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The City Council meetings at Government Plaza have people who consistently speak at every meeting. (Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)

Whether it's fighting for disinvested neighborhoods, reciting a poem, sharing a bit of levity, or suggesting a better way for governing bodies to conduct their business, Marvin Muhammad, Craig Lee, Bill Weiner and Sammy Mearsare well-known citizens who exercise without fail, their right to speak during public meetings.

Well call them the Testifiers.

Craig Lee is an activists who speaks at the City Council meetings consistently. (Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)

His strong Chicago political ties shaped his earliest activism. The generational disinvestment of African American communitiesspurs his continued efforts. He feels compelled to address the Shreveport City Council and Caddo Commission, over and over again, even though his testimonies seem to fall on deaf ears.

Lee owns and runs Creole SoulLouisiana Meat Pies but finds time during the day to carry out his civic duty.

I returned to Shreveport in 1994 as a pharmaceutical sales rep, said Lee, dressedcasually in denim, wearing his signature red, green and gold beanie as he sat at a small table in The Times newsroom to share his story.

Although Im a native of Shreveport, I have the same mindset as most of my colleagues that I grew up with. I got into the political arena in New Orleans at Xavier (University) by way of my contacts in Chicago. As a freshman, we had a lot of upperclassmen. One guy in particular went on to become president of the Cook County Commission, Todd Stroger, Jr.

Stroger and Lee graduated at the same time.

There were several guys who were a big influence and they called it the Chicago Club, Lee said. This was my first time seeing political activism. These guys were doing absentee voting for (late Chicago Mayor) Harold Washington in the mid-'80s and so it was shocking. I was aware of federal politics, but I was not aware of the local politics. So, when they helped Harold Washington win, that was thrilling to see, and it was through all of that that my political identity began to be shaped and crafted.

Lees Chicago connections run deep. Marc Morial, president/CEO, National Urban League, he said, was their political handler at that time.

It was a Queensboro murder, the community Lee grew up in, that was part of the reason he decided to stay in Shreveport.

It was a young man I was a big brother to in high school, Lee said. He came from a two-parent household and when I saw his photo plastered on the news, I wondered how he could become a killer? I asked the question, Why are these brothers and sisters murdering each other? There was no spirituality, no culture, no education, no economic cohesiveness.

Lee decided at that moment that he was done with corporate America and started his community activism. This May will be 25 years that hes been doing grassroots advocacy work.

Turns out, Lee has deep-rooted family connections to Shreveport. His great, great-grandfather, Phillip Moore, and Moore'sbrother, migrated from east Texas,Lee said.

They bought up 1,000 acres plus some land over where you see the municipal airport and incorporated the land and called it Moores Town. So, I have a vested interest in the transformation.

Relatives eventually sold the property to the City of Shreveport. It was incorporated and is now called Mooretown.

When you go in front of that podium, especially when you know youre not going to have the votes on an issue that is very important, theres some dejection to some degree, but I will continue to do this until I die.

Sammy Mears speaks at the City Council meetings consistently. (Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)

Lovable and charming is how most people describe Mears, who brings a bit of levity along with his concerns. His time at the podium are the moments those in attendance look forward to and appreciate. You never know what hes going to share, but its always delightful and sometimes serious.

Mears can add "hero"to his list of accomplishments. The Shreveport Police Department recognized him recently for his quick-thinking efforts in saving his neighbors life and presented him with the Chief Appreciation Award during a February council meeting as he took center stage in the spotlight.

Easily recognized by his long hair as he sits in his regular seat on the first row of the meeting room chambers, Mears said Friday he likes to lighten things up with a little joke before he shares his concerns.

I show up to speak at the meetings because I have something to say, Mears said. One of the things Im concerned about now is that three people came to me and said theyve seen me at the City Council meetings and they wanted to know what I could do to help them out with the rooster thats running around and scaring people in the Highland area. I told them I would take care of it at the meeting. I went down there to let it be known that this rooster is out there, and it may (seriously hurt) a person or an animal or even a little child. So, it needs to be caught and taken away.

Mears enjoys church activities and also spends time reading at the Shreveport Memorial Library.

I go to the Highland Blessing Dinner because I have a good time fellowshipping with people at the table.

As to what he thinks about Shreveport, Mears said there'stoo much violence going on and it needs to stop.

Famous for his jokes, Mears shared one for The Times audience, 'What did one wall, say to the other wall?' Answer: ''Ill meet you in the corner. Thats one of the best ones Ive told, he added. He shared another one, Who takes the shortest time to get ready for a vacation, the elephant or the rooster? The next time you see Mears, ask him for the answer.

Bill Wiener attends public meetings cause he wants to make Shreveport a better place. (Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times )

Sculpture artist and architect Bill Wiener Jr., 83, hails from a renownedfamily of architects who in the 1930spioneered what came to be known as the International Style of architecture.

As for his sculptures, each piece is based on geometry and repetition of a variation on a theme. Weiner has enjoyed taking two-dimensional material such as steel plate, and creating three-dimensional art.

The arts, however, are not the only thing on his mind as hes taken part in local government for years and still does today, though he mentioned recently that hes growing weary because the council ignores his suggestions.

A family members involvement in the Underground Railroadinfluenced his civic engagement.

My parents were always involved in government, Wiener said. Ive done a lot of things and Ive served on national boards under both (former U.S. presidents) Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. Ive had a lot of experiences that influenced me.

I come hereand I see what Shreveport is doing wrong and what theyre not doing but Im about to stop all this because they dont care, Wiener said. "Several weeks ago, I went there to tell them what to do to get ready for the coronavirus. Its always the same answers, Well get a committee to look at this but I never hear back. Since then, I wrote a letter to the mayor and told him that he must buy chemicals for the water plant because the 18-wheelers will not be runningand chemicals might not be available.

Weiner said city government is not thinking in long-range terms as to how to make the city better.

On the issue of race relations in Shreveport, Wiener said, Were one community of men, women, white, black, Hispanic, gays, and we need to look at the whole community.

