News

Like you, my wife and I recently received our Cuyahoga County property tax bill. Also, probably like you, ours went up a lot, much to our chagrin.

Three talented local artists on on display at the Cuyahoga County Public Library, Powers Branch, in the spring show, titled The Beautyand Humor of Everyday Life. Gary Nass, Parma Arts member is displaying abstract wood sculptures, Joanna Ellis with her creative art quilts, and Katarina Lapyhina with her photography. Stop in and view the Gallery Wall.

Our pets are our loving and faithful companions. Show your love for them by learning how to draw their portrait. These classes will be held on Monday’s, March 24, 31, April 7 and 14, from 1 to 3 PM at the Parma Art Center, located in the Parma Parks & Recreation Building, at 7335 Ridge Road.

To celebrate Women’s History Month throughout the month of March, stop in at Rudy’s Strudel, located at 5580 Ridge Rd. Satisfy your paczki cravings with their huge selection of sweet or savory paczki, while viewing portraits of inspiring women accompanied by a story, family recipe, or letter describing why this particular woman is inspiring.

There’s a brand new coffee house in Polish Village, located at 5842 Ridge Road in the old Krakow Deli building, next to Brayson’s Ice Cream. This takeout or dine in cafe has been beautifully remodeled. It’s a spacious, 2,000 square foot, 40 seat establishment, and it’s relaxing and entertaining, with a welcoming atmosphere. The menu includes lots of options, coffee, iced coffee, espresso, flavored lattes, teas, hot chocolate, milk options like whole milk, almond & oat. In addition to coffee, Love Coffee also offers baked goods and supports local vendors.

“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” – Rachel Carson

Remember the VHS/Beta tape era? Back then, one could rent a motion picture from the nearest video store in your neighborhood and watch it in the privacy of your own home without any interruptions. No longer did you have to go to a crowded theater and fight for a good seat to watch the latest movie release. In addition, if you missed the airing of your favorite movie on television, they no longer had to wait until the following year to catch the next airing. You could just go down to your local video store and rent the movie. Even some movie die-hard fans transformed their basements into a miniature theater, along with huge screens and speakers, in order to mimic the effect of their nearest movie house.

Parma Symphony Orchestra will perform a LIVE Classical Music Concert on Sunday, March 9 at 3:00 PM at Valley Forge High School Auditorium located at 9999 Independence Boulevard in Parma Heights featuring: Saxophone solo featuring:  Chika Inoue performing John Williams’ Escapades from “Catch Me If You Can” also Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis on a Theme by Weber and Shostakovich’s Festive Overture

St. Columbkille School invited first reponders from Parma and Seven Hills to attend their luncheon on January 31, 2025 in celebration of the Catholic Schools Week. Police Officers and Fire Fighters enjoyed the opportunity to interact with students and staff while enjoying lunch catered by Niko's Gyros. The students provided personal messages and colorings which were heartfelt and inspirational. Thank you St. Coumbkille for the invitation and the continued support of your first reponders.

Late last year I was re-elected to represent Ohio House District 14 by an overwhelming vote of Democratic, Republican, and Independent voters. Let me just say how honored and humbled I am to have been selected to serve another term in the Ohio General Assembly. Anyone who knows me knows how seriously I take my role and that I strive to represent ALL of my constituents regardless of political party. In fact, I am very proud of my perfect attendance and 96% bipartisan voting record.

Calling out to all bands, clubs, businesses and organizations! We are looking to add more participants to the annual Parma 4th of July Parade. It’s a fun way to promote your band, club, business or organization and it’s free. Hey, all you creative individuals, think about competitive floats. Start your creating now. Oh what fun! Show your Parma pride! Start YOUR MARCH into the 2026 Parma Bicentennial in 2025. For more information email parmaparades@gmail.com.

