The Heights Observer

07/29/2026

New business activity has begun re-energizing the historic Coventry Village Business District in Cleveland Heights. Matt Moore, director of the Coventry Village Special Improvement District, said that he sees real momentum mounting on Coventry, as the district moves toward a renaissance.

New business activity has begun re-energizing the historic Coventry Village Business District in Cleveland Heights. Matt Moore, director of the Coventry Village Special Improvement District, said that he sees real momentum mounting on Coventry, as the district moves toward a renaissance. “The merc...

07/28/2026

HEIGHTS MUSIC HOP IS BACK!

Mark your calendars! The annual Heights Music Hop returns August 28–30, bringing together 85 local bands across 45 venues throughout Cleveland Heights!

This one-of-a-kind, community-wide music festival supports our local shops and showcases the amazing talent in our neighborhood. The best part? It is 100% FREE to attend!

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
📍 Friday, Aug 28: Cedar-Fairmount | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 Saturday, Aug 29: Noble & Cedar-Lee | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 Sunday, Aug 30: Coventry | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Bring your friends, explore the districts, support local businesses, and enjoy free live music all weekend long!

🙌 A HUGE thank you to our co-sponsor, the City of Cleveland Heights, and our event sponsors:
• Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
• Ohio Arts Council
• City of Cleveland Heights
• The Forest Cannabis Dispensary
• Church of the Saviour
• Cedar Lee Arts District
•Cedar Farimount District
•Coventry Villiage District

Have questions? Email us at [email protected]!

07/27/2026

University Heights Vice Mayor John Rach is always running.

After being appointed to University Heights City Council in 2016, he has run every four years to retain his council seat. When he’s not legislating or working his full-time job—focusing on the business side of the Geis Companies architectural practice—he is running the streets of University Heights and beyond, training for marathons...

University Heights Vice Mayor John Rach is always running. After being appointed to Univeristy Heights City Council in 2016, he has run every four years to retain his council seat. When he’s not legislating or working his full-time job—focusing on the business side of the Geis Companies archite...

07/24/2026

Crowdsourced Conversation: Public School Funding in Our Community – Community Survey

How does public school funding really work in Cleveland Heights and University Heights? Join FutureHeights for a structured, solution-oriented community dialogue.

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, July 30th
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Noble Road Library (2800 Noble Rd, Cleveland Heights)

Event Schedule:
10 Mins: Presenter 1 (Susie Kaeser)
10 Mins: Presenter 2 (Dan Heintz)
40 Mins: Guided Community Conversation & Solution-Building (Small Groups)
20 Mins: Wrap-up, Action Steps, and Q&A (any remaining time)

SURVEY CLOSES THIS MONDAY (JULY 27)!
Our breakout discussion templates are built directly from resident input. Currently, under 20% of households with school-aged children have completed the survey. Whether you have children in the district or not, take 5 minutes to make sure your voice is included!

Take the Survey:
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSd7QYT.../viewform

RSVP to Attend: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeDHxqw7NoLjW.../viewform

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (Facilitators & Notetakers):
To help lead a table or take notes on July 30th, join our Community Engagement Committee!

Sign up to volunteer: https://dash.pointapp.org/events/723965

Questions? Email us at [email protected]. See you next Thursday!

07/23/2026

Heights Arts is taking significant steps to make arts programming more accessible and inclusive for artists and audiences of all abilities. Through a new partnership with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) and the launch of accessibility initiatives, Heights Arts is reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that everyone can fully participate in the cultural life of the community...
https://heightsobserver.org/articles/a-e-news/heights-arts-accessibility-initiatives-remove-barriers/ #

Heights Arts is taking significant steps to make arts programming more accessible and inclusive for artists and audiences of all abilities. Through a new partnership with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) and the launch of accessibility initiatives, Heights Arts is reaf...

07/22/2026

Cleveland Heights residents Nicole and Ben Rossa will premiere their first documentary film, “Tina’s at the End of the World,” at the BorderLight...

Cleveland Heights residents Nicole and Ben Rossa will premiere their first documentary film, “Tina’s at the End of the World,” at the BorderLight Fringe Festival in downtown Cleveland, July 9–11. The husband-and-wife filmmaking team, who have lived in Cleveland Heights for the past 10 years,...

07/21/2026

The eighth annual Mind Challenge for the New Majority completed tournament play with a Cleveland Heights team finishing fourth overall with a total of 114 points and winning $500 for the city’s Senior Activity Center...

The eighth annual Mind Challenge for the New Majority completed tournament play with a Cleveland Heights team finishing fourth overall with a total of 114 points and winning $500 for the city’s Senior Activity Center.  Modeled after the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament, the Mind Chall...

07/20/2026

Which classic Broadway show featured the song “I Whistle a Happy Tune?”

More than 800 seniors from 75 communities in Northern Ohio tried to answer questions like that for five straight weeks (April through May) in the 2026 Mind Challenge, a free trivia competition designed for people over 60 that combines fun, friends and mental exercise.

Which classic Broadway show featured the song “I Whistle a Happy Tune?” More than 800 seniors from 75 communities in Northern Ohio tried to answer questions like that for five straight weeks (April through May) in the 2026 Mind Challenge, a free trivia competition designed for people over 60 tha...

07/17/2026

7/17 How does public school funding really work? Join FutureHeights for a crowdsourced conversation that will explore the mechanics of school funding, including property taxes, state aid, and other revenue sources. We’ll also discuss the vital role public schools play in strengthening our community and examine how perceptions of school quality influence where people choose to live.

The event will take place Thursday, July 30 from 6-7:30 at the Noble Road Library, 2800 Noble Rd., Cleve. Hts 44121.

Cleveland Heights is home to a rich mix of public, private, and parochial schools, giving families a range of educational options. But for those seeking strong public schools, how do perception and reality shape decisions about where to raise a family?

Leading the discussion will be Susie Kaeser, a public school advocate for more than 50 years, and Dan Heintz, who has served on the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education for more than nine years. Together, they will help demystify school funding and facilitate an important conversation about the future of public education in our community.

Event Format Information:
Following a brief presentation by our presenters, it then transitions into small-group breakout sessions. Each table will utilize a structured, facilitated discussion template built directly from the answers submitted in our pre-event community survey. Each table will have a notetaker who will record and report back specific input regarding perceived local challenges, existing community assets, and action-oriented next steps.

RVSP Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDHxqw7NoLjWQ_w79FLhGD9Gr000VRS4YO_Wvcxtcn-2y4ew/viewform

Survey Here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7QYT_kLG1uM16UmdO2H3kYCtaOBSZeE0S7LFwnWf87csbwA/viewform

How does public school funding really work? Join us for a community conversation that will explore the mechanics of school funding, including property taxes, state aid, and other revenue sources. We’ll also discuss the vital role public schools play in strengthening our community and examine how p...

07/16/2026

7/16 This month, the University Heights Symphonic Band (USHB) will perform two free pops concerts outside on the Hamlin Quad, on the steps of the Dolan Science Center at John Carroll University.

This month, the University Heights Symphonic Band (USHB) will perform two free pops concerts outside on the Hamlin Quad, on the steps of the Dolan Science Center at John Carroll University. The concerts, planned for 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, and Thursday, July 30, will salute America by celebratin...