EXCITING NEWS... Check out our new neighborhood mural at Angela's on E. 72nd & St. Clair!
Director's Corner

Happy October, Friend's!

Fall is here and we are getting to work. We have been out and about in the community, connecting with residents and businesses and introducing our new staff.

We are officially in Chapter One of the St. Clair Plaza renovation. Although the Plaza will be closed until October 31st, we will invite the community to celebrate its transformation once it is reopened. Stay tuned for more details to follow!

Lastly, we are moving our offices! We recently signed a lease to move into the Slovenian National Home. This move will bring us directly into the heart of the community and allow us to be with you all on the ground floor.

Jeremy Taylor, SCSDC Executive Director
In Our Neighborhood... Diner on 55th

As you drive down St. Clair Avenue, you’ll quickly notice the iconic diner sitting on the corner of St. Clair and E. 55th. The Diner on 55th has become a staple in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood.

After moving to America with the intent of working in construction, Demetrios “Jimmy” Anagnostos quickly changed his plans. In 1966, Jimmy opened his first restaurant with his dad, and opened his second restaurant in 1982. After running two successful restaurants, retirement was Jimmy’s next adventure. Until he quickly missed the lifestyle and decided to open his third, and possibly not last, restaurant.

Walking into this 1950’s inspired diner, you are immediately hit with a sense of nostalgia. From the breakfast bar to the red booths, and all the vintage art in between, you know you are where you’re meant to be. The friendly staff is quick to welcome you and Jimmy isn’t usually too far behind. Open six days a week, the Diner on 55th is only closed on Mondays for Jimmy to personally pick up all the groceries needed for the busy week ahead.

When you ask Jimmy what he loves most about owning a business in St. Clair Superior, he will tell you, without hesitation, it’s the friendly community. Throughout the 20 years the diner has been open, Jimmy has seen some ups and downs, but he will proudly tell you that the costumers and the community is what makes owning a restaurant in St. Clair Superior more than worth it. To quote Jimmy: “They become like your family.” He can testify that St. Clair Superior is on the rise. His business is booming while new businesses are continuously coming in. His one wish for St. Clair Superior is for more people to become residents in the neighborhood. He is excited for the positive changes that are happening to the community.

The next time you are in St. Clair Superior, make sure you stop by the Diner on 55th to say hi to Jimmy and his staff! 
In Our Neighborhood... Barb Rodgers

Barb Rodgers has been a resident of St. Clair Superior her entire life. Barb and her family run Maple Lanes Bowling Alley and Tavern, located on St. Clair Ave. Maple Lanes is one of the only semi-automated bowling alleys left in the country and serves as a historical anchor in our neighborhood. Barb’s family has owned the bowling alley since 1964 and have been great neighbors in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood.

Growing up in the neighborhood, Barb remembers a strong sense of community and a friendly network of neighbors. Even though Barb feels that the neighborhood dynamic has shifted a lot since she was a little girl, she is confident that the neighborhood is growing and changing for the better and that the community will rebuild its connections with their neighbors.

Some of Barb’s favorite things in St. Clair Superior, other than her family and friends, are Marie’s Restaurant and Sheliga Drug, because of their community-oriented approaches to business. Barb says that Marie’s Restaurant is a “nice restaurant that has been family-run for generations.” She comments on how Marie’s is “familiar, you always run into someone you know there” and how their homestyle food makes her feel connected to the neighborhood and its history.

When asked what makes Barb feel at home in the neighborhood, she talked about her family and friends who are also her neighbors and the network of Churches and nonprofit organizations that help our people in need and give the neighborhood a sense of community and pride.

Thank you for being this month's feature, Barb, and for being our neighbor in St. Clair Superior!

If you or someone you know lives in St. Clair Superior, contact Maeve Kozak at [email protected] to share your story with the neighborhood!
"He who masters the power formed by a group of people working together has within his grasp one of the greatest powers known to man."
-Idowu Koyenikan-
Upcoming Events...
Join Ingenuity Cleveland at Ignite! Neighbor Nights, a FREE, family friendly monthly event celebrating our neighborhood! August's topic will be Sweet Street: Not So Scary, Scary Movie Night: Family Halloween Movie Night with Treats!

