The game of Bridge is a favorite with people all over the world. If you don't know this great game, have never played, or need a refresher course, here is your chance. The American Contract Bridge League and the Cleveland Whist Club are underwriting an event, Learn to Play Bridge in a Day. The event will be held on Saturday, October 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cleveland Yachting Club in Rocky River.

On Tuesday, June 21, the Fairview Park City Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to pursue Option 4 of the proposed District Facilities Plan, which includes renovations and additions to Fairview High School and Mayer Middle School, updates at Gilles-Sweet Elementary, and upgrades and additions at Parkview Early Education Center. The BOE also approved the two resolutions required to place a bond issue/permanent improvement levy to fund the plan on the November 8 ballot.

The Rocky River police are looking for a man in his mid-late-20s, with pale skin and jet black (probably died), shoulder-length hair. Wearing black canvas shoes whit white trim, black skinny jeans, and a silver hoop piercing in one of his nostrils.

A little of the old with a lot of the new!

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The car crazies at Rocky River United Methodist Church are offering six opportunities this summer for their fellow auto aficionados to either show off their classic rides, or come by and drool over cherished chariots of others!

On the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of June, July and August, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the church parking lot on the north side of 19414 Detroit will be full of classic, antique, and custom cars, as well as great food, games for the kids, and music.

Ready to hit the water for summer fun!

With the arrival of summer, many families are looking forward to the start of beach, boating and pool season. It’s an exciting time of year, and the perfect time to ensure that every child has the skills he or she needs to be safe in and around water.

Drowning is the leading cause of injury death to children ages one to four—and the second leading cause of injury death for children ages one to 14, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We may never visit this garden in Russia, but the tall plynth elevates the urn above the foliage and blossoms giving the evey a focal point. 

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We have shed our wool sweaters, headed outside to clean our yards and contemplated the flowers to plant. So, what should we do to make this year’s garden more interesting?

Antiques and vintage garden pots, statuary and found objects can be part of the answer. These accents, vintage and otherwise, can easily be found by searching your parent’s basement, looking in shops of all sorts, and browsing for tree lawn finds (garbage day).

Everything that happens in the universe starts with intention and it is the starting point of our dreams. The creative power of intention fulfills everything in our life - be it love, relationships, spiritual awakening, or money.

The Fairview Park Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Bronze Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.

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In recognition of a commitment to quality and an ongoing dedication to the learning and development of children, Loving Cup Kids Academy of Fairview Park has received a Two-Star Step Up to Quality Award from the state of Ohio. 

Step Up To Quality is Ohio’s rating system for learning and development programs.  Participating programs can earn a one to five-star rating. 

Hospice team moving to 22730 Fairview Center Drive in Fairview Park.

Late last year, Hospice of the Western Reserve was notified that the building in which it has been occupying an office in Lakewood was slated for demolition. After scouting multiple locations, the nonprofit agency has signed a lease and will be relocating its staff to a new office located at 22730 Fairview Center Drive, Fairview Park, early this summer.

Justin R. McCaulley

Justin R. McCaulley has been appointed by the Rocky River Board of Education to a seven-year term on the Rocky River Public Library Board of Trustees.

McCaulley is president of McCaulley & Company, a strategic consulting and professional services firm focused on communications and opportunity development for clients, serving nonprofit organizations, local governments, higher education, and corporations.

Growing up, I was the only boy in our pack of townies that wouldn’t jump off the falls in Chagrin Falls. It was dangerous and illegal, of course, and there were plenty of kids over the years who didn’t stick the landing – primarily because they dove instead of jumping out past the jutting rocks.  But everyone did it anyway. 

This report is not an official statement of the League of Women Voters.  Mayor Bobst's office prepares official minutes.

The meeting took place at Memorial Hall in Rocky River and was called to order at 9:38 a.m. Mayor Pam Bobst presided.  The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m. 

"Overruled" at Mojo's Coffee & More. Part 1 of the "All The Worlds A Stage[d] Reading Series presented by Bay Village Community Theater.

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Under the title "All the World's A Stage[d] Reading" the Bay Village Community Theater is performing staged readings at Mojo's Coffee & More on the second Sunday of each month, June through December.

Just you, the actors and the author's words in a cozy coffee shop. The free performances will take place at Mojo's, located at 600 Dover Center Road in Bay Village. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., giving patrons an opportunity to purchase coffee or other tasty treat before the performance at 6 p.m.

Senior citizens are a valuable part of our society.  They protect our traditions and the history of our society. If you sit and chat with a senior, you will find a wealth of knowledge and information not found in textbooks.  Their stories are priceless. In fact, the way things were in the not-too-distant past is often hard to believe. 

As part of its popular performing art series On Stage In River, Rocky River Public Library presents “Lovingly Yours Langston and Lorraine” by the Ensemble Theatre on June 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rocky River Senior Center, 21014 Hilliard Blvd.

Sign up for RRPL's Summer Reading Program, beginning June 13.

Join us for our Summer Reading Kick-off on Monday, June 13 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the library front lawn.   Be sure to say hello to the Lake Erie Crushers baseball team mascot, Stomper, and sign-up for our Summer Reading Program.  Cycle to the library and register your bicycle with Rocky River Police Safety Officer Camp. River Dog Café will be here to help us celebrate by giving free hotdogs to kids at this kick-off event!

