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A rendering of the East 22nd Street Project by CSU urban planning student Arthur Schmidt.

As the culmination of their graduate studies in urban planning, a group of 23 students from the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State spent the past four months creating a development plan for the Campus District. The students, calling themselves Studio 611 after the catalog number of the capstone class, presented the Campus District plan on May 6 at Levin College to an audience of nearly 100 people.

The plan provides proposals for creating a more cohesive identity for the Campus District through better signage and other improvements to public spaces, introducing more greenspace into the neighborhood, increasing the housing options available in the District for both students and the general population, and options for the redevelopment of key historic buildings in the District, among other recommendations. The plan is available for download on the Studio 611 website, http://studio611.wordpress.com. Studio 611 was advised by Robert Simons, a professor in the Levin College, and James Kastelic, adjunct faculty at the College and a planner with Cleveland Metroparks.

Bobbi Reichtell, executive director of Campus District, Inc., commended the work of the students. “Studio 611 has created a robust menu of neighborhood redevelopment strategies that build on the strengths of our anchor institutions,” she said. “This plan identifies ways to create a more complete neighborhood that can attract new businesses, students and residents and help in building the residential population of downtown to 25,000 people. The Board of Directors of Campus District, Inc. will review the plan during the strategic plan update this summer and craft an action plan of district improvements.”

The Campus District is well situated to institute the kinds of changes envisioned in the plan, as Tony Coyne, Chair of the Cleveland City Planning Commission and one of the audience members at the Studio 611 presentation, explained.

Michael Dailey

Michael Dailey is extremely excited to join the Campus District as our summer intern from The Cleveland Foundation. Prior to joining CDI, Michael served as a Field Organizer for the Ohio Democratic Party during the 2012 election and as Editor-in-Chief/Executive Director of The Exponent as a student at Baldwin Wallace University. A Cleveland native, Michael is dedicated to helping Cleveland grow and develop into one of the most vibrant, economically stable regions
of the country. Currently, Michael is enrolled in American University (DC) for his Masters of Public Policy. Michael will be working on CDI communications and membership, marketing the Campus District neighborhood, and building awareness about the businesses in the district.

Aliyah Henderson

Our youngest addition is Aliyah Henderson, a ninth grader at Jane Addams High School who will be working as a writer for the Campus District Observer. She is a very outgoing and humorous young lady but is very focused and persistent when it comes to getting things done. She is an avid reader and loves books by Sharon Draper. Her stories for the Observer will focus on the interesting and positive things that youth are doing in the district. She'll also interview adults in the district who are making a difference with youthand she'll write a youth advice column called "Ask Aliyah." Aliyah says she'll consult with her mom for some of the answers. Smart girl!

Anna Meyer

Anna Meyer will be wrapping up her degrees in International Relations and Political Science at Cleveland State University next year. She is newly returned from studying sustainable development in Tanzania, India, New Zealand and Mexico these past eight months with the School for International Training’s International Honors Program. She's excited to be interning with the Campus District this summer.

Outside of school Anna takes special interest in the Cleveland refugee population and has spent many hours teaching and organizing a support group in Lakewood as well as with the International Services Center. In her free time, she can be found hiking or climbing outside or in the kitchen trying to whip up a favorite food from a recent trip. She hopes to pursue her Master’s in Urban Planning and to return to Cleveland to help shape the city that she grew up in. Anna is part of the CSU Levin College’s Summer in the City Program.

Terrance Reynolds

Terrance Reynolds will be working this summer as the Campus District’s technology intern. A recent graduate of Euclid High School, Terrance describes himself as “just an ordinary teen who loves to do extraordinary things.” He’s a fan of all things zombie-related and a sucker for bad movies. And he may or may not be a super hero. Prior to joining the Campus District team, Terrance was an intern at Civic Commons under project manager Jason Russell. He will be attending Ohio University in the fall.

Steven Zamiska

Steven Zamiska is a senior at Cleveland State University majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. He is interested in economics, social justice issues and politics. Steven is a graduate of Chagrin Falls High School and a native Northeast Ohioan. He loves all Cleveland sports teams and is a season ticket holder for the Lake Erie Monsters. Steven is excited about his new role with the Campus District, especially the opportunity to engage the public and enhance his writing skills.

It’s been a busy past couple of months with many people contributing their skills and energy towards making the Campus District a growing, vibrant community.

After a long semester of research and creative planning by 23 graduate urban planning students, I’m happy to share with you some of the ideas for the Campus District developed by the capstone class at the CSU Levin College of Urban Affairs. The students presented their work to nearly 100 community stakeholders and key civic leaders of Cleveland on May 6th at the Levin College. A sample of their work can be found on pages 6 and 7 and the entire plan can be found online at http://studio611.wordpress.com/. Also – we want to hear your feedback on these ideas and any other thoughts you have on the Campus District. Please find a short survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RFZ3BKN and give us your thoughts. It is important to hear from you as the Campus District Board of Directors begins its strategic planning process this month.

Many thanks to the individuals who shared their insights and ideas about the Campus District’s assets, opportunities and challenges through one on one interviews with the students and in presentations to the class.

