Month: October 2016

World Series Fever Hits Clevelanders Hard

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Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland

Against all odds, the Cleveland Indians finally made into the World Series for the first time since 1997, after clipping the Toronto Blue Jays in a 3-0 victory to win the pennant in Game 5 of the ALCS Championship on October 19th.  The fact that the Indians are in the World Series has excitement running through the veins of practically every Clevelander. The town has gone wild. While some were cautiously optimistic, they soon found themselves in a state of euphoria after the team’s incredible season and performance.

The past seasons have not been so great for the Indians though; they have struggled a lot. However, things change and this year is theirs to win. The team is strong and spirits in the Cleveland camp are so high that fans are starting to believe the Indians could actually win the World Series. They believe this team is the one to watch because of their outstanding performance this season. This will be the 6th time the Indians have made it to the World Series in their 116-year history. So, the fans are more than happy and everyone in Cleveland wants to be part of the experience. “It’s pretty crazy because Cleveland Indians have had the worst luck since I can remember,” said Britni Alkassmi , 28, of Belpre.

It’s been 68 years since the Cleveland Indians last won the World Series title. But they are playing against the Chicago Cubs which is in a 108-year drought and are just as thirsty for a win. Regardless of who wins, the 2016 World Series is a historic event that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Having seen their team struggle and overcome all sorts of hurdles, Cleveland fans are smiling from ear to ear and share the optimism that the team projects.  In a season that seemed tainted has abruptly turned and many fans simply cannot believe it.

Although game tickets are expensive, fans are trying everything within their reach to get to be part of the experience. “For most, it is more than just watching a baseball game.  It is hometown pride in a city that has had its shares of struggles and is now resurging,” noted Victor J. Bierman III, Ohio lawyer and business expert. Cleveland is turning around for the better. Most Cleveland fans believe that this is the year that the Indians will bring it home.

And they’re off to a roaring start. In Game 1 of the World Series opener, the Indians shut down the Cubs in a 3-0 win at Progressive Field in Downtown Cleveland. If history proves correct, the Indians have a 92 percent chance of winning the title. So, the title is all but assured, right? Play ball!

Image Credit: Tony Hoffarth | Flickr

Ohio to Train Workforce to Meet Future Job Market Demand

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Ohio State Capitol building

In an effort to train Ohio’s workforce to take full advantage of future job market demands, Governor John Kasich recently announced a new workforce initiative asking his Executive Workforce Board to “find ways to remove barriers to training and employment opportunities for Ohioans.” He asked the board to bring recommendations to him within ninety days. “We need a workforce system and education system that can respond to the changes and develop a skilled and productive workforce to compete in a global economy,” said Ryan Burgess, the governor’s director of the Office of Workforce Transformation.

In a study conducted by OhioMeansJobs, 100,000 jobs are available on a consistent basis. But, at the same time, around 300,000 people are unemployed, according to state unemployment data. It’s because of these statistics that Gov. Kasich has instructed his Executive Workforce Board to search for ways to do away with barriers that prevent people of Ohio from landing these jobs. Gov. Kasich wants Ohioans to have the necessary skills that Ohio companies need, so they can be absorbed in the job market. And these skills, according to the Governor, can effectively be acquired through training.

The Executive Workforce Board is planning to work with colleges, schools and universities, as well as non-profit organizations and labor groups. The main objective of the board will be to determine the skills that individuals need today and in the future.

Burgess leads a strong Executive Workforce Board team of 28 members who are educators, business leaders, legislators, and labor leaders. Although Ohio has been consistently increasing the number of available jobs, Gov. Kasich wants to make sure that current and future employees are prepared to meet the companies’ ever-changing working requirements. Recent years have seen employers and educators carry out various initiatives to help equip workers with basic skills needed by companies in Ohio.

Given the fact that Ohio has been adding jobs on a consistent basis means the state currently has numerous jobs available. “But there are just not enough people with the required skills to fill these vacant positions,” said Victor Bierman III, Ohio lawyer and business expert. “Considering the quality of training the Governor wants to develop, Ohio workers will not just have the experience and expertise to perform in current jobs but also the ability to meet future job market demands.”

