Community

Kiddie City Childcare Community hosted its first annual "Hoop It Up".  This Father Friendly program is part of the Universal Pre-K (UPK) initiative to involve male role models in partnership activities.  The event took place on Friday, January 18 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM in the Kiddie City Gymnasium. Volunteers from VASJ helped to lead the basketball event.  Fathers participated with their children in a traditional "hoop shoot" and then later participated in a fathers' team game. Children were able to participate in the face-painting booth and enjoyed freshly popped popcorn.  All student participants received a participation medal, and fathers were entered into a raffle to win a cooler on wheels (Won by Garland Clay, Jr.) or smoothie machine (Won by Jordan Novak, Sr.).  A fun evening was had by all who were in attendance!  We are planning to continue this popular event in the near future.  Stay posted!

     Join us to celebrate great things in Euclid on Saturday, June 1st – the Saturday after Memorial Day – at the E. 200th Street Stroll.  It’s 10 am to 2 pm – so, you might want to remind yourself to go to bed early on Friday night so you can get up early on Saturday and enjoy this great day from start to end.

     This is not so much an article for the Euclid Observer as it is an unusual request for help from somebody in the Euclid area.  It’s a new year and I am stepping out of my comfort zone asking for help, but I feel such a strong need to come back to Euclid in 2019.  There are circumstances that are telling me this is the time to purchase the commercial building at 20110 Wilmore Ave. but I need lots of help to make it happen.

About 3o years ago a group of PTA folks got together because they were tired of the school board members and what they were doing. This group called themselves EXCEL which stood for Euclid Citizens for Educational Leadership. Their efforts produced a slate of candidates that went on to serve Euclid very well. Carol Bechtel, Carol DeWine and Barb Kramer all did a great service to our community for many years.

Unable to afford losing almost $200,000 a year, the YMCA of Greater Cleveland announced it was closing its Euclid branch May 11, 2018.  Since that date, the building has sat empty with little hint at what will happen to the property. 

Please join your fellow Alumni at our Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 23rd at 10:00 a.m. in the Euclid High School Little Theater. Not only will you be able to catch up with old friends and classmates, but you’ll hear what your Alumni Association has been up to lately and what we have planned for the future. We are planning on updating our by-laws and voting in new Trustees. All alumni are invited, but only those in good standing (with a current annual or lifetime membership) may vote. You can join the Association on line at our website euclidalumni.org, or in person at the meeting. In addition, we will be forming committees on membership, communication, memorabilia, reunions and special events.

Euclid homeowners invested at record levels in 2018 as the local housing market continued to show signs of improvement.  According to permits filed with the city, over $9.7 million was spent on single family home improvement projects in Euclid in 2018.  The amount is more than double the $4.7 million recorded in 2017.

The snow has fallen, trapping wrappers, bottles and other litter until the spring melt when the trash reappears along city streets. It is not a pretty visual, but YOU can help make a difference in the appearance of a cleaner, more beautiful Euclid.

Tax season is upon us. So, how much do tax payers actually know about this dreaded annual activity?

Cheer on your Euclid Panthers as we challenge our crosstown rivals, the Villa Angela-St. Joseph Vikings, on Saturday, February 9th at 7:30 p.m. in the Harold Daugherty Gymnasium at Euclid High School. Stop by the Alumni table, where you can view old yearbooks, reserve commerative brick pavers, donate a few dollars for a brick from the old E-Room, and purchase Euclid Alumni t-shirts. There will also be an Alumni Association membership drive, with special gifts for those who purchase annual ($10) or lifetime ($100) memberships. See you there and Go Panthers!

Mary Mavec Opportunity School has been very busy in the New Year. The clients went to the store to purchase toiletry items for local women's shelters, and they helped to package them up for delivery.

For the sixth year in a row, The Girl Scout Troops from Ss. Robert and William School collected enough donations from family, community, parish members and local businesses to fill 274 "Socks of Love." These sock bundles included a new pair of socks, one stuffed into the other, and filled with toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste. These 274 Socks of Love were donated to the Shower Program at St. Malachi Center in Cleveland. Excess toiletries were donated to Forbes House in Lake County. This annual Service Project has grown progressively over the last 6 years.

In February, our thoughts turn to valentine hearts, and all the ways we can express love to those we care about.

