Euclid area businesses and citizens are great! Thank you for your support of Kiddie City’s recent fundraiser. As a result of your generosity and that of our attendees, we raised approximately $6,000 that will enable our students to take fieldtrips and our staff to host special guests at our 501 (c)3 center. The children’s educational experiences will be enhanced in many ways.
Eye screening of 99 children ages 3 to 6 at the Child Development Center at Benjamin Franklin School on Wilmore Avenue took place recently by Lions Club members. Of the 99 screened, 53 were referred for further eye exams.
The Lions Club International, located in Chicago purchased 10 Welch Allyn Sure Sight screening devices at a cost of over $5,000.00 each. The local Lions District 13 C was presented one of the devices and is in the process of testing all children in Euclid ages 3 to 6. Lions Club members are trained to use the device.
Performing the screening at CDC were Euclid Lions Club member Pat Nevar and from the Willoughby Hills Lions Club were Dona Klager, Maggie Dellmore, Dorothy Washington and Pat Conley. Euclid Lions Club member Sandie Brochak was involved in the screening of children at the Roosevelt School.
Sneakers, sleeping bags and cancer education? It must be the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, an overnight event to celebrate survivorship and raise funds to help create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
Relay For Life brings together teams from local businesses, schools, churches and families for fun, food, music and entertainment, and a night under the stars – all while team members take turns walking or running on a track. Relay For Life begins with a Cancer Survivors Lap and reception to celebrate life. Later in the evening, a Luminaria Ceremony honors those who are battling cancer and remembers those who have lost their fight. The monies raised from this event will go toward the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and patient service programs.
The 2012 Relay For Life of Euclid will be held at Euclid High School, beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 9 and ending at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2012.
The Relay For Life of Euclid is looking for team captains, volunteers, cancer survivors, community leaders and sponsors to get involved in this signature fundraising event. Community members interested in learning more are encouraged to attend one of our upcoming meeting held at the Shore Cultural Centre, 291 East 222nd Street in Euclid:
“We remember, we celebrate, we believe”
This year marks the 90th Anniversary of Rose-Mary Center, in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of Cleveland Catholic Charities. As we celebrate these important milestones, we reflect on the Center’s rich history in the community.
In 1922, Mr. Caesar A. Grasselli, President of Grasselli Chemical Works, deeded the family's summer home known as "Three Gables" to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland for a home for children with physical disabilities. "Three Gables" was renamed Rose-Mary after the Blessed Virgin and the beautiful rose gardens that Caesar Grasselli's invalid wife, Johanna, had created behind the mansion.
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Place Saturday, April 21 on your calendar and join the KC community at Wickliffe’s Italian American Club for an adults-only dinner, dancing, and a Chinese auction to support the educational enrichment programs for the children at the area 501 (c)3 child care center. Individual tickets are $20 or $150 per table of eight and that includes a pasta dinner, salad and dessert, beer, wine, and soft drinks, and DJ service by Platinum Entertainment. Opportunities are available for tax deductible sponsorships and donations. Contact Jennifer Boger at 216-481-9044 to get involved. For more information, check out the calendar on www.kiddiecityeuclid.org.
In the Spring, 2010, HUD and the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation, commonly known as the Cuyahoga Land Bank, forged a nationally groundbreaking agreement whereby HUD would transfer low-value, vacant and abandoned properties to the Cuyahoga Land Bank for $100. HUD ended up with these properties as a result of mortgage foreclosures guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). This agreement was considered essential to stabilizing real estate market values. Instead of transferring these properties to speculators and perpetuating the cycle of tax foreclosure and abandonment, HUD transfers these properties to the Cuyahoga Land Bank for $100 after paying all current taxes. After one full year, HUD and the Cuyahoga Land Bank have renewed the contract for another year based on the need and success of the relationship.
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The Literacy Cooperative recently published A Framework for Program Improvements in Adult Literacy (the Framework). Completed this fall and unveiled locally and at the US Conference on Adult Literacy in Houston, the Framework is being enthusiastically received in the literacy community. It includes a summary of key research-based best practices in the field of adult literacy; a summary of factors that impact learning outcomes and an online Program Self-Assessment tool still in development.
