Patricia Gray retiring as Coventry Library manager: Press Run

Coventry Library manager retiring: Heights Libraries has passed along word that Coventry Branch Manager Patricia Gray will retire on March 1.

“Known for her compassion, perceptiveness, and creativity,” a library release states, “Gray nurtured the staff, programs, and collections at the branch, and helped it grow into a neighborhood gathering place that reflects the eclectic needs and interests of the community it serves.”

Among Gray’s accomplishments during her tenure at the Cleveland Heights branch were her development of a local author collection and related author programs; oversight of a remodel that included a new children’s early literacy play area; nurturing the growth of services for the deaf and hard of hearing; and the establishment of the branch as a place to explore wellness through programs like meditation and tai chi.

“Pat became synonymous with the Coventry branch and its warm, intelligent programs and services,” said Heights Libraries Director Nancy Levin, in that release. “Her retirement is bittersweet for all of us — we are thrilled for her to be taking this next step in her journey, but we will miss her so much.”

A Denver native, Gray, the Heights Libraries states, also had a keen sense for the things residents and fans of the neighborhood would respond. With businesses like the alternative-music club the Grog Shop, independent record store Record Revolution, vegan and vegetarian friendly Tommy’s Restaurant, and independent coffee shops like the Phoenix, Coventry Village has a reputation as a haven for creativity and alternative ways of thinking. Under Gray’s leadership, the Coventry branch developed long-standing programs like the weekly ukulele jam, the “Step Out of Time” alternative health series, and free concerts with the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Stepping into Gray’s shoes will be Maggie Kinney, a longtime Coventry branch employee. Kinney began her Heights Libraries career 15 years ago when Gray hired her as a page. Since then, Kinney has held several positions at the Library, including several years as a youth services librarian at the Coventry branch, and most recently as the Library’s special projects manager, overseeing programs like the Mobile Pantry, writing grant applications to support programming, and coordinating the Library’s participation in county-wide projects such as the “One Community Reads.”

“Pat has been a wonderful mentor and guiding force in my career from the very beginning,” Kinney said. “I couldn’t be more excited and to have the opportunity to build on her achievements.”

When asked in the Library release if she had any parting thoughts, Gray said, “This is truly the most interesting, creative community I know of, and I appreciate that many of you truly love and value your local library. Using your library is the only way to keep it open. Never hesitate to tell us what you want to find on our shelves or to tell us if there is something more we can do for you. I know we have been closed or open only partially for a long time now, but I trust we will have the doors fully open again before too long. I hope you will be here then to check out a book, attend a program, ask us for information, use a computer, or have a relaxing read. And thank you for making these last 15 years a wonderful journey.”

A tour of Glenville: Park Synagogue invites everyone to take a virtual tour and participate in a discussion about Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood. It’s all about the new exhibit “The Rise of Black Glenville,” created by Shelli Reeves.

Join Reeves at 2 p.m. March 7 for an intimate look at the past and present of the Glenville neighborhood. The exhibit includes a video of the interviews that Reeves made of five longtime Glenville residents who shared their positive and negative experiences living in the historic Cleveland neighborhood. Hear about education, housing, unrest and feeling of community that are part of the history of Glenville.

Following the video, Reeves will lead a discussion about the exhibit and her goals for creating it. To receive the Zoom link register by March 3 through the Park Synagogue website, parksynagogue.org, or by emailing Ellen Petler at epetler@parksyn.org. You can also contact Petler with any questions by calling 216-371-2244, ext. 122.

But, that’s not all Park Synagogue has to offer. At 1 p.m. March 8, also on Zoom, the synagogue will present “Rediscovering the Music of the Italian-Jewish Ghettos: An Interview with Jeanette Sorrell of Apollo’s Fire.”

Stop in and join Sorrell, Artistic Director of Apollo’s Fire, Cleveland’s premier baroque orchestra, and Howard Bender, its executive director, in a virtual interview about Apollo’s Fire and its next concert, “Tapestry: The Jewish Ghettos of Baroque Italy.” The interview presents a unique opportunity to learn how Sorrell chooses the themes and music for the concerts, to learn more about the unusual baroque instruments used, and to hear excerpts of the music included in the “Tapestry” concert, which features Israeli recorder player, Daphna Mor.

The program is open to community guests with a $10 per Zoom square charge. Make sure to pre-register by March 3, to ensure that you will receive a Zoom link. Again, registration is through the Park Synagogue website, parksynagogue.org, and questions should be directed to Ellen Petler. This program is sponsored by the Park Synagogue Senior Adult Group.

University Hts. looking for CERT members: University Heights Fire Chief Robert Perko has put out word that he is looking for some civic-minded residents to help the community in times of need as part of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). To take the UHFD/CERT interest survey, visit here.

The Yanowitz Leadership Award goes to . . .: Justin Kadis has been awarded the 2020 Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Leadership Award by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, located in Beachwood.. The award recognizes and honors an outstanding young individual who has demonstrated commitment, involvement, and leadership within Cleveland’s Jewish community. Kadis received the ward Feb. 16 at the Federation’s virtual Board of Trustees meeting.

“Thank you to the Yanowitz family for this very meaningful honor,” Kadis, 37, said, in a release. “The Jewish Federation of Cleveland has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and my volunteer work gives me a sense of duty and purpose that I hope to pass onto my children one day like my parents have passed onto me.”