For the past several months it has been my pleasure to work with building owners and artists/ residents in the Superior Avenue Arts Quarter on strategies to increase safety in the neighborhood. It is a collaborative effort that is engaging the Cleveland Police Dept., property owners, Cleveland Public Power and the Ohio Department of Transportation. ODOT crews have cleared overgrowth of vegetation to create better visibility and eliminate a previous homeless camp at the Superior Avenue southbound ramp to the Innerbelt. A big thank you Myron Pakush and Howard Huebner and their crews. And thanks to artist/resident Derek Hess for getting the first meeting organized back in March. A potluck dinner and creative brainstorming meeting is being planned for later in June with residents, building owners and homeless service organizations to generate more positive ideas and plans about creating a safe and positive neighborhood for everyone.

The Cleveland Print Room (CPR) is getting a touch of culture. They’ll be featuring the work of Halim Ina, a Cleveland Heights dentist and photographer. The Global Community PortraitCollectionis slated to run at the CPR gallery from July 12 through August 25.

All of the proceeds from Ina’s photography help to fund the Humana People to People India foundation, supporting five schools for girls in India. The culturally rich display is a sort of reflection of Ina’s life.

Born in Nicaragua to Lebanese parents, Ina’s work will feature his stunning photographs from Lebanon, Cuba, Kenya, Ethiopia, India and new work from Turkey. Ina’s work is a bit of a process. In bulk, he buys up 300 rolls of film a few times a year, takes a leave from his dental practice and travels abroad for weeks - most recently to Turkey. He then brings the film back to his Cleveland Heights apartment and hand develops on fiber-based paper. He shoots and develops film old school style!

The photographs will also be for sale. Visitors will be able to pick up postcard size prints for $10 and 8x10 photographs for $20; large prints are also available from $250 to $1,000.

The opening reception - featuring live music - is slated at CPR from 5 to 9 p.m. July 12, followed by a gallery talk with Halim Ina on Saturday July 13 at 1 p.m. A closing event is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. August 23.

CPR — a new community darkroom, education center and studio workspace — will host Ina’s collection in its gallery in the ArtCraft Building in downtown Cleveland. For more information on Cleveland Print Room and membership, visit www.clevelandprintroom.com or check out the Facebook page. Call the Print Room at 216-401-5981.

An 11" x 17" color xerox print of a collage commemorating former Indians player Bob Feller. The piece is one of five works featuring Feller, and one of 40 dedicated to the Cleveland Indians from Salomon's collection.

Local artist Thomas Salomon is proud to announce the opening of his "Collages of the Greats," which will feature Baseball Cleveland Indians heroes in art at the Cleveland Public Library on June 15 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. The exhibit will run through July 13. There will be autographed original collage works of Cy Young, Nap Lajoie, Jim Thome, Albert Belle and many more on both canvas, fabrics and print media.

Salomon’s art has been featured on the covers of Yankees Magazine ’96, The Cooperstown Journal and Heroes of the Game, among other periodicals. He has been interviewed and written about extensively regarding his baseball activities in The Sun Press, The Jewish News, and Sport Collectors’ Digest.

Salomon has exhibited his original collage work at Gallery 53 in Cooperstown, New York; the Babe Ruth Museum; the Hall of Fame; the Yogi Berra Museum; Ruthie & Moe’s Diner; Yannigan’s Store; and many other outlets.

The St. Louis Cardinals are currently interested in using his art work for their periodical covers. Salomon has met 50 Hall of Famers at the East Coast Card Shows over the years and has many stories to tell about the baseball players from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

"Golden Tut" by Eva Kwong, pictured outside the Artefino Cafe at 1900 Superio Avenue. Photo by Dan Morgan of Straight Shooter Photography.

Every year, the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation invites area artists to design an art project in honor of the current year's animal according to the Chinese calendar.

2013 is the Year of the Snake and the seventh installment of the series of annual public art campaigns celebrating the Lunar Chinese Year. The snake pictured was installed in May and sponsored by the Artefino Cafe in the Superior Avenue Tower Press Building.

According the the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation's website: "The May 2013 installation and a series of public events to follow will showcase Cleveland's AsiaTown community as well as St. Clair Superior's blossoming arts district and thriving business community. Through a variety of education programs and other events throughout the year, the Year of the Snake Project promotes investment in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood, celebrates city-wide cultural awareness and supports arts education and the local artist community."

A father works with his daughter to create a Parade the Circle costume at the Friendly Inn Settlement House. Photo provided by Joan Mazzolini.

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More than two dozen people – from toddlers to grandparents – turned out at Friendly Inn Settlement House on Saturday, May 18 to help create costumes for the upcoming annual Parade the Circle.

Students from George Washington Carver, Carl & Louis Stokes Central Academy, Stepstone Academy and others came together with artist Gwen Garth from the Cleveland Museum of Art to work with the students and their families on the costumes for the parade.

Parade goers from the Central Neighborhood will meet one more time to finish up their costumes before the June 8  event.

The annual University Circle parade, now past its 20th year, brings out thousands of people who come to watch the imaginative and colorful costumes, giant puppets and colorful floats. The whole circle is alive with color and music.

This year, the Cleveland Museum of Art partnered with the Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood initiative to give Central families an opportunity to participate in the parade.  

And for those in the Central Neighborhood who aren’t going to be in the parade, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland has chartered buses to bring people to and from the parade.

Operations and Development Manager Rebecca Newbould, Founder James Levin, Sales Director Becca Ritterspach and Baking Assistant Mike Williams. Photo by Steve Wagner.

The Cleveland Baking Company (CBC) is stirring up interest throughout the Cleveland area with its promise of fresh, delicious pastries and its mission to lend others a helping hand.

