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We are certainly living in uncertain times, aren’t we? At this point no one really knows what the fall is going to bring. We all want to return to normal as soon as possible, but we also want to ensure the health and safety of our children above all else, so what does that mean for the next school year?

I wish I had solid answers for you, but right now, no one does. I can tell you what SJN is doing to prepare for the Fall. SJN will be deep cleaning our entire facility over the summer break, top to bottom, side to side. Classrooms are being examined and planned for proper distancing, policies are being reviewed to ensure that everything that can be done to ensure the health and safety of students and staff is being done.

If distance learning is required, SJN is ready to proceed using a model that is a close to a normal school experience as possible. Live classes will be taught. Work will be assigned and assessed on a normal schedule. Tests and assessments will be given as appropriate. Help and tutoring with be provided, and students will not be in a “holding pattern,” they will be actively advancing their studies.

If a blended model of part-time attendance is required, SJN is ready for that as well. Our class sizes are kept small enough that if this is required of schools by the State, SJN may not need to do it. SJN may be able to open much closer to normal than other schools BEACAUSE of our small class sizes.

SJN will open as close to normal as possible, while still maintaining the highest standards and practices for the health and safety of students and staff. One of the things we have done to increase this is our schedule. This year, SJN will be opening for the first day of classes not in the middle of August, but on September 9th. This will give SJN staff additional time to ensure that every single thing has been taken are of to ensure cleanliness and safety. It will also give additional time for the public health situation to further calm down, and for staff to receive more training in safe procedures and practices. SJN believes that this later opening gives us the best chance of beginning the year as normally as possible, and as safely as possible. If there is an increase in Covid-19 cases at the beginning of the regular school year, SJN will know about it time to prevent spread through the school and shift into alternative learning methods before students are placed at potential risk.

SJN will be following all state-mandated recommendations. If the state requires masks, SJN of course will as well. If the state does not require masks, SJN will still permit them for students who wish to wear them. SJN is committed to not only the educational accomplishments of our students, but to their health and safety as well.

Cleveland Public Library is now providing walk-up service at all 27 neighborhood branches including the Collinwood Branch. Patrons can call (216) 623-6934 to reserve for printing, copying and fax services and to reserve items at the Collinwood Branch.

After much consideration we have established the following schedule for Masses at St. Jerome as well as for the church office

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St. Jerome Parish is happy to welcome Fr. Joe Fortuna, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake in Euclid, as our new Administrator.  He was appointed to this position in June due to Fr. Bill Jerse’s continued health concerns.  He and Fr. Bill were classmates at St. Mary Seminary and were both celebrated their 40th anniversary of ordination this year, so they are old friends. 

The Educational Choice Scholarship (EdChoice) Program is a financial assistance program administered and funded by the State of Ohio and provides students from designated public schools the opportunity to attend participating private schools. (The program also provides low-income students who are entering kindergarten through 12th grade scholarship opportunities.)

St. John Nottingham is a fully accredited EdChoice alternative school. Our School Office is ready and waiting to assist you in determining if your child is eligible for an EdChoice Scholarship! Call us at (216) 531-8204 and we will help you through the whole process.

St. John Nottingham would like to congratulate our 2020 grads! This class worked hard and when the Covid-19 shutdown hit, they managed it like champs. They attended classes online, submitted their work, and just rolled with it. SJN commends them on their resilience, fortitude, and perseverance, and we wish them the absolute best! Good luck!

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A summer kids’ event called Roar! VBS will be hosted ONLINE by St John Nottingham from July 13 to 16. At Roar! kids will discover that God is good even when life gets wild! Kids will follow along in the memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Wild Bible Adventures and they’ll make fun crafts - all while in the comfort and safety of their own home.

The COVID pandemic has certainly changed many things: how we shop, how we visit/meet, how we recreation, how we learn and even how we worship. At St John Nottingham we had to move very fast when the stay-at-home orders came out of Columbus. In-person worship or none? Go Live Stream or pre-recorded video upload (what do these even mean)? What do we do about the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion)? 

The CCC3 Hunger Center on Lakeshore in the Collinwood Community has been slated to re-open July 13.

Attention neighbors and fellow community members!

Lunch, treats, games and more!

Reliable Hearts is providing free summer meals and treats for youth up to 18 years old in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Foodbank.

As summer approaches and the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank is participating in the Summer Food Service Program figuring out how to effectively provide enough meals for the thousands of children and families in Northeast Ohio who need it most.  There are approximately 81,000 food insecure children in our six-county service area that rely on school breakfast and lunches during the school year and are often left without enough to eat in the summer and that number is expected to increase during the pandemic.

