July 2020

COVID-19: Latest Updates & Resources

Visit the City’s Coronavirus page for updates on resources for residents (including seniors) and businesses, information about food drives and distribution events, and more.

Recreation Updates

View the most recent Summer Programming Update from the Shaker Heights Recreation Department.

NOTE:

Playgrounds are now open. Please observe social distancing and use at your own risk. The City will sanitize playgrounds once a week.
The Thornton Park Skate Park, Basketball Court, and Volleyball Court will open on Wednesday, July 1. These facilities are also use at your own risk.

Prevention Tips: Social Distancing, Face Coverings and Hand Washing

With summer in full swing, it's great to be outdoors. Please continue to practice virus prevention protocols. Consider wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth in public places and remain six feet away from individuals who are not members of your household. Also, continue to practice frequent hand washing and/or use of hand sanitizer.

Learn How You Can Help

There are many ways to help during the pandemic. To learn more, sign up to receive the City's periodic Volunteer ENews or visit the Volunteer/Donate page on the City's website. Questions? Email Colin Compton.

Rapid Service Disruption

Eastbound and westbound rapid service between Shaker Square and Tower City will be replaced by 67-R Blue/Green line buses through August 8, so GCRTA can perform track work. Learn more about the service disruption. Work on the Blue Line will include nighttime hours starting the week of July 19 through August 2. Learn more about this project.

County Rent Relief Program

Are you or is someone you know struggling to pay rent due to the COVID-19 crisis? The newly created $6.8 million Cuyahoga County Relief Fund, administered by CHN Housing Partners, provides emergency rental assistance for up to 90 days to income-eligible tenants. Payments will be made to landlords. Households that are at 120% of median income are eligible; for example, a family of four with an annual income of around $90,000 will qualify for the program. Applications will be available on the CHN website beginning July 1. Learn more at https://chnhousingpartners.org/

Face Mask Donation Drive

To help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community, the City is working to improve access to free masks in Shaker by organizing a weekly face mask donation drive. Residents are invited to donate homemade or store-bought masks on Fridays outside the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building (3450 Lee Rd.) anytime between 9 am and 5 pm (the Community Building remains closed, but there will be a bin near the main doors). Masks will be distributed to residents who need them.

Interested in making masks at home? Find easy-to-follow instructions at the CDC website. If you have questions or need fabric, contact Colin Compton.

SGORR Community Spaces

The Student Group on Race Relations (SGORR) launched a series of Community Spaces in various neighborhoods in late June. These spaces are intended to be a place for small groups of individuals to come together to process their thoughts on racism, build a support network, become educated, and most importantly strategize on actionable steps in building an anti-racist community. If you're interested in becoming involved, contact Tiara Sargent.

Learn More About the City Through Self-Guided Tours

Soak in the architecture, history, and overall beauty of Shaker Heights by taking a self-guided tour of the City. Visit the City Tours page to find walking/bicycling/driving tours from the City's Landmark Commission; check out a tour of the historic Moreland Neighborhood by ClevelandHistorical.org; or try out the new Ride Through History bicycle tour from the Shaker Historical Society.

Reminders

Service Updates for July 4 Holiday

There will be no large item or recycling drop offs at the Service Center on Saturday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Drop-off service for recycling will be available on Sunday, July 5, 8 am-4 pm.

Please also note that there is no trash delay for the holiday. Trash will be collected on its normal schedule on Friday, July 3 and Monday, July 6.

Census Deadline Extended until October 31

Be counted! Have you completed the 2020 Census yet? If not, you have three options: by mail, phone, and for the first time ever, online. Participate online or call 844-330-2020.

Events

Historical Bike Tour/Scavenger Hunt

Through August 31

The Shaker Historical Society has teamed up with the City’s Human Relations Task Force, the Shaker Library and the Shaker Heights Development Corp. for “Bike Shaker 2020: Ride Through History.” Follow a tour to 20 historical sites or challenge yourself with a scavenger hunt throughout the City. Learn more at shakerhistoricalsociety.org/bike-shaker.

Food Distribution Events for July

Farmers to Families Food Box

Location: 12200 Fairhill Rd.
Thursdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
11 am-1 pm

Free fresh produce and dairy products. Distribution located at the stables, directly south of the main building. All are welcome, but ID is required. First come, first served. Rain or shine. This is a no-contact, curbside pickup event.

Mobile Pantry at First Baptist Church

Location: 3630 Fairmount Blvd.
Saturday, July 11

10 am-12 pm

Fresh produce. Bring an ID and your own reusable bags. The final Mobile Pantry of the summer will be August 1.

Shaker Hunger Center
Location: Shaker Community Church (20120 Lomond Blvd.)
Mondays, July 20 and 27; Wednesdays, July 22 and 29
10 am-1 pm

Bring a valid ID and a recent utility bill. Please wear a mask.

Note: Under the terms of its funding, Shaker Hunger Center is only able to serve residents in certain communities: Shaker Heights and Cuyahoga County suburbs to the north and east of Shaker Heights, except for Cleveland Heights and South Euclid. The Shaker Hunger Center cannot serve residents of the City of Cleveland or suburbs to the south of Shaker Heights. Residents outside of the Shaker Hunger Center's service area can find other distribution locations.

