News

Ward 1 Councilman Vito Dipierro started a new position on Parma City Council and now presides over meetings as council president. The seat was vacated in early January after Sean Brennan resigned. Brennan was elected in November 2022 as the new 14th Ohio House District state representative, serving Parma, Parma Heights and half of West Park in Cleveland. He was Parma council president for 11 years. Dipierro will serve the remainder of Brennan’s term through the end of 2023 and then will be on the ballot for the next term.

On Saturday February 25, 2023 from 5 to 7 PM Polish Village Parma, Inc., a non-profit, is holding the Taste of Polish Village. This very popular event is held at St. Charles Parish Hall Basement, located at 5891 Ridge Rd. For $20 per person you receive a sampling of the various foods the Polish Village business district has to offer and a beverage. With numerous food stations you won’t go home hungry. These are from local businesses you may have driven by and not yet had the opportunity to try out. Your old favorites from along Ridge Road will be there and you may find a new favorite from the among the multiple food stations. In addition there will be raffle baskets and side boards for your entertainment. Enjoy an assortment of good food with your neighbors for a worthwhile cause to help your community thrive.

It was an honor to be sworn in earlier this month with my wife of 28 years, Deena, holding the family Bible and our children and friends by my side in the historic Statehouse in Columbus. To be one of 99 Ohioans to represent our fine state in Ohio House of Representatives is an indescribable honor. Rest assured that I will remember my oath “to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio . . .as I shall answer unto God” in my daily work on your behalf.

Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter’s State of the City address will occur before a live audience this year. “For the past two years, we have recorded my State of the City address and then posted it on our website and social media platforms. We couldn’t crowd a room with people during COVID restrictions or when cases spiked,” DeGeeter said. “I will enjoy being in a room filled with people again.” The address, however, will not be a traditional speech this year. Instead, it will be in an interview format, with local award-winning broadcaster Dick Russ asking the mayor questions about important city matters such as the local economy, infrastructure projects, safety services and other areas of city business.

Prama Artspace Gallery & Boutique, located at 5411 Pearl Rd is featuring author Thomas Tobie, Friday, Feburary 3rd, 4:30 to 7:30 PM. Tobie’s new book titled “Bobby’s Shivery Shadow Book” is a fun and spooky book for tweens. Artwork by Laura D’Alessandro inspired by the stories is hanging in the gallery through Saturday, February 4th. Coming Soon, February 24 through March 19, is a group show, no theme, with numerous artists, titled “Now That’s What I Call Art #1” at Prama. Follow Prama on Facebook and Instagram for future events. While visiting Prama, stop at the many unique food and beverage establishments located on Ridge and Pearl Roads. Shop small, shop local and often. You won’t be sorry you did.

Over the past few years, the volunteers involved with the 501(c)3 non-profit, We Are Parma Proud, have worked tirelessly to advance and support the city’s image. They created and published the first ever, Parma’s Visitor Guide, hosted family friendly events like Picnic in the Park, and Frosty’s Fest, sponsored and organized Trash Crawls, engaged the community through online photo contests and brought you the fireworks after Rib ‘n Rock n 2022. 

The 24th Annual Valley Forge High School Spring Craft Show will be on Saturday March 18th from 10am-3pm. 

March 18th marks the 24th Spring Craft Fair at Valley Forge High School. Each spring the Cross Country and Swim teams host this annual event; the primary fundraiser for both teams. All proceeds are then funneled to support the athletes in their conditioning and training endeavors.

  The Parma of today looks vastly different from the Parma of the 1970's.  Station wagons remember those? The Ford LTD once common are gone from our neighborhood driveways. Today Sport Utility Vehicles fill the void.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program will be getting underway again this year starting the first week in February and ending the 14th of April 2023. This IRS-supported FREE tax service is offered on a non-discriminatory basis without consideration of race, religion, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. We give special attention to those with low or moderate incomes and/or aged 60 and older. Taxpayers do NOT have to be retired or a member of AARP. 

