The Insider’s Guide to Residency in Cleveland, OH

 

 

 

This information was compiled by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is not, of course, an exhaustive list of the great things one can find in Cleveland.  Do some looking around yourself and let us know what you discover—we’ll keep adding to these pages.

 

As with any American city, places close or reinvent themselves from time to time—sometimes for the better, sometimes not.  It’s always best to call and make sure everything is where and what you thought it was before you spend the money or time or energy to go.

 

 

Welcome to University Hospitals!

 

 

 

 

 

FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE

 

Location, location, location!  Where you decide to live will depend on many factors.  Cleveland is surrounded by many suburbs, each with its own advantages.  Your decision will likely be influenced by price, location, and amenities.  Below is a brief summary of the different neighborhoods to make your decision a little easier. 

 

When looking for a place to live, keep in mind that it gets COLD in the winter.  Look for homes with attached garages and good insulation (non-existent in many older homes on the East Side).  This will save you hours of ice scraping and tons of money in saved utility costs.

 

East Side

The East Side suburbs offer the most charm and affordability, and are the closest to University Hospitals, University Circle, and many other cultural institutions.  The East Side is very family friendly and has a lot of family centers and libraries to choose from.  Homes to buy and apartments/duplexes to rent are plentiful.  On the down side, access to freeways can be difficult, and the East Side gets significantly more snow than the rest of the Cleveland area.

 

Some popular suburbs for residents are University Heights [www.universityheights.com/ ](15-20 minutes from the hospital), Cleveland Heights [www.clevelandheights.com] (10-20 minutes), Mayfield Heights [www.mayfieldheights.org] (25-30 minutes), Shaker Heights [www.shakeronline.com] (10-20 minutes), South Euclid/Lyndhurst [www.SouthEuclidOhio.com](15-20 minutes), and Beachwood [www.beachwoodohio.com/ ](20-25 minutes).

 

South

There is affordable housing south of Cleveland, but watch out for morning and afternoon traffic congestion.  Cleveland has very little congestion, and it mainly exists for north/south commuters during rush hour.

 

Cleveland Proper

There are affordable homes for sale just west of University Hospitals, between Euclid and Chester.  These are newer homes, built as part of Cleveland’s fight against urban sprawl.  The homes come with a 15-year tax abatement, which is pretty significant if you consider the $400-1000 per month property tax assessment typical for Cleveland area homes.

 

University Circle (adjacent to University Hospitals) also offers new homes and great move-in incentives:  www.universitycircle.org/live.aspx. University Circle has a forgivable loan program of up to $15,000 if you purchase a home in University Circle and maintain your residence for five years.  See the following website for more information:  www.fairfaxrenaissance.org/gcl/index.html. 

 

West Side

The west side of Cleveland is closer to downtown, has easier access to freeways, gets significantly less snow, and offers modern housing.  You will, however, have to brave some traffic congestion on I-90, which can get bad during heavy rain/snow.

 

 

 

 

 

REALTY

 

SELLER ALERT:  If you are selling your home, please keep in mind that Smyth Cramer/Howard Hanna offers a discount on its commission fee for UH employees.  Call 800-321-0558 ext. 262 for details.  Ask about the Howard Hanna Gold Program for UH employees.  They will sign you up and send out other program info.

Gateway Title’s Free Starter Kit & Much More
Gateway Title has won three awards from the Cleveland Better Business Bureau for our FREE Starter Kit and our Super Service. They provide a handbook that guides you through the closing and escrow process as well as all of the self guided real estate forms you will need to complete a successful real estate transaction - a Purchase Agreement and State and Federal Disclosure forms.
To request a FREE STARTER KIT just call 1-800-357-0567 or (440) 546-9660

Temporary, Furnished Living:  http://privatelodgings.com

 

 

YOUR MOVE

 

Corlett Movers & Storage Company. Quality, long established moving service.  The Jerry Vencl Corlett Movers & Storage Company, Inc. has been in business in Cleveland since 1930, and representing Wheaton World Wide Moving for long distance moving for over thirty years.  Corlett Movers has special rates established for employees of University Hospitals of Cleveland.  Corlett can help with your move whether you are moving into or out of the Cleveland area.  Please call 216-641-6677 or 800-875-6677 for more information.

 

 

CAR REGISTRATION/DRIVER’S LICENSE

 

This is a very time consuming process in Ohio.  Dedicate several hours, preferably without children in tow, to this process.  For information, see this link:  http://bmv.ohio.gov/new_resident_info.stm.  Good luck!

