798.  Rose Tanner, Publicity.

The Literacy Cooperative has been awarded a $259,971 continuation grant from the Ohio Community Service Council (OCSC) that, along with an additional $145,000 raised through host site contributions, will allow the Literacy Cooperative to fund a second year of the NEO Literacy Corps (2011-2012).

The NEO Literacy Corps is an AmeriCorps program possible through a series of community partnerships. Through NEO Literacy Corps, AmeriCorps volunteers can serve in direct service or volunteer coordination roles; working directly with literacy clients or recruiting, training and managing literacy volunteers at their host organizations.   University Settlement Inc. is The Literacy Cooperative’s implementation partner for NEO Literacy Corps, responsible for day-to-day operations of the program.  The Literacy Cooperative administers NEO Literacy Corps as a part of its Capacity Building Initiatives. 

I live on E. 151st in the Shore Acres neighborhood and last July I had the privilege of walking 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure breast cancer walk held in Cleveland. The event was so inspiring that I will be walking again this year, July 29th-July 31st. The goal of this walk is to raise money to fund education, provide screenings, and ultimately find a cure. After spending 3 days last year walking with the bravest, kindest, most inspiring people I’ve ever met I am even more committed to this cause. 

The best things in life are worth working hard to get, but as you pull up to the tiny building with the boarded up windows nestled beside the towering apartment complexes, you may think, "Have I made a wrong turn, is this the right place?" At least that is what was running through my mind one late grey Thursday afternoon. I was on a quest for Soul Food, but not just any Soul Food; real Soul Food. The sticky, savory, messy, lip-smacking, down-home taste that makes you want seconds and even thirds. Being unfamiliar with the Euclid and Collinwood area in general, I had caught wind of the new restaurant at my job on East 185th street and decided to go see for myself.

We are glad to offer the Commodity Supplemental Food Program the requirements are; 60 and over, Cuyahoga County resident and an annual income of $14,079 for a single household. Stop in to see if you qualify and sign up with the Center staff to receive your box of food each month.

Don’t miss the flea market on May 13th and 14th: a table (for both days) is $10.00 for members and $15.00 for non members.

We have a new class starting Monday May 16th, Step-by-Step instructional Line Dance with renowned teacher Frank Graves. Come and learn the latest moves. Call for more info.

We are looking for Pinochle players to unite on Mondays after lunch.

Tuesdays are for crochet, knitting and craft ideas. Movies are shown alternating with Prize Bingo.

Bible Study group join together on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon.

Thursday we offer game days with board and puzzle games available.

Book Club will meet on the second Thursday of the month in connection with your neighborhood Cleveland Public Library. 

Traditional Bingo is held on Wednesdays 12:30-3:00.

Lent is over but the Fish Fry at the Slovenian Workmen's Home, 15335 Waterloo Road, Cleveland continues every Friday throughout the year. The Auxiliary aka "Kitchen Angels" serve delicious fish, shrimp, pork chops and goulash dinners for dining in or takeout.

Most Fridays from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM there is dinner music played by such musicians as Fred Ziwich, Wayne Tomsic, Joey Tomsick, Joe Novak and others. 

This is the perfect location to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, etc. Call 216/481-5378 for reservations or additional information.

We have lost several community supporters this year whose collective memory could have easily written the history of the community all on their own. Mr. Tip Nichols, a community supporter and activist in the Nottingham community passed away quite suddenly on Saturday, April 2nd. Tip was the Director of the Nottingham Youth Center for some 35 years and a Past President of the Nottingham Civic Club, among other activities his family shared their beloved husband and father with.

Tip’s dedication to the community and the youth should be commended over and over.  He will be honored, now posthumously, as the 2011 “Senior of the Year” for the Department of Aging of the City of Cleveland. We send our condolences along to his wife, Charlotte, and his family. We are grateful for Tip’s support for CNHS in the Nottingham Community.

Please send your pictures or stories about Tip to the Collinwood Observer, so we can celebrate him and his amazing life in our next issue.

