CNDC NEWS

CNDC Hosts Israeli Delegation  A group of civic leaders from the Beit She'an region of Israel spent a day with Wendy Sattin, CNDC's Director of Planning and Development, touring Cleveland's neighborhoods to learn about neighborhood activism and CDC operations.  The group was interested in loval governance, the relationship between government objectives and CDC missions, and resident engagement.  They met with CDC organizers Bob Shores, Michelle Broome, Adam Gifford, Angela Shuckahosee, and Jessica Dillworth who shared their expertise from the field.  Bob Shores arranged a meeting with Reverend Doug Horner of St. Paul Community Church who discussed his various outreach programs directed towards disenfranchised populations.  Michelle Broome facilitated a session on community organizing and urban gardens.  Discussions were animated and intense as the group explored similarities and differences between Cleveland and Beit She'an.  All participants, both Israeli and American, found the experience enlightening and educational. 
 

INDUSTRY ITEMS OF INTEREST

It's Time for the Retail Spaces Update  May is the month dedicated for the upcoming quarterly updates to the website.  Deadlines are as follows:  Brand new listings by a member CDC not on the website is May 13, 2011; updated information from currently listed CDCs is May 20, 2011.  Send information and/or questions to Chris King at chris@creativekeys.net or by phone at 216-991-8428.
 

National Health Reform Begins:  The Ohio Story  On March 30, 2010 President Obama signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, completing health care reform.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act became law on March 23rd, one week earlier. On Wednesday, May 18th 2011 from 4-6 pm, The Levin College Forum Program will look at the steps that are being taken to implement the Act at its one-year anniversary. 
National Health Care Reform will affect small businesses, consumers, and health care providers.  It will affect access to health care and access to health insurance for individuals and households across the spectrum.  This forum will address these issues through the lens of Northeast Ohio's cities and the region's economy.  The goal is to educate the general public and to provide objective, factual information about the changes that can be expected as the components of the reform are phased-in.  There will be a panel discussion with moderator, Diane Suchetka from the Plain Dealer.  Senator Sherrod Brown will welcome all with a video appearance.  All forum events take place at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs located at 1717 Euclid Avenue at Cleveland State University and are free and open to the public, but it is suggested that you register online or call 216-523-7330.
 

Cuyahoga Arts and Culture Launches Small Grants Program to Expand Access to Nonprofits   At its April meeting, the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) Board of Trustees approved a small-grants pilot program for the 2012 funding cycle.  As part of CAC's Project Support (PS) grant program,  the pilot simplifies the application process for nonprofit organizations seeking grants of $5,000 or less.  The standard PS grant has an upper limit of $50,000 and requires a rigorous application process, including detailed financial and participation data, and a 1-to-1 cash match for each dollar of CAC funding.  The pilot simplifies the amount of financial data required and allows for 25% of the match to be made up in "in kind" professional donations.
Nonprofit organizations that wish to undertake an arts or culture focused project during 2012 are now able to download the grant guidelines; interested organizations can then submit an "intent to apply" beginning June 1st.  Grant applications will be reviewed by a public panel in the fall and awards will be made at CAC's November board meeting.  For information about CAC's grants programs, call 216-515-8303 or visit www.cacgrants.org.
 

Cleveland Housing Court Celebrates its 30th Anniversary  In 2010,  the Housing Division of the Cleveland Muncipal Court celebrated 30 years of service.  Established in 1980, the Housing Court was created to provide special attention to civil and criminal cases involving real property, in recognition of the special, significant impact on Cleveland neighborhoods and the quality of life in those neighborhoods.  In its inaugural year, the Housing Court had a staff of six - the Judge, a Magistrate, a Chief Housing Specialist, two Bailiffs, and a Court Reporter.  In their first 9 months, approximately 700 code cases were adjudicated, as well as just over 8,000 evictions.  Today, the Housing Court has a staff of forty-five, and a combined criminal and civil caseload of nearly 17,000 cases, which includes about 5,000 criminal cases.  The foreclosure crisis has had a huge impact on the Court, with the presence of out-of-state owners, bulk purchasers, and owners with alternative business structures which have made securing the attendance of defendants in court more difficult.  The Honorable Raymond Pianka has been at the helm of the Housing Court for the past 15 years and has seen many changes.  And the Court, despite facing new issues, remains committed to its mission of preserving-and restoring-Cleveland's many neighborhoods.