It’s been a long year. We’re excited to ring in 2021 and all that the new year promises including the COVID-19 vaccine and brighter days ahead. With infection rates at their highest since spring, a virtual party is the way to go this New Year’s Eve. Pick your favorite video chat platform, invite your loved ones and a few of your child’s friends, and try a few of these kid-friendly conversation starters and activities to keep your virtual celebration moving.

• Theme music for the new year: Have everyone come prepared with song recommendations for a “Rock Out in 2021” mix. Use a free platform like Spotify to create a shared playlist, and send the link around after the event.
• Thankful in 2020: The past year has had more than its fair share of losses and challenges. But inviting everyone to say one thing they’re thankful for in 2020 will teach your child positive thinking, which can help them cope with stress.
• Roses, thorns and buds from 2020: This prompt helps kids reflect on the past and move forward to what’s ahead. Have each guest share a highlight of 2020 (rose), a challenging or sad moment (thorn), and one thing they’re looking forward to (bud) in 2021.
• Predictions for 2021: These can be silly, serious or sweet – but we recommend silly. Have each guest make a prediction about one or more guests for 2021. Write them down and next New Year’s Eve, when you’re ringing in 2022, revisit the list to see if any predictions came true.
• Resolutions for 2021: Ask everyone to reveal one personal goal for 2021. Bonus: Sharing goals has been shown to help us achieve them!
• Toast to 2021: Invite each guest to share their well wishes for the group in the new year. You can even plug these into an online word cloud generator, then print and post in your home for inspiration all year long.
   

As a reminder, city offices will close at noon on New Year’s Eve and will be closed all day on New Year’s Day. I hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year!

Mayor Kevin M. Kennedy

Cuyahoga County Dog License

Cuyahoga County’s 2021 Dog License Enrollment is open through January 31. Having a license for your dog isn’t only a law, but it’s also a lost dog's ticket home! When your dog has its license attached to its collar, its assigned license number is all that is necessary for the County to identify the dog's owner. There are three options to renew or register your fur friend.

• Cuyahoga County’s Online Dog Licensing HERE
• North Olmsted Discount Drug Mart, 24485 Lorain Road, 440-734-3880
• Mail-in Application with check

Click here for more information. The City of North Olmsted also requires a city dog registration for specific breeds. If your fur friend is a Pit Bull, Canary Dog, American Bulldog or Wolf-Hybrid please register your dog with Animal Control Officer Mark Adkins with the North Olmsted Safety Department. Officer Adkins can be reached at (440) 716-4119.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Each year on the third Monday of January, America honors the birth, life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As this is a Federal holiday, not only will schools and libraries be closed, North Olmsted City offices will be closed, and there will be no mail deliveries. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a time to remember his fight for the freedom, equality and dignity of all races and people through nonviolence.

 

Stay Connected

Start the New Year by staying informed! Sign up for our VIP Text alert by texting T724 to 36000. You will only receive texts from North Olmsted on community updates and information. You can also sign up for the North Olmsted Parks & Recreation Connection HERE. Hear about upcoming programs, scheduling changes and other vital information. Another way to stay informed is to subscribe to our e-newsletters. You’ll receive community information on a variety of topics. With just a few clicks, you can get important information sent directly to your phone or inbox!
 

Coats for Kids

The City of North Olmsted has partnered with the FBI Citizens Academy Foundation of Cleveland to help area families in need. Please drop off new or gently used coats in the lobby of the North Olmsted Police Station, 27243 Lorain Road, through mid-January. We hope you will join us in our efforts to provide coats for children who need them this winter season. If you have any questions, please call Becki in the Mayor’s office at (440) 716-4142.
 

State Funding Awarded for Clague Park

After delays due to the pandemic, the State of Ohio’s $2.1 billion capital bill was recently approved by the state legislature. Included with the many school, infrastructure, public service and local community projects was an allocation of $100,000 for improvements to North Olmsted’s Clague Park. The City’s application proposed to improve the park with a permanent restroom facility and to complete the loop walking path.