As many of your readers may or may not know, Mr. Willis "Tip" Nichols died on April 2nd. Tip was one of the original founders of the Nottingham Youth Center back in 1977. He served as director and a guiding light for the youth center and many other volunteer causes in the Collinwood and Nottingham community. Tip was the director of the center for 35 years and he will be missed. My prayers and sympathy go out to his family for their loss.

As the newly elected Volunteer Director please let me assure you that the Youth Center's doors are open and ready for business. None of the programs will change; tutoring, drop in, youth outdoors, artrs and crafts will all be conducted as usual.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Councilman Michael Polensek, the volunteers, the volunteer staff and the community for their support during these trying times. It is worthy to note that since its creation, the youth center has been an all volunteer organization and continues to this day and is one of the last all volunteer organizations in the city of Cleveland.

Recycle your unwanted computers, April 1-30, at 40 city service departments throughout Cuyahoga County. Call your city service department or go to www.cuyahogaswd.org to find the collecting center nearest you.

All computers and peripherals – monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, terminals, modems, software, cell phones and accessories, and ink printer cartridges -- will be recycled by RET3 Job Corp, a local non-profit organization. No televisions or other electronics will be accepted. Donations are tax deductible. Call (216) 443-3749. Businesses with large amounts of computers to dispose of should contact RET3 job corp. at (216) 361-9991.

We are proud and happy to have the Collinwood Observer out the first week of every month.

We would like to thank everyone who submitted articles and pictures.

I have received some criticism about the content of the paper. Some folks still don't get it. We can only print what is submitted. We do not have reporters at the Observer. But I do have an idea. Big-city newspapers have a number of desks. I would like to begin that structure for the Observer. I am looking for some volunteers to staff these desks. You do not necessarily have to write stories, although you can if you want to. But it would definitely be your responsibility to seek out stories. You could share a desk - room for all.

City desk: We are seeking an individual who is very comfortable in the political arena of Collinwood. Someone who can tell all the good stories of the work being done by our block clubs and local neighborhood development groups.

Faith desk: The spiritual community is the moral backbone of our neighborhood. We would like someone to put together a list of all the services for all the churches of Collinwood. More than that I would like the good stories that come from each of those churches. The success stories from the many programs that each of these wonderful institutions is running.

School desk: We are blessed with wonderful school administrators, fabulous teachers, and amazing students. Someone please help me get those stories in the paper. In the summer, this desk should have the responsibility of highlighting all the fun things to do in our neighborhood. This one might be a great project for a journalsm class.

Arts and entertainment desk: We have a vibrant art and music scene.These artists and musicians should be featured monthly in the paper along with a schedule of the openings and concerts.

We are also seeking a paper layout person with extensive experience with INDESIGN.

Please help make our paper, and then hopefully our neighborhood, a better place. If you would like to volunteer for one of these positions E-mail johnacopic@Gmail.com. You may also call me at the office at 216.531.6790 or feel free to call my cell anytime between 7 AM and 7 PM. My cell number is 216-496-6708

John A. Copic is the publisher of the Collinwood Observer.

We’re coming along nicely on the Carrousel Sign project. We’ve found a manufacturer, and are now finalizing the design. Plan is to dedicate it at the next EBPN Remembering the Sights & Sounds of Euclid Beach Park event September 25th.

Look forward to seeing you all around the neighborhood this summer – don’t know about you, but I was DONE with snow weeks ago! Can’t wait to see the Park all green again.

Elva Brodnick is the President of Euclid Beach's Carrousel Committee.

Euclid Beach Carrousel Committee
PO Box 91162 –  Cleveland OH 44101
Email: ebcarrousel@gmail.com or carrollsell@gmail.com
Phone: 440–942–1493
Facebook: Euclid Beach Carrousel Committee

On November 10, 1916, in a building known as Stakich Hall, a group of Slovenians representing fourteen lodges and societies, met for the purpose of discussing the building of a “home” to accommodate the promotion of their social, fraternal, cultural, athletic and civic activities. The organizations involved were:

 Blejsko Jezero #27

                        CFU Sons of Zagrebacke Sloge & Hrvatska Sloboda #285

                        Carniola Tent #1288 Maccabees

                        Collinwood Hive #283 LOTM

                        Collinwood Slovenke #22

                        Jadran Singing Society

                        Slovenian Band Bled

                        Slovenska Godba Triblav

SNPJ Lodge #53 V Boj

                        SNPJ Lodge #142 MIR

                        SNPJ Lodge #312 Vipavski Raj

                        The Socialist Club #49

                        Waterloo Camp #281

                        Waterloo Grove #110 WC

Before the building was completed, the following organizations formed: Anton Verovsek Dramatic Club, Ladies Auxiliary, who to this day hold Friday Fish Fries, and Waterloo Club (United Cultural Society) who took on the task of raising funds for the Home.

