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The Plain Press, Cleveland, OH (2024)

06/01/2024

by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press June 2024) Cleveland bears the distinction of having the highest child poverty rate among big cities in the United States. Yet rather than addressing this critical issue, Cleveland politicians continue to prioritize the wants of the wealthy and powerful over the needs of its poorest citizens – Cleveland’s children and their families struggling to make ends meet....

by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press June 2024) Cleveland bears the distinction of having the highest child poverty rate among big cities in the United States. Yet rather than addre…

06/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Sunday, May 19, 2024; Cycle Canalway Complementary Bike Safety Checks, Canal Basin Park, 989 West Street: Tom Stewart looks on as Ohio City Bicycle Co-op Director Jim Sheehan works on Stewart’s son Waylan’s bicycle.

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Sunday, May 19, 2024; Cycle Canalway Complementary Bike Safety Checks, Canal Basin Park, 989 West Street: Tom Stewart looks on as Ohio City Bicycle Co-op Director Jim Sheehan w…

06/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Thursday, May 23, 2024; Max Hayes High School Trade Show, Max Hayes High School, 2211 W. 65th Street: Max Hayes Construction Program Instructor urges his tenth-grade students to tell guests about some of the projects they worked on this school year. Guests at the trade show included individuals who work in the construction industry or teach at post high school construction programs such as the one at Cuyahoga Community College....

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Thursday, May 23, 2024; Max Hayes High School Trade Show, Max Hayes High School, 2211 W. 65th Street: Max Hayes Construction Program Instructor urges his tenth-grade students t…

06/01/2024

PHOTO COURTESY OF OLD BROOKLYN NEWS Photo from November 2003 issue of the Old Brooklyn News: this photo of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, at Pearl and Memphis, accompanied an article by Lynette Filips that marked the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the congregation. by Lynette Filips (Plain Press June 2024) This month we continue to look at the history of the northwest corner of Pearl Rd....

PHOTO COURTESY OF OLD BROOKLYN NEWS Photo from November 2003 issue of the Old Brooklyn News: this photo of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, at Pearl and Memphis, accompanied an article by Lynett…

06/01/2024

(Plain Press June 2024) At its May 20th meeting Cleveland City Council introduced two new pieces of legislation, one to regulate short-term rentals and another to help reduce homelessness. Council's next meeting will be Monday, June 3rd. Regulating Short-Term Rentals: Legislation that enacts a licensing procedure and regulations for the use and operation of short-term rentals (such as Airbnb and VRBO) in residential neighborhoods was introduced....

(Plain Press June 2024) At its May 20th meeting Cleveland City Council introduced two new pieces of legislation, one to regulate short-term rentals and another to help reduce homelessn…

06/01/2024

(Plain Press June 2024) City Council held its regular meeting on Monday May 6th, both in person in Council Chambers and live streamed. Here are the highlights: A Cleveland Legend, a New Landmark: Council approved designating the Jesse Owens House as a Cleveland Landmark. The house, 2178 East 100th St., was where he lived while competing in the 1936 Olympics where he won four gold medals in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the four-by-100-meter relay race and the broad jump....

(Plain Press June 2024) City Council held its regular meeting on Monday May 6th, both in person in Council Chambers and live streamed. Here are the highlights: A Cleveland Legend,…

06/01/2024

(Plain Press June 2024) On May 20th the online publication NEOtrans News reported that the Ohio Housing Finance Agency awarded 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) from the State of Ohio to Emerald Development and Economic Network Inc. (EDEN Inc.) for phase three EDEN’s Inc”s affordable townhomes and apartments across the street from EDEN Inc,’s headquarters at 7812 Madison Avenue. According to the article titled…...

(Plain Press June 2024) On May 20th the online publication NEOtrans News reported that the Ohio Housing Finance Agency awarded 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) fro…

06/01/2024

(Plain Press June 2024) It all started sitting around in a living room. A group of residents heard about an asylum seeker named Ansly who came to the U.S. from Haiti when a gang threatened his life and burned his motorcycle because he dared to criticize a corrupt politician. The residents decided to hold a fundraiser for Ansly’s legal expenses and raised over $11,000....

