Friend of Indian Community

The Federation of India Community Associations of Northeast Ohio (FICA) hosted an event to celebrate the 66th Republic Day of India.


Sanjay Garg received the 2105 FICA Volunteer of the Year Award and Dan Hanson received the 2015 Friend of Indian Community award.

Feeling 'Up' about Downsizing

Can you relate? 

Feeling 'Up' about Downsizing by Amy Kenneley.  

It started innocently enough. The winter closed in and the rooms did too. I looked around at the stashes of accumulated boxes and drawers full of things and wondered, "Who is going to want this?" 

There needed to be a letting go of things that had been collected --and collecting-- through the years. How did it all happen?... 

Read the rest of Amy's attempt to Clear the Clutter

The answer is... Simple Math Trick

Here's a very basic math exercise that won't amaze your friends but will get them thinking. I like to pretend I am opening an envelope a la Johnny Carson's Carnac or have the answer written on my arm or something.


Pick a three digit number of different numbers (so 123 or 487 are OK but 111 or 232 are not) Let's use 816 as an example.

Reverse the number. So 816 becomes 618

Subtract the smaller number from the larger. 816-618=198

Reverse the answer number. 198 becomes 891

Add that number to the answer of the subtraction. 891 + 198 = 1089

Voila! The result is 1089!

It's simple to prove with a little Algebra - Let the Geek know if you can't figure it out. It's based on the places of the digits so if you choose a number like 546 the process will be 645-546=99 and 99+99=198 not 1089.

You have to look at it like 99 is really 099. So 990-099=891 and 891+198=1089

Note also that it may not work with repeated digits because if it's a palindrome like 575 when you reverse it you will also get 575 and the difference will be 575-575=0 so there is nothing to work with.

Cleveland's Economic Development Website Launch

Did you know that the City of Cleveland has a website geared toward Economic Development?
It does.

The City of Cleveland launched a new website and marketing/branding campaign to showcase Cleveland as a destination for industry and innovation. The focus of the effort is to help businesses and site selectors rethink Cleveland.

.

Cleveland Economic Development Director Tracey Nichols

More from City of Cleveland's Economic Development Website

Progress

ICC-WIN Holiday Diversity Party

The 5th annual Holiday Celebration of Cleveland's Diversity was held in the atrium of the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center on December 17, 2014. The event was put on by the International Community Council-Worldwide Intercultural Network (ICC-WIN) in conjunction with the office of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.


84 different countries were represented - a true testament to Cleveland's diversity.

ICC-WIN Board Members Pierre Bejjani, Laura Fruscella, Mehmet Gencer,
Dan Hanson, Ken Kovach, Lisa Wong and Mari Galindo
with Kathy and Anjan Ghose

9 pages of photos and videos of the event

International Fashion Show

One highlight of the International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network's (ICC-WIN) 5th annual multicultural holiday celebration at the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland Ohio was the International Fashion Show. Dozens of countries were represented.

Fashion of Lebanon

3 pages of photos and videos of the International Fashion Show

Doing Business with India

Ariel International Center, Consulate General of India, NY and Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) hosted a reception to meet with Honorable Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, Deputy Consul General of India, New York to hear about the latest Opportunities for US Companies interested in Investing or Doing Business with India given the liberalized business climate with the recent landslide election victory for the business minded Prime Minister, Mr. Modi.

Radhika Reddy and Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra

More from the Doing Business with India event

Traditional South Indian Karagattam Dance

Mahima Venkatesh performed the traditional South Indian Karagattam Dance at the International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network's (ICC-WIN) 5th annual multicultural holiday celebration at the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland Ohio.

More photos and videos of Mahima at the event

West African drumming from Guinea

The Golden Ciphers performed West African drumming from Guinea at the International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network's (ICC-WIN) 5th annual multicultural holiday celebration at the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland Ohio.

More photos and videos of the Golden Ciphers at the event

Brazilian Samba

Katrina Dubovikova and Damon Cody performed 2 styles of Brazilian Samba at the International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network's (ICC-WIN) 5th annual multicultural holiday celebration at the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland Ohio.