The adult education workforce is largely part-time or volunteer with little formal training in reading and math instruction and/or adult education. In addition, unlike other areas of education or social service, adult literacy has no commonly recognized credentials or other mechanisms to assure quality of practice. In the face of these challenges, the Framework offers practitioners and administrators readily accessible information on best practices in the field that can help shape program structure and instruction, and inform professional training for practitioners. The Framework can also serve as an important resource for literacy grant makers seeking to identify quality programs or support program improvements among grantees.
The Literacy Cooperative offers targeted trainings to practitioners and administrators on the use and implementation of the Framework. The first of these trainings took place October 21 and November 18, 2011 and will be offered again in 2012.
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Every Monday and Wednesday last year, Elizabeth Tilley joined other tutors to volunteer at Marion-Sterling School in Cleveland in a pilot initiative called STEP (Supporting Tutors Engaging Pupils). STEP at Marion-Sterling focuses on first graders who are below grade level in reading and was developed through collaboration of The Literacy Cooperative and a group of community literacy partners.
Like many volunteer tutors, Ms. Tilley has a passion for reading, language, children and for helping people reach their highest potential. What makes Ms. Tilley different from the other tutors is that she has only been reading for about a decade herself, even though she is 53 years old.
A native of England, Ms. Tilley grew up in a blue-collar town with her parents and five siblings. She faked her way through school by using attitude, copy-cat behavior and deductive reasoning, though she never learned to read well enough to actually comprehend a text. Eventually, she married a Clevelander and moved to the United States, working as a hair stylist until her six children grew up and left home. It was then that Ms. Tilley found herself at a crossroads.
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The Euclid Animal Shelter, which provides temporary care and living quarters for animals awaiting adoption, relies heavily on volunteers who devote time to caring for the animals and maintaining the shelter facilities.
Due to a recent depletion of its volunteer staff, Euclid Pet Pals, the organization that supports the shelter, has issued an urgent plea for more adults willing to assist the cause.
“We need to replace a number of our adult volunteers who, for various reasons, are no longer able to help out,” explains Patti Burlingham, the Pet Pals treasurer. “In addition, we’ve lost the services of our teen-age volunteers who helped out during the summer, since they’re now back in school.”
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For a limited time, the Euclid Animal Shelter is extending its “cat sale,” in hopes of reducing its inventory of homeless adult cats. While the sale lasts, the adoption fee for adult cats will be just $10—a considerable reduction from the usual $70 charge. The fee covers a veterinary exam, de-worming, the initial vaccination and spaying or neutering, if necessary.
Fay Miller, chairman of Euclid Pet Pals, the shelter’s volunteer support group, notes that potential adopters can view pictures and brief bios of the available animals by visiting the group’s website: www.euclidpetpals.net. Just click on the Adoptions tab.
“Adoptions tend to slow down in the fall,” Miller points out, “and many of our animals are left pining for a home.” That explains the special fee reductions on adult cats. Meanwhile, kittens—which are easier to place in new homes—are available for $35, which is half of the usual fee.
TICKET DEADLINE: The Pet Pals 9th annual “4 Paws Clam Jam & Boo Bash,” a major fund-raiser, is scheduled Oct. 28 at the Manor Party Center, 24111 Rockwell Drive.
The evening begins with an open bar at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. After dinner, there will be music and dancing until 11 p.m. The program also includes raffles and, since it will be Halloween weekend, prizes for the best costumes although costumes are optional.
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Recher Hall has been the home to many community functions, as well as receptions and New Year’s parties. But for the last two and a half years, it has been the meeting place for a church community whose main agenda is to have a positive and godly effect on the city of Euclid. Jacob’s Ladder Church is a city church, dedicated to our beautiful Euclid Ohio.
Through weekly prayer for the city, free tennis shoe giveaways and many other outreaches, JL Church (also known as) is reaching out to the city of Euclid in a big way. JL Church will be sponsoring Synergy Blast Oct. 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Recher Hall. There will be haircuts, food, back massages, facials, a kid’s fun house, face painting and much more. But the greatest part about this event is that it's all free!
Jacobs Ladder Church, along with many other businesses and ministries within the city and nearby cities, are gathering to be a blessing to the community. This is an outreach ministry that travels around the greater Cleveland area headed by Gwen Todd and Bobbi Brand.
This event that attracts hundreds of people, will follow Jacobs Ladder Church’s first Sunday service, Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. The hall is located at 20713 Recher Avenue. So come early Sunday morning and experience great music, an inspired message, and good fellowship with some of Euclid’s finest people!
