The Heights Observer

Board of Education and city councils meet in joint session

Deanna Bremer Fisher — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:16:05 EDT

Mosdos students let their voices be heard by holding signs which read "Millikin for Mosdos," "Save Millikin School," and "I am a CH-UH student too."
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On Monday, May 14, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education and the city councils of Cleveland Heights and University Heights met in a joint session to discuss the school facilities master plan. Agenda topics included the Millikin School property, the proposed closing of Gearity Professional Development School, and the school facilities master planning process. Also in attendance was Jane Goodman, a member of South Euclid City Council whose ward includes children who attend the CH-UH schools.

New bike racks on Coventry Road

Simone Jasper — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:25:00 EDT

One of the new custom-designed bike racks in Coventry Village is located at Coventry Yard, in the southern part of the district. Photo by Ian Hoffman.

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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.

UH philanthropist and lymphoma survivor adds Boston Marathon to list of accomplishments

Diane DiPiero Rodio — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:53:05 EDT

Kevin Goodman poses for photo before his big race in Boston.

All that hot yoga at Bikram Yoga in Shaker Heights certainly helped prepare Kevin Goodman for the scorching heat he encountered during the Boston Marathon. As temperatures soared above the mid-80s, and the humidity climbed well beyond a comfortable level, Goodman focused on the task at hand. He wanted to finish this race not only for himself, but also in honor of those battling leukemia or lymphoma, and to thank the many donors who had pledged their support to him in this race.

Walking Tour of Coventry? There's an app for that

Chris Hanson — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:00:46 EDT

The Cleveland Historical app guides users through a history of the Heights area.

On Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to noon, FutureHeights, along with the Cleveland Heights Historical Society and Cleveland State University’s Digital Humanities Department, will host An App-Enhanced Walking Tour of the Coventry Village Neighborhood. The tour will start at Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Arch by Coventry Village Library, and will occur rain or shine.

Cain Park Picnic on May 17

Peter Titas — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:20:18 EDT

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.

Updated: Roxboro Elementary School closing extended at least through Tuesday, May 15

Kim Sergio Inglis — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:02:28 EDT

Water damage inside a classroom at Roxboro Elementary School.

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Due to the extensive water damage that was discovered Thursday morning, May 10, at Roxboro Elementary School in Cleveland Heights, the cancellation of all classes and activiites will be extended through Tuesday, May 15.

In a May 11 news release, Angee Shaker, director of communications for the CH-UH City School District, stated, "A water supply line broke on the second floor of the school. Some of our classrooms and hallways had standing water. Because of the time needed to properly dry the floors, replace carpeting, and repair ceilings, work is taking place around the clock so our students and teachers can get back to school."

Roxboro Elementary School was also closed on Thursday, May 10, and Friday, May 11, because of the water damage.

Cleveland Heights - University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights 4-23-12

League of Women Voters — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:42:19 EDT

APRIL 23, 2012

Master facilities plan
- Plan history and development
- Reconfiguration plan
- Plan costs and financing options
- Questions and comments from the board

All board members were present (including Ron Register, by phone).

Kickstarter artist brings green energy and creativity to Cleveland Heights on May 10

Chris Hanson — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:54:20 EDT

Paul Nosa works his magic. From pnosa.com
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On May 10 and 11, Paul Nosa, an innovative sewing artist, will make his way to some of the most creative places in Cleveland, including both Coventry Village in Cleveland Heights and the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. Nosa, an artist based in Tucson, Ariz., travels across the country with his solar- and bike-powered sewing machine, in his Sewing Tour 2012 Revisited. He uses Kickstarter, the world's largest online funding platform for creative projects. Filmmakers, musicians, artists and designers use the website www.kickstarter.com to showcase their creative projects, and raise funding as well as awareness and support for their projects.

Two new Millikin appraisals offer two different estimates of the property's value

Kim Sergio Inglis — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:21:03 EDT

A new appraisal of the Millikin School property requested by the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District estimates the value of the former school building and adjacent "excess land" to be $770,000.

Mosdos Ohr Hatorah, the Orthodox Jewish school that has offered to purchase the Millikin property, commissioned its own appraisal, which estimates the total "as is" value of the property to be $600,000.

May 14 meeting agenda includes school facilities plan and Millikin

Kim Sergio Inglis — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:33:07 EDT

The former Millikin Elementary School Building will be a topic at the May 14 meeting. Photo by Chris Hanson.

On Monday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m., the CH-UH Board of Education will have its first meeting with the city councils of Cleveland Heights and University Heights to discuss the school facilities master plan. The meeting is open to the public, and will take place at the Cleveland Heights Community Center, 1 Monticello Blvd.

May 12 Bike Tour of Historic Districts kicks off Preservation Month in Cleveland Heights

Kara Hamley O'Donnell — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:39:25 EDT

Mary Dunbar leads a walking tour of the Shaker Farm Historic District in 2011. Photo by Deanna Bremer Fisher.

May is both Bike Month and Preservation Month, so the Heights Bicycle Coalition (HBC) and the Cleveland Heights Historical Society are joining forces for a free lecture and bicycle tour of historic districts in the southern part of Cleveland Heights.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., and begins at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd. To register, call the Cleveland Heights planning department, 216-291-4878. (Rain date: May 26, same place and time.)

