Homeowners in Slavic Village can save money and help the environment through the 2012 Summer Rain Barrel Program. This city-wide initiative offers free rain barrels to homeowners in the City of Cleveland. Rain barrels help residents lower their water bills by reducing storm water runoff, which is a major cause of pollution in waterways and can create flooding. Water recycled from the barrels can be used to perform activities such as watering gardens or washing cars.

Neighborhood residents who are interested in the program must register through Slavic Village Development and provide proof of home ownership. The first 20 people to sign up are guaranteed a rain barrel, and the next five to ten people have a good chance of receiving one. The program employs local high school students to assemble and distribute the barrels. Residents are provided with downspout diverters to install in advance.

The Summer Rain Barrel Program is a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Cleveland Division of Water, Mayor’s Youth Summer Employment Program, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, and local Community Development Corporations. The three registration forms can be downloaded below and returned to Slavic Village Development. For more information contact C.J. Woods at (216) 429-1182 ext. 112.

Registration Forms:

Resident Information Form

Y.O.U. Access Agreement

City Access Agreement

Diverter Installation & Additional Instructions:

Diverter Installation Instructions

*For standard 2×3 inch downspouts ONLY. Measure downspout to make sure.

*Installation needs to be HIGH.  5 to 6 feet or higher from ground level is ideal.

*Note where the diverter out hole is pointing.  There must be room for the hose (straight) and rain barrel in that direction so the hose does not kink.

*Rain barrels need to be out of view from the street/public view such as side of the house or backyard.

Join us for the East Meets West Skateboard Festival on Saturday, May 26 from 2:30-7pm! Hundreds of skateboarders from all over the city will compete in the fest’s 5th annual Game of S.K.A.T.E.  There will also be music from DJ NuERA  , popup skate park for non-competition skating, and a raffle with proceeds benefiting the Broadway Skate Park. The final design for the Broadway Skate Park will also be on display. The festival is happening at 5620 Broadway Avenue & East 55th. Visit the Public Square Group’s website for more information and to pre-register for the competition. Space is limited!

Release Date: April 25, 2012 (Immediate)

Contacts:   Susan Gordon, Slavic Village Development, (216) 429-1182 ext. 132,  susang@slavicvillage.org

Slavic Village Summit focuses on “Growing Great Minds”

Cleveland, Ohio – Slavic Village Development will host its 15th Annual Neighborhood Summit on Saturday, April 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This year’s Summit focuses on education, with the tag line “Slavic Village: Growing Great Minds”. It will be held at the brand new, LEED certified Mound School on 5935 Ackley Road, and feature Eric Gordon, CEO of Cleveland Metropolitan Schools, as the keynote speaker.

The Summit will highlight educational opportunities that are available in the neighborhood, and acknowledge community members who go above and beyond to ensure that local youth are learning to their maximum potential. Award recipients will represent several of Slavic Village’s 14 schools, which range from a Montessori pre-school to high schools based on religion and environmental studies.

“We are excited to spotlight schools in the Broadway Slavic Village community and honored to have Eric Gordon deliver the keynote address,” said Anthony Brancatelli, Ward 12 Councilman.  Councilman Zachary Reed and Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland from neighboring Wards 2 and 5 will also be in attendance at the Summit.

The Neighborhood Summit is an annual event that brings dedicated community stakeholders together to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of residents and organizations in the Broadway Slavic Village neighborhood. In addition to guest speakers and awards, the Summit will feature local entertainment by The Crooked River Brass, CMSD Dance and Cheer All-Stars, and the Off Broadway Community Band. There will also be a free lunch provided by Subway.

Slavic Village Development (SVD) is a non-profit community development corporation serving the North and South Broadway neighborhoods of Cleveland, Ohio.  For further information visit www.slavicvillage.org.

]]> http://slavicvillage.org/slavic-village-summit-focuses-on-growing-great-minds/feed 0 http://slavicvillage.org/eastertraditions http://slavicvillage.org/eastertraditions#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:56:29 +0000 admin http://slavicvillage.org/?p=2149 Polish Easter meal traditions arise in Slavic Village

Cleveland, Ohio – Easter meals usually bring images of honey glazed hams and dinner rolls, but for members of Slavic Village’s Polish community these holiday foods have a twist. Polish foods and meal traditions have remained a key part of Easter for many in the neighborhood.

In Polish culture, Easter is the biggest feasting day of the year. The feast begins with baskets containing foods such as kielbasa, ham, babka (bread), horseradish, and a small lamb made from butter. The baskets are blessed at a special prayer service on Holy Saturday, and remain uneaten until the following day. “Whatever goes into the baskets are things that will be eaten that morning following the sunrise Resurrection mass,” said St. Stanislaus Church’s Music Director, David Krakowski.

The Easter baskets also include eggs, many of which have intricate designs and are known as ‘Pisanki’. The eggs, which represent the resurrection and new beginnings, are cracked to symbolize Christ breaking from the tomb. The cracking ceremony is usually done before Easter breakfast.

The feasting continues through dinner. One popular dish is Sekanice or Easter Meatloaf, which is made with meats, eggs, bread, vegetables and various seasonings. The Sekanice can be served hot or cold. Ham, cabbage, beets, soups, and kielbasa may also be served during the meal. Desserts include various pastries and Easter Lamb Cake. Easter Lamb Cake is a traditional pound cake formed in the shape of a lamb and topped with a cream cheese frosting.

Traditional Polish foods can be found at Slavic Village grocers including Polish Village Kitchen, Krusinski Finest Meats, and R&K Sausage. R&K Sausage (7700 Harvard Avenue, 216-341-1251) has several Easter specials including smoked and fresh kielbasa, sauerkraut and dumplings, butter lambs, Sekanice, and horseradish. Krusinski’s at 6300 Heisley Avenue (216 -441-0100) has a variety of sausages and hams, as well as stuffed cabbage, blintzes, and a traditional duck soup called Czarnina. For desserts, visit Polish Village Kitchen (6301 Fleet Avenue, 216-641-5789) for sweet bread with raisins, cheesecake, apple cake, assorted cookies, and other baked goods.

The Slavic Village Pierogi Dash 5k (formerly the Morgana Run 5k) will be on Sunday, June 10th. The race will begin at Aetna & E. 75th Street on the Morgana Run Trail at 9am. There will also be a one mile Fun Walk beginning at 9:30am. The race is $10 for Slavic Village residents, $15 for non-residents, and $50 for families who register before May 23rd. For more information call (216) 429-1182 ext. 102. Registration is at hermescleveland.com or the form can be downloaded below:

The Fleet project includes street and sidewalk improvements to the section of Fleet between I77 and Broadway.  Plans call for streetscape improvements, green infrastructure, and bicycle lanes to be installed between East 49^th and East 65^th Streets.  Also included are plans for bump-outs at intersections to reduce the distance of pedestrian crosswalks and to preserve on-street parking.

Councilman Tony Brancatelli said the project is critical to attracting investment to Slavic Village and rebounding from the impacts of the housing market crash.

Funds for the project will be available in July.  Engineering for the project is slated to begin in the fall and take a year to complete.  The project should be ready for construction in late 2013 or early 2014.

Check out the news coverage from WEWS News Channel 5.

AND FOR A MORE INTERACTIVE LOOK AT SLAVIC VILLAGE… CLICK HERE!!!

Here is a list of just a few of our fun, exciting holiday events!!

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