More photos and videos of the Brazilian Samba at the event

Murphy Irish Dancers

The Murphy Irish Dancers performed traditional Irish dances in soft and hard shoes at the International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network's (ICC-WIN) 5th annual multicultural holiday celebration at the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland Ohio.

More photos and videos of the Murphy Irish Dancers at the event

This is Our Cleveland - ICC-WIN Multicultural Holiday Party

The International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network (ICC-WIN) hosted their annual multicultural holiday celebration at the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland Ohio.


At the end of an international fashion show that featured native costumes from dozens of countries, the models gathered on stage and walked out to the sounds of We are the World. Watch this short video and be inspired.

Korean War Veterans Recognition Program

The Korean American Association of Greater Cleveland gathered at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center to honor veterans of the Korean War. They were joined by the Federation of Midwest Korean-American Associations, the National Unification Advisory Council, the Republic of Korea in Chicago as well as the City of Cleveland Ohio.

Sam Kim and Hanna Woo - Korean-American Association

Photos and Videos from the Korean War veterans event

We Pray the Rosary Living Rosary DVD

Hail Mary, Full of Grace…

This DVD is a Living Rosary in the sense that over 200 people participated in saying a prayer. 3 bishops, numerous priests and sisters and a variety of lay people all said a prayer (Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary or Glory Be) that when put together combine to form the complete Rosary.


All 4 Mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous) are included and there is an extra Decade for your special intentions.

We hope that this DVD inspires you to pray the Rosary more frequently. You can choose to view/pray a single Decade, a complete Mystery or all 4 Mysteries. The DVD includes a listing of all the Mysteries.

The Rosary is a great gift given to us by Our Blessed Mother.

If you have any questions or would like to order a large quantity please contact us at rosary@magnuminc.com


You can order copies of the Rosary DVD securely with your credit card by clicking on the Buy Now button below. The DVD costs $15 and there is a $2 shipping and handling charge. Your credit card statement will have a charge for $17 from Magnum for each DVD. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to various Catholic charities.

You can also send a check, made out to Magnum Inc., for $17 ($15 and $2 shipping) each and mail it to:
Magnum Inc.
868 Montford Rd.
Cleveland Heights Of 44121

We hope that you will pray along with the diverse group of people on this DVD. They are young and old, different races and ethnicities, in Church and outside, alone and in groups. The prayers are said in English, but occasionally there is a prayer in another language. You may not know the language but will understand, and be able to pray along, because of the context.

1. American Sign Language
2. English
3. Gaelic
4. German
5. Hindi
6. Italian
7. Konkani
8. Korean
9. Lebanese
10. Polish
11. Portuguese
12. Slovenian
13. Spanish
14. Swahili

More Rosary details

Thank you and thank you Mother Mary for this precious gift.

How Does It Feel To Be 99? Keeping up with Maury

When I look back at my life it doesn't seem to be one answer. I always knew I was medically vulnerable because of my genetic background. My parents died very young and I later found out that mostly everyone in our family was all in that same position; bad genetics. ...


Read the rest of Maury's column on turning 99

Lebanon Day 2014 in Cleveland

The American Lebanese Community Council presented Lebanon Day in the City of Cleveland to celebrate 71 years of independence for Lebanon. The Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall was full of Lebanese Americans and friends of the Lebanese community.

Dancing at Lebanon Day

3 pages of photos and videos of Lebanon Day 2014

Ajyal Dabke Dancers at Lebanon Day 2014 in Cleveland

The Ajyal Dabke Dancers performed at the 2014 celebration of Lebanon Day in Cleveland in the Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall.

Ajyal Dabke Dancers at Lebanon Day

Photos and videos of Ajyal Dancers

RIP Lucretia Stoica

Lucretia Stoica, Long time (41 years) Director of the International Services Center passed away Nov. 22, 2014 at the age of 92.