University Heights City Council meeting highlights 4-16-12

League of Women Voters — Mon, 07 May 2012 09:15:36 EDT

APRIL 16, 2012

Fuchs Mizrachi School property
Resident being sued
Gearity School
Gesu boys basketball team
New finance director
Julian Rogers to represent UH
Street resurfacing and marking
Renewal of notes
Pension fund transfers
Height of grass
Recreational fee changes
Police department restructuring
Senior transportation
Deadline change
James Zupka, CPA
Course for realtors

All council members were present.

Cleveland Heights City Council meeting highlights 4-16-12

League of Women Voters — Mon, 07 May 2012 08:40:20 EDT

APRIL 16, 2012

City manager resigns
HCC—40 years old
Constitutional amendment
Oakwood
Catch basin cleaning
National Preservation Month
Outdoor dining at The Social Room
Bike Month
CDBG funds for 2012
First Energy rates for the city

All council members were present.

Hundreds attend alumni pancake breakfast

Angee Shaker — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:52:50 EDT

Members of the Heights High Class of 1978 enjoyed pancakes and good times at their alma mater during the 16th annual CHHS Alumni Foundation Scholarship Pancake Breakfast on April 22.

Overcast with gray skies meant green for the black and gold with almost 500 people attending the Cleveland Heights High School Alumni Foundation’s 16th annual Scholarship Pancake Breakfast on April 22. Located in the cafeteria and social room at Heights High, attendees enjoyed the all-you-can-eat pancakes prepared by flapjack artisan Chris Cakes, orange juice from Whole Foods Market, and coffee prepared by Restless Coffee. Volunteers from the Cleveland Heights–University Heights Public Library helped staff the serving line, while members of CHHS Student Council gave guided tours of Heights High. Some alumni had not been back to their alma mater in years, making the tours all the more special.

Tradition and innovation at Pizzazz

Richard Stewart — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:10:09 EDT

Pizzazz On the Circle. Photo by Richard Stewart.

When David Spiccia told his family he planned to branch out from the family restaurant business and open a second, much larger location, no one considered it a wise move. Twenty years later, Pizzazz On the Circle is one the most popular restaurants in the Heights.

“My family thought I was crazy going from a 50 seater to a restaurant that seats 200 plus,” said Spiccia. “My parents had the place in Mayfield and I wanted to expand, so I put together an investment package, went out and got some investors, and we got it done.”

Harper family excels on and off the court

Joy Henderson — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:35:08 EDT

The Harper family includes Elaine, Jasmine, Antonio, Alex and James (L-R). The family focuses both on academics and athletics.

Heights High basketball players Jasmine, Antonio and Alexandra Harper were standout players this year. The girls varsity team was league champion, the boys received the #1 seed in the district tournament and reached the semifinals, and the girls freshman team played a strong season.

Their coaches say the three sibling post players have solid game fundamentals and leadership skills. Their success in basketball is paired with success in the classroom—they each have GPAs higher than 3.0.

Heights High clubs value service and sustainability

Ilona Eke — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:51:08 EDT

Heights High Project Build students complete the foundation of a green house for Community Green House Partners in the Hough neighborhood.

Project Build and the Environmental Club focus on sustainability and community service, providing hands-on volunteer opportunities for students at Cleveland Heights High School. Senior Ariel Travis, a leader in both clubs, seeks to create more service opportunities at the high school. “Both clubs share the same vision and have similar goals. I believe we can do great things together,” Travis said.

Started in October 2011 by Travis and math teacher/club advisor Chris Sutton, Project Build has attracted over 100 volunteers and is one of the fastest-growing clubs on campus.

Stuffed animals run amok at the Library

Sheryl Banks — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:27:25 EDT

New friends enjoy a laugh together.
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What happens when stuffed animals are let loose in a library overnight? Heights Libraries found out on Saturday, April 14, at the Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Lee Road branch.

After a special storytime, kids kissed their stuffed friends goodbye, leaving them alone in the library for a fun-filled night of mayhem and mischief.

On Sunday, kids picked up their friends, along with a photo booklet revealing what had happened overnight while no one was watching.

Realtor Chris Hallum hosts unique open house

Chris Hanson — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:14:07 EDT

A unique open house. Photo courtesy Hannah Baldwin.

Keller Williams realtor Chris Hallum hosted a unique open house on April 18 at 2572 Stratford Road in Cleveland Heights. This open house provided not only an opportunity for visitors to tour the home, but also a chance to meet neighbors and local business owners.

Adam Fleischer, owner of the Wine Spot on nearby Lee Road, poured wine for tasting as he answered questions about the community. The team Hallum works with consists of six realtors and one assistant. Five of them were present at the open house.

30th Annual Roxboro Arts Festival to be held May 19

Lance Godard — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:14:07 EDT

The 30th Annual Roxboro Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, May 19 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Roxboro Elementary School, 2405 Roxboro Road in Cleveland Heights.

Hosted by the Roxboro Elementary PTA, this year’s festival is expected to bring together more than 400 people from across the Heights community to celebrate the arts, our schools, and our children. It promises to be a fun-filled afternoon for children of all ages, with hands-on arts and crafts activities, games, music, dancing, and food from a variety of local restaurants and cafes, including Mr. Brisket, Mitchell’s Ice Cream, Guy’s Pizza, and more.