Neighborhoods

University Heights and John Carroll feed 125 families at Thanksgiving

Northeast Ohioans have certain expectations for the coming of autumn. They anticipate great piles of leaves, chilly temperatures, and shorter days. In addition to these hallmarks of the season, residents of University Heights look for another sign of the season—the appearance of blue plastic bags on their front door handles, which means that John Carroll University’s Fatima Family Food Drive is underway.

The Fatima Food Drive collects and purchases enough food for a Thanksgiving meal and a week's worth of groceries for more than 125 families. The project is an outgrowth of JCU’s longstanding relationship with Catholic Charities’ Fatima Family Center. Established in 1973, the Fatima Family Center is located in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood of Cleveland. JCU students provide weekly service at the center, assisting with aftercare, teen outreach, and senior citizen programming.

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Volume 8, Issue 1, Posted 10:20 AM, 11.25.2014

Coventry Village holiday festival set for Dec. 13

The Coventry Village neighborhood encourages everyone to shop local and get in the holiday spirit with a full day of free holiday events.

The Coventry Village Holiday Festival will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. Visitors can enjoy free parking at meters all weekend or take a complimentary ride on Lolly the Holiday Trolley, which will loop between Coventry, Cedar Lee and Cedar Fairmount districts, 6–9 p.m. that evening.

Coventry Village holiday festivities include:

  • Classic holiday cartoons from the 1930s through the 1960s, in the Centrum Theater (daytime event)
  • “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” in the Centrum Theater (evening event)
  • Holiday photo booth with Santa and his Merry Elves
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Volume 7, Issue 12, Posted 9:25 AM, 12.02.2014

Cedar Fairmount hosts holiday affair Dec. 12

The snow may be falling, the air has a bite, but the shops of Cedar Fairmount are warm and inviting! On Friday, Dec. 12, the public is invited to shop local small businesses in the Cedar Fairmount Business District. It promises to be a delicious evening of fun at the start of the busy holiday season.

From 5–7 p.m. Appletree Books, Four and Twenty Mercantile, Ten Thousand Villages and Vero Bistro are partnering to host an exciting evening for the community. Begin your tour at Appletree Books for tasty appetizers and a glass of Prosecco, jolly stories of the season, and browsing through books to suit every taste.

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Volume 7, Issue 12, Posted 9:12 AM, 12.02.2014

Cedar Taylor merchants to host fall fundraising day on Nov. 8

The Cedar Taylor Development Association (CTDA) is holding a fall fundraising day on Saturday, Nov. 8, to raise funds for streetscape improvements. CTDA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that comprises merchants, property owners and residents in the Cedar Taylor neighborhood of Cleveland Heights and University Heights.

Last year, the organization was awarded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the City of Cleveland Heights to complete a streetscape study. Upon completion of this study, the association was awarded additional CDBG funds this year, in the amount of $5,500. If the association can raise $5,500, the city will match that, and award it an additional $5,500. These funds will be used for Phase 1 of implementation of the improvements, which will include planters, neighborhood signage, benches and bike racks.

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Volume 7, Issue 12, Posted 9:47 AM, 11.04.2014

Cedar Fairmount to hold Oct. 29 Halloween festival

Corn stalks, pumpkins, apples, the sound of crunching leaves—and ghosts, goblins and witches with brooms—are all signs that fall, and Halloween, is in the air. On Wednesday, Oct. 29, 5–7 p.m., the businesses of Cedar Fairmount will fill their stores with fall decorations and treats for young and old.

Children and adults are encouraged to come in costume, and there will be a costume contest for children at the India Community Center at 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for Most Original, Scariest and Funniest costumes.

Children (and goblins) will be able to play Halloween games, provided by members of the Cleveland Heights Church, at the India Community Center from 5–7 p.m.

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Volume 7, Issue 10, Posted 9:58 AM, 09.30.2014

Potter Village celebrates sixth annual block party

More than 200 residents attended the sixth annual Potter Village Block Party, held on Aug. 23, on Castleton Road in Cleveland Heights.

According to the leaders of the Potter Village Good Neighbor Association, an organization of residents, it is the largest citizen-run block party in Cleveland Heights.

The 2014 block party featured DJ Freddie James; a potluck dinner; a visit by a Cleveland Heights fire truck and members of the CH Fire and Police departments; a water balloon toss and Hula-Hoop contest; face painting and bicycle decorating; an old-fashioned cake walk; line dancing; and a raffle, with prizes donated by more than a dozen local merchants.

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Volume 7, Issue 10, Posted 2:47 PM, 09.29.2014

Cedar Lee Kids' Candy Crawl is Oct. 24

The fourth annual Cedar Lee Kid’s Candy Crawl will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, 5–8 p.m. Every year since the inaugural event in 2011, the number of children participating has doubled from the previous year. This year, organizers expect about 1,000 kids in costume to come trick-or-treating between the doors of the Cedar Lee Theatre and the Lee Road Library.

Each of the participating businesses will display an orange “Official Candy Crawl Stop” poster in its window.

