Buckeye Learning Farm 2015

Scenes from my visit today to the Buckeye Learning Farm on Woodland Avenue. A group of students were working on growing the crops -- tomatoes, several varieties of peppers, squash and corn, among others -- and enjoying one another's company. Top and bottom photos, my tour guide Elonte, a nice, soft-spoken young man. It is Elonte's second summer working at the farm.

Jesse Owens Mural Unveiling

A beautiful "I Am Jesse Owens" mural, created by Danny Carver with help from his students at the Cleveland School of the Arts, was unveiled in a ceremony Thursday, July 30, 2015 at the Lonnie Burten Recreation Center in Cleveland.

Carver spoke passionately about the struggles and triumphs of Cleveland-born Olympic gold medalist Owens. "He affirmed that individual excellence, rather than race or nation, distinguishes an individual. His legacy remains strong not only throughout Ohio but across the nation." Carver urged young people to elarn about history and "make a difference. Leave some kind of legacy." (Photos by Pamela Zoslov)

Third Annual Holiday Party for Kids

These photos are from the annual holiday party for kids from Cleveland's Fairfax and Central neighborhoods, organized by the dedicated Tanya Holmes. The festivities included food, hot chocolate, candy, games, dancing, presents, and a visit from Santa. My partner and I volunteered to photograph the event and really enjoyed being with the kids and their families.

 

 

 

The children competed in a dance contest.

 

When Santa arrived, a sea of excited children surged toward him, looking for hugs. For little kids, Santa is the ultimate rock star. What a sight!

The children were invited to pick out new hats and gloves.

 The Rolls Royce club's Jazzy J led the children in song.

The kids, singing "Jingle Bells" and other carols.

Ms. Tanya Holmes (left), the tireless organizer who put together this lovely event.

Some of the girls, showing off the presents they got.

Right to Lifers

Right to Life protesters praying, as they regularly do, in front of the Preterm Clinic on Shaker Boulevard in Cleveland on a cloudy Tuesday, October 28, 2014. They're reciting prayers about the "murders" taking place inside the clinic, ending with The Lord's Prayer. I note that they target minorities in their anti-abortion posters and leaflets, a cynical nod to this largely African-American neighborhood.

Hands Up, Don't Shoot

 Young man reciting a poem he wrote about being incarcerated.

 This drummer was joined by other musicians, their music adding strong punctuation to the chants and speeches.

 
Rally in downtown Cleveland Tuesday, October 22 organized by two groups, Puncture the Silence and the Stop Mass Incarceration Network. Picketers marched on a cloudy day from the women's prison to Public Square, where they rallied in protest of police brutality and killings, mass incarceration, attacks on immigrants and other social justice issues. Posters with photographs of people killed by police were displayed throughout the quadrant.

Leave Public Square Alone

This is Satinder P.S. Puri, a retired engineer who is protesting a planned $30-million makeover of Cleveland's Public Square.

Puri, who previously went on a hunger strike to protest the demolition of the historic John Marshall High School on Cleveland's west side, says the rerouting of traffic will cause significant delays, blocking of intersections, long lines, increased travel time for 18 bus routes and more than $1 million additional transit system operating costs. (John Marshall was demolished despite his efforts. A new John Marshall school is being erected in its place.)

 

The plan to close Ontario Street and narrow Superior Avenue to create more "green space" will also fundamentally change the "public" character of Public Square.

It's a lonely fight. Most people walk by apathetically. But he is committed. Fight on, Mr. Puri!

 

 (Photos: Top, Pamela Zoslov; Above, Mark Satola)

This I Must Do