After securing a bank loan, ground was broken and in 1926 the building was completed. Those having the distinction of being the first Board of Trustees were:

            John Rozanc                        Valentin Pirc                        Louis Pengi                        Frank Oblak

            John Gorjanc                        Vid Jancic                        Joseph Prestri                      Elizabeth Matko

            Anton Rupnik                      Mike Podboy                        John Hrovat                        Anton Dolgan

            J. F. Durn                           G. M. Kabay                        Frank Strehovec            Frank Mihelich

            John Lokar                        John Habe                        Frank Fende                        Jannie Lampe

            Rose Erjavec

A Slovenian school was organized in 1931.  Classes began on January 20, 1932. That same year saw the beginning of Sokols, a gymnastic group. The Slovenian junior chorus, Mladenski Penske Zbor was formed in 1934, The MPZ. 

The original building consisted of a recreation hall, auditorium, business offices, meeting rooms and a library.  In 1935 the public bar was completed and four years later eight bowling alleys, indoor balina courts and a party room opened.  These additions helped to produce added income. That same year the lower bar was built and the second parking lot was purchased.

During the 1940’s, many of the boys in the community were serving in the armed forces and the “Home” became a center for Red Cross, War Bond drives and many other wartime activities. The Progressive Slovene Women of America Circle 1 felt the patriotic urge and commenced to raise funds for the memorial monument (currently located next to the building) to commemorate the many boys who were in the service and many who lost their lives. In 1945, the memorial garden with its monument was dedicated and turned over to the “Home” and a tradition was born that was upheld for many years. The “Home” is most grateful to the Euclid Veterans Club who remembered their war buddies and paid tribute to their memory every year with traditional Memorial Day services in this garden.

Here's a list of the Boardwalks latest!

Friday April 15th- Britt's Birthday Bash with The Madison Crawl 9 pm FREE

Saturday May 14th- Fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen 3-day Walk for the Cure. Tickets are $20 for dinner and entertainment by The Blues DeVille . More info in the May issue!

Every Monday- Jam Nite 10pm FREE

Taco Tuesday, $1 tacos, Wing Wednesday 50 cent wings

 

I am sure by now that you have all heard about the proposed Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) cutbacks and planned K-8 school closures. We as a community are very fortunate that none of our local schools were on the list. I personally believe that this is no coincidence for our local schools are doing much better academically and our population base has remained more stable than other sections of the city.

Our population is stable

This brings me to the other big issue, the Census 2010 data just released. As expected, the City lost a substantial number of residents from 2000 to 2010, especially in the east side wards 4 though 10. As I have indicated to callers, who have expressed concerns as to how these new numbers will ultimately affect our ward lines, I expect our ward to grow in size to the west. Where that expansion will likely take place is up to City Council. However, I want to assure the residents of Ward 11, as I have in the past, that I will do everything I can to make sure our community remains intact and secure. That is my personal goal and I plan to do everything I can to see that take place.

The Collinwood Observer is growing

It is great to see the Collinwood Observer grow. Please support our neighborhood newspaper, and maybe, even become a contributing writer and if you are a neighborhood-based business, consider becoming an advertiser; for we are one of the few neighborhoods in the City of Cleveland, to have our own neighborhood-based paper. It is our community’s way of promoting positive developments and projects. The paper is also an opportunity for our local school students to read about, write about,  and promote the good things in their own neighborhood schools.

On April 21st, 6 – 8 pm, The Salvation Army on 17625 Grovewood Avenue is having an “Easter Eggs-travaganza.” This free event welcomes the entire community for a night of fun for the whole family. We will have lots of games, crafts, food, an Easter egg hunt and other hands-on activities to experience the real meaning of Easter. Please join us for what is sure to be a great time for all ages.