"As we in the International world of Cleveland know she was one tremendous giving women...who dedicated her life, above and beyond the call of duty, finding a home and new life for untold refuges seeking a new life in our Cleveland! God Bless" Jim Craciun

Karin Wishner, who holds the position that Lucretia did for so many years said "The International Services Center is grateful for her many years of dedicated service and great love for the people she served. She was an advocate for those who had no voice. I admired her and will miss her."

Her wake will be Sunday at the Corrigan Craciun funeral home in Fairview Park. The funeral will take place on Monday, Dec. 1st at 10:00 at St. Mary's Romanian Orthodox Cathedral.

Lucretia Stoica

Lucretia Stoica inducted into Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Kala Art Show

The Indian community rallied around eight of their finest artists in the 2nd Annual Kala Art Show held Sunday, November 16th at the Ahuja Medical Center in Beachwood.

Artists with show organizers Poonam Punwani and Mona Alag

See more from the Kala Art Show

Diversity Center Awards

The 60th annual Humanitarian Award Dinner of the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio honored Rick Chiricosta, President and CEO of Medical Mutual of Ohio, and Jose C. Feliciano, Partner at Baker Hostetler.


ClevelandPeople.Com congratulates these two worthy choices and gives a special shout out to our Puerto Rican and Hispanic Ambassador, Jose Feliciano

Jose Feliciano Jr and Sr. at the Diversity Center event

Sewa International

In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, Sewa means Service - a unique concept of Service - Selfless Efforts for Welfare of All. Sewa International USA is a Hindu faith-based humanitarian non-profit service organization. Their vision is to increase civic engagement of the communities in the United States to volunteer and promote volunteering.


On November 15, 2014 a sold-out crowd attended an event in Cleveland to learn more about Sewa International, recognize super volunteers and to support the cause - specifically the Family Services project.

Dr. Sree Sreenath, President of Sewa International

Photos and videos of the Sewa International event

Albanian Delegation and Artist Fate Velaj Exhibit

Photographs from highly acclaimed Albanian artist Fate Velaj were on display in the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda in an exhibit called "Albania - seen differently." Velaj is the recipient of many awards, including the "Albanian Excellence Award" given to him in 2012 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Albania's independence.


The photographic display was part of a visit from a delegation from Cleveland's Sister City Fier in Albania. The delegation, which included Fier Mayor Baftjar Zeqaj met with Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Council president Kevin Kelley, Councilwoman Dona Brady and other dignitaries during their visit. Mr. Velaj and the Albanian delegation were also recognized at the Cleveland City Council meeting on November 10th.

Mayor Jackson, Fate Velaj and Dona Brady

Photos and Videos of the Albanian Exhibit and Visit

Fr. Bob Begin honored on St. Colman Day

Fr. Caroli B. Shao, A.J. Pastor of St Colman Church in Cleveland wrote these remarks about St Colman Day and the honoring of Fr. Robert Begin.


"This year as we honor Fr. Bob, we recall his 20 years of commitment to the people of St. Colman Parish and to the entire neighborhood. During his 20 years as Sacramental Minister and Pastor, we saw St. Colman Parish growing tremendously in all aspects of parish life: spirituality, social justice, service, education and finances.

Fr. Bob never sat back to watch what would happen. He became a key player in the field, along with all of the parishioners who work so hard to ensure St. Colman's future. Thank you, Fr. Bob, for your gift of service to the people of St. Colman's, the neighborhood and the City of Cleveland."

More from the Fr. Bob Begin reception

Adventure to Ireland - in Cleveland

The latest Cleveland Food Adventurers Passport event was at the Claddagh Irish Restaurant where the sold out crowd enjoyed a traditional Irish breakfast (bangers, black and white pudding, tomato jam and more) while learning about the history and culture of Ireland and the Irish in Cleveland.


They were also entertained by Pipe Major Bruce Grieg who explained the apparel that pipers wear and the parts of the bagpipes.

If you don't know what the word Claddagh means, where most Cleveland Irish hail from or think Craic (pronounced crack)is a bad thing, be sure to watch the videos from the event.

Be sure to learn about the three Irish memorials in Cleveland that every Clevelander should visit sometime.