 

Obtaining a Driver’s License

Study the “Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws” from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  If you have a valid driver’s license from another state, you will be required to take a vision test as well as a written examination at one of the Highway Patrol Examination Stations.  If your social security number is not on your license, you will be required to present your social security card.  Within 60 days of passing both tests, you will need to take your certification of passage to a Deputy Registrar or Auto and Driver’s License Bureau to obtain your license.  See the web site for information on locations and hours:  www.bmv.ohio.gov/.   Look for “one-stop shopping” locations, so you don’t have to drive to two different locations:  www.drivertraining.ohio.gov/DX_Locs.html#Cuyahoga County.

 

To Register your Vehicle

This is a four-step process:  www.bmv.ohio.gov/vehicle_registration.stm.  The Golden Gate Plaza in Mayfield Heights is a great place to do this, because it has all of the licensing stations in one place, so you don’t have to drive all over town [www.bmv.ohio.gov/18.stm].

 

STEP ONE:  Out-of-State Inspection.  If you are bringing your vehicle with you, and it was not purchased or registered in Ohio, you must take it to a License Bureau for a vehicle inspection.  You will need the paperwork from this inspection to obtain an Ohio Title.

 

STEP TWO:  Obtain an Ohio Title.  Title Transfer is done at a Title Bureau.  The title must be signed over to you by the seller and be notarized.  You must present identification, including proof of your social security number (unless you have an Ohio Drivers License or Ohio I.D. card), and will be charged a fee, which must be paid in cash or by certified check or money order (THEY DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS).  If the vehicle has two owners, both must go to the Title Bureau unless you get a notarized Power of Attorney for the person who cannot come.

 

STEP THREE:  Emissions Testing.  For e-check locations, see:  www.epa.ohio.gov/dapc/mobile.aspx.  This is FREE if you pass within three tries.  You will be charged an $18 fee for each additional test taken within a one-year period.  Cash or personal check only.

 

STEP FOUR:  Obtain License Plates and Registration.  To obtain your license plate, go to a Deputy Registrar’s Office or License Bureau.  You will need your Ohio Title, your “passing” e-test certificate, and your driver’s license.

 

SHOPPING

 

Grocery Stores

Zagara's Marketplace (1940 Lee Road • Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118).  This place has an amazing selection, a great bakery, and fresh, fresh produce (including tasty green and red tomatoes). 

Whole Foods (several locations).  Great variety of natural and organic foods, but expensive.

Giant Eagle

Dave’s

Wild Oats Market (Chagrin Road, near I-271).

Trader Joes (Chagrin Road, near I-271, and Crocker Park).

Marc's (several locations).  Rotating selection and very good prices.  Checks and cash only!

 

Farmer’s Markets

West Side Market.  1979 W. 25th Street (at Lorain Ave.).  A cultural and culinary gem.  Great variety of fresh produce, meats and seafood of all kinds, prepared side-dishes, spices, coffees/teas, and hard-to-find ethnic groceries.  This is also a great place to shop for gifts for anyone on your list:  www.westsidemarket.org/.  Don't miss this great place!

Shaker Square.  Saturday mornings in the summer.

Crocker Park.  Saturday mornings in the summer.

 

Warehouse Shopping

Costco (Off Mayfield Road, near I-271, and in Avon Commons)

Sam’s Club

B.J.'s

 

 

Shopping Center’s/Malls

Beachwood Place.  Cedar and Richmond Roads.  115 specialty stores and a food-court.

Cedar Center Plaza.  Cedar and Warrensville Center Road, University Heights.  One-stop shopping!  Macy’s, Target, JoAnn Fabrics, TJ Maxx, Kaufmanns, and more.

Severance Town Center.  Mayfield and South Taylor Roads.  Tops, Wal-Mart, Blockbuster Video, a movie theater, Borders Books, Marshalls, Home Depot, a post office, Key Bank, IHOP, Burger King, Staples, and more.

Legacy Village.  Corner of Richmond and Cedar Roads.  Upscale shopping complex with a Starbucks, Cheesecake Factory, The Melting Pot, Joseph Beth Booksellers, Crate & Barrel, and more.

Richmond Mall.  Richmond and Wilson Mills Roads.  80 stores and restaurants, plus a movie theater.  JCPenney, Kaufmanns, and Sears. Stroller rentals and indoor rides for the kids.

Shaker Square.  Shaker and Van Aken Blvds.  Good stores, books, great restaurants, and a movie theater.