Marvin Muhummad speaks at the City Council meetings consistently. (Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)

During the day, Marvin Muhammad, 51, works at Turnkey Painting and Remodeling, a company he owns. He relocated just under a year ago to Shreveport from Dallas. Hes settling here to be near his family. Not long after, he was appointed to serve on the Caddo Parish Industrial Development Board, an engine he saidfor him to help stimulate economic development throughout the city and parish.

I was born in San Francisco but my adopted father, Odell Davis Sr., moved across the country back in the 1970s to get away form big city life and he implanted us into what was first known as Cooper Road, now known as the Martin Luther King community, Muhammad said.

There is a reason he speaks.

What we have to understand is that everything in life, our every activity, is dictated and predicated by public policy, Muhammad said of why he continues to show up and speak during public meetings. "So, if were going to be a society of laws and ordinances, then we want to be engaged so we can have some type of controlling factor over ourselves.

On the frustration level of seemingly not being able to get anything approved through the council that will benefit African American communities, Muhammad said people have to be politically astute.

We push voter registration drives and we push getting to the polls, but the political involvement in our community, stops there, Muhammad said. We have to understand that our political engagement must extend past the voting movement. We must fill the chambers of Government Plaza and we must attend school board meetings and engage these municipalities that control our lives.

As far as being frustrated, Muhammad said hes actually glad.

We as a people, believe that politics is a vehicle for us to achieve freedom and justice and true equity and equality and thats just not the case, Muhammad said.

"In five short months, we'll be commemorating, the 1965 Voting Rights Act signed by Lyndon B. Johnson. Since that time, it has been amended on a major scale at least five times. Once in 1970, again in 1975, 1982, 1992 and 2006. Why is it that we as black people in Americaand have contributed so much to America, we have to have a Voting Rights Act, when we have the 14th and 15th Amendment of the (U.S.) Constitution and we are U.S. citizens? Something is wrong with that picture.''

After slavery, black people walked away with nothing but determination and the shirt on their back. Black women, he said because of negative historical factors, lost trust that black men could protect them.

Theres a longstanding gap between black women and black men, so the black man has a lot of work to do to regain the trust, the love and the admiration, of the black woman, Muhammad said. When the sisters have the lovethey need from us and we have the admiration from the sisters, then we can accomplish whatever we so desire. When we achieve that, we can build our communities up.

As for race relations, Muhammad said an honest dialogue with no shouting or screaming is needed.

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Residents gathered at Immanuel Lutheran Church on March 5, 2020, for a presentation on the district's upcoming bond proposal.(Photo: Jeremy Ervin / Times Herald)

ST. CLAIR -Shannon Karas and her father-in-law Bill Karas took seats in the gym of Immanuel Lutheran Church on Thursday night. They had come for a presentation on East China School District's bond proposal, lead by Superintendent Suzanne Cybulla.

Bill Karas came to ask a question. He wanted to make sure the school had a maintenance plan in place to upkeep the proposed renovations. Cybulla assured him a plan was in place.

"I just want to make sure they can maintain the buildings, I'm happy to pay my fair share for my grandkids," he said. "I'm sure there's things in there I don't like, or think they don't need, but everyone's going to have their own pet peeves.

"If they can maintain it, this will probably be the first tax I vote yes on."

Voters will decide on a $112.9 million bond proposal from the East China School District Tuesday. If approved, officials said the funds will be spent on wide-sweeping technology, facilities and security upgrades.(Photo: Brian Wells/Times Herald)

Shannon Karas said she's enthusiastic about the bond program, but was a little skeptical at first. She has a first and third grader in the district. Her kids went to Pine River Elementary, which she described as a great school.

"I actually went to the other schools and saw they're the same way they were 20 years ago when I graduated from St. Clair," she said. "It needs to happen, I didn't realize how far behind we were."

The presentation on Thursday was the last in a series of public outreach events ahead of thevote on Tuesday.

Cybulla walked the room through the schools plan should the community vote to approve the 1.5 mill, $112.9 million bond proposal.

The district has faced declining enrollment in recent years, with the trend projected to continue. In response to the loss of per pupil funding, the district has sought to reduce its number of buildings while providing additional services for students, Cybulla said.

"We've been making cuts for years and years, and it's just become part of how we do business," Cybulla said.

"We have to find a sustainable place, we can't keep working how we're working."

A $148.68 million bond proposal in May 2019 and an about $50 million proposal in 2016 wererejected by voters. Voters approved proposals from the district in 1998, 2001 and 2014, according to the state treasury department.

This year'sbond plan would keep both St. Clair High School and Marine City High School separate, a departure from the singular combined middle school/high school proposed last year. Each high school would become a combined middle-school high school, hosting grades six through 12.

A wide variety of infrastructure updates are planned across the district's schools if the bond is approved by voters. Each building would get an easily locked down entry vestibule for security purposes and additional security cameras.

Athletic facilities across the district would also be updated, including renovatinglocker rooms at East China Stadium, renovatingtennis courts and baseball fields and remodeling pool areas at both 6-12 grade schools. The district's Performing Arts Center would receive updated lighting and rigging systems, if voters approve the bond.

The bond program would include a new Innovation / Early Childhood Center at the district's site at 1585 Meisner Road, East China where the district's administrative offices and Performing Arts Center currently sit.Eight STEAM classrooms, focusing on giving students space for apply engineering, science and math lessons, would be constructed, along with additional parking, among other renovations. The site would also be able to host supplemental course opportunities for students in both St. Clair and Marine City such as advanced courses.

Students from Gearing Elementary would be transferred to the current St. Clair Middle School, which would become a new elementary school, with the name to be decided.The tentative timeline for construction would roll out over four years, wrapping up in the 2024-2025 school year.

Following the presentation, Cybulla asked voters to appreciate the critical nature of the project, and that the value of the educational opportunities that could come with it.

