Waterloo Arts Fest is almost here!

Holy molly! Jeez, Louise! The Waterloo Arts Fest is just a few days away. Have you cleared your entire Saturday for so much fun it might hurt?

Hope so, because this year's Waterloo Arts Fest is bigger and better than before. Come on over to Waterloo and check out all the great live music, children's arts, and our kick butt stores and galleries.

Don't miss out! Bring your friends! Bring your family! Bring your sworn enemies and joust in the middle of the street!

All the details of the day's great activities are right here: http://artscollinwood.org/check-out-whats-on-the-agenda-for-the-waterloo-arts-fest/

Waterloo Streetscape Underway

The very first phase of the Waterloo Streetscape is under construction.

We are very, very excited to have the City of Cleveland commence this important neighborhood project with the construction of the bump-out node at the intersection of East 156th Street and Waterloo.

When completed, the bump-out will become a new gathering place in the community for additional outdoor arts events and concerts. In addition, the bump-out will also boast the first placemaking element as designed during the Waterloo Streetscape.

Please note that the node will not be totally completed this year. The curbing, sidewalks and other infrastructure will be completed this month and the tower element will be installed later this summer. Meanwhile, the paver bricks for the new patio area and other landscaping will wait until 2010 for construction.

Regardless of its phased-in development, we hope you share our excitement that the Waterloo Streetscape is moving forward. We want to thank Councilman Polensek and Mayor Jackson for their leadership and dedication to this neighborhood improvement.

To see the entire Waterloo Streetscape, look here:
http://www.northeastshores.org/initiatives.php

Disagreement with the Ohio Supreme Court

Northeast Shores is very disappointed with the 5-2 Ohio Supreme Court decision to end the City of Cleveland's homerule right to require city employees live within the city limits.

Regardless of where you as a reader stand on the issue, everyone agrees that this decision erodes demand for housing in our fine community. Mass exodus or trickle, this decision will have a long-term impact on private school enrollment.

While we will survive this erroneous decision, this is a sad day for North Shores Collinwood and for Cleveland.

E185 Parade a Success!

The first annual Alive on East 185 Parade and Sidewalk Sale was wonderful this past Saturday. It was great to see so many families walking the street and seeing the specials being offered by the participating merchants.

We also want to thank all the parade participants. It was great to see so many schools and community groups come out and support the event.

Overall, it was a beautiful day with beautiful people with beautiful weather on a beautiful street. Thank you to everyone that made the day an incredible success.

The new East 185th logo was unveiled and was well received, as well.

We are having a parade!

In just one day, East 185th Street will be alive with the sights and sounds of the first annual Alive on East 185 Parade and Sidewalk Sale.

The parade kicks off at 10:30 and will be the length of the entire street! Line up early for the vantage point to see the parade and get more than your fair share of candy!

The sidewalk sale will start immediately following the parade and last until 5:00. Stroll the street and check out all the great wares on special sale for the day!

Waterloo Walls starts with a KABOOM!

Well, it is official. Waterloo Walls is not just a dream or a fantasy. Waterloo Walls exists!

How do we know? Well, because the first mural is up. The first mural is fantastic. The first mural hits you in the face like a stick of dynamite - KABOOM!

For those that refused to participate in the actual painting of the mural or the last two fundraisers, you can still redeem yourself. Carry your sorry, lazy behind to Waterloo this Friday for the official unveiling of the first Waterloo Wall.

In the meantime, get a sneak peak by showing up on Waterloo anytime and taking a look. The first mural is on the western wall of Shoparooni, located at 15813 Waterloo.

(Pictured are mural artist Christopher Diehl and an unknown volunteer.)

VASJ hires new football coach!

The VASJ Vikings are now staffed and ready to take the field this fall with the hire of John Storey as head coach. John Storey is returning to his glory on the sidelines.

Please enjoy the following press release from VASJ (and see you this Saturday at the Alive on E185 Parade):

John Storey is returning as Head Football Coach at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. A VASJ Hall of Fame inductee, he takes over the program immediately. Storey, an alumnus of St. Joseph High School, one of VASJ’s predecessor schools, succeeds Matt Melle, who helmed the Vikings for the 2007 and 2008 football seasons.

“In collaboration with a search committee comprised of VASJ coaches, parents and staff members who interviewed numerous candidates, the athletic department and administration decided that John is the ideal choice to lead our football team as VASJ builds into a 21st Century model of Catholic education,” said VASJ President Brian Menard. “Beyond his legendary status in the Viking Village, John brings years of mature coaching experience on the high school and college levels to the position. His recent loyalty to the players and the school upon the departure of our previous head coach, along with his quiet passion, adherence to the Marianist and Ursuline traditions and belief in the ‘student-athlete’ concept of coaching and teaching, has proven that John’s goals are harmonious with VASJ’s mission of high academic achievement and developing student gifts.”

John Storey is no stranger to being employed in the Viking Village. Since 2007, he has served as a special assistant for admissions and alumni development, in addition to duties as an assistant coach for the football and wrestling teams. His former positions include: head football coach, athletic director and head wrestling coach. He also taught health and physical education for many years and was an assistant football coach (defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator, offensive line coach) under Bill Gutbrod for many years.

Two highlights of Storey’s coaching career with the Vikings was leading the 1990 wrestling team to the Division I State Championship, a year in which he was also named the Division I Ohio Coach of the Year. Another highlight was his service as defensive coordinator for the 1989 Football State Championship team. Furthermore, over his 25-plus years of coaching wrestling, Storey guided eleven wrestling standouts to individual state championships.

Prior to his rejoining VASJ in June 2007, Storey was an assistant football coach and admissions assistant for St. Edward High School from 2004 to May 2007. Preceding his time at St. Ed’s, he was employed at John Carroll University from 1994 to 2004. There, he served in a variety of capacities, including: football operations, football recruiting coordinator and as an assistant football (defensive coordinator, linebacker coach, defensive end coach) and assistant track coach. He has a B.S. in health and physical education from the University of Dayton.

“To meet the challenges of the upcoming season, I look forward to the commitment of the Viking community to continue our rich traditions of academic and athletic excellence,” Storey said. “Hail red and blue!”

In affirming Storey’s selection, Athletic Director Nancy Naujoks said, “We are truly blessed to have someone of Coach Storey’s experience here on our staff so willing and able to provide leadership and inspiration to our players. We had a wonderful group of nearly two dozen coaches who interviewed for the position, but in the end, Coach Storey’s dedication and commitment to VASJ made him the successful candidate and a perfect fit as we move our program ahead.”