Cumberland Pool lifeguards, synchronized swim and diving team present "Fun under the sun" on Aug. 5

Don’t miss an evening of water routines performed by the talented youth of Cumberland Pool’s synchronized swimming and diving teams on August 5th. Watch routines learned over the summer, led by the amazing lifeguards at Cumberland Pool who produced everything from set design to choreography and also perform a staff routine. The Cumberland Water Show 2023 will be an entertaining night out. Free and open to the public.

Good Deal!

Starting this week, residents may purchase Cumberland Pool season passes at HALF OFF the regular season pass price! Plenty of warm days and long evenings of swimming are ahead of us. Inquire at the front desk of the Community Center, or, purchase by phone by dialing 216-691-7373. Options include Family, Adult, Senior and Student.

Utility Assistance Fair reaches 250 homeowners in the Heights

Last week, Cleveland Heights hosted a two-day Utility Assistance Fair at the Community Center to provide hands-on support to those seeking utility bill relief. The provider, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, which offers a number of assistance programs for seniors, renters, and those on fixed incomes, posted about the event on its social media account:

“Back-to-back resource fairs? No problem. Our incredible staff put on two successful utility assistance resource fairs this past weekend in Cleveland Heights. Our staff helped over 250 people sign up to receive assistance with their water, sewer, stormwater, gas, and electric bills.”

New and improved bill, web portal on the way

Cleveland Heights residents can expect a new and improved Sewer and Landfill bill and a user-friendly online portal starting in August.

Among the improvements, customers will see a better organized bill with easier-to-find information.

In addition to a streamlined and improved look, the city is working with a new service provider, Invoice Cloud, to offer more payment options such as 24/7 bill pay, pay by text and 'set it and forget it' auto pay options. Please check your email inbox for an introductory email from Invoice Cloud (look for “Welcome” in the ‘To’ line) with instructions on how to sign up for e-billing and auto pay.

A few items to note:

· In August, all households will receive a paper bill for Sewer and Landfill

· All households will need to either register or re-register (using the CID number and Account number on the bill) to receive electronic-only bills and set up auto pay.

· Payments will no longer be accepted through the old bill-pay system (PSN) since the City changed service providers to Invoice Cloud.

· Check your email for an introductory email from Invoice Cloud and/or scan the QR code on the image (right) to register or re-register for e-billing and automatic payments.

· Cleveland Heights recently upgraded its billing software. You can now register for our customer portal at https://clvhts.authoritypay.com

This is a sample of a new Cleveland Heights Sewer and Landfill bill. The QR code at the bottom will enable access to a website for residents to sign up for electronic statements and automatic payments.

If you have any questions or concerns about your bill, please contact Cleveland Heights at 216-291-5995.

Cedar-Lee garage lights coming soon

The permanent replacement lights for the Cedar-Lee-Meadowbrook parking structure have arrived and installation is scheduled to begin the week of July 24. We apologize for the inconvenience while work crews install the lighting, and will inform residents of any temporary closures that occur during the week. Like you, we look forward to seeing the parking deck fully lit once the new lighting is installed!

A Super Deal!

Crash Test Dummies BOGO

In the 90s, when Winnipeg (Canada) rockers Crash Test Dummies released its first U.S. single, “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm”, it rose to the 4th spot on the U.S. Hot 100. The Dummies are classic 90s rockers in every sense: the dark, sardonic wit in the bass-baritone vocals of lead singer Brad Roberts is delivered over the band’s lush, orchestral arrangements and driving beat. They solidified their reputation with more darkly wrought material in follow up hit singles “Superman’s Song” and “Afternoons & Coffeespoons.”

The band’s return to Cleveland, next Thursday, July 27 at 8:00 pm at the Evans Amphitheater in Cain Park with special guest Willie Stratton, will be a welcome trip down memory lane. It is also another Community Appreciation Night from Cleveland Heights, which is offering a BOGO on tickets purchased by residents and member of Friends of Cain Park.

Tickets are $40 each for pavilion seating and $25 for the lawn.

Cleveland Heights Residents who are already registered for Cain Park benefits can order their BOGO tickets by calling the box office at 216-371-3000.

Friends of Cain Park can do the same by giving their Membership ID Number.

Cleveland Heights Residents who are not registered should come down in person to the box office with proof of residency. An official Ohio Driver's License or ID card with a Cleveland Heights address is sufficient.

Be a clean air champion

With the recent air quality alerts, the arrival of Northeast Ohio Commuter Choice Awards, a friendly competition that recognizes and rewards companies who encourage employees to choose alternatives to drive-alone commutes in August, is well timed.

The 2023 Commuter Choice Awards, now in its 10th year, will be open for registration until July 26, 2023. Using the Gohio Commute app, participants track miles and carbon reductions from choosing lower-carbon alternatives to driving alone, like biking, transit and carpooling.

Last year, twenty five organizations with nearly 93,000 employees participated in the Commuter Choice Awards. Collectively, they saved $17,000 in commuting costs and prevented 11 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from being released.

For more information, please contact NOACA (216) 241-2414 ext. 399 or adennis@mpo.noaca.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Cleveland Heights to Celebrate National Night Out

Tuesday, August 1 | 6:00–8:00 pm

Cleveland Heights Community Center

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

Cleveland Heights will celebrate National Night Out with a fun community gathering on August 1, from 6:00–8:00 pm, on the lawn outside of the Cleveland Heights Community Center, One Monticello Boulevard.

The City will serve a dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs prepared on either a Kosher or non-Kosher grill, chips and a beverage. Members of the Safety and Service Departments will be on hand to meet and greet. Attendees meet members of the SWAT Team, the U.S. Marshall Service, the Bomb Squad, the Cleveland Heights Police Academy, and the Citizens Police Academy. Trucks from the City's Fire, Public Works, and EMS will be available for hands-on demonstrations. We will also have a bounce house and a climbing wall!