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Jeremy Ervin covers environment, education and more.Contact him at (810) 989-6276 or jervin@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter@ErvinJeremy.

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Head brewer David Chaney, left, and co-owner Brad Cristea pose behind the counter at Pedals & Pints Brewing Co. in Thousand Oaks. The bicycling-themed craft brewery will mark its grand opening on March 17.(Photo: LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR)

Theteam behind Pedals & Pints Brewing Co.in Thousand Oaksdidn't pick St. Patrick's Day as an official opening date. It picked them.

"I started brewing almost the second we got our occupancy permit," said head brewer David Chaney, laughing at the memory. "Then we counted out the days to when those first beers would be ready."

As of this writing, the brewery is scheduled to mark its official grand opening at 11 a.m.March 17.(Check the Pedals & Pintswebsite andFacebook and Instagram accounts forchanges due to evolving public-healthguidelines in the age of coronavirus.)

It will feature four brewed-on-the-premises beers on tap, along with a menu of salads and pizzas created by co-ownerBrad Cristea. Aveteran of more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, Cristea is planning a corned beef and cabbagepizza for the occasion. (Other, more permanent pizza options include The Mack, made with mac 'n' cheese sauce, and the East Coast-inspired Bacon Clam with roasted garlic cream.)

MORE: Ventura County restaurants address dining in the time of coronavirus

Pedals & Pints Brewing Co. is located at a former Red Lobster restaurant at 156 W. Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks.(Photo: LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR)

Green light bathes the rows of fermenters and bright tanksjust beyond the taproom counter, continuing the St. Patrick's Day theme. The color can be changed, Cristea said. But the team which includesco-owner Mark Clemens, a Thousand Oaks High School graduate, and director of brewery operations Josiah Blomquist, a Newbury Park native like how the hue echoes the bright green under lighting of the 10-barrel brewhouse at the back of the roughly 6,000-square-foot building.

Pedals & Pints is located at what served as ashort-livedRed Lobsterbetween Olive Garden and Bank of Americanear The Oaks shopping center.It features a taproom decorated with patio lights andmountain bikes andan outdoor areafurnished with wine-barrel plantersand a pass-through window counter with its own row of Park Tool-logo barstools. Theseating capacity is 240.

The kitchen is abouthalfthe size it was during Red Lobster's run from 2011to 2016. But it still has the chain's former dishwashing machine, which Cristea said is one of the nicest he's seen in a career that has included working with chef Joachim Splichal at the original Patina onMelrose Avenue.

The idea for thebrewery started fermenting about six years ago, inspired by Cristea's and Clemens' shared love of bicycling.

A mountain bike is part of the decor at Pedals & Pints Brewing Co. in Thousand Oaks. The city's second craft brewery is scheduled to celebrate its grand opening on March 17.(Photo: LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR)

"Biking and beers kind of go together. You get together with friends, go for a ride, then hit someplace after for something to eat," said Cristea. "When I get done with a ride, I have a replenishing drink. I'd rather have a beer than anything else."

After finding the location and securing the final building permits, construction of the brewery, taproom and kitchen took a comparatively short six months.

But therewere hiccups along the way. Plans for a see-through bar top embedded with bicycle parts, tools and gears engraved with the names of Kickstarter donors fell through when a mistake was made during the pouring of the epoxy. A new counter was made from wood, with chains and engraved gears visible through a much thinner layer of protective resin.

Cherrywood-topped tables are used throughout the taproom, where seating options includea play pen-style area that can be reserved for large groups.

Beers on tap for the opening will include a pale ale, an India pale ale, a stout and a lager, Chaney said. The selection will build to 12 beers, with seasonal variations.

David Chaney, head brewer at Pedals & Pints Brewing Co. in Thousand Oaks, poses with an American pale ale he made for the brewery's grand opening.(Photo: LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR)

Chaney started home brewing in 2012. He became involved with MacLeod Ale Brewing Co. in Van Nuysabout two years later, working his way up from cellar master to assistant brewer under Blomquist, then the head brewer. When Blomquist moved on in 2017, Chaney took over ashead brewer. While at MacLeod, he won silver and gold awards at the World BeerCup and San Diego International Beer Competition, respectively.

The brewing capacity at Pedals & Pints could eventually handle an off-site taproom or two, Cristea said.

For now, it is the second breweryto open in Thousand Oaks, following the debut last summer of Tarantula Hill Brewing Co.

"In terms of numbers, we're way behind compared to San Diego and compared to Ventura, even," he said. "I don't think beer is a fad or a phase. It's a part of life."

After the grand opening, hours at the brewery will be from 11 a.m. to 10p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays(156 W. Hillcrest Drive,https://www.pedalsandpintsbrewing.com).

In CAMARILLO,Lalo's Family Restaurant opened March 6 at the Paseodel Sol space left vacant by the serial departures of Sushi Hiro, Yamato and Tony Roma's. The new restaurant offers sit-down service from a 14-page menu that is identical to the one in use at its sister location in Oxnard. (The family-owned restaurant chainalso operates two order-at-the-counter Lalo's Fast Food locations in Ventura.)

Breakfast dishes such as eggs Benedict ($9.95), huevos con machaca ($13.95) and waffle platters($14.95, including two eggs and a choice of three sides) are available until 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, until noon Saturdays and until 11 a.m. Sundays.

"Nuevos platillos" include "coco loco" featuring shrimp served in a coconut ($13.95), a"light" molcajete ($17.95) and fajitas de Juanita ($17.95).

Wine, beer and cocktails are available. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays(1901 E. Daily Drive, 805-586-4031, http://www.lalosfamilyrestaurant.com).

Nabor Wines LLCis moving its winemaking operations from Westlake Village to a Flynn Road business park in Camarillo.

The new facility will not be open to the public and it won't have a tasting room "even though our permit will allow it. We simply do not produce enough wine, nor does the wine we do produce hang around long enough, to service a tasting room,"co-owner and winemaker Dusty Nabor wrote in an email to The Star.

