Cleveland Heights offering its residents funding for exterior home repair, lead remediation: Press Run

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — The city of Cleveland Heights already offers programs for residents in need of housing assistance through its Housing Preservation Office, which has programs for removing lead and for helping low-to-moderate income households meet their exterior home repair needs.

Now, building on its reputation for delivering housing services, the city secured $4.5 million in federal ARPA funds which are now available to Cleveland Heights residential property owners.

Homeowners seeking Housing Preservation Office services, including lead remediation and exterior home repairs, are now invited to apply for funding and technical support for their projects.

Call 216-291-4869 and ask for Lori or Zach. For more information about the City’s Housing Assistance Program grants, and to apply, visit here.

Dolans receive Maltz Heritage Award: The Maltz Museum held a formal ceremony May 5 at the Cleveland Museum of Art to celebrate Karen and Paul Dolan, recipients of the 12th Annual Maltz Heritage Award.

More than 500 guests, including family, friends, and community leaders across Greater Cleveland attended the event.

The night included personal tributes to the couple’s commitment to community service, including comments from Museum leadership. Guests also enjoyed a reading from this year’s Stop the Hate Contest grand prize winner, a retrospective celebrating the Museum’s 20th anniversary, and even a live performance of Fiddler on the Roof — a salute to the Museum’s original grand opening celebration in 2005.

“Karen and Paul Dolan have accomplished so much through their commitment to Northeast Ohio,” said Executive Director of the Maltz Museum Aaron Petersal, in a release. “Together, they’ve strengthened our community, focusing on real issues and promoting solutions that positively impact people from all walks of life.

“People like Karen and Paul uplift our community and inspire the best in others, creating a more just, compassionate world for everyone. The Museum is excited to recognize them with this year’s Heritage Award. Like all of our past recipients, it’s well deserved.”

Lake Erie Ink book launch is May 29: Lake Erie Ink will launch on May 29 its latest “Hide & Seek” anthology for young people, or as LEI describes the book, “a map of discovery created by and for young people.”

Each poem, story, photograph and illustration is said to be a clue in the ongoing game of finding identity, meaning, and voice.

Published annually, the anthology is the culmination of Lake Erie Ink’s Teen Book Project, now in its ninth year, in which a group of teens take the lead in every part of the publication process, from selecting the theme to curating submissions to formatting the final book.

Working together with Lake Erie Ink teacher Amy Hughes, and with support from the literary and publishing community, teens learn and grow as creative participants in their community.

This year’s theme of Hide & Seek invited contributors to explore vulnerability, revelation and everything in between.

Submissions poured in from students in grades 6–12 from across Northeast Ohio, representing a vibrant mix of genres, including fiction, poetry, comics, visual art, and photography.

Supported in part by funding from the Ohio Arts Council, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, the Cyrus Eaton Foundation, and individual donors and local foundations, Hide and Seek will be available in local bookstores (Mac’s Backs Books, Visible Voice Books, Loganberry Books) and from Lake Erie Ink beginning May 30.

All are invited to join in from 6-8 p.m. May 29 at Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd. in Shaker Heights, to recognize and celebrate the voices of youth in the community and to support the project by ordering a copy, reading their words, and seeing yourself reflected in the creativity of Cleveland’s youth.

For more information on the Teen Book Project and other creative programming for teens in the Cleveland community, visit the website lakeerieink.org, or call 216-320-4757.

Cleveland Heights Community Market: The Cleveland Heights Community Market for farmers, small businesses and artists, will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a number of dates, the first being Sunday, May 25.

The Market will be located in the parking lot at South Taylor and Cedarbrook roads, and will be open each Sunday in June, July and August.

Vendors are now being accepted. Interested vendors should call Monse at 216-288-4697. More details can be learned by emailing to [email protected].

From Beachwood Schools: Beachwood High School junior Lyndia Zheng has been selected to attend the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. from June 22-27.

The five-day summer program brings together one high school junior from each state for a skill-building, network-growing, life-changing experience that gives students a head start on their futures.

The managing editor for the school’s Beachcomber this year, Zheng is the first BHS student to ever be selected for this program. She will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the conference and a $1,000 college scholarship.

“At first, I was very shocked when I received the acceptance email, but then I became very excited,” Zheng said, in a Beachwood Schools release. “I want to learn from media journalism professionals and am also excited to meet other student journalists my age.”

Conference panels and on-site visits cover topics such as, The Future of Journalism, Media Ethics, Photojournalism, New Innovation, Covering Politics, Understanding the First Amendment, Journalism Careers and Mentorship, Student Press Freedom and Investigative Reporting.

The program also provides networking opportunities with alumni journalists and entrepreneurs at the Free Spirit Alumni and 2025 Class dinner.

The conference was established in 1999 to honor Al Neuharth, founder of the Freedom Forum and USA Today. The annual event hosts 51 of the nation’s leading high school journalists — one person from each state and the District of Columbia — at an immersive program designed to inspire and encourage students to pursue journalism and media careers.

Also from Beachwood Schools: Beachwood City Schools has appointed Gregory Murphy as the district’s new director of communications. Murphy began his role May 1 and will lead the district’s strategic communications program to promote the mission and vision of the Beachwood Board of Education.