Photos and videos from the Irish Adventure

1st Annual Refugee Summit in Cleveland

The first Refugee Summit in Cleveland was held Thursday October 30, 2014 in the Rotunda of City Hall. The Summit was hosted by City of Cleveland Health and Human Services Committee, Councilman Joe Cimperman (Ward 3) and in partnership with the Refugee Services Collaborative of Greater Cleveland.


The theme of the Summit was: Get the facts. Fight misconceptions. Explore next steps.

More from the 1st Annual Refugee Summit in Cleveland

Louise Mugongo told her story of being a refugee from Congo

We Pray the Rosary - Living Rosary DVD

Hail Mary, Full of Grace…


This DVD is a Living Rosary in the sense that over 200 people participated in saying a prayer. 3 bishops, numerous priests and sisters and a variety of lay people all said a prayer (Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary or Glory Be) that when put together combine to form the complete Rosary.

We hope that you will pray along with the diverse group of people on this DVD. They are young and old, different races and ethnicities, in Church and outside, alone and in groups. The prayers are said in English, but occasionally there is a prayer in another language. You may not know the language but will understand, and be able to pray along, because of the context.

1. American Sign Language
2. English
3. Gaelic
4. German
5. Hindi
6. Italian
7. Konkani
8. Korean
9. Lebanese
10. Polish
11. Portuguese
12. Slovenian
13. Spanish
14. Swahili

It's a great Christmas gift - especially for your Catholic friends and family!

More about the We Pray the Rosary DVD

17th Annual Cleveland Asian Catholic Mass and Gathering

About 1000 people celebrated the 17^th Annual Cleveland Asian Catholic Mass and Gathering on Sunday, October 5 hosted by the Asian Ministry of the Diocese of Cleveland.

The cultural and ethnic diversity of the Asian Catholic communities assembled at the Mass was reflected throughout the celebration. Members of the various Asian communities came together with their own traditions, dressed in colorful ethnic clothes: shimmering saris, kimonos, karawangs, hanboks, barongs, and ao dai.

The entrance procession included Vietnamese drums. During the Mass there was an incense ceremony by the Vietnamese, and the Indian aarti. Hymns were sung by the choirs in various Asian languages: Tagalog (Filipino), Korean, Vietnamese and Hindi (Indian).

The readings and the prayers of the faithful were also said in various Asian languages.

Photos and videos of the Asian Catholic Gathering

Johnny Kilbane Statue Unveiling

Johnny Kilbane was a featherweight boxer who held the world featherweight title from 1912 to 1923, the longest period in the division's history. He was the second longest world title holder in boxing history, behind only Joe Louis.


He was also an Irish immigrant and Clevelander.

Hundreds congregated at Battery Park in Cleveland for the unveiling of a statue of Johnny Kilbane by world-class sculptor Rowan Gillespie.

Lots of photos and videos from the Johnny Kilbane statue unveiling

Cleveland's Ethnic Diversity Mapped

At ClevelandPeople.Com we have known for years what a diverse and vibrant city Cleveland is. After all, we have covered the events, people, music, food and other cultural traits of over 100 groups that have large communities in the area.

But we wanted a visual representation to demonstrate this to others. So at the 2014 Cleveland Asian Festival (CAF) we set up a large map of Asia and asked people to place a dot where they or their ancestors came from. At first people were reluctant to do so and we had some language issues. But gradually people migrated to the map and discussed (in various languages) with us and their family and friends.

There were quite a few parents showing their adopted children "This is where you came from!"
By the end of the CAF portions of the map were saturated with dots - especially China, India, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and the Philippines. We encouraged people to place their dot as close to the city/village as they knew. Many were excited to have their small town, far from a capital or well-known city, represented.

The interest generated from the map at CAF convinced us to continue the efforts. For the One World Festival in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, the ClevelandPeople.Com booth had our map of Asia but also a large map of Europe and a map of the world that clearly identified countries in Africa and the Americas.

Europe Map after first day

Over 80 countries were rrepresented and some great stories.  Check it out - Cleveland's Ethnic Diversity Mapped 

Jim Doney - Adventure Road

RIP Jim Doney. 