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank, as well as other area programs, are sponsoring Summer Meals sites in Northeast Ohio to provide grab & go meals to students this summer while school is not in session. Nearly 60 sites will be operated by the Food Bank, including sites at the Cuyahoga County Public Library branches starting in July. Additionally, the Food Bank will utilize its Outreach Truck and Sprinter Van to deliver grab & go meals to underserved areas. All sites will follow safety guidelines including staff wearing masks and gloves when distributing meals as well as social distancing.

Cleveland Public Library has announced its Summer Lit League program for youth, now available online. Summer Lit League will offer 8 weeks of enrichment programming starting June 1 through July 20, 2020 and will be completely maintained through the Beanstack website.

NEO Music Relief Fund created by Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present and Future has distributed $23,200 to 56 local musicians and venue workers in need. The nonprofit has received donations and sponsorships of nearly $31,000 to provide immediate Covid-19 emergency relief in the amount of up to $500 grants to those who lost income through cancellations and closures of events.

College Now Greater Cleveland recently announced virtual ACT and SAT Prep Courses that will commence at the start of June 2020. Each course is a 16-hour session, allowing those who register to become familiar with the test of their choosing.

Cleveland Pandemic Response (CPR) recently launched Cleveland Recovers mutual aid community hub to help to bridge gaps in need for Clevelanders affected by Covid-19 outbreak. The Cleveland Recovers hub connects individuals seeking assistance with those able to provide assistance.

Ohio Department of Job & Family Services recently opened applications for the Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC) program with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding due to Covid-19. Individuals meeting eligibility requirements may receive funds to help meet essential needs in the form of a voucher.

City of Cleveland recently launched a Cleveland Care Calls program that aims to keep the city’s senior citizens connected while checking in on their wellbeing. Seniors can request a wellbeing call Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM.

Cleveland Pandemic Response (CPR) seeks volunteer street ambassadors for their outreach program to assist residents in need register for Cleveland Recovers mutual aid hub. Street ambassadors will provide grassroots, on the ground support to individuals in need and connect them to Cleveland Recovers, where volunteers and organizations offer volunteer services, basic-needs items, and resources.

Karamu House has announced the kick off to its Arts Academy theatre enrichment summer programming, now offered online. Arts Academy will offer classes in vocal performance, dance and drama, and technical theatre studies like short film and costume design for youth entering grades 7-12.

Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry and North Star Neighborhood Reentry Resource Center recently announced a walk up and drive-through supply distribution for returning citizens. The supply distribution is intended for those directly impacted by incarceration during the Covid-19 pandemic and occurs every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of June.

City of Cleveland Department of Community Development recently announced a residents and landlords assistance program in light of Covid-19 hardship many Clevelanders now face. The program aims to keep residents out of the homeless system, maintain viable tenants in their homes, and help landlords to continue to support themselves, according to a press release statement issued June 2.

LIGHT UP COLLINWOOD FOR NEIGHBORHOOD UNITY

Sunday, July 5, 2020

9:30 PM

Turn your porch light on to show neighborhood unity

and to express our support for racial, social and economic justice  

for all in the Greater Collinwood community and beyond.

Step outside and say “hello” to your neighbors.

It’s that simple. It starts with one family.

Take photos and share them.

The only way we can achieve the betterment of the community

is by being united as one.

Any further information please feel free to contact Councilman Polensek at

(216) 664-4236 or email at mpolensek@clevelandcitycouncil.org

Dear Friends -

I cannot begin to tell you what a busy month it has been.  I received more emails and more phone calls in one month than I have in the preceding two. With that, despite the Covid-19 restrictions, things are slowly starting to open up including many of our neighborhood businesses.  That being said be safe and stay healthy.

I don’t have to tell anyone about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and how it has affected our community and our state.  We all know, for the most part, how it is transmitted and what the symptoms are. Please, follow the social distancing guidelines, use hand sanitizer and wear a protective face mask within close proximity of others. Furthermore, by all means, if you do have any symptoms, seek medical attention, immediately. Who would have thought that we would have lost over 120,000 of our fellow citizens to this unseen killer? By all indication, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon and we are seeing a second spike in many states that have “re-opened.” Please continue to take care of yourself and your families.  In the meantime, please support our local businesses whenever you can for, the economic impact has been devastating to them as well. Let’s all hope and pray that our Federal researchers and scientists can come up with a vaccine sooner rather than later.

Swimming!

