In order to recognize, support, and encourage the young people of our country who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the cause of positive race relations, Princeton University annually sponsors an annual awards program for high school students-the Princeton Prize in Race Relations.

Applications postmarked by January 31 will be eligible for prizes-including cash awards up to $1,000 for particularly noteworthy work.

• If you are a high school student involved in an activity that is helping to improve race relations in your school or community, we want to hear from you.
• If you know of a high school student who is helping to improve race relations, please encourage him or her to apply.

Details at http://www.princeton.edu/pprize/

The symposium complemented the museum's most recent exhibition, Chinese Art in an Age of Revolution: Fu Baoshi (1904-1965).

China, Ohio and the New Global Economy symposium

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“When we had these 18 colleges all kind of floating around, they were kind of like PT Boats, they were shooting each other,” Gee said. “It was kind of like the Polish army or something. I have no idea what it was.”

What an insult to the brave men and women of the Polish army and the Polish people.

Alex Storozynski , President & Executive Director of The Kosciuszko Foundation has crafted a letter in response and sent it to Gee, the Ohio State Chairman and Trustees.

Read the letter

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Over 250 friends gathered at the Sai Gon Plaza on Saturday November 5, 2011 to celebrate the 40th anniversary since Gia Hoa Ryan first came to America in November 1971 from Viet Nam. This was also the 18th anniversary of the establishment of the Friendship Foundation in December 1993. This was also the 6th year since the opening of the Sai Gon Plaza in November 2005.

Gia Hoa Ryan and Mayor Frank Jackson

“May I ask you a favor, Mr. President? Would you light a candle and put in the window tonight for the people of Poland?”

Read the eyewitness account of that night

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For example, do you know a Slovenian (or Irish or Polish or Italian or...) Grandma or Grandpa who would love their own Parking Sign? Check it out. Books, DVDs, Music, Flags, Baby Items, Gourmet Foods and much more.

All at great prices and shipped securely from Amazon.com

Please help support ClevelandPeople.Com by shopping in our Online Store.

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Project Seva have been serving the community in Cleveland for years. For example, Project Seva has been working with St. Colman's Church at West 65th and Lorain since 1999. Last year, Project Seva served over 125,000 pounds of food in 3 churches and the American Indian Education Center.

During the Christmas season, the Project Seva dinner at St Colman's Church took on a holiday flavor

Photos and Video from the Project Seva Christmas Party

Santa and Mrs Claus with youngster at Project Seva
Christmas Party at St Colman's Church

A diverse crowd sampled ethnic food and drinks, listened and danced to world music and mixed and mingled with the attendees who represented dozens of different cultural backgrounds.

3 pages of pictures and video from the WIN Cleveland Holiday Diversity Party

WIN Ambassadors with Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson
in Red Room of City Hall

Page 1 of Lebanon Day in Cleveland
Dignitaries and Program

Page 2 of Lebanon Day in Cleveland
Music, Dance and Entertainment

Lebanon Day in Cleveland

Nominations are now being accepted of worthy individuals for this honor. Nominees, living or deceased, must have made an impact on Cleveland's ethnic and cultural community. They can come from any walk of life: Politics, Media, Non-Profits, Cultural Leaders, Volunteers and so on.

More information on Cleveland International Hall of Fame nominations.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame CEO Terry Stewart and Polka King and inductee Tony Petkovsek at the 2011 Ceremony

The occasion also marked the 18th year of the Friendship Foundation and 6th year of Saigon Plaza.

Congratulations Giahoa and many more! (Photos and video coming soon)

Giahoa Ryan and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson

The White House said, "Vijaya Emani became a role model for victims of domestic abuse because of her strength and determination in overcoming domestic abuse in her own life, and by speaking out about the issue publicly, she broke a long held taboo in the Indian American community. Emani lived and breathed many causes including projects to aid the homeless and promoting diversity. Although she was killed in a tragic vehicle accident, her example and message live on. Emani posthumously receives the Citizens Medal for her courage in overcoming and speaking out against abuse."

Vijaya's induction into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame

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Members of the Polish-American community in Cleveland gathered at the Cleveland City Hall to honor Pulaski. They then marched to the Pulaski Cannon.

Casimir Pulaski painting

Photos and Video of Pulaksi Day in Cleveland

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President Schmitt placed a wreath at the statue of the Cardinal and the Freedom Fighter statue. On September 18 he visited the Hungarian Cultural Garden, Kossuth statue and more.

