Shaker Heights City Council will commemorate Democracy Day by holding a public hearing at city hall, located at 3400 Lee Road, on September 8 at 7 p.m.
In 2016, Shaker Heights voters adopted an initiative petition that created Democracy Day. Every two years, within ninety days of the general election in November, it takes place.
The initiative’s support of a movement to amend the U.S. Constitution to establish that only human beings, not companies, are legal persons with Constitutional rights will be the main topic of the public hearing at city hall, which will also be accessible remotely. Furthermore, since money is not free speech, controlling political expenditures and contributions does not mean that political speech is being restricted.
The hearing’s specific goal is to examine how corporate influence on politics has affected the city, the state, and the country in light of the most recent and impending elections.
Business firms, political action committees, super PACs, 501(c)(4) organizations, and unions are examples of corporate entities.
Before September 8, the council agenda will include a link to join the hearing using Zoom. On the city’s website, go to the agenda center, select the City Council category, and then click on the agenda for the meeting.
Up to five minutes will be allotted for speaking by those participating in person or over Zoom.
The public can access the ordinance that was approved by the voters, which is currently Section 113.10 of the City’s Ordinances, at shakerheightsoh.gov and the city hall clerk of council’s office.
University Heights survey: In order to construct a University Heights Climate Action Plan, people are being asked to take part in a poll designed to collect their opinions.
Additionally, residents are being encouraged to share their thoughts on important sustainability topics, including solid waste, parks and green space, public health and pollution, sustainable practices, transportation, and collaborations with other organizations.
To take part, go here.
Heights Regional Active Transportation Plan summit: University Heights will also host a summit on September 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the former Wiley school building, 2181 Miramar Blvd., to discuss the Heights Regional Active Transportation Plan.
The polanhere is available for reading.
Cleveland Heights Bicycle Survey: In 2014, the League of American Bicyclists designated Cleveland Heights as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC). The city is currently one of 460 towns around the country to receive this honor. Its next objective is to become Silver-level.
The League is currently surveying Cleveland Heights bikers. The answers will direct the areas of improvement, which will include encouraging more people to ride their bikes, teaching cars to share the road, and enacting laws that make streets more bike-friendly.
Cyclists of all ages and skill levels are being invited by Cleveland Heights to complete the survey and provide feedback on their city riding experiences.
An update is anticipated this fall when the League uses the results to assess the city’s BFC status and pinpoint areas that require improvement.
JCU accreditation: John Carroll University has announced that the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has formally notified it that its institutional accreditation has been unconditionally confirmed. This carries on the accreditation history that dates back to 1922.
One of the most important prerequisites for schools and universities to function is institutional accreditor accreditation, which guarantees both academic excellence and institutional stability. Accreditation is reaffirmed every ten years. In the spring of 2025, JCU successfully finished this procedure.
According to a press statement from JCU President Al Miciak, John Carroll has had Higher Learning Commission accreditation for almost a century. This most recent reaffirmation highlights how John Carroll upholds the highest standards of academic performance and institutional strength while staying loyal to its Jesuit goal of developing students of intelligence and character.
According to Bonnie Gunzenhauser, vice president of academic affairs at JCU, it’s an exciting time to be at John Carroll. Our longstanding dedication to quality has given us enormous momentum, as evidenced by our largest first-year cohort in the past five years, new academic programs, and new facilities.
I’m happy that the HLC shares our vision for the university’s bright future, and I’m thankful to everyone on campus who helped with the review process.
According to the HLC’s official letter, John Carroll’s next accreditation reaffirmation will take place in the 2034–2035 school year.
An update on the activities of the former Coventry PEACE/Coventry School facility, located at 2843 Washington Blvd. in Cleveland Heights, was released on August 20 by Nancy Levin, director of the Heights Libraries.
Levin said in that press statement that the property’s owner, Heights Libraries, is closing the facility at the end of the year, and the deadlines for the last tenants to vacate the building are getting closer to September.
The Library Board’s September meeting, which is set for 6:30 p.m. on September 18, will include a discussion about the future of the soon-to-be-empty building.
