Wow, now that’s a blast from my past! As a kid I grew up on the 5700 block of Portage Ave; my parents moved to the ‘burbs in 66 b/c the neighborhood was changing. I don’t think I’d consider it part of Slavic Village as stated in the article.
No, it’s not. “North Broadway” really. My mom’s best friend’s parents owned the Marek Funeral Home up there. When I was born we lived on 65th near Francis (Warszawa neighborhood), which held out longer than Portage but not as long as Slavic Village. We moved to Maple Heights, which held out not much longer than Slavic Village.
The only ethnic neighborhood that is going to end up retaining its character is Little Italy, and that’s because the mob held off the parasites long enough for the artsy people to settle in there, and *they* have (well deserved) clout downtown.
Back on Portage Avenue, another one got shot. Not killed, I guess the shooter didn’t want a “vigil” on his front lawn...
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/12/homeowner_shoots_burglar_polic.html