Tower City.  Public Square, Downtown Cleveland.  Movie theater, Hard Rock Cafe, high-end stores, food court, specialty shops.  Especially fun around the holidays with Bruce the Talking Spruce, a train ride through the mall, Santa’s Workshop, and holiday programming.  This is also the location for the annual Cleveland International Film Festival.  [TIP:  Park in the lot off of Huron Road behind the mall for FREE!  Requires a $15 or a theater admission purchase.  There is plentiful parking right outside the door to an elevator that will take you right up into the heart of the mall near the theaters.  BONUS for people with children:  there are convenient parking spots right outside the door reserved just for you!].  

Golden Gate Plaza.  Mayfield Road, just west of I-271.  An interesting mix of stores.  Includes Chuck E. Cheese’s, TGI Friday’s, Office Max, World Market, Carter’s, Half-Price Books, Old Navy.  The Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Title Transfer Office are located here, too.

Westfield Great Northern Mall.  North Olmsted.  149 stores and restaurants.  Includes Dillards, JCPenney, Kaufmann’s, and Sears.  Includes a nice indoor children’s play area.  There is also a very nice Chuck E. Cheese next door, as well as Panera Bread.

Westfield Shoppingtown Southpark (Strongsville).  A lot of unusual stores, including a pet store and a ceramic store where you can make your own creations.  There is also indoor miniature gold at Firefly's Minigolf (www.fireflysminigolf.com/).  This is a fun outing with the kids.

Avon Commons (Avon, Ohio).  Worth the drive!  All of your favorite stores in one place, including Target, Kohl's, and Costco.  You name it, they have it. 

Crocker Park.  (Westlake) Very upscale outdoor shopping mall. Live music on the weekends and a farmer’s market during the warmer months.

The Steelyard Commons (Cleveland).  A shopping center right in the heart of the city!  Includes a monster Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Old Navy, Marshalls, and much more.  Right to the west of downtown.

 

Factory Outlets

Lodi Station Outlets.  Located off i-71, north in Medina County.

Aurora Farms.  1 mile south of Route 82 and Route 43, Aurora.  65 factory outlet stores.

 

Resale Children’s Stores

Once Upon a Child.  Various Locations.

 

Books

Barnes & Noble

Borders

Half-Price Books

Mathew’s Bookstore.  Euclid Avenue.  Medical books.

 

HEALTH

 

The following providers come highly recommended by past and present HOWA members and their families:

 

Doctors/Pediatricians

 

The University Suburban Health Center, at 1611 South Green Road, houses wonderful doctors from all specialties:  www.universitysuburban.com/.  The pediatricians at Green Road Pediatrics are particularly good [(216)382-3800], as is the OB/GYN group (esp. Drs. Mitch Reider and Laura David [(216) 381-2223]. 

 

Another OB/GYN group to consider, and one that comes highly recommended by a HOWA member, is composed of Drs. Wollam-Huhn, Usis, Buchanan & Ferry OB/GYN--(440) 753-5100.  This is an all female practice.  OB patients cycle through all four doctors and you will be delivered by one of them.

 

Another recommended OB/GYN:  Dr. Karen Ashby, University Hospitals.  (216) 844-3941.

 

A wonderful pediatrician's office:  Dr. Senders and Associates on Green Road.  (216) 291-9210.  www.drsenders.com.

 

A good family practice/internal medicine doctor is Dr. Philip Anderson.  Phone: (216) 291-1650
University Suburban Health Center, 1611 S Green Rd, S Euclid , OH 44121.

 

Optometrist

Union Eye Care, Garfield Heights.  Dr. Jason Marcellus, 9571 Vista Way, Garfield Heights.  (216) 663-4060.  Comes highly recommended from a UH physician.

 

Dentists

 

Dr. Connell, Dental Associates of Lyndhurst (on Mayfield, just past Richmond). 440-684-4000. 

Dr. Michael E. Skerl, University Suburban Dental Group.  216-381-6521.  Very professional, prompt, courteous, knowledgeable, and pain-free!

Dr. Christopher Connell with Dental Associates of Lyndhurst.   5406 Mayfield Road.  440-684-4000

Bradley Cohn, DDS.  (216) 381-6000.  His office is located on Mayfield in South Euclid between Belvoir and Green.  Dr. Cohn is friendly and thorough.  He is also on staff at Case Dental School and he takes Cigna Dental Insurance (the insurance offered through UH).

 

Dr. Leo Pullella, 3681 Green Road Cleveland, OH 44122-5726 - (216) 464-7850, near Chagrin Blvd and Green Rd.

 

 

 

 

Pediatric Dentists

 

Tapper Pediatric Dental Center, located on the main floor of Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.  11100 Euclid Avenue, suite 1200.  216-844-3080.