The Parma of today looks vastly different from the Parma of the 1970's. Station wagons remember those? The Ford LTD wagons once common are gone from our neighborhood driveways.Today Sport Utility Vehicles fill the void. Pintos with the large goldfish bowl rear windows were popular and Volkswagen Beetles were seen, often a teen driver at the wheel new license tucked into her suede fringed purse. Parma Home Bakery & Kitchen Maid Meats, Baron's Bar and James Books a glimpse of yesterday. Time moves us forward. What has happened to Parmas trees?

The last Parma City Council meeting of 2022 nearly had a full chamber when council members honored Parma City School District’s Valley Forge High School eighth grade football team. City Council President Sean Brennan and Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter gave multiple proclamations and awards to the jubilant players and coaches, who together achieved a perfect record. The team has been undefeated for the past two seasons.

RAISING AWARENESS:  Human Trafficking/Abuse: Note: View the digital version to activate hyperlinks – www.parmaobserver.com/read/news
O  From The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking:
      >>  “Fundamentals of Human Trafficking” presentations are scheduled for 10:30 am on Tues, Dec 6th. The hour-long presentation is both free and virtual. Note that Social Workers completing this program are eligible to receive 1 free CEU. Get details & register here.
      >>  If you know/see something – say something.  Know who to contact….a trusted adult, your local police department, the County's Regional Human Trafficking Task Force at 216.443.6085, or if you feel it's an emergency dial 911. Should services and/or support for a victim be required, a call to the H. T, Collaborative, 440.872.6500 can result in the appropriate connection/s being made w/any of its 70+ partner organizations or agencies. 

O  From Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC)...As a reminder -  it’s important for parents to teach their children to look out for those who are targeted by cyberbullying, especially LGBT+ teens. For more information, visit cyberbullying.org.

O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center... Click here to learn about support for survivors who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing.  Check out the video presented in American Sign Language  w/English sub-titles describing services available.
 
LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified & vetted by the MyCom network:  > The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation  > The Hershey Heartwarming Project Action Grants   >  The DanPaul Foundation   > The Charles Lafitte Foundation  > The TK Foundation.  If you’re affiliated with a family/youth-serving organization visit these funders’ sites to see if your program/service fits their mission.  

O  From Parma City Schools: 
      >>  The Sword & Shield, PCSD’s culinary program located at Normandy H.S. is now open on Thursdays and Fridays for lunch. Learn more and order here.
      >>  Join us for Parma City Schools Night w/the Cavs on Saturday, December 10th vs Oklahoma City Thunder. Come out and support Parma City Schools and cheer on our Cleveland Cavaliers. Get your tickets here.
      >>  Community walking & swimming will be available at our three high schools from December – May. Go here for details and schedules.
      >>  The district is looking for feedback regarding our facilities after the failure of Issue 9. It would be helpful if you would please complete this short survey to help with this effort to upgrade/update facilities.

The ball sailed out of sight that glorious, warm, summer night. We gathered at old Mr. Baker's lawn on the north side of Parma. We played outdoors. Mr. Baker was a favorite. He liked the neighborhood kids, and we liked him. To our amazement Mr. Baker shared his beer with his dog Pixie occasionally.

This month I am officially signing off on The President’s Corner. It has been a true pleasure over the past almost twelve years writing about the people, events, and places of Parma as your President of City Council. As you probably know, on November 8, I was elected by the residents of the 14th District to represent them in the Ohio House of Representatives at the Statehouse in Columbus.

During the winter when Northeast Ohio is slammed with severe snowstorms, the Parma’s Safety Department notifies residents who are registered with Cuyahoga County’s Ready Notify CodeRed service about parking bans. Those notices are also posted on the City of Parma’s Facebook page. The city uses these communications tools to reach a large audience quickly and easily about emergencies and other important information.