UpStage Players, the Collinwood-based children’s theater company, recently entered into a partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland to form a Builders Club within the company. Builders Club is an international organization for middle school students that focuses on developing leadership through service. The creation of this student-led service club as a value-added part of a theater/drama company, rather than a club in a middle school, makes it the first of its kind in not only the state of Ohio, but also the United States.
“UpStage is so excited to be working with this international group that so clearly is aligned with all of the standards UpStage is known for, such as: leadership, team building, community, responsibility, tolerance, inclusion, commitment, standing up for what is right, sharing your talents, imagination and more,” said Carrie Walsh-Hilf, artistic director. “The club will build activities centered on the arts to give back and build up community while developing student leaders.”
Jerry Seppelt, Kiwanis member and advisor to the group, explained, “This is a unique opportunity because it is based on drama. These kids can take their drama and acting skills and bring them to the community. Builder’s Clubs are always student-led. They come up with the ideas, the leadership and the programming. I told them that it is their imagination and excitement that can make it happen.”
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Euclid YMCA offers membership incentives
The Euclid YMCA, located at 631 Babbitt Road, is participating in a member-recruitment drive sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland.
Through Oct. 9, the normal $100 joiner fee is being waived for new members. In addition, current members are being offered a financial incentive to persuade friends and family members to join the Y and re-energize their lifestyles. They’ll receive a $25 credit toward their membership dues for each new member they bring in.
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It's been a great summer at Kiddie City on East 200th Street. We had visits from G Wiz, ponies and other animal friends, and Euclid Beach Park Now representatives sharing memories of "the good 'ol days." The older children have traveled on foot or by bus to great locations like Gateway Retirement Community, Memphis Kiddie Park and the Natural History Museum in University Circle. Now it's time for many transitions - from a carefree, warm summer to a busy, crisp fall and from a familiar prekindergarten classroom to a new school with new faces. Our teachers have been working hard to help our children prepare for this moment in hopes that their transition to this new chapter in their lives is as seamless as possible.
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Concluding the Toastmasters 2010-2011 year, the Bailey chapter of Toastmasters International received the Select Distinguished Award, meeting seven of ten goals that help lead to strong, successful clubs. This is the first time Baileys received the award since 2004-2005.
Goals include increasing membership. In the past year, the club increased its membership by seven members, with many new guests coming to the weekly meetings.
“We’re very proud of what we accomplished this past year, but are also excited to build on this momentum for the upcoming year,” says Janice Sewell, current club president.
Bailey Toastmasters meets each Thursday from 7-8 p.m. at the Euclid Public Library. The general public is welcome to attend.
About Toastmasters
Since its founding in 1924, Toastmasters International has helped more than four million men and women develop their public speaking and leadership skills. Headquartered in Southern California, the organization now has approximately 250,000 members and 12,500 clubs in 108 countries. For more information about Toastmasters International, please visit www.toastmasters.org.
“Dipstick,” the Labrador-mix puppy whose photo appeared in the July issue of the Euclid Observer, no longer has to worry about her future. She has been adopted by a local family willing to provide a loving home.
The Euclid YMCA lost one of its most faithful and long-serving staffers when Faye Roth decided it was finally time to retire and spend more time with her family, including her two young grandchildren.
The Collaboration and the YMCA hosted Second Annual Fill the Truck Event, Aug. 2, with hopes of filling their truck with school supplies for local children. Sought after school supplies included: notebooks, ruled paper, folders, markers, crayons, rulers, erasers, pens, pencils, binders and backpacks.
The YMCA will continue to accept donations of school supplies until their annual Back to School Rally, Aug. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. The YMCA is still looking for local agencies and businesses attend, with a resource table and activity for the children on the day of the rally. Those interested in helping and promoting your business can contact Courtney Nicolai at (216) 731-7454. Businesses will need to supply their own table and chair for the event.
The Euclid YMCA is located at 631 Babbitt Road in Euclid. Thank you in advance for your support! Our local youth will benefit greatly from your donation!
In the two years since its formation as a tool to battle the foreclosure crisis, the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation, commonly referred to as the land bank, acquired more than 1,200 abandoned properties, forged groundbreaking partnerships with Fannie Mae, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and leading banks, and has been recognized as a national role model for other communities. After two years, there are agreements in place and are still unique on a national level. These relationships have now turned into ongoing partnerships.
The Land Bank’s 2009- 2011 Report, released July 14, details the impressive progress made by the innovative, non-profit community improvement corporation since enabling legislation was signed into law in January 2009.
