Cleveland Indians 2018 season preview - What's New at Progressive Field

The American League Central Division Champion Cleveland Indians provided details about what’s new this season at Progressive Field, including the Lexus Home Plate Club, Progressive Charging Lockers, expanded safety netting, new menu items and more. 

Of course the new food and beverage items are of great interest.  How do you not like the Flamethrower or Mac Daddy Dog?

The Flamethrower (Served in Terrace Club and at Throwing Smoke, section 160) is a pork belly and pulled pork sandwich topped with bacon jam, barbecue sauce, green apple slaw and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Mac Daddy Dog is a premium jumbo all-beef hot dog, smoked bacon mac n cheese, pickled fresh jalapenos

See what's new at Cleveland Indians ballpark for 2018

Cleveland Indians give Geeks a Charge

New at the Cleveland Indians ballpark for 2018 are Storage & Phone Charging Lockers from Progressive Insurance.

The 45 storage lockers are perfect for fans who want to stash their belongings and protect souvenirs while cheering on the game. The 72 phone-charging lockers each come equipped with four charging cords, compatible with most phones, so fans can power up and not miss capturing any key moments. 

The lockers, located in Section 169, are available to fans absolutely free of charge and on a first come, first served basis.

City of Cleveland Chief Valarie McCall keynote

Valarie J. McCall, the Chief of Government & International Affairs of the City of Cleveland, gave the keynote address at the Rotary Club of Cleveland International Fellowship Day

Video and photos of Valarie McCall's keynote.

Rotary Club of Cleveland 2018 International Fellowship Day

The Rotary Club of Cleveland hosted their annual International Fellowship Day in Cleveland Ohio on March 15, 2018. The event featured the presentation of the International Service Award to Ingrida Bublys, Honorary Consul General Republic of Lithuania.

Jerry R. Smith, President of the Rotary Club of Cleveland and Richard S. Pollak, Chair, International Service Committee stated that "Each year the International Service Committee selects an individual who has demonstrated in both their professional and personal life a dedication to the furtherance of world understanding and peace. This this year’s award is being presented to Honorary Consul General of Lithuania Ingrida Bublys, a Past Honorary President and long-time member of the Rotary Club of Cleveland. There is no individual more deserving of this award. We proudly celebrate her global vision and her leadership in ensuring the City of Cleveland and the State of Ohio as vital international assets."

We were happy to present Ingrida with a proclamation and thank her for being our Lithuanian Ambassador at ClevelandPeople.Com.

More photos and video of the Cleveland Rotary award for Ingrida Bublys

Sister Alicia Alvarado

Sister Alicia Alvarado was born in Villalba, Puerto Rico.  Her work in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio has earned her the moniker of “The patron saint of the local Hispanic Community”. 

There are many “firsts” in her history including being the First Hispanic woman on the Board of Trustees of Cuyahoga Community College and serving as Executive Assistant to Cleveland’s first Hispanic Councilman Joe Santiago for Ward 14. 

Sister Alicia has received numerous awards for her work in social justice and her ministry among the Hispanic population.

See more about Sister Alicia Alvarado

On April 17, 2018 Sister Alicia will be inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.  More about the Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction event and how you can participate

Black and White and the Pink Panther

One of my favorite performances at the Chinese New Year - Year of the Dog Gala put on by the
Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University was the fun dance featuring dancers from the Westlake Chinese Cultural Association in half-black and half-white costumes dancing to the Pink Panther theme.


First they came out to the James Bond theme and then did the Pink Panther bit.

Here's the video:

Billy Graham experience

From Saint to Sinner. 

Years ago I went to see Billy Graham at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium.  It was a Thursday night and he was very impressive and inspiring.  Tens of thousands of people.

A few hours later on Friday morning I was in the Flats for an appearance by Howard Stern and his entourage. 

Quite a different event. 

Ohio China Day 2018 in Cleveland

Ohio China Day 2018 was celebrated with a Chinese New Year Gala in Cleveland Public Auditorium on February 24, 2018.

It was organized by Chinese Communities in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Buffalo including Cleveland Contemporary Chinese Culture Association, Cleveland Contemporary Chinese School and in Partnership with the City of Cleveland.

Attendees enjoyed spectacular Chinese New Year performances and activities including Lion Dance, Martial Arts, Folk Art Performance, Authentic Chinese Foods, Children's Activities, Chinese Drawing, Calligraphy and more.

3 pages of photos and videos from Ohio China Day 2018

Lithuania's 100th anniversary celebration of Independence

On February 16, 2018, Lithuanians all over the world celebrated the birth of a new Lithuania. This date is like a bridge between the old Lithuania born on July 6, 1253 and the new independent Lithuania restored on March 11, 1990. Had it not been for February 16, there would have been no events of 11 of March, nor the subsequent success story.

The Centennial of the new Lithuania is a success story. The main achievements are as follows: Lithuania has become a player of the European and world history, with its modern civil society aware of the importance of freedom and the responsibility that goes with it, and with new emerging vistas for action for the Lithuanian state and its people.

On February 17, 2018 members and friends of the Lithuanian communities of Cleveland, Toronto, Montreal and more gathered for a beautiful and meaningful ceremony at Cleveland State University.

5 pages of coverage with videos of the entire ceremony and hundreds of photos are as follows:


Main Page 1 of 100th anniversary of Lithuania event

Page 2 - Svyturys and Gintaras Dancers

Page 3 - Choirs at 100th anniversary of Lithuania event

Page 4 - Dancers backed by Choir at 100th anniversary of Lithuania 

Page 5 - Combined groups Grand Finale