Newly situated right in the Campus District, the CBC is excited to launch its line of artfully crafted products. The bakery offers a variety of breads and pastries made from scratch using all natural ingredients. You'll find traditional favorites, including cookies, brownies, mini cheesecakes, cobblers and muffins. Looking for healthier options? The CBC also features a line of vegan and gluten-free products - items that are hard to come by downtown.

A permanent location will eventually be established, but for now, the new bakery has settled in at the Cleveland Culinary Launch and Kitchen, located at 2800 Euclid Avenue. Formerly the catering facility for Cleveland State University, the community kitchen hosts bakers, ice cream makers and a caterer and offers cold, frozen and dry storage. Cleveland Baking Company Founder and CEO James Levin says being situated in the Culinary Launch has been wonderful for the new business.

"Instead of dealing with new issues alone, we are among other emerging new businesses, offering some great synergies and potential collaborations," said Levin. "We are lucky, also, to be around plentiful resources - experienced 'food people' who have offices in the building."

Twenty farmers’ markets and two farm stands throughout Cuyahoga County are participating in a program that offers incentive dollars to customers utilizing the Ohio Direction Card, according to Ohio State University Extension in Cuyahoga County.

“Double Value Produce Perks” is an initiative developed byThe Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition (a coalition initiated by Ohio State University Extension-Cuyahoga County and Case Western Reserve University’s Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods) in partnership with several Greater Cleveland philanthropic partners and Wholesome Wave, a national nonprofit focusing on access and affordability of healthy, local foods in underserved communities.

Produce Perks are incentive tokens given to customers at participating farmers’ markets who use an Ohio Direction Card to purchase food. A customer wishing to use their food assistance benefits can swipe their card at one central terminal, located at participating market’s information booths, and ask to withdraw a desired amount. The market will then provide tokens for the transaction in addition to Produce Perks that can be spent on fruits and vegetables. The incentive is a dollar-for-dollar match to every dollar spent (up to $10) using an Ohio Direction Card at the market.

The President, Trustees, Members and Staff cordially invite you to attend this Cornerstone Anniversary Event on June 8 from 12 to 4 p.m. A re-dedication ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. The event will be held at Grays Armory, 1234 Bolivar Road. Come celebrate Cleveland's history with music, tours, refreshments and birthday cake!

The historic Cleveland Grays Armory Museum is both architecturally and culturally significant. Built in 1893 in the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style, it is one of a handful of surviving examples of the Victorian-era militia armory and may be the last that was built with private funds and remains privately owned. Nineteenth century militias (such as the Cleveland Grays) were part military unit, part fraternal organization, and the Armory Museum reflects this: the building’s crenulated and turreted exterior represents the military role, along with the ornate club rooms for social functions.

The Armory Museum (including a 1921-1922 addition) has served as headquarters for National Guard, US Army Reserve, and US Marine Corps Reserve units in addition to the Grays. It has also hosted formal balls, auto shows, operas, military bands, symphony orchestras and several U.S. Presidents.

The Armory Museum building (on the National Register of Historic Places) is a monument to America’s industrial age and Victorian-era public architecture; it houses a museum honoring America’s citizen-soldiers of all eras. To find out more about the Cornerstone event or the museum itself, call 216-621-5938.

Looking for ways to keep your kids busy this summer? Check out some of the fun and educational things offered within the Campus District and nearby!

Cleveland Public Library

Summer Reading Club 2013: June 10 through August 2

Visit your local library to make, build, craft, creat and read. Join the reading club at http://readingclub.cpl.org or visit your neighborhood library. Read and log in at least 10 books by August 2 and visit the library each week for crafts and fun. You can collect cool prizes including free tickets to the Zoo! The Reading Club Finale will feature a day at the Zoo on August 17. Log on to www.cpl.org to find out more.

Free Tutoring for Students K - 12

This summer, utilize tutoring opportunities at the library! Instruction will be provided by certified teachers. Test prep will be available for the certain Standardized Tests. Other subject areas include history, math, reading and science. Tutoring will be available in the Campus District at the Sterling Branch, located at 2200 East 30th Street. For tutoring times, other locations locations and availablity, contact Sherri Jones in Outreach and Programming Services at 216-623-2835.

Central Recreation Center, 2526 Central Avenue

Join in the fun this summer at the Central Rec Center! Theyll be running T-ball sessions for ages 4-7, rookie leagues for ages 8-11, baseball for ages 9-12, and girls softball for ages 11-14. Cheerleading is also available for ages 5-17, and girl scout troops welcome ages 7-17. To find out more details about these opportunities and how to join, contact the rec center at 216-664-4241.

Rhapsody Hip-Hop Summer Arts Camps

The Progressive Arts Alliance summer camps provide students with fun ways to make new friends while they develop skills in creative writing, dance, music and visual art. Come see how hip-hop can be a positive form of creative self-expression! The camps are offered in eight locations. Those in/near the Campus District will be held at the Fatima Family Center June 10-14, MOCA Cleveland July 2-3, and Cleveland Public Library's Main Branch July 22-25. For more information, contact the Progressive Arts Alliance at 216-772-4722 or go online to www.paalive.org.

Mental health is just as important as physical health. In order to create awareness, May was officially declared Mental Health Month. Although Mental Health Month is over, you can still explore new ways to maintain your overall mental well-being.

