Category: OH

A trail challenge is taking place right here at the Cleveland Metroparks, and a new wheelchair is available for rent, helping individuals with disabilities explore the park system.

A mother and son from Parma have already completed the challenge, serving as an example of how people of all abilities can get out, get active, and enjoy nature.

The goal of the challenge is to complete 10 trails in 10 different Metroparks by July 31.

The park system features more than 300 miles of trails across 18 reservations, including a mix of paved, all-purpose ADA-accessible trails and natural-surface trails. This is where the all-terrain Action Trackchair comes in.

The Trackchair helps people like Zac Kraley, 29, safely enjoy a larger area of the Metroparks.

We can be like everybody else and go explore new avenues; learn, grow, its good for your mental health, said Chris Markulik, Zacs mom.

Zac and his mom enjoy getting out on the trails together, such as at Garfield Park Reservation. Zac has cerebral palsy, which is a group of disorders that affect a persons ability to move and maintain balance and posture, according to the CDC. Zac is nonverbal but uses a special device to help him communicate.

We asked Zac if he liked using the Action Trackchair, which allowed him to go off-roading.

He used his communication device to respond, Yes!

This is the Metroparks first full season with the Trackchair thats free to reserve at Garfield Park Reservation, on select Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m., thanks to grants from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

It is not just the Action Trackchair. There’s also a GRIT Freedom Chair (a manual chair) thats free to reserve as well.

Additionally, Cleveland Metroparks offers a wide range of adaptive programming, including kayaking, fishing, mindfulness hikes, and camp cooking. CLICK HERE for more info.

In this beautiful place, someone can bring their wheelchair up transfer on this accessible dock and easily launch into a kayak and have fun paddling out here in nature, said Rachel Nagle, outdoor recreation manager for Cleveland Metroparks.

Nagle said they have trained staff and a licensed occupational therapist to assist.

Our deepest goal is that everyone can experience Cleveland Metroparks whatever your ability, whatever your skill level, she said.

Im living my best life by helping him live his best life, said Markulik.

Markulik said the adaptive programming helps both her and Zac build community and friendships and feel included.

Its just the best ever, she said about seeing Zac try new things.

Along with having fun outdoors, Zac was excited to talk about another passion: The Jonas Brothers.

He loves everything about them, said his mom. His favorite is Nick.

Zac listened to their songs while out on the trail in the Trackchair and said he cant wait to see them in concert this fall.

Downtown Cleveland excited, he said multiple times through his communication device during the interview about attending the Jonas Brothers concert on Nov. 11 at Rocket Arena. He had a big smile on his face each time he mentioned it.

New this year, the Cleveland Metroparks is offering adaptive scholarships for individuals and organizations. CLICK HERE to learn more.

A sign posted to the door of the Planned Parenthood location on Euclid Avenue said, Because our Title X funds have been withheld, this health center is closed effective immediately.

Planned Parenthood has closed its Cleveland Health Center.

The sign continued, Ongoing attacks from the Trump Administration have disrupted the essential services we provide to the Cleveland Community.”

Planned Parenthood said it offers a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services beyond abortion.

According to Case Western Reserve University Law Professor Jessie Hill, anytime a Planned Parenthood closes, it has an impact on the community.

Planned Parenthood is the only source of reproductive and sexual healthcare for a lot of folks, said Hill.

Closing the Cleveland Health Center was a decision not made lightly, as our patients and team members have supported this community for over a decade. We have personally reached out to each affected patient to help them transition their care to another PPGOH location or our Virtual Health Center, ensuring no interruption in their healthcare services, Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland said in a statement.

Planned Parenthood pointed out that there are several other locations throughout northern Ohio.

Hundreds of collectors and pop culture fans flocked to the I-X Center this weekend for Collect-A-Con.

The trading card, anime, and pop culture convention is one of the largest. Fans of Pokmon, comics and other popular culture items could meet up and shop for more items to add to their collection.

Vendors filled the floor show selling trading cards, figurines and fan art.

In addition to shopping, fans could meet some pop culture icons. Several actors from fan-favorite television shows made appearances throughout the event. They made themselves available for pictures and autographs.

Voice of anime character Sailor Moon, Terri Hawkes, was one of the icons in attendance. It was her first time visiting Cleveland, and she was amazed by the history of the city. What she enjoyed the most was getting to meet and interact with fans.

