The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is pleased to announce Rebecca Carmi and Sally Gries have been elected to five-year terms as standing trustees of the museum, and Howard Freedman has been named as an honorary trustee to the distinguished museum board.

A diverse group of local and national figures vested in the continued growth of the arts and Northeast Ohio, the CMA’s board of trustees guides the museum in its mission to create transformative experiences through art. Members are elected to positions in accordance with the museum’s charter and play an integral role in the life of the museum.

Rebecca Carmi

Rebecca Carmi, a lifelong advocate of the CMA, is an accomplished cantor, opera singer, recitalist, and author. She has served as chair of the CMA’s Womens Council and the Womens Council Education Committee, and as chair of ChamberFest Cleveland, and is actively involved in the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Carmi holds a B.A. from Brown University in comparative literature; a B.A. and a M.A. in voice from the Cleveland Institute of Music; a doctorate in educational leadership and change from Fielding Graduate University; and an M.A. in Sacred Music from the Hebrew Union College in New York.

After serving as congregational clergy in pulpits in New York, New Jersey and California, Carmi was the director of strategic projects for the Cantors Assembly from 2005 until her retirement in 2015, continuing to this day as a trustee. In 2018, in recognition of her lifetime career in the cantorate, she received an honorary doctorate in Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College.

Carmi has authored children’s books for Scholastic, Inc. and published several short stories in fiction anthologies. As a performer, Carmi has sung in concerts throughout the USA, Cananda, Europe and Israel and was a featured singer in the CMA’s exhibit Sonic Blossom by Lee Mingwei, in which singers performed one of Schubert’s art songs from Lieder, donning a specially designed “transformation cloak” and engaging patrons in an immersive experience of song.

Sally Gries 

Sally Gries began her financial services career in the late 1960s at Goodbody & Co. in Philadelphia in municipal bonds and has worked as an investment banker and venture capitalist. She founded Gries Financial in 1978 as a single-family office and has grown the firm into a disciplined investment and wealth management service. She holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and has the Certified Financial Planner designation.

Gries is the chairperson of the board of directors of the Cleveland Foundation, a trustee of Holden Forest and Gardens, a life trustee of Hawken School, trustee emeritus of Case Western Reserve University, and assistant secretary of the Victor M & Harriet J Goldberg Foundation.

In 2010, Gries and her husband, Bob, founded the Sally & Bob Gries Center for Experiential and Service Learning in University Circle. The foundation represents Hawken School’s commitment to the principles of real-life learning and involvement with the greater Cleveland community. The Hawken School University Circle campus is now the Hawken School Sally & Bob Gries Center for Experiential and Service Learning. Bob and Sally also established the Gries Family Award at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland to honor Jewish leaders who have demonstrated high-impact leadership in both the Jewish and general communities.

Howard Freedman

Howard Freedman, a respected Cleveland attorney for more than five decades, began his professional career at Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff.  He has since practiced independently as a business lawyer.  He received his J.D. from CWRU School of Law and B.A. from Tulane University.

Freedman currently serves on the dean’s advisory council of the Tulane University School of Liberal Arts, on the board of directors of the Friends of the Uffizi Galleries, and on the leadership council of the Kent State University Museum.  He is emeritus trustee of Cleveland Arts Prize, which he previously served as board chair, and emeritus director of the Cleveland advisory board of Facing History and Ourselves, which he previously served as board chair.  In addition, he previously served on the boards of directors of SPACES, including as board president, FRONT, the Cleveland International Film Festival, and the Contemporary Art Society of the CMA.

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About the Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The museum is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, and performing arts and is a leader in digital innovation. One of the foremost encyclopedic art museums in the United States, the CMA is recognized for its award-winning open access program—which provides free digital access to images and information about works in the museum’s collection—and is free of charge to all. The museum is located in the University Circle neighborhood with two satellite locations on Cleveland’s west side: the Community Arts Center and Transformer Station.

The museum is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and made possible in part by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. For more information about the museum and its holdings, programs, and events, call 888-CMA-0033 or visit cma.org.

The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs urges residents to ignore all calls about missed jury duty as these are scam calls.

Cuyahoga County residents are reporting higher than usual numbers of scam calls from individuals posing as deputies who claim the resident has missed court appearances.

In a new twist in these scams, rather than immediately asking for fines, some scammers direct people to official-looking websites where they must enter personal information to learn the amount of the fine.