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, the Anthony Zielinski Leadership for Tomorrow program has returned to Parma City Hall and the Justice Center. The program, which runs from early November 2022 to late March 2023, gives fourth graders from nine Parma schools a glimpse into how municipal government and courts operate. “We are excited to have students come back. It is great to see youth work on their own legislation during a mock council meeting. They roleplay elected officials, passing ‘laws’ with lots of discussion. Of course, the students love the tour of City Hall and the Justice Center, as well as visiting the mayor. Plus, they get pizza for lunch,” said Treasurer Tom Mastroianni, who gives a presentation and also acts as emcee and City Hall tour guide. 

The Donna Smallwood Activities Center is making sure seniors get around town. “Our seniors are happy to reacquaint with old friends, make new friends, eat together and find new programs to uplift their spirits,” Mayor Tim DeGeeter said. This year, Activities Center Director Erin Lally and her team organized outings to Best of Parma locations, scheduled tours to senior living facilities and increased transportation services. “When I saw the Best of Parma contest winners, I thought everyone would enjoy getting around town together and experiencing the best of what our city offers,” Lally said.

Sometime, really good things happen in the most unexpected ways. As everyone knows, Upper Ridgewood Lake is under construction and is enclosed by a high fence for safety. All the geese have left for wetter pastures except one. This one goose had apparently been hit by a car, leaving him unable to fly and unable to get out of the enclosed area; he was stranded with no food and very little water.

Prama Artspace & Gallery, 5411 Pearl Rd, Menlo Park Academy Children’s Art Show sponsored by Cleveland Photo Fest opened November 25th and runs through December 18th. Menlo Park Academy is a school for gifted children in grades K to 8, located at 2149 W 53rd in Cleveland. It’s a tuition-free, student focused public school dedicated to nurture gifted children. Stop and view the amazing photos taken by these awesome fourth and fifth graders. Cleveland Photo Fest is an organization created in 2019 to bring worldwide Unity Through Photography, and offers several exhibits and lectures throughout the greater Cleveland area. Prama is open Wed, Sat, Sunday 2-6 PM and Tues and Friday 2-5 PM.Prama‘s gift boutique will also be open and offers you many handmade gifts by local artisans. 

Cleveland Photo Fest was created in 2019, their parent organization is Cleveland Photographic Workshop (est. 1978), they seek to promote worldwide Unity Through Photography. Since 2019 they have sponsored several exhibits throughout the greater Cleveland area, and photo swap exhibits with India and Australia. Their latest is One Million Photos, the most inclusive ever photographic exhibit in Cleveland. The call went out early this year for amateur and professionals to send their submissions, free of charge, for this exhibit. No theme, just your favorite photos. Included were several thousand submissions from local high school and college students. For many photographers this was the opportunity to show at their fist exhibition. It was a dynamic idea and partially funded from a grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and Gemini Developers. 

We are delighted to share that the Northeast Ohio SPCA Wellness Clinic located at 9691 Brookpark Rd. is once again open to the public. The clinic was initially closed back in March of 2020 when the pandemic struck, and we were left without a veterinarian.

Frosty’s Fest is back, and this year, it will be bigger, better, and at a new location.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service is seeking volunteers to assist taxpayers in southwestern Cuyahoga County. Volunteers do not have to be retired or members of AARP.  We plan 2 tax preparation sites in Parma and 6 additional sites in the neighboring cities.