The winery's allocation mailing list and online sales are the only way to obtain its wines made from grapes grown in Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County. It also participates in tasting events that benefit local charities.

Naborproduces wines under the labels Bolt To Wines, NSO by Dusty Nabor and Dusty Nabor Wines, the latter described as the premier brand.

The move is happening in part because the winery's previous facility was repurposed, Nabor said. Other factors: Camarillo is cheaper, slightly cooler and closer to source vineyards (http://dustynaborwines.com).

In NEWBURY PARK, the combination coffee and wine bar BeanoVinowill close March 16. That's nearly two months after the original "end of January" closure date announced late last year, when theDos Vientos-neighborhood business went on the market.

A farewell post on the business' Facebook page thanked patrons for the "support, love and friendship that you have extended to us for the past six years and seven months.

"To all the kids that hang out at BeanoVino, thank you for making us a part of your growing up years. ... Looking forward to seeing you all healthy, grown up and accomplished in your own ways" (360 Via las Brisas, Suite 160, 805-375-2326).

In OXNARD, the seafood-restaurant project that started its build-out last summer as Boiling Crabhas been renamed.It will do business as Niu Seafood when it opens perhaps as soon as early next week at 2530 Saviers Road in the IslandPlaza shopping center.

At Salt Waterside Bistroat 4308 Tradewinds Drivein the Whitesails Villagecenter, the "closed until further notice"sign reported in the Feb. 29 edition of this column has been replaced by a longer, more explanatory note.

"Salt will reopen in the spring," it reads. "We are aiming for the first of April. Due to sudden staff changes and technical issues, we were forced to stop service with no notice.

"Look forward to a new Spring and Summer menu, lighter fare, locally sourced seafood and produce."

Salt's website has been updated to note the temporary closure. The restaurant'sphone number rings unanswered, and its Facebook and Instagram pages were last updated in December.

In VENTURA, the combination bowling alley, restaurant, bar and live-music venue Discovery Ventura isclosed until March 18 due to public-health precautions, according to an March 12 email signed by the "Disco Team."

The time period affects just one event: aMarch 14 tribute to Prince. A phone number listed in the email for calls about obtaining ticket refunds belongs to a landscape architecture firm that is not connectedto Discovery Ventura. (The correct number is given below.)

Tickets for the event were still being sold on the venue's website as of Friday afternoon.

Discovery Ventura recently shortened its operations to Friday and Saturday nights. According to a LoopNet listing, the building it occupies is on the market for $4.2 million (1888 E. Thompson Blvd., 805-856-2695,https://www.discoveryventura.com).

In downtown Ventura, the lifestyle store Iron and Resin is temporarily closed at 324 E. Main St.fora remodeling project that includes earthquake retrofitting and the creation of a backyard hangout spot with a cafe built out of three, 40-foot shipping containers. According to notices posted on the store's windows and website, it will reopen on or around May 1 (https://ironandresin.com).

A few blocks away, the extensive renovation of a building that once housed a photo studio, a shabby-chic store and an antiques shop will result in at least one new restaurant:Model Citizen.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Prospect Coffee Roasters goes to bat in Ventura (2017)

The future business will feature a full bar, according to the yellow "public notice of application to sell alcoholic beverages" noticetaped to the window at 70 S. Oak St. Applicants named on the pending licenseare brothersDerek Ulrich and Blake Ulrich,who opened Prospect Coffee Roastersnearly three years ago in downtown Ventura.

Lisa McKinnon is a staff writer for The Star. To contact her, send email to lisa.mckinnon@vcstar.com.

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Heights Jewish Center Synagogue in University Heights announced it will not be holding services or classes, beginning March 16.

All bars and restaurants in Ohio will be ordered close to at 9 p.m. March 15. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine made the announcement during a March 15 news conference. Restaurants will remain open for carry-out and delivery.

Solon City Schools will be closed beginning March 16.

The Bagel Shoppe in South Euclid will be closed for walk-in business as of March 16. The Bagel Shoppe and FreshKo catering are partnering with JSL Catering to offer curbside pickup and delivery options.

The Mandel Adult Day Center at Menorah Park in Beachwood will be closed as of March 16.

Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple has closed the building until April 3.

Great Lakes Brewing Co. is closing itsbrewpub and gift shop.

Akron Symphony Orchestra's Appalachian Spring Concert will not place on March 28.

Abercrombie & Fitch is closing all North American, Middle East and Europe stores for two weeks.

Nike is closing all U.S. stores through March 27.

Green Road Synagogue in Beachwood has canceled all daily minyanim.

fire, food and drink on Shaker Square in Cleveland will close for two months.

Apple is closing its stores outside of China for two weeks and will only sell online. Apple has stores at Eton Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere, Summit Mall in Fairlawn and Crocker Park in Westlake.

The Shaw JCC of Akron and the Schultz Campus will close from 6 p.m. March 15 through April 3, according to a March 14 email signed by John Keverkamp, Shaw JCC executive director.

MGM Northfield Park will close as of midnight March 13. As of midnight tonight, MGM Northfield Park will suspend operations and temporarily close, said MGM COO and President Bill Hornbuckle. We will do all we can to mitigate the impact on our employees and partners. We will monitor this rapidly changing situation and will keep everyone informed as decisions are made to reopen in the future.

The Solon Community Center, the Solon Senior Center, the Solon Center for the Arts and Grantwood Golf Course in Solon will be closed starting March 14. "We will re-evaluate the situation weekly," Mayor Eddy Kraus wrote in an email to residents.

The Mandel JCC in Beachwood will be closed through April 5, Michael G. Hyman, president and CEO, told the Cleveland Jewish News on March 13.

Cleveland Public Library will close at the end of the day March 13 until further notice.Allprograms,services,outreach activities,and meeting roomreservations have been canceled.Thelibrary will continue to provide brown bag meals to children Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. at Main Library and our 27 neighborhood branches. Voters can still utilize the designated branches as polling locations for the primary election March 17.

