• NOACA unveils regional Climate Action Plan

    PHOTO BY ERIK AULT Wednesday, December 21, 2022; Winter Solstice, Wendy Park, 2800 Whisky Island Dr: The winter solstice sun rises behind the lake freighter American Courage at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. From this point forward, total sunlight hours will gradually increase until the next solstice. by Erik Ault    On January 10th, the Northeast…


  • Breathing easier in Cleveland: How Tighter Standards Could Change the City’s Air Quality Issues

    by Christopher Johnston    While running for Cleveland City Council Ward 3 seat last year, Ayat Amin spent a lot of time canvassing neighborhoods and talking to residents about environmental issues.     “What came up time and again in our conversations that really resonated with people was air quality,” she said. “Specifically, there were a…


  • Invasion of the pod plants

    Invasion of the pod plants by Erik Ault (Plain Press, October 2022)  Fall officially starts on September 22nd this year, which is also known as the autumnal equinox. The turning of the seasons brings many changes: the foliage will change color, and many trees will produce seeds of great variety. You may know well the…


  • How to address lead paint and other conditions in rental properties

    by Tonya Sams Plain Press, July 20220                             When housing conditions are endangering your family, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by worry and fear.      One common problem is the presence of lead in older homes. Most homes built prior to 1978 used paint that contained lead.       Children exposed to lead poisoning may suffer from learning and behavioral…


  • Composting directly in the garden

    Composting directly in the garden by Melinda Myers Plain Press, July 20220                             Don’t toss those imperfect lettuce leaves, onion tops and strawberry tops into the trash. Instead, convert them into compost right in the garden.       Worm and pile composting are great ways to manage these scraps. But if these methods aren’t for you, try trench composting. This centuries old…


  • Towpath Trail Lantern Parade

    PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, March 12, 2022; Towpath Trail Lantern Parade, Sokolowski’s Overlook at east end of Abbey Bridge: Jeff Niesel stands with a beehive shaped lantern called “Beelightful”. The lantern was constructed by artists Samantha Fryberger and Darla Arnold using upcycled sweet tea bottles, lightbulb packaging, candle lids, rope, newspaper, clothes baskets, Frappuccino…


  • Full circle: Local initiative aims to rev up circular economy in Cleveland

    Full circle: Local initiative aims to rev up circular economy in Cleveland by Lee Chilcote (Plain Press, February 2022)  Plastic is everywhere, and we can’t seem to get rid of it. It litters our streets, clogs up our waterways, and fills up our landfills. So why not turn it into art, protecting the environment while creating…


  • Ward 12 City Council Candidate Survey

    Ward 12 City Council Candidate Survey (Plain Press, November 2021) The three community newspapers that serve areas of Ward 12 – Neighborhood News, Tremonster and the Plain Press — collaborated in creating this survey. The survey questions were asked of Rebecca Maurer and Anthony Brancatelli, the top two finishers in the City Council Primary Election.…


  • Participatory Budgeting Cleveland (PB CLE) to launch budget recommendations

    Participatory Budgeting Cleveland (PB CLE) to launch budget recommendations by Bruce Checefsky (Plain Press, August 2021)     Town meetings were first established in the earliest New England settlements as a form of direct democracy in which most or all members of a community come together to discuss policies, laws, and budgets for their community. The first town meeting was…