Home Care In Cleveland Heights, OH

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland Heights locals are getting a gift from the past this holiday season as Big Fun, a toy store/pop-culture emporium, has returned.

The shop at 1814 Coventry Road, closed for good in 2018 due to a changing shopping market impacted by online retailers. The spot has remained empty since Big Fun shut its doors, until Nov. 18 when owner Steve Presser re-opened it as a pop-up holiday shop. Big Fun made the announcement for its return via Facebook to let holiday shoppers know that the store is back in action, momentarily.

Presser may have been away from Big Fun for a bit, but he’s lived in the Coventry neighborhood, just a few blocks away from the store, for 40 years, so it’s always been home.

“Some of the most important years of my life, exclusive of my marriage and my kids, have been in Big Fun,” Presser said. “It’s so wonderful to be back in the saddle again.”

The Coventry neighborhood has changed a lot in recent years, with many retailers closing or moving away from the main street. Presser hopes that the Big Fun pop-up will remind people why it’s such a magical experience to walk down the street and enjoy the local businesses, such as Big Fun’s neighbors Tommy’s Restaurant, 1824 Coventry Road, or Mac’s Backs Books, 1820 Coventry Road.

“These seven weeks that I’m open are the seven best weeks of the year,” Presser said. “We’re all hoping that this will spur some more positive development in the neighborhood.”

The community response to Big Fun’s short reopening has been one of joy and excitement, Presser said. Many people are excited to be able to relive a piece of their childhood by perusing the nostalgic oddities of the store. Some people who came to the store as children are returning to the pop-up with children of their own, which is something special for Presser to experience.

“It’s watching a whole new generation again,” Presser said. “It’s great to be behind the cash register and to see old customers and to hug them. To just enjoy being Big Fun again, it’s wonderful.”

The Big Fun Holiday Pop-Up will run for seven weeks this holiday season. Shoppers can expect to see classic Big Fun novelty items alongside locally-made craft gifts. The store will be open seven days a week at noon for daily shopping. Presser has filled the store with ideal holiday gifts, many of which come from a warehouse where he’s been collecting items since 1988.

“It’s kind of crazy, I have really cool things that haven’t seen daylight from my warehouse in 35 years,” Presser said. “And for me, it’s a little bit of a treasure hunt. For my customers, they’re going to find cool gifts.”

If You Go

Where: Big Fun Holiday Pop Up, 1814 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights

When: Open until early January. Noon to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Social: https://www.facebook.com/BigFunToyStore/

With two sons in the NFL, Ed Kelce has learned one thing in recent years: keep early February open. For the fifth time in seven years, he's going to watch one of those sons play in the Super Bowl.

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — With two sons in the NFL, Ed Kelce has learned one thing in recent years: keep early February open. For the fifth time in seven years, he's going to watch one of those sons play in the Super Bowl, former Heights High standout Travis. Kelce told News 5 it doesn't get old.

"No, no, not at all. It's almost like I expect it now," joked Kelce. "You know, I'm trying to remember what I did the last time that I didn't go to the Super Bowl."

Ed can be seen with the occasional guest spot on the boys' #1 podcast, New Heights, presented by Wave Sports and Entertainment. It is a show that features prominently their hometown roots, which makes Papa Kelce proud.

"That means they've never gotten so big or so famous that they've forgotten who they really are and where they're from. And what that means to me is that we did something right," he said. "I always told them you're never as good as they say you are, so don't let that go to your head. And you're never going to be as bad as they say you are, either. You know you gotta keep things on an even keel."

Alex Quintana, for one, loves the attention his hometown is getting. "I don't think it's ever been as popular to be from Cleveland Heights as it is right now," he said.

A long-time family friend of the Kelces, he and his wife Dawn were among those who led the "Light up the Heights" effort from their Barber & Dream Spa when Travis and Jason were facing off against each other in last year's Super Bowl. And going through his mind as he watched Travis and the Chiefs defeat the Ravens in the AFC title game?

"Oh my God, he did it again." That meant that Alex was going to be doing it again, heading out Saturday to his fourth Super Bowl, cheering on Travis, the family and the city of Cleveland Heights.

"They remember where they come from and the fact that they're having such a good time doing what they're doing, seeing (Jason's wife) Kylie and (his Mom) Donna and Ed, the whole family get in on their rising star and it's shining so bright for the family right now, we're so happy for them."