Please join the Euclid Creek Watershed Program Project Partners as we celebrate the removal of the Euclid Creek East Branch Dam. The event will be held on Thursday, April 21, from 5:00-7:00pm at the Cleveland Metroparks Euclid Creek Reservation at the Upper Highland Reserved Picnic Area. 

Was it your childhood ambition to grow up and be a policeman? And you didn’t? Time for a little fantasy fulfillment – the annual Cleveland Police Academy is taking applications for two seven-week classes, beginning March 8 at the Cudell Improvement Center (9821 Lorain Avenue) and March 9, 2011 at the Five Point Community Center (813 E. 152nd St.) The classes meet weekly, 6 - 9 pm, and are designed to give you a feeling for what the police really do. They’re free, limited to 30 per class, and you can get an application form from your district office: mail to Cleveland Division of Police, Bureau of Community Policing, 2001 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44114. Or call the Bureau of Community Policing at 216.623.5080.

If you are 18 to 24 years old and are looking to obtain a GED and construction skills, this might be the opportunity for you.The Freedom Empowerment YouthBuild program is a twelve month, comprehensive job training, education and leadership development program for at-risk and unemployed young adults ages 18 to 24, who are unable to obtain a high school diploma or GED. The program addresses some of the most critical issues facing our community: job training, life skills, affordable housing and unemployment among young adults. In addition, all YouthBuild participants receive GED tutoring. Applications for Spring Enrollment are due by Friday March 18. For additional information and to download an application, please visit www.feyb.org. Freedom Empowerment YouthBuild • 765 East 154th Street • Cleveland, Ohio 44110 • P: 216 451 6414 • F: 216 451 6917 • info@feyb.org • www.feyb.org

The Nottingham Youth Center now has a very successful tutoring program with a number of volunteer tutors and mostly youth from Hannah Gibbons school. 

Unfortunately, we now have more students than we have a comfortable number of tutors. This is a plea to find any interested adults in the Collinwood area who might be interested in helping us.  Most of the students are currently in third grade and we meet on Mondays and Thursdays, from 4 to 6PM.  Anyone interested, please contact Tip Nichols at 481-1577.

A new high quality school is coming to the Collinwood Village neighborhood! Constellation Schools: Collinwood Village Academy, located at St. Mary’s on Holmes Avenue, will be educating students in Grades K-3 starting in August.  

Constellation Schools: Collinwood Village Academy sets high standards for all students. Our educational program starts in kindergarten, where we begin to develop our students’ academic foundation by providing them with the tools to be successful in their future endeavors. Our school offers full day Kindergarten, new textbooks, current technology and small class sizes. Each class is instructed by a dedicated, state-certified teacher who utilizes creative teaching methods and establishes high expectations for achievement by each student.

We offer parents a real opportunity to be involved in the education of their child by creating a learning community where parents, teachers and students work together to ensure academic success for all students. Constellation Schools: Collinwood Village Academy is a privately operated, public school of choice, which means no tuition or vouchers are needed. A yearly $50 materials fee covers the child’s school supplies for that year.

The Cleveland Foodbank is offering four free federal and state tax filing clinics to the residents of the Collinwood area in conjunction with the Ohio Benefit Bank, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, and the EITC Coalition. The first tax clinic was held on January 29th helped 22 people file their federal and state tax returns and receive a total of $28,731 in refunds. 

“My tax counselor today was just as helpful and professional as the paid tax preparers I’ve used in the past. There was a lot of privacy and courteousness, which I really appreciated,” remarked a client who came to the January 29th clinic.

The program used to file the taxes, The Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB), is an Internet-based program that connects low- and moderate-income Ohioans with access to tax filing assistance and work supports, such as food assistance and the Home Energy Assistance Program. The OBB is implemented through a public-private partnership between the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, the State of Ohio, and over 1,100 faith-based and community organizations across Ohio. 

At the tax clinics, trained OBB tax counselors, use the software program to screen for different tax credits, like Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credits, and Education Credits. In 2010, these free tax clinics returned $420,000 to 240 Collinwood community members.