Image Credit: Jim Bowen | Flickr

A New Ohio City Mixed Use Development Project to Transform Downtown Cleveland

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Ohio City neighborhood

The new Ohio City mixed-use development project is currently underway and will transform the Ohio City neighborhood in downtown Cleveland into a brand new live-work community. The $60M project will renovate historical buildings and bring 194 apartment units and 50,000 square feet of commercial space that will inject new life and activity to a site that is currently being used as a parking lot. “This is a 50-year change for this corner,” said Tom McNair, executive director of Ohio City, Inc. “These opportunities don’t come around very often.”

On the first floor of the renovated building will be The Music Settlement, an East Side non-profit group that promotes early-childhood education, music therapy, and music education. The building will also feature studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment units that will range from 500 to 1,100 square feet. Rent is expected to vary from $1,000 to $2,500 per month. The luxury apartments will also have a rooftop deck with a swimming pool on the Lake Erie side of the building. Residents will also have access to an indoor parking, a dog-grooming station, barbecue grill stations, a fire pit, and a lounge.

The Grocery, a local food store is expanding to its second location, and other commercial tenants will be situated on the project’s new construction portion, which is scheduled to open in spring 2018. The south side of Detroit Avenue will also see a noticeable transformation; the development team will spruce up the basement and ground floor of two historic commercial buildings to make way for co-working spaces. The Beauty Shoppe shared work spaces could be operational as early as spring of 2017. The Massimo da Milano Italian restaurant that anchors the corner will remain functional.

“If all plans become accomplished through the new Ohio City mixed-use development project, then downtown Cleveland will definitely be transformed,” noted Victor Bierman III, Ohio lawyer and business expert. This transformational project will create an outstanding connection between Ohio City, downtown Cleveland, Hinge Town, and Gordon Square Arts District. It is expected to attract additional private investment with its modern buildings and aesthetic architecture.

Image Credit: Jon Dawson | Flickr

Cleveland Indians Fans Hoping for Championship Win

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Cleveland Indians

Cleveland has had a lot to celebrate lately. First it was the recent hosting of the RNC and then came the Cavs championship win; so Cleveland fans are hoping for a trifecta as the Indians are on the verge of winning the MLB championship. The Indians clinched the AL Central divisional title on September 26, 2016 when they ran over the Tigers in Detroit. The win puts the team on course to end their 9-year drought of clinching the championship title.

Cleveland Indians fans have had a lot of ups and downs. So, they feel this is a deserved victory. “This year has both been rough and really great, and we hope it will end on a high; of course, with us clinching the long awaited championship title,” said Indians fan, Angela Giuliano.

Despite many fans being concerned, Cleveland Indians have done favorably well. In fact, their run in this season’s championship has been compared to the success of the Cavaliers who won the NBA championship earlier this year. According to news released by SportsTime Ohio, Cleveland Indians recorded their highest rating for the season since 2005. Moreover, the network registered a 6.5 household rating for the season, which is an average of 97,000 households for every game. Going by statistics, that rating is 65-percent over 2015’s mark of 3.93.

In 2005, the team drew 6.62 household rating and appeared poised for a playoff spot until they collapsed in the final week; much to the disappointment of fans. But this season, the Indians booked their playoff spot in October, with a week of regular season still remaining. Winning the AL Central title on September 26, 2016 proved vital, as it led to a 10.48 household rating. The game was seen in more than 156,000 homes, the season’s sixth highest rating.

“These series of successes have brought a renewed sense of vibrancy and excitement to the city,” said Victor Bierman, Ohio lawyer and business expert. “For their part, the team believes this will be the season that will end the 9-year drought. Compared to last year’s results, the Indians are better and are getting the results that are putting them in a position to win the championship title,” he added.

Image Credit: Chris Metcalf | Flickr