Friday, May 17, 2013

PRIDE DAY IS THIS SATURDAY and More…

Don’t forget Elyria: this Saturday, May 18th is PRIDE DAY – an opportunity for you, friends, family, neighbors, and faith and civic organizations to take personal responsibility for our City’s cleanliness and appearance.  Nothing demonstrates pride better than clean, swept, litter-free streets and colorful flowers adorning our walkways downtown.  You can make this happen and more. 

There is still time to register and volunteer. Just bring yourself and your essential tools like shovels, rakes, brooms and gloves to Ely Square in downtown Elyria by 9:00am Saturday morning.  Teams will be organizing on the square and then will be deployed by project.  Participating organizations include the organizing agency Lorain County Solid Waste Management District, the City of Elyria, Main Street Elyria, Church of the Open Door and many others. 
In a related matter, the County is now making available through a grant the Clean and Beautiful trailer.  It is being made available to volunteer groups interested in taking up site clean-ups, beautification projects or community gardens.  The trailer is equipped with tools and equipment.  To find out more, call or email Sally Pecora at (440) 329-5467 or specora@loraincounty.us.

In Elyria, there will be nine community gardens erected this summer on vacant  lots where the City has demolished homes using federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program Funds.  Citizen groups have attended meetings and have committed themselves to these projects.  Look for gardens to spring up on the following streets: Louisiana , Sumner, two on Gates, Second, Hillsdale, North, Lowell, and South Maple.  As the garden flourish, I will be posting more information and photos.  Have a great weekend! 

Mayor Brinda and her staff serving her prize-winning chili.
P.S.  Congratulations to the hundreds of Lorain County athletes who participated in the Special Olympics today at Ely Stadium.  I was honored to open the day with the Special Olympic Motto: “Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.”   Great job everyone!

Kudos also to EMH Healthcare and the other 12 participating organizations that dished it up for Pathways Counseling Center this afternoon in the Annual Celebrity Cook-off at LCCC.   You are not going to believe this, but my “Kickin” Southwest Chili won an award.  I received a new Rachael Ray pan so I can cook more chili!