This article provided by Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism. Please join our free mailing list as this helps us provide more public service reporting.
In early March, just as Ohioans were learning about the first cases of novel coronavirus in the state, Anna Bondar’s grandfather fell at his Cleveland home.
Luckily, the 92-year old, who lives with dementia, wasn’t injured badly.
The tight-knit family started to discuss the possibility of a nursing home, though they had serious reservations.
Carmine Ballard graduated from The Ohio State University in 2016, with two Bachelor of Arts degrees— one in Psychology, another in Women’s and Gender Studies. Ballard’s parents helped them through college— paying their tuition. Yet, despite that, Ballard still ended up with about $10,000 worth of federal student loans by graduation, for living expenses during college.
Ballard graduated with a 3.0 average, and made the dean’s list several times. Ballard planned to get into counseling and spaces that served minorities and other at risk populations.
However, after more than twenty-five applications and interviews that didn’t go anywhere, Carmine, short on cash after three months of applying, ended up taking a food service job to make ends meet. The $114 a month for their student loan repayment was too much to handle with very little income, so Ballard’s parents continued to help out.
“When I tried to apply for jobs, I just wouldn’t hear back. I couldn’t even get a job doing clerical work,” said Ballard.
This is not the typical story I have penned about rising property taxes or real estate developers seeking variances for new apartment buildings. This is not about potholes or bicycle lanes, protests at City Hall, the Green Party or Democratic Party meetings. This is not a story about tax abatement policies. This is a story about my 89-year-old parents.
Walter and Evelyn live about 400 miles east of Cleveland along Interstate 80. To get to where they live, you have to drive past the Plaza Restaurant at the Emlenton Truck Plaza off Exit 42 of Interstate 80 in Venango County where you’ll find America’s Worst Apple Pie. The menu lists two choices; regular, with a plain crust; and Dutch, with cinnamon and brown sugar on top. The deep dish pie is thick with fresh apples and a flaky crust. I’ve tried them both but that’s another story.
With the COVID-19 pandemic in full force, Walter and Evelyn are amongst the most vulnerable age group according to every scientific and health expert in the world. The hell with what Trump thinks.
Living so many miles from them is difficult. I can’t easily drive to their house and wave at them. I can’t leave food for them. Luckily, my brother lives close enough to check in on them daily. Many families are in a similar situation.
Tremont Animal Clinic’s Office Manager Jen delivered three doses of pet flea medication into the open car trunk of a long-time client on Friday.
Less than two months ago, Tremont Animal Clinic (216-298-5011) moved its entire practice from W. 14th Street to its brand-new facility at 2885 West 25th St. The veterinary clinic cherished by so many in Tremont’s pet-loving community had just begun adjusting to its new location when the COVID-19 crisis called on the Tremont Animal Clinic staff to strategize safe appointment procedures, curbside appointment pickup, and curbside medication pickup.
As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, Tremont Animal Clinic is committed to adapting to the challenges Tremont, as a community, now faces.
Even in a crisis, it is of utmost importance to ensure we can continue to care for our Tremonster pets
Even in the midst of a pandemic, I want to assure you that your government is working hard for you and share a little about what we are doing. I also want to make clear that we will get through this – together – as we have other difficult times as a City.
On Monday night, we had a City Council meeting in which my proposed 2020 budget was passed among other things. The $1.8 billion budget will allow us to continue to provide essential services from public safety to waste collection to youth programming. Legislation was also passed by Cleveland City Council regarding economic development including the Sherwin-Williams agreement to retain the company’s global headquarters in the City of Cleveland.
New Facebook page launched to encourage artists to connect with socially distant audiences by innovating new work in isolation.
Visit the “Covid-19 Dances in Safe Spaces” on Facebook, hosted by MorrisonDance, for this full piece and upload or view works by other artists. This page has been created to encourage movers /artists to find creative ways to “Socially Connect” while we are barraged with “Social Distancing.”
Dear Residents, This afternoon, Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Director Amy Acton issued a stay-at-home order for the State of Ohio. The order goes into effect Monday, March 23, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020. At that time, it will be evaluated on whether the date needs to be extended. It is important to read the order in entirety.
The remainder of Arts Renaissance Tremont’s 29th Season will be canceled because of the COVID-19 virus. Please sign-up for email notifications for when concerts will begin again.
For the benefit of all Tremonsters, anywhere, TheTremonster.org added a gallery page sharing artwork from The Pretentious Cleveland Portrait Artists – Virus Isolation, including the above, “Six Eyes,” from Anne Lyon. The Pretentious Cleveland Portrait Artists (search Facebook for Tim Herron) was formerly The Pretentious Tremont Artists of the Literary Cafe.