"I created this event as a way for myself and the other merchants to give back to the families in our community," said Shawn Paul Gustafson, owner of Shawn Paul Salon. "After all, our fiercely locally minded community is the reason that all of us merchants are here and able to keep our doors open. It was also important to me that the children of the Heights get to experience a wonderfully magical night in the Cedar Lee."

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Volume 7, Issue 10, Posted 2:33 PM, 09.29.2014

Car accident results in destruction of church's stone sign

On the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 26, the Rev. John McNulty, Communion of Saints Church pastor, was working in his office when he heard a loud "bang." The source of the noise was a two-car accident at the corner of Cedar and Coventry roads, which resulted in the destruction of the church's stone sign at that intersection. 

According to the police report, a female driver was driving west on Cedar Road, in the direction of downtown Cleveland, at approximately 1 p.m. She initiated a left turn onto Coventry Road, and simultaneously struck a pickup truck. That truck was driven by a man who was heading south on Coventry Road and making a left turn onto Cedar Road. The pickup truck driver, who had a green turn signal at the time of the incident, proceeded to turn left through the green light. The woman, reportedly, neglected to stop, causing the male driver to swerve his car in an attempt to avoid hitting her. His truck, however, did strike her car, then traveled approximately 25 yards and plowed into the church’s concrete sign. The female driver has been charged with "disobeying traffic."

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Volume 7, Issue 10, Posted 11:52 AM, 09.02.2014

La Tea Dolly unveils Little Free Library Aug. 2

La Tea Dolly, a children’s tea shop located at 1637 Lee Road, is the first Cleveland Heights business to host a Little Free Library on its premises. The shop will hold an unveiling ceremony and grand opening of the library on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 11 a.m.

Owner Monica Davis received a donated Little Free Library box from Margaret Bernstein of the Literacy Cooperative (www.literacycooperative.org). “She secured the donor for my box and I agreed to become the steward,” said Davis. “I am responsible for engaging the community, keeping the library full, promotions—and, of course, I’m redecorating it.” Davis will reveal the new design for the box on Aug. 2.

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Volume 7, Issue 8, Posted 10:27 AM, 07.29.2014

Grant Deming's Forest Hill neighborhood plans multi-home garage sale July 19

The Grant Deming's Forest Hill Historic District in Cleveland Heights will host its second annual neighborhoodwide garage sale on Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 40 homes participated in last year’s sale, and again this year, bargains and treasures await.

Maps will be available online and at all participating houses—just look for balloons marking sale locations. 

Grant Deming's Forest Hill Historic District is bordered by Coventry, Lee and Cedar roads, and Lincoln Boulevard in Cleveland Heights. For more information about the sale and the neighborhood, and for a map of participating homes, visit www.grantdemingneighborhood.org/garagesalemap.

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Volume 7, Issue 7, Posted 11:50 AM, 07.01.2014

Charles Ramsey visits Coventry Village

Charles Ramsey—the man who became famous last year after helping Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight escape from a decade of captivity—met fans and signed his new book Dead Giveaway last month at Mac's Back Books on Coventry Road. Written with Randy Nyerges, the book is published by Gray & Co., Publishers, which is owned by Cleveland Heights resident David Gray. The book signing helped kick off "Local Tuesdays," part of the Coventry Village Summer Series of free events.

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Volume 7, Issue 7, Posted 1:29 PM, 06.30.2014

Heights chicken keepers to host coop tour on June 21

Chicken keepers in Cleveland Heights will hold their second annual coop tour from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 21.

Since 2012, when backyard chicken keeping was made legal in the City of Cleveland Heights, more than 35 families have applied for chicken-keeping permits.

The tour will showcase the wide variety of chickens and coops in the Heights. Look for more information on www.heights-chickeneers.com.

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Volume 7, Issue 6, Posted 11:28 AM, 05.30.2014

Coventry goes skateboarding June 21

Every year on June 21, skateboarders around the globe gather to celebrate the spirit of skateboarding on Go Skateboarding Day.

This year, Coventry Village encourages the community to come out for a day of fun, to experience what skateboarding is all about.

With the help of Public Square Group, a Cleveland nonprofit "dedicated to skateboarding, art and civics," Parking Lot 15 (located between Heights Cleaners and Marc’s on Coventry Road), will be transformed into a one-day pop-up skate on June 21, 3-7p.m. The pop-up skate park, equipped with ramps and obstacles, is free and open to skaters of all ages.

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Volume 7, Issue 6, Posted 11:01 AM, 05.30.2014

Music is in the mix at annual strawberry festival

On Friday, June 6, Noble Road Presbyterian Church will host its annual Strawberry Festival—a spring tradition for the church and the Heights community. From 6–8 p.m., enjoy music, games and—of course—strawberries, shortcake and ice cream. The event will take place at the church, at 2780 Noble Road, rain or shine.

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Volume 7, Issue 6, Posted 10:41 AM, 05.30.2014

Free summer fun in Coventry Village

Coventry Village is offering a summer full of free, family-friendly, can't-miss events.