Another Cleveland Heights resident flying the Chiefs flag is Levi Heacock, who is actually a Broncos fan. So why is flying the flag of a division rival, you ask? Well, when he and his wife moved here a year and a half ago, they unknowingly purchased the house the Kelce's grew up in.

"I actually thought it was a prank that the prior homeowner was playing on us because they left us a note when we purchased the house and it was basically like 'have you heard of the Kelce brothers,'" said Heacock. "So it was like really cool, it was a nice little surprise we found out after we bought the house."

They embrace the home's legacy, and they'll embrace the former residents should they choose to visit.

"If they ever have time, they are always welcome," he said.

Ed appreciates that and the love his family's received from new fans of football drawn by Travis' relationship with Taylor Swift.

"I think the idea that Taylor Swift is bringing more of these fans to the game, you know there's going to be a lot more parties at a lot more bars and a lot more houses every weekend in the fall now and that's a good thing."

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Dean Buck, guest conductor

Eric Charnofsky, piano

Dean Buck is an award-winning conductor and has been described by Cleveland Classical as “fearless and firm,” and “precise and confident.” In September 2023, Dean was awarded Second Prize (First Prize was not awarded) at the 2nd International Italian Conducting Competition. Dean serves as opera conductor at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory. He additionally is the Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master of Cleveland Opera Theater, where he is also Music Director of [NOW]Fest, an annual festival of New Opera Works. The New York Times called his conducting “tender and gentle,” as well as “agile and well balanced.” Since relocating to Cleveland, Dean has cemented himself in the orchestral scene. He is a frequent Guest Conductor of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, and Assistant Conductor of The Cleveland Pops Orchestra, The Firelands Symphony Orchestra and regularly with the Heights Chamber Orchestra.

Eric Charnofsky, piano, enjoys a multi-faceted career as a pianist, composer, lecturer, conductor, and narrator. As a collaborative pianist, he has performed throughout North America with members of major American orchestras. A graduate of The Juilliard School where he majored in piano accompanying, Mr. Charnofsky also holds degrees in solo piano performance and composition from California State University, Northridge. Mr. Charnofsky has been a pre-concert lecturer for the Cleveland Orchestra, an Associate Faculty member at the Music Academy of the West, rehearsal pianist for Lyric Opera Cleveland, convention accompanist for the National Flute Association, music director and pianist for musical theater productions in Los Angeles, and is featured on recordings on the Capstone, Albany, and Crystal labels. He is active in Musical Arts administration, serving on boards for the Cleveland Chamber Music Society and Chamber Music Society of Ohio, and is Assistant Director for the annual She Scores festival. He has also narrated with the Cleveland Orchestra and other ensembles.

Giuseppe Verdi’s Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio Overture, is from the opera in two acts. It was Verdi's first opera, written over a period of four years, and was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, on 17 November 1839. The La Scala production enjoyed "a fair success" and the theatre's impresario, Bartolomeo Merelli, commissioned two further operas from the young composer. The opera takes place in 1223 in Northern Italy. Giuseppe Verdi composed over 30 operas, though only about half of them are still regularly staged.

Ernest Bloch Concerto Grosso No. 1 for String Orchestra with Piano Obbligato. In 1920, the Swiss-born American composer Ernest Bloch was appointed the first Musical Director of the newly formed Cleveland Institute of Music, a post he held until 1925. Attracted by the prospect of a position that would allow him to focus his energies, he accepted the offer. Already renowned as both composer and teacher, Bloch rapidly built a following at the Institute, raising the enrollment from seven in December of 1920 to 200 the following October, and 400 a year later. Despite his success, Bloch soon found himself in conflict with his wealthy supporters, perhaps because of his refusal to compromise on artistic issues which led to his departure from Cleveland. The Concerto Grosso was composed shortly before Bloch's departure, in response to the doubts of some students that such a work could still be written. As proof, he wrote the Prelude of the Concerto Grosso. Over the next few months, Bloch finished the remaining movements.

Louise Farrenc, Symphony No. 1 in c minor op. 32, was renowned in her lifetime as a pianist, composer, and teacher, but it is only recently that her compositions have emerged from many years of neglect. Symphony No. 1– cast in the German tradition – is an exceptionally accomplished work, finely orchestrated, lyrical, and fiery. Ms. Farrenc studied piano from an early age and after becoming interested in composing, she applied for the prestigious Paris Conservatory at age 15. After completing her studies, Farrenc started her career as a concert pianist, becoming quite famous in the 1830s. In 1842, she became the only woman to be appointed to the position of professor at the Paris Conservatory in the 19th century. Despite not having the popular profile of her male composer counterparts, Louise Farrenc never gave up writing music. She penned orchestral symphonies and overtures (of which Hector Berlioz was a major fan). Over time, she became one of the greatest piano professors in Europe. As a composer, she never received the popular recognition she deserved during her lifetime, but she kept writing her music and fighting for equality. Louise Farrenc is considered one of the most brilliant women of the 19th century.

