Friday, July 19, 2024

Cleveland Heights new traffic calming program addresses silent epidemic of traffic deaths

Dear Cleveland Heights residents:

When I look at the map of car crashes in Cleveland Heights from 2010 to 2024, I am outraged by the number of red dots. The dots form a solid line on every major thoroughfare and residential street.

It saddens me to think that each dot represents a life lost or altered from its intended course because of bodily harm and costly repairs.

Although the number of car crashes in Cleveland Heights is high, we can work on this epidemic and encourage more sustainable forms of transportation.

One of my goals as Mayor is to make Cleveland Heights’ streets safer for residents who walk and bike on them—particularly in our neighborhoods. Making streets safer for pedestrians and riders usually means reducing the volume and speed of traffic, a process called “traffic calming.”

This summer, the City of Cleveland Heights is launching a new traffic-calming program. Our first project will be in the Noble neighborhood at the intersection of Caledonia Avenue and Winsford and Dresden Roads. From 2010 to 2024, more than 30 cars have crashed on these streets, causing serious injury and death. The gentle curves of this intersection make it too easy for drivers to go through it without slowing down while creating longer crosswalks for pedestrians—particularly slower-moving ones like seniors and children walking to Caledonia Elementary. It’s a dangerous combination.

The City of Cleveland Heights plans to install a compact roundabout—which is a temporary, painted traffic circle and removable barriers—in the middle of the Caledonia-Winsford-Dresden intersection. The roundabout will force drivers to slow down and drive in a counterclockwise circle to navigate the intersection. A recent study showed that compact roundabouts led to 35% fewer total crashes and 76% fewer crashes with injuries at intersections where they were installed. We plan on leaving the compact roundabout in place for three to six months to learn if it can have a similar impact on the Caledonia-Winsford-Dresden intersection.

Driving is a privilege, and cars share space with people walking and children playing close to the street.

Our expectation is to install permanent traffic calming devices in neighborhoods after the testing phase.

If you have questions or concerns at any point, please reach out to the Mayor’s Action Center by sending an email to MAC@clevelandheights.gov

Sincerely,

Mayor Seren

Heights communities team up on Active Transportation Plan

On Monday, July 15 at the Noble Library, the cities of Cleveland Heights, University Heights, and South Euclid presented a draft of a regional active transportation plan to encourage and support activities such as walking, biking, and rolling in and between the three cities. The goal of the Heights Regional Active Transportation Plan is to create a safe, convenient, and accessible transportation system—regardless of wealth, ability, or disability.

Click here to see examples and to take a survey on your priorities for safer, sustainable transportation in the Heights.

1 in 4 Cleveland-area students can't count on a healthy next meal. Here's how they're fighting that

From ideastream (no paywall)

Cleveland's child poverty rate remains among the highest across major U.S. cities, with one in every four children being considered food insecure — meaning they do not know where they will get a nutritious next meal, according to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. One in seven people in the Greater Cleveland area are food insecure.

Public school students in Cleveland and Cleveland Heights recently finished a program with the MetroHealth System to improve access to healthy food in their neighborhoods.

Ideastream Public Media talked with students about their work to date and how it's affected their own lives.

First-hand experience

Maria Alvarez, a sophomore at Cleveland Heights High School, has first-hand experience with food insecurity.

“Both of my parents are Mexican immigrants. They came here to give us a better life. I was born here, but I struggled throughout the school year," she said. "I used to spend some nights without having a dinner on my table. I'd never eat breakfast and stuff, and it kind of like puts me in a place where I know how it feels to feel that hunger."

She decided to join MetroHealth's Youth Advisory Councils, which partner with local students to develop projects that address food insecurity and barriers to health in their communities.

Cleveland Heights expungement clinic to help people with certain criminal histories clear records

From ideastream

The Cleveland alumni chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity is hosting a free expungement clinic in Cleveland Heights Saturday.

Depending on the conviction, people who have committed certain misdemeanors and felonies may be eligible to have their criminal records expunged, meaning it’s cleared from their record. This can be especially helpful for those looking for work because a criminal record can be a barrier to employment.

“We know that so often a mistake can be a barrier for entry for a promotion or a job or employment period,” said Antjuan Seawright, the Kappa Alpha Psi member who led the organization of the clinic. “I think that when there is an opportunity to eliminate those barriers and to right the ship, right the wrong or give someone a second chance and it’s within the law, I think that we should always take advantage of those opportunities.”