All Cuyahoga County Public Library branches are closed to the public March 14 through April 5. Telephone reference and drive-up service will be available at 11 branches, including Beachwood, Mayfield, Orange and South Euclid-Lyndhurst.Polling locations will be open March 17 for voting.

The European Wax Center in Woodmereis temporarily suspending operations while schools are closed.

The Cleveland Museum of Artwill temporarily close to the public effective March 14, with current plans to reopen on March 31.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will close to the public March 16.

The Institute for Learning In Retirement East has canceled the spring session of classes scheduled to start April14.

All City Candy in Cleveland has postponed its grand reopening event scheduled for March 21. The store will hold acustomer appreciation event at a date yet to be determined.

Destination Clevelandhas closed the Cleveland Visitors Center at 334 Euclid Ave. The organization has also postponed its Be a Tourist in Your Hometown activities scheduled for March 27 to March 29.

The Beachwood Bistro atBeachwood High School is closed until further notice.

The 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Induction Week festivities are postponed.

The I-X Center has canceled the annual I-X Indoor Amusement Park,the I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama and Marketplace Events.

Park Synagogue in Pepper Pike hascanceled or postponed all non-essential meetings. Services at the synagogue March 13 and March 14 are canceled.

The Youngstown Area Jewish Federationhas canceled or postponed existing programs that include large gatherings.Limited visitation is in immediate effect for Heritage Manor and Levy Gardens.However, the Jewish Community Center building and the Early Learning Center at the Jewish Community Center will remain open.

Nighttownin Cleveland Heights will close after service March 15 likely through May 10.

Italian Language Lessonsat the Cleveland History Center in University Circle are postponed.

Western Reserve Historical Society will close all public venues March 14 through April 5.

Great Lakes Science Center is closed for the foreseeable future.

All Bikur Cholim events are canceled until further notice and no visitors are allowed in Bikur Cholim houses.

The Cleveland International Hall of Fameis postponing April 21 induction ceremony of May Chen, Margaret Lynch, Valarie McCall, Ramesh Shah, Berj Shakarian and Joe Valencic.

All JFSA YouthAbility activities are canceled through March 31.

All public programming at the Beachwood Community Center is suspended through end-of-day March 19.

The Jewish Education Center offices will be closed until March 23.

Mandel JDS and Gross Schechter Day School students are required to refrain from attending Kids Club at Mandel JCC while their schools are closed.

All in-person Kol HaLev gatherings are suspended until after March 17.

All in-person religious school classes at Temple Beth Shalom in Hudson are canceled until after Passover, April 16.

Mid-American Conference Basketball Tournaments in Cleveland have been canceled.

Ohio High School Athletic Association has postponed all remaining winter tournaments.

The Cleveland International Film Festival set for March 25 to April 5 has been canceled.

The City Club of Cleveland will reschedule remaining forums in March. Those with tickets to a rescheduled forum will be contacted with further information. Starting March 12, forums moved to an online format with the first being on the topic of COVID-19 and the local and statewide response to this unique public health threat. On March 13, the regional high school debate championship will still be hosted with a limited audience of close friends and family members of the debaters. Others may livestream the event at cityclub.org or on the radio at 90.3 WCPN at 12:30 p.m.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has canceled the men's and women's basketball tournaments, and all spring championships in every sport.

Shaker Heights Public Library has suspended all library programs and public meeting room use through April 30.

The University HeightsArchitecture Review Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 12 has been canceled.All agenda items will be moved to the next meeting, which is now scheduled for April 9.

The Cleveland Institute of Music has canceled all public events and performances through April 6.Decisions about performances scheduled between April 7 and April 20 will be made in the coming weeks.

All indoor locations at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are closed.

All Cleveland Metroparks and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo upcoming programs and events are canceled until at least March 31.

Cleveland Metroparks outdoor locations will remain open including 18 park reservations, eight golf coursesand the outdoor portion of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has cancelled all train rides from March 13 to April 12.

Playhouse Square has postponed all performances.

All schools will close end of day March 16 through April 3.

Shaker Heights schools: all school-sponsored, after-school, large-group events and daytime school assemblies are canceled, as well as field trips through March 21.

Solon schools have canceled all non-essential indoor large group activities and gatherings as well as all student field trips.

Orange Schools have canceled classes Friday,March 13. Teachers will use this day to prepare online and alternative content and coordinate instructional resources students will need to complete at-home assignments should the need arise. After-school eventsMarch 13 are still on at this point.

Ashland University in Ashland will move to an online format starting March 18.

Baldwin Wallace University in Berea will move to an online format through at least April 13.

Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green will move to an online format starting March 23.

Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland will move to an online format through at least April 6.

The University of Cincinnati students will complete classes remotely until April 13.

Cleveland State University in Cleveland has extended spring break until March 23. Classes will resume in an online format through at least April 10 with the intent to resume on-campus classes April 13.

Cuyahoga Community Collegein Cleveland has postponed face-to-face classes until March 23.Fitness centers and pools are closed until April 1.

John Carroll University in University Heights will move to an online format through at least April 13.

Kent State University in Kent will move to an online format through at least April 11.

Lorain County Community College in Elyria will resume in-person classes March 25 after spring break.

Miami University in Oxford will complete the semester online. For students who depart campus by March 27 and do not return, there will "an appropriate" refund of room and board.

Oberlin College in Oberlin will begin spring break March 18 and make a decision about moving to an online format by March 25.

The Ohio State University in Columbus will move to an online format through at least March 30.

Ohio University in Athens will move to an online format through at least March 30.

University of Akron in Akron will move to an online format March 30 when students get back from spring break.

University of Toledo in Toledo will move to an online format through at least March 30. All events with expected attendance of 100 or more are canceled. Domestic and international travel is suspended for the rest of the fiscal year.

Ursuline Collegein Pepper Pike hassuspended face-to-face instruction on campus until March 30.

Walsh University in North Canton will move to an online format through at least March 27.

