The Happy Neighbor: News, Updates & Community Events
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Hello, January 2026! A new year is here, bringing fresh beginnings, renewed energy, and a season full of possibilities. As winter settles in, our community continues to thrive through connection, creativity, and shared purpose. Your Neighborhood E-Newsletter is here to kick off the year by keeping you up to date on upcoming events, local initiatives, and ways to stay involved. January is a time to reset, reflect, and look ahead. It’s an opportunity to set intentions, strengthen community bonds, and embrace what lies ahead together. Whether you’re participating in a neighborhood event, supporting a local effort, or enjoying the quieter moments of the season, there’s plenty to look forward to. Explore the updates below, plan for what’s ahead, and join us as we step into 2026—motivated, connected, and ready for a great year together. Theodore "Theo" Darden IVNeighborhood & Housing Specialist216-491-1333 |
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🌟2025: A Year of Community, Connection, and Collaboration🌟
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There is so much to celebrate from our time together in 2025! The Moreland Neighborhood Network created meaningful opportunities for intentional gathering and neighborly connection throughout the year. From joyful community events to thoughtful healing conversations about trauma, the Network continued to lean in and lead with care—strengthening Moreland as a welcoming, open, and resilient community. Some highlights from 2025 include: 🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of the Moreland Neighborhood Network
What began as a “Business of the Network” conversation during the July 2024 Neighbor Night came full circle on September 30, 2025, when we gathered to reflect, reconnect, and recommit to the spirit of coming together and supporting one another. Held at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building—home of Moreland Neighbor Nights—the evening brought together friends, neighbors, and long-standing network members for a night of community and camaraderie. 🌱 Launch of the Leadership Development Series
2025 also marked the creation and facilitation of the long-anticipated Leadership Development Series. This co-created experience laid important groundwork for the future of the Moreland Neighborhood Network. The final session provided a meaningful opportunity for residents and City of Shaker Heights staff to connect, build relationships, and strengthen collaboration. ✨ And now… We Welcome 2026 As we step into a new year, there is much to look forward to—including the launch of the Moreland Mini-Grant Pilot Program and continued conversations around leadership transition with the Moreland on the Move Community Association. If you are interested in serving, please complete the MOMCA Transition Team Member Volunteer Registration Form. There is more detailed information on the registration form. It has been our great pleasure to collaborate, grow, and build community with you. We are deeply grateful for your engagement and excited for all that lies ahead in 2026. With gratitude,
Dawn, Georgina, Laura & Theo
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Between the Attics: A Maker’s Group 🧵✨ Looking for a cozy, creative space to craft and connect? Between the Attics is a friendly virtual maker meetup where creativity and community come together! 🗓 When: Every other Friday
⏰ Time: 7:00–9:30 pm
📅 Dates: January 9 and ongoing
💻 Where: Zoom Bring your own project or jump in on something collaborative—there’s no pressure and no RSVP required. The meeting link and time stay the same, so feel free to drop in whenever you’re available. It’s a great way to meet new friends, share ideas, and make something wonderful together. Friends are always welcome! 👉 Click here to join!
Meeting ID: 891 3695 9687
Passcode: BTA 📩 Questions? Contact MeShelle Barclay by email or text at
meshellegance@gmail.com | (216) 543-5872
Get Creative Online with Moreland Neighbors! 🎨🎶🧶Join us this January for a full lineup of fun, virtual arts activities—connect, create, and unwind from home with Melanie Graves & friends! - Virtual Coloring | Fridays at 6:00 pm | January 2–30
- Virtual Sing Sundays | Sundays at 2:00 pm | January 4–25
- Virtual Knitting & Crochet | Sundays at 3:00 pm | January 4–25
- Virtual Origami | Wednesdays at 8:00 pm | January 7–28
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Monthly Moreland Neighborhood Network Steward MeetingWe use the term Stewards to describe all of us who maintain, develop, and participate in our neighborhood network. If you join in any Moreland neighborhood event or activity, you are a Steward! Mark your calendar for the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm to join fellow Stewards in conversation about strengthening our Network, connecting with fellow neighbors, and creating opportunities to empower residents to take action in our community. The monthly Stewards meeting is a space for everyone. Join fellow Moreland Stewards during January: WHEN: Tues., January 13, 2025, from 6:30pm - 8:00pm WHERE: The Dealership - 3558 Lee Road |
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Witness to HistoryWhen: Sunday, January 18th, 6pm Via ZOOM Step into the stories that shaped our community with Witness to History. In this January episode, Moreland neighbors open up about the moments that defined their lives, bringing our shared past to life. Hosted by Donna Whyte and John Dutton, the series offers a welcoming, entertaining way to connect with those around you and discover the history woven into our neighborhood. 📽️ This month’s episode features a special conversation with local neighbor Donald Black—an inspiring voice you won’t want to miss. Join us as we celebrate the people who keep our neighborhood moving forward! To join Witness to History using your computer: Click here! To join by phone, please use the following Meeting ID and Passcode below: Meeting ID: 216 308 3940 / Passcode: Moreland Previous episodes of Witness to History are archived on the Shaker Library's Moreland Neighborhood History page here (click on "Moreland Images and Memories"). Did you see the Shaker Life article about Witness to History? You can read it online here.