 Born near West 30^th and Denison in 1926, Jim was well-known for hosting Adventure Road from 1962-1975.  

He worked with with Ed Sullivan, Duke Ellington, Art Linkletter, Steve Allen, Dick Clark, David Hasselhoff, Jayne Kennedy and more. 

RIP Jim. 

JIm Doney's ClevelandSeniors profile - with photos

Grand Piano Concert in the Russian Cultural Garden

The Russian Cultural Garden hosted its first inaugural "Grand Piano in the Russian Garden" concert. The event took place on the site of a future Russian Cultural Garden on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Rockefeller Park.


The concert's theme was "Music of the Cultural Gardens of Cleveland" and featured works from composers in other Cultural Gardens such as Chopin (Polish Garden) and Liszt (Hungarian Garden). Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky represented the future Russian Garden.

Pics and videos of the Russian Garden event

Greek Festival at Sts Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral

The annual Greek Festival at Sts Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland Heights took place from August 21-24,2014. The festival featured live music, folk dancing, Greek food and beverages, Cathedral tours, homemade pastries and even a flea market.

Photos and videos from the Greek Festival

Classic Italian songs at the Feast

A highlight of the Feast of the Assumption celebration in Cleveland's Little Italy  is the nightly performance of the band Primavera on the streets of Little Italy. They play classic Italian songs and get the crowd dancing and singing along.

Here's a sample song that got a young couple dancing

More from the Feast

Feast of the Assumption 2014

The annual celebration of the Feast of the Assumption took place in Cleveland's Little Italy centered around Holy Rosary Church. It is primarily a religious holiday celebrating the Assumption of Jesus' mother Mary into Heaven and the Feast begins with Mass and a solemn procession. It is also 4 days of great Italian music, food, traditions and camaraderie.

More from the Feast

St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral

St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral is the oldest Romanian Orthodox parish in the U.S.A. founded in 1904.

Photos from the Church

St Mary Romanian Festival

The annual Romanian Festival included Church and Museum tours.

The food, music, shopping and hospitality demonstrate why Bucharest became known as the "little Paris."

Bine ati Venit! (Welcome) and Pofta Buna (Good Appetite)!

More from the Romanian Festival (including videos)

Syrian Cultural Garden VIrtual Tour

Dan Hanson of ClevelandPeople.Com walks through the Syrian Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio. The monuments describe why Syria is called the Cradle of Civilization. The Syria Garden is one of over 25 gardens in the Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation.

More on Syrians in Cleveland

Honoring Those Who Fought For Freedom In Warsaw

Honoring Those Who Fought For Freedom In Warsaw 

By U.S. Senator Rob Portman

Seventy years ago, as American and British forces were liberating France and the Red Army was pressing forward on the Eastern Front, the people of Poland were fighting for their freedom. After five years of Nazi oppression, the Polish resistance in Warsaw launched an insurrection against their occupiers.

For two months and with little support from outside forces, thousands of resistance fighters—men, women, and even children—fought against the far better armed and better supplied German army. As one German officer later remarked, they fought to the very last bullet. Before it was over, more than 16,000 resistance fighters would give their lives. In retaliation for this act of defiance, hundreds of thousands of Polish civilians were murdered by the members of the SS. When the Red Army finally did arrive, what should have been a liberation turned into yet another form of captivity, and for the next 45 years, Poland endured the oppression of Soviet communism.

But the Polish people never forgot the bravery and the sacrifices of those who stood for liberty those 63 days in the late summer of 1944. Many of the survivors came to the United States, where they continued the fight for an independent Poland. Others joined the Solidarity movement, and the memory of the Warsaw Uprising served to inspire everyday people to fight for liberation. When Poland won its independence in 1989, the dream of the uprising was finally realized.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to travel to Poland to meet with Polish officials and visit U.S. troops in the country. I also had the opportunity to visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum to see firsthand the moving commemoration of this chapter in Poland’s history. Poland is a staunch ally of the United States, and the Polish people have stood with us in our struggle against terrorism around the world. As the United States and Poland continue to fight for freedom and democracy, the historical ties that bind us are more important today than ever.