RAISING AWARENESS:  Human Trafficking/Abuse:Note: View the digital version to activate hyperlinks – www.parmaobserver.com/read/news >  K N O W   T H E   S I G N S  <
> Pay attention if a person:  > Be alert if a young person:
    *  Appears submissive, afraid or nervous.                                                            *  Has a much older “boyfriend / “girlfriend.
    *  Tells a well-rehearsed or inconsistent story.                                                   *  Has new jewelry, new hairdo or polished nails (not paid for
    *  Is not in control of his/her identification papers                                                 by the youth’s parent or guardian/s.
    *  Shows signs of physical or mental abuse.                                                        *  Has sporadic or poor school attendance.
    *  Is not able to come and go as he/she pleases.                                                *  Possesses multiple hotel cards or cell phones.
    *  Does not want to tell you about a tattoo which may be                               *  Wears clothing inappropriate for his/her age or for the
        a trafficker’s branding.                                                                                              weather.
> Signs a friend or someone you know may be experiencing human trafficking:
    * Someone has isolated your friend from you and other loving & supportive people.
    * Someone makes decisions for your friend about when he/she is free, where they can go, or who they can hang out with.
    * Your friend left town suddenly or disappears from time to time with little or no explanation.
    * Your friend is highly secretive about a new relationship or their whereabouts.
    * Your friend has received expensive gifts.
    * You never see your friend anymore or you can never get time alone with them.
    * Your friend seems frightened or nervous.
    * Your friend seems malnourished or ill and isn’t allowed to get the treatment they need.
>>  Know who to contact….a trusted adult, your local police department, the County's Regional Human Trafficking Task Force at 216.443.6085, or if you feel it's an emergency dial 911. Should services and/or support for a victim be required, a call to the H. T, Collaborative, 440.872.6500 can result in the appropriate connection/s being made w/any of its 70+ partner organizations or agencies. 

O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center... Click here to learn about support for survivors who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing.  Check out the video presented in American Sign Language  w/English sub-titles describing services available.

O  From The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking:
      >>  “Fundamentals of Human Trafficking” presentations are scheduled for 7:00 pm on Tues, Nov 15th, and again at 10:30 am on Tues, Dec 6th. These hour-long presentations are both free and virtual. Note that Social Workers completing this program are eligible to receive 1 free CEU. Get details & register here.
 
LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified by the MyCom network:  >  Colibri Grants  > Classics for Kids Foundation  > The Edward E. Ford Foundation  > The Fordham Street Foundation         > The Global Fund for Children.  If you’re affiliated with a family/youth-serving organization visit these funders’ sites to see if your program/service fits their mission.  
 
O  From Parma City Schools: 
      >>  Go hereto learn more about how PCSD has & is responding to the mental health crisis, the notoriety the program has received, and how its efficacy has attracted key sponsorships & the support of Cav’s player Kevin Love.
      >>  Proposed new school boundary maps for the 2023-2024 School Year have been drafted. Go here to view & learn more.
     >>  In partnership with PSE Credit Union, K-4 students are now able to open an actual savings account & "bank" weekly! The “PCSD Pennie Club” program is student-run & staff facilitated at each of their elementary buildings.  Staff training is now complete and they’re ready for bankers!
      >>  If you’re not already aware, new Senior Discount cards qualify Senior citizens for 20% off of services offered by Normandy’s  Cosmetology program and meals served by the Sword & Shield Culinary restaurant! Senior discount coupons are available at the central office on Longwood. Learn more here.     
      >> If you’re a local business owner, go here to learn more about the district’s Workforce Learning Program. Find out why and how your business can participate to help build a local workforce pipeline.
     
O From Ohio Dept of Education (ODE):
      >>  RecoveryOhio has partnered with several state agencies to create a new public awareness campaign focused on warning middle school, high school, and college students and their families of the dangers of counterfeit pills. Download the materials to share today.
      >>  Click here to learn more about a new Community Wellbeing: Social Determinants of Health dashboard available on the DataOhio Portal. Explore the dashboard to gain insight that can help inform local decision-making.
      >>  Are you working with students and families displaced by conflict, environmental disasters, and other extraordinary circumstances? Go here to review ODE’s new “Enrolling and Supporting Displaced and Newcomer Students” webpage containing requirements and considerations to best support displaced newcomer students with immediate enrollment and more.
      >>  If you’re a tutoring vendor or looking for a professional tutoring service click here to learn more about ODE’s just released high-quality tutoring program directory.

O  From All Faiths Pantry...The organization is in need of delivery volunteers. For more information call Megan at 216.406.4329 or visit their website athttps://allfaithspantry.org/

O  From Medworks of Greater Cleveland...They are hosting a FREE DENTAL CLINIC on Friday, Nov 18th and again on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Huntington Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland.  No questions asked; walk-ins only. Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Go here for details.

