LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- As the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood works to resume offering classes and theatrical productions, it will be necessary -- at least for a time -- to ensure that enough supplies are on hand for the safety of participants, audience members and others.
Face masks and hand sanitizer, as well as social distancing, are among the COVID-19 pandemic safety guidelines required by the state.
Members of the Rotary Club of Lakewood and Rocky River Sunrise decided to assist the Beck Center in these efforts. A major grant project proposal was developed to use club foundation funds and an allocation of money available from the Rotary District, which covers Northeast Ohio. The district receives a portion of the donations from the 52 district clubs made to Rotary International.
Club officials said several criteria are needed to get approval of a grant for a club project. For example, the local club must raise a portion of the total cost of the project to match what is received from the district.
Because of the pandemic, the Beck Center has been closed for nearly a year.
Normally, the Beck Center provides more than 200 award-winning classes, programs and lessons through its curriculum-based arts education, spanning topics such as creative arts therapies, dance, music, theater and visual arts.
It draws more than 60,000 participants annually from Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, Medina and Summit counties.
In addition, the theater normally offers six to eight large stage performances, several smaller studio shows and a few youth theater performances during the year -- all of which were suspended by the health crisis.
To help get things back on track, the Sunrise Club project involves buying, sorting and storing the supplies for easy access by those using the classrooms and theaters.
Major grants like this also require club members to provide hands-on assistance. Among the Rotary members assisting are Bill Gaydos, Eric Jolly, Zack Elliot and Lynda Carter, who gathered recently to unpack and store the supplies.
This project is one of many community, youth, vocational and international projects of the Rotary Club of Lakewood and Rocky River Sunrise that is funded through the annual jewelry raffle.
Participants in the raffle will have a chance to win a $3,750 diamond bracelet donated by Broestl and Wallace Fine Jewelers in Lakewood. The 14-karat gold, two-tone bracelet has 14 diamonds totaling 2.42 carats.
Tickets are $10 each, six for $50, 13 for $100 or 28 for $200. Purchase tickets at lrrsunriserotary.org/page/raffle and pay by credit card. Or pay by check made payable to Rotary Club of Lakewood Rocky River Sunrise Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 16684, Rocky River, Ohio 44116.
The virtual drawing will be at 7 p.m. April 28 at tinyurl.com/y2aabmdx. Rebecca Silber of Rotary International Foundation Zone Annual Giving will give a brief talk on the activities of Rotary International. The winner does not need to be present to win.
For more information on Rotary, email sloopyohio19@gmail.com.
Connecting for Kids: A series of virtual programs is being offered this month by Connecting for Kids. Registration is required. Sign up online at connectingforkids.org/register, by email at info@connectingforkids.org or call/text 440-570-5908; para español, 440-907-9130.
Those who register for a program will be emailed information about how to join the session using the free Zoom app or by calling a toll-free number.
At 7 p.m. April 14, parents who feel overwhelmed about trying to find a summer program for their children and other issues can hear from CFK family resource specialists who will lead a group discussion sharing ideas. There will be an opportunity to connect with other families and for a one-to-one virtual meeting with a family resource specialist to answer specific concerns. The program will not be recorded. It is supported by a grant from the Community West Foundation.
The Anxiety and Attention series will focus on helping a child who struggles with impulsivity. The session is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 15. Dr. Kimberly Burkhart of Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital will teach behavior-management strategies. In addition, parents and caregivers will learn ways to teach children to monitor and modify their own behavior. The adult-only program is geared for families with elementary-age children who struggle with attention and anxiety. It is presented in partnership with Westlake Porter Public Library. The educational portion of the program will be recorded.
Help Fairview Park Garden Club beautify the city with flowers by purchasing a ticket for the Petal Power Raffle. (Carol Kovach/special to cleveland.com)
Petal Power Raffle: The Fairview Park Garden Club is sponsoring a Petal Power raffle to help beautify the city with flowers. Prizes are four $500 Visa gift cards; tickets are $25 each. The drawing will be on April 13.
Purchase tickets through the Garden Club’s Facebook page or send a check payable to Fairview Park Garden Club to Charlie Moran, 21285 S. Park Drive, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126.
Only 250 tickets will be sold.
Bridge work: Those who use the Lorain Road Bridge between Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood and Fairview Park should anticipate possible congestion from April 8 through early November due to work on the bridge over the Rocky River valley.
The westbound curb lane and westbound sidewalk will be closed on April 8. Once the work is finished on the westbound side, the eastbound curb lane and eastbound sidewalk will be closed. Pedestrian sidewalk access will be maintained at all times on one side of the bridge.
Hot lunch fundraiser: The North Olmsted Senior Center will offer a fundraising hot lunch-to-go at noon April 20 for registered participants who are 55 or older. The menu will be a barbecue rib patty on a bun, two sides and dessert.
Cash or check donations will be accepted. Checks should be payable to the City of North Olmsted. Change for large bills will not be available.
Meals are limited, so call 440-777-8100 to register before April 16. Those who register for the lunch should drive to the front of the building, 28100 Lorain Road, North Olmsted, and a staff member will place the meal in the trunk of the car.
North Olmsted residents without transportation can have the meal delivered to their home.
The lunch is sponsored by Jamie McGinty of Foundations Health Solutions and Avon Place.
Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. in Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted and West Park for the A Place in the Sun column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to carolkovach@hotmail.com.
Read more from the Sun Post Herald.