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — The City of Cleveland Heights said its Fire Inspection Service shut down the city-owned Surrey Road parking garage and deck near Cedar Rd. on Feb. 2 after a complaint turned up falling concrete.

The parking facility is in the Cedar Fairmount Business District, often called the gateway to Cleveland Heights.

Kate Baker owns Still Point Gallery and Boutique on Cedar Rd. The parking garage and deck are located behind her business.

“We chose this (location) because we had the really nice, big parking lot out back,” Baker said. “And it seemed like a win/win."

Area business owners said the closure of the parking facility is a tough blow. Nearly 100 spaces are now closed to permit holders and the public. Baker said the location was convenient for customers.

“There are only so many spots out front, and then that's all there is besides these lots,” Baker said. “Now people don't know where to park or they can't find a place to park and business has dropped off."

The parking woes have Baker in limbo. She’s currently preparing fall inventory.

"I don't know how much this is going to impact, so I'm not sure how to buy,” Baker said.

At a Feb. 5 city council meeting, the city administrator spoke about the closed parking facility.

“Previous leaders didn't have the resources to really do the kind of maintenance and upkeep that we all would have wanted, and now we're faced with the consequences,” said Danny Williams. “At this point the conclusion is that it’s not really safe to open any part of that garage in the immediate future. In the meantime, we’ve also been reaching out to the local businesses that have been immediately impacted by this closure to see what, if anything, we can do to ease the inconvenience."

Lynn Quintrell owns Appletree Books. She's worried about potentially losing customers and sales.

"If they don't know where to park they're not going to come here and that's the concern," Quintrell said.

She said she and other business leaders have been flagging the garage’s deteriorating condition to the city for years.

"The city has egg all over its face on this on this project, in my opinion,” Quintrell said.

"Are you worried this is going to be prolonged — the closure?" asked News 5’s Damon Maloney.

When asked if she was worried the closure was going to be prolonged, Quintrell responded: “Let me just say this. I'm not worried. I'm a realist. It is going to be a long process. We'll see what happens. Maybe also it could be an opportunity to do something more creative back there. Perhaps this is an opportunity for them to do something green, artistic, (and) creative."

The city said an outside engineering firm is looking at options for the closed garage and deck, including what it would cost to repair it and the cost of a complete demolition and replacing the structure with a surface lot. The city said a final report from the engineering firm should be available by the end of the month.

In the meantime, the city said arrangements have been made for permit holders to park nearby in a private lot. The city said the public is encouraged to find on-street parking nearby.

Quintrell would like to see the city offer a better parking solution to the public.

"The city also should be negotiating with the owner of the Top of the Hill parking garage to make parking a little bit more reasonable than what they're currently charging so that people feel there is an alternative," she said.

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Every OH family, even the wealthiest, qualified for aid in 2023-24

News 5 Investigators found the number of Ohio families who received EdChoice Expansion vouchers exploded during the 2023-24 school year.

CLEVELAND — News 5 Investigators found the number of Ohio families who received taxpayer money in the form of EdChoice Expansion vouchers exploded during the 2023-24 school year, sending close to $400 million in taxpayer money to private, often religious, schools.

Data also suggests families receiving funds after state lawmakers expanded the program last summer were already attending private schools.

The number of students receiving EdChoice Expansion vouchers increased from 23,272 students during the 2022-2023 school year to 82,946 students during the 2023-2024 school year, according to data provided by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce.

The number of students enrolled in private schools during the 2023-24 school year only increased by 3,719 students, according to ODE&W.

A Flourish chart

News 5 Investigators' analysis of the 30 largest school districts in Northeast Ohio also suggests new voucher recipients were already enrolled in private schools.

News 5 found local districts did not experience losses in their student populations that correlate with the number of EdChoice Expansion scholarships awarded to students residing in the districts' boundaries, which contradicts state lawmakers' and private schools' arguments that vouchers provide financial help that allows families to choose the best school for their students.

For example, News 5 Investigators found the North Ridgeville City School District lost one student between the 2022-23 school year and 2023-24 school year, but an additional 712 students in the district received EdChoice Expansion vouchers.