Starting June 10, Coventry Village will celebrate warm summer nights with free live music, outdoor movies, meet-and-greets with local authors, and more. Stop by Parking Lot 15, between Heights Cleaners and Marc’s, to join the fun.

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Volume 7, Issue 6, Posted 10:23 AM, 05.30.2014

Forest Hill Neighborhood to host 51 garage sales spanning 21 streets on one day

Spring is a great time to declutter basements, garages and attics and welcome in the season. Residents of the Forest Hill neighborhood that spans Cleveland Heights and parts of East Cleveland are taking this challenge to heart by hosting the area’s largest community garage sale. On Saturday, May 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 51 homes will be selling their wares at their individual homes.

Dubbed the Forest Hill Monster Garage Sale, 2014 marks the second year for this now annual event. Response from the community has been tremendous and as a result, participation has more than doubled.

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Volume 7, Issue 6, Posted 3:17 PM, 05.21.2014

World record attempt to be celebrated in Coventry

On Sunday, April 27, at sunrise (6:29 a.m.), Northeast Ohio native Gary Pearlman (also known as Dr. U. R. Awesome) will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Free-Floating Soap Bubble Created Outdoors. 

The record-breaking attempt will be made at the Ross DeJohn Community Center (located at 6306 Marsol Road, behind the Golden Gate Shopping Center, in Pearlman’s hometown of Mayfield Heights). The public is invited to cheer Pearlman on as he tries to bring the title to Cleveland.

The current record, held by Megan Colby Parker of Plymouth, Mass., was established exactly one year ago—on April 27, 2013. Her gigantic bubble had a volume of 20.65 m. (729.25 ft.).

Parker will be in town for Pearlman’s record-breaking attempt as witness and special judge. In an act of sportsmanship, Parker has agreed to allow Dr. Awesome to use her special secret blend of bubble juice, which she calls Party Bubble Big Bubble Concentrate and credits for her win last year.

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Volume 7, Issue 5, Posted 9:36 AM, 04.22.2014

Remembering Chessie Bleick

Heights resident Francesca Kemp Bleick, known as Chessie, died peacefully on Feb. 18, following a struggle with cancer. She was 73.

Bleick was born in Cleveland on Nov. 23, 1940, and attended Roxboro Elementary School and Laurel School. Following her graduation from Colorado College, she returned to her hometown to work as a librarian for General Electric.

In 1963, she married Edgar Bleick and settled into life on Delaware Drive in Cleveland Heights. She and her husband worked together for many years at K&E, the company they owned that manufactures a specialty chemical used to clean cathedrals and other historic stone buildings.

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Volume 7, Issue 3, Posted 12:43 PM, 02.25.2014

New CRS program facilitates purchase and rehab of older homes

On Jan. 16, the Cleveland Restoration Society (CRS) announced the expansion of its Heritage HomeSM (Sales Mark) Program to assist potential homeowners in both purchasing and rehabbing existing homes. Previously, homeowners could receive a low-interest fixed-rate loan for renovations. Now, they can also receive a second mortgage to make the initial purchase more affordable.

Called the Heritage Home PurchaseSM Program, the new program combines free technical assistance from CRS with a variable-rate home purchase loan and fixed-rate home improvement loan from program partner First Federal of Lakewood. Cuyahoga County subsidizes the loan to ensure a low interest rate.

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Volume 7, Issue 3, Posted 11:28 AM, 02.04.2014

Residents begin petition drive to reinstate Coventry Village Library service on Fridays

Concerned residents of the Coventry Village Neighborhood have created a petition drive to request the CH-UH Public Library board rescind its decision to shut down the Coventry Village Library on Fridays.

The decision, made by the board at its November meeting without neighborhood input or notification, utilizes funds saved from closing Coventry to increase the University Heights Library's hours from six to seven days a week, leaving Coventry as the only branch closed two days a week.

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Volume 7, Issue 2, Posted 9:47 AM, 01.10.2014

Cedar Fairmount organizes fundraiser to benefit hit-skip victim

Members and friends of the Cedar Fairmount Special Improvement District (CFSID) will hold a fundraiser for Surrey Road resident Mindy Manyo on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Manyo was struck from behind by an automobile shortly after 9 p.m. on Oct. 3, while she was riding her bicycle westbound on Fairmount Boulevard. According to Cleveland Heights Police, the motorist stopped briefly but then accelerated at a high rate of speed, dragging Manyo, who was trapped under the vehicle, a short distance, and fleeing the scene. Cleveland Heights Police are actively searching for the suspect vehicle and operator involved in the incident.

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Volume 6, Issue 11, Posted 10:04 AM, 10.15.2013

Spirit Corner transforms a nuisance property

Neighbors called it the ghost house.

For decades—some say 61 years—the corner of Hampshire and Cadwell was thought to be possessed.

