USA Hockey Magazine Spotlights

Cleveland Heights' Laila Edwards

In November 2023 Laila became the First Black Player on the U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team

The pages to her story that Laila Edwards has added in the last year have been consequential.

She won an NCAA championship as a freshman last season at Wisconsin, a result that pushed her toward striving to do it again. Then she made her first appearance with the U.S. Women’s National Team at the Rivalry Series this past November, a breakthrough that went far beyond herself and her blossoming career. She was the team’s first Black player and the achievement received nationwide attention.

Those entries are new, but the central themes in her journey have been consistent. Emerging from challenges and taking uncharted paths are the main narratives for Edwards, who accomplished these big things before she turned 20.

“I’m just another hockey player who had a few more barriers and obstacles to go through growing up in this sport,” Edwards said. “I was able to persevere, and I’m someone that is hopefully a role model to many girls, but specifically to girls of color.”

Edwards didn’t see anyone who looked like her when she started playing hockey in her hometown of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and that was initially discomforting. Now she accepts her place as someone who can help change that for the next generation of young players…

Heights-area students offer moving tributes to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The City of Cleveland Heights’ annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration, held this past Monday at the Cleveland Heights Community Center, demonstrated how a new generation is accessing the legacy of America's preeminent civil rights leader.

Twenty Heights area elementary, middle, and high school students shared poems, essays, and posters reflecting the theme:

How can you use non-violent activism to create a community that is “at peace with itself?”

Mayor Kahlil Seren, who emceed the evening along with City Council President Tony Cuda, applauded the students for activating the themes in the slain civil rights activist's pursuit of a more just society.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was clearly a massive inspiration and an impactful figure in American history,” the Mayor said, while adding that he was also the target of vitriol from those who resisted a vision of a more equal society.

“The way he chose to respond to that hatred and bigotry and to that violence was to open himself up with love and forgiveness.”

Roxboro Elementary School fifth grader Eloise Lomnicky defined Dr. King’s philosophy of non-violent resistance as “not resorting to using violent means to solve problems. It’s best to hear both sides of the story. Be kind to all. That’s one of the basics.”

Fairfax Elementary third grader Winifred Kriner-Bakaitis was inspired by Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream…” speech. Her poem reads, in part:

I have a dream

just like Martin Luther King

I dream of peace

the sound of a still tongue

and the quiet night

I dream of respect

Showing kindness to others

Seeing someone sad and cheering them up

I dream of fairness

everybody gets what they need

help everybody finish the race

no matter where they start...

2024 Cleveland Heights Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay, Poetry, and Poster Contest Winners

Essays—Elementary Students

• Eli Brooks, Fifth Grade, Roxboro Elementary
• Jamere Johnson, Fifth Grade, Roxboro Elementary
• Eloise Lomnicky, Fifth Grade, Roxboro Elementary
• Cameron Starr, Fourth Grade, Noble Elementary
• Nora Surratt, Fifth Grade, Roxboro Elementary
• Rai'yonna Webster, Fourth Grade, Noble Elementary

Poems—Elementary Students

• Nova Brown-Hitchcock, Fifth Grade, Fairfax Elementary
• Winifred Kriner-Bakaitis, Third Grade, Fairfax Elementary
• Charlotte Sluzewski, Fifth Grade, Communion of Saints School

Posters—Elementary School Students

• Laniyah Collins, Third Grade, Fairfax Elementary
• Zaidee Lampe, First Grade, Fairfax Elementary
• Alexandria Zhang, Second Grade, Fairfax Elementary

Essays—Middle School Students

• Erin Austin, Seventh Grade, Roxboro Middle
• Caleb Hodges, Seventh Grade, Roxboro Middle
• Ginger McLennan, Seventh Grade, Roxboro Middle

Poems—Middle School Students

• Breeya Horne, Sixth Grade, Monticello Middle School
• Margalit Shuck, Sixth Grade, Monticello Middle School

Essays—High School Students

• Laureen Ahyi, Twelfth Grade, Beaumont School
• Mary Elizabeth Manning, Twelfth Grade, Beaumont School

Poems—High School Students

• Laureen Ahyi, Twelfth Grade, Beaumont School
• A'Kayla Ivory, Twelfth Grade, Beaumont School

Noble Elementary fourth grader Rai'yonna Webster called for greater tolerance. “I think people should be able to express themselves in ways such as how they eat, how they dress, the holidays they celebrate, the way they dance. People should stop and think before they judge a person.”

