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Cleveland is full of talented professionals achieving amazing results in their workplaces and beyond. Among them are six women who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and exceptional commitment in their careers and communities.

YWCA Greater Cleveland’s Women of Achievement Award is one of the most prestigious honors for women in Northeast Ohio. Past recipients have included business leaders, authors, judges, physicians, non-profit executives and many other distinguished women from our community.

Award recipients exemplify the YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. These women have been nominated by professional and community colleagues for recognition at YWCA Greater Cleveland’s 36th annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon at 11:45 am on Monday, May 14 in the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Grand Ballroom.

East Tech High School Linkage Coordinator Leroy Carter, one of Verizon's "Everyday Heros." Photo courtesy Cleveland Metropolitan School District. 

Leroy Carter is standing in the hallway on the third floor of East Tech High School when a teacher notices him  doing an interview. “He was just on TV this morning,” the woman said without slowing to meet her next class.

Her remarks draw a sheepish grin from Carter, as if the woman’s attention is a bit of an embarrassment. And to be honest, he says minutes later, all the attention does embarrass him, but he’s gotten plenty of it since he learned this month he was selected as a “Verizon Everyday Hero.”

“I tell people all the time: ‘It’s not about me; it’s about the kids,’ ” Carter said. “You don’t have to recognize me at all.”

A person would be hard-put not to recognize Carter, though. It would be impossible to find more than a handful of people in his community who care more about “the kids” than he does. Carter stands as their surrogate father or their big brother – or whatever male figure a teenager needs in his ascent to manhood.

"His reaching out to the males in his community is what has garnered him so much attention," said Katrina Hawkins, the nurse at Sunbeam School who nominated him. “I just saw all the things he did for the kids." 

Jeff Patterson, CMHA's newly appointed CEO. Photo courtesy CMHA.

Jeffery K. Patterson was appointed as new Chief Executive Officer of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority by the CMHA Board of Commissioners during a special meeting on March 22, 2012.

Patterson had served as the housing authority's acting CEO since April of 2011, and previous to that he served as the Chief of Staff and Operations for the housing authority. He has worked at CMHA for over ten years, after spending twelve years with the City of Cleveland. Patterson holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from Mount Union College and a Master's of Business Administration for Baldwin Wallace College.

"The Board of Commissioners has been pleased with the leadership Mr. Patterson has shown since stepping into the position in April," said CMHA Board Chairman Ronald V. Johnson, Jr. "While there are still many challenges ahead, we are confident that he will work tirelessly to address those concerns and that he is committed to serving the residents of CMHA."

"I am grateful to have to have this opportunity," said CEO Patterson. "I look forward to working with civic and community leaders to form partnerships and collaborations that will be beneficial to the residents that we serve."

Award winners. Photo courtesy Sisters of Charity Foundation.

Seven grassroots groups in the Central Neighborhood recently received grants up to $3,000 each for their resident-led projects.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation’s Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood initiative and Neighborhood Connections partnered to create this new funding opportunity in Central to encourage involvement and leadership by neighbors in the Promise Neighborhood initiative. All projects focus on the positive social development and academic success of neighborhood youth. Funding decisions are made by a committee of Central neighborhood residents.

Congratulations to the following groups that were awarded funding this round:

The Cleveland Central Rangers will use $1,500 in Central Promise Neighborhood Connections funds to send Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts to an outdoor-based leadership program. The program builds character, responsibilities of citizenship, and develops personal fitness. The scouting program includes leadership training, camping, building relationships between parents and their children and adults and the peers. This group invites youth who have not had the opportunity to experience the adventure and benefits of scouting to join them.

A Sterling Branch Librarian with a group of children on an outdoor outing, circa 1915.  Image courtesy Cleveland Public Library.

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The history of the neighborhood surrounding the Cleveland Public Library's Sterling Branch is lovingly detailed in the pages of almost 100 years of the branch library's annual reports.

In these reports, the branch librarians described the constant change that the neighborhood experienced through the decades, and how this library branch kept pace. 

Insurance maps from 1910 show a wide variety of buildings in the neighborhood, with the majority of the housing being apartments or tenements. The Sterling neighborhood was home to institutions such as St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Little Sisters of the Poor and Home for the Aged, and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Reformatory for Women and Girls. 

Commercial buildings ranged from bake houses, cigar factories, and sign painting shops to wholesale liquor stores and stables for business deliveries. Churches, synagogues, public schools, and day nurseries were also scattered throughout the neighborhood.