Getting criminal records expunged is made much easier with legal assistance, which is what Kappa Alpha Psi and its partners are providing at Saturday’s clinic.

'I've never seen this:' Cleveland-area grocery store operator asks for help curbing crime

From WEWS-Channel 5 News

Jerome Bouyer is fed up with vandalism and violence.

So this week, the operator of 18 Cleveland-area grocery stores made a public plea. He asked neighbors to pay attention – and to call the police if they see anything strange.

“In the 21 years I’ve been with Save A Lot, I’ve never seen this kind of activity around our stores,” Bouyer said. “It’s something new to us, and that’s why we’re reaching out to the community for help.”

A discount grocer based in Missouri, Save A Lot has more than 800 independently owned stores across the country. In some Cleveland neighborhoods, it’s the only place to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.

Over the last few months, the Cleveland Heights store has become a test case for a partnership between the company and its customers.

Shoppers rallied in March to show support for the retailer after a rash of break-ins. And activists have worked with police to put more eyes on the block on Noble Road near the East Cleveland border.

Cleveland Heights wins AARP grant to hold design competition for so-called 'granny flats'

From Cleveland.com (no paywall)

Cleveland Heights will be the first community in Ohio to hold an open competition to design a set of building plans for homeowners who want to build an accessory dwelling unit on their property.

The AARP awarded the city a $15,000 grant late last month to fund the competition for the so-called “granny flats” as part of the organization’s push to support projects across the country that make communities more livable.

Planning Director Eric Zamft said the goal of the contest is to produce a set of design plans that the city’s architectural review board, zoning and planning committees can all approve ahead of time so that residents who want to build a unit can bypass the bureaucracy of submitting applications and presenting their plans for each body to approve.

Second Cleveland Heights Climate Action and Resiliency Plan Workshop considers sources, solutions to climate crisis

At the well-attended second workshop for the City of Cleveland Heights' Climate Action and Resiliency Plan held on Tuesday, July 16 at the Community Center, residents provided valuable input aimed at co-creating local and equitable solutions to the climate crisis.

The City’s Climate Action and Resiliency Coordinator, Andy Boateng, and consultant, Nutter Consulting, presented a draft of the city’s carbon emissions inventory -- an accounting of the city's production of planet-warming emissions -- before engaging with participants to explore local reduction strategies across multiple sectors including Buildings, Transportation, Land Use, and Waste.

“We are looking to co-create lasting solutions that position the city to meet its carbon neutrality goal by mid-century, and explore strategies that help us to adapt to the current and projected impacts of climate change,” Boateng said during his introductory remarks.

In his closing remarks, Mayor Kahlil Seren thanked residents for their participation and said that taking action to respond to the climate crisis is a priority for Cleveland Heights.

Residents interested in updates on the Cleveland Heights Climate Action and Resiliency Plan are encouraged to sign up for email updates.

THIS WEEK

Hexagon Books Offers a World of Literature in Cleveland Heights

From Cleveland Magazine (no paywall)

A small, curated storefront offers books of various languages, inside Cleveland Heights' new Hexagon Books.

Owner Manuel Chinchilla runs the shop at 2184 Lee Road, plus the classroom tucked down the hallway, where he will teach Italian and Spanish language classes.

Chinchilla, formerly a Spanish language teacher at Hunting Valley’s University School and a professor at Sewanee: The University of the South, organized Hexagon’s books by continent, showcasing authors from around the world. One key detail that sets his space apart from other bookshops in Northeast Ohio is that it offers a selection of books written and presented in non-English languages, along with English translations of works.

Cleveland Heights hosted the 47th annual Cain Park Arts Festival last weekend (July 12-14), showcasing the work of more than 100 artists and also featuring live entertainment, interactive mural painting for children, lots of food and fun. Here, Pat Juneau of Scott, La., explains how he creates his metal artwork to a festival-goer. Photo: Tom Jewell (Special to the Sun News)

Inlet Dance Theatre

FREE SHOW

Friday, July 26th @ 1 PM Kids Matinee*

Saturday, July 27th @ 8 PM

Evans Amphitheater

Inlet Dance Theatre is one of the region’s most exciting professional contemporary dance companies. Founded in 2001 by Founder and Executive/Artistic Director Bill Wade, Inlet embodies his long-standing belief that dance viewing, training, and performing experiences may serve as tools to bring about personal growth and development. Inlet’s collaborative artistic staff builds the company’s solid reputation for uplifting individuals and engaging new audiences via performances and education programming.