Thank you to Cuyahoga Arts & Culture for awarding a matching grant to Parma Area Fine Arts Council, Inc. for 2025. This grant helps to finance the Art For The Fun Of It, their low cost or free beginner classes and workshops throughout the year. February kicks off 2025 with two 4 week classes. Intro to Knitting with Jane Zampedro, offered on Mondays 1 to 3pm, starting February 17. Students will explore casting on, different stitches, blocking and joining. The second is Embellished Embroidery with Jan McAndrew, offered on Thursdays from noon to 3pm starting February 20. Learn basic colorful embroidery stitches while creating a fabric needle holder and a fabric book of embroidery stitches. Embellish with sequins, beads and other materials. Both are offered at The Parma Art Center, 7335 Ridge Rd (inside City of Parma Parks & Recreation Center). Both cost $10 per person for 4 weeks of instruction, plus supplies are included. Class size is limited to offer individualized attention. Classes fill up fast, register now by emailing kathrynmabin@att.net. A real bargain!

Want to help a local charity PLUS have a great time?  The Leprechaun Chase at Gunselman's Tavern on Saturday March 8, 2025 is the answer to both questions! Race starts and ends at Fairview High School track, 4507 W 213th St, Fairview Park, OH 44126. Two race options available: 1 mile or 5k. All ages and skill levels are welcome to join the festivities with proceeds benefiting Empowering Epilepsy. Race starts at 9 am with after party to be held right across the street at Gunselman's Tavern, 21490 Lorain Rd, Fairview Park, OH 44126. Live Irish Music all day long, plus great food and drinks.

 After 71 years of service to the community, the Laurel Garden Club (LGC) has announced the difficult decision to dissolve the organization, effective at the end of 2024. This decision was made following thoughtful discussion at the club’s anniversary dinner meeting, where members voted to formally conclude the club’s operations.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program will be getting underway again this year starting the first full week in February and ending the 12th of April 2024. 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.  

Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter recently visited Mario’s Barbershop and donated items for Mario’s Annual Christmas Toy Drive. Mario has run his yearly toy drive for more than 10 years. This year, donations will be made to area families requiring assistance, as well as a North Carolina family impacted by the hurricane this past September.

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 2025.  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 50 and older.  Taxpayers do NOT have to be retired or a member of AARP.  You may start calling for appointments on January 6, 2025.  

Established in 1826, the City of Parma is gearing up for a year of celebrating in 2026 when it turns 200.

During the month of December, Parma residents donated peanut butter for the 14th Annual Parma Peanut Butter (PB) Drive. Since its inception in 2010, the Parma PB Drive has generated over 12 tons of peanut butter, thanks to the generosity of the community. This amounts to approximately 24,000 jars of peanut butter distributed to area seniors through All Faiths Pantry. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the drive.

Going back to my years as a member of Parma City Council I have been concerned about the integrity of donation collection bins. I was always skeptical about whether or not the donations of clothing and other articles were actually benefiting charitable causes. My research on the sketchy outfits that placed many of them was a work in futility. My concern was that legitimate charities were being “boxed-out” by seeming for-profit actors.

The Parma SWAT Team held its 1st Annual "SWAT Santa" on December 14th, 2024. The event was hosted by the Parma Tap House located at 5513 Pearl Rd. The team worked with several Parma school Directors and Family Liaisons to extend an invite to the families. The event was a success with with over 40 kids in attendance. The event included a craft table, gift bags, snacks, refreshments, and best of all, a chance to meet Santa and his Elves for photos and a special gift. 

Kris Harsh, Ward 13 councilman, at his monthly meeting in November talked about complaints from residents extending from Pearl to Memphis. The mature trees had added beauty and defined this Old Brooklyn Neighborhood for decades. Residents were upset about the radical and poor trimming Cleveland Public Power did along their street. What resulted was injured trees due to lack of formal arborist knowledge provided by a contractor hired by the City of Cleveland.