 

Diana Kyrkos, D.D.S. (Pediatric Dentistry), Bay Pediatric Dentistry, Inc.  660 Dover Center, Bay Village, OH.  (440) 892-5556.  Family friendly dentistry at its finest!

 

 

BEAUTY

 

Children's Hair

 

Kids Kuts.  Rocky River.  (440) 333-2887.  The staff is fast, friendly and good with kids.  The salon houses a hollow, artificial tree with characters peeking out.  It also has a train track and moving train for the kids to watch while they get their hair cut on carousel horses.  Checks/cash only.

 

Hair Stylists

 

La Barbaria.  Three locations.  One is next to the hospital on Euclid Avenue and one is in Little Italy.  Moderately priced with very friendly staff.  Discounts for UH staff!

Steve-n-Anthony.  Downtown on Lakeside.  (216) 861-7877.  Expensive and they only accept cash or checks, but outstanding cuts and styles.

Lucia's Salon.  Located on Mayfield near the corner of Mayfield and Richmond. Lucia's is a "contemporary" salon with friendly staff and extended salon hours in the evenings and weekends.  They specialize in hair coloring but also give great hair cuts and provide other salon services.   (440) 995-5400. 

Laura Lee Salon.  1797 Coventry Road.  (216) 371-HAIR.  Aveda salon.  Cash/check only.

Kids Kuts.  Rocky River.  (440) 333-2887.  The staff is fast, friendly and good with kids.  The salon houses a hollow, artificial tree with characters peeking out.  It also has a train track and moving train for the kids to watch while they get their hair cut on carousel horses.  Checks/cash only.

Brown Aveda Institute, 19300 Detroit Avenue, Rocky River, OH (440) 255-9494.  Full service salon/beauty school.  $12 will buy you a very stylish cut, which includes shampoo/conditioning/styling.  It also includes a hand/arm/scalp massage and a facial.  It takes a little bit of time to get in and out, but it’s well worth it!

John Roberts Solon on Mayfield and SOM Center.  Expensive but good.

Lucia’s Salon on Mayfield Road.  440-995-5400.  The staff is wonderful, they make you feel like a princess, and they are GREAT at cutting hair!

Ladies and Gentlemen Salon for Aveda.  Legacy Village, 25377 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst.  440-255-5572.  Jennifer is good at cutting, and Stephanie is very good at styling and cutting, and is cheaper because she is a more junior level.  $50 includes haircut, shampoo, style, mini-facial and makeup touch-up.

 

 

 

 

 

AMUSEMENT/WATER PARKS

 

Ohio must be the capital of amusement parks.  See the following list for a sampling of the thrills.

 

Cedar Point.  Sandusky, OH.  Rated best amusement park in the world.   Very fast roller coasters and an extensive children’s area.  It is located next door to Castaway Bay, one of Ohio’s indoor waterparks.

 

Castaway Bay.  Sandusky, OH.  Indoor waterpark.  Admission to the waterpark is free with your overnight stay at the resort.  The resort offers day passes (and discounted evening passes) for non-guests, but only during the week.

 

Kalahari Waterpark.  Sandusky, OH.  Large outdoor/indoor waterpark with a huge indoor play structure/arcade for the kids.   Limited admission on the weekends for non-guests.

 

Memphis Kiddie Park.  Brooklyn, OH.  Small amusement park for young children.  Open mid-May through mid-September.

 

Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom.  Aurora, OH.  Huge Outdoor waterpark.  Visit the park mid-week for shorter wait times.

 

Dover Lake Water Park.  Northfield, OH.  Water slides galore.

 

Great Wolf Lodge.  Sandusky, OH.  Indoor waterpark and resort.

 

 

NATURE/OUTDOORS

 

Cleveland Metroparks System.  Over 19,000 acres of forest surround Cleveland like an “Emerald Necklace”.  See its website for information about all of the nature centers and golf course/swimming/skiing/tobogganing/hiking/bike riding/fishing locations.  www.clemetparks.com  There are many events held year-round.  The Chapin reservation rents cross country skis and snoeshoes for a VERY cheap, nice day in the winter.  Hinckley Reservation has an awesome sledding hill, and a great shallow swimming area with a waterfall an a sandy beach.

 

Lake Erie Nature and Science Center.  28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village.  This is a terrific place to take the kids.  They have a planetarium with shows for the whole family, and a lot of nature programs for children.  This is also a great place to go to see wild animals very close up.   Outside, they have trails and animals galore:  turkey vultures, a bald eagle, wild turkeys, deer, a red fox, rabbits, owls, and much more.  Inside, they have turtles that the kids can touch, fish, snakes, lizards, and spiders.  One word describes this place—WOW.