O  From The Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition (NEOBHC)...Visit their website here and click on the COMMUNITY tab to learn more about the more than 20 activities, events, and projects currently underway. DATA RESOURCES are also available by clicking on the ABOUT tab.

O  From Search Institute:
      >>  Go hereto review the results of their 2015 study, “Don’t Forget the Families – The Missing Piece in America’s Effort to Help All Children Succeed.” There’s a lot of good stuff here – well worth more than just a cursory visit. Among its many TIPS is a reference to Parent Further, Search Institute’s website for families to find quizzes, conversation starters, activities, and other tools to strengthen developmental relationships in families. Learn more & check it out here.
      >>  Sign up for this free, 1-hour webinar: The State of Developmental Assets coming up on Wednesday, November 16 at 10:00 am, CST.  SI’s CEO will be sharing new data around Developmental Assets, discussing the state of Developmental Assets throughout the pandemic, and how Assets lay the foundation for building meaningful relationships with young people to ensure they feel seen, heard, and valued. Register here.

O  From ASSE-Intn’l Student Exchange Program...ASSE is looking for local representatives to help assist local families and high school exchange students who will be attending high schools during the 2023 – 2024 school year. To learn how to apply visit their website by clicking the hyperlink above. For more specific information contact our state coordinator, Holly Hawk at holly@asse.com, ph: 937.418.6779.

O  From OCALI...For folks working (or living) with clients (kids mostly but adults as well) on the autism spectrum and/or who may have some type of physical or sensory challenge. OCALI’s annual 4-day, all-virtual conference is scheduled to start on November 15th. If registering as a parent/student the cost is only $50; if as a professional it's $250. They're quoting > 15,000 registrants so far & at $50 a pop it may be worth considering. Go here to visit the conference website.

O  From the Down Syndrome Assoc. of NE Ohio (DSANEO):
      >>  For families interested, DSANEO will be hosting its Holiday Party on Sunday, Dec. 4th at the Holiday Inn on Rockside Rd. Visit their website for more information.
      >>  While there, a) check all the activities planned for this month on the Calendar page and b) visit their Publications page to view among others, a list of all the programs and services they offer, and view a copy of “Life with Down Syndrome – A New & Expectant Parent Guide”

O From Lake Erie Ink (A writing space for youth)...Visit their website to learn more about how this local organization offers programs for students ages 6 to 18, as well as providing off-site creative writing experiences for students in schools and other youth-serving organizations.  Go here to view and/or register for any of their extensive list of fall programming opportunities.

O  From Ohio Dept. of Insurance... The Life Insurance Policy Locator tool from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners helps to connect consumers with their deceased loved ones' lost life insurance policies and annuity contracts if there are any. The online tool is free & available to anyone.

On Monday, November 21, 2022, a FREE Colored Pencil Workshop, will be held at the Donna Smallwood Activities Center, 7001 W Ridgewood Drive, 12:30 to 2:30 PM. The workshop will be taught by local artist and retired art teacher, Donata Rahne. This workshop is for those who state they can’t draw a straight line. It’s a friendly, relaxing, non-judgemental workshop that that introduces beginners to a fun way of creating something you can be proud to show to your friends. You’ll learn how to shade and color with pencils. It’s FREE and all supplies are included. 

Prama Artspace & Gallery, 5411 Pearl Rd, is having their Annual Spooktacular Show. They sure do love the spooky stuff at Prama. If you love dark, mysterious and spooky, you’ll love this show. Opening night was Friday, October 28, 2022. Patrons came dressed in costumes, refreshments were served. and listened to the sounds of Sept Le Charme perform their latest Draculian dirges at 8 PM. Sept le Charme just released a new album of their dark poetry as lyrics titled, And on the 7th Day, the Goth God Created Sept le Charme. This exhibit will be available for you to peruse through November 20th. 