The 2011 tax clinics will be held at the Collinwood Public Library on Saturday March 5th and 19th, and April 9th from 10:30-5:00. Clinics will also be held at the Cleveland Foodbank on  Wednesday March 9th from 2:30-7:30. Appointments can be made by calling 211 on a landline or 216-436-2000 on a cell phone.

This service is available for free to most Ohioans with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $60,000 or less. Eligible individuals may also use the self-serve option from any computer and file their taxes without the help of an OBB counselor by going to www.ohiobenefits.org. Again, all Ohio Benefit Bank services are offered free of charge.

Publishing the Collinwood Observer this past year has truly been a wonderful experience. Our backgrounds are not in the newspaper business, and we have learned a lot. We are very proud of the papers that we have printed. A big thank you to our wonderful writers for all of their hard work and the beautiful stories that they have written. Another big  thank you to all of our sponsors and advertisers who made our paper possible. Our editors and layout people have truly been first class.

If you have an interest in taking part in the paper, we are looking for volunteers to help us proofread stories, and reach out to individuals and groups in the neighborhood to encourage them to tell their stories.  It can all be done online and with email! If you’re interested, email to betsy@collinwoodobserver.com. You can become an integral part of the new and improved Collinwood Observer, 2011.  f you are not currently online, write to Betsy Voinovich at 650 E. 185th St, Cleveland, OH, 44119.  We are also looking for new advertisers and sponsors. If you would like to advertise in the Collinwood Observer, or be a sponsor, please let us know.

Over the past several months we have been engaged in a wide range of issues from the proposed closure of the Trauma Unit at Huron Road Hospital to the anticipated beginning of the long awaited Euclid Creek tunnel project and a whole host of other critical projects and concerns that effect the “quality of life” of our community.

First, let me update you on the proposed closure of the Trauma Unit at the Huron Road Hospital. The Mayor’s offices of both Cleveland and East Cleveland are in discussions with Cleveland Clinic at this time. I hope that they can convince Dr. “Toby” Cosgrove and Clinic officials to keep the Trauma Unit open due to the adverse impact it will have on the Greater Collinwood and Glenville communities, including our inner ring eastside suburban neighbors. Thanks to all who sent emails and letters and made phone calls to the appropriate officials on this matter. I believe it had a big impact. However, the fight is far from over. Watch for future updates as we go into 2011.

Greetings to all of the residents of Collinwood and their families.  During this season of the year no matter what your beliefs or what holidays you celebrate - the sentiment is the same - may joy and hope come to you and peace be with you and yours in the New Year.

This past year has been one of contrasts, one of losses and new beginnings, and one of changes. I am sure more awaits us in the New Year.  I look forward to working with each and every one of you as we begin together, once again, to make those positive changes in our community.

My wish for the community is for prosperity and a coming together for the common good. Together, we can make positive change and help our community grow the way it should. We have that small town feeling - but are still a part of the larger city - let’s use this to our advantage.

Once again, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL, AND PEACE IN THE NEW YEAR.

We meet the 3rd Tuesday every month at 7 pm at the Nottingham United Methodist Church, 18316 St. Claire Ave. Mark your calendars now for the January 18, February 15 and March 15 Civic Club meetings.
Bring a friend and get a free raffle ticket. Show your up-to-date membership card and get a free raffle ticket.
Come as a new neighbor & receive a free Welcome Bag.The City of Cleveland is currently studying the need for restricted left-hand turns when going south on Nottingham at the St Clair intersection. Our written input is most welcomed. Please send your thoughts to the Collinwood Nottingham Village Development Corp., 15614 St Clair, 44110.

Loud Music: Call Community Service at 623-5620

Nottingham Civic Club Monthly Awards

Good Citizen Award & Attractive Home Award: This month, both go to Anita Snyder of Penhurst for keeping her house attractive and for volunteering to pass out Newsletters for the Civic Club and pack backpacks for the youth at Hannah Gibbons.

Good Business Neighbor Award: To Ron Singh of Convenient for continuous improvement of his business and its appearance these several years he has been in the neighborhood.