 

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes.  2600 South Park Rd., Shaker Heights.  Outstanding children’s programming.

 

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  A very short drive from downtown.  Be sure to check out the primates and the Rainforest building.  The zoo is free to Cuyahoga County residents on Mondays, but it tends to be crowded.  The zoo is 50% off when the weather is below freezing.

 

Beaches.  Edgewater Park, Headlands Beach State Park, Fairport Harbor.

 

 

RECREATION

 

For the best source of information on things to do in and around Cleveland with your family, see Jennifer Stoffel’s book, “Cleveland Family Fun:  Great Places to Go and Things to do with Kids of all Ages."  There are also a lot of other books related to Ohio recreation generally.  See your local library for more information.

 

Cuyahoga Scenic Railroad.  Offers scenic rides through Cuyahoga Valley.  The most popular routes that sell out quickly are the fall color train in October and the Polar Express in November/December.

 

Lolly the Trolley.  (216) 771-4484.  Tours of Cleveland.

 

 

FARMS/ORCHARDS

 

Farms and orchards are only a short drive away from Cleveland and offer the family a unique opportunity to see how food is harvested and made.  Fall is a great time to go, when most of the farms have pumpkin patches, hay rides, and hay/corn mazes in operation.

 

Hale Farm and Village.  This is a working farm and village, depicting life in the mid 1800’s.  Open June through October.

 

Lake Farmpark.  8800 Chardon Road, Kirtland.  Open year round.  This is a great outing for the family to see animals and experience life on a farm.  They also have great holiday programming--sign up early, because they tend to sell out quickly.

 

Patterson Fruit Farm.  11414 Caves Road, Chesterland.  Pick your own strawberries, apples, and pumpkins.  They have a great kids area in October, with a maze, hay to jump in, apples, and toy tractors.  It gets crowded on the weekends, so try to plan a weekday trip.

 

MUSEUMS/GARDENS

 

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland.  10703 Euclid Avenue, University Circle.  The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and has a wide variety of activities for the kids. 

 

Cleveland Botanical Gardens.  University Circle.  This is a wonderful place to just sit, relax and enjoy nature’s serenity.  During the spring, summer and fall, the outdoor gardens are ripe with vegetation.  The Children’s Garden is a hit with the kids, with its treehouse, play house, sand pit, water fountain, and water spigots.  Open all year, and a great place to ward off the winter cold, is the Glass House, featuring the spiny desert of Madagascar and the cloud forest of Costa Rica (with a waterfall and plenty of butterflies).  If you have kids, be sure to catch the annual Halloween party and Easter Egg hunt.

 

The Cleveland Museum of Art.  University Circle.  This museum is internationally known and offers a rich array of masterpieces from all cultures and periods.  FREE.

 

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History.  University Circle.  Features the history of mankind and the natural world.

 

The Great Lakes Science Center.  601 Erieside Avenue, downtown.  This is a great place to take the kids.  It is an interactive science museum and has an indoor play area for younger kids on the second floor.   It also has an OMNIMAX theater.

 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.  Downtown Cleveland, at 9^th and Erieside. 

 

LIBRARIES

 

There are many, many libraries in and around Cleveland.  There are two main library systems:  The individual city libraries and the Cuyahoga County libraries.  Each has its own programming and events for children and adults.  A few notable libraries are listed below.

 

Shaker Heights Public Library.  This is a great library for kids.  It has a huge outdoor play area and toys and puppets inside.  It also has a program called Play and Learn that offers literacy based play.  http://www.shakerlibrary.org

 

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Libraries.  These libraries, combined, offer a wealth of programming for adults and children.  www.heightslibrary.org.  The main library offers a program twice a week called Little Heights, that teaches literacy through play.

 

The South Euclid/Lyndhurst Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library System. 4645 Mayfield Road, South Euclid.  This library has a great children’s area, with different rooms to explore.  It also has coffee!

 

 

CHILDREN/FAMILY

 

Heights Parent’s Center.  http://www.heightsparentcenter.org.  This is a great resource for parents.  It has many program offerings during the week, a playroom, a toy lending library and an indoor gym. 

 

Shaker Family Center.  Shaker Heights.  www.shakerfamilycenter.org.  This is another great resource for families.  It has an outdoor playground, an indoor gym that is opened at different times during the week, and an indoor play area.  It also has scheduled events and programs for children.