When: Thursday, October 20th, 5-8pm
Where: Goldhorn Brewery, 1361 E. 55th St.

Click here or follow the event on Facebook for more information! Reach out to [email protected] with questions.
Join the Third District Cleveland Police Commander, Supervisors and Officers at the Third District’s monthly community meetings. Meetings are an opportunity to regularly engage with local CDP officers to identify problems, learn about available resources, and ways to be involved with activities that improve your community. Meetings are currently held both in-person and online.

When: Tuesday, October 18th, 6-7:30pm
Where: 3rd Neighborhood Police District Community Room, 4501 Chester Ave. or Virtual (Meeting Number: 180 166 3710 | Password: 6ksSQGvsA35; Join by Phone
Dial: 1-415-655-0003 | Access Code: 180 166 3710)

In response to the increased rise in anti-Asian/American, xenophobic harassment, and anti-hate towards marginalized communities of color, OCA is providing educational and awareness tools to combat these types of systemic oppression. The workshops are free, 1.5-hour, interactive trainings to teach people on how to be a confident and effective bystander against racism and discrimination.

When: Monthly on third Tuesdays at 6pm CT (7pm EST)
Where: Virtual (details provided upon registration)

Join Ms. Cookie at her WEEKLY Saturday art class! Every Saturday from 1pm to 5pm kids in the neighborhood are welcome to join for arts and crafts, including paint by numbers, coloring and drawing.

When: Saturdays, 1-5pm
Where: 9380 St. Clair Ave. (first floor, lobby)

Call 216-804-9262 with questions.
Join Bike Cleveland, Clevelanders for Public Transit, and the candidates for County Executive for a conversation about the future of mobility.

This is an opportunity to hear the candidates answer our questions about the future of Cuyahoga County, and for you to ask your questions. The next Executive will have big decisions to make around mobility, including the appointment of a new Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) board member & the implementation of the Cuyahoga Greenways Plan.

When: Thursday, October 13th, 6:30pm
Where: Goldhorn Brewery, 1361 East 55th St.

Are you hosting an event in the neighborhood? Do you have news or resources you would like to share with the community? Contact Julia at [email protected] to be included in the next Spotlight!
REMINDER: The City of Cleveland Curbside Recycling Program began last month! Residents can still opt-in to receive curbside recycling services. To enroll, complete the online form at clerecycles.com or call 216.664.3030.
Upcoming Food Distributions & Pantries...

St. Martin de Porres Monthly Food Pantry
Where: Saint Martin de Porres High School, 6202 St. Clair Ave
When: Every 3rd Friday, 2-3pm
Details: Call 216-881-1689 with questions. Click here for more information about St. Martin de Porres.

Food Not Bombs Produce Giveaway
Where: 6321 St. Clair Ave. Cleveland, OH 44103
When: Second and fourth Sunday of every month from 3:00-4:00pm

Asian Services in Action (ASIA) Food Pantry
Where: ASIA Cleveland, 3631 Perkins Ave. Cleveland, OH 44114
When: Fourth Friday of every month
Details: Call 216-881-0330 to register by the Thursday before each month's distribution. Click here for more information.

Where: NORA, 1400 E. 55th St. Cleveland, OH 44103
When: Third Monday of every month from 10am-12pm
Details: No residency or income requirements. Call 216-391-6672 for the emergency pantry, which is available Mon. through Fri. from 10am-3pm. Click here for more information.

Famicos Food Distribution Food Pantry
Where: Hough Multipurpose Center, 8555 Hough Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106
When: The last Thursday of every month from 10am-1pm
Details: Open to all residents of Wards 7, 9, or 10. Please bring photo ID and your own bags or boxes. Fresh produce, canned goods, boxed items. Click here for more information.

Greater Cleveland Food Bank Food Locator Tool
Details: Use this tool to enter your address and find information for food distributions near you.
Now Open in Our Neighborhood... Goods Bank NEO

Goods Bank NEO is on a mission to help nonprofit organizations get what they need at a nominal fee. The organization helps nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations provide new goods to the people they serve to support their operations, all for a nominal handling fee. This allows for budgets and donations to go further, organizations helping more people and the impact on our community increasing.

