Heights Observer

Destiny Burns, 2026 FutureHeights Person of the Year, with Ann Weatherhead, Cleveland Blues Society. [photo: Matt Harmon] On June 25, the Cleveland Blues Society (CBS) held a Blues Night at CLE Urban Winery. CBS holds Blues Nights at various Northeast Ohio venues to increase awareness and appreciation of the blues by bringing the music to places people gather.

The Cleveland Heights Democrats Club will hold its monthly meetings for July, August and September at Caledonia Community Center, 960 Caledonia Ave. The meetings, on July 9, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10, will begin at 7 p.m. At the July 9 meeting, state Sen. Kent Smith will discuss “The Broken Ohio Tax System.” Details for the August and September meetings are still in development; details will be announced in club newsletters, posted online at clevelandheightsdems.com.

LWV marchers in the 2026 UH Memorial Day Parade. For the last two years I have marched with the Cleveland Heights–University Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters in the University Heights Memorial Day Parade. This year our delegation walked behind women on stilts and a wonderful human dressed as a dog, and in front of an energetic jazz band that inspired us to dance along and sing as we marched down the street. This is a sweet event.

Tamar Gray directing a Fairfax concert, four years ago. One day in late May, I went to two concerts. One, in the afternoon, was Fairfax Elementary School’s annual fourth–and fifth-grade spring vocal concert; the other, that evening, was music by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Beethoven, performed by CityMusic Cleveland at Fairmount Presbyterian Church. Both concerts were really great, but I have to say that I enjoyed the Fairfax one more. Why?

I started my day pretty early. I was in the car by 7:30 and saw a lot of interesting things. My garbage was out, and the truck was driving down my street. I love garbage day. Maybe I love it so much because I used to live in Idaho. Once a week, my husband and I would drive to the dump. We paid our fee and got rid of the week’s garbage. In the summer, it ranked among my least favorite chores because it reeked. Now, because I pay taxes, that truck comes by every week and picks up the stinky stuff.

I’m a longtime community advocate, parent, volunteer, and co-founder of the Courageous Conversations initiative. Due to recent cuts in funding, we are exploring the relaunch and expansion of these community sessions to bring residents, organizations, and stakeholders together to address the challenges facing our schools and community so we can help provide solutions. This is not a group or nonprofit organization. We do not represent a political agenda/organization.

Cleveland Heights is a community of people who care about sentient beings. There’s been concern expressed in social media about loose dogs. Although some are reunited with their families, others end up in a concrete kennel for months, waiting to be adopted. Unfortunately, loose dogs (and cats) roam streets in all communities. If they’re not fixed, then guess what? They rendezvous and make more loose dogs (and cats). Cleveland Heights resident Christie Lucco is proactively part of the solution.

Cleveland Heights has a Forestry Department. It does important work caring for public trees on parkways, medians, parks, and other city-owned properties. There also is an active volunteer network, Heights Tree People, that plants and cares for trees on private properties. Both should be complemented by the creation of a governmental tree commission. Such a commission would add a beneficial public forum for tree policy, planning, and expert input. South Euclid shows what can be accomplished.

At the lawn mower and leaf blower exchange in May, participants were briefed on operating their new electric tools. Formally adopted by the city of Cleveland Heights in June 2025—on the 55th anniversary of Earth Day’s founding—the Cleveland Heights Climate Forward: An Action & Resilience Plan was the work of many hearts and minds. City council members, city staff, and environmental nonprofits contributed to the detailed, 141-page roadmap to sustainability.

Rewind Finds owner Ameer Pettit. Let’s Ride Skateboards shop owners Dave and Kaci Neeson. 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 merchants, residents, city officials, church, and other property owners have been stepping up together,” said Moore.