Hungarian President Pál Schmitt in Cleveland

Ms Eva Mohamed Ali Hasan from Bahrain

Photos and Video of the Business Leaders in Cleveland

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Here are the Top 5 Rabbits that you voted for:

1. Ralphie Rabbit at 1419 East 40th
2. Metallago, Heavy Metal Rabbit in Asia Plaza
3. Patches at East 30th
4. Garden Party at 3601 Chester
5. Blue Snow Bunnies at East 30th

Here are a few of your comments:

• They are all awesome works of art...hard to pick just 3!
• The bunnies are all absolutely beautiful. Congratulations to Cleveland for such an original idea. Keep it coming
• These are all amazing-it was hard to choose
• I saw a few of these in person. The art work is great a fun.
• Great fun and creativity. I go w/my girlfriends every year and we drive all around to see them all. Thanks, St. Clair-Superior Dev. Group!

The announcement by USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas of a series of initiatives to make it more efficient for USCIS to adjudicate certain business-related immigrant petitions is a welcome development for those of us in the field of immigration law. It should be viewed as a welcome development by all Americans, because it will promote employment and increase investment.

The new initiative by USCIS will cover H-1B temporary work visas, EB-2 National Interest Waivers and EB-5 investor green card petitions. H-1B visas are for foreign employees in "specialty occupations. According to the new clarifications, foreign entrepreneurs will qualify to receive H-1B visas. Previously, this was generally not possible, because entrepreneurs did not have the requisite employer-employee relationship. The new clarification allows entrepreneurs to apply for H-1B visas, where previously they would have been required to apply for E-2 visa or to seek EB-5 permanent residence, which requires an investment. This will allow more immigrants to create jobs here.

EB-2 National Interest Waivers are granted to foreign workers seeking employment in an area of intrinsic merit to our national interest. These waivers are vitally important to our country's progress in the arts, sciences and business. USCIS's plan aims to make the application process smoother and more efficient.

Enhancements to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor green card program will allow those who are able to invest $500,000-1,000,000 and create at least ten jobs in the United States. EB-5 applicants will also have the option of requesting Premium Processing of their immigrant petition, which significantly expedites processing in exchange for a fee, and can be instrumental in whether an investor with time deadlines chooses to invest in the U.S. Additionally, the potential implementation of an opportunity for applicant interviews will significantly help clarify who is most deserving of EB-5 status.

I welcome these new initiatives to reduce barriers for job-creating immigrant entrepreneurs and investors and wish the USCIS the best in successfully implementing these plans. The new business-friendly initiatives will complement the July 17th Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Memo by Director John Morton, which outlines a framework with which ICE officers and prosecutors can exercise discretion with regard to deportations, so that ICE can focus on the most important removal priorities, to help our country continue to progress as the great melting pot it has always been.

Margaret W. Wong is the co-chair of NAPABA's Immigration Committee, is an Ellis Island Medal winner, has been rated an Ohio Super Lawyer and Ohio Leading Lawyer, and is a member of both the Ohio Women and Cleveland International Halls of Fame.

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The restored monument to Paderewski was unveiled in the Polish Cultural Garden on July 16, 2011.

Bernadette Zubel, Dr. James S. Pula, Mayor Frank Jackson, Consul Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka, Rita Cosby and Rev. Placyd Kon

The Jirouch family re3cently visited Cleveland and shared some stories.

Paul Burik, Ludmilla Hybnar and Eric Jirouch
with the plate crafted by Frank Jirouch

Ray Stevenson as Danny Greene

Interview with Rick Porrello

Win a DVD of Kill the Irishman

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Congratulations to the 2011 Class!

Hall of Fame inductee Rev Dr Otis Moss Jr with his inductor, Congressman Louis Stokes

Kuninori Matsuda, Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in Detroit and others spoke about the disaster and the generous support of friends in Northeast Ohio.

Kuninori Matsuda

This will be the first garden of its kind in the United States and Canada to celebrate the contributions of the Croatian people and to serve as a visible symbol of Croatia's rich heritage.

Rabbi Joshua Caruso led the ceremony with enthusiasm and passion. He told how the feast of Passover was both a celebration of freedom and a memory of slavery. The very diverse crowd took part in reading, dancing, singing and telling personal stories.

Rabbi Joshua Caruso, Dara Holop and Scott Matasar

American Jewish Committee Interfaith Seder

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Traditional Polish Spring Customs such as Smingus Dyngus, Gaik, Pisanki Dance and Marzanna were performed by students.