 

Jewish Community Center (JCC).  26001 S Woodland Road, Beachwood.  This is a terrific place for community support, and you don't have to be Jewish!  There are many activities for the whole family, available to both members and non-members.  The membership fee is steep, but discounted for UH employees (around $700 per year for the whole family).   Membership entitles the family to unlimited use of the athletic facilities and pool, extensive athletic programming, children’s programming and play space, and a spectacular outdoor playground.  Membership is also necessary if you wish to enroll your children in the daycare program.  The JCC also has a terrific summer camp experience for preschool and school-aged children.

 

YMCA.  Various locations offering adult and child programming, recreation and sports.

 

The Little Gym, Gymboree.

 

Sport Martial Arts Training Center:  Master Chun is incredible with children of all ages.  He also teaches adults!  This program teaches children discipline and control of their bodies.  It is great for children with ADHD or hyperactivity.  Master Chun also gives parents advice on getting their kids to listen, show respect, and follow directions.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  See the website for more information: http://smatrainingcenter.com/

 

PLAYGROUNDS

 

Turtle Park.  Euclid Heights Blvd., just west of Coventry.  This is a playground dedicated to the child 5 and under.  It is a small fenced-in area with play equipment, swings, and a sand box.  It is unshaded, though, and can get quite hot in the summer.

 

Beachwood.  On Fairmount Road, just before Richmond Road.  This park hosts several play structures for children of different ages. 

 

Preston’s H.O.P.E. Playground.  www.prestonshope.com/  HUGE playground and fully handicap-accessible.  Located on the property of the Jewish Community Center.  Free and open to the public.  26001 South Woodland Rd.  Beachwood, Ohio 44122.

 

Coventry Peace Park.  On the corner of Coventry and Euclid Heights BLVD.  Huge playground with a very LONG slide down the side of a hill.  This is a great place to sled in the winter.

 

CHILDREN’S FUN

 

Amazone.  Family Entertainment Center.  www.myamazone.com/  2789 Medina Road, Medina, Ohio Large indoor playground for the kids to burn off lots of energy.  They also have laser tag and arcade games.

 

Firefly Miniature Golf.  Strongsville, OH.  www.fireflysminigolf.com/ Glow-in-the dark indoor miniature golf for the whole family!

 

Serpentini/Winterhurst Ice Rink.  14740 Lakewood Heights BLVD, Lakewood, OH.  Huge, double-size ice rink, offering lessons for kids of all ages.  This is a great family activity.

 

American Bouncers.  http://www.americanbouncers.net/.  Bounce tents for the kids--call ahead to find out the open bounce times.  They also have Friday night bounces on select Fridays from 6-9:00 p.m.  For $15, you can leave your kids for three hours.  The fee includes dinner, dessert, and drinks for the kids.  There are also crafts and games.  A bouncy good time! 

 

Fun-n-Stuff.  www.fun-n-stuff.com.  A little bit of everything for everyone:  Rock wall, lazer tag, bungy jumping, roller skating, arcade games, bumper boats, bouncy tents, miniature golf, and more.  One price gives you unlimited play time on everything.

 

Zero Gravity.  Eastlake.  Bouncing and birthday parties for the kids.  For open bounce times:  www.partyxtremes.com/zerogravitymainnew.html.

 

 

 

RESTAURANTS

The following is a list of HOWA member favorites.

 

Delivery.  Delivermefood.com provides a long list of restaurants that provide food to your home for a small fee. 

 

Asian.  Hunan One.  7901 Euclid Avenue, in Church Square.  This is a small, cheap, awesome take-out Chinese restaurant; Mint Café (Best Thai aound, per a HOWA member); Sushi Rock; Bangkok Thai Cuisine (take-out or eat-in with plastic forks); Pearl of the Orient; Lemon Grass; Ariyoshi Restaurant--2206 Lee Road (really good and cheap sushi).

 

Pizza.  Guy's Pizza (Coventry), Donato's (Lee Road), Dewey's Pizza (Lee Road), Pizza Pan (Buy one, get two free when you pick up your own pizza); California Pizza Kitchen; Vincinato Pizza (cash only); Georgio's (3.99 cheese/4.99 pepperoni medium pizzas for pick up--no waiting!).

 

Breakfast.  The Inn on Coventry.

 

Coffee.  Arabica; Starbucks; Caribou; Phoenix Coffee.

 

Ice Cream/Dessert/Sweets.  Cheesecake Factory; Cold Stone Creamery.

 

Italian.  Dino’s Family Restaurant (small, cheap, friendly service); Geraci’s on Warrensville Center Road (Cash only).