(Plain Press June 2024) It all started sitting around in a living room. A group of residents heard about an asylum seeker named Ansly who came to the U.S. from Haiti when …

06/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Monday, May 20, 2024; Mercedes Cotner Park, W. 95th and Maywood: This park, named after a former City Council Representative and City Council Clerk, recently received an upgrade. The City of Cleveland is working to create a comprehensive plan for its parks and recreation centers. Residents can offer their input at www.cleparksrecplan.com .

http://plainpress.blog/2024/06/01/mercedes-cotner-park-receives-upgrade-photo/

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Monday, May 20, 2024; Mercedes Cotner Park, W. 95th and Maywood: This park, named after a former City Council Representative and City Council Clerk, recently received an upgrad…

06/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Monday, May 20, 2024; Clark Recreation Center rehabilitation, 5706 Clark Avenue: The Clark Recreation center is currently undergoing rehabilitation. The City of Cleveland held a series of meetings in May to get resident input for its long-range parks and recreation plan. The plan is available online at www.cleparksrecplan.com but does not include specific information about individual parks....

http://plainpress.blog/2024/06/01/clark-recreation-center-undergoes-rehabilitation-photo/

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Monday, May 20, 2024; Clark Recreation Center rehabilitation, 5706 Clark Avenue: The Clark Recreation center is currently undergoing rehabilitation. The City of Cleveland held …

06/01/2024

(Plain Press June 2024) ARTS FREE OPEN STUDIO at Art House Inc. (3119 Denison Ave) on Saturday, June 15 from 1-3 pm. Make jewelry with our teaching artist Leigh Brooklyn, in part of our Cultural Exploration series. For more information, visit arthouseinc.org. PARADE THE CIRCLE: The 32nd Annual Parade the Circle and Circle Village is BACK to kick off summer Saturday, June 8....

http://plainpress.blog/2024/06/01/june-2024-community-board/

(Plain Press June 2024) ARTS FREE OPEN STUDIO at Art House Inc. (3119 Denison Ave) on Saturday, June 15 from 1-3 pm. Make jewelry with our teaching artist Leigh Brooklyn, in part of our Cultural Ex…

06/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Sunday, May 19, 2024; This building at 4319-4329 Lorain Avenue is the new home of the Social Security office. The office is in the third storefront going east from W. 44th. The address is 4321 Lorain Avenue. It is just west of the Domino’s Pizza storefront. (Plain Press June 2024) The Cleveland Northwest Social Security Office, formerly located at 7517 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102, moved to its new location at 4321 Lorain Ave, Suite B, Cleveland, OH 44113 effective…...

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Sunday, May 19, 2024; This building at 4319-4329 Lorain Avenue is the new home of the Social Security office. The office is in the third storefront going east from W. 44th. The…

06/01/2024

To the editor: (Plain Press June 2024) So now the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) wants to reach deeper into homeowners’ pockets in the form of two tax increases, euphemistically called school “levies,” that hit average Cleveland residents especially hard because it’s clear that wealthy and privileged people are simply not paying their fair share to support our urban public schools....

To the editor: (Plain Press June 2024) So now the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) wants to reach deeper into homeowners’ pockets in the form of two tax increases, euphemi…

06/01/2024

by Tonya Sams (Plain Press June 2024) Many people suffer in silence when struggling with mental health issues. These issues can affect every area of one’s life – even how they address legal issues which impact basic needs like shelter, safety and economic security. Client Support Specialists at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland recognize how a client’s battles with mental health issues can impact their legal cases, and work with Legal Aid attorneys to implement strategies to help them have positive case outcomes while also improving mental health outcomes....

by Tonya Sams (Plain Press June 2024) Many people suffer in silence when struggling with mental health issues. These issues can affect every area of one’s life – even how t…

06/01/2024

(Plain Press June 2024) On May 22, 2024, the City of Cleveland, Universal Basic Employment (UBE), and United Way of Greater Cleveland announced the launch of a two-year research and development process with Founder Devin H. Cotten to explore the launch of a UBE pilot in Cleveland. The announcement followed a news conference held at United Way of Greater Cleveland after Cleveland City Council passed UBE legislation last week authorizing $600,000 in funding to United Way of Greater Cleveland for this initial research and development phase, with the full support of Cleveland Mayor Justin M....