Kadis has taken an active role in serving the local and global Jewish community in a variety of capacities. In 2015, he was named the Roslyn Z. Wolf-JDC International Fellow and spent 18 months volunteering at the Jewish Community Center of Krakow, Poland. Six years since his fellowship, Kadis’ work with the organization continues as co-founder and current board member of Friends of JCC Krakow. He returns to Krakow each year for Ride For The Living, a fundraiser that he co-founded, in which a growing group of individuals bicycle from Auschwitz to JCC Krakow in honor of the victims of the Holocaust and to celebrate Jewish renewal in Poland.

Kadis is also involved in the national Jewish community as a member of National Young Leadership Cabinet, the Jewish Federations of North America’s elite leadership training program for young adults. Locally, he serves on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Cleveland Hillel Foundation.

“Justin is quite accomplished, and he epitomizes the person my parents had in mind when they established this award 25 years ago,” said Alan Yanowitz during the Board of Trustees meeting. “Justin has distinguished himself through his participation and leadership in the Cleveland community, nationally, and internationally.”

Kadis works for Federal Equipment Company in business development. The Yanowitz Award has been given annually since the early 1960s. As recipient of the award, Kadis is invited to join the Cleveland delegation to a General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America.

Get your cheese here: The city of Cleveland Heights is welcoming Marchant Manor Cheese, at 2211 Lee Road, an artisanal cheesemaker specializing in soft, triple-cream cheeses, which opened its doors earlier this month in the Cedar Lee district.

Virtual Victuals: Shaker Library will present “Cook the Book Online” from 6:30-8 p.m. March 3.

You’re invited to join fellow foodies to discuss the dishes prepared from the book “Cannelle et Vanille: Nourishing, Gluten-Free Recipes for Every Meal and Mood,” by Aran Goyoaga. The cookbook includes 100 recipes that show how to bring joy and mindfulness to the kitchen through family-friendly meals that are satisfying, yet decidedly unfussy. Check out the book, try a recipe, and then “dish” on the ease in preparation and taste during the virtual discussion.

The program will be presented via Zoom. Register at https://bit.ly/3blcIUQ with your email address to receive a link.

College news: Congratulations to Ruth Brown, of Beachwood, who made the dean’s list for the fall semester at Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

Achieving dean’s list status at the Rochester Institute of Technology were Shaker Heights residents August Sobolewski, Alex Lee, Finn Cohen, Jessa Kaups and Ian Laforest, as well as Beachwood resident Ethan Jeffers.

Making the dean’s list at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio were, from Shaker Heights, Anna Herbst, Jimmy Sikorovsky, Julia Sophia, Sarah Oldford and Thea Bowne. Also, from Beachwood, Ashley Shagrin, Brooke Sheffler, Eva Cruz, Rachel Goetz, Robert Knight and Simone Rackmill. From University Heights, we have Feranmi Motoni, and from Cleveland Heights, Hailey Ridenour.

Earning president’s list honors at Miami were Beachwood’s Arin Mintz and Shaker Heights’ Ben Cawley.

Those making the dean’s list at Ohio University were Ann Baldwin from Cleveland Heights, in the College of Health Sciences and Professions; Paige Campbell from Shaker Heights, in the College of Fine Arts; Halle Dray from University Heights, in the Scripps College of Communication; Demetrius Gest, Jr. from Shaker Heights, in the College of Arts and Sciences; Olivia Graham from Shaker Heights, in the Scripps College of Communication; Maddie Henning from Shaker Heights, in the College of Health Sciences and Professions; Amira Hunter from Shaker Heights, in the Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education; Ryo Okamoto from Beachwood, in the College of Arts and Sciences; Eric Pascarella from Beachwood, in the Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education; Alex Pastrick from University Heights, in the College of Business; Avery Pope from University Heights, in the College of Fine Arts; Lee Price, III from Cleveland Heights, in the College of Business; Terri Richardson from Cleveland Heights, in the Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education; Spencer Sharp from Beachwood, in the University College; Andre Smith Sr. from Shaker Heights, in the College of Arts and Sciences; Ethan Solomon from Beachwood, in the College of Arts and Sciences; and Briana Story from University Heights, in the College of Health Sciences and Professions.

Also, JC Talbott-Shere from Shaker Heights, in the Honors Tutorial College; Jessie Titas from Cleveland Heights, in the College of Business; Jocelyn Trostler from Beachwood, in the College of Health Sciences and Professions; Sarah Weeks from Shaker Heights, in the Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education; and Jesse Wu from Beachwood, in the Scripps College of Communication.

Address delay: University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan was to give his virtual state-of-the-city address on Feb. 18, but he announced Feb. 16 that it would be delayed until a further date, to be announced soon.

Reopening Heights Libraries: All Heights Libraries location reopened Feb. 16 for browsing, computer use, copying, and faxing. Masks that cover the nose and mouth must be worn, and distancing guidelines must be followed.

Also, hours have been expanded at all branches. Hours are now 1-5 p.m. Sundays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The branches are closed Mondays.

Speaking of Heights Libraries, its upcoming virtual events include “Job Search Essentials: Resume Workshop,” from 7-8 p.m. March 4 (register here); “Distance Dungeons & Dragons,” from 1-3 p.m. March 7 (register here); and “Does it Dissolve?”, in which children will learn what happens when certain things are put in a solution (register here).

Crossing Guards being hired for Cleveland Heights Schools: Part-time work is available as a crossing guard in Cleveland Heights. Work includes brief shifts in the morning and afternoon on school days, with the ability to earn $65 per day. Training is provided and seniors are welcome to apply. For more information, contact area supervisor Spring Jackson at 216-258-1481, or visit here.

If there is an item you would like to see appear in Press Run, send me an email, at least 12 days prior to an event, at jeff.piorkowski@att.net.

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