When the new Sterling branch building opened in 1913, the daily hours ran into the night, with it opening in the early afternoon until 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday.

Because the neighborhood had so many movie theaters, the librarians found that they had to keep up with plays and movies every week, because patrons would ask whether the plays had been novelized and put on library shelves.

ODOT construction engineer Kirk Gegick (left) leads a group of students on a project tour this winter. ODOT recently announced that the project team will provide twice-monthly tours to the public. Photo courtesy ODOT.

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The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and its Innerbelt Bridge Project Team recently announced the availability of public tours of the much talked about Innerbelt Bridge construction project. The hour-long tours will take place twice each month through September 2012.

“We are really pleased to offer tours to the general public,” said Innerbelt Project Manager Craig Hebebrand. “This is a unique opportunity for the public to view a major civil infrastructure project up-close.”

ODOT is nearly a year-and-a-half into construction of the state’s largest, single transportation investment. During the public tours, attendees will be led through the industrial “Flats” area and treated to an up close and personal view of the massive new piers, intricate re-bar webs, mammoth machines and dedicated craftspeople performing the work.    

Perhaps most impressive, just last month, crews began erecting the behemoth steel members which will frame the new bridge. Later this spring, crews will begin constructing the signature “delta” girders. These triangular steel members will form the unique, arched appearance of the new bridge. 

“This is a very unique design and when the delta girders go in, you’ll really start to see the new bridge take shape,” said Innerbelt Project Manager for Construction Tom Hyland. “Our tours should allow people to appreciate the size and scale of the new bridge – and the project as a whole.” 

Results from piloting SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) in several area schools are very promising, according to data analyzed by The Literacy Cooperative. 

As a part of its mission to improve lives by enhancing literacy, The Literacy Cooperative this year brought SPARK to selected communities in Cuyahoga County as a model for increasing early childhood literacy and school-readiness.

SPARK is an in-home tutoring program that links children and parents in at-risk communities with a Parent Partner who guides the child and parent through a proven curriculum and also serves as a resource, providing parents with ways to incorporate learning into daily home activities. Parent Partners also help connect children and families to resources they may need. 

The Literacy Cooperative collaborates with Invest in Children and Family Connections to offer SPARK in partnership with elementary schools in the Maple Heights,Cleveland Heights, University Heights and Cleveland school districts.

One of The Literacy Cooperative's volunteers in action, reading a story to area school children.  Photo courtesy Hatha Communications.

The Literacy Cooperative recently hosted a Parent Learning Session, offering tips and other advice to assist parents in encouraging their children to read.

The Parent Learning Session was a supplement to the STEP (Supporting Tutors, Engaging Pupils) tutoring program the Literacy Cooperative is piloting at Marion Sterling school. First graders at Marion Sterling are paired with a tutor for one-on-one sessions that follow a research-based curriculum designed to improve the child’s literacy skills.

The Parent Learning Session focused on providing parents with tips on reading with their children. During the session, parents were encouraged to read with their children for at least 20 minutes every day. Parents were led through a series of strategies to be used before, during and after reading a book to their child.

Some important tips included:

• Before reading a book together, talk about what is on the cover and what the book may be about. Point out and explain the role of the author and illustrator. Talk about the setting and the characters.
• While reading together, periodically stop and ask what will happen next, and recall details.
• After reading a book together, ask what the child thought of the story. Summarize the story, and ask imaginative questions. Parents learned that an effective reader is able to engage the child, maintain the child’s attention, and make the story relevant. 

Members participate in one of the numerous fitness classes offered at the Rec Center. Photo courtesy CSU.

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Although the Cleveland State University Recreation Center is located on campus, it is open to faculty, staff and community members, in addition to student.

And the Rec Center hopes to increase its membership base.

Located on Chester Avenue, the CSU Rec Center offers a first-class facility with state-of-the-art equipment. From ellipticals to free weights to an indoor track, the building offers something for everyone.

The location of the Rec is ideal for a businessperson working downtown Cleveland. Community members have access to parking next to and beneath the Rec center. Many members will stop by early in the morning to get a workout before the day begins, or later in the day to relieve stress.

The facility is also one of the most diverse in the area. Members have access to multiple basketball courts, racquetball and squash courts. All the courts remain open during facility hours and are able to be reserved in advance.

Members can also take a swim in the Busbey Natatorium, which features two different-sized pools.

But what makes the Rec stand out from other gyms isn’t necessarily its equipment – it’s the attitude within the building.