“I’ve had so many great and meaningful conversations with so many people as to what some of these shows that we are representing meant to them over the years,” Hawkes said. “Honestly, it’s just a really meaningful opportunity to hear their personal stories and how these shows have lifted them up during difficult times.”

Collect-A-Con had a great turnout. Within an hour of opening, about 1100 cars had already been parked in the I-X Center lot.

Couponing has had a 21st-century upgrade.

While the paper circulars are still around, more shoppers are turning to digital apps to stack savings at the register. Rachel Krych, who runs the popular blog Couponing with Rachel, says the key isnt just finding a good sale, its pairing that sale with a coupon for maximum savings.

You dont want to just buy the sales, Krych said. You want to use the coupons with the sales.

For some, the idea of couponing can be a little intimidating. Shoppers like Bonnie Dove say they use them a few times a month, but always worry they wont work.

It is kind of scary sometimes, Dove said. You know? It can be embarrassing.

Krych recommends starting small by just clipping one or two digital coupons per order and making sure they come off at checkout. And if they dont? Stay calm.

Most of the time the cashier will be able to take care of it, she said. Theyll be able to figure it out.

Apps from major grocery chains now allow customers to browse and load coupons directly from their phones (no scissors required). That convenience is helping more shoppers make savings a regular part of their routine.

It breaks my heart a little when I see people leaving money on the table, Krych said.

Tracking grocery prices

Grocery prices continue to strain household budgets, and that’s exactly why we have launched a weekly price tracker to help you save before you shop.

Each week, well visit Meijer, Giant Eagle, Aldi, Walmart, Heinen’s and Dave’s Market, checking prices on everyday essentials.

Those include: 2% milk, a loaf of wheat bread, chicken price per pound, ground beef tray or patty per pound (80% lean 20% fat), 12 dozen white eggs, and toasted oats cereal.

If you’re willing to shop around, you can snag even deeper discounts on meat, dairy, and pantry goods.

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/22936070/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Were also giving you a chance to see how your favorite stores stack up week to week. Well compare how grocery prices change at each store on a weekly basis.

Here’s how prices compare across stores this week:

Meijer 

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23057638/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Giant Eagle 

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23057788/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Aldi

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23057838/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Walmart

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23057908/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Heinens

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23057953/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Dave’s Market

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23058033/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

From buy-one-get-one-free meat deals to cereal under $2, our Dont Waste Your Money team will be keeping an eye on store shelves and sharing what we find.

Find a better deal? We want to hear from you! Submit your finds through the form below. If you beat our prices, well feature them.

And if youre a savvy shopper, always chasing the best deals, we may even join you on your next grocery run.

Grocery prices are climbing, but some stores are helping shoppers save with new summer discounts.

This weeks Price Tracker highlights deals at Walmart, Meijer, and now Giant Eagle, which is launching weekly Carefree Summer promotions, including BOGO offers and produce markdowns.

Aldi had the lowest total for grocery staples at $16.57, with Walmart close behind at $17.18. Ground beef prices rose at most stores.

Tracking grocery prices

Grocery prices continue to strain household budgets, and that’s exactly why we have launched a weekly price tracker to help you save before you shop.

Each week, well visit Meijer, Giant Eagle, Aldi, Walmart, Heinen’s and Dave’s Market, checking prices on everyday essentials.

Those include: 2% milk, a loaf of wheat bread, chicken price per pound, ground beef tray or patty per pound (80% lean 20% fat), 12 dozen white eggs, and toasted oats cereal.

If you’re willing to shop around, you can snag even deeper discounts on meat, dairy, and pantry goods.

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/22936070/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Were also giving you a chance to see how your favorite stores stack up week to week. Well compare how grocery prices change at each store on a weekly basis.

Here’s how prices compare across stores this week:

Meijer 

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23057638/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Giant Eagle 

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23057788/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Aldi

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23057838/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Walmart

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23057908/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Heinens

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23057953/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

Dave’s Market

<img src=”https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23058033/thumbnail” width=”100%” alt=”chart visualization” />

From buy-one-get-one-free meat deals to cereal under $2, our Dont Waste Your Money team will be keeping an eye on store shelves and sharing what we find.

Find a better deal? We want to hear from you! Submit your finds through the form below. If you beat our prices, well feature them.