 

Mexican.  El Rodeo; Luchita’s; Don Ramon's, Lopez, Abuelo’s.

 

Ethnic.  Maha's Cafe (Next to MetroHealth Hospital-- 3323 West 25th Street.  BEST Falafil anywhere, and a variety of Mediterranean and American food); Aladdin’s (Middle Eastern); Café Tandoor (Indian); Taza: A Lebanese Grill; Balaton (Hungarian); Saffron Patch (Indian); Anatolia Café (Turkish); The Harp (Irish); Qdoba Mexican Grill (Euclid, by the UH); La Tortilla Feliz in Tremont (Guatemalen); Udupi in Parma (worth the drive for the best Indian food in town); Seoul Hot Pot (authentic Korean on 42^nd and Payne).

 

Sandwiches/Deli.  Corky & Lenny’s; Panini’s; J. Pistone Market; Winking Lizard.

 

Expensive.  Fire; Blue Point Grille; The Melting Pot; Mallorca (Spanish and Portuguese).

 

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Ryan Construction and Remodeling.  Ryan is very fast and professional.  If he doesn't know how to do something, he will refer you to someone who does.  (440) 669-6532.  ryanconstruction1@hotmail.com.

 

Dunn Hardware.  Mayfield Road and Richmond.  Great experience with people who really know their hardware and paint!

 

Home Repair Resource Center.  For Cleveland Heights Homeowners.  Tool loan, how-to reference library, contractor recommendations, discounted repair loans, classes, and lots of advice from friendly people.  http://www.hrrc-ch.org/

 

CAR REPAIR

The Lusty Wrench.  This place comes HIGHLY recommended.  They prefer to service foreign automobiles, but also accept American-made cars.  2120 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts.  (216) 371-8150.  www.lustywrench.com/

 

Nick's Union.  Great place for American cars!  19765 Lake Road, Rocky River.  (440) 331-4900.

 

Bryan’s Marathon: 2294 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, OH (216) 321-3869. Provides great service and very fair prices. Ask for Bryan.

 

HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE

Air Rite.  Comes HIGHLY recommended.  1290 West 117th Street.  (216) 228-8200.

 

UNDERGROUND SPRINKLER MAINTENANCE

Action Irrigation.  (216) 741-1717

 

HOME INSPECTORS

Heartland Quality.  Brian Giallombardo.  (440) 442-5610

Haas Inspection.  Craig Haas.  (440) 349-3555

Advantage Home Services.  Joseph Lengal.  (440) 548-2201

Ambassador.  Marko Vovk.  (216) 431-8378 or (216) 924-8378.

Nemastil.  Jim Nemastil.  (216) 371-4096

 

 

HOME CLEANING

Busy Bodies/Classy Maids.  Call Ronda at (440) 333-7733.

 

EMERGENCY CHILDCARE

 

Erin’s Nannies.  www.erinsnannies.com/home.htm  This service comes highly recommended by a UH staff member and a HOWA member.  Full and part-time nannies are available, who have been fully interviewed and pre-screened.  This is also a great service for people who need last-minute babysitting or daycare.  If you are a student at Case Western, you can get the initial fee paid for.  Case will also pay Erin's Nannies to watch your sick child (call Case for more details).  Email Erin for an immediate response to your childcare needs.

 

 

 

 

HOURLY CHILDCARE

 

Erin’s Nannies.  www.erinsnannies.com/home.htm  This service comes highly recommended by a UH staff member.  Full and part-time nannies are available, who have been fully interviewed and pre-screened.  This is also a great service for people who need last-minute babysitting or daycare.  If you are a student at Case Western, you can get the initial fee paid for.  Case will also pay Erin's Nannies to watch your sick child (call Case for more details).

 

CHILDCARE/PRESCHOOL/SCHOOL

 

For those of you with children, finding the right daycare might be the most challenging part of your move; particularly for those with children under 18 months, since most centers do not accept infants.  Step Up to Quality is a new program, initiated by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services:  http://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/stepUpQuality.stm  This is a voluntary, quality rating system designed to facilitate the search for a quality childcare facility.   Be sure to check it out!

 

Go to this website to find NAEYC accredited programs: http://www.naeyc.org/academy/web_ready/search/distance.asp

 

The following centers are listed by member recommendation or NAEYC Accreditation:

Fundamentals Children’s Center.  (216) 831-6500

McMillian Preschool and Day Care.  (216) 932-9497

Fairmount Church Cooperative Nursery School.  (216) 321-5800

Jewish Community Center.  Two locations:  Beachwood, and Solon (the Solon location accepts infants).  (216) 593-6262. [HIGHLY recommended by a HOWA member].  They also offer Snow Days, providing care when your child's school is closed due to inclement weather.