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A mild winter in Northeast Ohio has contributed to the delight of spring this year enhancing the abundance of new life and vigor that is so apparent on our local farms.

Orchards are in bloom, the green strong stems of new garlic are higher than last year, asparagus tips are coming along strong, potatoes and beans have been planted, strawberry buds are filling fields…and so much more to come! 

The farmers have tilled their fields and planted fruits and veggies for the upcoming North Union Farmers Market opening day at Cleveland State University on Thursday, June 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Euclid in front of the law school at East 18th Street.

The market will be opening with strawberries, spring lettuces, maple syrup, flowers, early summer vegetables and lots more to look forward to.

Our farmers will again be creating “local lunches” for your enjoyment using fresh farm produce. Tea Hills Poultry will be serving their popular and healthy chicken fajita from their farm. Spice of Detroit’s Gordon Square will be creating their zesty burrito, both vegetarian and fresh-made chorizo from New Creation Farms Berkshire hogs.

Being treated in the hospital or visiting someone whose been admitted to the hospital can be a frightening experience.

Please call the Pastoral Care Department at (216) 363-3312, if you have questions or just want to talk with a chaplain about this topic. There is no fee for our help.

Trained chaplains in the Pastoral Care department offer emotional and spiritual support to patients and caregivers at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. They also are experienced in helping people understand and complete what's known as "Advanced Directives."

The "Living Will" and the "Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions" are essential legal documents for people to have so his or her wishes will be known to their family and doctors, if they should ever be permanently unconscious and terminally ill.

To finance or to finance smartly; these cars await being purchased at the Central Cadillac dealer on Carnegie Avenue in the Campus District of Cleveland.

One of the most common mistakes that people make when financing a vehicle is only considering the monthly payment.

Next time you’re walking on a car dealer’s lot, whether serious or not, you’ll probably hear these words from a salesperson: “So, what kind of payment were you looking for?” The problem here is that your monthly payment is only one variable in financing a vehicle. It has no bearing on whether you receive a good financing deal or not. 

Let’s say that you were looking at a $20,000 vehicle and would like around a $300 monthly payment. Your salesman would be all smiles, knowing that if you qualify for credit, there would be no problem setting up that deal.

In fact, he could set you up with a $292.17 monthly payment. What he might not be up front about is that you might end up with an 84-month loan at 6% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) at a cost of $4,542.37 in interest over those seven years.

Not only is that a lot of interest to pay, but would you really want a seven year car loan? If you wanted to trade in the vehicle in 4 years, you would still owe $9,359.81. Chances are also good that you would still owe more than the vehicle would be worth. This is not where you want to be. 

Photo courtesy of Peggy Turbett
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On a day in late March, Ms. Crystal Betha’s class experienced the opportunity of a lifetime.

The fifth grade students from Marion-Sterling Elementary School participated in a culminating event called “The Big Show." During the event, on March 26, students were able to showcase their talent and newfound skills in dancing.

Demonstrating their new skills, students participated in dances such as the tango, foxtrot and the meringue.

There is no doubt that participation in this program has had a positive influence and impact on the students. I had the wonderful privilege and opportunity to sit down with two students from Ms. Betha’s class to get the real “scoop” on Dancing Classrooms.

When asked about their experience in the program, Kailey St. Clair and Murice York had nothing but great things to say about the program. As they discussed their participation in the last event, their eyes lit up with excitement. They reflected on the entire evening and proceeded to give a play-by-play of what the event consisted of.

I learned about everything from who was in attendance to who danced with whom during the event. I would be remiss if I forgot to mention the wonderful desserts that they had as well. Kailey and Murice noted how Dancing Classrooms really helped to shape how they felt about dancing and working together.

Known for his distinct charcoal drawing techniques, Laurence Channing creates dreamlike visions of Cleveland residential and lake landscapes. Pictured: "Nighthouse" by Laurence Channing.  Image courtesy Bonfoey Gallery.

The Bonfoey Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of drawings by Laurence Channing: 2000 – 2012.

These charcoal and pastel drawings on paper will be on view in the street level gallery from May 11 to June 9, to 12, with an opening reception with the artist scheduled for Friday, May 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. Bonfoey Gallery is situated at 1710 Euclid Avenue.

Many artists question the relevance and objectivity of their craft. Why do we make art? What constitutes "great” art? How does my work confirm or subvert the ideas of my time and place? Laurence Channing’s long and prestigious career has given him cause to explore these questions.