Youth of the Month Award: To Elease Moore for coming home from Baldwin Wallace College for a weekend of decorating the Nottingham Church for the Holidays.

Christmas at Euclid Beach, since Euclid Beach, of course, was not a year-round park, would’ve been a quiet time of year; the rides would’ve been winterized and things would’ve looked considerably different. The “Closed for the Season” sign would’ve been up, snow would have been on the ground, and the roofs of the buildings (including our Carrousel’s) would’ve looked quiet and dull. We all know what winter in Cleveland looks like. Come Christmas time, it’s dreams of Euclid Beach and summery breezes off the Lake that we’d have, to tide us over until spring and Opening day again.

But Euclid Beach Park was not entirely asleep. As is true of all seasonal amusement parks, this “off season” is the overhaul and maintenance time; it's time to take things apart and clean things up and polish it all up for Opening Day. The Park’s maintenance department would’ve been hard at it, checking over coaster cars and other rides’ cars, repairing, refurbishing and shining everything up, be it the Carrousel’s mechanism (you should see the blueprint of just the upper part of the Carrousel - talk about intricate workings!) or the coasters’ track or even the floors of the Dance Pavilion and Skating Rink. And Euclid Beach was also known for its innovative rides; now is when new ideas would be worked up and put together – many of the stunts in the Over the Falls and the Laff in the Dark, for instance, were invented by the Park, and those wonderful big shiny Rocket Ships were designed and built in house, at Euclid Beach. All in all, while the Park may have looked quiet, to those of us passing on Lakeshore Blvd, there was a lot going on behind the scenes!

 Remember the words from the song, Silver Bells: “It’s Christmas time in the city.”

Remember the dear, old days of Christmases past, when you came downtown to see the massive Sterling Linder tree, shake Mr. Jingeling’s keys on Halle’s seventh floor, or stare into Higbee’s magical store windows.

Ah yes, those were the good old days.

Cleveland has changed a lot, but there’s still magic here at Christmas. Here are some of the reasons to hop on RTA and bring the family downtown. 

Snow Days at Progressive Field

For winter family fun, RTA suggests Snow Days, which runs through Jan. 2 -- and maybe longer -- at Progressive Field. Leave your baseball glove at home.

• Ride down the Batterhorn, a 10-lane snow tubing hill presented by RTA, with eight 60-foot adult lanes and two 19-foot childrens lanes.
• Skate around The Frozen Mile, a quarter-mile track around the outfield. Skate rental is offered.There is a small childs’ ice skating rink in the left-field corner.
• Experience Slider's Snow Mountain, a childs’play area in shallow left field.
• Walk on a trail through the outfield under winter lights.
• Relax in a social area, with a fire pit and concessions.

After five years of planning and piecing together funding, work on the Euclid Creek East Branch dam removal and stream restoration project began on October 18th. The dam is located in the City of Euclid, south of Euclid Avenue in the Euclid Creek Metropark Reservation below the Highland Road Bridge, and is one of six dams in the Euclid Creek Watershed impeding fish and aquatic life from traveling through the watershed’s stream network. The dams in Euclid Creek range from small dams built in the old mill days to others built as part of roadway improvement projects in the 1960’s. 

The East Branch Dam was constructed in 1933 to impound water for swimming at a YMCA camp. The dam is roughly 6 feet high by 40 feet wide and made of concrete. Over the years, the area behind the dam filled with sediment and now provides no recreation or other essential purpose. 

The construction team has installed a stream by-pass pump to re-route the stream around the dam area so the crew can work in dry conditions. Large rocks will be installed in the stream to direct stream flow away from the Highland Road bridge footers, and the rocks will slow down the water and provide places for fish to spawn and hide. Once the rocks are in place, the dam will be removed before the end of the year. The final step is to revegetate the areas disturbed during construction with native plants in the Spring. 

The project cost is $526,585, of which $145,000 was for design and engineering through Burgess and Niple, and $381,585 for construction through Great Lakes Construction. Funding is provided by the following sources: ODNR, Division of Wildlife; ODNR, Division of Wildlife through USFWS; Ohio EPA, Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP); Ohio EPA 319 Program; US Fish & Wildlife Service, Midwest Region, Fish Passage Program; a Federal contract with the Cleveland Metroparks; the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District providing in-kind by acting as the Construction Management Entity; and the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District providing in-kind staff time to pursue and manage the grants and public outreach.

