BEREA, Ohio -- The Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District is once again sponsoring a poster contest linking art and creative thinking for Cuyahoga County students in grades K-12.
Students are encouraged to create posters that artistically express their ideas on how conservation improves the environment. This year’s theme is “Healthy Soil, Healthy Life.”
The contest also provides teachers with a creative approach to instill an appreciation in students for the environment and the need to protect natural resources, while coordinating with National Visual Arts Standards for all grades.
Since only about 10 percent of the earth’s land surface has suitable soil for producing food, building communities and growing vegetation such as trees, our healthy life depends on having healthy soils below our feet.
Teachers and educators may register their classes at https://tinyurl.clm/du4ppd6 by April 1 (the start of Ohio Native Plant Month).
Submissions should be sent to the Cuyahoga SWCD office, 3311 Perkins Ave., No. 100, Cleveland.
Awards will be given for first and second place in the following grade categories: K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Winners in each group will advance to the state competition.
For more information regarding the 2022 Healthy Soil, Healthy Life Poster Contest, including contest rules and registration, visit this poster registration deadline link or contact Jacki Zevenbergen, stormwater education manager at jzevenbergen@cuyahogaswcd.org or by phone at 216-524-6580.
Grab-and-Go: Kiwanis K-Kids will be doing a service project to fill grab-and-go goodie bags for Baldwin Wallace University students, now through Feb. 4.
They will be collecting individually packaged cereal and protein bars, bags of chips (can be variety packs), bags of popcorn, snack crackers, hot cocoa and bubblegum.
Goodie bag items can be dropped off at the Grindstone Elementary School office, 191 Race St. in Berea.
In December, the K-Kids made wreaths for Parkside Villa, 7040 Hepburn Road in Middleburg Heights. In January, they created winter placemats for Generations Senior Living, 4 Berea Commons.
Valentines for vets: On Feb. 8, Berea Kiwanis Club members will be filling Valentine’s bags, including puzzle books, for the veterans at the Northwestern Healthcare Center, 570 N. Rocky River Drive in Berea. A spokesman said Kiwanis’ goal is to fill 50 bags.
Midpark reunion: The Midpark High School Class of 1972 is planning its 50th class reunion for Oct. 9 and will have more information to share in a few weeks.
The Midpark Legacy Association will have another all-class reunion on July 17, to be held at the picnic pavilions adjacent to the Middleburg Heights Recreation Center, 16000 Bagley Road. More details will be available in the coming weeks.
Sixty-year celebration: The Midpark High School Alumni Association is planning a 60th anniversary celebration of the opening of the high school for Sept. 24. Stay tuned -- more details will become available for these events.
Kids’ programs: Registration is open for Connecting for Kids February programs in Middleburg Heights.
In-Person Music Therapy & More will be at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 19 at the Cuyahoga County Library’s Middleburg Heights branch, 16699 Bagley Road. This program is designed for families and their children, ages 0-6, who are struggling in an area of development.
This is a hands-on program designed to teach families how to use music to improve their child’s academic, motor, communication and social skills, as well as behavior.
The program is led by a board-certified music therapist. For more information, visit online at connecting for kids.org/music.
Register online at www.connectingforkids.org/register. For the latest program information, please refer to the Connecting for Kids website: www.connectingforkids.org.
New graduate: Kudos to Katlyn Griffie of Brook Park, who has graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.
At the library: A Mobile Pantry food distribution (shelf-stable items) will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 23. in the parking lot beside the Cuyahoga County Library’s Brook Park Branch, 6155 Engle Road (between the library and gazebo).
Kids’ Café meals are still served from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to children younger than 18.
Another upcoming youth program at the library (which may be in-person as opposed to virtual) is Baby & Toddler Sensory Play, for ages 1-4, at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9. This event includes activities to engage your little one’s senses, develop skills and build brain connections.
Ready for Kindergarten: The Brook Park Branch Library will host Kindergarten Readiness at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 and at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 10 at the library, 6155 Engle Road.
These events will include activities specifically designed to help your child (ages 4-5) prepare for kindergarten.
Future sessions (in April and July) will focus on different developmental skills.
Kids’ story times: The Cuyahoga County Library’s Brook Park branch will host story times, starting Feb. 14.
Baby & Toddler Story Time will be at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Family Story Time will be at 6:45 p.m. Thursdays. If interested, call 216-267-5250 to register.
SCAN Hunger Center Pantry: 39 W. Bagley Road, Williamsport Plaza. 440-260-7226. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Friday of the month and 4 to 7 p.m. on the fourth Friday.
Church Street Ministries pantry: 1480 Bagley Road, 440-239-0549. Open noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Mini pantries: There are two Little Free Pantries located near People’s Community Church and the Berea Branch Library. The Prospect Pantry is at the corner of Prospect Street and Jacqueline Drive.
Rise in Love: Free hot meal from 2 to 4 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month at St. Adalbert Catholic Church, Keller Center, 66 Adalbert St. Eat-in or Carry Out. The next meal is Feb. 20.
Free Community Meal: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 276 E. Bagley Road, served from 5 to 6 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month. Drive-up only. The next meal is Jan. 26.
People’s Community Church pantry: 628 Wesley Drive, 440-234-0609. Open 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of the month. The next open pantry will be Saturday.
Pet Food Pantry: Animal Rescue Friends, 10015 E. River Road, Columbia Station, 10 a.m. to noon every Sunday. Contact 440-234-2034 or arfpet-pantry@gmail.com for more information.
Senior luncheons: Monthly Seniors Luncheon at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 276 E. Bagley Road in Berea. Lunches are $5 and are served at noon on the second Tuesday of every month. For more information, call Michelle Skutt at 440-234-6080.
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