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January Neighbor NightDate: Tuesday, January 27th, 6pm - 8pm Where: Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building - 3450 Lee Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120 Turning ideas into impact. December's Neighbor Night kicked off the new year with energy and collaboration as neighbors connected and began shaping plans for an end-of-school celebration for local kids and families. Thanks to everyone who came ready to share ideas and strengthen the Moreland community! Join us at Neighbor Night and be part of what’s blooming in Moreland!
Stay Connected! Exciting events are happening in Moreland and around our community regularly! Join the conversation, lead a practice and stay connected with what’s happening in Moreland and our community. Don’t miss out—your voice matters! For more information about our exciting events or to connect with Neighbor Night conversation hosts, email Theo or Dawn.
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Community Events & Updates
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Don't Miss Out on the Latest City Happenings!Click here to explore the most recent City ENews and discover all the fun, exciting activities and events happening around the City. Zoning Changes Proposed for Lee RoadThe City of Shaker Heights is moving forward with proposed zoning code changes for the Lee Road commercial district as part of implementing the Lee Road Action Plan. In creating that plan, we heard from neighboring residents and businesses that the community would like to see mixed-use development with housing as well as new uses such as restaurants on Lee Road. The proposed zoning changes would create new commercial mixed-use (CM) districts on Lee Road to allow those uses and also address items like setbacks, building height, signage, and spacing between certain types of businesses. Mark your calendars for a City Planning Commission public hearing on January 6, 2026, at 7:00 pm at City Hall or on Zoom. At that hearing (and at upcoming City Council meetings that will follow), you can get additional information and have opportunities to ask questions and share concerns. There will be an opportunity to provide public comment during the hearing on January 6. You may also submit comments/questions in advance by emailing Dan Feinstein at daniel.feinstein@shakerheightsoh.gov or calling (216) 491-1435. Please follow this link to access the meeting agenda. In Person: City Hall, 3400 Lee Rd Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/99656786876?pwd=OUs3V016QnNpeVFYR1k0aHQxc0pMQT09 (Password: 33553400) 🔗 Learn more:shakerheightsoh.gov/LeeZoning
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Hildana Park Public Art "Woven Edge" DedicationFriday, January 9, 2 pm, Hildana Park (weather permitting, check www.shakerheightsoh.gov/HildanaPark or call 216-491-1436 to confirm) You’re invited to celebrate the completion of RAW Design’s “Woven Edge” public art bench in Hildana Park! Come to a dedication event to meet the artists, fabricators, and City leaders who brought the neighborhood’s vision to life! We are also planning a spring event to celebrate all of the recent improvements made to Hildana Park. Look for information in the coming months!
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Chat with the MayorSaturday, January 10, 11 am-12 pm Stop by the Van Aken District Market Hall to talk with Mayor Weiss about neighborhood issues, City projects, or anything else you'd like to discuss.
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2026 MLK Weekend CelebrationSaturday and Sunday, January 17-18 Under the theme Building the Beloved Community for Such a Time as This, celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the following events: - January 17, 10 am-12 pm: Donation Drive at Shaker Middle School (20600 Shaker Blvd.) Drop off of non-perishable food, hygiene products, diapers and wipes.
- January 18, 1:30-3:30 pm: Community Conversation & Meal at St. Dominic School (19000 Van Aken Blvd.). Doors open at 1 pm. Please register.
Presented by the Shaker Heights Public Library in collaboration with the City, the Shaker Heights City School District, Shaker Heights PTO, and Shaker Schools Foundation. |
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Nailed It! Home + City Projects in Focus
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Moreland Model Block ProgramGet Ready for 2026!Though the exterior home repair season is winding down with the weather, it's not too early to get ready for the 2026 Moreland Model Block Program! Homeowners are able to continue to submit applications through the winter and are encouraged to contact contractors now to get estimates for next season. Program Highlights: - Grants up to $3,500 for exterior home improvements visible from the street
- Focus on curb appeal and block-wide projects
- Applicants must be neighbors on the same block
- Properties eligible once every five years
Don’t miss your chance to prepare for next year’s repair season! For more information and to apply, visit: shakerheightsoh.gov/model-block Have questions? Contact Theo to learn more and schedule your site visit.
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January Home Buyer Education SeriesFree Home Buyer Education Series
Tuesdays January 6th - January 27th, 6-8 pm
Online Class via Zoom. More information. Space is reserved for Shaker Heights residents, along with a 25% discount on fee-based workshops. If you live outside of Shaker and would like to be put on the waiting list, please contact Anne Goodfriend at (216) 381-6100 ext. 16 or agoodfriend@hrrc-ch.org
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Building Around Us: An Update on Infill HousingDevelopment Updates – Winter 2025 Curious about the new porch going up next door or the construction crews a few blocks over? From small renovations to multi-home construction, change is happening all around us — and fast. Stay tuned as we track the projects shaping our streets — one home at a time. Visit the City website for more information on approval processes for infill homes and a list of proposed new homes. For questions, contact Sharra Thomas, Neighborhood Development Specialist at 216-491-1473.
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You are receiving this email because you have attended a neighborhood event in the past. If you no longer wish to receive emails from us, you may Unsubscribe. Sincerely, Theodore “Theo” Darden IV 216-491-1333 |
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