Shadowy, slanting maple trees surrounded the drab maroon colonial, lit dimly at night by a 25-watt lightbulb. Under the ownership of Carl C. Kornicks, empty of any authorized inhabitants, 1779 Cadwell Ave. had fallen into a state of primordial disrepair.

Hidden behind the forest canopy, carloads of college students would sneak in and have raucous parties. The house’s paranormal mystique attracted generations of curious neighborhood children, who would knock on the door and sometimes break in.

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Volume 6, Issue 11, Posted 5:09 PM, 10.28.2013

Cain Park becomes permanently dog friendly

At the Oct. 7 Cleveland Heights City Council meeting, Mayor Ed Kelley declared the Cain Park Dog Project a success and said that the park would remain open to leashed-dog walkers on a permanent basis.

At the meeting, Kerri Whitehouse, a leader of the Cain Park Dog Project, gave an update on the six-month pilot project and formally requested that the city make leashed-dog walking in Cain Park permanent.

“We’re really, really pleased—and surprised that they had already made the decision prior to last night’s council meeting,” said Whitehouse. “Based on previous discussions, we anticipated that a vote would take place at the next public forum meeting. It feels good to be part of something that’s had a meaningful impact in Cleveland Heights.”

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Volume 6, Issue 11, Posted 1:39 PM, 10.08.2013

Potter Village holds fifth annual block party

The fifth annual Potter Village Block Party was held on Saturday, Aug. 24, on Castleton Road in Cleveland Heights.

Potter Village, located between Monticello Boulevard and Taylor and Yellowstone roads, comprises seven connected streets—Castleton, Woodridge, St. Albans, Boynton, Radcliffe, Haselton and Edison.

The neighborhood is named after the Potter family, who ran a large dairy farm on the property in the early 1900s. Horace and Florence Potter were jewelers. They both graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1898. They began making jewelry in their chicken coop and later established a jewelry store in downtown Cleveland.

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Volume 6, Issue 10, Posted 10:31 AM, 09.10.2013

Cain Park Splash Pad opens to delight of neighborhood kids

Young Cleveland Heights residents have a new way to keep cool in the summer heat. Cain Park neighborhood residents joined Cleveland Heights Mayor Ed Kelley and council members Cheryl Stephens and Mary Dunbar on July 21 to cut the ribbon to open the new Cain Park Splash Pad. Once the water was turned on, young residents immediately began to explore its many interactive features. 

The new splash pad, which has no standing water, replaces the former baby pool at the same site and is intended for the use of children five-years-old and younger. It was constructed by Platform Cement Inc. at a cost of $198,000. Behnke Landscape Architects, with help from city staff, designed the pad, choosing elements from Vortex Aquatic Structures International. 

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Volume 6, Issue 8, Posted 2:04 PM, 07.31.2013

Montford Community Garden Association to hold auction fundraisers

The Montford Community Garden Association is teaming up with the 2nd Cents auction house to raise funds for the community garden on the corner of Windsor and Montford roads in Cleveland Heights.

The association seeks donations of non-clothing items, such as furniture, tools, artwork, household goods, and collectibles, to sell at auction. All of the proceeds are tax deductible and will help fund projects at the garden, including the construction of a perimeter fence.

The auctions will be held every three weeks. Find a schedule and listings at www.2ndcents.com.  For additional information or to donate an item, contact Aaron Woldman at aaron@visn.net or 216-214-0800. More information about the Montford Community Garden can be found at www.montfordcommunitygarden.org.

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Volume 6, Issue 7, Posted 3:45 PM, 07.01.2013

Discover Cedar Fairmount Festival offers family fun

As Aug. 11 approaches, plans for the 12th annual Discover Cedar Fairmount Festival are coming together.

The community festival, presented by the Cedar Fairmount Special Improvement District, will take place in the Cedar Fairmount Business District of Cleveland Heights from noon to 5 p.m. Elite event sponsors, which include the Cedar Grandview Building, Chase Bank, Dave's Supermarkets, Eileen M. Burkhart & Co., Fifth Third Bank, the Heights Center Building, the Heights Medical Building and FutureHeights, have matched a grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, enabling expanded activities and ensuring the fair remains free to the public.

The festival will offer activities for the entire family. As in previous years, children can enjoy face painting, cricket races, pony rides and more. The whole family can enjoy a ride on the Euclid Beach Rocket Car or visit with Batman and Robin at the Batmobile. New this year, Howard Hanna Real Estate will offer a child ID program.

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Volume 6, Issue 7, Posted 2:46 PM, 07.01.2013

Dog Project offers free Pooch School on June 29

Join the Dog Project on Saturday, June 29 at 10:30 a.m. outside Cain Park’s Alma Theater gate for a brief, and free, educational gathering. At this first Pooch School, Cleveland Heights dog trainer Ann Trupo, Doggy Do-Right, will discuss reading dog body language and knowing when and how to do dog introductions on a leash.

With a recently enacted pilot program that allows leashed dogs in the park, Cain Park is now a dog-friendly park; however, it is not a dog park, which is a fenced-in space just for dogs to run off-leash. These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, though they have different meanings.