Many of the older students made a connection between self-care and non-violence, calling for greater mental health awareness in the middle and high schools.

Erin Austin a student at Roxboro Middle School, said, “We can help prevent suicide, and offer help to those who attempted it, and to those who contemplated it.”

Seventh-grader Ginger McLennan added a call for “emotional check-ins to our daily routine. It might shine a light on the mental health crisis at hand. This would be a great way to non-violently create a community that is at peace with itself.”

Dr. King was a father and husband whose activism included children, said Cleveland Heights and University Heights Poet Laureate Siarra Freemen, who recited a poem and spoke about her role as a teacher at Cleveland School of the Arts.

“MLK fought for (children), too,” she said. “Children were a big part of his platform.”

Cleveland Heights Launches North Coventry Revitalization Strategy Plan at Public Meeting

The City of Cleveland Heights started gathering input on a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Plan for its North Coventry neighborhood at a public meeting held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at the city’s Community Center.

The City used a portion of its annual federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grants to hire a consultant who presented data on the physical (housing, transportation) and social (health, education) conditions in the area north of Mayfield on Coventry and adjacent streets east to Superior Road.

Around thirty residents and elected officials gathered on Tuesday evening to review and discuss the data.

To see the data and to leave a suggestion, visit the North Coventry Comment Map.

View the exhibits from the January 23 meeting.

Cleveland Heights Holds Comprehensive Planning Project Kick-Off for Noble Corridor

On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Cleveland Heights kicked off its comprehensive planning project for the Noble Corridor with a public listening session at Caledonia Elementary.

The meeting was a chance for neighbors to tell the city what they want to see happen in their neighborhood. Representatives from every city department attended so they could hear what neighbors had to say.

The study area for the project runs from East Cleveland at the Noble-Nela Business District to the Warrensville/Mayfield intersection. The city's goals for the project are:

• Develop a current understanding of opportunities and challenges, particularly from the perspective of residents.
• Provide a comprehensive framework for municipal services and investments.
• Identify areas for future study.
• Allow for short-term wins while still planning for the long term.
• Make it a data-driven process.

The city will focus initially on three areas of study:

Services

• Public Safety
• City Services
• Social Services
• Youth Services
• Senior Services
• Educational Services
• Healthcare Services

Public Spaces

• Streets & Sidewalks
• Parks & Playgrounds
• Transportation
• Accessibility
• Environment & Health
• Libraries and Schools

Private Development

• Commercial Development
• Residential Development
• Property Maintenance

Download the kick-off meeting presentation.

The city is asking residents to take a short survey about the Noble Corridor as part of its kick-off efforts.

Dave's Supermarket was founded, owned, and operated by the Saltzman Family, seen here celebrating the grand opening of the remodeled Dave's Market & Eatery on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. Pictured (from left) are David, Dan, Aaron, and Burt Saltzman with Cleveland Heights Mayor Seren (center). Also pictured are Cleveland Heights Assistant Director of Economic Development Brian Anderson and Steven Saltzman. 

Homes Values are Up in Cleveland Heights

Click the image to read the story on Cleveland.com

2019 Median Sale Price

$112,000

Change

$63,000

2023 Median Sale Price

$175,000

Percentage Change

56.30%

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM CITY HALL

Cleveland Heights City Hall:

A Safe Place for Fulfilling Online Transactions

The City of Cleveland Heights reminds residents to stay alert and safe with their online shopping. To aid in these efforts, Cleveland Heights City Hall has a designated safe zone for online purchase meetups. The area right outside of the Police Department (lower level behind the building) is a designated safe area to exchange payment for merchandise purchased online. Please feel free to use it at any time of the day or evening.

Cuda & Russell Invite Fairfax, Coventry and Roxboro Neighborhoods

New Cleveland Heights City Council President Tony Cuda and Vice President Davida Russell will hold a listening session on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 7:00-8:00 pm at the Coventry Peace Campus, 2843 Washington Boulevard, for the Roxboro, Fairfax, and Coventry neighborhoods (including Cedar/Fairmount).

