PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON Non Profi t Organization Saturday, January 23, 2021; Cleveland Women’s March Rally, Market Square Park, W. 25th and Lorain Avenue: U.S. POSTAGE PAID Brandie Wagner, a feminist mom from Courtland, Ohio, CLEVELAND, OHIO brought a sign that says: “We are only going to get FREE PERMIT 1354 browner & queerer & louder & stronger & prouder & we are going to watch the dinosaurs die out!!” Vol. 48, No. 3 March 2021 PPlainlain PPressress CCleveland’sleveland’s NNearear WestsideWestside NNewspaperewspaper City Council Health and Human Services Committee seeks information on the status of COVID-19 vaccine distribution by Bruce Checefsky a largely silent response from Mayor should expect delays in getting vacci- The City of Cleveland COVID-19 Jackson to the pandemic and vaccine nated even if you are in the category of vaccine program has been anything but program in general has led to anxiety, people eligible for the vaccination. easy. A shortage of vaccine supplies stress, and anger among many local “Safe, effective vaccines for on the federal level has hampered residents. COVID-19 are here. Over the next the distribution process coupled with The Department of Public Health web- few weeks, supply will be limited. site, one of only a few sources of infor- miscommunication on the state level We are working to distribute them as mation within city government, provides on how and when local governments an overview of vaccine rollouts and a effi ciently and equitably as possible. should administer the vaccine, and reminder the supply is limited. Residents When it is your turn in line, we will alert you. We appreciate your patience and understanding during these times,” according to https://www. clevelandhealth.news/. In response to the lack of communication between City Hall and Cleveland residents, and to encourage collaborative efforts among the local hospital networks, Ward 3 Councilman Kerry McCormack who chairs the Health and Human Services Committee, encouraged public questions and comments at committee meetings. Members of the Health and Human Service Committee include Kevin Conwell; Anthony T. Hairston; Kenneth L. Johnson; Jasmin Santana; PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON and Jenny Spencer. Vice Chair for the Saturday, January 23, 2021; Cleveland Women’s March Rally, Market committee is Basheer S. Jones. Square Park, W. 25th and Lorain Avenue: The 2021 Cleveland Women’s The meetings are being conducted March, organized by community activist Kathy Wray Coleman, began electronically with public access on at Market Square Park with a rally. This protester sends a message “Support your Sisters, Not Just your Cis-ters.” YouTube and Cleveland’s Channel 20. Scheduled meetings generally take provide help with identifying how the with a total of 359 doses administered place Monday mornings. city and hospitals can work together. the last week of January. Congregate “We know it’s a top priority for our Hospital partners from Cleveland and living sites where people have mobility community and neighborhoods. We are Northeastern Ohio were invited to challenges were targeted during doing our part to ensure people get the discuss the COVID-19 vaccine rollout the early stages of the program and accurate information,” McCormack said within their systems and the community. continue today. City of Cleveland EMS to open the meeting on February 1. Director Kimball discussed fi rst responders, paramedics, and health Director of Public Health Brian Kimball and second dose pods for Phase care workers have received both doses. provided a brief update on the city’s 1A individuals and vaccine pods for The Department of Public Health vaccination efforts. Representatives the 1B population. Vaccine pods are is working closely with State of Ohio, PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON from area hospital networks were mobile stations where the vaccine Developmental Disability Board, Mental Saturday, January 23, 2021; Cleveland Women’s March Rally, Market asked to provide information on how is administered and will be located Health Service community, as well as th Square Park, W. 25 and Lorain Avenue: Maria Meris, a member of they are administering the vaccine, throughout the city on alternating with University Hospital and Cleveland the College Democrats at the University of Akron, holds her sign that the challenges they are facing, and to weeks. 240 doses were administered ccontinuedontinued oonn ppageage 6 says: “My Body, My Choice.” Cleveland City Council’s three women share their refl ections on politics and public policy by Jack Barnes cently sworn into City Council upon On January 26th the Cuyahoga Matt Zone’s resignation. Spencer got Democratic Women’s Caucus her masters’ degree in public policy organized a “Conversation with from Harvard Kennedy school and Cleveland City Councilwomen” via subsequently served in the Peace Zoom hosted by its Chair, Cynthia Corps in Paraguay for two years, Demsey. The hour-long event fea- where she learned that “you have to tured all three of the women on the continually reinvest” in communities. 