Worth Noting
Send a Thank You Note… Every Day. For a Year.
Glenn Blair calls it the “Thank You Project.” Sit down, write a thank you note, drop it in the mail, and make someone’s day.
Then do it again, every day, for the next 364 days. That’s a year of thanks, spreading unexpected joy and leaving the sender with zero regret over unspoken words of gratitude.
Blair, of Westlake, is a retired oil executive and Baldwin Wallace professor. The experiment he embarked on more than two decades ago deserves a revisit during this unsettled time, Blair explains.
Gratitude put to paper causes a ripple of kindness. Blair has thanked people from his past and from today, along with celebrities, ordinary people doing extraordinary things, people from news stories, his fourth-grade teacher and dozens of others whose actions big and small deserved a note.
The thank-yous have had a boomerang effect — Blair got a jolt of happiness with each one he mailed. Why not try it for yourself? One note. Every day. For 365 days.
Thanks, Glenn.
Akron Urban League – Meeting Needs in Trying Times
Jennifer Ross last year moved into the Akron Urban League’s newly created position of Director of Diversity and Strategic Initiatives. She’ll work with businesses, governments, community leaders and others to navigate, strategize and communicate about racial injustice and inequality.
To mark Black History Month, we asked Ross to tell us about the Akron Urban League and its place in the community during these unprecedented times.
What was the League’s biggest challenge in 2020?
“The Akron Urban League’s biggest challenge in 2020 was identifying the best ways to support our community and implement our programs and initiatives in the midst of COVID-19, racial unrest and during a pivotal election year. Like many organizations, we moved to implementing most of our programs virtually and some were canceled. This was a major challenge for our budget. We had to figure out unplanned expenses of increased technology. We met this challenge by pivoting and introducing the Justice and Equality Giving Society Campaign to generate revenue for the organization.
Organizations and individuals can support the campaign and learn about Urban League programs by going to the website at aulgivingsociety.org.
What will occupy most of the League’s attention and resources in 2021?
“We will continue our focus on building capacity, funding, sustainability and program growth. The Akron Urban League had to close our education offering due to school closings in the spring of 2020. Our goal is to reintroduce a rigorous education program in 2021 and expand it. We will continue to offer workforce development programs to help prepare and ensure individuals in the community have opportunities to be gainfully employed and earn a livable wage.”
What are examples of issues that disproportionately affect older African American residents of our region? “COVID-19 has magnified disparities. Older adults within marginalized groups are most likely to lack resources during the crisis and to need healthcare and community services.
“Older adults who are in long-term care facilities may not be permitted visitors. People are connecting through Facetime and Zoom to stay in contact. Older individuals may not have access to technology or know how to use technology to stay engaged with others. This may create some anxiety and frustration. Finding ways to safely stay in contact is always critical.”
What do you wish more people knew about the Akron Urban League?
“I wish people understood the services offered at the Akron Urban League so they could have more support and help. We occupy a unique niche where we primarily focus on the African American population, although we serve everyone.
“We offer workforce programs and the Minority Entrepreneurship Empowerment Center offers services, such as accounting, business management counseling, contract procurement assistance and loan packaging assistance. Our Minority Business Development Center (MBAC) assists with MBE and EDGE certifications to help small businesses have access to more opportunities.
”We also have two Volunteer Auxiliaries programs: The Akron Urban League Young Professionals which consists of members between the ages of 21-40 and the Akron Urban League Guild. Members in the Guild are 41 and older. To learn more about our programs, services, and volunteer opportunities visit our website at akronurbanleague.org.”
Punches, Kicks, Spit and Thanks
A Reporter’s Story
Paul Orlousky spent more than 50 years as a broadcast journalist covering stories and the people behind those stories — many of those years right here in Cleveland.
His book “Punched, Kicked, Spat On, and Sometimes Thanked” gives a lively description of what it was like to report on the region’s most historic, horrible and heartwarming stories.
Orlousky retired last year. This ode to broadcast journalism — the good, the bad and the spittle, will appeal to anyone who’s ever watched local TV news. The book is available from bookstores and online through Amazon and other retailers.
Cleveland Public Library – The World at Your Doorstep
If the world outside your door seems a bit too intense to navigate (and, truthfully, it’s that way for many of us) then try a different world. Cleveland Public Library is making escapism easy with its newly launched Words on Wheels home-delivered book and movie program for adult residents of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, which includes Cleveland, Bratenahl, Newburgh Heights and Linndale.
The best part? It’s free. Here’s how it works:
- Sign up for a library card if you don’t have one
- Call the Main Library or neighborhood branch to sign up for Words on Wheels
- Request materials by phone or visit the library’s online catalog on cpl.org
- Materials will be shipped to your house
- When done, return items to any Cleveland Public Library location book drop or any CLEVNET member library
CPL will continue its Homebound Service for people who are unable to return books due to age or disability. Go to cpl.org to learn more.
Cleveland Public Library is open to drive-up and walk-up services Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Main Library drive-up window is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Meet Virginia Phillips
The Artist Behind Our Cover
We’re kicking off the new year with something different: a beautifully illustrated cover. How do you like it?
Cleveland-area artist and lifelong painter Virginia Phillips visited Brandywine Falls just after a snowstorm to capture this iconic Cuyahoga Valley National Park landmark.
Phillips taught decorative painting classes for many years in Parma and North Royalton. She’s a member of the Greenbriar Art League, Cleveland Urban Sketchers and Peninsula Art Academy. You can find her work at art shows in Independence, Strongsville and Parma Heights (during non-pandemic years).
She paints and sketches people, animals, buildings, trees and flowers, preferably on location. If you can’t make it to the falls after a snowstorm, we hope you enjoy Virginia’s interpretation.