As a predominantly representational artist, Channing is cognizant of the biases against realism in the art world today. Gone are the days when exceptional rendering is the barometer for “great” art.

Now, when political statements or vulgar-shock commands attention, Channing asks, what standard can we hold to these drastically different attempts to communicate an idea? His answer is style; the evident individuality of a single voice. In this way Channing excels.

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Ed Young, Caldecott Medalist and author of many award-winning books for children, is the 2012 winner of the Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Award for his stunning autobiography, The House Baba Built: An Artist’s Childhood in China.

The Sugarman Award is given every other year by the Cleveland Public Library to honor excellence in the field of biography for children.

These books embody the mandated Sugarman award criteria—that titles be selected for age-appropriateness, writing quality and biographical subject matter "worthy of emulation." The award winner receives $5,000.

“Ed Young’s memoir is a visual feast for the eye as well as an affirmation of family, imagination and love,” said Chrystal Carr Jeter, chair of the Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Committee.

The extraordinary book design mirrors the house, providing a surprise on every page. Two page fold-outs are followed by collages and photos of ever-changing pigment and texture. Rice paper that is arranged layer on top of layer builds complexity from one page to the next – much like Baba’s house.

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Have you ever been in a situation where you wished you were a police officer or in a position of power to take action against someone that was breaking the law or causing an unsafe situation?

Have you found yourself looking around for police and wondering…where are they when you need them? 

I think we all have been in those types of situations at some point. The problem is, we often get frustrated and then give up because we think we can’t do anything. Fortunately, we can do something; we can call and report it. Most of the time, people see things, ponder on it, and then report it ten to fifteen minutes later after the incident.

It is extremely important to call quickly so that police actually have a chance to find or catch someone in the act. Don’t second guess yourself, just call and let the police figure it out.  Even if it turns out to be nothing, it's better to call than to ignore it.   

The Cleveland State Police Department has a daily operation schedule. On top of answering calls for service, each day the police go into the field and patrol the campus, providing visibility to the public while looking for things that could be wrong. The truth is criminals have a good way of blending in. They look for police and wait for them to leave the area before they commit the crime. That is why it is extremely important for community members to report suspicious events or persons.

Jerome Baker

The lives of the youth in the Central neighborhood of Cleveland was on the forefront of Jerome Baker's mind in 2006, so much so that he felt a need to contribute to the cultivation of the youth in the area.

He co-founded Men of Central organization in 2006. The organization was established because Baker saw a need to promote the greatness of the Central community and celebrate its positive history and current success stories.

Today, the organization known as the “Men and Women of Central” provides mentoring to girls and boys ages 8 to 14 years old who live in and around the Central Neighborhood of Cleveland.

Volunteerism can and should play a critical role in addressing major global issues but has been largely absent from the international peace and development agenda, according to a report released recently by the United Nations Volunteers Programme. 

The report provides food for thought for local communities, as well as the UN Conference on Sustainable Communities (Rio+20) to be held in June, 2012.  

“Nothing like this study has ever been attempted before on a worldwide scale,” said Jeffrey L. Brudney, Ph.D., Albert A. Levin Chair of Urban Studies and Public Service at Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College. Brudney participated as part of the international Technical Advisory Board that advised the UNV on how to create the report.

 “It has been very exciting to participate in this project,” he said. 

Brudney noted that the report answers questions such as: What are volunteers doing to assist governments, nations, and communities? What are their roles and contributions to worldwide goals: peace, sustainability, ecology, and international/intergroup collaboration and harmony? What has been done over the past decade—since the Year of the Volunteer—to raise the visibility, stature, recognition, and appreciation of the contributions of volunteers in a worldwide context?

Anthony Van Rooy - Photography by Dan Morgan

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Yes, Anthony Van Rooy is from the same family as the great Cleveland Van Rooy Coffee Company, but Tony’s immediate family opted out of the business several years ago.

Anthony Van Rooy graduated from Cleveland State University's Fine Arts Department in the 1980s. When I met Tony in 1989, he was delivering over 200 newspapers every morning and spending the rest of his days painting. I have never met a more passionate artist. Even today, Anthony is always finding clever revenue streams in order to fund the passion. Selling screen printed t-shirts, on-line stock investing and fixing up old foreclosed properties are just a few of Anthony’s part-time interests, as well as raising two teenage boys with his wife Keely in Rocky River.

