3/4: State of the City at City Club

The state of our city is shaky. Cleveland is rumored to have suffered the largest population loss in its history over the past decade. The poverty level has increased. Endless acres are empty; thousands of homes are boarded up, stripped or falling into ruin. We’re on School Turnaround Plan No. 4,593, while kids continue to drop out. Meanwhile, we’re offered glitzy baubles like casinos to distract us from our real needs. So far, our silent, stoic mayor hasn’t offered any dramatic solutions to reverse the decay. Maybe no one can. But it’s still important to hear what Frank Jackson has to say at the annual State of the City address, sponsored by the City Club of Cleveland. It starts at noon at the Crowne Plaza (777 St. Clair Ave.). Tickets are $35 members, $50 non-members. Call the City Club at 216.621.0082 for more info. You can also listen to the speech broadcast live on WCLV-FM 104.9. — Anastasia Pantsios