CASA of Cuyahoga County, a program of Child and Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County, recruits, screens, trains, and supports volunteers who act as independent fact-finders for the court in cases involving child abuse and neglect. 

Scholarships grants of up to $3,000 are awarded annually by College Club West to greater Cleveland women ages 25 or older in a four-year-degree-granting program or graduate program. The Scholarship Committee selects recipients on the basis of maturity, academic record, promise, goals, and financial need. Applications are due March 18, 2019. College Club West offers women living on the west side of Cleveland with four-year degrees and registered nurses opportunities to learn, socialize & participate in fun, meaningful activities. More information and application at www.collegeclubwest.org/scholarships.

Dear Friends:

In the Family Career and Community Leaders of America Culinary Competition, junior Vanessa Billingsley was a Gold Medal award winner at State for her Red Velvet Cake with French Chocolate icing. Congratulations to Vanessa for winning a $3000 scholarship!

With the start of a new year, we often hear friends making New Year's resolutions. They make promises to do something, or to refrain from doing something. Some people spend a lot of their time thinking up resolutions and promises. Yet so often those promises are not kept. What about when you make promises to yourself? How do you feel when you do not live up to your own expectations? What happens when you feel you have fallen short of your goals?

Kiddie City Childcare Community hosted its annual WinterFest 2018, on December 14, for all its students and their families. The event was also attended by Kiddie City Staff, Board Members and volunteers from VASJ. The event is family oriented, with an opportunity for families to participate in old-fashioned games and face-painting stations.  Cookie decorating and craft stations were among the other fun hands-on activities.  Children were able to visit with "Mrs. Claus", played by Maryellen Fedel, and her elves to have a personalized picture taken.  Each child received a Scholastic book from Kiddie City, to promote literacy and family reading in the home.  In addition, all Pre-K children received a warm scarf, donated by "National School Choice". 

It's a New Year; a fresh start. Time to recalibrate, to decide how each of us can make a positive difference in our neighborhood and commUNITY.

On Sunday, December 16, a packed house was treated to a Sicilian Christmas eve celebration at Mama Catena Vino e’ Cucina located at 711 Babbitt Rd.  

A smorgasbord of delicacies such as misto fritto, roasted artichokes, pastas, savory meats and more desserts than we could eat were served. Sparkling and Red wines were served to put us in the Holiday Spirit.
Jeff May was spinning our favorite Christmas tunes.

Even Santa himself made a visit.

On a rainy Sunday afternoon pastors and faith leaders from several Euclid places of worship gathered to pray and appeal for a stronger more peaceful community.  Joined by local political leaders and members of the community, the event would seem unique in some cities.  In Euclid these type of gatherings have become the norm over the past three years as Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer-Gail searches for ways to bring Euclid together as a community. 

Calling all Euclid Central, Euclid Shore and Euclid High School Graduates! In the spirit of the German tradition of "Stammtisch," or regular table, there is a table reserved every Wednesday at the Euclid Culinary Bistro at the Shore Cultural Centre for all graduates of the Euclid public schools. Please join us from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday (when school is in session). See old friends and make new ones, while getting a great meal for your money and supporting Euclid's culinary arts program. See you there and Guten Appetit!

Choices. Life is full of them. In a world bubbling with technology and messaging, we are inundated with options -- choices. How do you sort them out? Are you happy with your decisions? Or do you dream of changing them? How do you decide? What process do you use to select a way forward? Then finally, when you make your decision, do you get what you want? Or do you find yourself faced with disappointment?  Have you ever thought about how your decisions impact your work or home life? Let’s take a closer look at what happens when you make decisions.

The holidays are here, and we’re already starting to think about how all those treats are going to hit our waistlines – and our blood pressure, and our cholesterol, and so on. Go ahead and enjoy yourself – a healthy life is all about balance. But as we go through the holiday season enjoying those treats, and that time with friends and family, we also have to realize the greatest gift we have is our health. So with this coming new year, make a gift to yourself – and make some plans to really care for your own health and wellness.

While Americans eagerly embrace the spirit of giving throughout the year, a lion’s share of donations are made in December.

On Saturday, November 17th, Dr. Roy Larick led a tour of Euclid Cemetery in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I (WWI), which is commemorated each year on Veterans Day.  The tour was sponsored by Councilwoman Caviness and co-sponsored by Councilman Langman and Councilwoman Gorshe. Euclid Historical Society provided a reception following the tour.