Gorale Polish Folk Dancers at Polish Spring Concert
in Slavic Village

Polish Spring Traditions in Slavic Village - 4 pages of pictures and video

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Sondhe says that immigrants come on their own and put themselves in survival mode and see opportunity that American born do not. He wants to convert native born to this immigrant mindset.

Irene Morrow has been a member of the American Nationalities movement since that time. Since the death of Mayor Perk in 1999, Irene has been the President of the organization.

Judge Ralph 'Rocky' Perk Jr. and Irene Morrow

Amir Khalid A. Samad and Khalil A. Rashid
lead a march at Cleveland City Hall

Photos and video from the Ceremony

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Mercedes was one of the original ClevelandPeople.Com Ambassadors, representing the Polish community.

Mercedes sister, Diane Karpinski, shared the following:

Mercedes Helen Spotts had a long, distinguished career of public service in Northeast Ohio. She was the second daughter of John and Helen Karpinski, a former Cleveland City Councilwoman. She was the sister of the late Gloria Joy Battisti and retired Court of Appeals Judge Diane J. Karpinski.

Like her mother and sisters, Mercedes broke through the proverbial glass ceiling and paved a path for women in employment and leadership positions. Mercedes was the first woman appointed a Deputy Bailiff in the Cleveland Municipal Court. Subsequently, she was appointed Director of Central Scheduling for that Court and served in that capacity for 25 years.

While working at the Cleveland Municipal Court, Mercedes continued her college and graduate education through night school. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Notre Dame College, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Cleveland State University, and a Juris Doctor degree in law from Cleveland Marshall School of Law. On scholarship, she earned a special training certificate in Data Processing. She was a Fellow of the Institute for Court Management, and she completed a Mediation workshop at Harvard Law School. In 1997, Notre Dame College invited her to give the commencement address to the graduating class and presented her with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws.

After completing her law degree, Mercedes became Court Administrator for the 8th District Court of Appeals of Ohio, the busiest appellate district court in the State. She was responsible for the day to day operations of the Court for more than 10 years.

Mercedes served as a leader in the legal profession. Mercedes was elected President of the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, only the second woman in that position in 80 years. She served as an elected member of the Board of Trustees for the County Bar Association. She chaired the annual Civil Servants Awards Luncheon for many years. She served as an officer of the Cuyahoga County Bar Association and its Bar Foundation.

While she was bar President, she initiated the Custody Mediation program in Juvenile Court. The American Bar Association recognized this program with an award. She also edited a legal newspaper for children informing them about the law and how it affects their lives and also received an award.

Mercedes twice received the County Bar’s Presidents Award for her outstanding efforts and service. She was the first recipient of the Bar Association’s “Day Weiner Award” for outstanding public service.

Mercedes was deeply involved with community services to better the lives of women, the homeless, and mentally ill. She was the founding President of the Board of Trustees of the East Side Catholic Shelter for battered women and the homeless. She was the founding President of the Board of Trustees for Mental Health Services. This agency offers case management services to the homeless suffering from severe mental problems. This was a successful, federally funded pilot program that has continued to grow into a vital agency serving the community.

As a breast cancer survivor, Mercedes coordinated volunteers for the American Cancer Fund’s Hope House, and worked with the Women’s Comprehensive Program sponsored by Cleveland State University and the League of Women Voters.

Mercedes was proud of her Polish heritage. She was a member of the American Polish Women’s Club for most of her life. She served four years as State President of the Polish Women’s Alliance, and was honored by the Polonia Foundation of Ohio for personal and civic accomplishments and designated “Grand Lady of Pulaski.” In 2005, Mercedes was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations in recognition of her achievements as a person of Polish descent.

Throughout her life, Mercedes maintained close ties to six women who were loyal and supportive of one another since grade school. Mercedes considered herself fortunate to have these great women at her side through all the bright and dark days of her life.

Just as importantly, Mercedes was the loving and proud mother of two sons: David, a maritime law attorney in Ashtabula, Ohio, and John, a housing specialist in the Development Department o Cuyahoga County. She adored her only grandchild, David Mathew Spotts, a Senior at DePauw University. She is survived by her sister, the Honorable Diane Karpinski, her sons David and John, and grandson David.

ClevelandWomen.Com profile of Mercedes Karpinski Spotts

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A performance included "appearances" by Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, Indira Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa.

Raj Pillai as Mahatma Gandhi

See more from the Hungarian Museum.

Consul Laszlo Bojtos, Andrea Meszaros and Katalin Csobor