Shaker Heights Schools lost 9 students between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, but 99 additional EdChoice Expansion vouchers were issued to the district's students this school year.

A Flourish data visualization

Why numbers skyrocketed

The number of Ohio students who received EdChoice Expansion scholarships exploded during the current school year because the Ohio legislature made the program available to every family in the state last year.

Watch our investigative report from last year for more details on the changes to the EdChoice program:

RELATED: Every OH family can now get a private school voucher. Some say it helps students. Experts call it harmful

Ohio families who earn up to 450% of the federal poverty level ($135,000 for a family of four) can receive the full amount of the scholarship offered for the 2023-2024 school year: $8,407 for high school students and $6,165 for K-8 students.

Families with incomes higher than 450% of the federal poverty level are still eligible for a partial scholarship and are subject to a sliding scale based on their annual income.

Prior to the changes, only families whose incomes were at or below 250% of the federal poverty level ($75,000 for a family of four) were eligible for the scholarships.

The voucher program's expansion comes with a high price tag for Ohio taxpayers. Lawmakers budgeted approximately $2 billion over the next two years to cover the costs of voucher programs.

Private school perspective

Frank O'Linn, Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Cleveland, oversees 107 schools. He said he expects more students - and taxpayer dollars - to flow into private schools in the 2024-25 school year.

"The scholarships (EdChoice Expansion) became available in late July and most people already had their minds made up for their schooling," he said.

O'Linn defended how some Catholic schools raised tuition after the program was expanded.

"The key is that they're bringing their tuitions in line with the cost to educate, which has not typically been the starting point before," he said.

O'Linn said inflation and long overdue increases in teachers' salaries also led some schools to increase their tuition.

He said families should not be concerned about tuition increases due to the number of scholarships available through the state, diocese, and local parishes. He encouraged families with financial concerns to reach out to their schools.

Public school perspective

"Use private schools, by all means, but your neighbor shouldn't have to pay the price tag," said Cleveland Heights-University Heights school board member Dan Heintz. "It's not as if we are paving a path for people to attain private school for the first time, quite the contrary, we're just giving a rebate to those affluent families who have been using private schools all along."

Heintz is also a member of the steering committee for the Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit. Heintz said close to 200 Ohio school districts have joined the lawsuit, which alleges, among other things, the state's EdChoice Expansion voucher program is unconstitutional, resegregates schools, and harms public education by funneling money into private schools.

"We have families that are earning $35,000 a year who are now subsidizing the private school tuition of families earning $350,000 a year," he said. "And that, we believe, is just wrong."

Heintz noted public schools are required to accept all students, regardless of ability or income, and provide services, including special education, that are not available in many private schools.

He also said private schools are not subject to the same requirements regarding transparency and accountability.

"There is literally no way that we can know for sure that a dollar of that is being actually spent to educate Ohio's private school students," he said.

Depositions began this month. A trial date is scheduled for November.

A tale of two brothers

Adaora Schmiedl's eldest son, Zeke, wanted to go to St. Edward, a Catholic boys' high school in Lakewood.

When she and her husband learned they could reduce the cost of tuition by using EdChoice Expansion, they enrolled him.

"It was very helpful," she said. "We’re a family of creatives. I work in nonprofit, my husband is an independent contractor. Knowing that that would be an option and would help us pay for school, that was huge."

Zeke graduated in 2020 and is now a student at Oberlin College and Conservatory.

However, Schmiedl said making the program available to every Ohio family "flies in the face of what supposedly EdChoice was about."

The voucher program was initially created to provide private school tuition assistance to parents whose students were enrolled in the state's poorest-performing schools.

"We've moved totally away from that," she said. "We’re saying anyone who doesn’t want to go to public school should be able to have their journey elsewhere subsidized."

"If we just think about what that does to our communities and the inequity that it is creating, I think we should be able to, regardless of our political agenda or whatever, we should be able to agree that’s not right," Schmiedl said.

Schmiedl said her younger son, Arthur, chose to attend Cleveland Heights High School, which turned out to be the best choice for him.

A senior, Arthur plays the upright bass (double bass) and is now auditioning at some of the nation's best music schools.

"He has had teachers who are expert at what they do," she said. "He has had the opportunity to be in an environment that very much represents what the best of America could look like where people of different faiths and races and socioeconomic (levels) are all at the table trying figure things out."

"They’re not available to us because we’re privileged," she said. "They’re available to us because we’re members of this community."

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.