December 2011 • ne ighborhood-vo ice .com

Maxine Walker Giddings: Dignified Protester of the 1960s Sit-insDiane Nash and the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian electrified the audience earlier this fall during their speak-ing engagement at Case Western Reserve Uni-versity’s Ford Theater.

CWRU’s Social Justice Institute and Office of In-clusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity, Facing History and Ourselves, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church and WVIZ PBS/ideastream sponsored the duo’s speaking engagement, which was free, open to the public and centered on the award-winning PBS documentary “Freedom Riders.”

Buckeye-Shaker • Central • East Cleveland • Fairfax • Glenville • Hough • Little Italy • University Circle

Christmas Eve at The Church of the Covenant in the Circle Page 4

Families at Friendly Inn Page 9

Little Italy’s Galeria Quetzal Page 4

Girls from Glenville’s Michael R. White Elementary School perform their poem “Letter to Mommy & Daddy” on Friday, Nov. 18, at America SCORES Cleveland’s 2011 Poetry SLAM, Where Words SCORE. The slam brought 250 poet-athletes from nine Cleveland schools to Cleveland State University’s Waetjen Auditorium. Teams and individuals performed original poems on topics ranging from soccer to cellphones. Check out video from the slam at www.neighborhood-voice.com. Photo courtesy of America SCORES Cleveland.

Young Poets Dazzle Audience at Cleveland State

continued on Page 10

News from

By Alanda Sales

BUCKEYE-SHAKER – I am a local artist and community activist named Alanda Sales from Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood. My first art exhibit, titled “The Art of Love,” opens Dec. 16 at the Doboma Art Gallery in the Cleveland Heights Main Library, 2345 Lee Rd.

“The Art of Love” will officially open at 5:30 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. A recep-tion with light appetizers follows, ending at 8:30 p.m.

This is a free, family friendly event that will in-spire the artist within every guest who attends. There will be live entertainment by me and “The Griot Project,” which captures the African Griot tradition through spoken word. In addition, every piece of artwork will be priced to sell.

I am a mother of two, artist, student community leader and activist who graduated from Cleve-land Heights High School in 2000 after drop-

ping out during my senior year in 1995. Soon after graduating from Heights High, I obtained a bachelor’s in justice studies from Kent State University in 2006. I am a true story of inspira-tion and success driven by sheer determination to succeed and overcome adversity.

I am presently a full-time student in pursuit of a master’s degree in business at The Jack Welch Institute. I volunteer as the program administrator for the Network for Neighbor-hood Success Youth Leadership Program,

Art Exhibit Opens in December

Help Wanted Ads

on Page 11

PERRY’S PERSPECTIvECommentary By East Cleveland’s M. LaVora Perry

The Holiday Season is well upon us as we pre-pare to bake cookies, sing our favorite carols, plan our shopping lists for family and friends and try to dodge that winter weather. After at-tending University Circle’s Holiday CircleFest on Dec. 4, I found out that our neighborhood is chockfull of surprisingly great talent. The event was free and there was something to do at each destination. The difficulty was in deciding where to start.

Fortunately, I had a head start by attending the Holiday Sale at the Western Reserve Art-ist’s Archive located on Euclid next to Lakev-

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A regular column by Lori Ingram, actress and University Circle resident

a nonprofit organization which operates and serves the Buckeye community. In addition, I am a community leader and a Sunday school teacher for the Word Church.

I draw my passion for life through art in any medium, giving back and serving the commu-nities of Greater Cleveland.

I am inspired by preserving the world and all of its beauty one task at a time, by teaching the importance of and practicing “going green.”

“Step by step, hour by hour, I can do anything. I got the power!” - A. Sales

nEIGHBORHOOD ARTS

We Want to Learn About Our Readers

Take our survey for your chance to win $50.

www.ne ighborhood-vo ice.com December 2011 3

Editor and PublisherLila Millslmills@neighborhood-voice.com

Writers/PhotographersMansfield Frazier

Joyce Hairstonjhairston@neighborhood-voice.com

M. LaVora Perrymlperry@neighborhood-voice.com

Robert Rozborilrrozboril@neighborhood-voice.com

Justin Rutledgejrutledge@neighborhood-voice.com

Graphic Design ConsultantJulie Heckman

Copy EditorLindsy Neer

ContributorsJennay Alvarez-GrantCynthia L. LewisSusan PriceAlanda SalesKevin ScheuringRobert StevensonDoris Willis

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M i s s i o n The Neighborhood Voice is a monthly newspaper written by and for the residents, organizations and businesses in Greater University Circle. We are seeking writers and photographers. No experience necessary.

The views and opinions published in the NV do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher, NV staff or Neighborhood Connections.

Next Issue: JaN. 4Get Neighborhood Voice at home. Paid subscriptions available. Call 216-229-8769.

Landscape of Greater University Circle atop the W.O. Walker Building at 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. PHOTO BY STEPHEN TRAVARCA

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In 1966, when the cultural celebration of Kwan-zaa was first practiced, Dr. Maulana Karen-ga used African harvest traditions as a model to introduce and reinforce a set of seven prin-ciples that African-Americans could incorporate into our lives on a daily basis.

Dr. Karenga chose these seven principles be-cause of what they emphasize collectively, their positiveness and roots in African culture. These principles are the moral minimum set of African values that we need in order to reclaim, rebuild and strengthen family, community and culture.

The traditional Kwanzaa celebration occurs annually from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Al-though Kwanzaa is celebrated at the end of the year along with many other holidays, it is not designed as an alternative or replacement for any other year-end holiday, and may be cel-ebrated jointly.

