Kiwanis Foundation Tees Up Annual Golf Outing

You still have plenty of time to hone your golf game in preparation for the Independence Kiwanis Foundation's annual golf outing. The golf outing, which benefits the Children of Fallen Patriot Scholarship Fund, will be held August 16 at Briarwood Golf Club, 2737 W. Edgerton Road in Broadview Heights.

Registration is now open if you want to play in the golf outing. Golfers will enjoy 18 holes of golf, a continental breakfast, lunch at the turn, drink carts, and dinner catered by Mission BBQ. Registration includes a golf cart and a gift of appreciation. The much-anticipated raffles are back, and a car donated by Ganley Hyundai goes to the golfer scoring a hole-in-one.

Not a golfer? Please consider donating to the event. Sponsorships include games such as the longest putt, hole signs, donations to gift bags, and more.

For more information, contact Jackie Horn at 216-524-6297 or email: independence.kiwanisgolf@gmail.com.

Firefighters, Dispatchers

Honored For Saving Life

L-R: Ellen Zizis, firefighters Joe Murray and Mike Wodarczyk, Sam Zizis, Katerina Zizis, Mayor Gregory Kurtz, Chagrin Valley Dispatch dispatchers Blake King and Amanda Tarase, and

Fire Chief Steve Rega.

On January 21, 2024, Independence resident Ellen Zizis experienced a life-threating medical event. Chagrin Valley Dispatch dispatchers Blake King and Amanda Tarase kept Ellen's husband, Sam, and daughter, Katerina, calm and focused as they performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Ellen until Independence Fire Department paramedics arrived to assist.

Fortunately, Ellen's medical event had a happy ending.

Prior to the June 11 City Council meeting, the City recognized the heroic efforts of Ellen's husband and daughter; Chagrin Valley Dispatch dispatchers Blake King and Amanda Tarase; and firefighters Lt. Jason Fahl, Michael Wodarczyk, David Kren, Nick Loparo, Joe Murray, Chris Hampton, and Caleb Ernshaw and their roles in saving Ellen's life.

We are blessed as a community to have such outstanding and dependable fire and police personnel keeping us all safe and protected.

Quick Actions of Police,

Fire Resolve Tense Situation

L-R: Mayor Gregory Kurtz and Fire Chief Steve Rega presented certificates of appreciation to firefighters Lt. Mike Fielding, Dominic Canitia, and Kyle Krysiak, Ray Arona. Police Chief Robert Butler was also

on hand for the presentation.

Earlier this spring the Independence Police Department responded to a distraught motorist in a gas station parking lot. The calmness of their quick actions, and the timely assistance of the Independence Fire Department, de-escalated and successfully resolved a tense situation.

I applaud the joint efforts of the IPD and IFD to keep our residents and our community safe. Prior to the June 11 City Council meeting, we recognized firefighters Lt. Mike Fielding, Ray Arona, Dominic Canitia, and Kyle Krysiak for their assistance to IPD.

This display of teamwork is yet another example of how our Police and Fire Departments are able to work in tandem to make a difference in people's lives.

Kiwanis Club's Bunco Party

To Let Good Times Roll!

Will you enjoy the Bunco Party? It's strictly a roll of the dice.

We're hoping the competition doesn't become too dicey during the Kiwanis Club's Bunco Party next month. The fun rolls into the Civic Center on Saturday, July 13 from 1 to 4 PM.

There is a limited number of seats at the table, so don't delay ... register today. The Bunco Party is open to ages 5 to 95 and has a $20 entry fee. The party offers participants a fun way to play this social dice game while raising money for Kiwanis-sponsored charities. Bunco prizes and door prizes are available, as is a Bunco game refresher course during lunch.

See the Bunco game rules and purchase tickets at independencekiwanis.com or by clicking here. For details, call Mary Lee Gorbett at 216.225.8902 or email fenway32@aol.com.

Community Band Set

For First Summer Concert

What better way to spend a midweek evening than listening to the Community Band?

It's time to strike up the Community Band for the first summer concert of the season!

The band will perform on the Public Square bandstand stage on Wednesday, June 19 at 7 PM. Join the fun as these fine musicians play classic tunes you're sure to remember.

The Independence High School Music Department and the IHS Music Boosters will have refreshments available. The Community Band will play again on June 26 at 7 PM.

In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be held at the Independence Civic Center, 6363 Selig Drive. Call 216.524.7373 to confirm the location of a concert, or visit our Facebook page: Facebook.com/IndependenceOHRec.

Deadline Approaching

To Order Flags For Heroes

Today is Flag Day ... and a great day to order Flags For Heroes.

The Community Services Department is offering residents the opportunity to dedicate an American flag in honor or memory of veterans, active military, or members of the safety forces.

These 12-by-18-inch flags will be displayed in front of the Civic Center from June 24 through July 8. Flags are $5 each and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Order your flag(s) by calling 216.524.7373 or in person at the Community Services' front desk. Deadline is Monday, June 17.

Proceeds from the sale of each flag will benefit Operation Flags of Freedom, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises awareness and promotes initiatives to honor military personnel, veterans, first responders, and heroes who have passed.

Upcoming City Council

& Committee Meetings

June 17

Joint Streets and Sidewalks Committee and the Utilities and Sewer Committee, 4 PM 

June 20

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

June 27

Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 PM

July 2

Planning Commission, 5:30 PM

July 3

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

July 9

City Council Caucus, 5:30 PM

Followed by City Council Meeting

July 18

Architectural Review Board, 3PM

Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 PM

Vibrant Flowers Powered

By Special Fertilizer

Chris Cichocki waters flowers

on Selig Drive.

Every year around this time we receive phone calls inquiring about the beautiful petunias growing from the flower baskets around town and on the City Campus.

The flowers on Brecksville and Rockside Roads, and throughout the City roadways, are watered and fertilized by our Service Department crew led by Assistant Service Director Paul Porch. The crew of Parks and Recreation Department Director Tom Walchanowicz water and fertilize the City Campus flowers.

So why are these flowers flourishing? I asked Paul and Tom hoping they would divulge their "green thumb secrets" for maintaining these colorful petunias so I can share with you. The hanging baskets sit in a specially designed pot that allows the petunias to retain water for several days, minimizing the need for weekend watering. The petunias are fertilized every Monday and Friday - rain or shine.

The fertilizer our crews use is Jack's Professional Water-Soluble Fertilizer, brand 20-3-19 Petunia FeED Plus MG (For a continuous liquid feeding program).

Check Out The

Weekly Finance Review

Read Finance Director Vern Blaze’s Financial Update for June 14, 2024 by clicking here.

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