Metroparks: “We can’t guarantee safe swimming at Villa Angela, because of the underwater erosion and sand loss. So no swimming.”

Councilman Polensek: “Why didn’t you say so?  Collinwood needs to swim! I’ll find the funding.”

Metroparks: “Guarded swimming begins at Villa Angela Beach on Thursday, June 25.”

Never under-estimate a determined Slovenian.

Lifeguards on duty 11-7, Thursday-Sunday, through second week of August; weekends only through Labor Day. Wildwood concession stand also open.

Light Up Collinwood   Sunday July 5, 9:30

Turn your porch light on to show neighborhood unity and to express our support for racial, social and economic justice for all in the Greater Collinwood community and beyond. Step outside and say “hello” to your neighbors. There’s something about being outside . . .

Drive Thru Food Distribution  June 26 at Neon

Hosted by NorthEast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, Inc. (NEON)  on Friday, June 26, 2:30-4:30 pm. 8300 Hough Ave. Please enter the parking lot across from the main building on the corner of 82nd and Hough. Two boxes per household while supplies last. No lines before 2:30pm. And remember: Safety first. Staff cannot enter your vehicle to load food, and you are   At this time we are requiring that you clear the trunk of your vehicle prior to the distribution.  For safety reasons, we cannot enter the vehicle to load food.  First come, first served. Rain or Shine.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the financial health of the residents of Cuyahoga County tremendously.  

The unemployment rate as of April 2020 was at 23.5 percent, an increase of 18.4 percent since February. Over 21 percent of Ohio residents are currently unable to make their monthly house payment, according to a U.S. Census Bureau scientific survey. With short-term eviction freezes expiring soon, a new plan was needed to prevent people from losing their homes.

To help combat this, a resolution awarding $6.8 million for the creation of the Cuyahoga County Rent Relief Fund has been submitted to County Council by County Executive Armond Budish. This Relief Fund, which is being administered by CHN Housing Partners, will provide countywide emergency rental assistance for up to three months to income-eligible tenants unable to pay their full monthly rent due to the economic impact from COVID-19.  

The checks will be made to their landlords, which will not only keep people in their homes but should also stem the economic disaster that will hurt building owners—landlords. 

Households who are at 120 percent of median income, for example, a family of four with an annual income of around $90,000, are eligible. 

Last year, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland helped 16,710 people through 7,297 civil legal cases. Thousands more were helped through outreach and community legal education.  This success was not achieved alone. Legal Aid relies on collaboration: with the partner organizations who share Legal Aid materials with their communities; with the volunteer attorneys whose selfless support helps Legal Aid expand its bandwidth; and with the funders whose sponsorship not only maintains Legal Aid’s sustainability, but also fuels innovation as Legal Aid finds new ways to support low-income individuals and families struggling with civil legal challenges.

A small but mighty group of ploggers posed for a socially distant photo with the trash haul last month! 

Hey neighbors!   

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Collinwood Library

The R & D Sausage Company, owned by Joe Zuzek, is celebrating 35 years of business. Located at 15714 Waterloo, he is open 8:00am to 5 pm. Tuesday through Saturday. If you like ethnic food and smoked meats this place is a treasure! All hand crafted and homemade, Joe uses only the freshest ingredients. I have sampled the Klobase, the double smoked bacon, and some hard Croatian sausage and each was a delicious work of art. Stop in and visit with Joe. He has some great stories and really good Klobase.

“We want to meet families wherever they are,” says program coordinator Eli Stacy about the Cleveland Transformation Alliance’s recently re-launched Navigator program.  The program is an extension of the Alliance’s commitment to being a partner for Cleveland families choosing from the variety of high-quality options in Cleveland’s public school landscape, which includes both district and charter schools.

Dedicated Senior Medical Services is a new medical center opening up in July at 15105 St Clair Avenue.  At Dedicated, we follow a unique model that has transformed the Senior healthcare experience, specializing in compassionate, coordinated care, allowing patients to lead longer, healthier lives.  This includes seein  patients monthly or as often as needed to keep them well, to making sure they have the right specialists to treat their conditions. Many of the servidces we offer on-site include, primary care providers, cardiology, acupuncture, nursing, podiatry, social workers, medication services available, labs and testing, x-rays, door to door transportation and exercise, educational, and  social events. Some services are not covered under all plans or centers. Check your plan documents for details and service availability . Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. If you would like to schedule a free tour or appointment call 216-538-3146.

Even though Ohio’s restaurants and bars were allowed to fully reopen back in late May after a mandated hiatus due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), some of Cleveland’s most beloved music venues have yet to reopen to audiences.