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Volume 6, Issue 7, Posted 9:16 AM, 06.18.2013

University Heights and Cleveland Heights plan Memorial Day events

On Monday, May 27, the cities of University Heights and Cleveland Heights will observe Memorial Day with a parade (UH) and ceremony of remembrance (CH).

In University Heights, the city’s 47th annual Memorial Day parade will begin at 11 a.m. From its starting point at Silsby Road near Farland Road, the parade will travel east on Silsby to Belvoir Boulevard. There it turns south to end at John Carroll University (JCU).

At the parade’s end, at approximately noon, a memorial program will be held on the steps of the JCU Nanatorium. Bishop Neal Buckon , a University Heights native who served as an active duty officer in the U.S. Army for seven years, will speak at the program.

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Volume 6, Issue 6, Posted 11:09 AM, 05.21.2013

Grant Deming’s Forest Hill to hold district-wide open house and garage sale

Residents of Grant Deming’s Forest Hill Historic District (GDFH) are planning two June events to promote their neighborhood. On Sunday, June 23, from 2 to 4 p.m., realtors representing 20 homes currently listed for sale in the neighborhood will hold open houses.

On Saturday, June 22, the day before the open house, GDFH will host a community-wide garage sale. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In case of rain, the sale will be rescheduled for June 29.

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Volume 6, Issue 6, Posted 1:58 PM, 05.30.2013

CH Mayor Kelley helps dedicate Montford Community Garden

Saturday, May 11, was a good day for community, sharing and—dirt. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Montford Community Garden Association (MCGA) members, including Patrick Byrne, John Ludway, Laurel Freeder, Diane Frederick, Curt and Suzie Coker, Michael Jones, Leslie Bates, and others assembled raised beds and filled them with soil in preparation for planting, which will begin in the next two weeks.

Several young people were on hand to help. Olivia Jones and her friend, Ashlee Woldman, took a break from shoveling and raking to help Mayor Ed Kelley cut a ribbon, tied between two Fiskar’s shovels, to dedicate the garden.

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Volume 6, Issue 6, Posted 2:53 PM, 05.13.2013

Coventry Continues to Evolve

For decades, Coventry Road has been one of Cleveland’s most eclectic—and successful—shopping districts. Over the years, the shops and restaurants on the street have changed to reflect the times, and now, with summer almost upon us, Coventry Road is changing again.

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Volume 6, Issue 5, Posted 4:25 PM, 04.30.2013

Montford Community Garden wins national grant

The Montford Community Garden is one of ten projects throughout the United States and Canada selected by Fiskars Brands for a 2013 Project Orange Thumb® grant.

The Montford Community Garden Association plans to create a community garden on a vacant lot at the corner of Montford and Windsor roads in Cleveland Heights. The group worked with FutureHeights, a nonprofit dedicated to building community through civic engagement, to apply for the grant in late 2012.

“I am thrilled!” said Patrick Bryne, a resident of Englewood Road and president of the association, “This award should really keep the ball rolling, and should be enough to start the basics. I am excited to see this infusion put to work.”

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Volume 6, Issue 3, Posted 9:10 AM, 02.08.2013

Berkeley residents spread cheer

Neither freezing temperatures, nor snow and ice deterred Berkeley residents from spreading a little joy, peace and love in their community. On Dec. 22, more than a dozen Berkeley residents went caroling from South Taylor Road to Euclid Heights Boulevard. This was the first caroling event since the neighbors began meeting in 2006. The carolers sang traditional Christmas songs as they strolled along Berkeley Road. People came to their doors or stood on their porches to listen. Later, everyone enjoyed hot chocolate and warm apple cider.

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Volume 6, Issue 2, Posted 11:44 AM, 01.31.2013

Cain Park dog-walking pilot project set to begin pending city council approval

The Dog Project Committee of the Cain Park Neighborhood Association is set to begin a one-year, leashed-dog pilot program in Cain Park in April, pending approval by Cleveland Heights City Council.

The committee formed to work toward the Cain Park Neighborhood’s Association’s goals of helping to keep Cain Park safe, and encourage more neighborhood activities in the park. Members hope lifting the dog ban will encourage more foot traffic there. The group’s multifaceted approach also includes efforts to address abandoned and foreclosed properties bordering the park, and to encourage family activities, such as picnicking, kite flying and sledding.

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Volume 6, Issue 2, Posted 10:17 AM, 01.25.2013

Foreclosed properties are hot topic at neighborhood meeting

The intensity stirred by the issue of foreclosed properties, bank walk-aways, vacant, poorly maintained and otherwise troubled properties in our neighborhoods was evident at the Neighbor-2-Neighbor Autumn Meeting held on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at the Ensemble Theatre in Cleveland Heights. The date coincided with the first anniversary of the Grant Deming Forest Hill Historic District, which, in sponsoring the event, invited the participation of the Cain Park Neighborhood Association. Both of these newly formed neighborhood groups have been responsive to the recent spate of such problem properties on our residential streets.