17-person Cleveland City Council Upon returning to Cleveland, she got refl ecting on their paths to public a job at Detroit-Shoreway Communi- service; on being women in a male ty Development Organization where dominated council; and on the work she worked for ten years, frequently of politics during the pandemic. collaborating with Matt Zone. When Phyllis Cleveland, by far the Zone decided to retire from Council longest-tenured Councilwoman in November, he recommended who represents Ward 5, spoke fi rst Spencer to replace him, and the about her journey from Tri-C to an Council voted her in. “accidental politician” seeking a fi fth The last to introduce herself was term in Cleveland City Council. After Jasmine Santana, who represents earning a law degree from Case Ward 14. Santana described a Western Reserve University, she tough upbringing; living in a blighted eventually worked for then Ward 5 Detroit-Shoreway (then Bridge-54th) Councilman Frank Jackson who, with a single mother who didn’t when running for mayor in 2005, speak English, relying on food convinced Ms. Cleveland to succeed banks and having to transfer high schools when West Tech closed. him. PHOTO BY DEBBIE SADLON “Discussions at the dinner table Following Cleveland was the Friday, February 12, 2021; Quan Am Temple of Buddhist Cultural Center, 11921 Bellaire Road: The Buddhist were about survival, not education freshest face in Council, Jenny Cultural Center’s Quan Am Temple greets the Lunar New Year of the Ox with a sign saying: “Chúe Múng Spencer of Ward 15. She was re- ccontinuedontinued oonn ppageage 3 Nãm Mói” “Happy Lunar New Year.” PPasteaste PagesPages 4 & 5 HHereere Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities COMMUNITY CENTERS Say Yes to Education Cleveland …….........………..273-6350 Major Unusual Incident (MUI) Hotline.…......440-333-6841 www.sayyescleveland.org Arrupe Neighborhood Partnership Program..............961-1260 Journey Center for Safety and Healing ……........... .229-2420 St. Augustine Child Enrichment Center ……......... 939-7681 www.ignatius.edu 24-Hour Helpliine..............391-HELP (4357) staugministries.org/cec Catholic Charities Covenant Center ……........…… 574-9000 www.journeyneo.org St. Augustine Learning Center...................................781-5530 Clark Recreation Center….........................................664-4657 Long Term Care Ombudsman ....... www.ltco.org ...696-2719 St. Ignatius High School .... www.ignatius.edu ....... 651-0222 Cleveland Metroparks …………………......……… 635-3200 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children St. Ignatius of Antioch School……….............……..671-0535 www.Clevelandmetroparks.com www.missingkids.com .......….800-843-5678 www.stignatiusofantioch-school.org Computer Lab ……………….....….....……961-9073 ext.215 National Human Traffi cking Resource Center Hotline St. Rocco School………………......…………....…..961-8557 Cudell Recreation Center...........................................664-4137 ………..……………… 888-373-7888 Say Yes to Education Cleveland …………..........… 386-1730 Cuyahoga Valley National Park …….........……330-657-2752 www.sayyescleveland.org www.nps.gov/cuva Seeds of Literacy..... www.seedsofl iteracy.org .........661-7950 Estabrook Recreation Center ..................................664-4149 ARTS & CULTURE Starting Point......www.starting-point.org .................575-0061 Family Ministry Center www.clevelandfmc.org.. 398-8420 Art House...................................................................398-8556 State Board of Career Colleges/Schools ...........614-466-2752 Foundation Center www.foundationcenter.org……. 861-1933 www.arthouseinc.org U.S. Dept of Ed Federal Student Aid .............1-800-433-3243 Franklin Circle Christian Church …….......…….... 781-8232 Arts Cleveland ..........................................................575-0331 Urban Community School..........................................939-8330 www.franklincirclechurch.org www.artscleveland.org www.urbancommunityschool.org Halloran Park Skating Rink ……......……………. 664-4187 Bop Stop @ The Music Settlement ……........……..771-6551 The Centers for Family and Children …...........….. 961-2997 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Blank Canvas Theatre ……………...….......…. 440-941-0458 Early Learning Centers………………………. 325-9678 Community Center of Greater Cleveland…....651-5428 www.blackcanvastheatre.com www.thecentersohio.org www.lgbtcleveland.org Canvas ………………....……… www.CanvasCLE.com West Tech Alumni Association www.westtech.org.