Taking good care of your body and mind can make a difference in how well you do in your day-to-day life and how well you manage change. Exercising, eating right, getting enough rest and relaxing will not only set you on the right path to wellness, but also help you achieve and enjoy daily activities more and improve how you deal with life’s challenges. Caring for yourself may take a little extra time, but you will feel better and more successful. Here are some tips, provided by Mental Health America, to help you maintain good mental health year-round:

A healthy diet:

• Improves your ability to learn.

• Means eating a nutritious breakfast every day. Skipping meals leads to a lack of energy.

• Includes eating something nutritious every time you have a meal. Try substituting processed foods with a salad or swapping something fried for a piece of fruit.

• Requires limiting your alcohol intake.

• Avoids excessive amounts of caffeine. Caffeine dehydrates you. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration.

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture encourages nonprofit organizations offering arts and culture programming in Cuyahoga County to apply for funding through its 2014 Project Support grant program. New applicants are encouraged to attend one of three informational workshops on June 12, 17 and 18 to learn more about the Project Support grant program and to visit http://www.cacgrants.org/project-support.php to learn more and apply. The Eligibility Check, the first step in the application process, is due Tuesday, July 2 by 4:30 p.m.

“Over the past six years, funding through our Project Support grant program has helped organizations to offer exciting arts and cultural events, programs, fairs, festivals and countless other projects, giving residents access to a wide array of arts and cultural programs throughout the County,” said Executive Director Karen Gahl-Mills. 

“Through our grant programs this year, we’re investing more than $15 million in 174 organizations throughout Cuyahoga County, and we welcome organizations offering arts and culture programs to apply now for grants in 2014.”

At each workshop focusing on CAC’s Project Support grant program, CAC staff will review its grant programs, eligibility requirements and CAC’s application process. The same content will be reviewed at each workshop. Workshops are optional, but are a valuable learning opportunity for new applicants. Attendees are encouraged to register online.

Dr. Alex Johnson. Photo provided by Trissa Chaney.

Dr. Alex Johnson, who led Cuyahoga Community College’s Metropolitan Campus from 1993 to 2003, will return to the College in July as its fourth permanent president, the Board of Trustees announced recently.

“Since leaving his position as Metropolitan Campus president a decade ago, Dr. Johnson has gained vital experience in two very diverse community college environments,” said Jerry L. Kelsheimer, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “He brings a unique perspective that is both internal and external, and we are extremely pleased that Cuyahoga Community College’s continued growth will be carried out under his strong leadership.”

Johnson is currently president of the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), where he focuses on strengthening the college’s core mission of providing affordable access to quality education for nearly 60,000 students annually at nine campuses and centers in greater Pittsburgh. After leaving Tri-C in 2003, he became chancellor of Delgado Community College in New Orleans, serving in that capacity during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

In returning to Tri-C, Johnson will succeed Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton, who has guided unprecedented institutional development during 21 years as president. Thornton announced in January that she would retire, effective June 30.

Cleveland State University and Rascal House Pizza have developed a plan that will relocate the CSU landmark restaurant to a newly renovated facility on campus, while providing additional space for the University to build its new Center for Health Innovation.  

Rascal House will move to the Union Building at 1836 Euclid, where an $18-million renovation project was recently completed to the historic building. There, the restaurant will substantially upgrade its facilities and equipment for better service and efficiency, said Rascal House CEO and founder, Mike Frangos.

“This is a great opportunity to help the university expand and allow the restaurant to improve its operations,” Frangos said. “We are excited to enter a new phase in our longstanding relationship with CSU and enhance our services to a growing campus community.”

The new location, scheduled to open in early fall, will include state-of-the-art commercial equipment and new customer amenities aimed at students, such as power outlets for laptops and high-speed Wi-Fi. The building will also become the new corporate headquarters for the five-restaurant chain and catering business.        

“Rascal House has been a major part of CSU’s culture for so many years,” said Stephanie McHenry, CSU’s vice president for Business Affairs and Finance. “They are one of the University’s longest supporters of athletics and scholarships. It was essential that as the University grows, Rascal House also grows alongside us.”  
 

Dear Friends of the Campus District,

It’s an exciting time for the Campus District, Inc. (CDI) organization. The Board of Directors of CDI is embarking on an update to its strategic plan starting this month and going through September. We’ll be identifying our top priorities for advancing the District and leveraging its many assets.

The Board and I are committed to learning from other organizations in Cleveland and other nearby cities about how to build on the strength of our “eds and meds” anchor institutions to revitalize the entire district. Our first learning experience was in Detroit where we met with staff and leaders of Midtown Detroit, Inc. We saw their impressive work of the past 25 years in real estate development, marketing and events, beautification, business support and attraction and safety.

We learned about their new employment and “live local” initiatives in collaboration with the anchor institutions of Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit Medical Center and the College for Creative Studies. In Cleveland we look forward to learning from University Circle, Inc. and the Greater University Circle Initiative. We’ll share this information with you and keep you updated on our strategic planning work.

Campus District Intern Kristina Biro intevriews CIS Principal Julie Beers. Photo by Nick Downer.

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To say that the Campus International School (CIS) is a unique schooling environment would truly be an understatement. Upon entering the school, I could tell there was something special about it. The building was filled with music and artwork; the atmosphere was lively and welcoming.

Julie Beers, principal of the CIS, was formerly the principal of Nobel Elementary in Cleveland Heights. When she was approached with the opportunity to work in conjunction with CSU and share her vision for the school, she could not turn the position down. What Beers enjoys most about her position is observing the academic and emotional growth of CIS students and watching them become leaders.