The Nguzo Saba, or seven principles, guide the celebration of Kwanzaa. Each day of the celebration is devoted to honoring one of these building blocks of self-awareness. By exploring the Nguzo Saba, people of African descent are able to reflect and project the positive images and visions of self empowerment, self-esteem, and our God-given potential.

ThE SEvEn PrinCiPlES of ThE nGuzo SAbA ArE:

uMOJa – unity: To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, race and the world.

Unity is the first principle. It is a commitment to the idea of togetherness. This principle is a foundation; for without unity, neither the family nor the community can survive.

KuJICHaGuLIa – self Determination: To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, speak for ourselves, instead of being defined, named, created for and spoken for by others.

The second principle is a commitment to build-ing our lives in our own image and interest. If we, as a people, are to achieve our goals, we must take the responsibility for that achieve-ment upon ourselves. People must stand up for themselves. We must tell others what we want. We must not let anyone else decide our future.

uJIMa – Collective Work & Responsibilty: To build and maintain our community together; to make our sister’s and brother’s problems our problems and to solve them together.

The third principle encourages self-criticism, personal and community evaluation, as it re-lates to the common good of the family/com-munity. We must take responsibility for our problems and the problems of those around us and help each other solve those problems.

uJaMaa – Cooperative econimics:To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses; to control the econom-ics of our own community and share in all of its work and wealth.

In a community or family, wealth and resources should be shared. We must support African-American businesses, and African-American businesses must support the African-American community.

NIa – Purpose: To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community, in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

We must make it our purpose to maintain the dignity and moral standards of our ancestors. It is important to build strong families and main-tain our own communities, attend college and open business.

KuuMBa – Creativity: To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Kuumba commits us to the sixth principle of building and developing. It is essential that cre-ativity be encouraged. It is through new ideas that we achieve higher levels of living and a greater appreciation for life. Our ancestors made music, dance and created beautiful works of art. We must work to make our community proud!

IMaNI – Faith:To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righ-teousness and the victory of our struggle.

Imani, the seventh principle is belief in our-selves as individuals and as a people. Our goal rests significantly on our belief in our own ability and right to control our own destiny. We must walk by faith and put our trust in the spirit and power that is greater than us.

4 www.ne ighborhood-vo ice.com December 2011

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS NeighborhooD Voice

A n n o u n c e m e n t :

Scrapping for JesusWill pick up any metal items. Just call Ken at 216-246-0344 to schedule an appointment.

Looking for aluminum, brass, copper, iron, lead, steel and more.

Proceeds benefit fidelity baptist Church, 8402 Wade Park Ave., in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood.

Galeria Quetzal celebrates 10 years in little italy. The shop sells one-of-a-kind folk and fine art and clothing, toys and jewelery from countries like Guatemala, Peru and Mexico. Open everyday through Christmas. Call 216-421-8223 or check out

www.galeriaquetzal.com for more information.

There will be several public Kwanzaa celebrations this month. Check the community calendar at www.neighborhood-voice.com

and please come share with us.

Doris Willis is with the East Cleveland Kwanzaa Coalition. Contact the coalition at 216-253-8624.

It’s Kwanzaa Time By Doris Willis

BUCKEYE-SHAKER - Residents celebrated the dedication of the “neighborhood bookshelf” outside Loganberry Books on Larchmere Bou-levard in November.

The “bookshelf,” a 12-foot-high fabric and ply-wood mural showing photographs of the spines of several books, is mounted on the east wall of Loganberry Books. The Larchmere Mural Com-mittee, a group of residents and business own-ers, with support from the Shaker Square Area Development Corporation and the St. Luke’s Foundation, chose artist Gene Epstein to make the mural. Epstein’s concept was chosen from 13 entries.

The committee chose the mural’s book titles from 164 suggestions received from commu-nity members. The chosen books represent children’s literature, the Larchmere community, Larchmere businesses and Cleveland.

Harriett Logan, of Loganberry Books, wrote the following and committee member Susan Price read it during the dedication ceremony:

We’d like to introduce the 50 books chosen for the mural and the people who nominated them. There were, of course, more nominations than would fit on this wall, 164 in fact. Some books received multiple nominations, some were re-ceived late, and some were not granted copy-right permission. Some were new, some clas-sics perennially in print, others long out of print. Let us present the final selection as determined by the Mural Committee and the artist in order of their appearance on the wall.

First, to identify the businesses behind this wall of books, are “The Bookbinder” and “The Used Book Lover’s Guide to the Midwest.” Keeping the books-about-books theme is committee member Susan Price’s nomination of the mys-tery by John Dunning, “The Bookwoman’s Last Fling.” Representing the shop Fine Points is Liz Tekus’ pick, “The Knitter’s Stash” by Albright.

Who doesn’t love Jane Austen? Many tipped their hat here, but committee member Henri-etta English-West was the official nominator of “Pride and Prejudice.” Destiny Campbell, a student at Harvey Rice Elementary School, nominated Don Freeman’s classic “Corduroy” because it’s about how a “community works together and helps each other.”

Five people nominated books by Sharon Drap-er, including Gregory Thomas, Janay Lurch, Joy Perkins, Laporsha Morrow and Teajsha Mitch-ell. Of the five different titles nominated, we chose “Sassy: The Birthday Storm.”

Patricia Ellins, who owns Beyond Fitness, is an evangelist for Chris Crowley’s book “Younger Next Year.”

Did you know that William Holmes McGuffey, editor of the famed “McGuffey’s Reader” se-ries, was from Ohio?

