Opening Up the Observer
There are two noteworthy events related to the Observer this month.
First is the FutureHeights Auction. It’s one of the primary fundraisers for the organization that produces the Observer each month. FutureHeights is all about civic engagement, and the Observer is its largest project–giving voice to anyone who wants to lead or participate in dialogue about the community.
The auction is conducted online, so you don’t need to dress up or put on a party smile. The bidding runs from Oct. 15 to Nov. 21, at www.BiddingForGood.com/FutureHeights. If you appreciate the Observer, then please support FutureHeights and the auction. There’s some neat stuff to bid on, as well.
While the Observer is having tremendous success, it doesn’t yet cover all of its expenses. FutureHeights depends your donations–and auction purchases–not only to publish the Observer, but also to conduct its other community programs.
Which brings us to the other noteworthy event: the annual Best of the Heights awards, honoring the local businesses that Cleveland and University Heights residents deem the best in their categories.
The awards are different this yea. Nobody knows in advance who won. Nominees will all be at the Best of the Heights party, waiting to hear the announcement of winners.
The party begins at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 18 at Motorcars Toyota, 2950 Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights, an interesting place for such an event.
It also happens to be the official launch celebration of the Heights Independent Business Alliance (HIBA)–the new organization we've been telling you about for the last few months, consisting of locally owned and operated businesses. HIBA's launch is another one of the positive developments nurtured by FutureHeights, and it promises to become a point of pride for anyone who lives and shops in the Heights.
Tickets to the party are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. You can make your reservation at www.futureheights.org.
Bob Rosenbaum, chairman of the Observer's editorial committee and member of the FutureHeights board, writes this column to provide transparency and understanding about the Observer. Send questions to bob@therosenbaums.net.
To write for the Observer, simply register at our Member Center: http://heightsobserver.org/members