Friday, March 13

The Temple-Tifereth Israel in Beachwood events: Regular Kabbalat Shabbat service without hakafa will be streamed; Shira Chadasha will be rescheduled; Souper Oneg; TGIS and visit from Temple Israel teens

Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike events postponed: Mind-full Shabbat dinner and speaker; Kinder Shabbat

Spring carnival at Dorothy Lewis Elementary School in Solon is rescheduled for May 15

The Cleveland Institute of MusicPreparatory Chamber Music Master Class

The Cleveland Orchestra concerts

Saturday, March 14

WRHS Genealogical Committee Workshop Opening the Door to Family Historyat the Cleveland History Center in University Circle

BBYO Spring Kickoff: ONRave

Beachwood City Schools The Wizard of Oz production

The Temple-Tifereth Israel events: Torah study will be streamed; Shabbaton; Judaism, Reform and Modern America; All In, New Donor Event

Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in Beachwood events: Torah Study at 9:15 a.m. will be streamed via Zoom, email Diane Lavin (dianelavin60@gmail.com) for the link; Library minyan

Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike events postponed: Starbucks, Bread and Torah; religious school activities

Solon High School SAT testing

Solon Middle School OMEA choral competition

The Cleveland Institute of MusicSuzuki Recital

The Cleveland Orchestra concerts

Sunday, March 15

Temple Beth Shalom Religious School

Wolf Religious School: Park Sunday School

Beachwood City Schools Bison Feast + Fest

Beachwood City Schools Senior Spaghetti Dinner for the Class of 2020 and their parents

Purim Hoopla with jHUB & PJ Library at the Solon Recreation Center

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Closings, cancellations and more in Northeast Ohio due to coronavirus - Cleveland Jewish News

Laurie and Craig Stahlecker have formed a company to take over the hotel and are preparing to hold a soft opening on Wednesday, Feb. 19, with a regular opening date the following day. The Crookston Inn closed on Dec. 29, after previous owners Todd and Nicole Jacobson experienced difficulties repaying loans for remodeling and property taxes. Laurie Stahlecker was the general manager of the hotel before it closed.

Well yes and no, said Stahlecker, when asked if she owns the hotel. Im the owner of the business inside, the bank owns the building. I am pretty much managing it for a year, and then Ill go from there.

That bank is United Valley Bank in Grand Forks, from which Stahlecker is leasing the hotel with an option to buy.

Stahlecker said her new business is not affected by debts that dragged down the hotel in its previous incarnation.

That is a former owner issue, not mine, she said.

Angel Weasner, city finance director for Crookston, said the city is attempting to collect nearly $130,000 from previous owner Todd Jacobson, who took out loans through the city via a federal intermediary revolving loan program to pay for remodeling, as well as property taxes.

We have a personal guarantee, and so through legal channels, were calling the note, Weasner said.

The new business owner said she is not worried about competition from Crookstons three other hotels, the Golf Terrace Motel, AmericInn and Cobblestone Hotel and Suites.

I think I'll be fine, she said. Were a little bit different. I mean we have the event center.

Mike Jacobson, who said he is not related to the previous Crookston Inn owner Todd Jacobson, owns the AmericInn hotel in Crookston. He said his hotel is running at 46% occupancy for the month, even with the Crookston Inn closed. The occupancy rate needs to be in the mid-fifties to break even, he said.

When you have a $20,000-a-month payment, and you're only bringing in $30,000 or $40,000 and you got to pay bills and taxes and everything else, you just can't make it happen, Jacobson said.

Stahlecker, for her part, said she is glad to be reopening and has brought back about 25 Crookston Inn employees. She noted a number of cosmetic improvements have been done at the hotel in preparation for reopening, including new paint and some room updates.

Its got our own touch and feel to it, she said.

The hotel has 74 rooms and the event center can accommodate up to 400 people.

Stahlecker said she has events such as weddings lined up and is preparing to host a Darts and Divas event Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21-22. The event, a womens dart tournament, should bring more than 30 people to the hotel and event center.

The Crookston Inn also has a new menu and point-of-sale technology that allows a server to accept credit cards at a guests table.

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Crookston Inn and Convention Center to reopen - Grand Forks Herald

The Sterling Heights Public Library is preparing to undergo renovations over the next several months.

Black markings are visible on pillars outside the librarys entrance. According to city officials, the markings will be covered up once the weather breaks and painting can be done.

Photo by Deb Jacques

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STERLING HEIGHTS A new chapter of change is underway as the Sterling Heights Public Library begins a remodeling process. But library staff members are warning that not all of it will be quiet.

The city officials recently announced that a season of library renovations would be kicking off soon. Sterling Heights Purchasing and Facilities Maintenance Manager Jared Beaudoin said in an emailed statement that the decision to renovate stemmed from the citys 2017 Facilities Conditions Assessment. He said the city conducted a workflow study so that renovating work spaces would ensure efficiencies.

In 2018, the Sterling Heights City Council agreed to issue capital improvement bonds for the renovations, Beaudoin explained. He said the funding covers new furniture, building finishes, HVAC replacement and upgrades, electrical work, plumbing, security, and the fire alarm and IT systems.

The estimated cost for these renovations at the public library is $4.1 million, Beaudoin said. These are the first library renovations in 20 years. The last renovations in 1999 added more than 8,200 square feet to the facility.

Jason Groth, the librarys public relations and programs coordinator, said the renovation work will include new lighting, furniture and carpeting, as well as fresh paint.

He said a new glass-enclosed teen room on the first floor will be a place where young people may study and socialize. More study rooms and a makerspace room for craftwork and tech-related projects will be added.

Based on patron feedback, many residents want to boost the librarys role as a community space, Groth said. The renovations are working toward that end.

Groth assured patrons that the library building will generally stay open throughout the renovation period, though at times sections will be closed off while workers get the construction done. For instance, at times, the programming center will be blocked off, but affected library programs will temporarily take place at the new Community Center building across the street, he explained.