Alina Torres calls Larchmere home, but origi-nally she was from Santiago, Dominican Re-public. She chose Isabel Allende’s novel “La Casa De Los Espiritus.” Danielle Ruppert of Menu 6 suggested Laura Taxel’s “Cleveland Ethnic Eats” to represent our food diversity.

The most nominations of any book was for the gritty and realistic Paul Langan’s “Bluford High Series,” including nods from Dauzhane Rich-ardson, Isaah Velez, Nadicnoski Jones, Shar-honda Andrews, Zachary Lanier, Dajan Jihenter and Ashley Hardwick.

A teacher from Our Lady of Peace, Jean Pekoc, nominated Langston Hughes’ “The Dream-keeper,” on behalf of her class. Harriett Logan nominated her father’s book on “Federal Half Dimes,” and Lynne Alfred nominated “Art to Wear” by Julie Schafler Dale to represent her wearable art business, The Dancing Sheep. James Boyd, of Polished Professionals, wanted to see the bible for barbers up on the wall with

“Milady’s Standard Textbook of Professional Barber-Styling.”

Four people nominated local author and Lo-ganberry employee Sarah Willis’ coming-of-age novel, “Some Things That Stay.” Residents Nicki Petrone and Ms. Charlie Reed-Mundell both suggested Paul Fleischman’s “Seedfolks” about turning a trashy Cleveland lot into a com-munity garden. “Journeys Through Bookland” and “City Legends” seemed like old tomes fit for our city’s bookwall, as did the decorative and copyright-free “Fun and Frolic” and “Yes-terdays with Authors.”

Larchmere employee Christine Borne chose “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” by Jane Jacobs as a blueprint for walkable neighborhoods like ours. Four teenagers attest to the lasting appeal of S.E. Hinton’s classic “The Outsiders” including Bobby Alexander Jr., Justice Perkins, Cedrina Blanton and Toyosha Williams.

Heide Rivchun loves the spine of Victor Arwas’ “Art Deco.” Young students Christian Kemp and Dictamme nominated “Fly Ladybug Fly” by Betsy Franco about the “bug that can do every-thing” and book meister Richard Gildenmeister nominated the “most perfectly written book:” Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood.”

Aleta McCray enjoys the classic “Little Red Riding Hood.” “My Favorite Book” and “Books and Printing” help round out the history of such a folk tale. “Eating on the Street” by David Schaafsma was enthusiastically recommended by Committee Co-chair Lynne Alfred (ask her about it sometime), and “History of Cleveland” is an obscure history of our fair city from a hun-dred years ago.

“Families: Poems Celebrating the African-American Experience” was picked by Jermaine Levy. John Young chose “The People Called-Shakers” to represent our Shaker roots, and

Cleveland author Les Roberts is represented by his latest mystery, “The Cleveland Creep.”

Damaria Williams suggested “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator” by Ronald Dahl, while Develle Hunter and Worthington Dennis both en-joyed “Henry and Mudge” by Kent author Cyn-thia Rylant. “Twelve Rounds of Glory” by Charles Smith Jr. is about Terrance Elder’s favorite boxer, while resident John Baden is working on up-dates to David Van Tassel and John Grabowski’s “Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.”

Alan Hodges of Elegant Extras respects the ref-erence book of Ruth Webb Lee on “Early Ameri-can Pressed Glass” and James Boyd admires “I Dream A World” photographed by Brian Lanker. Both Ali J. Boyd and S. Iris nominated “Before The Mayflower” by Lerone Bennett Jr. and Gloria Moose nominated local author Yvonne Pointer’s “Behind the Death of a Child.”

Mort Epstein’s “69 Years of Design at 90” befit-tingly looks at the company he founded, Epstein Design Partners, Inc. “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou inspires Deborah McHamm of A Cultural Exchange, while Ron Meister of Shaker Quality Auto Body is inspired by “Iacocca, an Autobiography.” “Collector’s Luck” and “Folk Songs” round out this happy tune of pictures, words, antiques, books, community and a mu-ral we can all call our own neighborhood book-shelf. Thanks to everyone who contributed in the process of this piece of public art.

NeighborhooD VoiceNEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

www.ne ighborhood-vo ice.com December 2011 5

neighborhood Bookshelf Dedicated

Barber James Boyd in front of his mural selection. Photos by Lila Mills.

NEIGHBORHOOD PROFILE NeighborhooD Voice

6 www.ne ighborhood-vo ice.com December 2011

“My journey during my incarceration wasn’t just a physical journey, it was an interior jour-ney as well,” Damon Calvert said.

Calvert has been home seven months after serving 17 years for a drug-related murder conviction. Just two days out of prison, he was employed full time and now he is attending Cleveland State University in pursuit of a mas-ter’s in nonprofit management. He attributes his success so far to that interior journey he made years ago.

“It took a lot of self introspection, facing of my own demons and dealing with my own issues emotionally, spiritually and mentally,” Cal-vert said. “When guys are incarcerated and they don’t have that soul change, then the very poi-son that led them down the road they were on is still there. You have to excavate your own past and ask, ‘Why am I like this?’ You have to deal with your root issues, whatever they might be.”

The son of a drug-addicted mother, Calvert bounced in and out of foster care all of his young life. Growing up, all he knew was the streets, drug dealing and violence. When he finally arrived at the adult prison at age 18, he had a fifth grade education.

“Almost as soon as I arrived, an older prisoner tried to attack me … so I stabbed him,” Cal-vert said, who was put in solitary confinement for 13 months. “Being in a hole within a hole and having to face my demons up close and personal, I had to literally build myself from the bottom up.”

