Get your census form in!

Now, a word from the Census:

The Census Bureau has been working for years to bring our community and our nation to this moment. Elected and community leaders, business people and clergy of every stripe have been working with Census staff to help spread the word. We have engaged the media who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to perform a great public service: to raise awareness as never before about the benefits of filling out the census questionnaire and mailing it back. The result of all of that work has now landed in our mailboxes, one of the most important pieces of mail any of us will receive. It is now up to each one of us.

Why Complete and Mail the Questionnaire?
Each community’s share of more than $400 billion is at stake. That is $400 billion in federal funds distributed every year for ten years. That means over that period, you are guiding your community’s share of trillions of dollars when you complete and mail the census questionnaire. Our political voice in Washington DC and Lansing is also directly affected by the population count.

It’s Easy
The census questionnaire arrives with a postage paid, pre-addressed envelope. Once you answer the ten questions (that’s right only ten questions) you can put the questionnaire into the envelope and drop it in the mail. Be sure to count everyone in your house. Some of us may have relatives or friends living with us who are caught up in the financial crisis. Please count them as part of the household. On average, completing the questionnaire will take ten minutes. That is a small investment of time for ten years worth of benefits.

It’s Important
Democracy works best when we all participate. The same is true with the census. When cities, states and counties make plans about where to place hospitals, police and fire stations, schools and roads, it is absolutely crucial that they have an accurate picture of the population. The census envelope that just landed in your mail box is a tool to help make the infrastructure work for you. Decision makers and everyone in our community needs the support that comes with an accurate count of the population so that adequate resources can flow based on that count.

The census is part of the most basic law of the land. It is written into the US Constitution to reapportion the U.S. House of Representatives. So your voice in Congress is also at stake. In addition, the Ohio legislature is also reapportioned based on census numbers. When you complete and mail the census questionnaire you are participating in a basic right of citizens to have a voice in the political system, a cornerstone of democracy.

It’s Safe
Each census worker takes an oath for life to protect your personal data. This requires those hired to accept the responsibility of keeping ALL information gathered, confidential. This represents a lifetime obligation, continuing even if the employees are no longer affiliated with the Census Bureau. As a Census employee, if they were to reveal any personal data gathered by the census to anyone outside of the Bureau, they would be subject to a five year federal prison term and a $250,000 fine. With that kind of protection, you can rest assured that each and every Census employee is committed to your privacy. The Census Bureau does not ask immigration status, parole status or about late payments of any kind to any agency public or private.

It’s in Our Hands
The most important part of the census takes place in the privacy of your home. But the affects are felt for miles around and for years to come. What kind of community development do we want to see for the next ten years? Ten years from now, today’s teenagers will be adults. What kind of infrastructure, resources and political voice will we be handing them? The answers to these questions rest with all of us. When we complete and mail the census questionnaire we are taking a unique, once in a decade opportunity to invest in the community and help ourselves.

For more information or to see an online copy of the census questionnaire with each question explained, please visit www.2010census.com.

Want to be in a parade?

Want to be in a parade? Now is your chance!

Save the Date!
“Alive on E.185” - Sidewalk Sale & Parade
May 22, 2010
Parade - 10:30 am
Sidewalk Sale - Noon to 5:00 pm

Call Denise at 481-7660 if you or your group/organization would like to be in the parade or if you would like a Free table for the Sidewalk Sale.

Hey neighbors! Plan to be in town for this fun day!

Sponsored by Northeast Shores and the E.185th St. Merchants, Professionals and Development Assoc.

Northeast Shores comments on PD coverege of WRHS

Recently, the Plain Dealer wrote a cover story covering the recent challenges that the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) has experienced. This story was robust and shared various auctions of WRHS assets that have occurred in an effort to stay solvent.

Northeast Shores is very interested in the direction and future of the WRHS because of their ownership of the Euclid Beach Carrosel. Since 2004, Northeast Shores has made several failed attempts to partner with the WRHS on locating the Carrousel here in North Collinwood.

Below is our letter to the editor regarding the issue and the link at cleveland.com:

I want to thank The Plain Dealer for reporting on the current management and fiscal strength of the Western Reserve Historical Society (March 7). It is truly unfortunate that WRHS is not in a strong position to carry out its mission to inform the public about the tremendous history of Northeast Ohio.