Recently, I joined with my colleagues in the Senate to cosponsor a resolution marking the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. The bravery of the men and women who took part in the fight against Nazi oppression will never be forgotten. Neither will their sacrifices. Their legacy lives on today.

So too does their cause.

U.S. Senator Rob Portman received the American Nationalities Movement ‘Freedom Award’

 at the 2014 annual Captive Nations banquet.

What would the teddy bears say about all the violence?

Pastor Larry White recited his poem Teddy Bear that talks about the block by block mentality of violence.  

What would the Teddy Bears say? 

Pastor White spoke at the Peace in the Hood celebration of peace at the end of Peace Camp 2014 in Cleveland.   See more from Peace Camp. 

To the girls who want to date my son

Mrs. McLinda White was a volunteer at Peace in the Hood Peace Camp.  

After observing the ‘raging hormones’ among the teenagers she wrote this piece  called ‘To the girls who want to date my son’ and performed it at the Peace in the Hood celebration of peace at the end of Peace Camp 2014 in Cleveland. 

Big Booty Girl?

Mrs. McLinda and Pastor Larry White were volunteers at Peace in the Hood Peace Camp.  

They told about their 6 year old saying ‘All I want for my birthday is a big booty girl’ from the 2 Chainz song featuring Kanye West. 

They explained that the song disrespects all women including their mother, sisters, aunts and other family members.  They spoke at the Peace in the Hood celebration of peace at the end of Peace Camp 2014 in Cleveland. 

5th annual Cleveland GiveCamp

GiveCamp is a weekend-long event where software developers, designers, database administrators, project managers and creative professionals donate their time to create software and web-based applications for non-profit organizations.

The 5th annual Cleveland GiveCamp took place at the LeanDog Boat (former Hornblowers) and Burke Lakefront Airport on the shores of Lake Erie.

The volunteers are the most talented and coolest people you will ever want to meet. Over the weekend of July 18-20, 2014 they created new websites, apps and other work for 21 local non-profits. This included a new web site for Computers Assisting People (CAP).

We will have lots of photos and videos from the weekend soon. Come back here or follow us on Twitter (@greatlakesgeek and @ClevelandCAP) for updates.

Here is a short video with Howard Pearce, the CAP Project Team leader.

Cleveland African-American Heritage Umoja Parade

The Cleveland African-American Heritage Umoja Parade took place on May 31, 2014. 

Umoja is the Swahili word for Unity.
 The parade went down Superior to East Ninth and then down the hill to the Festival in Voinovich Park. 

The parade included Tuskegee Airmen, Buffalo Soldiers and more.

Parade highlight video and pictures

CAMEO 44th Anniversary

Cleveland American Middle East Organization (CAMEO) is a Bi-partisan Political Action Organization that was established in 1970. It is designed to articulate the political interest of more than 100,000 Northeastern Ohio residents of Middle Eastern heritage, Arab Americans. The 44th anniversary of the group was celebrated at a dinner event at St. Elias Cultural Center in May.

Photos and videos of the event 

Fun duet of Indian Kathak and Tap Dance

Antara Datta performed an Indian Kathak dance at the Traveling the Silk Road exhibition grand opening at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

She was then joined in a second dance by tap dancer Tim J Hickey and they performed an entertaining duet.

Photos and video of the dance duet

Indian Kathak Dance at Traveling the Silk Road exhibition opening

Antara Datta performed an Indian Kathak dance at the Traveling the Silk Road exhibition grand opening at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Kathak is one of the eight leading forms of Indian classical dance and its named is derived from the word 'storytelling'.

See more from Antara Datta and the Kathak dance

Chinese Dance at Traveling the Silk Road exhibition opening

Yin Tang performed in a classic Tang Dynasty costume with a fusion of movements through various Chinese dynastic perfoming arts. How she avoided getting tangled in the flowing costume we will never know. She performed at the Traveling the Silk Road exhibition grand opening at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.