Dr. Dennis Keating, director of the Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development Program at Cleveland State University, wrote the report, highlighting the land bank’s most significant accomplishments over the last two years.
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The Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation (Cuyahoga Land Bank) has gained some welcome collaboration in the battle to alleviate the impact of foreclosure and abandonment in Cuyahoga County from and Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
A few weeks ago, Wells Fargo, working through the REO Clearinghouse (REO CH), began donating vacant and foreclosed low asset properties to the Cuyahoga Land Bank along with a contribution toward demolition equal to $3,500 per property in their NSP 2 target areas and $7,500 per property in the rest of Cuyahoga County. Bank of America recently entered into a similar agreement with the Cuyahoga Land Bank to donate up to 100 vacant and foreclosed low asset properties following the same monetary donation structure as the Wells Fargo agreement.
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Euclid Kiwanis is looking for a few good men and women to continue supporting projects in the community. Time and age is taking its toll on various organizations and we are all dwindling in number and increasing in age. We welcome anyone who would like to join us at Euclid Hospital’s Lake Erie Room on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
We usually eat our evening meal at the hospital cafeteria, and if you want to join us, you must get through the line before it closes at 6:30 pm. We then conduct our meeting, with laughter as one of the more important items on the agenda. We do have fun. We also get a lot done for our community, with ongoing projects throughout the year.
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You may not have noticed but there has been some major construction quietly going on at Mary Mavec Opportunity School on Lakeshore Boulevard. Students, volunteers and the school’s director have all been working together to create a miniature town complete with schools, churches, sidewalks and skyscrapers.
The Literacy Cooperative has received a continuation grant of almost $260,000 from the Ohio Community Service Council (OCSC) that, along with an additional $145,000 raised through host site contributions, will allow the Literacy Cooperative to fund a second year of the NEO Literacy Corps (2011-2012).
The NEO Literacy Corps is an AmeriCorps program possible through a series of community partnerships. Through NEO Literacy Corps, AmeriCorps volunteers can serve in direct service or volunteer coordination roles; working directly with literacy clients or recruiting, training and managing literacy volunteers at their host organizations. University Settlement Inc. is The Literacy Cooperative’s implementation partner for NEO Literacy Corps, responsible for day-to-day operations of the program. The Literacy Cooperative administers NEO Literacy Corps as a part of its Capacity Building Initiatives.
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Ss. Robert & William Catholic parish cordially invites members of the Euclid community to a hot meal and fellowship on the last Tuesday of each month. This is a free community meal, open to all, and served at Ss. Robert & William upper level of the school, 351 East 260th Street. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.; dinner will be served promptly at 5:30 p.m.
This summer Ss. Robert & William Catholic parish (367 East 260th Street) will hold a vacation bible school, Aug. 1 - 5, 9 a.m. to noon for grades kindergarten through six. The theme for this year is Beach Blast. The children will study scripture passages related to water and other important themes through age-appropriate activities, making a connection to our faith in a creative way.
The cost per family is $10 and the registration forms will be available soon! Please “save the date” for this exciting learning opportunity for your children. If you are interested in are seeking more information, please contact Gail Monroe at (216) 731-1515 ext 248 or gmonroe@srweuclid.cc.
For 11-year-old Sarah Peterson, a fifth grader at Our Lady of the Lake School, a major highlight of her birthday celebration last month was a trip to the Euclid Animal Shelter to pick up her new puppy—the first dog she’s ever owned.
Euclid Pet Pals, a volunteer organization that supports the Euclid Animal Shelter, will hold its first major fund-raising event of the year on Friday May 20th at Tizzano’s Party Center on East 260th Street.
The Euclid Symphony Orchestra takes center stage to celebrate their 50th Anniversary at the Shore Cultural Centre on Sunday, March 13, 2011 , 3:00p.m., in the auditorium. Kevin Eppich, the orchestra’s conductor, has written a special piece entitled Celebration Fanfares. “ In keeping with the idea of fanfares, it is a brightly energetic piece with moments provided for all the various sections of the orchestra to come to "center stage" as it were”, states Mr. Eppich. “I've purposely tried to choose a program with a wide variety of pieces keeping with the theme of my piece, both familiar and maybe not so familiar, but all with a music evocative of the idea of celebrating and fanfares. This also gives the listener a chance to hear all of the different orchestra's sections (strings, brass, winds, and percussion) a chance to shine.” Eric T. Gratz will be a featured soloist for Camille Saint-Saens' "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso." Tickets are $10 at the door or can be purchased in advance for $8 at Shore Centre’s office.