Hospice of the Western Reserve plans to open a new headquarters at 17876 St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland, a property donated to the non-profit agency by Brush Engineered Materials Inc. Hospice of the Western Reserve took possession of the building on October 28, 2010. Approximately 200 employees will be relocated to the building during the first quarter of 2011.

The St. Clair property will house CEO David Simpson, his direct reports and their teams, including communications, education, the End-of-Life Library, human resources, information services, palliative care, pediatrics, planning and evaluation, professional relations and volunteer services.

The new headquarters relocation will significantly increase Hospice of the Western Reserve’s programs, services and its work on behalf of the community to advance quality end-of-life care.

“During each year of our 32 years, Hospice of the Western Reserve has grown to meet the needs of patients and their families facing a terminal or serious illness,” said CEO, David Simpson. “With the addition of this building, our agency is poised to continue to provide the community with the support and care they deserve, while reaching underserved populations.”

Cuyahoga County Executive

Edward FitzGerald (D) 178,452

Matt Dolan (R) 121,452

Ken Lanci (I) 45,723

Tim McCormack (I) 32,321

Don Scipione (I) 11,555

David Ellison (G) 5,937

County Council for District 10

Julian Rogers (D) 26,438
Matt Brakey     (R) 3,863
Michael Troy Watson  (I) 888

Congress, District 11

Marcia Fudge (D) 97,787
Thomas Pekarek (R) 21,647

 Well, the results are in, and though many in Collinwood were pulling for our own Tim McCormack to come out on top in the County Executive Race, we do have one neighborhood business resident who will take up the challenge of being on Cuyahoga County's first ever County Council.

Jack Schron, CEO of Jergens Inc, which is located at the old Collinwood Train Yards, won a seat for his District, which includes Chagrin Falls where he lives. This first elected group has the task of shaping and creating a brand new system of government for the County. Jack has been attending the transition meetings regularly and shared with us recently that though there is bound to be some turbulence at the beginning, he felt that the all-volunteer transition committee did a very good job of suggeting reforms and changes that are crucial to the health of the county. Jack feels that this will be an exciting time and has agreed to share his knowledge of the the new process as it unfolds with the Collinwood neighborhood in the Collinwood Observer. We will have a ringside seat. Thanks and congratulations, Jack.

Below are excerpts from the interviews that appeared in the past few months of the paper to remind you what our candidates, now our elected leaders, had to say about themselves.  Ed FitzGerald will be our new County Executive. Julian Rogers will be our new representative from District 10, which includes Collinwood, East Cleveland, Bratenahl, and Cleveland Heights, which is Julian's home town. We wish them well.

Good news!! A committee has just been formed by representatives of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Euclid Beach Park Now, Euclid Beach's Carrousel Committee, the Collinwood Nottingham Historical Society, Northeast Shores and the Ward 11 community including Councilman Michael Polensek, to design a permanent marker for the Carrousel’s original site in Euclid Beach State Park.

The Nottingham Civic Club is a group of people working together to make a better neighborhood. We meet at the Nottingham Methodist Church, 18316 St. Clair Ave. Mark your calendars now for the November 16, December 21 and January 18 Civic Club meetings. Bring a friend and get a free raffle ticket. Show your up-to-date membership card and get a free raffle ticket. Come as a new neighbor and receive a free Welcome Bag.

Guest speaker for November's meeting is John Copic, Publisher of the Collinwood Observer. Councilman Polensek and Commander Drummond will also make their regular presentations.

FREE TUTORING
The Youth Center is offering an excellent, free Tutoring/Youth Enrichment Program. Our volunteers will work with any dedicated students, ages 5 to 15. Times are 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays & Thursdays.  Call 486-7612 for details.

Please bring food to November's meeting. The Nottingham Food Pantry, located in the Church, is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 3 p.m. Please donate plastic shopping bags for food distribution. Especially needed now are sundries (the soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc., not provided by food stamps).