A discussion on the topic of Housing and Neighborhood Stability was led by Zach Germaniuk. Will Dugar, host of the meeting, described Germaniuk as having "confronted some of the worst remnants of the housing crisis, which formed the basis for his paper ‘Stalled Foreclosures and the Need for Positive Action.’ Our presenter brings a lot of knowledge and ideas."

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Volume 6, Issue 1, Posted 10:25 AM, 12.11.2012

Cleveland Heights couple remembered by their pastor

Gregory and Elise Lindsay were remembered by their church pastor, Charles Yoost, of Church of the Saviour in Cleveland Heights, as very loving, caring and giving people, who everyone thought well of and liked.”

The couple were found dead in their home on East Monmouth Road in Cleveland Heights on Nov. 8. The cause of the death was ruled accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

A funeral service was held Friday, Nov. 16 at Church of the Savior.

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Volume 5, Issue 12, Posted 7:18 PM, 11.29.2012

Berkeley Neighbors builds community year round

Berkeley Road resident Yolanda Stone and her neighbors love their street, love the Heights, and hope their enthusiasm spreads.

Stone helped organize the Berkeley Neighbors in 2006, to host a number of events throughout the year to, as she said, “come together as a community and develop relationships.”

“We have a core group of about 10 [neighbors] who meet regularly to plan events,” said Stone. “We usually have about 75 people who come to the block party, and we’re trying to have something for everyone.” Stone attended the neighborhood leadership training that FutureHeights hosted in April 2012, along with several of her neighbors. “Our association covers Berkeley from the west side of Taylor Road,” she said.

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Volume 5, Issue 11, Posted 12:25 PM, 10.16.2012

Tenth year for Scarborough Road donut party

Every October, early in the month, a small, round yellow sign goes up on Scarborough Road to announce a cherished neighborhood tradition: the Sperl family’s donut party. Tom Sperl, bassist for the Cleveland Orchestra, and his family invite several hundred of their closest friends, associates and absolute strangers to a donut party on their lawn. Orchestra folks, church friends, neighborhood pals and an occasional politician turn up to enjoy warm, fresh donuts with delicious toppings, hot cider and coffee.

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Volume 5, Issue 11, Posted 12:13 PM, 10.16.2012

University Circle's Chris Ronayne to speak at Cedar Fairmount annual meeting

The annual meeting of the Cedar Fairmount Special Improvement District is on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 9 a.m., at Nighttown. The public is invited.

At 10:30 a.m., Chris Ronayne, president of University Circle Inc. (UCI), will give a talk at the meeting on "University Circle: The Neighborhood without Borders."

This will be an opportunity to discuss future relationships between University Circle and Cleveland Heights and the Cedar Fairmount Business District.

Ronayne was named president of UCI in 2005. UCI is the nonprofit community service corporation responsible for the development, service, and advocacy of University Circle as a world-class center of innovation in health care, education, arts and culture, and as a premier urban district.

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Volume 5, Issue 10, Posted 1:16 PM, 10.02.2012

Coventry Village End of Summer Sidewalk sale Saturday, Aug. 25

The merchants of Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights present an End of Summer Sidewalk Sale, Saturday, Aug. 25,  from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Coventry is known for its independent retailers, offering unique, hard-to-find and one-of-a-kind items. They will be  "bringing it out of the stores and on to the street" for the sidewalk sale, and invite everyone to "save big and shop local."

The sale will feature deep one-day discounts on clothing and accessories for men, women and children. There will also be art, antiques, books, toys and novelties, collectibles, housewares and more.

The sidewalk sale coincides with Cleveland Height's final free parking weekend of the summer, Aug. 24–26. Parking is free in Cleveland Heights along Coventry Road, and anywhere there is a public parking meter.

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Volume 5, Issue 10, Posted 2:03 PM, 08.24.2012

Berkeley Road neighbors take a stand against crime

On Tuesday, Aug. 7, more than 30 Berkeley Road residents participated in National Night Out (NNO) by walking Berkeley Road from South Taylor Road to Euclid Heights Boulevard. The walkers were taking a stand against crime by showing their solidarity and strength in numbers.

They carried flashlights and lanterns as they greeted and talked with one another. Several generations were represented, from a two-year -old in a wagon to a senior citizen using a cane. Residents along the route were asked to turn on their front lights, lock their doors, and join the walkers. 

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Volume 5, Issue 10, Posted 12:14 PM, 09.04.2012

Family installs iconic British phone box to commemorate London Olympics

The 2012 Olympic Games may be over but memories of London will live on for one Cleveland Heights family—in their backyard. On the closing day of the 30th Olympiad, family and friends of Chris and Amy Barr pitched in to erect a classic red telephone booth (or box as the Brits call it) in the backyard of the Barrs’ Coleridge Road home.

Thanks to Olympic caliber teamwork, the iconic structure was reconstructed under a sprawling oak tree to bring a bit of the British Isles to the neighborhood. Weighing in at 1650 pounds, the cast iron phone booth was originally purchased by Tom and Cheryl Mackie, Amy’s parents, while the family was living in England.