The 12th Annual Polish Village Treat & Greet, October 22nd, was a huge success this year. The weather was sunny and warm, which brought people out in droves. This event is brought to you by the Polish Village non-profit volunteers. The route included over 40 stops to trick-or-treat, from Ridge and Pearl to Ridge and Hamstead. Parma Police, Parma Fire, and Parma UH also participated passing out candy. Twenty-four raffle prizes were awarded to the adults this year, each with a value of $50 or more. Several shop owners dressed in costume also. As did the adults accompanying children. One stop had free coffee for the adults and a chance to rest. Sparky The Dog was seen greeting kids on Ridge Road. One stop had balloons for the kids. So many great costumes! 

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the nation’s leading luxury massage and facial spa franchise, announced today the opening of its newest franchised location in Parma. Located in The Shoppes at Parma at 7841 W. Ridgewood Drive, the new Hand & Stone spa is owned and operated by longtime Independence resident and pharmacist Neel Patel. With the opening of his new spa, Neel is bringing Hand & Stone’s signature skincare services and luxury spa experience to his community, making high-end wellness services affordable and accessible in Parma.

For over a decade, Dr. Jaclene Zauszniewski, an internationally recognized nurse-scientist and Distinguished Faculty Researcher Award recipient of Case Western Reserve University, and her research team, have learned from caregivers and for caregivers. Her research has one common goal: helping family caregivers to better manage stress and stay healthy.    

Parma is Ohio’s seventh most populous city and, commensurate with its size and population, is a city of parks. But, how many residents have visited or are even aware of all 20 parks and the amenities that each provides? This month’s column is dedicated to Parma’s recreational parks and will hopefully encourage you to visit all that they have to offer. They are listed loosely in order from north to south. Cut out the column and use it as your checklist!

Like most voters, I look at the person, not the party, and that’s why I’m going to vote for Sean Brennan for the Ohio House of Representatives this year. We need leaders who will unite us, instead of divide us – and Sean is the man for the job. Over the past few years, I’ve seen too many politicians rely on inflammatory rhetoric, distracting us from the real issues at hand; but Sean promotes and acts on the common sense, common ground ideas that tangibly help our community.

He has served our community as President of our City Council and a teacher in our public schools, and I’ve never seen a public servant who works and delivers like Sean does. He is “all action,” and that’s why he has my vote.

And to be clear, Sean is the only Democrat I’ll be voting for this year because I know he is the candidate who will get the job done better than anyone else. I urge my fellow citizens who are dedicated to their faith, their families, and their community to do the same. 

Despite the important work nonprofits and community organizations do in the communities they serve, many are lacking the modern technology tools needed to perform their missions to the fullest. To bridge this technology gap, Cox Communications today announced the call for nominations for its annual “Tech Boosts” program, which awards grants to nonprofit groups committed to investing in technology equipment for the betterment of its patrons and mission. The nomination period closes October 13, 2022.  

At the Sept. 19 Parma City Council meeting, Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter, Ward 5 Councilman Allan Divis and Ward 7 Councilwoman Kammy Coyle Shuman recognized Padua Franciscan High School cafeteria worker Megan Kulikowski for her heroic actions. On Sept. 1, a red-faced student approached Kulikowski during lunch, leaned into her and gasped the word, “Help.” The four-year cafeteria worker called for assistance and then immediately performed the Heimlich maneuver, saving the choking student’s life. A humble Kulikowski said she does not perceive herself a hero and that any Padua lunch employee would have done the same.

On Saturday, September 24 the American Legion Post 703 held a re-dedication for the Veterans Memorial monument behind the Parma Heights Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library. The original monument was dedicated on July 4, 1969.

On Monday, October 17, 2022, a FREE workshop, titled Marvelous Metallics, will be held at the Donna Smallwood Activities Center, 7001 W Ridgewood Drive, 12:30 to 2:30 PM. The workshop will be taught by local artist Donata Rahne. This workshop is for those who state they can’t draw a straight line. It’s a friendly, relaxing, non-judge mental workshop that that introduces beginners to a fun way of creating something you can be proud to show to your friends. It’s FREE and all supplies are included.