My gallery, Gallery 0022, featured Anthony in several exhibitions, both solo and as part of a two man show with Steve Vaccariello. At that time, Anthony was showing his work all over the place, from underground parties to conventional galleries, including William Busta Gallery when it was on Murray Hill.

Malfert H. Shaw

Malfert H. Shaw has a lot to smile about. Within the same week, he celebrated his son’s acceptance into the Teach for America program and the birth of his great-grandson. In addition, the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority's Police Athletic League, a community venture he has been working on for the last two years, will be up and running within the next month.

Who is Malfert H. Shaw? Truly a Campus District treasure, Mr. Shaw was born in the Central neighborhood and returned to live in the area six years ago. He is active with CMHA's Cedar Estates Local Advisory Council and Progressive Action Council board (where he serves on the safety committee), and is an active member at Philemon Baptist Church. Mr. Shaw enjoys working with children and meeting parents through his work with the summer lunch program.

Larkin Tackett, Deputy Director of the US Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods, Promise Ambassador Dawn Glasco, Cleveland City Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland and Eric Waldo, chief of staff of the federal "Strong Cities, Strong Communities" program. Photo courtesy Sisters of Charity Foundation.

A small contingent of Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland staff, Cleveland City Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland and others visited Washington D.C. recently, meeting with Northeast Ohio’s congressional delegation and with U.S. Department of Education officials on the Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood initiative.  

The foundation, the lead applicant for the initiative, applied for $15 million in federal funding over three years from the Department of Education to fund the Promise initiative.

The Promise initiative, a comprehensive effort by the Department of Education and inspired by the Harlem Children’s Zone, to ensure that all children have access to good schools and strong family and community support so that they receive an excellent education, graduate from high school and go on to college or other educational opportunities.

The Department of Education funded five Promise implementation initiatives in 2011; the foundation came in sixth, scoring a 93, 0.33 behind the fifth grantee.

1938 Euclid before Bluewater's Renovation. Photo courtesy Allegro Realty Advisors.

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Certainly many of the Campus District’s students, residents, and employees have grown accustomed to enjoying their lunch at Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches or Moe’s Southwest Grill. They have also taken time to relax in one of the few greenspaces along the southern side of Euclid Avenue or have appreciated the new cut-through between Prospect and Euclid Avenues. But most visitors, residents, and students are likely unaware of how this critical property along Euclid Avenue was transformed from a deteriorating structure into a crucial part of the District.

The building dates back to the early 1900s, originally serving as a car dealership during the first half of the 20th century. However, most people likely remember it as the home of Morse Graphic Art Company, which occupied it for nearly 50 years. In mid-2009, Bluewater Capital Partners, a group drawn to urban renovation and infill projects with community impact, acquired the 15,000 square foot building at 1938 Euclid Avenue. At the time of the acquisition, the building was vacant and deteriorating, with considerable deferred maintenance. Despite its outward appearance, the principals at Bluewater Capital Partners knew there was a potential asset buried under years of neglect.

Barbara Green, Professor Emerita, Political Science Department, at a recent RFA gathering, along with Thomas Frew, Professor Emeritus, Teacher Education and RFA's current president. (Photo by Don Ramos.)

The Cleveland State University Retired Faculty Association is a lively group of CSU retired faculty, librarians, and professional staff. Local members meet approximately once a month throughout the academic year, usually on campus, for camaraderie, updates on the University, and programs on a wide variety of subjects. In addition, each year the members nominate a colleague to receive the Distinguished Emeritus Faculty Honorary Degree. Thomas Frew, Professor Emeritus, Teacher Education, is the current president of the organization. Edward Thomas, Professor Emeritus, Marketing, will take over as president next year. RFA also publishes a newsletter that reports on many subjects, as well as sharing post-retirement letters from CSU retirees who have moved out of town, most recently from Jose Labrador, Professor Emeritus, Modern Languages, on his new life in Spain. Donald Ramos, Professor Emeritus, History, is the editor of the newsletter.

Elements Bistro, 2300 Euclid Avenue. Photo courtesy CSU.

Cleveland, Ohio - You walk into the tastefully-decorated bar, are greeted by a gracious host, notice the smooth jazz music flowing throughout the space and then are guided to a comfortable, sun splashed table.  You are presented with a menu of locally sourced, gourmet fare and can’t decide between the Pesto-Crusted Tilapia and the Orecchiette and Roasted Chicken. You may have just finished with your accounting class, have a department meeting this afternoon or are entertaining a business client … yes, you’re dining on Cleveland State's campus at Elements – a bistro on Euclid. 

