BROOKLYN, Ohio — There is a bumper crop of orange cones and road-closed signs in the Brooklyn/Cleveland/Parma area this summer, as work continues on Ridge Road in Brooklyn near the Parma and Cleveland borders.
Traffic snarls on Ridge north of Brookpark Road near Interstate 480 and Ridge Park Square are building.
There are two new wrinkles. For about three weeks, the Ridge Road entrance to I-480 westbound and the entrance to the Best Buy store at Ridge and Brookpark will be closed, forcing shoppers to enter from Brookpark.
The work is part of an approximately $4.6 million project that will include full-depth replacement of the pavement on Ridge from Flowerdale Avenue to Brookpark Road.
Two-way traffic will be maintained on Ridge during the work, which will take until next year to finish and which will include upgraded traffic signalization.
City officials say the traffic issues motorists are experiencing now will be worth it in the long run.
In the meantime, motorists should consider alternate routes in order to avoid some major traffic headaches. But don’t forget that work on I-480 westbound has the West 130th Street exit closed. And, of course, the Bellaire Road work is rerouting traffic also.
Be sure to pack your patience if you have to travel in those areas.
Clear the shelter: The Parma Animal Shelter (PAS) is having a Clear the Shelter open house on the cat side from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 28. The shelter is at 6260 State Road in Parma.
PAS is partnering with Hill’s Pet Nutrition for the event. Donations can be made by going to parmashelter.org and clicking on the Hill’s donate link.
The grounds of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral will be alive with music, dancing, games and more during the annual Ukrainian Festival this weekend. (Carol Kovach/special to cleveland.com)
Celebrate: The St. Josaphat Festival, celebrating 31 years of Ukrainian independence, returns this year with festivities and fundraising for Ukraine Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 27-28) on the grounds of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 5720 State Road in Parma.
The Ukrainian Village Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Saturday on State Road from Grantwood Drive to Lucerne Avenue (Ukrainian Heritage Park). Motorists should be aware of traffic detours in the area.
Units participating in the parade should gather at 10 a.m. at State and Grantwood. The route is about a mile. Registration for parade units ended July 31.
The parade will include a flag-raising ceremony with Mayor Tim DeGeeter. U.S. Sen. Rob Portman is this year’s grand marshal. A naturalization ceremony also is scheduled.
Festivities continue from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at St. Josaphat.
There will be a kids’ corner on the soccer field with a petting zoo, face painting, cotton candy and a popcorn machine, plus bounce houses from noon to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, the Zaps Band will perform from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and cathedral tours are available from 3 to 4 p.m. Tickets will be sold throughout the day for a 50/50 raffle. Kashtan dancing will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. inside, a basket raffle will be at 7 p.m. and the Barvy Band with Zoriana will close out the day’s festivities from 6 to 10:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the fun runs from noon to 5 p.m., with kids’ corner activities on the soccer field and bounce houses from 1 to 7 p.m.
Sam Lishchuk will perform from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Zenon Tsymko on saxophone from 2:30 to 3:30, Brenda Boulton on guitar from 3:30 to 4:30 and Lyudmyla Weber-Sonewald performs from 4:30 to 5. Children’s dancing will take place inside from 6 to 6:20 p.m.
The main raffle will be at 7 p.m. And once again closing out the festivities will be music by the Barvy Band with Zoriana.
Hay wagon rides with Volodya Prokhna will be offered all day Sunday, as will the 50/50 raffle.
Events are coordinated by the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio. Donations to aid those struggling in Ukraine can be made online securely at fundforukraine.org.
Tailgate time: The annual Youth Night Tailgate Party will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday (Aug. 26) at the Independence High School Alumni Field.
Join the Independence Local Schools community to celebrate youth night before the high school football game. Admission to the game is included. A link to purchase tickets online is available at IMSPTO.org. Family tickets are $20. One ticket covers the entire family for an IMS staff member.
Attendees can enjoy a tailgate dinner courtesy of sponsors Discount Drug Mart, Bob Evans and Harry’s Steakhouse.
There also will be inflatables courtesy of the city, youth cheerleaders and the IHS marching band. Play Plinko for prizes, instant bingo and more.
Visit IMSPTO.org for more information.
Book bargains: Don’t forget that Friends of the Parma Libraries is selling all adult hardbound books for 50 cents each through Sept. 1.
The book sales take place during library hours at both libraries: Parma-Powers, 6996 Powers Blvd. in Parma, and Parma-Snow, 2121 Snow Road in Parma.
Save the date: The Ward 2 Parma safety meeting with Councilwoman Debbie Lime is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at 7618 Dorothy Ave. in Parma. Rain date is Sept. 8.
Parma Police and Fire will partner with Lime for the event, which will feature a K-9 unit, fire units, drones, information on trends in criminal activity, and home and personal safety tips.
Attendees should bring a lawn chair and their questions. Refreshments will be available. For more information, call Lime at 440-845-1714.
Welcome aboard: Independence Mayor Greg Kurtz swore in the Fire Department’s newest lieutenant, Lt. Joseph “JJ” Lecznar, recently prior to a City Council meeting.
Lecznar comes from a long line of firefighters. His grandfather was the fire chief in Newburgh Heights. His father is a Seven Hills firefighter and his uncle is a Parma firefighter.
Lecznar is a 10-year department veteran. He has served as an officer in charge of his shift when needed for many years, was an active member of the Southeast Emergency Response Team Hazmat Team and serves as the team’s assistant director.
In 2020, he earned an associate degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University.
Lecznar and his wife, Rachelle, live in Independence.
Helmet Smart: The Parma Police Department partnered with AAA East Central for the Helmet Smart Campaign this summer to promote bicycle safety.
Parma officers “caught” 16 bicycle riders wearing their safety helmets while patrolling the city neighborhoods of Parma.
The campaign concluded Aug. 17 with Police Chief Joe Bobak, officers and K-9 Max hosting an ice cream and cake party for those who received the “citations.”
Congratulations to those who were “caught.”
Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. in Brooklyn, Independence, Parma, Parma Heights and Seven Hills for the Sun Postings column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to carolkovach@hotmail.com.
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