PHOTO BY CORIANA CLOSE
Wednesday, January 30, 2008, Youth Voices High School Students’ No Vote No Voice Voter Registration Campaign, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, E. 30th and Euclid Avenue: High School Students from throughout Cuyahoga County announce their Youth Agenda prior to turning in voter registration forms for newly registered youths. (L to R) Kiara Nicole Wilson of Health Careers High School, Diamond Day-Dunner of John Marshall High School, Shawn George of Shaw High School and Johnathan Lykes.

PHOTO BY JOHN CARTWRIGHT
Sunday, February 10, 2008, Celebration of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year: TET 2008 – Year of the Rat, St. Helena Catholic Church hall, 1367 W. 65th Street: Over 150 members of the Vietnamese Community in Greater Cleveland and guests gathered for the New Year’s Celebration.. A Buddha caricature fans the flame of the dragon, which follows him around the room during the traditional dragon dance.

PHOTO BY JOHN CARTWRIGHT
Sunday, February 10, 2008, Celebration of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year: TET 2008 – Year of the Rat, St. Helena Catholic Church Hall, 1367 W. 65th Street: Over 150 members of the Vietnamese Community in Greater Cleveland and guests gathered for the New Year’s Celebration. People pass coins to the dragon during the traditional dragon dance to help bring them luck and prosperity in the New Year.

PHOTO BY JOHN CARTWRIGHT
Friday, February 8, 2007, St. Procop Fish Fry Dinner, St. Procop Church’s Uhlir Hall, 3181 W. 41st Street: Kathy Loughren serves up sauerkraut and potato pierogies to guests at the Fish Fry Dinner.

PHOTO BY JOHN CARTWRIGHT
Thursday, January 31, 2008, Tremont West Development Corporation (TWDC) Membership Meeting: Tremont West Development Corporation Executive Director Chris Garland (L) and TWDC Director of Real Estate Development Stephen Bloom present the Ward 14 2007 Neighborhood Leader of the Year Award to Lena Jackson. Among Jackson’s accomplishments were working to increase membership in the Old Tremont Block Club, participation in the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee, and leading the charge to get a Fitness Center at Scranton Castle.

PHOTO BY JOE NARKIN
Tuesday, January 29, 2008, SAFEighteen Winter Public Safety Conference, West Side Community House, 9300 Lorain Avenue: Mayor Frank Jackson explains his new crime fighting strategy to one hundred and fifty Ward 18 residents gathered at the conference.

PHOTO BY ED TISHEL
Sunday, February 17, 2008, Near West Theatre’s 2008 Benefit to Celebrate 30 years of ordinary people creating extraordinary theatre; Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square: Near West Theatre’s 2008 benefit honors Stephanie Taylor-Ayers for her life-long participation as a mother, cast member, community advocate, parent liaison, advisory board member, and more!

PHOTO BY JOHN CARTWRIGHT
Thursday, January 31, 2008, Tremont West Development Corporation Membership Meeting: Tremont West Development Corporation Executive Director Chris Garland presents the Ward 13 2007 Neighborhood Leader of the Year Award to Sue Coy for her efforts to organize block clubs in the neighborhood.