Photos and videos of Yin Tang

Dragon Dance at Traveling the Silk Road exhibition opening

The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Dragon Dance Club is sponsored by the Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University and partners with T'Shaka Brown KungFu School, Yin Tang Dance and Asian Town Center.

The 12 person dance troupe performed at the Traveling the Silk Road exhibition grand opening at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

The Dragon Dance was intended to bring good luck and prosperity (and fun!) to the Museum and attendees.

Photos and videos of the Dragon Dance

Highlights of the Traveling the Silk Road exhibit

Named for the fabric that enticed traders from all over the world, the Silk Road spanned the far reaches of China to the center of the Islamic world from A.D. 600 to 1200.

Take a journey across Asia and discover the spectacular sights, sounds and stories of the greatest trade route of ancient times. Emboss a passport with iconic symbols as you travel through four representative cities. Experience a full-scale re-creation of a night market, complete with spices, luxury goods and precious raw materials.

Walk through a 41-foot-long replica of the prow of an Arabian sailing ship, with a cutaway view of its cargo below deck. Along the journey, discover ancient technologies, learn how silk was made and uncover amazing stories.

Traveling the Silk Road features immersive re-creations of ancient settings, life-size models, engaging videos and hands-on activities. This exhibition is free with Museum admission.

More from the Silk Road exhibit

Traveling the Silk Road exhibition at Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Imagine a world in which the latest ideas traveled not by wireless networks but by camel.

Centuries ago, merchants, missionaries and other travelers made their way across Asia, along the enormous trade network known as the Silk Road. Over rugged mountains and forbidding deserts, camel caravans loaded with precious cargo made possible the exchange of valuable goods, ideas and innovations. Named for the fabric that enticed traders from all over the world, the Silk Road spanned the far reaches of China to the center of the Islamic world from A.D. 600 to 1200.


The exhibition, free with Cleveland Museum of Natural History admission, opened in New York and then went to Asia, Rome, Los Angeles and now Cleveland. Cleveland is the first city in the area to host this fascinating exhibit.

See more from the Opening Celebration of the exhibit

Cleveland Catholic Mass Mob II

April 27, 2014 at 11 AM

St Barbara’s Parish at 1505 Denison Ave


The first Catholic Mass Mob in Cleveland was a huge success. Typically the 11:30 AM Sunday Mass at St Casimir at 8223 Sowinski Avenue in Cleveland would attract about 100 people but over 700 attended Mass on March 23, 2014 for the first Mass Mob in Cleveland.

The second Mass Mob will be this Sunday and hosted by St Barbara’s Parish at 1505 Denison Ave. Cleveland 44109. It is located on Denison Ave. between West 16th St. and the southbound entrance to SR 176, in a part of the Brooklyn Centre neighborhood previously known in Polish as na Barbarowie.

The special bilingual (English and Polish) Mass will be concelebrated by Fr. Hilinski and Fr. Panek at 11AM. Along with the Mass, there will be a procession with parishioners dressed in Polish costumes carrying a picture of St. John Paul II, prayers and presentations in Polish and English, and a performance by Diakonia, a musical group from Columbus followed by a reception with refreshments in the Parish Hall.

Sunday is also the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII. John XXIII served as pope from 1958 through 1963 and John Paul II served as pope from 1978 through 2005

At 4 o'clock a.m. Sunday morning, there will be a live broadcast from the Vatican in Rome. You can view the canonization ceremony at Saint Casimir, and St. Stanislaus in Cleveland, and SS. Peter and Paul in Garfield Heights. Each of these parishes will have light breakfasts available for this historic event. And morning Masses will be conducted with Divine Mercy Devotions after. For more information call the following numbers; St. Casimir and St. Stanislaus (341-9091) and SS. Peter & Paul (429-1515).

It is also Divine Mercy Sunday. Celebrating the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, as revealed by Christ Himself to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, this feast was extended to the entire Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000, the day that he canonized Saint Faustina.

AJC inter-faith Diplomatic Seder

The 11th Annual AJC (American Jewish Committee) inter-faith Diplomatic Seder was held at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in Beachwood last Thursday. 