Langston tenant Gabe Stokes with Senior Property Manager Adam Martin. Photo by Donna Dieball.

Located at the corner of East 23rd Street and Chester Avenue on the CSU campus, The Langston brings new energy and vitality to the Campus District. Many see the new apartment complex as a catalyst for further investment in the neighborhood’s vibrancy and redevelopment.

The first phase of the development, which included 100 apartment units, was completed this past fall. All 318 residential apartments and amenities – including a fitness center, tanning salon, media room and cyber café – will be finished and open at the Langston by August 1.

Langston officials are excited for the completion of their project and for tenants to enjoy the high-quality amenities that are offered. Units are equipped with hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, and a washer and dryer set.

Looking for something exciting to do this summer in Cleveland? Don’t miss out on the excitement of the 2013 National Senior Games, the single largest visitor event in Cleveland in decades. 

The 2013 National Senior Games will welcome 10,000 athletes ages 50 and over from across the United States to participate in 19 medal-contending sports. Competitions are slated for July 19 through August 1 and will take place in various venues across Northeast Ohio, including the brand new Cleveland Convention Center, Cleveland Public Hall and Cleveland State University.

All 2013 National Senior Games events and competitions are free and open to the public. Join athletes and the Cleveland community on July 19 at the Opening Festival on Mall ‘B’ downtown for an evening of games, food trucks, a beer garden, live music, fireworks and more. The Flame Arrival Ceremony sponsored by AstraZeneca will begin at 8 p.m. that evening and feature the lighting of the National Senior Games Cauldron.

Officials from the Cleveland Metroparks are seeking your input on how to make the Lakefront Parks (Edgewater Park, Gordon Park, Euclid Beach, and Villa Angela/Wildwood) the best they can be.

Please help by taking ten minutes of your time to share your valuable opinion. Go to http://svy.mk/YVFEK1 to participate. Thanks!

Audience members wait for "Scenes N' Cedar-Central" to begin.

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On a raw April evening, as a cold wind sent plastic bags scudding across city streets and with the constant threat of rain from menacing grey clouds, about 50 people squeezed into a well-lit upper room of the Cedar Recreation Center, better known as the Bath House, to see the one-night-only production of “Scenes N’ Cedar-Central."

Written and directed by Cornell Calhoun III - an accomplished playwright, East Tech graduate, and long-time Cleveland resident - the plot revolves around the East 43rd street of a past generation. Divided into two acts and performed by a talented cast of Central residents, the play took a realistic look at the time period, describing the joys of block parties, dances with Smokey Robinson playing in the background, and the delicious foods made on holidays.

David Jolley, Cedar-Central resident. Photo by Nick Downer.

Sparrows were building their nests in the eaves, their chirping filling the air, as David Jolley and I settled into our folding metal chairs in an upper room of the Central Rec Center on a sunny Tuesday morning.

Jolley, a composed, friendly man in his seventies, wearing a striped shirt and Indians ball cap, began to talk about his life and Central as he remembered it. Born in Georgia, Jolley moved with his parents to Cleveland in 1944, where they initially lived close to 75th and Kinsman before moving to East 19th street off of Woodland.

Although “Everybody went to East Tech,” Jolley attended Thomas Edison on 71st and Hough, and later Central High School. Jolley has fond memories of how the western part of the Central neighborhood used to be before redevelopment, remembering the residential streets and neighborhood attractions, some of them now vanished - like the East Side Market. Located where the Indians stadium is now, “you could buy just about anything you wanted” in the area. The neighborhood also boasted an open-air market between East 19th and 20th on Woodland Avenue, where Jolley worked Friday and Saturday nights from “5 o’clock in the morning to 10 or 12 at night.”

A portion of the Merit Scholarship Exhibition. In center, Ryan Upp's "Our Eden's a Failure." Photo by Dan Morgan.

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Cleveland State University has been redeveloping its Downtown Cleveland campus for several years now. The process has demolished some older buildings and spurred the construction of new buildings. This story focuses on the realignment of the Art Department and Galleries at Cleveland State, shifting the "spotlight" to Playhouse Square on the western fringe of the Campus District.

The Galleries at CSU at 1307 Euclid Avenue, in the Cowell and Hubbard Building, opened in September of 2012, after moving CSU art classrooms into the nearby, newly renovated Middough Building in January. CSU is also playing a leading role in the newly reopened Allen Theater on Playhouse Square. 

Robert Thurmer, The Galleries at CSU's director, also teaches at Cleveland State University.

Photography Students from Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland State University, Kent State University, and Tri-C will be exhibiting their work from May 17 through June 30 at the Cleveland Print Room (CPR). The CPR is a community darkroom, education center, studio workspace and gallery that opened in the ArtCraft Building in downtown Cleveland this past January.

The Cleveland Print Room is spotlighting some of Northeast Ohio's outstanding student work at the startup nonprofit's latest exhibition, SPOTLIGHT: EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHERS.

With nearly two dozen photographers represented, the showcased work focuses on the ascending young photographic talent coming from Tri-C, Kent State University, Cleveland State University, and Cleveland Institute of Art. SPOTLIGHT furthers CPR’s goal of highlighting dynamic new photographic work coming from the rich artistic environment of Northeast Ohio’s educational institutions.

Asparagus, Woodcut by Andrij Maday

The Morgan Art of Papermaking Conservatory and Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of its latest art exhibition, Woodcuts & Drawings: works on paper and their process by local artist Andrij Maday. The exhibit is running now through June 4.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Andrij Maday is a graduate of The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He is the recipient of 12 awards for woodcuts and drawings, and currently is an instructor at the Virginia Marti College in Lakewood. Maday specializes in hand-carved woodcuts, drawings, traditionally executed icons and site-specific murals.

