Green Building Experts and Preservationists:  Let's Talk!

Take Advantage of Energy Efficiency Tax Credits before Year-End

It's not too early to think about holiday shopping. Let CRS help this year! We are putting together creative, fun, and festive holiday gift baskets that are sure to please. Choose from three different basket options to make the perfect selection for each person your list. We have a Cleveland Neighborhoods basket with a beautiful Franklin Boulevard poster and a copy of Those Wonderful Old Houses; an Arts & Culture basket featuring Creative Essence and the gorgeous Cleveland Sketchbook; and a Fireside Chat basket featuring a bag of coffee and two ceramic mugs to share it in. Each basket comes with a one-year household membership to the Cleveland Restoration Society ($55 value). Baskets are a real value at $65 each and come beautifully packaged - perfect for gift giving! See one at the Community Luncheon and place your order there, or contact us today at 216-426-1000 for more information or to place your order today!

Historic Home For Sale

One of the Oldest in Shaker

CRS is proud to offer the Historic Upson house for public sale to an individual who will appreciate its significance and will honor its heritage.  Constructed ca. 1836 by Asa and Chloe Carter Upson, this early farmhouse typifies the upright-and-wing architectural form that was common in the developing Western Reserve.  It is a rare property; one of the oldest remaining in Shaker Heights and in Cuyahoga County. Remodeled in the Colonial Revival style in 1940, this landmark residence exudes charm and has been lovingly maintained and updated.  It will provide a classic and timeless home through the seasons and years.  See the MLS listing. For more information contact Kerrington Adams at 216-426-3101.

FutureHeights Online Auction Open Through 11/21

Future Heights is looking for your help to raise $15,000 this fall. The organization, which promotes a vibrant and sustainable future for Cleveland Heights and University Heights through innovative ideas and civic engagement, launched its annual online auction on October 15. You can bid on locally donated goods and services and the proceeds will go towards general operating funds for the organization. Looking to get in shape for 2011? Bid on Yoga and spinning lessons at Baddhaful Spin. Your kids would love a behind the scenes tour of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Architectural services, jewelry, books, Cavs tickets, and much, much more are up for bidding. There is something for everyone! The auction ends on November 21 at 10:00 pm.

Ten Years of National Trust Community Investment Corporation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Community Investment Corporation Program (NTCIC) is celebrating its tenth anniversary! Founded in 2000 as a for-profit subsidiary of the Trust, NTCIC has made investments exceeding $380 million in restoration projects that qualify for historic rehabilitation tax credits. NTCIC has worked with local governments, nonprofits and developers across the country, focusing on projects that have a high economic impact on the surrounding community. The Cleveland Institute of Art's current $55 million project, which includes rehabilitation of the Joseph McCullough Center for the Visual Arts, a former Ford Model T factory on Euclid Avenue, shown here, is being completed with the help of the NTCIC.

State Organization Changes Name

Ohio Local History Alliance (OLHA) is the new name for an established organization, the former Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums. The organization, which works cooperatively with the Ohio Historical Society's Local History Office, is a network of local historical societies, history museums, archives, libraries, genealogical societies and historic preservation groups throughout Ohio involved in collecting, preserving and interpreting Ohio's history. Oberlin Heritage Center executive director Pat Murphy is OLHA's current president.

New CEO for Neighborhood Progress Inc.

Neighborhood Progress Inc. (NPI) has announced the selection of a new president and chief executive officer. Joel Ratner, formerly with the Raymond John Wean Foundation, will become the new head of NPI. He will work to refine NPI's strategic direction and help build the organization to support a variety of neighborhood programs and initiatives to improve the quality of life in Cleveland.  NPI's current initiatives include addressing vacant property issues, foreclosure and land assembly opportunities and strengthening and expanding their sustainability initiatives throughout Cleveland. CRS welcomes Mr. Ratner as a partner in revitalizing Cleveland's neighborhoods.

Lakewood is Newest Certified Local Government

The City of Lakewood has been named Ohio's newest Certified Local Government (CLG). Ohio's CLG Program recognizes the importance of a federal-state-local partnership that enables communities to provide a wide range of preservation resources. Ten percent of the historic preservation funds that the state receives from the federal government each year is set aside for CLG's to identify their historic resources through surveys, nominate eligible properties and districts to the National Register of Historic Places, further community education on historic preservation; and preserve and rehabilitate historic properties. The Ohio Historic Preservation Office and CRS encourage communities to apply for CLG certification. If your community is not yet a CLG, learn more about becoming one by clicking the link above.