When her contract at the Coventry PEACE Building expires on September 30, artist and tenant Robin Van Lear gave the Library a letter of intent last month stating that she will be relocating to the Euclid Circle Inc., 13231 Euclid Ave. David Garland, president of Genesis Global, the owner of the Euclid Avenue skyscraper, signed the letter.
Van Lear’s operating company, Art Acts Ltd., has until August 31 to deliver a signed lease for new premises to the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library. She must sign this paper stating that she will be leaving her studio and storage space at the PEACE building in Coventry.
On February 5, 2025, Van Lear signed a temporary space contract with the Library that included the deadline. The Library extended storage time exclusively for Artful, a different arts organization and previous tenant, on the same day. On July 31, that organization relocated to 2555 Euclid Heights Blvd., the former St. Albans Church.
According to Levin, the Library extended this deadline to September 30 in order to accommodate Robin’s grant and activity schedule. Van Lear had been Artful’s subtenant before February.
By December 31, when tenant Do Good Day Hub is expected to vacate, the majority of the Coventry PEACE building will be completely empty.
For budgetary and safety grounds, the Library had previously declared that it would be closing the building.
According to a 2024 assessment commissioned by K2M design, a complete renovation of the Library would cost $14 million to bring it up to modern safety and operating standards.
Levin said that the Library has completely renovated the nearby Coventry PEACE Park, which is open to everyone for free. Shakespeare in the Park, music, festivals, and literacy initiatives have all taken place there this summer.
According to her, the Heights Tree People will finish the first phase of park redevelopment in September by planting additional trees. The Fund for the Future of Heights Libraries garnered over $1 million in donations to support the park’s upkeep and renovation. Volunteers are needed to assist with planting, according to the Tree People.
The Heights Libraries website contains the project’s history as well as any relevant materials.
The city of Shaker Heights announced on Facebook on August 19 that the Shaker Heights Police Department would be putting up several speed signs across the city to assist inform locals about speeding in Shaker Heights.
As you pass them, make sure to look at them and slow down if you’re moving too quickly. Please be especially mindful of the speed limits in school zones when classes begin this week. Together, let’s maintain the safety of our community. Thank you.
Subscription series for Celebrating Jewish Life:Imagine walking into a space where there is a lot of laughter, the smell of holiday food, and the sounds of
Jewish music, which gives every Jewish holiday celebration a positive and significant vibe. Whether you are seeking a memorable way to honor the holidays, or the chance to deepen and make new friendships, Celebrating Jewish Life invites you to rediscover the richness of Jewish tradition in a welcoming, spirited community.
For six Jewish holidays, Celebrating Jewish Life is a special subscription series that provides interesting spaces for celebration and community building. Every holiday becomes a motivational event that blends heartfelt customs with delectable cuisine, upbeat music, and stimulating conversation.
Every celebration, led by Rabbi Rosie Haim, is intended to exude joy, singing, and a distinct sense of community.
We are thrilled to launch the eighth year of our series to address the largest segment of the Cleveland Jewish community — unaffiliated adults seeking a meaningful way to deepen their identity and enrich their Jewish involvement, said Haim, in a release.
Celebrating Jewish Life, which has more than 150 subscribers, creates opportunities for empty-nesters, full-lifers, millennials, baby boomers, retirees, and even those interested in enhancing their current affiliations or those who just don t want to cook. It is for anyone eager to share holidays with others and embrace their Judaism in a joyful, supportive setting.
Through Celebrating Jewish Life, Rabbi Rosie hopes to inspire new Jewish leaders and encourage engagement with Jewish communal organizations.
In addition to Erev Yom Kippur at Cleveland Marriott East, Pre-Hanukkah Shabbat at Mayfield Country Club (South Euclid), Purim at MGM Northfield Park (Northfield), and Passover Second Night Seder at Cleveland Marriott East, the subscription series starts on September 22 with an Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner and service at the Cleveland Marriott East in Beachwood. Full information is listed on the websitecelebratingjewishlife.com.
The subscription series costs $625 per person and includes all six dinners, services, and experiences. Subscribers may purchase additional individual experiences for friends or family at $125 each, or $100 for guests ages 36 and under.
Experiences are fully transferable, but non-refundable.Subscribers are encouraged to transfer the opportunity to others if unable to attend.
If you would like your item included in Press Run, send me an email, at least 12 days prior to an event, at [email protected].
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