Connecting for Kids hosting Western Cuyahoga County Resource Fair Feb. 27: Short Takes on the Westshore

Rocky River, Ohio

Connecting for Kids is offering a Resource Fair filled with mental health, academic and disability providers from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Don Umerley Civic Center, 21016 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River.

The event provides local resources for families with children who are experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, academic struggles, developmental delays or disabilities.

According to a Health Policy Institute of Ohio December 2024 study, approximately one in four children, ages 3-17, across the country reported one or more mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral problems in 2021 and 2022, according to the press release. In Ohio, that same study reports that a fifth (20%) of middle school students and a third (33%) of high school students in 2023 reported that their mental health was not good most or all of the time.

With more than 70 providers, the free Western Cuyahoga County Resource Fair offers several options for families looking for help.

Families who pre-register and attend the in-person event will be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card. In addition, the first 100 families who stop by the Connecting for Kids table at the fair will receive a free stuffed animal courtesy of Wild Republic with a disability awareness pin and bookmark.

Families who have limited time can drive up to the tent in front of the Don Umerley Civic Center during fair hours to receive a grab & go bag of resources.

To register, go to connectingforkids.org/west-cuyahoga-fair or call/text 440-570-5908.

If you are unable to attend the Western Cuyahoga County Resource Fair, the Lorain County Resource Fair will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. March 18 at the Lorain County Community College (LCCC) Spitzer Conference Center, 1005 Abbe Road N., Elyria.

BAY VILLAGE

Safety Town registration: Summer Safety Town registration is now open for any child entering Kindergarten this fall. Safety Town is not a requirement to enter Kindergarten, but it does provide students with important safety information. Cost is $50 per student.

For more information, go to tinyurl.com/559bjn7n.

Coffee shop opens: Trust Coffee opened Feb. 10 in the Bay Village Square Shopping Center, 27225 Wolf Road (former Java Bay space). The cafe, owned by Mike Smith fromThyme Table, 583 Dover Center Road, also has a liquor license and offers an assortment of wines. Breakfast, pastries, salads, and sandwiches are also on the menu.

For more information, go to trustcoffeeandcocktails.com.

Grant funding update: City Project Manager John Rostash recently presented a report to City Council members (Jan.21) entitled, “Grants and Funding through 2024.”

In 2024 the City received $4,696,170 in grants including a $2 million State Capital Strategic Grant for Bay Point Construction, and Congressional Directed Spending for the SSO Elimination Project Design in the amount of $866,000, which includes the Equalization Tank and the subsequent sewer system to help eliminate two sanitary sewer overflows. The Reese Pickleball Courts were completed with an additional grant.

Pending notable grants under consideration in the amount of $496,000 were shown during the presentation which includes a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Removal, a partnership with the cities of Rocky River and Euclid, with the Bay Village portion at $363,000 and no match requirement. The work will remove much of the off-shore concrete structure at Bay Point.

Collaborative Capital Projects with Cuyahoga County and the Ohio Department of Transportation include Wolf Road Widening and Resurfacing amounting to just over $9 million.

Chili contest: Enter your best chili recipe in the St. Barnabas Chili Throw Down. The event begins with an evening prayer at 5 p.m. March 4 (Fat Tuesday) with the competition beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the church, 468 Bradley Road. Prizes will be awarded for Best Chili, Most Interesting Chili, Spiciest Chili and Vegan Chili.

Participants need to bring a crockpot and an extension cord. If you are not interested in cooking chili, consider making cornbread or a dessert.

For more information, go to stbarnabasbv.org.

Shout-out: Congratulations to Bay Village High School alumna Riley LaVogue (Class of 2024) on being awarded the 2024 Female Athlete of the Year award by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission during the 25th annual Sports Awards event Feb. 6.

While in high school, she was named First Team Division II All-Ohio, Regional Position Player of the Year and USA Lacrosse All-American (twice). She holds high school records for most goals in a game (nine), career goals (320), points in a game (12), and career points in a game (410).

Currently a freshman at Kent State University, LaVogue is a member of the school’s lacrosse team.

ROCKY RIVER

Ceramics show: The 20th Annual Ceramic Invitational is currently taking place now through March 29 at the Rocky River Art Gallery, 19046 Old Detroit Road.

For more information, go to rivergalleryarts.com.

Solicitor reminders: City officials are reporting receiving several calls to City Hall expressing concerns regarding solicitors coming to their residence.

Officials want to clarify the City’s policy on the process. Solicitors must carry their permit, and residents may ask them to show it to you. If you have any questions or concerns about a solicitor, contact the Rocky River Police Department non-emergency number, 440-331-1234.