Shaker Schools Summer Meal Distribution
Due to the July 4th holiday, The Shaker Heights City School District's free meal distribution has been altered for the week of June 29. Buses will circulate with meals on Monday 6/29, Wednesday 7/1 and Thursday 7/2. There will be no meal distribution on Friday 7/3 in observance of the holiday. Please remember to observe social distancing practices when picking up meals. The regular schedule of Monday/Wednesday/Friday distribution will resume Monday, July 6.

Unity in the Community
Location: Heights Christian Church (17300 Van Aken Blvd.). Please use circular drive at rear of building (on Winslow Rd.).
Mondays, July 6 and 13
10 am-2 pm

Food distribution will continue the first two Mondays of the month through September. Delivery available upon request (216-991-3432).

Reminder: Little Free Pantries Open 24/7
These small food pantries are open 24/7 at:

Christ Episcopal Church (3445 Warrensville Center Rd.) Pantry is at the northeast corner of the building.
Heights Christian Church (17300 Van Aken Blvd.) Pantry is located on Winslow Road side of building.

Find additional food assistance resources at the City's website.

Summer Play Days

July 6 to 31

Join Shaker Heights Recreation for Summer Play Days. These daily neighborhood-based programs are the perfect way to have fun this summer, while staying safe in Shaker's outdoor parks. Summer Play Days has a program for everyone, from STEM to wellness and everything in between. Registration is required and fees apply. Small groups to allow for social distancing. View the schedule in the online catalog (select Catalog, then Summer Play Days).

Reminder: Residents are also invited to participate in the Department's virtual programming on Facebook and YouTube.

Recycle Right Webinar July Dates

July 7 at 12 pm
July 16 at 10 am
July 23 at 6 pm

What are the do's and don'ts of recycling?
Cuyahoga Recycles will host a series of free "Recycle Right" webinars throughout the month via Zoom.
Please register. Open to all.

Nature Center: Virtual Outdoor Adventure Camps

Weekly through August 13

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes has revamped its summer camp activities to a series of weekly virtual adventures. With planned limited screen time and ample outdoor activities for discovery and enrichment, the Nature Center will provide an "Adventure Pack" for pick-up at the Nature Center for an enhanced camp experience. Cost is $95 per week for non-members; $85 for members. Registration required.

Sunset Markets at Van Aken District

Thursdays through September 24
4:30-7:30 pm

Shop the North Union Farmers Market's weekly event for choice produce, meats, breads and dairy products, as well as a variety of arts and crafts. Note: Please consider wearing a mask and observe social distancing guidelines while shopping. The first 30 minutes of the Market is reserved for those age 60 and up, as well as the immune compromised.

Location: Van Aken District

Heritage Home Program Summer Virtual Presentations

July 15, 22, 28, 29 at 6 pm

The Cleveland Restoration Society's Heritage Home Program will offer a series of virtual programs via Zoom to help homeowners with DIY repair and renovation projects, including:

July 15: Program Information Session
July 22: Rehab 101
July 28: Program Information Session
July 29: Wood Windows: Repair or Replace?

Community Shredding Event

Saturday, July 18
9 am-1 pm

Residents may bring up to three bankers boxes of paper for shredding. No need to remove staples or other binding devices. Driver's license and proof of residency (e.g. current utility bill) required.

Location: Parking lot across from the Service Center (15600 Chagrin Blvd.)

Shaker Historical Society: Virtual Shaker Dig Camp 6

July 27-30

An exciting week of engaging hands-on activities that explore what it means to be an archaeologist. This innovative virtual camp costs $85 for SHS members and $95 for the general public (cost includes all materials needed for some at-home archaeological fun). All ages are welcome! Please visit the Shaker Historical Society for more information and to register.

From the Schools

Each issue of this ENews highlights an important school-related topic. To stay informed about all the school news

and events, sign up for the District's monthly ENews.

Enroll Your Child In Shaker Heights Schools

In response to the COVID-19 extended school closure, Shaker Heights Schools offers online-only enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year. Parents and guardians may submit all required forms electronically by computer or mobile phone. Learn more and enroll your student online.

Excitement Builds for New Fernway Playscape
Excitement is building for the new and improved playscape at Fernway Elementary School, made possible by generous community support and a grant that the Shaker Schools Foundation secured from GameTime, the building equipment supplier. Thanks goes out to the community for their input in designing this space. Soon, Shaker families will have a chance to enjoy it! The final phase of the design includes colorful benches, bike racks, and outdoor game tables for checkers and chess. If you would like to sponsor one of those items, please email the Foundation's executive director Holly Coughlin. Information will be forthcoming about a special ribbon cutting ceremony later this summer to celebrate the re-opening of the school and grounds. Fernway Forever!

Save the Date

Shaker Heights YouTube Channel

Subscribe to the City's YouTube Channel to watch our new series of #Shaker365 videos, featuring some of the people, places and things that showcase the Shaker community. You can also view monthly reports from the Mayor, and more. Take a look and subscribe!

Recycling in Shaker Heights

ONLY five core items belong in your recycling bucket:

Plastic bottles & jugs
Metal & aluminum cans
Cartons
Glass bottles & jars
Paper & cardboard

Rinse and replace the caps and place loose items in your recycling bucket. Please don't bag your recyclables! Learn more about the dos and don'ts of recycling at Cuyahoga Recycles.