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Volume 5, Issue 9, Posted 11:53 AM, 08.21.2012

Cedar Fairmount Festival set for Aug. 12

This summer, the Cedar Fairmount Special Improvement District (SID) will host the 11th annual Discover Cedar Fairmount Summer Festival and Arts & Crafts Sale. The festival will take place Sunday, Aug. 12 from noon to 4 p.m. at Cedar Road and Fairmount Boulevard in Cleveland Heights.

“This family-friendly event is provided for the community by the generous contribution of the merchants, business owners and neighbors,” said Kaye Lowe, executive director of Cedar Fairmount SID. “We look forward to continuing this free event for the Cleveland Heights families.”

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Volume 5, Issue 7, Posted 9:55 AM, 07.02.2012

Volunteers revamp mini park on Lee Road

Gary Lustic and his wife Julie, residents of Cleveland Heights, initiated a community effort to revamp the mini park that sits between the Heights Arts Gallery and Lemon Grass restaurant on Lee Road on Saturday, May 26.

“We looked at the park and thought, this is a gateway for a tourist attraction,” Lustic said. “Everyone who comes to a movie walks through this park, and there was garbage strewn and weeds everywhere. So we said, why don’t we take on this park?”

The Lustics approached Heights Arts, the nonprofit gallery that abuts the park, and got an enthusiastic response from Peggy Spaeth, the organization’s executive director.

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Volume 5, Issue 7, Posted 2:44 PM, 05.29.2012

Welcoming reception for new CH and UH residents is July 1

Three Heights-area civic organizations will host a welcoming reception for new residents of Cleveland Heights and University Heights on Sunday, July 1 at the Lee Road Library, 2345 Lee Road.

The New Resident Welcome and Open House is scheduled from 2–3 p.m. at the Harvey & Friends bookstore on the second floor of the library. All new residents are invited to attend and enjoy light refreshments.

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 1:35 PM, 05.30.2012

Cain Park Picnic on May 17

The Cain Park Neighborhood Association (CPNA) will be hosting a picnic in Cain Park on Thursday, May 17, from 6–9 p.m. 

The picnic is open to the public and will take place near the Evans theater ticket office. Those attending are invited to bring their own food and drink, a blanket to sit on and perhaps a Frisbee to throw around. This will be a great opportunity to meet neighbors and to reconnect with the park.

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 9:20 AM, 05.14.2012

Sewing Tour 2012 Revisted visits Coventry

Paul Nosa, an innovative sewing artist, showed his stuff on Coventry May 10. The visit was part of his Sewing Tour 2012 Revisited, in which Nosa travels across the country with his solar- and bike-powered sewing machine creating patches of people’s ideas expressed in five words or less. Amy Rosenbluth, co-director of Lake Erie Ink, a nonprofit that provides creative expression opportunities and academic support to youth and is based in the Coventry School building, walked over with a group of middle school-aged children to see Nosa’s work and provide him with inspiration for a number of patches: the power of poetry, bunnies playing kickball and a dog writing graffiti. See the designs at https://www.facebook.com/lakeerieink.

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 9:19 AM, 06.01.2012

Cain Park neighbors gain momentum

Since its inception late last year, the Cain Park Neighborhood Association (CPNA) has focused on making a difference in the community.

Peter Titas, CPNA executive committee member, said that one of CPNA’s main objectives is to bring residents from Hyde Park Avenue, Superior Park Drive, Superior Road and South Compton together to build a stronger community and increase foot traffic in Cain Park.

“Our goal is to reduce crime by having a greater presence in the neighborhood park,” Titas said. “If there are people using the park, crime is less likely to occur. At least, that's our logic. The police and city have been great. They've installed call boxes, increased the number of bike patrols, and listened to our concerns. But if we want crime to go down, we need to be an active part of the solution.”

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 12:53 PM, 05.30.2012

New bike racks on Coventry Road

On Thursday, May 10, two new bike racks were installed in Coventry Village.

Before the bike racks were installed, Coventry lacked a designated place for cyclists to leave their bikes. “People would lock them on the fences because there were no real bike racks,” said Ian Hoffman of Heights Bicycle Coalition.

The City of Cleveland Heights is conducting maintenance on ten decorative Coventry fences that have bicycle damage. The fences will cost $200 each for workers to strip, coat, and repaint them. Last August, Hoffman urged the Coventry Village Special Improvement District (SID) to fix this issue. He persuaded the SID to add bike racks on Coventry to encourage bicyclists to come to the area.

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 1:25 PM, 05.15.2012

Coventry Street Fair postponed; summer movie series being planned

The Coventry Street Fair has been postponed until 2013, but enhanced programming for the Coventry Music and Movie Summer Series aims to keep the community engaged, according to Steve Presser, marketing and publicity director for the Coventry Village Special Improvement District (CVSID).

“We’re going to program more things during the evening,” he explained. “What we want to do is bring positive activities to the Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park and get the community to come together and celebrate our neighborhood.”