Many residents who visited the scam sites report they had entered their Social Security numbers, dates of birth and photos of their drivers’ licenses before being asked to pay up to $10,000 in “fines.”

Consumer Affairs reminds residents:

• Governments use “.gov” websites. County, federal and court websites do not use other domains, such as .org or .com, which are available to anyone.

• All calls, texts and emails about missed court appearances are scams. Courts send jury notices by U.S. mail, and no signature is required for delivery.

•  Law enforcement officers never call people about missed court appearances or to request signature comparisons or fines. 

• Never use callback numbers provided in vague messages about legal issues. They lead to scammers. 

Report scams to the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad by calling 216-443-7226 or through cuyahogacounty.gov/scamsquad. 

By The West Park Times Staff

The future of the historic building at 17209 Lorain Avenue, long known to West Park residents as the former Kamm’s Café and Old Tony’s, remains undecided, according to Ward 17 Councilman Charles Slife.

“To the best of my knowledge, the property remains for sale or lease and there are no definitive plans for the building,” Slife shared. “Clearly a past plan that required city approvals for a limited demolition did not come to pass.

All this being said, the building remains in very good condition. I was inside of it recently.”

Slife’s remarks help clarify the current status of the site, which has been vacant since 2016 but continues to draw strong community interest given its history and location at the corner of Lorain Avenue and Rocky River Drive—the very heart of Kamm’s Corners.

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A Landmark of West Park History

The Kamm’s Building, dating back to 1900, stands on the site of Oswald Kamm’s original general store and post office—making it one of the most historic properties in all of West Park. It later became home to Old Tony’s, a neighborhood bar and restaurant that operated for decades before closing in the 1990s.

Since then, the building has seen a rotating lineup of tenants, including Panini’s Bar & Grill, Ironwood Café, and Kamm’s Café, none of which remained long-term. The building has sat empty since the mid-2010s.

In 2020, concerned residents launched a petition to “Preserve the Kamm’s Building,” garnering more than 1,300 signatures. The campaign emphasized the site’s importance to the neighborhood’s identity and urged city leaders to secure its future through preservation and adaptive reuse.

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What Comes Next?

While there are no active redevelopment efforts at this time, Slife’s comments suggest the building is being maintained and remains in a condition that could support new life—if and when the right project or tenant emerges.

The building’s prime location, architectural character, and symbolic value continue to make it a promising opportunity for a business or organization looking to plant roots in West Park.

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Know Something? Have Ideas?

If you’re a resident with memories of the building, thoughts about what it could become, or information to share about its potential future, email us at editor@westparktimes.com. We’d love to hear your voice on the future of one of West Park’s most iconic corners.

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Cuyahoga County buildings including the Administrative Headquarters, the Jane Edna Hunter Building, and the Virgil E. Brown building reopened to the public today, Wednesday, June 25 at noon for normal business. The buildings were previously closed due to a power outage.
Today’s grand opening celebration of the new Cuyahoga County Board of Elections building has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon.

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Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) issued a statement in response to the Ohio House’s election of new Democratic leadership. 

“I extend my warmest congratulations to Leader Isaacsohn and the members of the House Democratic leadership team,” said Antonio. “I look forward to working with Leader Isaacsohn and his team as we continue fighting for opportunity, equity, and an Ohio that works for everyone.”

On Tuesday, the Ohio House of Representatives officially elected the following members to House Democratic leadership roles:

• Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati), House Democratic Leader
• Rep. Phillip M. Robinson, Jr. (D-Solon), House Assistant Democratic Leader
• Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna), House Democratic Whip
• Rep. Desiree Tims (D-Dayton), House Assistant Democratic Whip

While Northeast Ohio faces a sweltering summer heatwave, a story of grit and community from a frigid winter past resurfaces — one tied deeply to a longtime neighborhood institution: Carriage Auto Wash.

A Blizzard to Remember

When a blizzard struck in January 2022, dumping close to 10 inches of snow, Carriage Auto Wash had to temporarily shut down. With snow piling up fast, the crew received an invitation to shovel and help reopen.

Their answer: “When and where?”

Those with four-wheel drives picked up others, grabbed breakfast from McDonald’s, and got to work. Armed with shovels, snowblowers, a plow truck, and even a tractor, the team spent nearly 20 hours over two days digging out the entire property.

But the effort didn’t stop there.

