Shaker Named "Best Place to Live in Ohio"

A national ranking company has named Shaker Heights the Best Place to Live in Ohio. The company, Pittsburgh-based Niche, "creates the annual best places to live rankings by using data such as the U.S. Census, FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics and CDC, combined with millions of resident reviews," according to a news release. Read the company review or the Fox 8 story.

Green Electric Program Starts June 1

The rate for the City’s new 100 percent renewable electric aggregation program  is 7.71 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) from June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2025. Eligible residents will receive an opt-out letter in early April. Those who want to remain in the program should do nothing; those who want to opt out should follow the instructions in the letter. It's estimated the program could prevent over 100 million ponds of CO2 emissions per year. Learn more.

Show Us Your Shaker Photos

The Shaker Heights Landmark Commission seeks submissions for its 10th annual Preservation Month Photo Contest. The biennial contest was created in honor of National Preservation Month, celebrated each May by preservation organizations across the country. The community is invited to submit photos showing what makes Shaker "Shaker." Submit photos on Instagram using the hashtag #PreserveSH23 through May 31. Get full contest details.

CALEA Seeks Public Comment

The Shaker Heights Police Department will be assessed by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) as part of the re-accreditation process. The SHPD has been accredited by CALEA since 1989. As part of the re-accreditation process, the public is invited to submit comments on SHPD’s compliance with CALEA standards, service delivery, community engagement, and overall candidacy for accredited status. Learn more.

April Recycling Events

Just in time for spring, the City is offering a number of recycling events in April. All events take place at the City's Service Center (15600 Chagrin Blvd.). 

• Computer, Electronics & Small Appliances Roundup: 8 am-4 pm, April 15-16 & 22-23
• Community Shredding: 9 am-1 pm, April 15 
• Household Hazardous Waste Roundup: 8 am-4 pm, April 29-30 & May 6-7
• Lawn Mower Drop Off: 9 am-4 pm, April 29-30 (Drop off gas mowers to be eligible for the Lawn Mower Rebate Program).

Check out the recycling events page for more information (e.g. what's accepted).

It's Yard Waste Bag Season

From mid-April to mid-October, please use brown yard waste bags (available at area stores) for all yard waste, except brush. There is a 40-pound weight limit per bag and maximum of 10 bags per pick-up. 

• Place bags on the tree lawn by 7:30 am the same day as your scheduled refuse collection.
• Bags containing non-organic contaminants (i.e. gardening related plastic, dog poop bags) and those filled with dirt will not be collected.
• Place brush (large branches and cuttings from shrubs) directly on your tree lawn for collection.

Early-Bird Discounts for Pool Passes, Summer Camps

The Spring/Summer 2023 Recreation Catalog is now available and registration for all spring and summer programs and summer camps is open! Many camps are filling up quickly, so please don’t delay in registering.

Residents will receive a $20 discount per week of camp for all camp registrations that occur on or before April 25. The early-bird discount applies to full-day camps only. Thornton Park Pool passes are also on sale now. The early-bird rate is available now through April 4, so don't delay! Pool passes can be purchased online, by phone at 216-491-1295, or in person (Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm) at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building or Thornton Park.

Agenda Center

The City's website is filled with helpful information!

Interested in learning more about City Council and committee meetings, including the Sustainability Committee and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee? Visit Agenda Center on the City's website to find meeting agendas for all the City's public meetings, details on how to attend, and to watch meeting recordings or read minutes.

HRRC Webinars, Workshops in April

There's plenty going on at the Home Repair Resource Center in April! Shaker residents receive a 25 percent discount for fee-based classes.

• Tuesdays, April 4-25, 6-8 pm: Home Buyers Education webinars (Free)
• Monday, April 17, 7-8:30 pm: Wet Basements 
• Tuesday, April 18, 7-9 pm: Drywall 101
• Tuesday,  April 25, 7-9 pm : Tuck Pointing
• Wednesday, April 26, 7-9 pm : Window Repair

Location: Home Repair Resource Center (2250 Noble Rd.)

Van Aken Bikeway Community Engagement

Join members of the City’s Planning Dept. for a second round of community engagement for the Van Aken Bikeway Plan. Earlier this year, residents shared ideas for the future Van Aken Bikeway. Come hear about the concept created from the community’s vision and share your feedback to help us shape this connection from the Van Aken District to Lee Road. Lane reconfiguration and changes to on-street parking are likely. 

• Public Open House: Thursday, April 13, Drop in anytime 5-7 pm
• Walk/Bike Audit: Tuesday, April 18, 6-7:30 pm (Note, this is a walking/biking tour of Van Aken Boulevard, followed by a discussion.)

Location: Both events take place at St. Dominic Church & School (19000 Van Aken Blvd.)

Chat With the Mayor 

Saturday, April 22 from 11 am-12 pm Location: TBD

Got a question for the Mayor? Residents are invited to chat with Mayor David Weiss Saturday, April 22 from 11 am-12 pm. There's no set agenda for this drop-in event, so mark your calendar now and plan to come talk about a City project, a neighborhood issue, or whatever else is on your mind. All are welcome! Check the City website for location details.

Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony

Friday, April 28, 9:30 pm

The public is invited to join Mayor David Weiss, members of City Council and representatives from the Shaker Schools for the City’s annual tree planting ceremony in honor of Arbor Day. This year, the City will plant a White Oak in the triangle at Aldersyde and Laurel roads.

Location: Triangle at Aldersyde and Laurel roads (across from Shaker Heights High School)

Nature Center Annual Plant Sale

Saturday, May 6, 9:30 am-1 pm

Welcome spring with the 41st Annual Plant Sale at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, featuring a great selection of native plants with something to fit almost any condition. Experts will be available to help you pick the right plant for the right place. Members preview from 8:30-9:30 am. Parking will be available on nearby streets; curbside assistance with purchases provided.

The online plant sale is underway, and continues through April 7, or until sold out.

Location: Nature Center at Shaker Lakes (2600 S. Park Blvd.)

Below find important school-related updates. Sign up for the Shaker Schools weekly enews.

Schools and Offices Closed April 7 

Shaker Heights Schools and offices will be closed on Friday, April 7 in observance of Good Friday. School will resume on Monday, April 10.

Thank You, Thank You, and Thank You, Again!

Your generosity and dedication to the 31st A Night for the Red & White, held at the Cleveland Hilton Downtown on March 18 made for a HUGE success! Your continued support of Shaker students is greatly appreciated! If you missed the event, it's not too late to make a monetary donation. Funds raised provide opportunities for Shaker students PreK-12! Learn more at shakerschoolsfoundation.org/redandwhite/ or email.

Kindergarten Kickoff April 15 

The Shaker Heights Schools annual Districtwide Kindergarten Kickoff will be Saturday, April 15 from 1-4 pm at Mercer Elementary School. All incoming kindergarten families are invited to meet your school building principal and learn about volunteering, before- and after-school child care, transportation, PTO and more. Plus, receive a few surprises for your student. Sign up to attend by completing this form.