Named after the influential textbook Elements by the Greek mathematician Euclid, Elements – a Bistro on Euclid has been a fixture on Cleveland State University’s campus for four years. Elements endeavors to offer simple dishes that rely on the basic qualities of seasonal, locally-sourced goods, and to do so in an atmosphere that is peaceful and relaxing.

General Manager Steve Adams and Chef Amy Woodward have been at the helm of Elements since they opened the doors in early 2008. They are especially proud to offer high quality dishes at value-minded prices, as no item is more than twelve dollars. Adams and Woodward change the menu with the seasons. With cold weather, more hearty items are offered, such as Fleet Avenue Pierogies, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Chicken Pot Pie and, of course, their famous Elements Burger. When the weather warms, the menu becomes focused on lighter fare, and the staff throws open the double glass doors to their large patio overlooking the peaceful courtyard of the Parker-Hannifin Administration Center. 

Photo courtesy St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.

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Rosary Hall at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center opened its doors in 1952 and has been providing continuous care, treatment and hope to alcoholic and drug dependent adult men and women ever since. One of the nation’s first hospital-based treatment programs, Rosary Hall is unique because it is located within an acute-care hospital. This means that, while addressing addiction, other medical issues such as heart disease, intestinal problems, hypertension, diabetes, liver problems can also be treated.

As a faith-based nonprofit organization, Rosary Hall at St. Vincent Charity provides services to clients from all socioeconomic, ethnic and religious denominations. It is also deeply connected to the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, pioneers of AA, worked closely with Sister Ignatia Gavin, CSA, who was building her own ministry to help alcoholics at Akron’s St. Thomas Hospital. Sister Ignatia, for whom East 22nd Street is named, moved her ministry to St. Vincent Charity, where she opened the new 17-bed center in December 1952, naming it to commemorate the day permission was granted to begin the project – the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary.

During a recent experience as a patient at St. Vincent Charity Hospital, I was able to learn and verify in a very real manner the reputation of St. Vincent in the Campus District.

From the very first step into the hospital, I was greeted by the receptionist and directed to the Admission’s Office. The gentleman in the Admission office was efficient in gathering the information necessary to bill my insurance providers. He set me at ease with humor and cheerfulness. In spite of my dread, I laughed! When I completed answering the questions, giving the information necessary for me to pass on to the next level of my care, he showed me the way to the Radiation Department. I noticed that hospital workers exiting the elevators would smile and say, "Hell-o."

Pictures hung on the wall in the hallway of employees who were being honored for their work in the past month. Following the hallway to the Radiation Department I passed though the double automatic doors, walking again down another hallway. The lady at the desk took all my papers and asked me to sit in the waiting room. The technician who came to take me to the x-ray room was gently talkative and made an effort to set me at ease. After preparation for the test, she told me in detail what was going to happen. Knowledge is power in helping to alleviate anxiety.

Image courtesy VNA.

Everyone needs help with day-to-day tasks sometimes. Most of the in-home help needed today is with everyday activities such as bathing and grooming, companionship, or activities of daily living – medication reminders, laundry, light housekeeping, or running errands. While this type of non-medical, private duty care is typically not covered by Medicare or private insurance plans, it is what keeps people living independently at home.

According to John Hancock Financial’s 2011 Cost of Care Survey, a home health aide was the least expensive option for senior care, with the least inflation per year. The national average annual cost of care in the United States is $85,775 for a private room in a nursing home; $75,555 for a semi-private room in a nursing home; and $39,240 for an assisted living facility. Alternatively, the average cost for a home health aide was just $20 per hour or $37,440 annually. Long-term care insurance plans are also increasingly being offered, which may cover private duty care.

In case you haven’t noticed, our lives go by in a flash. Time is sneaky. When we are bored, a day can seem endless. By the same token, years can pass by quickly; and we wonder “Where did the time go?” This is why we must keep focused and be ready for what life holds for us when it’s time. One thing that many people fail to prepare for is their retirement.

What do you do when you’re suddenly in your 50’s, you’re looking to retire in a few years and you have nothing saved for the rest of your life? Currently, there’s Social Security where the average check at the beginning of 2012 was $1,230. Can you live on $1,230 a month? More and more retirees are finding it unrealistic, so they are pushing back their retirement age and continuing to work far past the time they had anticipated. Some people are even resigned to the fact that they will never be able to quit work and retire. Many seniors continue to work because they want to. It provides them with a purpose, brings them satisfaction, and provides a little spending money on the side. It’s a whole different ballgame when you have to keep working just to survive.