Ss. Robert & William Catholic Parish is hosting a Lenten Fish Fry Season on the following dates: March 11, 18, 25 April 1, 8 & 15, 2011.
EUCLID, Ohio, Jan. 28, 2011 – The PPG Industries Foundation donated $1,500 to the Friends of the Henn Mansion in 2010, helping to cover maintenance and repair costs for the historical Albert W. Henn Mansion. The corporate foundation has made annual grants to support renovation and operation of the property since 2001.
American Red Cross Says Mounting Effect of Severe Winter Weather Causes Lowest January Blood Supply in a Decade
Hello Euclid Observer readers! My name is Gary Washington and I am the Youth Sports coordinator at the Euclid Family YMCA, and I will be writing about the Y’s activities. To give you a little of my background, I have a journalism/communications degree from Central State University. I started as a volunteer for the Y back in 1994. The Y’s mission is definitely a part of me and I am a firm believer that everyone has a part to play in mentoring, as well as giving back to the community! Through branch promotions as well as community outreach, we as the Euclid Y staff encourage everyone to support the YMCA!
For a limited time, the Euclid Animal Shelter will be conducting a half-price “sale” to help reduce its “inventory” of homeless cats and kittens. Presently, there are more than 20 cats “in stock,” including some in foster care. The shelter has space for just 12 cats.
Visionary Yvette Giles, a fitness and wellness expert, founded Faith & Fitness Exercise and Wellness Foundation (FFEWF) in 2006. The sole purpose of FFEWF is to provide education, awareness and exercise classes to those that have been afflicted by auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis or lupus. The integration of traditional and non-traditional practices will empower the population of men, women and children who are otherwise unable to afford top-of-the-line treatment of non-medical care. Additionally, they will be able to participate in their own well-being on another level for healthy living.
Beachwood Place is offering a great way to get a jump-start on holiday shopping by supporting a local charitable organization.
The Department of Justice discontinued the national Weed & Seed initiative last June. Started in 1991, Weed & Seed grants have funded more than 300 successful Weed & Seed sites throughout the country including Euclid. Their mission has been to “weed” out criminal activity and “seed” in social services.
From 1996 through June 2010, the south side of Euclid has been a Weed & Seed site receiving approximately $2 million in DOJ grant funds. These funds provided the police department with new equipment and training used in surveillance, apprehension and prosecution. Gun and drug reduction teams, community policing efforts, and targeting troublesome areas greatly reduced criminal activity. Police will continue to use these methods, equipment and training to benefit the entire city of Euclid for years to come.
My father was a peasant from the “old country.” Because he never had attended school, he had a lot of trouble reading. When I was a girl, he read the funnies to me, but every Election Day he needed help. So my sister would go into the voting booth to help him read the instructions and cast his ballots.
In honor of my father, I have been helping adults learn to read for more than 20 years. In the last four years, I’ve been working through the Euclid ABLE program.
As a volunteer tutor, I discovered that the same things that motivate my father motivate today’s adults - better job opportunities and self esteem. I also learned that the best way I can help is to build my student’s self confidence
Every year since 1949 the Euclid Jaycees, through the Euclid Jaycees Foundation, have awarded scholarships to outstanding Euclid High School students. This year’s awards of $3,000 each were announced at the Senior Honor Awards Night, held last May. All the recipients participated in their school and community activities, and excelled scholastically as well. The Euclid Jaycees are proud of these students and how they represent our community.
This year's Jaycees Scholarship recipients and their college choices are:
Brittany Rattiliff-Cleveland State University
Deirdra Vrabel- The Ohio State University
Kamari Jackson- The Ohio State University
Dominick Ferlito- The Ohio State University
The Euclid AARP Chapter #1550 will meet at the Euclid Community Center, One Bliss Lane, Sep. 13, the second Monday of the month. This is a change from the usual first Monday of the month due to the Labor Day holiday. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m.
The Euclid Ohio Chapter of Police Athletic League established a mentoring program Apr. 1. With funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention, the National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, Inc. is providing program awards to 135 PAL Chapters. The Euclid Ohio PAL Chapter is pleased to have been selected as one of the 135 grant recipients for this exciting program.