This exhibition of recent woodcuts and drawings showcases the artist's passion as an instructor. Displayed with each printed woodcut are corresponding woodblocks in which the designs are carved in reverse. These blocks, in addition to displays of carving tools and mock-printing sessions, invite the viewer not only into the intricacies of his designs, but into his process as well. He often uses salvaged materials such as pine board cut-offs for woodblock printing in an effort to use the material which is most available around him.

As a part of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center’s continued community outreach efforts, the medical center hosted a Wellness Fair at the Tri-C Metro campus gymnasium on April 13. The goal of the event was to actively engage community members in a healthy lifestyle.

The Wellness Fair, held in collaboration with the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland’s Healthy Family Fun Day, provided the community with fun and interactive health information and wellness screenings. In partnership with a host of community organizations, the Wellness Fair was able to offer attendees a fun-filled, educational afternoon. The event offered attendees health and wellness screenings, a variety of talks led by the doctors at St. Vincent Charity, healthy snacks and games and activities for children.

A variety of partners that ranged from health, education, public safety and community civic organizations came together for the afternoon. The event was supported through a grant from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland.

“Caring for the community is a part of the mission of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center,” said Wendy Hoke, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. “The Wellness Fair was a great way for us to engage the Central community in becoming actively involved in their overall health.”

For more than 20 years, the Cleveland Museum of Art has been hosting Parade the Circle, a free signature summer event that brings University Circle alive with music and art.

Artists from around the world join Greater Cleveland artists, families, schools and others in a spectacular display of bright costumes, giant puppets, stilt-dancers, handmade masks and colorful floats.

This year, the Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood is an outreach site for the Parade and will provide an opportunity for students, residents and partners to take part in the event! To find out more about the parade go to: http://www.clevelandart.org/events/special-events/parade-the-circle/about.

It’s a big commitment for this spectacular event. An artist from the Cleveland Museum of Art will work with participants - there will be parade workshops at the schools and two community workshops at the Friendly Inn.

"We are delighted to be selected as one of the art museum's community sites for this year's parade and hope that this is only the beginning of our partnership," said Sonya Pryor-Jones, Promise Neighborhood director.

Photo by Donna Dieball.

America’s favorite pizza is coming to Cleveland’s newest mixed-use development, The Langston at Cleveland State University. Buckingham Companies and Polaris Real Estate Equities have signed Pizza Hut as their first restaurant tenant, which will occupy 1,094 square feet of retail space in the development. The new restaurant will be located at 2211 Chester Ave, Suite B.

The new store, a carry-out and delivery concept, will serve signature Pizza Hut menu items, pasta and its specialty Wing Street chicken and wings entrees. The store plans to open in August 2013.

Pizza Hut, "America's Favorite Pizza," delivers more pizza, pasta and wings than any other restaurant. The only pizza company to be named a top ten franchise in 2009 by Entrepreneur Magazine, Pizza Hut began 50 years ago in Wichita, Kansas, and today operates nearly 10,000 restaurants in more than 90 countries. Pizza Hut, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM). To check out what's new at Pizza Hut visit PizzaHut.com, or keep up with the brand via its social media channels at social.PizzaHut.com.

“Pizza Hut is the perfect match for The Langston,” said Denise Kouril, director of commercial real estate for Buckingham Companies. “It’s a highly regarded and well-known dining option that will be embraced by residents, students and working professionals in the area, and we can’t wait for its opening.”

KC Petraitis, a recent graduate of the NLDP. Photo provided by Sandra Kluk.

Are you a Cleveland area resident interested in taking an active role in developing your city? Would you like to benefit from skill-enhancing sessions led by dedicated experts in local neighborhood development? The Neighborhood Leadership Development Program (NLDP) has been helping passionate and driven Clevelanders achieve their goals for the past five years.

Established in 2006 by the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation with the goal of expanding our city’s leadership capacity, the NLDP has already helped many individuals make a significant impact on Cleveland neighborhoods. So far, the program has graduated 84 leaders who continue to make contributions to Cleveland; 18 more will graduate this spring.

The NLDP is open to anyone aspiring to be a leader, regardless of race, class, gender or level of education. Acceptance into the program is competitive: a maximum of 20 participants are accepted each year following an application process and an in-person interview.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must be prepared to move forward with an existing project or idea that focuses on improving a particular neighborhood or community.

Accepted participants benefit from a variety of skill-building resources and become equipped with the tools to build strong communities. The program includes 14 leadership training sessions, individual coaching, and exposure to knowledgeable curriculum presenters. You can gain experience developing strategic plans, identifying your personal leadership style, building a professional network and applying your knowledge to real life community situations.

Photo provided by Tasiana Stigall.

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Tasiana Stigall

Her favorite place in the district: Everything! But she particularly likes CSU’s Mather Mansion.

A “hidden gem” more people should know about: She feels the whole district is a hidden gem because of the recent investments taking it in a new direction.

One new thing she would add to the district: A place for students to hang out at after classes where they can eat, listen to local artists play, listen to poetry and relax.