Millikin School (only open to Cleveland Heights/University Heights residents).  (216) 371-7318

Up with Kids (infants to 3 years).  (216) 382-1802 (HIGHLY recommended by several people).

The Kiddie Company Day Care Center.  1111 Alvey Road, Lyndhurst, OH.  (440) 473-0424.  Highly recommended by several HOWA members.  Infants accepted!

Carol Nursery.  (216) 991-3449

Early Childhood Enrichment Center (216) 991-9761

South Euclid Cooperative Preschool.  216-373-1439 Parent-run co-op with professional teachers, involved families and happy kids.  www.secoop.org.  [Recommended by a HOWA member].

Cleveland Music School Settlement.  www.thecmss.org/  Call early because there is a huge waiting list. 

The Montessori School at Holy Rosary.  www.montessori-holyrosary.org/ , (216) 421-0700. Located in Little Italy.  This is an excellent private school, offering full-day Montessori instruction for children, preschool through 8^th grade. 

 

FITNESS

 

1-2-1 Fitness.  Offers Case & UH employee discounts.

Fitworks.

Bally Total Fitness.

YMCA and YWCA

The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland. (JCC). 26001 S. Woodland Rd., Beachwood. (216) 831-0700.  www.clevejcc.org  Indoor/outdoor swimming pools, and extensive exercise facilities and programming available.  Discounts offered to UH and CCF staff.  Low-cost babysitting also available].

Curves

Lifetime Fitness.  3850 Richmond Road, Beachwood, OH 44122.:  http://lifetimefitness.mylt.com/index.jspa.  This place is HUGE, and has both indoor and outdoor pools (with slide) for the kids.  It also has a great child-care area where you can leave your kids for up to two hours while you work out on the vast array of equipment.  There is also a large rockwall for adults and children over five.  Great classes: zumba, yoga (including hot yoga), cycling (spinning), pilates reformer, and so much more….Check it out!

 

ANNUAL EVENTS

 

Feast of the Assumption.  Little Italy every August—all kinds of fantastic food and you don’t have to be Catholic to participate.

Parade the Circle.  University Circle each June—local and international artists; human-powered floats; ethnic foods; street performers; dancing puppets.

Cleveland National Air Show.  Burke Lakefront Airport every Labor Day weekend.

The Cleveland International Film Festival.  Tower City, Cleveland.  March.

Wade Oval Wednesdays.  Wade Park, University Circle.  Free music concert series every Wednesday from 6:00-9:00 in the summer (June through August).

University Circle Events.  http://www.universitycircle.org/content/events.asp

Coventry Street Fair.  www.coventryvillage.org/events.html  Outdoor farmers market, street vendors, music, and live entertainment. 

 

MOVIE THEATERS

 

Cedar-Lee.  www.clevelandcinemas.com  Artsy, indie films.  Movie Mondays!!  $5 movies on Mondays.  Very nice selection of beer and food (be sure to try the cheese-stuffed pretzels).

Shaker Square.  Stadium seating.  $5 Mondays.

Loews Richmond Town Square.  Stadium seating; 14 theaters.

Regal Severance Town Center.  14 theaters.

Omnimax Theater.  Great Lakes Science Center.

Tower City.  Validated parking in the rear, right by the movie theater.  $5 Mondays.

Cinemark Theaters in Valley View with plenty of restaurants surrounding the theater.

 

SPORTS

 

Cleveland Indians Baseball.  (216) 420-4200

Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball.  (216) 420-2000

Cleveland Browns Football.  (216) 891-5000

Lake County Captains.  This is a very good minor league baseball team.  You can get great seats for $7, and there is a children's play area with a playground and inflatable slide.  The Captains also host pretty elaborate fireworks on the weekends after the game.  Be sure to go on $1 days, where you can get beer and hot dogs for $1. 

 

 

 

 

 

THEATER & MUSIC

 

Cleveland Institute of Music.  (216) 791-5000.

Cleveland Music School Settlement.  (216) 421-5806

Cleveland Orchestra.  (216) 231-1111

Cleveland Pops Orchestra.  (216) 765-7677

Ohio Ballet.  (330) 972-7900

Cleveland Play House.  (216) 795-7000

Playhouse Square Center.  (216) 771-4444

Cain Park.  (216) 291-5792

Karamu House. (216) 795-7070

 

 

VACATIONS