“Thank you to the Board of Education for this opportunity. I am thrilled to join the Beachwood team and look forward to working closely with students, staff, families, and the entire school community,” said Murphy, in a release.

Murphy joins Beachwood from the Rocky River City School District, where he served as communications specialist since 2018. There, he led the development and implementation of strategic communications plans, including a redesign of the district website, the launch of a mobile app, and the effort of increasing the district’s presence on social media.

“Greg’s creative storytelling skills and approachable style make him an excellent fit for our district,” Superintendent Robert Hardis said. “He understands how to effectively communicate the achievements of students and staff, and we look forward to his contributions in strengthening our community relationships.”

Before joining Rocky River, Murphy served as assistant athletics director for communications at Cleveland State University. His communications experience also includes roles with Colorado School of Mines, Washington & Lee University, and the Cleveland Browns. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in communications from John Carroll University.

Native plant sale: Forest Hills Presbyterian Church will hold a native plant sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 31. The church is located at 3031 Monticello Blvd. in Cleveland Heights.

Four regional native plant suppliers will take part. They include Avonlea Gardens & Inn, Meadow City, Native Roots Inc., and Plant It Native.

Those seeking more information can visit [email protected].

Congresswoman’s Housing Expo: The office of U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, D-11, will host OH-11 Housing Expo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 at Corporate College, 4400 Richmond Road in Warrensville Heights.

The Expo will offer prospective and current homeowners opportunities to receive personalized tips, tools, financial guidance, and expert resources.

Representatives from federal, state, and local agencies will be on hand to provide information on the programs they provide.

More information about the Expo will be announced in weeks to come. Visit here to RSVP and stay updated on the Expo.

To register for the Expo, visit here.

Cain Park presents moe.: Cleveland Heights’ Cain Park will present the jam rock band moe. in concert, with special guest Eggy, at 7 p.m. Aug. 15.

To purchase tickets for the just-announced show, visit here.

Also, Punch Brothers will take the stage at the venue at 7:30 p.m. June 12. Tickets for this show can be bought here.

Workshop on preserving an older home: The Shaker Historical Society has announced the return of Understanding and Maintaining Wood Windows and Doors, an interactive workshop led by CC Restoration and tailored for owners of old homes.

The workshop will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8 at the Shaker Historical Society, 16740 S. Park Blvd.

CC Restoration aims to provide participants with foundational knowledge and practical skills to ensure the preservation and functioning of a home’s wood windows and doors.

In the morning, participants will explore the basics of door construction, learn to address common issues, like binding and draftiness, and get hands-on experience installing spring bronze weather stripping.

In the afternoon, participants will gain insights into wood windows, including basics of construction, window types and styles, and how to address common wood window maintenance, such as re-roping and glazing.

“There is an abundance of beautiful old homes in the Cleveland area, but maintaining them can be a challenge,” said SHS Executive Director Brianna Treleven, in a release. “By learning how to address common house issues, participants can save money on home maintenance and play a proactive role in preserving their communities’ architectural heritage.”

For more information and registration, visit givebutter.com/SHSdoors25, or contact the Shaker Historical Society at [email protected].

The workshop is open to participants ages 18 and older and will feature hands-on activities.

Registration for the workshop is $30 for general admission, and $20 for members of the Shaker Historical Society and Ohio History Connection.

Siegal Lifelong Learning courses: The Siegal Lifelong Learning program at Case Western Reserve University offers a wide range of non-credit courses and lectures online, on campus, in its Beachwood classrooms, as well as a variety of other locations.

A few upcoming programs, all taking place at the Landmark Centre Building, 25700 Science Park Drive in Beachwood, include:

— What’s the Deal with Dead Man’s Curve? And Other Really Good Questions About Cleveland with author Jim Sweeney, from 7-8:30 p.m. May 15.

— Middle East Update, with Peter Haas, Abba Hillel Silver Professor Emeritus at Case Western Reserve University, from 10:30 a.m. to noon June 23.

— Analyzing Major League Baseball, with Michael Walczak, scheduled for 1:30-3 p.m. Wednesdays from June 25 to July 30.

For a full listing of programs, visit case.edu/lifelonglearning/.

Get your free Scam Squad Guide: The Scam Squad Guide is now available in print to help older Cuyahoga County residents protect their money from scams.

The free, easy-to-read guide reveals how scams work, what scammers are really after, and how to use simple strategies to fight back.

“Keeping a booklet right next to your favorite chair will let you refer to it again and again, so you remember the info when you need it most,” said Sheryl Harris, director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs, in a release.

Each guide comes with an action plan to help residents reach people they trust anytime they feel pressured to act fast.

The Scam Squad Guide is available at libraries throughout the county, including Cleveland Public and Cuyahoga County library branches, and at senior centers.

An online version of the booklet and a list of community locations with print versions is available at cuyahogacounty.gov/scamsquad.

Those who need help finding a booklet can call the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs at 216-443-7035. Supplies are limited.

If you would like your item included in Press Run, send me an email, at least 12 days before an event, at [email protected].

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