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Volume 5, Issue 5, Posted 10:25 PM, 04.26.2012

Grant Deming’s Forest Hill District to host ‘Trash Mob’

Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N), a neighborhood association for the streets that make up Grant Deming’s Forest Hill Historic District, will host a “Trash Mob” on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. Like a cash mob, the goal is to get together a group of people for a short period of time to do some good and have some fun.

N2N seeks a minimum of two people per street to pick up trash, items that can be recycled and small branches. The group also needs teams of four people to spray paint a “Lake Erie Starts Here” stencil on sewer grates in the district. 

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Volume 5, Issue 5, Posted 11:47 AM, 04.17.2012

Where heroes dwell: a neighborhood association in the Heights

People often point to the past, romanticizing former or fictional examples of heroes. Carl B. Stokes had a successful political career as Cleveland’s first black mayor. Superman was technically "born" in the city. Here in Cleveland Heights, Sue Nigro, Doris Allen, Lana Cowell and many others, were fighting for equity and equality in housing. But it is post-utopian to think that life was better back then than it is now. It is also a mistake to think that there aren’t any more heroes to stand up and fight the good fight. There are, and these unsung heroes live in your community, forming neighborhood associations in the search for like-minded folks. A vibrant example? The Cain Park Neighborthood Association (CPNA).

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Volume 5, Issue 4, Posted 10:25 AM, 03.20.2012

Teen sentenced for attack on Cleveland Heights resident

Judge John O’Donnell sentenced 17-year-old Edwonte Bryant to seven years in prison for an attack on a Cleveland Heights resident last summer.

The victim was assaulted as he walked home from dinner at a Lee Road restaurant on June 18, 2011. He was present at the Feb. 14 sentencing, as were several other community residents.

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Volume 5, Issue 3, Posted 1:12 PM, 02.16.2012

East Fairfax holiday banners build community

For more than 30 years, East Fairfax residents have demonstrated their holiday spirit by hanging festive billboards from trees and posts along the one-block street during the month of December, according to longtime residents Ron and Marian Kinkopf. The tradition began during the mid-seventies when former residents and art enthusiasts Joanne Sharon and Sarah Knoblauch began creating the holiday-themed paintings. Over time, the paintings have evolved to reflect various holiday religious traditions. Many other residents have donated their time and artistic creativity to restore and replace the billboards through the years, and a dedicated volunteer force faithfully hangs and removes them each year. The project was born out of a strong and well-organized street association that boasts a history spanning more than 45 years.

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Volume 5, Issue 2, Posted 11:48 AM, 01.31.2012

'Lunites' to gain more room soon

Die-hard denizens of Luna Bakery and Café will no longer have to brave the cold and drizzle in order to enjoy their crepes and pots de crème au chocolate. The popular spot at Fairmount and Cedar is small, and close to one-half of its available seating is on its outdoor patio. With only about 25 seats inside, panini munchers and kids eating cupcakes could be found seated outside even on the worst of days. 

But there is good news for these dedicated Lunites. The café and bakery is expanding its indoor dining area. This is being accomplished by expanding into the space next door, walling off a portion of one of the dining rooms occupied by The Mad Greek.

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Volume 5, Issue 1, Posted 4:04 PM, 01.03.2012

Taylor Road resident files complaint with the city

Taylor Road resident Douglas Whipple has filed a complaint with the city regarding the repaving of Taylor Road near Severance Circle. The project would narrow the roadway and reallocate some of the space to other uses.

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Volume 4, Issue 12, Posted 10:37 AM, 11.08.2011

State board recommends Cleveland Heights’s proposed Shaker Farm Historic District for National Register of Historic Places

In a press release, excerpts of which follow, members of the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board announced that they have voted to recommend that nominations for four properties in Ohio be forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places for her consideration.

One of the four properties is located within the City of Cleveland Heights and would become the tenth National Register Historic District in the city.

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Volume 4, Issue 12, Posted 2:42 PM, 11.05.2011

Who has the best Halloween decorations in the Heights?

Halloween is just around the corner and ghosts and goblins are popping up all over the Heights. A recent walk down Scarborough Road produced the following photos.

What street does the best job decorating for the season? Send us your high-resolution photos of the best Halloween decor in the Heights. Include the name of the street where the photos were taken. We'll choose some of the best to publish and let you know which street comes out on top.

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Volume 4, Issue 11, Posted 11:57 AM, 10.18.2011

Annual Sperlnut party is neighborhood highlight

Every fall, a sign goes up on Scarborough Road to announce a cherished neighborhood event: the Sperl family’s donut party. Tom Sperl, bassist for the Cleveland Orchesta, and his family, invite several hundred of their closest friends, associates and absolute strangers to a donut party on their lawn. Orchestra folks, church friends, neighborhood pals and an occasional politician turn up to enjoy hot, fresh donuts with delicious toppings, hot cider and coffee. 

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Volume 4, Issue 11, Posted 10:47 AM, 10.18.2011