Groth assured residents that all normal library materials may still be checked out. In cases where the materials would normally be in a walled-off area, a librarian may access them, he explained.

Groth said he believes that the librarys core renovations could last roughly from March until November, though he emphasized that the timeline is not firm.

We also do not know which sections will be closed first, he said.

Groth warned that patrons might have to bear with noise and other inconveniences during the period, and he hopes that people will pardon any dust that occurs.

We hope our construction crew will minimize such nuisances, but we cant guarantee that theyll be eliminated, he said.

Learn more about the Sterling Heights Public Library, 40255 Dodge Park Road in Sterling Heights, by visiting shpl.net or by calling (586) 446-2665.

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Sterling Heights library turns page on building construction - C&G Newspapers

You spent the holidays binging on HGTV, and now visions of shiplap accent walls and freestanding soaking tubs are dancing through your head.

Dont let your desire to upgrade your home downgrade your home's market value. Before you make a renovation fantasy a reality, consider whether the project will pay off when you're ready to sell. Plenty of home improvements add value, but others like these five can hurt it.

1. A CHEF-QUALITY KITCHEN

If you love to cook, a high-end kitchen could be the ultimate gift for you. But if you think a massive overhaul will majorly impact resale value, you might be in for a surprise. An upscale kitchen renovation recoups just 54% of its cost in added value, according to Remodeling magazine's 2020 Cost vs. Value report.

"If you do marble countertops and high-end appliances, you could spend $100,000, and it doesn't necessarily mean your house is worth an extra $100,000," says Beatrice de Jong, a consumer trends expert for Opendoor, a San Francisco-based direct home buyer and seller.

Smaller kitchen upgrades could yield a bigger payoff. Chris Arienti, broker and owner of Remax Executive Realty near Boston, suggests keeping updates reasonable: Think granite rather than marble, and GE instead of Sub-Zero.

2. DIY PAINTING

A bold statement wall can say the wrong thing to potential buyers if the workmanship is questionable. Streaky, chipped or low-quality paint can knock $1,700 off a home's sale price, according to Opendoor data that looked at home offers made from June 2018 to June 2019.

"A good paint job is not easy," says Sarah Cunningham, a real estate agent with Ethos Design + Remodel in Boise, Idaho. "It is all in the prep work, and most people don't want to do the prep work." Hiring a professional to paint can help ensure a more attractive result.

3. AN EXPANDED MASTER SUITE

Knocking down a wall to create an oversize master bedroom or stealing closet space to build out a spa-style bathroom may sound dreamy. But how about as a selling point? "If you go from five bedrooms to four, and you can make it work, no big deal," Arienti says. But he cautions that losing a bedroom in a smaller house could mean a lower selling price.

As for cutting into closet space, residential building codes don't mandate that bedrooms have closets. But, Arienti says, "Once you take the closet out of a bedroom, to a buyer, that no longer looks like a bedroom."

4. PLUSH WALL-TO-WALL CARPETING

Carpet can be especially unattractive to first-time home buyers, who may be used to landlords updating carpet between renters, de Jong says.

"In general, people are grossed out by (carpeting). It can make a room look a little bit dated."

It can also ding your sale price. Carpet as the primary flooring in a house drops the value by $3,900 and carpeting in the master bedroom causes a $3,800 plunge, according to Opendoor. Conversely, a 2019 report from the National Association of Realtors estimated that sellers could recoup the entire cost of refinishing hardwood floors. New wood flooring could actually add value, with sellers getting $1.06 for every dollar spent according to NAR.

5. A SWIMMING POOL

It doesn't matter if it's infinity edge or above-ground: Any pool can be seen as a drawback by buyers who don't want to deal with maintenance or insurance. Even in Florida, a pool doesn't add value, Liede DeValdivielso, a real estate agent with the Keyes Company in Miami-Dade, said via email. If you're thinking resale, it's not worth it you'll never recoup the cost, DeValdivielso said. But if you'll use it and enjoy it, put in a pool.

HOW TO DECIDE IF A RENOVATION IS WORTH THE COST

To ensure youre making an informed decision:

CONSIDER YOUR TIMELINE. "If you're going to be in the home for 30 years, you can do anything, because at that point, your mortgage is paid off," Arienti says. Looking to sell in the near future? Pay closer attention to whether your choices will appeal to a potential buyer.

CONSULT AN EXPERT. "Talk to a professional so you aren't making misinformed choices that are going to work against you in five to 10 years," Cunningham says. A designer can help you tell fleeting trends from future classics; a contractor can explain what kind of work a proposed renovation would entail.

COMPARE HOME FEATURES IN YOUR AREA. De Jong suggests looking at comparable homes for sale near you and going to open houses to make sure your improvements align with the norms for your neighborhood.

GET AN APPRAISAL. A licensed appraiser can do a feasibility study to estimate your home's current value and its likely value after the improvements.

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Kate Wood is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: kwood@nerdwallet.com

RELATED LINKS:

NerdWallet: Find out how much your home is really worth

http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-how-much-home-worth

NerdWallet: Tips for first-time home buyers

http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-tips-first-time-home-buyers

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5 home improvements that may not pay off when you sell - ABC News

A new winery will debut in Finleyville this weekend.

Owners Lou and Linda Siyufy, a Peters Township couple, will launch Giant Oaks Winery at a grand opening beginning at noon Saturday. Their facility is located at 3540 Washington Ave., and features a tasting room that will have wines produced with grapes from California, Chile, Pennsylvania and Washington state.

There also will be a selection of semi-sweet white wines and dry reds; Pennsylvania-crafted spirits and beer; and a small plates menu.

Regular tasting room hours will be 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Private parties may be scheduled on off-business days.

The winery evolved from a hobby Lou Siufy started more than a decade ago. He and his wife also are remodeling a second room in their building for private tastings, and for rental for events/parties for up to 60 people.

For more information, call Beth Stroud, 724-782-0216.