I was disappointed that reporter John Mazzolini did not remind readers of our continued challenges in partnering with the WRHS on the restoration and operation of the Euclid Beach carousel. Since 2004, the Northeast Shores Development Corporation has boldly attempted to implement the North Collinwood portion of the lakefront plan. For the last six years, our staff and volunteers have unsuccessfully attempted to initiate dialogue with both current and previous WRHS management about their plans for the currently warehoused carousel horses.

While we do not dispute WRHS' ownership of these important historical artifacts, our attempts to complete the lakefront plan are stymied by a daring disregard for our intent and ability to return the carousel to its proper regional prominence. In an effort to ignite conversation, Northeast Shores has the assistance of several local officeholders in an effort to leverage an objective conversation about returning the carousel to its original location inside Euclid Beach State Park.

The Western Reserve Historical Society refuses to acknowledge our efforts or receipt of a full-blown proposal for the carousel. This report was created and delivered at the request of the WRHS. Our submittal has still not been acknowledged six months after its delivery. While our fruitless efforts to work with the WRHS were reported previously in the pages of The Plain Dealer, it would have been insightful to Plain Dealer readers to realize that the WRHS continues to build ill will in the community toward current efforts for partnership and collaboration.

Brian A. Friedman, Cleveland
Friedman is executive director of the Northeast Shores Development Corporation.

http://blog.cleveland.com/letters/2010/03/western_reserve_historical_soc_4.html

Aladdin is coming to Waterloo!

Upstage Players will be performing Aladdin shortly! Get your tickets since they go FAST!

CLEVELAND, Ohio—Don’t miss your chance to witness the spring musical performances of one of Northeast Ohio’s hardest working children’s theater companies, UpStage Players. From March 26th through March 28th, the group will be producing and performing Aladdin, Jr. , where many all-time favorite characters come to life in this stage adaptation of the Disney hit.

UpStage Players’ opening performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March
26th at the Slovenian Workmen’s Home (1 5335 Waterloo Road; Cleveland), their permanent performance residence. The group’s second show will commence on Saturday, March 27th, also at 7:30 p.m. Their final performance of the spring will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 28th.

Advanced tickets/reserved seats are $5 each. Admission is $6 each if purchased
during the week prior to the show or at the door (these are general admission seats). To order or inquire about advanced tickets, e-mail upstageplayers@gmail.com.
Aladdin, Jr. features the popular characters Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie. This
heartfelt and funny show is filled with magic, mayhem and the wonderful vocal and acting flair of some of Northeast Ohio’s most talented children. The musical also showcases a tuneful, Academy award-winning score, with songs including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me.”

Upstage Players is a non-profit professional children's theater group run by an all volunteer staff in Cleveland, Ohio. The organization was founded in 1995 with 30 children and a vision to create love and respect for the arts. They have evolved into a strong group that uses theater as a vehicle to teach leadership, creativity and responsibility to nearly three times as many children today. Although the UpStage family has grown tremendously over the years, their no-cut policy
remains unchanged.

The children of UpStage Players come from varied backgrounds and neighborhoods,
yet share the same drive to optimize their potential. They hail from a variety of communities, including: Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Bratenahl, Euclid, Eastlake, Lakewood, Mayfield, Mentor, Richmond Heights, Willoughby, Concord and Willowick. In addition, the diverse cast/crew of UpStage Players is headed by an unpaid staff and supported by an army of volunteers dedicated to transforming everyday kids into accomplished artists.

To kick-off a new awareness and fundraising initiative for UpStage Players, the group
sponsored the successful UpStage Artisan Alley, a fresh, new indie craft show that took place on February 13th. Many different artisans displayed their talents for members of the community to purchase, while some of the cast members performed for patrons and vendors. Plans for a second UpStage Artisan Alley fundraiser are being generated.

For additional information about UpStage Players, or to download a printable ticket
order form for Aladdin, Jr., visit www.upstageplayers.com.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny will be hopping down the bunny trail to the Lithuanian Hall on March 20th.

The Easter Bunny will arrive at 10:00am for Breakfast donated from Gus’s Diner. Don’t be late because he will only be there until noon.