“I had all these different feelings inside me but I didn’t know how to articulate them, how to get them out of me,” he continued. “I tried to find the words to unlock it all, that’s where the reading came in, trying to find the right words to describe my condition, my state of mind. Through the process of naming these demons, I was able to challenge them and ex-orcize them.”

He became a voracious reader.

Claiming his own name was integral to his journey.

“To find yourself and your identity inside of a prison is not easy,” Calvert said, “particularly when they don’t call you by your name but by your number, as if you are a piece of inventory in that warehouse — an ‘it.’ Guys begin to act like an ‘it’ or a ‘thing.’ And so names become very important for one’s own sanity and one’s own identity.”

Calvert selected the name “Abbadon.” Abba means father. In Aramaic, it’s a term that Jesus used when he cried out from the cross. In Latin ‘don’ means leader, or the head of a family or a person of respect.

“Every time somebody said my name it re-minded me that I’m a father, it reminded me that I’m a leader, it reminded me to blaze my own path,” Calvert said. “When people said my name, it called me back to my center.”

Over the years, he completed almost enough college courses behind bars to earn a bach-elor’s degree, and most of the credits were transferable to CSU. Now he frequently goes back into prisons around the state, spreading his message that redemption is possible via education. Abbadon is living proof, from the bottom up.

Mansfield Frazier is a journalist living in Hough.

“My journey during my

incarceration wasn’t just a physical journey, it was an interior

journey as well.”

By Mansfield FrazierDamon CalvertFrom the

Bottom Up

Photo By Mansfield Frazier

I noticed there was a gas station being erect-ed on East 105th Street between Superior and St.Clair, as well as several other small busi-ness expansions in highly impoverished areas of the city.

Suddenly it dawned on me that while the re-sources we needed to improve our community were there, in the form of people, minds and money, they were simply being misappropri-ated, and our kids and communities were be-ing neglected.

For example, programs like the Golden Ciphers, run by Executive Director Pamela Hubbard, who works with our children to keep them out of the juvenile system at no cost, has to seek funding assistance from outside the community.

Or the Bedford Heights Saints, under the guid-ance of its president John Watts, who in efforts to keep his original program afloat, trans-planted the youth football team from East 93rd Street to Bedford Heights to have an adequate practice area, and the ability to collect fees so that the kids could have real practice jerseys and decent equipment to play in.

There are several other examples of people attempting to make a difference in our community that are simply stymied

because too many of us are absorbed in basic survival mode that we almost have no choice but to trust the decision makers to have our best interests at heart.

For years, I have been committed to volunteer-ing as a youth football coach. Recently, I began speaking to youth at the Cuyahoga County Ju-venile Dentention Center with my mentor Mrs. Hubbard. I watched and I learned and I started the Be Beyond Foundation, a non profit that I hope can utilize the resources within the com-munity to rebuild improvised neighborhoods.

To find out how you can help, or get involved, email me at bebeyondfoundation@live.com.

follow Your DreamsFollow your dreamsNo matter ifThey seem insignificantOr to the extreme

The key to MakingDreams come trueYou must haveThe desire, the strengthTo follow and see it through

Sometimes it requiresStepping out on “faith”And/or having just onePerson to help push/pull You along the way

Know, it’s not Always going to be easyBut when your dreams come trueKnow, they did becauseAll along you “believed” in You

NeighborhooD VoiceNEIGHBORHOOD VOICE

www.ne ighborhood-vo ice.com December 2011 7

From the

Bottom Up

I was in blind pursuit of the American dream, oblivious to what was taking place around me. I missed the whole discussion about closing several schools in my area, taking extracur-ricular activities away from the schools that were left and spending millions on a juvenile detention center in the middle of the ghetto.

By the time my eyes were opened to these facts, my own son was getting ready to enter middle school. It then hit me that my money was being taken from my hard-earned wages and deci-sions were being made without my consent. At that moment, I decided not to be put into that position ever again.

I began assessing my situation in relation to my community and realized that I wasn’t alone. Not only was I not alone, there weren’t many places that I could go to express my discontent. So I began to do some research, and after doing some investigating, a few things stood out.

(1) The population of Cleveland is below 400,000, according to the 2010 census.

(2) About 30 percent of the Cleveland popula-tion lives below the poverty level, according to the 2010 census.

(3) There are more than 20,000 homeless people in Cleveland, according to 2008 statistics from the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.

(4) There are thousands of abandoned houses in Cleveland.

5) The 2008-09 graduation rate of the Cleveland Municipal School District was about 54 percent.

(6) During 2010, the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center had an average daily popu-lation of 129 juveniles and Home Detention monitored an average daily caseload of 170 juveniles, according to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division 2010 annual report.

(7) The prime window for teenage crime is be-tween 3 and 8 p.m.

Yet the number of middle school football teams in Cleveland is zero!