“We helped neighbors get unstuck on Terminal Avenue and W. 150th. We even dug out a hotel shuttle bus trying to reach the airport so passengers could make their flight. That weekend wasn’t about business. It was about community — and I’ll never forget it,” says Owner Eric Schafrick.

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But, the story of Carriage Auto Wash doesn’t begin with a blizzard. It begins in 1970, right here in West Park.

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A West Park Original Since 1970

Originally called Carriage Gas and Wash, the company opened with two locations—one on W. 150th Street and another across from Holy Cross Cemetery on Brookpark Road. It remained under the care of the McGlynn family until 2018.

The current owner who began working at Carriage in 2005 while still in high school, says the business has always been more than a job. 

“I didn’t just grow into the job—I grew up here,” Schafrick says.

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Growing Up & Learning the Ropes

Over the years, the now-owner learned every corner of the car wash — from the tunnel to high-tech control systems — eventually taking full ownership more than a decade later. Carriage Auto Wash has grown in size, scope, and technology — but has never strayed from its local roots.

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A Pioneer in Unlimited Washes

Long before national chains popularized it, Carriage was among the first in the region to offer a Monthly Unlimited Wash program—an innovation that many now take for granted.

“It was a game-changer then—and still is,” says the current owner.

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From Hooks to High-Tech

In its early days, vehicles were pulled through the tunnel with hooks attached to bumpers, scrubbed with coarse brushes, and sprayed with harsh chemicals. Those methods left many wary of automatic washes for years.

“That history created a stigma — that automatic washes are tough on cars. We work every day to change that narrative,” says Schafrick.

Today’s Carriage Auto Wash is powered by a suite of innovations:

• Camera-guided sensors to prevent collisions
  
• Smart switches and timers that conserve water and chemicals
  
• Neoprene friction materials that clean gently and effectively
  
• Queue tracking software to ensure every customer receives the wash they paid for
  
• State-of-the-art chemistry, where “you wouldn’t believe how important a P.H. level is to getting a clean, shiny, dry car,” the owner notes.
  

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Built and Maintained In-House

From welding and plumbing to electrical and IT work, everything at Carriage is maintained in-house. This hands-on approach has led to fewer breakdowns and faster repairs—a key benefit for the wash’s Unlimited Members.

Later this year, the team will install a new conveyor system, engineered and built by their own crew.

In an era where most washes are operated by large corporations or private equity firms, Carriage remains a rare breed: locally owned, locally staffed, and locally invested.

“Many of our team members grew up in West Park. When you visit, you’re not just another car—you’re part of the community,” the owner says. “Chances are, you’ll be greeted by name.”

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Still Standing. Still Shining.

Now more than 50 years strong, Carriage Auto Wash continues to serve its West Park neighbors on W. 150th Street, thriving not just on soap and shine—but on trust, tradition, and tenacity.

The tunnel may be sleeker, the brushes softer, and the software smarter—but the mission remains the same: to treat every customer like part of the family.

Carriage Auto Wash: A Legacy in Photos

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Due to a power outage, Cuyahoga County buildings including the Administrative Headquarters, the Old County Courthouse, the Jane Edna Hunter Building, and the Virgil E. Brown building will be closed to the public today, Tuesday, June 24. The buildings are expected to open tomorrow for normal operations.
A decision will be made by noon regarding today’s County Council meetings.
The Justice Center Complex, including the Cuyahoga County Corrections Center, is affected by the power outage. The Cleveland Thermal Plant, which supplies power to the Justice Center Complex’s chilled water system, lost power, causing the air conditioning system for the complex to go down. Justice and Corrections Center officials are assessing the situation and monitoring temperatures within the facility and will make adjustments as needed to ensure the safety of all staff and residents.
The Cuyahoga County Administration will remain in close contact with the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Public Power, and Cleveland Thermal as this situation develops. 

PRESS RELEASE

On June 17, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) celebrated the over $7.5 million investment in school safety infrastructure awarded by the Ohio Department of Transportation. 

“This crucial investment in our schools follows through with the legislature’s promise to ensure a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future for communities across the state,” said Antonio.

Over 24 projects across the state were chosen to receive funding through ODOT’s Safe Routes to School program. This funding was secured after Leader Antonio and Senate Democrats advocated for the program to be included in House Bill 54, the state’s Transportation Budget.