Boy Scouts helped lead a recent Ward 5 Community Parade.  Photo courtesy Jim Dillon.

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The Campus District Observer is all about showcasing the positives of this neighborhood and of our great city. There are so many great things happening in Cleveland, but the rest of the world mostly hears about our challenges. The Greater Cleveland Council of the Boy Scouts of America is one of the positives that most people, even here in Cleveland, know little about. I am asking the readers of the Observer to talk to at least one person after reading this article, to share the good things about Scouting in Cleveland.

The Greater Cleveland Council of the Boy Scouts of America is celebrating our 100th Anniversary in 2012. The Council has had almost a million Cuyahoga County youth participate in our character building program during our 100 year history. We will celebrate our birthday with many events. We had over 1,500 Scouts march in the St. Patrick's Day parade, over 3,500 lawns raked for elderly homeowners at our "Yardcharge" service project, and, in May, over 4,000 Scouts, volunteers and families will attend the Greater Cleveland Council's "Camporee" at the Lorain County Fairgrounds.

For almost 150 years, Berea Children’s Home and Family Services has provided comprehensive and customized solutions to Northeast Ohio-area children and their families. Over the past 30 years, the organization has progressed into a much larger, more diverse group with an expanded list of programs and services that serve a larger population extending beyond Cuyahoga County across Northeast Ohio and down to Columbus. To showcase this evolution, Berea Children’s Home and Family Services recently transformed into Guidestone™, solutions for children, families and communities.

 “We chose Guidestone because we believe that it best represents who we are as an organization, what we do and our mission,” said Rich Frank, Guidestone CEO. “The word “guide” implies leadership and means something or someone that leads others in the right direction or advises and counsels. Stone represents those things that are solid, long lasting and foundational. Therefore, Guidestone means providing positive direction and hope based on a strong foundation.”

Mrs. Betha's fifth graders from last year's Dancing Classrooms experience, dressed for their final show.  Bottom Row: Breaunte Davis, Emmanuel Williams. First row right:  Lynzhoniah Swain,   Lakelle Lang. Second row left: Keylonda Coker, Jamontay Harder. Second row right: Lashay Mitchell,  Kalonte Olgetree. Top row left: Dennis McKnight, Jordan Hunter. Photo by Crystal Betha.

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It’s been about eight weeks since Ms. Crystal Betha’s fifth grade class at Marion Sterling Elementary started on their journey to learn the fine art of ballroom dancing. Led every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon by their teaching artist, Miss Clair, the students now talk excitedly about the foxtrot, swing, meringue and rumba. 

This experience is possible because of Dancing Classrooms, a ten week, twenty session social development program for fifth and eighth graders that uses ballroom dancing as a way to teach some of life’s important lessons about teamwork, courtesy and respect.  

Ms. Betha’s class is sharing their thoughts about this experience through journals they keep as part of the program. Here’s what they had to say most recently about their turn on the dance floor.

Jane Addams student Brian McIntyre, along other business students, eagerly get to work on their new laptop computers.  Photo by Douglas R. Hoffman.

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Brian McIntyre, a 10th grader at Jane Addams High School, stood next to his 14 classmates in Ed Novinc’s business class Thursday afternoon and spoke for the group.

“Thank you, Gilbane!” said McIntyre, his voice riding the electricity of youth.

His classmates echoed his sentiments. To be sure, the students had 24 reasons to thank Gilbane Building Co., a giant construction company with several projects in the Cleveland area, and all of them were stacked on a desk in front of McIntyre and his classmates. Thanks to the Club at Key Center, Gilbane had donated 24 Dell laptops for McIntyre and the other 10th graders in Novinc’s business class to use. The laptops are a godsend for the fledgling program that Novinc started building at Addams last August from the ground floor.

Novinc had reached out to leadership team of the Key Club, an organization of business professionals, as soon as his business sequence was launched, and it chipped in right away. Yet he knew he would need more help, so he asked for laptops. Two or three laptops were what he was hoping to get, and in his wildest imagination, maybe five or six were possible.

Sterling Library, immediately after its completion in 1913.  Photo courtesy Cleveland Public Library archives.

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This is the first installment of a three part series highlighting the Sterling Branch of the Cleveland Public Library, one of this District's many assets and perhaps one of its best kept secrets.  This first article traces the history of the branch, the second will share information about the many programs and services available at this location to those who live, work and learn here, and the third will share the Library's new strategic plan and what it will mean for the Sterling branch. 