Each spring, when the world of nature renews itself, the Jewish people reflect upon their emergence from slavery and the meaning of freedom. 

Do you know why an orange has been added to the Seder plate?

Photos and videos from the Seder 

US Air Force Honor Guard

There was a very special guest at the 2014 Parade. The United States Air Force Honor Guard Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington DC marched in the 2014 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Cleveland Ohio.


The mission of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard is to represent Airmen to the American Public and the World. The vision of the USAF Honor Guard is to ensure a legacy of Airmen who: promote the mission; protect the standards; perfect the image; and preserve the heritage.

Before the Parade began, the Honor Guard drilled on a side street.

See the  United States Air Force Honor Guard  march in the 2014 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Cleveland.

2014 Cleveland Saint Patrick's Day Parade

The 2014 Cleveland Saint Patrick's Day Parade was the 147th such Parade.

Three Divisions of thousands of marchers and bands and floats and hundreds of thousands of parade watchers.

If you missed the big Parade or just want to see some more check out the 15 pages of photos and videos from the 2014 Cleveland Saint Patrick's Day Parade .

Cleveland International Hall of Fame - 2014 Class

The 2014 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame will be inducted at a dinner ceremony in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott at Key Center on the evening of Monday May 12, 2014

The induction ceremony for the 2014 class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame on May 12, 2014 is Sold Out!

We are working with the Marriott to add a few tables so if you want to attend, you need to contact Debbie ASAP at deb@ClevelandPeople.Com or 216-381-8310. You can also publish (for a little while yet) congratulatory messages in the collector's edition program book.

The early Sell Out is a testament to the outstanding inductees.

The 2014 Class consists of (alphabetical order):

• Monte Ahuja
  inducted by Thomas Zenty



• Eugene Bak
  inducted by Ben Stefanski



• Margaret Callander
  inducted by Kona Gant



• Jim Foster
  inducted by Dick Pogue



• Donna Hom
  inducted by Margaret Wong



• Joseph P Meissner
  inducted by Jeremy Lin



• Ernie Mihaly
  inducted by Richard Fleischman



• Thomas J. Scanlon
  inducted by Sam Miller

Indian Holi Festival in Cleveland

FICA, Cleveland State University Center for International Services and Programs (CISP) and Indian Student Association (ISA) hosted a Holi celebration in Cleveland at CSU on March 29, 2014.

The "Spring Festival" was greeted with a surprise blizzard of more than 5" of snow but people braved the elements for the good food, camaraderie and especially the performances - both traditional and modern.

Photos and videos of Holi in Cleveland

Kalyani Veturi dance students 

Social Media gets Religion

Social Media (Facebook, Twitter and others) has been used to create Flash Mobs for impromptu dance and other performances, Cash Mobs to help a small business get lots of customers and other "Mobs" to get a larger than usual group of people together for a common purpose.

In an attempt to increase awareness of, and attendance at, grand old parish churches a new series of mobs formed. A group of Catholic church enthusiasts wanted more people to experience, and re-experience, the beauty of Catholic community and parish life. They appropriated the idea of a "flash mob", and created the Catholic Mass Mob.

The first was the Buffalo Mass Mob. After the Associated Press wrote about the Second Buffalo Mass Mob, the idea spread to Rochester, Cleveland, New Orleans, Columbus, Wilmington, Covington, New York City, and Philadelphia.

Parishioner leaders from St Casimir Catholic Church in Cleveland have been active since the Church was originally closed down several years ago. Stanislav Zadnik, Joseph Feckanin, John Niadzialek, Wojtek Flezar and others organized weekly prayer vigils at the Church until it was reopened on July 15, 2012. Zadnik heard of the Mass Mob in Buffalo and spread the word to the others and, after discussing with pastor Rev. Eric Orzech, spread the news of a Catholic Mass Mob at St. Casimir Church at East 82nd and Sowinski.

Typically the 11:30 AM Sunday Mass at St Casimir would attract about 100 people but over 700 attended Mass on March 23, 2014 for the first Mass Mob in Cleveland.

Photos and videos from the Mass Mob