Goods Bank NEO recently settled into a reconditioned warehouse on Bittern Avenue in our neighborhood. Read the news coverage on their opening here and learn more about the organization and how you can get involved by visiting their website!
COVID-19 Resources...
  • This map shows a combination of COVID-19 testing sites throughout Ohio at private companies and retail sites, community health centers, libraries and other local partners. Make sure to call in advance to ensure tests are available and to determine how to access tests when you find a testing site. If testing is not available for any reason, many partners can direct you to an alternate location. Click here for more information.
Free At-home COVID-19 Tests (Still available!)
  • As of January 19, every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order four at-home COVID-19 tests at no cost. The U.S. Government is providing these tests to be shipped through the U.S. Postal Service at no cost to purchase or ship. Click here for more information and to order your at-home tests.
  • Click here to check vaccine eligibility, book your appointment and to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines. Don't forget to schedule an appointment to receive your booster shot!
  • Call the Cleveland Department of Public Health helpline: 216-664-2222. Staff are available Monday-Friday, 9 to 5 p.m.  
  • View the COVID-19 Booster Shot fact sheet.
Don't Forget to Vote!

Voting Day is fast-approaching! The General Election takes place on Tuesday, November 8th. Whether you are voting by mail or going in-person to your polling location, there is still so much to learn before you vote. Go to Cuyahoga County's Board of Elections site to learn more about how you can vote and read their FAQs for voting in the November 8th general election here!
Job Opportunities...
Maintenance Technician, CHN Housing Partners
Office Coordinator (part-time), Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
Shelter Monitor, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
HEAP Intake Specialist, Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation
Multiple Positions, SIFCO Industries, Inc.
Multiple Positions, City of Cleveland
Multiple Positions, Signal Cleveland
Not sure what you're looking for? Take a look at our Business Directory to find businesses in our neighborhood that may be looking for new employees!
Upcoming Programs at the Addison Branch

After School Tutoring and Homework Help — Weekly, Mon.-Thurs. | 4pm
FREE after school tutoring and homework help for students in grades K – 12. Monday–Thursday, 4–6pm at 14 branch locations: Addison, East 131st St., Fleet, Garden Valley, Glenville, Harvard-Lee, Hough, Langston Hughes, Memorial-Nottingham, Mt. Pleasant, Rice, Rockport, South Brooklyn, South. No registration or appointments are needed.

Octavofest Bookmaking Series — Every Thursday in October | 4pm
Octavofest is a celebration of paper and book arts. Learn a new bookmaking technique each Thursday in October.

Young Scholars’ Academy-Beginner — Tuesday, Oct. 18 | 10:30am
The Beginner Academy is for scholars ages 3–4 (not entering Kindergarten in the Fall 2023) and their parent or other caring adult. The scholar must be 3 years old by the start of the academy. Together, enjoy a literacy based program which is engaging for scholars while providing parents with researched based tips. Then, continue to explore learning through activities including unstructured play. Free take home materials and books are provided to extend learning into the home! Space is limited. Registration is required. Register at: Kindergarten Readiness – Cleveland Public Library (cpl.org)  Questions? Call 216-623-7114

Preschool Storytime (ages 3 – 5) — Wednesday, Oct. 19 | 10:30am
Storytimes for preschoolers ages 3 to 5 include stories, songs, activities, and rhymes specially designed to support reading readiness and foster the social and emotional skills that kids need to succeed as they enter Kindergarten.

Color Vibes: Color My Mood — Saturday, Oct. 22 | 11am
Enjoy soothing and meditative coloring and relaxation while listening to soft calming music of in a variety of genres.

Take-and-Make: Diwali Craft — Monday, Oct. 24
Make your own hanging paper lantern to celebrate the Indian holiday of Diwali with this take-and-make kit. Pick up your free kit while supplies last.

Preschool Storytime (ages 3 – 5) — Wednesday, Oct. 26 | 10:30am
Storytimes for preschoolers ages 3 to 5 include stories, songs, activities, and rhymes specially designed to support reading readiness and foster the social and emotional skills that kids need to succeed as they enter Kindergarten.

Contact the library:
6901 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
Phone: 216-623-6906

Library hours:
Mon-Sat: 10am–6pm
Sun: Closed

For more information on events and programs at the Addison branch, click here.
ICYMI...