Poet Jennay Alvarez-Grantof Glenville, also does lock repair, maintenance and restoration and sells hand-knit scarves. She works with the Glenville Ministry in Missions Alliance. reach her at info@neighborhood-voice.com

God’s DesignGOD gave me a blank canvasAnd I asked “Dear Father”Please explain what is this

God said “What is your vision my child”And so I stared at that “Blank Canvas” For a very long while

Then daily I started adding colors of new and oldSome soft and warm, others bright and boldOne day I added some clays that I had to mold

I realized days and months had somehow passedAnd I saw I had also added precious metalsAnd jewels like diamonds and glass

I looked at it and staredFor it made my heart proudNot too much, just enough, not too loud

This canvas caused all of my sensesTo be enticed, captured and awareFor it was created with such passion and care

GOD saw it and added so much moreLike love for the mind body and soulAnd lots of life’s little treasures yet to unfold

And when it was finishedOr so I thoughtWith nothing left to desire or want

Then GOD said Just one last added “AWE”And then I saw

As only GOD can only doHe then turned that beautiful canvas into “YOU”

Somari’s SetSomari’s Set * starts with the man himselfHis aura has a tendency to help others look Inward * towards one’s self

And I love the way* Somari* recognizesAs a people our greatness * I especially LOVE the way he sees me * calls me * And others of the female gender * Princess

To *Somari’s Set * once in the doorYou know there is a spiritual essenceBefore he begins his work * His surrender to the CREATOR allows for many blessings

As you sit in his chair * You feel the connectionGoing on a journey * where he is the vessel * Utilized creating the CREATOR’S perfection

The many people in * Somari’s Set * are open Peaceful * having wisdom * able to touch oth-er’s heartsFor they know * acknowledge the bigger pic-ture * The biggest part * that there is someone * something GREATER than we * the CREATOR OF ALL * That allows man * woman * to be

All of this entwined * is what brings about* SOMARI’S SET * his own atmosphereWhere his trueness * sincerity is definitely clear

And every time I look into the mirrorI see it * his awesome works * MY BEAUTIFUL HAIR

Finding the American Dream Commentary By East Cleveland’s Robert Stevenson

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS NeighborhooD Voice

8 www.ne ighborhood-vo ice.com December 2011

Neighborhood Voice wondered how small, independent retailers in the neighborhoods of Greater University Circle were handling the poor economy. Reporter Robert Rozboril checked in with business owners to find out.

Cherie Campbell, owner of Re-New Begin-ning Consignment Shop, said, “I think the big companies are squeezing their prices to draw people away from small ones like us.”

After three years in business at 12726 Larch-mere Blvd., Campbell said her shop is still treading water, despite the economy.

At Church Square, on Euclid Avenue and East 79th Street, big-name retailers and restaurant chains such as RadioShack and Pizza Hut share space with independent retailers.

Some independent retailers in the plaza say they are struggling to keep their heads above water in the down economy.

“Business is way down,” said Chin Lee, owner of Dollar Mart in Church Square. “I have a hard time paying my workers.”

Lee struggles to compete with two other dol-lar stores in the plaza. In the last few years, rising shipping costs on merchandise Lee buys from China have forced him to raise his prices and lose customers as a result, he said.

“It seems it’s almost not worth it,” Lee said of owning a business in the current economy.

“Si Harb, owner and operator of Church Square Supermarket has worked in the plaza for 19 years and lived in Cleveland for 30.

In the past five years, Harb said, his sales have plummeted 50 percent.

“It’s gone downhill dramatically,” Harb said. “We try to compete in a very low market to begin with but now it’s really low and you can’t pay your bills.”

“The changes to Euclid Avenue didn’t help,” Harb said, mentioning how people complain the Euclid Corridor makes it difficult to enter the shopping center.

Still, Harb said, he plans to “stick it out and see if we can’t turn things around.”

Harb explained he thinks the loss of business is partially because people have many more options among name-brand stores than they did when he opened. Stores like Save-A-Lot, Aldi and Walmart make it very hard for him to compete, he said.

Some shoppers in the plaza said they prefer to shop at chain stores that they are familiar with rather than “mom and pop” stores because the big retailers carry more name-brand prod-ucts and a have better selection.

Managers of well-known retail chains in the shopping center said they are not experienc-

ing nearly as many problems as their small business counterparts.

“We’re trending a little bit downward, but not terrible,” said a manager of RadioShack in Church Square.

Overall, he said he is not significantly con-cerned over the status of his store and is confident business will pick up in the coming months.

Crystal Patterson, manager of the Rainbow clothing store in Church Square, gave similar feedback on her store.

At Central Avenue on East 55th Street, manag-er Mustafa Ayad, of Biggie’s Food Mart, said, “Other businesses are so competitive, some owners will actually spend money so you lose money.”

Small Business in greater University circle

Cherie Campbell, owner of Re-New Beginning Consignment Shop.

Chin Lee, owner of Dollar Mart in Church Square. Mustafa Ayad, manager of Biggie’s Food Mart.Si Harb, Owner and Operator of Church Square Supermarket.

Kevin Scheuring cooks great food, manages the Coit Road Farmers’ Market and advises many customers on seasonings as the Spice-hound. His specialty is to cook wonderful food every day with what is locally available. He regularly offers easy, healthy recipes in Neighborhood Voice.

It seems that too many people are puzzled by the humble eggplant. Many recipes call for peeling, salting and draining it before the ac-tual recipe even starts. I can simplify this for you. Don’t peel, salt or drain them. It’s unnec-essary. I’ll quickly walk you through delicious and easy (deconstructed) eggplant parmesan.