For $5.00, you get breakfast, a picture with the Easter Bunny and the chance to make some Easter Crafts. Call Denise at 216-481-7660 or Laura at 216-383-9671 for tickets.

Taste of the Neighborhood better than the Oscars!

On Tuesday, February 23rd, nearly 100 supporters attended the 2nd annual North Collinwood Taste of the Neighborhood and Awards Dinner. The event was a fundraiser to support the efforts of Northeast Shores, the local community development corporation improving the North Shores Collinwood community.

Attendees to the event enjoyed tasty samplings from 22 neighborhood restaurants and eateries. Restaurant fare was available from all over the community including samples from Gus’ Diner, Bistro 185, Beachland Ballroom, Arts Collinwood Café, Muldoon’s, Georgio’s Pizza, Chili Peppers, Winners, Grovewood Tavern, Congin’s, and others. Deserts and coffee was also available from Dave’s Markets, Fotina’s, and Arabica.

“We want to thank all of the restaurants that donated their food and time to make this such a great event,” exclaimed Denise Lorek, Community Organizer for Northeast Shores.

After all the attendees had an opportunity to taste the wonderful food, Northeast Shores Executive Director commenced with the awards portion of the evening. Award recipients this year were Ruta Degutis, East 185th Street Block Watch, Dominium Development LLC, and Rite Aid. In addition, Pastor Walther Marcis was inducted into the North Collinwood Hall of Fame.

Pastor Marcis was welcomed to the stage and Friedman shared some key details from his over 45 years of service in leadership at the St. John Lutheran Church and School. Pastor Marcis was Police Chaplain for over 30 years and on the board of Northeast Shores for 15 years. As a key member of the Collinwood Church Council, Marcis provided the necessary leadership to start two hunger centers, a hot meals program and backpack program.

Friedman also shared with the attendees “Besides all of these things, Pastor Marcis has provided our community countless wonderful sermons, celebrated our weddings with us, celebrated the joy of baptism and grieved with us when we experienced the loss of a loved one.” The North Collinwood Hall of Fame started in 2003 and has become the de facto lifetime achievement award for contributions to the neighborhood. Inductees include Tony Petkovsek, Michael Polensek, Walter Jackshaw, Frank Brodnick, and Miles Kennedy.

The Northeast Shores Outreach Committee accepts nominations for the awards each year and determines the winners. Besides this event, the Outreach Committee also plans other community events throughout the year. Participation in the committee is open to anyone in the community. Anyone interested in joining the committee should contact Denise Lorek at (216) 481-7660 or dlorek@northeastshores.org.

Beachland Ballroom celebrates 10th Birthday!

This weekend marks the tenth anniversary of the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern (located at 15711 Waterloo Road). We want thank Cindy and Mark profusely for providing our neighborhood a vision towards a brighter rock-n-roll future!

Here are more details about ten years of the Beachland:

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/03/05/life/nh2156552.txt

Panzica selected to build Rec Center

Today, the news broke that Panzica Construction was awarded the contract to build the new Recreation Center on Lakeshore Boulevard. We are now one step closer to having this wonderful jewel complete one more step of the Lakeshore Plan!

Panzica Construction wins $9.9 million contract for rec center in Collinwood

By JAY MILLER

As posted on the Crain’s Business Sight today
1:46 pm, March 3, 2010

Panzica Construction has won a $9.9 million contract to build a new recreation center in the city of Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood.

It would be the first new recreation center in the city since 1997. The project is a major piece of a five-year capital improvements plan initiated by Mayor Frank Jackson shortly after he took office in 2006. It will be financed by general obligation bonds.

“It's a significant investment in Cleveland,” said Ken Silliman, Mayor Jackson's chief of staff. “It reflects our commitment to self-help.”

M. Rivera Construction and VIP Restoration, both of Cleveland, are among 14 subcontractors on the project.

The rec center is a redevelopment of a former big box discount store on Lakeshore Boulevard across from Euclid Beach State Park. The design by City Architecture includes a gymnasium, an indoor swimming pool and a fitness center.

Mr. Silliman and North Collinwood councilman Michael Polensek see the center as key to revitalizing an attractive middle-class city neighborhood.

“It's fulfilling a dream I've had for a very long time,” Mr. Polensek said.