Over their history, they have transformed from a small dance company with local impact into a celebrated organization that impacts people on an international level. Their core strengths reside equally in performance and education. Whether performing at local venues or conducting regional residencies or international exchanges, Inlet continues to inspire, educate, and innovate – all with the vision of using dance to further people. Join Inlet’s Company Members, the Inlet Trainee & Apprentice Program, and students from our Summer Dance Intensive for this 23rd Annual Concert at Cain Park!

*The July 26th Kids Matinee is geared towards children and their families (groups welcome!). The matinee will include company demonstrations, audience participation activities, and a short performance of new works that will premiere in the July 27th evening concert.

Hype Man runs through the weekend

A rapper, beat-maker, and hype man start to find success making music together, but harmony is harder to find when the interracial hip-hop trio clashes over how to use their newfound platform in the wake of a police shooting. Hype Man by Idris Goodwin is a rhythmically woven drama exploring race, representation, fame and friendship.

Hype Man runs from today, Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 21.

Full Performance Listing

Madagascar, Jr. stampedes Cain Park with fun

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto your stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime. Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. follows all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

Full Performance Listing

Heights Libraries wants your opinion on Coventry PEACE property

As Heights Libraries makes plans for the Coventry PEACE Property located at the corner of Euclid Heights Boulevard and Coventry Road, it wishes to know what you think. This survey is anonymous so please be candid. This survey should take around 5 minutes.

Parks and Recreation Programs

Soccer and Camps

Skating

Adult Fitness and Wellness

Other Programs

Upcoming Events

TONIGHT!

THIS WEEKEND

Roller Derby Tournament

Coming to Cleveland Heights

The Guardians Roller Derby Team and the City of Cleveland Heights present the 2024 MRDA Roller Derby Tournament at the Cleveland Heights Community Center, July 20 & 21. Teams from across the United States will visit and compete over the two day tournament.

Noble Gardeners' Market Returns for 2024

Noble Gardeners' Market runs each Saturday in August and September from 10 am to noon at the corner of Noble and Roanoke Roads, one block north of Monticello Boulevard.

Sellers who grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers at home or in community gardens are welcome to share their abundance. Sellers are not charged for space but must provide their own table or ground cloth. They must also display their prices and provide change for their customers.

New this year, Noble Gardeners' Market is inviting Cottage Food producers to sell their products. These sellers must comply with the State of Ohio Department of Agriculture rules for Cottage Food Production Operations. A downloadable copy of those regulations is available at www.NobleNeighbors.com. Noble Gardeners' Market is in compliance with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and is subject to inspection.

Mark your calendars for a fun-filled evening on Saturday, August 10th, as Denison Park transforms into an outdoor cinema for a night of family-friendly entertainment. The event, hosted by the Friends of the Noble Neighborhood and Noble Realtors, with support from Noble Neighbors, promises an enchanting experience!

The festivities will kick off at 7:30 pm when you can grab a bite to eat and let the kids enjoy the playground. As the sun sets, get ready for the highlight of the night—a screening of "The Magician's Elephant" starting at 8:30 pm.

Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket and enjoy the movie on the Soccer Field or take a seat in the soccer stadium. Please note that chairs are not allowed on the artificial turf to avoid damage.

Be sure to arrive early, as the first 150 attendees will receive a $1.00 off ticket for food or beverage purchases, courtesy of the Noble Realtors. Treat yourself to delicious pizza, snacks, and drinks available at the concession stand, which will be staffed by the Girls Soccer Boosters.

All proceeds from concession sales will benefit the Heights Girls Soccer Program. There is no rain date for this event, so cross your fingers for clear skies! Don't miss this opportunity to gather with neighbors, enjoy great food, and watch a fantastic movie under the stars. Denison Park is located at 1015 Quarry Road. We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration opens for Shaker Lakes Hike & Run

The Shaker Lakes Hike & Run is on Sunday, September 15, 2024. It includes the following events: 5k Run/Walk, 10k Run, 1 Mile Run/Walk, 1-2 Mile Family Friendly Hike, 4 Mile Rim of the Gorge Hike, 5-6 Mile Gorge Hike, and 1-2 Mile Shaker Parklands Hike.

Crowdsourced Conversations 2024 Survey 3: Our Public Parks

FutureHeights is conducting a survey before the organization co-hosts a series of action-oriented conversations. The topic, selected by Heights community members, for this, it's third community conversation is "Our Public Parks." They are gathering data about what Cleveland Heights and University Heights students, residents, and other stakeholders see as priorities in order to help us generate questions for the upcoming community conversation on the topic.