Please take this opportunity to get to know Tony and Davida and let them know what is on your mind.

At The Wake of a Dead Drag Queen opening tonight, January 26, at Dobama Theater

by Terry Guest

directed by Preston Crowder

January 26 - February 18, 2024

OHIO PREMIERE

Drag star Courtney Berringers welcomes you to her wake. She has recently died, but make no mistake, this isn’t your grandma’s funeral. There will be no black frocks, no perfumed flowers, and definitely no crying.

This is a celebration.

AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN is a play about the fine art of drag - from African Gods and Goddesses to Trina and Whitney Houston. This irreverent, funny, and moving new play thoughtfully uses storytelling, drama, and drag to celebrate Blackness and southern queerness while exploring identity, illness, and the narratives we construct for ourselves. Come party at the wake and bring your own heels!

The Dobama Theatre production features Jason Eno* (COURTNEY/ ANTHONY), Dan Hendrock* (VICKIE/ HUNTER), Corin B. Self (u/s COURTNEY/ ANTHONY), and Adam Rawlings (u/s VICKIE/ HUNTER).

*member Actors’ Equity Association

Congratulations Marquise Davis!

Heights Regional Active Transportation Plan seeking public input – extended through Feb. 5

The Cities of Cleveland Heights, South Euclid, and University Heights were awarded a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the completion of an Active Transportation Plan.

Learn more and help shape the plan by taking this short survey and by adding your ideas to an interactive map with (current and proposed) bike and pedestrian facilities. 

Friends of Cain Park is seeking to fill Board Positions 

FCP is seeking community members interested in furthering our mission to apply to join our Board of Directors. Board positions are volunteer – while there is no pay associated with the position, there is the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the Cleveland Heights community. We are looking for individuals to give their time, talents, and passion to help support our mission. We ask each board member to make an annual contribution of an amount of their own choosing because we will be asking individuals and foundations to support staff, programs, and projects as well.

Board Application Process 

Currently, the Board of Directors consists of eight members and has begun to create a more formal approach to operating as a Board. As part of our continued growth, we are seeking to expand the Board and add new talents and perspectives. 

Applications will be received until February 28, 2024.

How to Apply 

Please complete the application located here Application for Friends of Cain Park Board

All applicants will be contacted no later than March 31, 2024. 

Thank you for your interest!

Click here for information about new board leadership.

Cain Park Seeks Production Manager

Cain Park is Hiring a Full-Time Production Manager 

Are you looking for an exciting job working in the arts and entertainment industry in a fun and fast-paced environment?

Cain Park is now hiring a full-time, year-round Production Manager responsible for advancing all events and details for our seasonal concert line-up.

Learn more and apply online.

Register NOW for Cain Park 2024 Resident Discounts

Cleveland Heights residents don’t have to wait to register for ticket discounts and other benefits for Cain Park’s upcoming 86th season.

And becoming a Cain Park-registered resident is easier than ever before: Just go to the Cain Park offices at Cleveland Heights City Hall and present a current Ohio driver’s license or Ohio state I.D. with a Cleveland Heights address.

Registered residents receive a passcode that grants them a $3 discount per ticket, on top of any additional discounts they may qualify for, such as senior, student or military. Residents also qualify for a 15% discount for opening weekend performances of every Alma Theater show, and early access to premium seating at all ticketed events.

For additional information, or to arrange to register at City Hall, call 216-291-3669.

LEAD SAFE GRANTS FOR HOMEOWNERS

APPLICATION WORKSHOP

Saturday, January 27, 2024

East Cleveland Public Library, 14101 Euclid Avenue

Join the non-profit group Environmental Health Watch at the East Cleveland Public Library THIS SATURDAY and learn how to apply for funds to cover Lead Safe repairs to your property.

Food and refreshments will be provided. Plus, enter for your chance to win a $750 cash prize. Registration is not required, however, it is recommended.

The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2024, at 7:30 pm, in the Council Chamber.

It will be preceded by a Committee of the Whole meeting at 6:00 pm in the Executive Conference Room. Both meetings may be viewed live on YouTube.

NEXT WEEK AT CITY HALL

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