• Tasiana is an Urban Studies major at CSU with a focus on urban planning. She lives on campus and feels one of the best benefits of resident life is the opportunity to form great relationships with people all over campus.
• Tasiana works for the Construction Employers Association. She gets to work closely with contractors of all trades and sizes. She says that working for CEA has enhanced her knowledge of building industry needs and helped her recognize the importance of the labor industry as a growing workforce.
• After college, she plans to work for a construction or neighborhood development company to help improve business methods and ensure quality planning.
• More than anything, Tasiana loves meeting new people and making others happy. She goes through life trying to make others smile.

Stephanie poses with her dog, Ginger.

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Stephanie Sparks

Her favorite place in the district: A quiet bench behind CSU’s Science and Research Building.

A “hidden gem” in the district more people should know about: Norton Furniture at East 21st and Payne.

One new thing she’d add to the district: A roller-skating rink.

• Stephanie is an Honors student at Cleveland State, triple-majoring in English, Sociology and Criminology and is excited about graduating this month. She lives in the district at 1900 Euclid Lofts and loves being so close to CSU.
• Stephanie is a Success Coach at CSU’s Tutoring and Academic Success Center. She’s also a retail associate at Macy’s.
• Outside of school and work, Stephanie loves reading and exercising. She also loves to roller-skate, particularly at Brookpark Skateland in Parma. Her favorite time to go is during “Retro Night,” when a wide variety of Michael Jackson songs are played.
• Stephanie loves dogs and is the happy owner of two beagles, Penny and Ginger.

Fouad shows his enthusiasm for CSU.

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Fouad Yared

His favorite place in the Campus District: The Law Library at Cleveland State.

A “hidden gem” in the district more people should know about: Bon Appétit near East 21st and Euclid Avenue.

One new thing he would add to the district: A microbrewery.

• Fouad is a graduate student at CSU’s Levin College focusing on economic development. He works as a graduate assistant, teaching classes in Urban Affairs. He also collects survey data for Legal Aid, a company that provides legal council to low-income people. He finds both jobs very rewarding.
• Fouad is passionate about films and hosts film screenings at the Levin College on a regular basis. He also loves Russian Literature – The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is one of his favorites.
• Fun fact about his family: His parents met in Damascus, Syria and got married after only one date! They’ve been married now for 25 years.
• Throughout the rest of his life, Fouad hopes to be able to change stigmas in society.

Mansoor and Sarah enjoy lunch at a Campus District Subway restaurant.

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Mansoor Khan and Sarah Knight

Mansoor and Sarah both attend Cleveland State. They’ve been friends for almost two years.

 Mansoor’s favorite place in the Campus District: The 1900 Euclid Convenience Store.

A “hidden gem” in the district more people should know about: The view from an eighth story window in CSU’s Rhodes Tower.

One new thing he’d add to the district: A Taco Bell.

• Mansoor is a Chemical Engineering major at Cleveland State. For the past several semesters, he’s had a co-op position at Swagelok.
• Mansoor enjoys reading and is president of a book club at CSU. Some of his favorite books are Game of Thrones and The Great Gatsby. He also spends much of his spare time playing video games and football.
• He hopes to someday attain a job that equips him with a personal assistant.
• Fun fact about Mansoor: He’s never shaved his face!

Sarah’s favorite place near the district: The Starbucks at East 14th Street – the people are always friendly!

A “hidden gem” in the district more people should know about: A quiet garden area outside of the CSU Law Building.

One new thing she would add to the district: A place to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Sarah is a Health Sciences major at CSU focusing on pre-occupational therapy. She volunteers as an occupational therapy assistant at Southwest Lifeworks. She’s also worked in produce at Marc’s for the past three years.
• Sarah loves CSU because it’s a short commute from home and also because of the great professors she’s had.
• In her spare time, Sarah likes playing video games and training her dog, Sophie.

Aaron Reese (right) with fellow officer and mentor Frank Sanchez, taken a day before Sanchez's retirement. Photo provided by Aaron Reese.

Aaron Reese

His favorite places near the Campus District: Playhouse Square and Number One Pho at East 31nd and Superior.

A “hidden gem” in the district that more people should know about: The many artist galleries and work spaces in the Superior Arts Quarter.

One new thing he would add to the district: More parks and green spaces.

• Aaron Reese is a police officer for the Third District Community Service Unit in Cleveland. He works from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. patrolling various neighborhoods within the 3rd district, which extends from the river in the flats to Little Italy and includes the Campus District. Aaron is passionate about ensuring the safety and quality of life of Clevelanders.
• Aaron has been a police officer for 17 years. He began as a dispatcher at age 17. He commends both Commander Stevens and Chief McGrath of the Cleveland Police Force for their constant dedication to guarding the safety of our city’s citizens and businesses.
• Aaron is active in the Cleveland Police Athletic League, a group that tutors, coaches and mentors Cleveland youth.
• Outside of work, Aaron enjoys patronizing downtown restaurants and entertainment venues. He loves spending time with his wife and eight-year-old son.

Sherrell Adams, an 8th grader at Carl & Louis Stokes Central Academy, stands with Assistant Principal Kamilah Williams. Sherrell is receiving a $1,000 college scholarship, sponsored by the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, from the Carson Scholar’s Award. Photo provided by Joan Mazzolini.

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Wow! Where can I begin? I mean, there have been tons of times I’ve had a problem that I had to overcome. But there is only one time, one DISATEROUS time, that I remember the most.