The question of when – and how – to reopen is consuming many of Cleveland’s brightest minds in the performing arts scene, and there’s no easy answer in sight for venue owners.

Local theaters and opera houses, meanwhile, have pivoted to continue their productions and arts education missions digitally, with the working assumption that the coronavirus is here to stay until a vaccine can be developed.

Karamu House in Cleveland, the oldest African-American theater in the country, will be presenting its first-ever virtual streaming performance in the theater’s 105-year history on June 19th. The production, called “Freedom on Juneteenth,” will commemorate the ending of slavery in the U.S. through performances by local artists and musicians, with an eye keenly focused on current events, said Ann Barnett, Karamu’s director of marketing. The program is being built “from scratch,” Barnett said, in direct response to the huge amount of upheaval in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Department officers. But the production will also be mindful of the pandemic.

BIG NEWS: The LaSalle Theatre to open for business soon! After a significant hiatus due to Covid-19, the
LaSalle Theatre will re-open for private event rentals on Saturday, August 1 st ! This first event is a wedding reception
- a wonderful commitment of love amidst these chaotic times. The bride and groom, along with their guests, will
find an enhanced facility with new amenities, such as an in-house sound system, theatrical lighting, projector and
screen, and stage curtains.

The dispensation from obligation to attend Sunday Mass has been extended indefinitely by the Bishops of Ohio. St. Jerome Mass is livestreamed on Saturday at 4 P.M. on Facebook Live.Access it on either the St. Jerome Facebook page or by clicking on the link on our website. View either live or watch the archived video later at your convenience.stjeromecleveland.org

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,As the “Responsible Restart Ohio Plan” is implemented during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, allowing a gradual return to work and lifting of some of the restrictions regarding consumer, retail and services, returning to operation, we your bishops, together with you, are anxious for the safe return to the public celebration of Mass/Liturgy. While making every effort to respect the spirit of the governor’s instructions, we want to begin in some way to make the public celebration of Mass/Liturgy available. To that end, we inform you that the bishops of Ohio have agreed that each diocese will determine a soft opening date later in May granting permission for the public celebration of weekday Mass/Liturgy, where it can be achieved safely and where pastorally possible, with less than 50 percent occupancy of the Church building, respecting social distancing. This plan provides for the possibility of the gradual return to the public celebration of Mass/Liturgy and prepares us for the Solemnity of Pentecost on the weekend of 30/31May, when Sunday Mass/Liturgy will be publicly celebrated. During the next few weeks, we will be working with our pastors and diocesan pastoral staffs to prepare for a soft opening of public celebration of weekday Mass/Liturgy.

The VASJ Hall of Fame was established to honor alumni, faculty and staff members, and others associated with the Viking community who embody the mission and values of Villa Angela Academy, St. Joseph High School and Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School.

The Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School Athletic Department is excited to announce Laura Stauffer has been named the new VASJ women’s varsity basketball head coach.

As a newly minted Student Council officer for the following school year, one of my duties was to update the block-letter sign in front of the school over the summer months. The idea was to promote summer activities — things like dances and athletic events.

Gus's Diner

 Diners are the quintessential American dining experience. Simple good food served quickly and at a

I wonder why the Centers for Disease Control suddenly came out with an instruction manual allowing deaths to be reported on a death certificate as being from COVID-19, even if they were not sure of the cause?  The instructions say:  “In cases where a definite diagnosis of COVID–19 cannot be made, but it is suspected...it is acceptable to report COVID–19 on a death certificate as “probable” or “presumed.”

Tired of watering your ornamental plants? Wishing for (just a small bit of) those spring rains? Consider joining our online Master Rain Gardener course and building a self-sufficient* rain garden. Class includes 5 weeks of online content designed to walk you step by step through planning, design, digging, and planting your very own rain garden.

A nice root flare.

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Have you ever driven by a street tree with its roots overgrowing the sidewalk, or a sycamore with half of its branches removed to make room for utility lines and thought: There has got to be a better way! Well, the staff at many local conservation agencies have often thought the same.

 Free books for children from birth to age 5 are available in our community from The Literacy Cooperative and the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library!

Kanesha Agnew, Vocal Music

Next Step: Central State University

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The Cleveland Metropolitan School District wanted to do what they could to honor and celebrate our seniors from the by hosting drive up graduation ceremonies. In six days, nearly 2,300 seniors received their diplomas during 32 graduations. As a teacher, it was fantastic to see our students and their families and be able to wish everyone good luck as they move on to the next stage in their lives.

COME JOIN KOINONIA!