(Plain Press June 2024) On May 22, 2024, the City of Cleveland, Universal Basic Employment (UBE), and United Way of Greater Cleveland announced the launch of a two-year resea…

06/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Friday, May 17, 2024; Palestine Task Force Cle &Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Encampment Sanctionee Press Conference, Cleveland Public Library Martin Luther King Jr. Branch, 1962 Stokes Boulevard: Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) – Ohio Chapter Fatah Odeh outlined ways Palestinian students and their organizations have been sanctioned by CWRU’s administrators and said, “Palestinian students do not feel safe on Case Western Reserve University’s campus.”...

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Friday, May 17, 2024; Palestine Task Force Cle &Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Encampment Sanctionee Press Conference, Cleveland Public Library Martin Luther King J…

06/01/2024

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05/01/2024

by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press May 2024) Ben Stein, communications director at Policy Matters Ohio, held a webinar to celebrate Tax Day and discuss the tax code in Ohio. As recently as April 2023, over 2.9 million Ohioans struggled to pay basic household expenses while burdened with taxes. According to Policy Matter Ohio, the regressive tax structure disadvantages black and brown people in Ohio due to the labor market and educational siloing....

by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press May 2024) Ben Stein, communications director at Policy Matters Ohio, held a webinar to celebrate Tax Day and discuss the tax code in Ohio. A…

05/01/2024

by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press May 2024) Cleveland residents have a right to be skeptical when offering their thoughts about tax subsidies in support of big downtown lakefront and riverfront projects. Specifically coming to mind are the Shore to Core to Shore Tax Increment Financing plans put forth by the Justin Bibb Administration and passed by Cleveland City Council and the rehabilitation of the Cleveland Browns’ stadium....

by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press May 2024) Cleveland residents have a right to be skeptical when offering their thoughts about tax subsidies in support of big downtown lakefront…

05/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Monday, April 22, 2024; Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless response to Supreme Court Case on homelessness, Franklin Circle Church, 1688 Fulton Road: Josiah Quarles, Director of Organizing and Advocacy for the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, explains why advocates for the homeless are concerned about the Grants Pass vs. Johnson case before the United States Supreme Court....

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Monday, April 22, 2024; Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless response to Supreme Court Case on homelessness, Franklin Circle Church, 1688 Fulton Road: Josiah Quarles, Dire…

05/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Monday, April 22, 2024; A sign sponsored by the Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County promotes calling 988 for mental health and addiction crisis services. by Abe Kurp (Plain Press May 2024) Residents of some Cleveland neighborhoods will soon have access to a new tool to help people struggling with their mental health....

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Monday, April 22, 2024; A sign sponsored by the Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County promotes calling 988 for mental health and addiction …

05/01/2024

(Plain Press May 2024) ARTS COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER: The Pivot Art Center (2937 W 25 St.) offers free drop-in art making and gallery exploration for the whole family during open hours: Fridays 2pm-7pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10 am-5 pm. For group visits during open and non-open hours, email [email protected]. For a full list of upcoming events, visit pivotartcenter.com....

http://plainpress.blog/2024/05/01/may-2024-community-board/

(Plain Press May 2024) ARTS COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER: The Pivot Art Center (2937 W 25 St.) offers free drop-in art making and gallery exploration for the whole family during open hours: Fridays 2pm-7p…

05/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, April 20, 2024; 4434 Lorain Avenue: The former Nunn Family Funeral Home, built in 1865, succumbed to a fire on April 10th and has been demolished. The My Place Group, headed by President Chad Kertesz, proposed development, 45 West, called for the building to be one of three buildings that would house 87 apartments.