On August 1, 1913, Cleveland Public Library’s Sterling Branch opened to the public with an informal reception that was held from 3 until 6 o’clock in the afternoon and again from 8 until 10 in the evening. Despite the August heat, the branch was packed with residents of the neighborhood.

Located at 2200 East 30th Street, the Sterling Branch was designed by noted New York architect Edward Tilton. Tilton began his architectural studies at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in 1887 and remained in Paris for three years. Later, as part of the Boring & Tilton partnership, Tilton designed the Ellis Island’s Main Building.  During the course of his career Tilton designed 60 library buildings including the Cleveland Public Library’s Carnegie West Branch located at 1900 Fulton Avenue. 

A Lake Erie sunset.  (Left to right) Sarah Townsend, Marguerite Hutcheson, Gwen Stembridge, Alex Barton and Peter Moorhouse Photo by Laura Brown.

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Trinity Cathedral Cleveland is currently accepting applications from individuals and nonprofit or social service work site locations to participate in the Urban Service Corps program that begins August 22, 2012. Each summer, Trinity invites 6 to 8 recent college graduates to spend time in Cleveland living together in a simple, sustainable, spiritual community while serving at local nonprofits working to rebuild and reimagine the city and the region. Each participant serves full-time for eleven months at nonprofit site-placements in the city. In exchange for their efforts, participants receive free housing, transportation, health care, and a small stipend.

This experiential urban immersion service program is designed to provide the time, space, and resources to discern one’s future and grow both spiritually and as a leader in the wider community.Participants live together in community in a house in one of Cleveland’s urban neighborhoods. The Urban Service Corps program is a member of the larger Episcopal Service Corps, a national federation of similar programs through the Episcopal church. Although these partner organizations are not responsible for wages and benefits, they are asked to contribute to the overall program through a tax-deductible monthly donation. Sites that have perdiodic of regular short term volunteer opportunites are also encouraged to apply.

Peter Moorhouse

Looking for the pulse of this city? It can be found in the boardrooms perched high above the city, in faith communities big and small, in the coffee shops, the bars, universities, community development organizations and on the streets. The health of this community knows no bounds and respects no divisions.  For Cleveland to return to greatness it must be whole. 

This year’s Corps comes from different places such as Atlanta, Appalachia, Baltimore, home of the Honorary Clevelanders, Dallas, Boston and from England. We also represent different faith backgrounds and different paths to this year of service. While respecting what is different, we embrace what we share with one another as a community, the city of Cleveland and with the community at-large. We share a vision of a brighter future for Cleveland and the six of us have come to work towards that end within the context of spiritual and vocational discernment and Christian intentional community. However, this year of service is no one-way street. The grace, wisdom and resources we give are equal to those we receive. Cleveland has revealed itself as a place of unbridled hospitality and compassion. Our community of six continually explores spirituality, vocation and which fight really is the “good fight.” We each serve at different agencies that include: Greater Cleveland Congregations, Trinity Cathedral, Stockyard, Clark-Fulton and Brooklyn Centre Community Development Office, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, Cleveland Leadership Center, West Creek Preservation Committee, Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization.

Alex Barton

Since the end of August six young men and women have been living together in Cleveland working at different nonprofits across the city. This is not your typical (and outdated) philanthropic experience; think instead of a blend of monastic intent and urban immersion. The Trinity Urban Service Corps is the official name of an experience that has become less about “giving back” or “taking away,” and much more about living in true community within the great city of Cleveland.

Our work spans a diverse array of responses to views on the vitality of a city, from the local economy, to creating green space, to providing food, to abating environmental hazards. It is a perfect exposition on the dynamic nature of an urban space’s health—no one sector has the solution.

While much of the program was described as a time to discern our vocations or to be intentional about our lifestyles, something that became immediately apparent in this process was the importance of larger community. It is a city that has faced a plethora of economic challenges and political pitfalls. But, like any city there is still a great bar and restaurant scene, music venues, and theatres. Every city has attractions and that is usually all that anyone ever sees or knows about—for example, Cleveland equals the Browns, the Indians, 4th street, and the Cavs for many people. However, this program has made it possible to see the behind the scenes, and understand the reasons there are now committed elected officials, a booming entrepreneurial population, hundreds of committed nonprofits, and thousands of empowered, not to mention knowledgeable, people.