Plans are in place for two summer Bible camps for kids offered by Faith Lutheran Church, Lakewood, and its ministry partners.

To register or for more information, call Faith Lutheran Church (216-226-6500) or print out a registration form from Faith’s website (www.faithlakewood.org).

Thank you Fairview High School football volunteers!

Fairview Park Chamber of Commerce and the Power of More held the 5th annual Business Showcase at the Gemini Center in Fairview in April.  Hundreds of people visited the 70 vendors who had tables and tasted food samples from eight local restaurants. A wide variety of businesses were on hand to satisfy almost every need a visitor could have -  health care, insurance, real estate, legal help, funeral planning or banking needs.

Twenty-four members of the Fairview High School football team put their muscles to work, unloading vendor cars and setting up tables.

Students' bicycles lined up at Rocky River Middle School during the first day of the Bike To School Challenge in 2015.

May is National Bicycle Month. For over 1,200 middle school and elementary school students in Rocky River, that means Bike To School Month as the annual Rocky River Bike To School Challenge returns for the sixth year. The Rocky River Bike To School Challenge began in 2011 at Rocky River Middle School, and expanded to Kensington Elementary School in 2015.

The Bike Challenge for Rocky River Middle School began on Monday, May 2 and ends on Friday, May 20. The one-week Bike Challenge for Kensington Elementary School begins on Monday, May 16 and ends on Friday, May 20.

The Rocky River Police Department Auxiliary is currently recruiting for the position of Auxiliary Officer. Auxiliary officers are not sworn police officers, but they do support the department in the areas of patrol operations, special events and details. It is a volunteer position. 

If you have any questions, please contact Lieutenant David Wagner at LTWagner@rrcity.com or at 440-331-1234.

We would scream to get ice cream!

No worries—you can still get a frozen treat at Story and Lorain Roads. East Coast Custard is relocating down the street, but The Emerald Necklace Inn is pleased to announce that it is offering ice cream and frozen yogurt from Pierre’s Ice Cream daily from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be available by the cup, cone, or in a sundae.

Are there any future doctors here?

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Not everyone who goes into medicine likes or even excels at biology or chemistry. Some have no plans to go into the medical field.  Ironically, these are the students Neil Smith, DO, President of Fairview Hospital, is trying to ignite a spark of interest in to consider a career in medicine.

According to Dr. Smith, medicine is about figuring out puzzles. For nearly 15 years, he has wanted to start a class that would give kids a different look into the field. He himself never liked biology or chemistry, yet today he’s a successful physician and hospital president.

Mangoes come in a variety of colors.

April showers bring more than just May flowers.  Spring is the first chance to put many in-season vegetables and fruits on your shopping list. Asparagus, artichokes, mangoes and strawberries are stepping into the spotlight.

But just how do you pick these spring specialties?

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North Coast Health is one of only 34 clinics nationwide to receive CVS Health Foundation funding this year! The grant will provide more access to health care and improve patient outcomes in the Greater Western Cleveland community. 

The $35,000 grant has been awarded as part of the CVS Health Foundation’s commitment to address the need for more accessible, coordinated health care in our local communities.  The grant will help NCH support Improving Outcomes for Patients with Diabetes, Hypertension and Depression.
 

Presidential candidates in this election season are debating the hiring of foreign workers by U.S. firms. The use of H1-B visas by companies is one major point of contention in this discussion.

Employers apply for H1-B visas so they can temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. Workers on this visa come to the U.S. specifically to work for the company that applied for the visa. They are required to return to their home country or renew their visa if laid off by the sponsoring company. An H1-B is granted for three years.  A maximum of 65,000 visas can be issued each year.

Fibromyalgia is one of the most depressing conditions I have seen in my patients. The pain and the suffering caused by this condition can have a profound effect on a patient's entire life.

Fibromyalgia has been known as the “waste basket” diagnosis. It is a chronic condition that is associated with pain, stiffness, and tenderness of muscles, tendons, and joints. It is characterized by restless sleep, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, and disturbances in bowel function.

Since ancient times, people believed that relationships play a very vital role in our lives. One of the main reasons we see relationships declining today is people's clouded outlook. In today's world, people pay more attention outwardly and they have forgotten about one very important being: Themselves. Life can be compared to a pearl white light. To the naked eye, the light looks white, but it is actually made up of seven different colors. Life is the same and relies on the same principle. Life is made up of multiple elements.

As State Representative, representing the 16th Ohio House District - Westlake, Rocky River, North Olmsted, Fairview Park and Bay Village, I am pleased to report a flurry of legislative activity after returning to the statehouse in March.  House Bill 310, otherwise known as the Capital Budget Bill, included two District 16 community projects. 

Little League coaches hold a special place in our spring and summer memories. It’s been this way since Lundy Lumber – coached by George and Bert Bebble – won the first Little League baseball game played back in 1939.

I’m not saying things haven’t changed since ol’ George and Bert.

My little league coach smelled like Dewers, chain-smoked like a champ, and paid us in cash for singles, doubles and triples. (“Home runs,” he always said, “are their own reward.”)

Spring is finally here!  Soon the smell of cut grass and barbeques will fill the streets.  Spring and summer are big seasons for entertaining and gatherings. We come out of hibernation with enthusiasm for entertaining outdoors.

If you and your children are planning to attend a future gathering, here are some tips to ensure that you are good guests.