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Winery to open Saturday in Finleyville | Business - Observer-Reporter

It may be winter, but work continues on the future Mark Boulevard bridge. The estimated $7.5 million project includes the construction of the bridge and two roundabouts. Pennington County Engineer Mike Flaagan said a cofferdam was built weeks ago, allowing a crew to drive pile and pour the footing for the west pier of the bridge. Further construction of the west pier wall will continue for the next couple of weeks and then work will switch to the cofferdam for the east pier. (Photo courtesy of Mike Flaagan)

by April ScheinohaReporter

Remodeling and building projects were among the topics discussed at the Pennington County Board meeting Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Commissioner Bruce Lawrence provided an update on remodeling the county Department of Motor Vehicles office. The office is located at the Government Center, formerly known as the courthouse. The county plans to expand the office into the former site of the County Attorneys Office, which has since moved to the Justice Center.

Lawrence said fellow Commissioner Darryl Tveitbakk had contacted architectural firm BKV Group to possibly create a conceptual drawing for the remodeling project. BKV Group worked on the Justice Center. Lawrence noted that a DMV employee created drawings of what employees wanted and needed in that area. He asked whether the county could instead use the employees drawings for the project.

Commissioner Don Jensen noted that the county is required to seek bids and consult with an architect if the project is more than $100,000. Lawrence replied that the county budgeted $25,000 to remodel the area this year.

The matter is expected to be discussed further at an upcoming meeting of the Building Committee.

Commissioners scheduled a bid opening for the roundabout west of Challenger Elementary School. Bids will be opened Monday, March 9 at 11 a.m.

The roundabout will be constructed as part of the estimated $7.5 million Mark Boulevard bridge project. The county is in the process of constructing the Mark Boulevard bridge connecting the area near CES with the area north of Sanford Health. Two roundabouts are planned as part of that project the CES roundabout and a roundabout on Highway 32 north of Sanford Health. It is anticipated that the bridge would be completed by the end of the 2020 construction season. The Highway 32 roundabout is scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2020. Construction on the CES roundabout will start in summer 2020 after school has ended. The CES roundabout will be completed in summer 2020.

Work has started on the bridge. Pennington County Engineer Mike Flaagan said a cofferdam was built weeks ago, allowing a crew to drive pile and pour the footing for the west pier of the bridge. Further construction of the west pier is expected to continue for the next couple of weeks. Work will then move to the cofferdam for the east pier.

Faye Auchenpaugh, who serves on the City Auditorium Committee, presented the final draft of the Future of the Old Auditorium Adaptive Reuse Plan.

If the county chooses to move forward with renovating county-owned City Auditorium, it is expected that it could cost several million dollars.

City Auditorium was dedicated in February 1934 after the former City Auditorium burned down a year earlier. Currently, the building is in disrepair, and the building doesnt comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The county pays about $30,000 per year to maintain the building, which is leased to several tenants. Rental fees dont cover the cost of operating the building.

To help it determine how to proceed, the county hired a University of Minnesota senior research fellow and a graduate student to obtain public input and craft a design. Their work was covered by grants and private donations.

After meeting with the public, Virajita Singh and Kenos Leong proposed the following:

Building a handicapped-accessible entrance between the Pennington County Government Center (formerly known as the courthouse) and City Auditorium, and installing an elevator;

In the basement: Renovating an area for a childcare center, installing cardio machines for the public, renovating a bathroom, creating a gathering hub, creating a multipurpose room/rental party room, updating the kitchen for community use, and creating a storage area for the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater;

On the ground floor:Creating a garden, a nature playground, an information desk area, a coffee bar and a co-working/quiet room. The stage and gym floors would remain there.

On the second floor: Creating a history gallery, a learning center (for technology and art) and an art gallery. However, one row of balcony seats would remain on the second floor.

Auchenpaugh said the State Historic Preservation Office has reviewed the countys application to have City Auditorium listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It determined that the application met all of the criteria. The application now goes before the Minnesota Historical Societys State Review Board. That group meets Tuesday, March 24. If the board passes it, the application then proceeds to the U.S. Department of Interior for final approval.

After Auchenpaugh left the meeting, commissioners noted that they are still investigating their options for the building. Lawrence said he had spoken with an asbestos removal expert, who plans to tour the building and provide an estimate for asbestos abatement.

Our subscribers make this coverage possible. Subscribe today at subscribe@trftimes.com and support local journalism.

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Updates provided on remodeling and building projects in the county - Thief River Falls Northern Watch

All you need is just following our simple and concise guidelines in case you decided to start doing that without the use of any bathroom remodeling service provider.

So, to shorten a too-long room by yourself and without hiring a Bathroom remodeling houston company in case you live in Houston, it is advisable to do the following:

1- Paint the back wall in a darker color, it will then seem closer.

2- Similarly, to give more height to a room, paint the ceiling with the same color as the walls, or in a color that closely resembles it. This tip is particularly interesting for small bathrooms that dream of large spaces.

3- The light tones also make it possible to better capture the light in a room, thus creating a feeling of greater volume than in a dark room. Hence you will generally favor light tones, white tiles, and white light bulbs.

4- Well-thought-out artificial lighting, which will not overlook any area of the bathroom, is also very important.

5- Also, think of the mirrors that literally allow you to split the spaces! Preferably install them on one of the long walls of your room.

6- Finally, do not overload your decoration too much, at the risk of shrinking the space: no need to acquire a number of trinkets useless, your everyday objects can be displayed on your shelves and will perfectly fulfill the same function, while freeing up useful storage space.

7- You can also banish the shower curtain, which you replace with a completely transparent glass wall, which will bring more volume to the room.

8- If your walk-in shower is separated from the rest of your room by a partition, you can also break the linearity of your bathroom by installing your furniture or vanity top and its mirror on this partition, rather than in a row with the rest of your items.

It's as simple as that, only be careful and cautious if it's your first attempt to do such things.

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8 Decorative Tips To Visually Enlarge Your Small Bathroom - The African Exponent