Eggplant prep is easy: Leave the skin on. It tastes good. I suggest making deep slits in the skin from stem to whatever they call the other end about 1/2 inch apart. Why? So you don’t get a long string of skin in one bite.Cut the eggplant into 1/2-to 5/8-inch slices.

breading: Many recipes call for dust-ing with flour and pan frying. Eggplant acts like a sponge; it will soak up loads of oil. It needs protection in the form of an egg wash. Dust the slices in a light coating of flour, tap off as much excess as possible and dip into and egg wash (beaten egg diluted with a bit

of water). Now we need some crunch. This is where panko (Japanese breeds crumbs) can do their magic. Feel free to use whatever you have. If you have some day-old bread, toss it in the food processor, but if you are planning on buying bread crumbs, buy panko.Season, season, season! Each coating should be seasoned. That means salt, pepper and at least one other thing. Use what you like but I’m a fan of dried basil for eggplant.

fry the suckers: After a coating of the bread crumbs of choice, they need a few min-utes in some oil at about 375-400 degrees. You guessed it — golden brown and delicious.

finishing up: They need sauce. I like to make tomato sauces by cooking fresh, local tomatoes down in a pot, seeds, skins and all and then running them through a food mill, or roast them on a sheet pan in the oven until they are reduced before the trip to the food mill. I’ll skip the rants about tomato sauce but if you do it like this, it won’t need much more than salt pepper, garlic and maybe your herb of choice to be awesome. You can use your favorite jar sauce, too, but it won’t be as good. You’ll have missed the point of this recipe, and I probably won’t like you as much.

Make it extra special: Give that high-end restaurant vibe with a basil-cream sauce. Tastes awesome and couldn’t be simpler. Re-duce some heavy cream (NOT milk or half and half) to about half over a low flame. Keep your eye on it because it will want to boil over. Add some fresh chopped basil for a minute or two and you’re done. Some salt, white pepper, nutmeg, lemon zest and/ or cheese would be a bonus here, surprise me.

Do-aheads and plating: The eggplant can be fried ahead of time but absolutely would need to be reheated on a rack in a real oven (no microwaves here!) They need to re-crisp. The sauce can also be done ahead. The basil cream can be, but I don’t suggest it. Plate a slice (or 12), top with sauce, drizzle with basil cream and top with a bit of asiago, locatelli, parmesan, mozzarella or whatever cheese you like.

Do I need to say “No Velveeta?” Of course not. Nobody actually eats the stuff … right?

It’s easy, ridiculously delicious and anybody can pull it off. Now go cook!

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS NeighborhooD Voice

Kevin’s Daily Local ... eating well with what’s locally available

Eleven families participated in the eight-week session that provides quality family time for people with school-aged children. Families play games and participate in activities that help improve communication. Charles Taylor and Lottie Whittaker, of Friendly Inn Settlement, said they were

proud of everyone who went through the program. Both agreed that the graduation ceremony was a special and emotional time. Photo courtesy of Friendly Inn Settlement.

www.ne ighborhood-vo ice.com December 2011 9

Families graduated in November from the Families and schools together program at Friendly Inn settlement

Collective Upcycle is a pop-up boutique, pop-ping up for a specific amount of time in an empty retail space and then popping down. This holiday season Collective Upcycle has set up in a vacant retail space in Shaker Square. Snug in between Yours Truly and Fire Food & Drink restaurants, you’ll find the art, goods and gifts from 37 local artists and upcyclists and inspir-ing demonstrations of creative reuse. The shop emphasizes reuse, the second R of the reduce, reuse, recycling mantra. It’s a funky space filled with thoughtful and innovative goods from lo-cal reuse artists who make their work by hand, often by starting with raw material that others

cast away or discard. Curbside glass is melted and sculpted into trees, jewelry and sun catch-ers. Glass wine bottles become candles, neck-laces, or are sandblasted into elegant vases. Upholstery fabric becomes wine bottles, fabric adornments, and stockings. Slate tiles become photo frames, tee shirts become lavender sa-chets, baby bibs or tote bags. Vinyl flooring be-comes jewelry. And there’s lots more to see!

Customers can visit Collective Upcycle between 12 p.m.- 8 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays until Dec. 24. After Dec. 24, they’ll go away, take a break, and pop up somewhere new next summer. You can find out more at collectiveupcycle.com.

Photo by Candy Freed

Pop-up Boutique on Shaker Square By Nicole McGee, Collective Upcycle

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS NeighborhooD Voice

10 www.ne ighborhood-vo ice.com December 2011

My husband, three children and I attended the event and absorbed everything Nash and her gentlemanly senior, Vivian, recounted about their experiences as human rights leaders dur-ing what is commonly called the United States Civil Rights Era.

Nash was among the many students of the 1960s who risked their lives to combat rac-ism in the South. One of their most powerful tactics was the non-violent sit-in. They stayed seated at department store lunch counters, bus station waiting rooms and other public places where it was illegal for African-Americans to be. Their actions incited haters to curse, beat and jail them.

I learned about history-shapers like Nash, a Chicagoan who attended Fisk University in Nashville, while writing a children’s book ear-lier this year. I discovered she led the Nashville student sit-ins — a movement that helped ig-nite church pray-ins, swimming pool wade-ins, library read-ins and restroom pee-ins across the South.

Then, in September, I witnessed the unexpect-ed in the Ford Theater during the program’s questions and answers segment: Audience member Maxine Walker Giddings, 71, ener-getically explained that she had participated in the Nashville student movement. Hearing this, recognition flashed across Nash’s face, and she fondly spoke of remembering Giddings’ younger brother, Matthew Walker Jr., a fellow student protestor.

That evening, I asked Giddings if she would re-lay her protest experiences with Neighborhood Voice readers. She graciously agreed.

A week later, she and I spoke at the dining room table in her Shaker Heights home. She told me she was born and raised in Nashville, the second of four siblings. Her father, Dr. Matthew Walker Sr., was a physician and the beloved surgery department chair at Meharry Medical College. Her mother, Alice Gibbs John-son Walker, had pursued a master’s degree at Northwestern University before marrying.

In 1958, at 18 years old, Giddings entered Fisk with a medical degree in sight. Although she managed to earn a bachelor’s degree despite a schedule packed with sit-ins and protest marches, her medical school plans evaporated when she met and married Brad-ford Giddings Sr., who eventually obtained a doctorate.