Frosty’s Fest is Sunday, December 8, 2024. It begins when Santa, his Sleigh, and his Elves arrive at the Donna Smallwood Activities Center, located at 7001 W. Ridgewood Dr. It follows the annual Parma Christmas Parade, which begins at 1:00 pm. This family focused event has a lot to offer, FREE admission and it’s is open to the public, no residency is required. As in past years, you’ll have free photos with Santa, kids crafts, activities, lots of extras too, like face painters, Disney Princesses, Sparky and The Grinch will be attending. Bakeries will be on hand with their mouth watering holiday goodies for you to purchase. Food and beverages, for sale, indoors and out. Choirs will be singing to enhance the holiday mood. You’ll also be able to watch live, a demonstration of ice sculpting.

If you are a reader of my monthly column, which I take pride in writing myself each month, you are well-aware of my legislative achievements in just my first 23 months as your state lawmaker.

Medicare is critical to caring for America’s seniors—nearly 1 in 5 Americans rely on it for health coverage! Ensuring that doctors are paid fairly for the important work they do for Medicare beneficiaries is no easy task, but failing to do so could lead to worse care for millions of retirees. 

Sean Mabin, owner operator of Prama Artspace & Gallery, is showing at Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., in Chagrin Falls, for the 53rd Annual Juried Art Exhibition through December 16.. He won the “completely different” Maxine Agger Kopecky Award, and a cash award. Sean & his wife Angie Reali-Mabin are showing at Pinwheel Gallery, 2019 Broadview Rd., in The Snow Show, which runs through January 3.

Parma Symphony Orchestra will perform a LIVE Holiday Music Concert on Sunday, December 8 at 3:00 PM at Valley Forge High School Auditorium located at 9999 Independence Boulevard in Parma Heights featuring Dr Randolph P Laycock conducting: Rossini’s William Tell Overture John Rutter’s Five pieces for orchestra.O Magnum Mysterium arranged by Dr. James Feiszli and a Selection of Holiday favorites 

For the first time, a documentary about the early Parma Settlers will air through December 2024. The documentary begins with the first settlers that arrived in the Parma area in the early 1800s and the development of Parma is followed all the way through the Civil War. These early pilgrims purchased their plots of land in Parma from a Connecticut Land Company before setting out on their long journey to take possession of them. After arriving in the Cuyahoga County area the settlers followed an Indian trail on the eastern side of the Cuyahoga River. They did so until crossing over the river to where Rockside Road is now located. They then continued westward, to where the Pearl and Ridge Road intersection is now.

The Parma SWAT Team would like to thank the Parma residents, city employees, friends and family, and both local and neighboring businesses in making the annual golf-outing held on October 4th, the most successful to date. The Parma SWAT Team is comprised of 26 total members and represents the Central Region of the Southwest Enforcement Bureau. Included in the total are 19 SWAT operators and 4 Tactical EMS members. We also have 3 auxiliary members on the team. The goal of our fundraising efforts is to educate and interact with the community and raise awareness of the Parma SWAT Team. We also strive to further fund the purchase of updated tactical equipment and training with the donations we receive.

In Ohio, there are only 62 available workers for every 100 open jobs. In the last two years, I’ve had the chance to meet with business leaders and workers across my district. Many of them tell me they can’t find workers to fill jobs in the skilled trades—and similarly, workers don’t have the preparation they need to fill those jobs. This disconnect between the skills businesses need and the training and knowledge candidates possess is known as the “skills gap.” And it’s wider than ever. 

On Saturday October 19th from 1-4pm we had our 1st Annual Wiremens Credit Union Member Appreciation Day. Thank you to the City of Parma for their assistance and the Parma Firefighters for stopping up with a fire truck and ambulance. We are grateful they were able to stop. What a huge hit. We had perfect weather with amazing food trucks -Jimbos Original Steak Sandwiches, Black Kettle Barbeque and Braysons Ice-cream. We had 2 bounce houses as well as an extraordinary face painter for the children. 

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP LOCAL TAXPAYERS - AARP Foundation has kicked off volunteer recruitment for its Tax-Aide program, the nation’s largest volunteer-based tax preparation service. Volunteers may sign up to assist taxpayers either in person or virtually, with a number of roles available.