Help Decide the Future of the South Rink

The City of Cleveland Heights would like your input on the future of the South Rink.

Join Mayor Seren at the Community Center on August 3rd at 6:00 pm for a recreation facilities town hall to discuss possible options. Come with your ideas!

August 8 Special Election: What is it?

We encourage all adults residing in Cleveland Heights to register to vote for the upcoming special election in Ohio being held on Tuesday, August 8. The special election was called by state officials who placed Issue 1 on the ballot.

If passed, Issue 1 would make it impossible for a simple majority (50%) of registered voters in Ohio to make changes to state law, by increasing the threshold to 60%. It also requires 5% of voters from the last election for governor in each county of the state to approve a ballot initiative (currently the law is 5% from half of the counties).

A ‘no’ vote on Issue 1 will preserve the right of citizens to overrule a single party who introduces a law that is opposed by the majority of Ohio citizens.

Issue 1 is opposed by a bipartisan group of Ohio officials that includes previous governors Bob Taft and John Kasich (R) and Ted Strickland (D).

For a full explanation of Issue 1, see the poster from League of Women Voters and Vote 411.

Make a plan to vote: In 2023, Ohio passed HB 458 which made it more difficult to vote without certain forms of ID and proof of residence. For the current voter requirements, see this handy guide.

August 8 special election voting turnout is expected to be very high. To avoid long lines, you can vote early. To avoid the lines, voting by mail is an option. Click here to request a Vote by Mail application from the Cuyahoga County BOE. Once you have received your mail-in ballot, you may return it through the US Postal Service or by dropping the ballot off in person. Use the secure drop box, open 24 hours, in the Board of Elections parking lot located at:

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

2925 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44115

West Memorial Fund awards scholarship

By Joy Henderson

The Officer Jason D. West Memorial Fund (OJWMF) awarded a $5,000 tuition reimbursement scholarship to Jermaine Smith (pictured center), a June graduate of the Cleveland Heights Police Academy.

The $5,000 award honors Officer West, a member of the Cleveland Heights Police Department who lost his life on May 26, 2007, while responding to a disturbance call.

“The board felt that Jermaine exemplifies all the qualities that endeared Officer West to the Cleveland Heights community and made him an exemplary police officer,” said Lita Gonzalez, OJWMF board president. "He will be an asset to whichever police department and community he chooses to serve.”

The Officer Jason West Memorial Fund was created shortly after West's death. It has awarded 23 scholarships to Heights High graduates who planned careers in law enforcement. The fund also awarded tuition reimbursement scholarships to two past recipients, enabling them to attend the CH Police Academy.

Cleveland Heights council committee discusses portable buildings at Denison, other parks

A splash pad may not be the only addition arriving at Denison Park in the coming year.

City Council’s Planning and Development Committee introduced on Monday (July 17) the idea of buying some low-cost “shipping container” buildings that could be assembled and even moved around to other parks for recreational programming, policing and possibly small business start-ups, including concessions.

Cities like Cleveland, in its Warehouse District and at its GlenVillage redevelopment, have explored similar shipping container retail and creative reuse programming.

Cleveland Heights City Council is on Recess throughout July.

The next City Council meeting will be held on August 7, 2023, at 7:30 pm.

This Art is For The Birds

Artful Cleveland presents, “This Art is for the Birds” a comedy parable to ‘help us all learn to save our planet’ with performances at the Coventry PEACE Park this Saturday, July 22 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 23 at 4:00 pm.

The performance is the product of Artful Cleveland’s youth camp led by Robin VanLear, creator of Parade the Circle.

VanLear was joined by area artists and writers, Rhinehart Cadiz, Eric Coble, Raja Freeman, Marlon Hatcher & Diane Sette in producing this performance which is free and open to the public.

Crowdsourced Conversation #3—Building Community with Renters and Landlords

FutureHeights & Friends invites you to add your voice to the third Crowdsourced Conversations survey of the year, "Building Community with Renters and Landlords."

All RENTERS, LANDLORDS, and HOMEOWNERS are encouraged to share their perspectives on how they secured their dwellings, their sense of belonging in the community, and so much more! The deadline to participate is July 31st.

Get Started

FOREST HILL PARK NATURE WALKS

Tuesday, July 25 | 10-11:00 am

Sunday, August 20 | 2-3:30 pm

Come and explore our Forest Hill Park with a Naturalist from the Cleveland Metroparks. This gem of a park is owned by the cities of Cleveland Heights and East Cleveland. It has 235 acres and is home to some wonderful wildlife.

We will meet in front of the Community Center and walk for about an hour and a half—no more than two miles on both natural surfaces and the paved path. We will hike rain or shine, so dress appropriately with sturdy shoes or boots. Come and see what a natural wonder we have in our backyard! These walks are free events!

21st Annual

Family Fishing Day

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Rockefeller Park Lagoon

Doan Brook Watershed Partnership invites Northeast Ohio residents to enjoy a day of free fishing and outdoor activities with friends and family at University Circle’s historic Rockefeller Park Lagoon on Saturday, July 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Family members of all ages can learn how to cast, rig your fishing rod and discover what bait to use while fishing for bluegill and catfish in the stocked lagoon. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn how to handle and identify native Ohio fish, look at local aquatic life under a microscope, and enjoy a variety of arts and crafts. The day presents a fun way to learn the importance of clean water to our lives and local economy.

Fully rigged fishing rods will be available for children (15 and under) who do not have their own. Bait is provided.

Participation will be capped at 200 people, so advance registration is a must. Participants should bring a cooler and ice if they plan to keep their catches. No fishing license is required to fish in the lagoon.