In the 1990s, Giddings, a mother of three adult children, earned her master’s from Kent State University and went on to teach Computer Technology at Cuyahoga Community College.

In addition to sharing a dish of popcorn and almonds with me, she shared memories like these:

MLP: How did you get involved with the sit-ins? MWG: One of my friends, Angeline Butler, told

me they were planning something to combat the racism that existed in Nashville. For years, we could go and shop, but we could not sit down and eat at the lunch counters which were prevalent then … Little children couldn’t go to the bathroom [with their parents at de-partment stores].

So I said of course I would join up. We went to several meetings. We met with Rev. Jim Lawson. They said that Martin Luther King sent him to teach us the Gandhian method [named for Mohandas Gandhi, whose teachings Law-son studied while serving as a missionary in India]. He [Lawson] did teach us very well. That is the non-violent method. Sometime later, Di-ane Nash came from Chicago …. We met very often to learn how to be non-violent. Then the time came for us to go and actually put this into practice.

MLP: When were you arrested?MWG: I was arrested twice, actually. The first time, I had been sitting with a fellow who was [part of] some religious group similar to a Quaker. He was a white student from Indiana. His name was Paul Laprad. So he and I had befriended each other and we sat together at McClennan’s [a downtown Nashville depart-ment store]. This was, I think, Feb. 27 [1960]. We had sat-in before on Feb. 13 but nothing had happened.

So as he and I were sitting together — a white and a black — some of the young toughs from Nashville came and knocked him down, pulled him off the chair, beat him, and he crouched in a fetal position. And there was nothing we could do because we were taught not to try and retaliate.

And actually I’ve got pictures of that. Those pictures went around the world. That was the first time that any of us became arrested. Right after they hit him, the police came and arrested all of us sit-inners and let the white toughs go. So we were taken to the jail and fingerprinted and put in jail.

The women, at least in my group, they put us in with some prostitutes, about four or five prosti-tutes … It was interesting because these were the real jail cells you see in movies with the bars going straight up and down all the way around…So as we slept there, if we had to go use the toilet or something the jailers could see us. And they were trying to look, I guarantee you. So the prostitutes showed us how to shield ourselves from the male jailers … and we re-ally appreciated it.

[The jailers] were there to humiliate us in any way possible because we had gotten on their last nerve.

MLP: How did the people in town who were not students react to what you all were doing?MWG: They were supportive — if you were talking about the black people [laughter]. They came to mass meetings.

And I got to meet Martin Luther King many times — at least three or four, shook his hand and everything.

And I got to meet [NAACP Chief Counsel] Thur-good Marshall because he was very interested in the movement itself as well. In fact, Rev. Martin Luther King actually said that our move-ment — the Nashville movement — was the most organized that he had seen. That’s written and documented. So he came down to observe and give us courage.

One time, actually, there was a mass meet-ing in which Dr. King was involved and there was a bomb threat. And he told us to continue no matter that there were threats. And we did continue.

Indeed, because the students continued their non-violent protests, on May 10, 1960, for the first time, black customers were served at six downtown Nashville lunch counters. How-ever, it wasn’t until the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that segregating public facilities based on race became illegal throughout the U.S. And even that victory did not bring an end to racial injustice in our country.

As our meeting came to a close, I asked Gid-dings if she had anything more to say to read-ers. Speaking especially to young people she said, “Continue to fight injustice in a dignified and quiet way wherever you meet it. Do not let it happen.”

Written by M. LaVora Perry, East Cleveland writer, wife and mother. Look for Perry’s regular column sharing her perspective in the Neigh-borhood Voice.

Maxine Walker Giddings: Dignified Protester of the 1960s Sit-ins continued from Page 1

iew Cemetery. The informative opening recep-tion gave guests a peek of things that have potential as gifts under the tree. For example, a pencil drawing by artist Lawrence Baker brought the viewer to as many conclusions as there were guests. His thought-provoking piece entitled “Inclination” was for sale at $300. In the same showing were bottle stop-pers made of stainless steel and wood for the price of $25 as well as artist Sara Claques’ whimsical towers entitled “Town Trustees” selling for $100.

Then on CircleFest Day, which was from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., there was a plethora of ar-tistic things to do and see by shuttle bus. And, of course, many things could be bought for gift giving as well.

Here are some highlights for art lovers:The Museum of Contemporary Art - Children enjoyed building, sculpting, and storytelling at MOCA’s Family Fun Day. Meanwhile, the Cleveland School of Arts theatre group per-formed. Guided tours were available for the work of Ursula Von Rydingsvard and The Cuba Project.

The Church of the Covenant - The Covenant Cache was opened. This is a resale shop with treasures galore. Also a carol sing was pre-sented featuring the Church of the Covenant Choir, followed by a cookie reception. Yummy.

The Cleveland Institute of Music - There were dancers and the CIM Harp Ensemble per-formed excerpts from the Nutcracker includ-ing “The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies. “ And they had Yuling Tubas. (Who knew?)

All in all, there are tons of exciting things to do in our neighborhood if you love the arts. So af-ter you shop, hears the bells ringing, sing along with the carolers , and dance with a puppet or two…realize its still amazing to hear and see all that is available in University Circle.