Among those included in this round of funding were:

• Bike Cleveland, which trains Cleveland Metropolitan School District physical education teachers to deliver high-quality bicycle and pedestrian safety education to K–8 students,
• Lakewood City Schools to promote Hike & Bike Week, a year-round active transportation, and school/community-wide safety initiative, and;
• The City of Cleveland to design and build separated bike lanes on East 55th Street between Outhwaite Avenue and Lake Erie.

More information on the Safe Routes to Schools program can be found here.

The Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) is alerting residents and community partners after a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 viral levels was detected in untreated wastewater samples collected from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s (NEORSD) Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Recent monitoring results show a high and increasing trend in SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), triggering notification thresholds established by the Ohio Department of Health. The alert was issued after a sample showed a more than 250% increase in million gene copies per day (MGC/D) compared to the average of the previous month’s samples—indicating a strong likelihood of increased community spread in the coming days or weeks.
Additional findings from the same sample also revealed high levels of influenza, which is also trending upward and high levels of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), though RSV data is still in its baseline collection phase.

“Increasing viral concentrations in wastewater are often a leading indicator of future spikes in illness, hospitalizations, and transmission throughout the community,” said Director of Public Health Dr. David Margolius. “This data provides us with an early warning system, and we’re encouraging residents and institutions to take preventive steps now.”

75 Erieview Plaza
Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1839
www.clevelandhealth.org

What Residents Should Know:

• Wastewater data reflects community infection trends, including among people who may not seek testing or show
  symptoms.
• We urge residents to consider getting vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19 and influenza.
• Individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms should consider themselves contagious and stay home or wear a mask
  if they need to leave the house.
  CDPH will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed. For the latest public health
  information, visit clevelandoh.gov/health or follow us on social media.

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The City of Cleveland is proud to announce that it has officially signed the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP), joining a coalition of 300 cities worldwide committed to developing sustainable and equitable urban food systems. This milestone comes as Cleveland completes it’s first-ever Food Policy Landscape & Audit, a tool for understanding the city’s food landscape and setting a path for coordinated action.
The audit, conducted over the past year in partnership with the Harvard Law School Food Law & Policy Clinic, examines policies and programs across the city’s food system. It provides an initial assessment of where Cleveland is succeeding and where there are gaps. The findings now serve as a baseline as Cleveland steps into global collaboration through the Milan Pact.
“The health of our city starts with the health of our people — and that means rethinking how we grow, share, and access food in every Cleveland neighborhood,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “Food is not just a basic need — it’s a foundation for opportunity, dignity, and resilience. By completing this audit and joining the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, we’re making a clear commitment: to center equity in our food system, to invest in our local economy, and to build a future where all Clevelanders can thrive.”
By signing the Milan Pact, Cleveland is aligning itself with six key areas of action: governance, sustainable diets and nutrition, social and economic equity, food production, food supply and distribution, and food waste. The city will use the audit’s recommendations to develop a clear roadmap for progress in each area.
Key Opportunities as a Signatory of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact:
 Access to global best practices and peer learning to strengthen Cleveland’s food system
 Support for policy innovation in areas like sustainable public procurement, circular food
systems, and inclusive food governance
 Tools to track progress through the MUFPP Monitoring Framework
 Elevated visibility and leadership on the world stage as a city advancing food justice, public health, and climate resilience
“Joining the Milan Pact gives Cleveland a new platform for learning, sharing, and growing,” said Zainab Pixler, the City’s Local Food Systems Strategies Coordinator. “Together with the Food Policy Landscape & Audit, we now have a clearer picture of what’s working and where we have room to grow. This is an important step toward building food sovereignty here in Cleveland.”

The second portion of the Food Policy Landscape & Audit, a deep dive into key areas of improvement, will be published in June.
Learn more about the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact: https://www.milanurbanfoodpolicypact.org/
To access the Food Policy Landscape & Audit, visit https://www.notion.so/Cleveland-s-Local-Food-Policy-Landscape-Audit-1df8944e923b80c6bc38dd9211abde79.

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The Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) is committed to improving the quality of life of City residents by promoting healthy behavior, protecting the environment, preventing disease, and making the City a healthy place to live, work, and play.
CDPH offers a range of programs, including clinical, environmental, health promotion, and population-based services.

Our mission is to promote and protect the health and well-being of residents, communities, and partners in the City of Cleveland. Our vision is to be the most responsive, trusted, and impactful health department in the country. For more information, please visit
www.clevelandhealth.org.