The Lakeland Civic Association, its members, and all residents of its neighborhood are celebrating the season with their annual holiday observances.

December! It’s hard to believe that I’ve been a Councilman for almost a year.  It has been a busy year to say the least!  Back in February my assistant wrote an article on “A Day in the Life of a New Councilman”.  I am writing this one as an update.

The festive beginning to the holidays, the 2018 Euclid Holiday Celebration, was held on November 30th. The City of Euclid and Shore Cultural Centre would like to thank our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Moore Counseling and Mediation Services, Star Sponsor: K & D, Holiday Concert Sponsor: Euclid Hospital, Santa and Mrs. Claus: Infield Chiropractic Clinic and GDP Group, Horse Drawn Wagon Sponsor: Sims Buick GMC, Bell Sponsors: Ss. Robert & William Catholic Parish and Manzanec, Raskin, and Ryder Co., L.P.A., Holly Sponsors: Kiddie City Child Care Community, Independent Energy Consultants, Great Scott Tavern, The Fedeli Group, Chagrin Valley Engineering, The Help Foundation, Our Lady of the Lake, Gift Sponsors: Sievers Security, Church of the Celebration, and, a very special thank you to Emser's Power Air Duct Cleaning, ParkerFotos, Jen Hearn Photography, Euclid Symphony Orchestra! We also would like to thank our many volunteers, staff members, and community members for their attendance and participation. The event would not have been possible without you. We appreciate all the support, and wish everyone a Happy New Year!

In the midst of the first snow, and heading into the festive holiday season in Euclid, members of the Euclid CommUNITY Relations Task Force are joining in the festivities and greeting neighbors – old and new.  Look for us at Euclid events. We’ll be wearing our CommUNITY Relations nametags and we like nothing better than hearing from you. You can also find info and updates on the City of Euclid Neighborhood Engagement/ Community Relations page:

by Kris Fondran Bailey Toastmasters Vice President of Memebership

Low fees. The best rates. More rewards.

            God blessed the students of Ss. Robert and William Catholic School with a beautiful day as they took to the streets on Friday, October 5, 2018 for the fifth SRW Walk-a-Thon.  The goal of the Walk-a-Thon was not only to encourage physical fitness among students, but also to encourage the spirit of working together to earn money for a specific reason. The funds from this year’s Walk-a-Thon were designated for the gym renovation project including a new floor and ceiling, the addition of a kitchen for concessions and restrooms.

Local blogger (https://storiesfromasoulsister.wordpress.com) and Stay-at-Home Mom Emily Holody has teamed up with Funeral Director Steve Waite of Jakubs & Son and Jakubs-Waite Funeral homes.  Together they are working to provide the funeral homes Facebook pages with writings, inspirational quotes, and an online grief group (Facebook Fire and Rain Grief Group.) 

Thank you. When is the last time you said those simple words? When is the last time someone said those words to you? When we look around our community we can find reasons to be proud and optimistic. We can see change and growth. We can see people striving to contribute through their labor, talents and passions. Even so, what happens when those efforts go unnoticed?  How long can anyone sustain true change without the encouragement of someone close to them?

Are you a K-12 grade student or a group (ages 5 to 18) interested in showing your performing or visual arts talent? Would you like to win cool prizes, cash and even a scholarship? If so, then the iN Education’s Battle of the Teal 4EDU is the competition for you!    

Charlene Mancuso, president of the Euclid City Council, will speak at the next public meeting of the Lakeland Civic Association to be held October 11th at 7:00pm at the Wickliffe Public Library. 

In a bit of irony, two events held on the evening of August 29 highlighted the battle that will define the future of Euclid’s tax burden and financial future.  At the Briardale Greens Pavilion, over 60 residents opposed to new taxes gathered at a rally to kick off their efforts to stop two ballot initiatives being pushed by Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer-Gail and Euclid’s City Council.  Across town at the Help Foundation, the Mayor and Council President Charlene Mancuso hosted their fourth briefing for the public on why the tax measures were needed.

On Saturday, September 8, 2018 HELP Foundation ran The Great Ice Cream Chase! This 5k race and 1-mile walk to bring awareness to intellectual and developmental disabilities was especially cool because every participant was rewarded with East Coast Custard ice cream once they crossed the finish line.  Participants took off down Lakeshore Ave and raced to be the first to receive their frozen treat.  Thank you to everyone that came out to run or walk with us!