Did You Know?continued from Page 1

Cleveland ClinicPAS financial Counselor

Part time, 2 -10:30 p.m., every other weekend. Location: Emergency Rm Dpt. - Main Campus

Provides a comprehensive set of business, fi-nancial, and appointment related services. Job Responsibilities: Cross-trained to staff all areas of Patient Access at any facility, including but not limited to Front Desk, Admitting Office, ER registration, Cashier, Pre-registration, verifica-tion, pre-certification, scheduling and financial counseling. Identifies and utilizes appropriate reports to contact insurance payers for resolu-tion to accounts that are pending, denied or in the appeal process. Functions as a Super User. Acts as a resource for training of new team members and during the implementation of new processes. Other duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Experience: Two years of relevant experience in Patient Access and/or Patient Accounting or a minimum of three (3) years customer service interacting with the public by telephone or in person in a similar role or capacity.

Licensure/Certification/Registration: Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA), offered through the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) preferred.

Go to http://my.clevelandclinic.org/careers/de-fault.aspx to apply.

Cleveland Clinic, Main Campuslab Assistant iiDepartment: Immunoassay LabJob Code: C12011 Pay Grade: 06Schedule: Full Time Shift: NightsHours: 12:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Job Details: Summary: Performs various labo-ratory procedures.

Job Responsibilities: Assists with receiving, identifying, accessioning, processing, trans-porting and storing specimens. Operates laboratory equipment and performs routine instrument maintenance, troubleshooting and minor repairs. Performs quality assurance ac-tivities. Maintains adequate stock of supplies; performs inventory management of transport-ing and distributing supplies. Other duties as assigned.

Education: High School Diploma or GED.

Experience: Requires three months on-the-job training to learn department laboratory proce-dures, instrumentation and CCF policies.

Licensure/Certification/Registration: None

Physical Requirements: Requires manual dex-terity and visual acuity when handling speci-mens and utilizing instrumentation. Ability to safely handle potentially infectious patient specimens, carcinogenic substances, odorous and other hazardous materials to which they may be exposed. Requires frequent sitting or standing.

To apply, go to http://www.clevelandclinic-jobs.com

Cleveland Clinic, Main CampusTemp nonexempt WorkerDepartment: Cole Eye AdminJob Code: A01005 Pay Grade: 01Schedule: Full Time Shift: DaysHours: 7:30 am- 4:30 pm

Job Details:This position is for current students of the Tri-C Ophthalmic Assisting Program Only

Summary: With direction from assigned su-pervisor or leader assists with administrative, clerical, patient service or operational sup-port duties. Job Responsibilities: Completes daily assignments, projects or tasks. Maintains equipment, files, databases and follows all de-partment procedures and guidelines. Partici-pates in performance improvement activities or meetings and recommends actions to improve results. May assist with patient service func-tions when trained and assigned. Other duties as assigned.

Education: High School Diploma or GED pre-ferred. Some positions may require additional education or training.

Experience: Experience required will vary by assigned department and position. Licensure/Certification/Registration: None Physical Re-quirements: Requires occasional computer entry, sitting, standing and walking to attend meetings. Normal or corrected vision, hearing and speech.

American Greetings Accounts Payable Clerk

Description: This position handles process-ing invoices for vendor payment, including the 3-way match. It encompasses processing invoices for five plant locations and two sub-sidiaries. Sharp data entry skills are required. This position also includes problem solving, vendor correspondence, producing weekly and monthly reporting and knowledge of general accounting procedures.

Experience: We’re looking for an experienced, organized person who pays close attention to detail and accuracy.

2 years Accounts Payable experience with at least 2 years of college completed.

Murtis H. Taylor Multi-Service Center Part-time Driver

Drives agency vehicles to transport clients, other personnel, documents and packages for the Agency. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be as-signed. • Transport clients to special pre-scheduled outings or various programs sponsored by the Agency. • Deliver mail and confidential documents to agency’s outpost locations and other external destinations. • Maintain daily logs to include dates, destin- tion, client names and odometer readings. • Keeps vehicles clean, polished, and in operating condition and keep accurate vehicle records. • Obey all traffic laws and reports any driving related incidents/accidents to supervisor. • Occasionally, make extended trips requiring irregular hours.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Two years direct work experience driving groups. Valid Ohio driver’s license with less than four (4) points on driving record and current auto-mobile insurance which meets state minimum requirements. Knowledge of Cleveland area and surrounding suburbs essential. Apply at http://www.murtistaylor.info/New_Services.html

Murtis H. Taylor Multi-Service Center Media Arts intern

10-15 hours/week. 12-month assignment. Sti-pend available.Responsible for tasks and responsibilities as-sociated with developing and managing the Agency website, social networking sites and a social networking campaign. Assist with de-veloping/setting up Agency social marketing activities and events. Responsible for Agency website graphic art design and maintenance. Other responsibilities include:• Responsible for Facebook and other social media sites graphic art design and maintenance. • Responsible for Twitter and YouTube graphic art design and maintenance. • Responsible for design and maintenance of graphic art design and maintenance of mes-sages posted to iPhone, Blackberry and other wireless devices and/or platforms. • Work closely with Communications Intern to implement social media projects. • Assist with setting up social media events and campaigns. Currently enrolled student in a degreed program in the field of journalism, communications, mar-keting or a related discipline.

NEIGHBORHOOD CLASSIFIEDS NeighborhooD Voice

www.ne ighborhood-vo ice.com December 2011 11

The neighborhood voice wants to hear from you. Use your voice. Send us your articles and photos at info@neighborhood-voice.com.

Help Wanted Ads To place a classified ad, contact 216-229-8769 or info@neighborhood-voice.com.Maxine Walker Giddings: Dignified Protester of the 1960s Sit-ins continued from Page 1

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Bethany Baptist Church1211 East 105th StreetCleveland, OH 44108

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