Rocky River Codified Ordinances requires solicitors to apply for a license from the Department of Public Safety Service, according to information posted on the city’s website. All solicitors must provide a copy of a current driver’s license for review by the Rocky River Police Department and pay applicable fees before a permit is issued.

Once approved, solicitation is permitted Monday through Saturday between the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is no solicitation on Sundays and holidays. Solicitors must honor ‘No Solicitation’ stickers when they appear near the doors of residents, as noted in the Codified Ordinance (Section 279.07), entitled “Resident Prohibition by Notice”. This ‘no solicitation’ also applies to leaving flyers at residences. Solicitors are instructed to use front doors only and never enter side or back yards.

Political solicitors are not required to register with the City of Rocky River.

No Solicitation decals are available at City Hall, 21012 Hilliard Blvd. Residents can also call 440-331-0600, or email [email protected], to have one mailed.

Coffee talk: Hosted by school counselors, Melissa Liberatore and Erin Pontikos, parents are invited to a Coffee Talk to discuss the book, “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at the Rocky River Board of Education office, 1101 Morewood Pkwy.

RSVP to Pontikos by Feb. 21 at [email protected].

Power of the Pen: The Rocky River Middle School grades 7-8 Power of the Pen teams recently competed at the Northern 2 District Tournament at Roxboro Middle School in Cleveland Heights. The competition included 144 writers from 14 area schools.

In the Grade 7 Division, Emily Aber earned First Place and Jules O’Keefe finished in Eighth Place. Based on their Top-12 finishes, the students advanced to the March 8 Regional Tournament.

Led by advisor Katie Preto, this is the fourth year of competition for the middle school team. Power of the Pen empowers young people to find and develop a creative voice that is uniquely their own by engaging students in interscholastic writing tournaments and providing a platform for publication, according to information from the school district.

WESTLAKE

Heart month: Celebrate American Heart Month (February) at Community Services Center’s annual Health and Wellness Screening Day from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 18 at the Center, 28975 Hilliard Blvd. Free health screenings including blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and balance checks, provided by University Hospitals St. John Medical Center, will be onsite. Physical therapy and pharmacy professionals will also be available for questions, and additional screenings will be offered by Bob Piovarchy from the Far West Center, and Joe Baker from Hearing Science.

Register through MyActiveCenter on the city’s website, cityofwestlake.org, or call 440-899-3544 by Feb. 14 to reserve a spot.

Play ball: Registration for the 2025 Westlake Baseball League season is now open. To register, go to bit.ly/wblregistration2025. If you have additional questions, email [email protected].

End-of-life decisions: Making end-of-life decisions can be challenging, but planning ahead can bring peace of mind. A program entitled, End-of-Life: A Catholic Perspective & Practical Considerations, will take place at 5 p.m. Feb. 23 at St. Ladislas Church, 2345 Bassett Road.

Fr. Joseph Koopman, professor of moral theology at St. Mary Seminary will address church teaching, and Jamie Stewart, spiritual care coordinator for the Hospice of the Western Reserve, will discuss advance care planning and hospice options.

New restaurant: Nova Fusion Food, 26920 Center Ridge Road, recently opened in the former Syriana Mediterranean Grill space. The restaurant features Turkish, American and Middle Eastern cuisine, as well as smash burgers and Philly cheesesteaks.

Self-defense course: To promote self-defense education and awareness, Cuyahoga Community College is offering training for women with little to no experience.

The Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Basic Physical Self-Defense program empowers women through a series of four classes that include lectures, discussions and demonstrations of self- defense techniques, according to the press release.

Women of all ages and abilities will learn proven self-defense techniques; develop awareness to recognize and avoid physical assault; and develop skills in a safe, secure environment.

Classes take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, March 17 – 26 at the Westshore Campus, 31001 Clemens Road.

Registration opens Feb. 17. Contact Christine Logan at 216-987-5795 or [email protected].

Resale event: Table registration is now open for the Westlake Early Childhood PTA (WECPTA) Tots and Teens Resale (formerly known as Kiddie Kloset) event. Deadline to register is March 8.

The resale event takes place from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 15 at Westlake Elementary School, 27555 Center Ridge Road.

In 2023, WECPTA and the Westlake Elementary School PTA combined the Big Kids Resale with Kiddie Kloset. The sale now offers clothes, toys, games, and items for babies through pre-teens.

For more information, go to wecpta.org.

If you have news/information or a story idea you’d like to share or a ‘shout-out’, please send an email to [email protected]. Read Short Takes online at https://www.cleveland.com/topic/westlake. Follow me on X (Twitter) @jshortavon.