And if youre a savvy shopper, always chasing the best deals, we may even join you on your next grocery run.

While we often discuss the current scams out there, do you know how you would react when that call or text appears on your phone?

Sadly, as Ive learned, many people quickly become entangled in the web of lies and, in the process, they divulge vital personal information or part with their money.

But one Northeast Ohio woman recognized the red flags, reached out to me to share her experience, and it provides a valuable lesson for all of us.

The call came in while Teresa George was at work.

“It was an 800 number which I didn’t recognize, so I didn’t pick up, plus I was busy,” George said.

A voicemail alert popped up. George then peeked at the transcript of the message on her cell phone.

“It said Pamela from Capital One calling about case number blah, blah, blah,” George said.

The 72-year-old is a current customer, so this wasn’t totally out of left field.

“I had filed a dispute with Capital One, for a purchase that I made back in January,” said George.

When George got home, she checked the case number mentioned in the message, but it didn’t match the one provided by the credit card company.

“So instead of calling the number back that she instructed me to call, I took my credit card out and called the customer service number that was on the back of the credit card,” George said.

That was the move right there that foiled the scammer’s attempt to get her on the phone with them.

“What we need to do is never call the number that the scammers give us because that’s only going to lead us to more scammers,” said Sheryl Harris, with the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad.

Harris continued, “So, had she called them back, my guess is they would be trying to keep her on the phone; they would not be letting her get off the phone, they would be giving her instructions.”

Harris told me that if we answer or return a call from a scammer, it is almost always a high-pressure conversation full of fear.

If it’s legitimate, these people won’t be trying to scare you or make it seem as if the sky is falling.

“That’s right, because scammers know a lot about psychology, they know that when we’re panicked, we tend not to be able to access that part of our brain that works rationally,” Harris said.

Harris’s advice is to take a step back, breathe, and verify the information with your bank or credit card company with the contact info on your card or statement.

Also, reach out for advice from family, friends, or the Scam Squad.

“We get calls all day long from people who are faced with choices of things,” Harris said.

For George, things didn’t have a chance to escalate. I asked her what made her take out her credit card and call the number on the back of it.

“I think it was just a hunch, just a feeling,” she said.

Speaking with George, it became clearer how easily consumers could be misled by something like this.

“Oh, absolutely, especially if you’re not busy and you already know that you have something going on with your bank or institution. It would be really easy to get scammed into something like that,” George said.

Although Theresa didn’t lose any money with this scam attempt, she did report it to both the FBI and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

The bulk of scam reports that the Scam Squad receives come from people who have not paid.

They want to get the word out to protect their neighbors.

After 15 months of construction, the Glenville branch of the Cleveland Public Library at East 118th Street and St. Clair Avenue held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, formally marking the completion of the building’s overhaul.

Inside, visitors found a library of the future, poised to regain its place as the centerpiece of this eastside neighborhood. Among other things, this state-of-the-art Workforce and Senior Digital Innovation Lab is complete with what are called maker spaces, the first on the east side.

“And not only is this one the east side’s version of a maker’s space, but this one is geared towards senior citizens and also adults who are looking to improve skills that might help them in the workforce,” said Regional Director of Cleveland Public Library Peter J. Roth.

Geared towards seniors is key. Leading them to technology when their instincts might prompt them to run from it.

“It’s so important that we have a space with people who are able to bring them along, introduce them to the new technology so that they can join the workforce or that they can just be better in their own personal lives,” said Library Director and CEO Felton Thomas.

Theresa Scott was among those on hand for the ceremonies Friday, and she said the programs will be in the future.

“Take advantage of the opportunity while it’s there, it’s brand new, they have people who will instruct you and teach you,” Scott said. “They have all kinds of programs. Programs for the children, for the adults and for all ages. There’s something here for everyone.”

The upgrades were made possible by the library system’s largest single contribution, a $3.25 million gift from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. Three brothers, since passed, grew up in this very neighborhood, but will now shape the future of those that follow a century later. On hand was Tom Mandel, Morton’s son, who said his father would be smiling.

“I know that to him this library would be very important to his comfort that for another 100 years this neighborhood will be a vibrant part of the city of Cleveland,” Mandel said.

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation pledged another $3 million in May to a similar upgrade at the library’s Slavic Village branch on Fleet Avenue.