It was a spring night in 2009 - May 29 - when the problem began. I remember this night as if it were yesterday. Shynnelle and I were lying in bed, getting ready to go to sleep so we could get started with our next day, when our mother walks into the room and says…

“Hey you guys turn on the television and turn to the news!“ My sister and I were confused. Why did she want us to turn to the news? What was going on? My sister Shynnelle immediately turned the TV on and turned to the news. She didn’t like the horrid look on my mother’s face. We just watched, afraid of what was going to happen next. My mother had a worried look on her face. 

She turned the TV off and looked into our eyes and held our arms and said as clear as day, “That might be you guys’ father.”

We looked at her with a confused look on our face. What is she talking about?

“Huh?” was all we said.

“Well, the news reporter stated that a man was gunned down on Buckeye Road and your father lives near Buckeye Road. All I’m saying is, this could be Thomas,” she answered.

“That’s not our dad. We know that’s not our dad. It can’t be,” Shynnelle said.

Adam Sedlock, a fourth grader at the Campus International School. Photo by Donna Dieball.

My name is Adam and I am in the fourth grade at the Campus International School at East 30th and Chester Avenue. We opened in August of 2010 in the back of the United Methodist Church at East 30th and Euclid Avenue. Our side of the building faced Prospect.

When we started in 2010, we were Kindergarten through second grade. Our goal is to add a grade each year until we are K-12, and by then we will be in our third building.

Our curriculum is IB, standing for International Baccalaureate. We stand to do as our curriculum says: we make the world a better place. As a student of this school, you have to follow the six essential agreements, which are Listen, Be Inclusive, Respect Personal Space, Speak Kindly, and Stay With the Group.

We get to use Cleveland State's Waetjen Auditorium for our winter and spring concerts. We also get to go to Playhouse Square to watch plays. Also, we get to have a PREP Rally before taking the Ohio Achievement Assessment test. This year, we are getting T-shirts that state IB profiles and attitudes on the back for the third and fourth grades, the grades that will take the test this year.

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) has received a $325,000 start-up grant from Gateway to College National Network to implement the Gateway to College program, a nationally recognized dropout prevention and recovery initiative.

Gateway to College is designed for young adults ages 16 to 20 who have dropped out of high school or are significantly behind in credits and unlikely to graduate on time. The program enables them to complete their high school requirements while simultaneously earning college credits.

Tri-C’s Gateway program is in partnership with Promise Academy, a charter school sponsored by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), which already serves nontraditional students in Cuyahoga County. Students must meet specific criteria for entrance into the program and will be dually enrolled at Promise Academy and Tri-C until they complete their high school diploma. Tuition and books are paid through scholarships for students enrolled in Gateway to College.

The program will enroll its first cohort of 35 students for Fall Semester 2013. Students will be placed into learning communities for their foundation courses in reading, writing, math and college skills. After completing the base courses, students will transition into taking traditional college courses on the Metropolitan Campus.

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This year the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) launches one of the largest, most aggressive construction seasons to date, with projects totaling approximately $2.3 billion. ODOT will begin or continue construction of nearly 1,000 projects statewide, including 10 mega projects, each totaling more than $50 million. This year’s construction program includes close to $1.6 billion in resurfacing and roadway maintenance work and more than 100 projects will improve interstate highways.

Of the 10 mega projects, six are set to begin this year and four projects will continue. Two of those are right here in northeast Ohio. The Westbound I-90 Innerbelt Bridge is set to be complete this year and open to bi-directional traffic in the fall. In addition, work will begin on the eastbound I-90 Innerbelt Bridge. This project is the largest, most expensive mega project in Ohio totaling approximately $330 million, which includes the demolition of the existing Innerbelt Bridge in downtown Cleveland.

“Investing in our state’s transportation system is vital to our economy and to job creation,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray. “We work hard to establish and maintain an efficient, effective transportation system that gets people and goods where they want to go in a timely and safe manner.”

Of the 1,000 statewide projects, a total of 59 will be active in ODOT District 12 - Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga Counties - at an estimated $900 million worth of construction. Of the 59 projects, 43 of them are new and worth an estimated $460 million. Seventeen resurfacing and roadway maintenance projects and 15 bridge projects ranging from complete replacement to deck replacement will be active in District 12.

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C ®) is looking for community members to join its Community Volunteer Tutoring Program. Volunteers get the opportunity to give back to future generations, and students get the benefit of gaining knowledge and experience.

Tutors work one-on-one with students in all subject areas, but the greatest needs are in math and science. Volunteer tutors can meet with students at any of Tri-C’s campuses and hours are flexible. 

“Math tutoring has been a great experience for me,” said William Sullivan, a volunteer at the Eastern and Metropolitan campuses. “The need for tutoring is greater than I realized. This is a great way to undo some of the myths and fears about math for students.”

Deborah Simpson, director of the Learning Center at the Eastern Campus, said the tutors not only provide academic help, they also serve as role models. “Their expertise, knowledge and diverse backgrounds offer students a unique opportunity to study with people who provide a solid foundation in their respective academic disciplines and insights into workplace experiences.”

On Saturday, May 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Woodland Branch of the Cleveland Public Library will host a free, brief advice and referral clinic offered by the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland’s Volunteer Lawyers Program. Service is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please bring all important papers with you.

Attorneys are available for brief advice and referral only and may assist with civil matters only (no criminal cases). Clinic attorneys do not represent you. If you need legal representation, you may be referred to the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland or another service provider. If you have questions or need more information, please contact the Legal Aid Society at 1-888-817-3777 or visit www.lasclev.org. The Woodland Branch is located at 5806 Woodland Ave.