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, April 20, 2024; 4434 Lorain Avenue: The former Nunn Family Funeral Home, built in 1865, succumbed to a fire on April 10th and has been demolished. The My Place Group,…

05/01/2024

To the editor: (Plain Press May 2024) On Monday, April 22nd, Earth Day, Mayor Bibb personally called members of the Friends of Cudell Commons Park group to convey that he's been following what’s going on with Cudell Park and that the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects (MOCAP) and CMSD are working on a new design for the school that would save trees and greenspace at the park and that they "will be in touch" about setting up a meeting with the community, Ms....

To the editor: (Plain Press May 2024) On Monday, April 22nd, Earth Day, Mayor Bibb personally called members of the Friends of Cudell Commons Park group to convey that he& #…

05/01/2024

(Plain Press May 2024) This up-coming June 8, 2024, will be the 71st anniversary of an F-3 tornado that cut through Cleveland’s West Side. 1953 was a unique year for record size tornadoes that killed hundreds across the United States. These monsters devastated major cities like Waco, Texas, Flint, Michigan and Worcester, Massachusetts. Except for maybe coming across photos of a twister in a book or seeing one in a video, most Cleveland residents have never witnessed an actual tornado before....

(Plain Press May 2024) This up-coming June 8, 2024, will be the 71st anniversary of an F-3 tornado that cut through Cleveland’s We…

05/01/2024

by Lynette Filips (Plain Press May 2024) This month we continue to look at the history of the northwest corner of Pearl Rd. and Memphis Ave. which the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) is seeking to “revitalize” with a $31 million new construction project. It is the most historic section of Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2005....

by Lynette Filips (Plain Press May 2024) This month we continue to look at the history of the northwest corner of Pearl Rd. and Memphis Ave. which the Old Brooklyn Communit…

05/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, April 20, 2024; 3279 W. 58th Street: This house in the Stockyard neighborhood was severely damaged by fire over three months ago. by Tonya Sams (Plain Press May 2024) There is a new tool to help Cleveland improve the conditions of its housing stock. As properties change hands frequently, there are more out-of-state buyers purchasing homes to be used as rental properties....

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, April 20, 2024; 3279 W. 58th Street: This house in the Stockyard neighborhood was severely damaged by fire over three months ago. by Tonya Sams &nbs…

05/01/2024

(Plain Press May 2024) At its April 22nd meeting, Cleveland CityCouncil approved providing the May Dugan Center $50,000 in funding to provide services to refugees arriving in Cleveland. The funds will be used by the HIAS program (formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) which is “the Jewish humanitarian organization that provides critical services to refugees, asylum seekers, and others from 23 countries around the world.” HIAS is the oldest refugee resettlement organization in the world and has had a presence in Cleveland for almost 100 years and recently affiliated with May Dugan....

(Plain Press May 2024) At its April 22nd meeting, Cleveland CityCouncil approved providing the May Dugan Center $50,000 in funding to provide services to refugees arriving in Cleveland…

05/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, April 20, 2024; 9926 Lorain Avenue: Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center (ASC3) and PC’s For People, housed at 9926 Lorain Avenue, joined with Westown Community Development Corporation to host a Digital Diversity Dialogue on April 24th. by Chuck Hoven (Plain Press May 2024) The Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center at 9926 Lorain Avenue hosted a Digital Diversity Dialogue luncheon on April 24th billed as “a gathering of thought leaders and organizations dedicated to advancing Digital Equity and Inclusion in Cleveland.”...

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, April 20, 2024; 9926 Lorain Avenue: Ashbury Senior Computer Community Center (ASC3) and PC’s For People, housed at 9926 Lorain Avenue, joined with Westown Community D…

05/01/2024

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVENSaturday, April 20, 2024; W. 29th between Church Avenue and Clinton Avenue: The Cleveland City Council accepted a grant from the Project for Public Spaces (Plain Press May 2024) At its April 15th meeting, Cleveland City Council approved accepting a $100,000 grant from the Project for Public Spaces to conduct a West 29th Street Open Street Program that may ultimately create one or more pedestrian plaza(s) in area(s) along West 29th Street north of Clinton Avenue and South of Detroit Avenue....

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVENSaturday, April 20, 2024; W. 29th between Church Avenue and Clinton Avenue: The Cleveland City Council accepted a grant from the Project for Public Spaces &nbs…