North Olmsted Fitness Center is Open

Start the new year with healthy habits! Our fitness center offers a wide variety of cardio machines, strength equipment and free weights. Cleaning, distancing and safety policies are in place to make sure our members have a safe and enjoyable experience.Our equipment is state of the art, user friendly and great for beginners. Fitness attendants are on duty to ensure smooth operation of the equipment and answer your questions. For more information check out our membership pricing or call (440) 734-8200.
 

Trash, Christmas Tree and Curbside Brush Collection

Bulk collection is scheduled for January 7. There is no trash delay for the New Year’s Day holiday. Live, undecorated Christmas tree collection is scheduled for January 14 and January 21. Artificial, bagged or decorated trees can only be disposed of on bulk collection day. The first city curbside brush chipping pass of the year will start on Monday, January 4. All brush must be on your tree lawns by 7:00 a.m.
 

Snow Plowing and Salt Operations

‘Tis the season for snow plowing and road salting by our dedicated Service Department to help keep our residents and motorists safe in inclement weather. Please follow our winter parking guidelines so we can serve you better. Remember, no parking on the hydrant side of street, no parking between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and no parking when the snow depth exceeds two inches. Here are a few additional plow and salt policy reminders:

• All main routes/streets will be plowed and salted. All school zones will be plowed and salted.
• All interior streets will be plowed and salted only at intersections, grades, curves, deep roadside ditches and mains leading out of developments. This policy may change at the discretion of the foreman.
• DO NOT approach operational plow trucks on the street. This is extremely dangerous.
• As a sensible salting practice, there will be limited salting from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. as salting is not as effective due to low traffic volumes.

Tips for Holiday Recycling

Want to make the season brighter by reducing waste and conserving resources? The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is encouraging residents to green the holidays with easy tips for reducing, reusing and recycling. For information on these tips and many more ways to go green this holiday season, visit CuyahogaRecycles.org.
 

Maple PTA Produce Market

In collaboration with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the Maple PTA will provide free, fresh produce for the North Olmsted community at Maple Intermediate School every month until summer. The next date is Tuesday, January 26 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. This is a drive-through service, so you do not have to leave your vehicle. For more information please contact (440) 202-9950 or bhalleagle@gmail.com.

Vaccinations Begin in Ohio

On December 14, Governor DeWine announced that the first COVID-19 vaccinations were administered in Ohio. Shipments of 975 doses were delivered to both The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus and UC Health in Cincinnati. Healthcare workers and personnel who are routinely involved with the care of COVID-19 patients immediately received vaccinations. More information on the state’s vaccination plan can be found at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
 

New Quarantine Guidance

The CDC provided new quarantine guidance for those who have been exposed to COVID-19, but are not showing symptoms. The CDC recommends a 10-day quarantine that does not require testing, provided that there are no symptoms, and a 7-day quarantine if test results are negative, provided that there are no symptoms.

Ohio TechCred Program
Ohio's TechCred Program gives employers the chance to upskill current and future employees in today’s tech-infused economy. Employers who submit successful applications will be reimbursed up to $2,000 per credential when current or prospective employees complete eligible technology-focused credentials. The most recent TechCred application period closed at the end of October. During this round, 246 Ohio employers were approved for funding, resulting in Ohio employees earning up to 3,164 technology-focused credentials. This round marks a milestone as funding for the program has been approved for over 15,000 credentials. Since the program’s start, a total of 966 Ohio employers have been approved for funding, supporting the earning of 15,105 tech-focused credentials by Ohio employees. The seventh TechCred application period opens on Monday, January 4 and closes on January 29 at 3:00 p.m. You can learn more about the program at TechCred.Ohio.gov.

Cuyahoga County Utility Assistance
Cuyahoga County has implemented a new program to help eligible residents with utility payments. CHN Housing Partners will administer the $2 million funded by the County. You can now apply to receive utility assistance to help pay for your sewer, water, wastewater, electric and gas services. Besides rent, paying utility bills is one of the biggest struggles for working families during the pandemic. Click here to apply!