As we age, preserving our eyesight becomes increasingly crucial — not just for seeing clearly but also for maintaining a good quality of life. Recent studies have highlighted the far-reaching implications of vision impairment in older adults. According to a JAMA study, impaired vision is linked to cognitive decline, reduced physical activity, increased falls and fractures, depression, social isolation, frailty, and even mortality. These findings underscore the significance of adopting simple yet effective eye care habits to safeguard our vision as we grow older. Here are a few eye-friendly pra ..read more

  Sergei and Mila, Amur tiger cubs born at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo last November, are now six months old. The cubs, both of whom weigh over 70 pounds, can now be seen daily exploring the various habitats at the zoo’s Rosebrough Tiger Passage — including the pools on hot spring days. Watch this video or plan a visit to see how big they’ve gotten! The cubs were born on November 6, 2023, to mom Zoya and dad Hector. For more video and virtual fun, visit the zoo’s Facebook page. Wednesday Watch is brought to you by Pinecrest The post Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Tiger Cubs Play Outside app ..read more

School nurses see it all, but nosebleeds are among the top ailments for elementary school aged children. While it may look like something out of a horror movie to see kids soaking through wadded up tissues in their nostrils, Dr. Shelly Senders, founder and CEO of Senders Pediatrics in South Euclid, says nosebleeds are usually harmless and rarely a cause for concern. “Nosebleeds in kids are common — occurring in 60 percent of people — but while they are gross and get all over the place, they are almost never serious,” Senders says. “In fact, a child rarely loses more than 2-3 teaspoons.” All ab ..read more

The Dino Cove experience near the Zoo’s Waterfowl Lake allows guests to get close to the largest animals to ever walk the earth. Explore a collection of more than 25 animatronic dinosaurs, hands-on experiences including a fossil dig pit and dynamic photo opportunities. Stand alongside a 65-foot-long Brachiosaurus and 40-foot-long Tyrannosaurus Rex and much more. Guests can learn about dinosaur species across the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, including their diet and other dino facts. Dino Cove opened May 8. Admission to Dino Cove is $3 for members, $4 for non-members per experienc ..read more

Picture this: It’s 1990, I’m about to turn 10, and the excitement is real. My mom is gearing up to host five of my closest friends for what promises to be the highlight of my year — my birthday party. My mom, ever the hero, has pulled out all the stops. She ordered my all-time favorite pizza and whipped up a homemade chocolate cake paired with creamy vanilla ice cream (my absolute favorite dessert.). And as if that weren’t enough, we’ve got an itinerary jam-packed with fun —music, games, and just hanging out. To my young self, this is the epitome of fun, the ultimate birthday bash. Does anyone ..read more

A fun and easy way to make some cute little creatures! Materials: White Cardstock Watercolor Paint (Either Liquid or Palette) Paint Brush Drinking Straw Scissors Glue  Fine Point Black Marker Googly Eyes (optional) Baking Sheet to Catch the Splatter (optional) Steps: Start by dropping 2-3 drops of the watercolor paint onto your paper, making a little puddle about the size of a dime. Then, hold your straw about 1 inch away from the paint and blow into the straw to spread the paint in different directions.  Repeat the first two steps with a variety of colors to fill up your paper ..read more

Lindsey Frierson and her husband Gerald Whitsett grew up in Cleveland Heights. Growing up they were very familiar with the Northeast Ohio suburbs. After they married, they purchased a townhome that didn’t have a backyard in a nearby suburb. Once they had their daughter, Rian, they started looking for a home that was more conducive to raising a child and would be in a location where they would still be close to both of their parents. They decided to move to Beachwood in 2017, when their daughter Rian (now almost 10) was 2.  Frierson says what keeps her family in Beachwood is, “The communit ..read more

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. “I’m Courtney Lynn Ottrix, a storyteller at heart, a community enthusiast, and a true Clevelander who was born and raised in Shaker Heights. I come from a big family, (my parents had five children), and I loved growing up with siblings. I literally dreamed of having my own family. I graduated from Shaker Heights High School and went on to attend Duquesne University. Upon graduation, I very proudly moved back home. Now, as an adult and resident I’ve dedicated my career to highlighting Cleveland’s vibrant life and hidden treasures through ..read more

We’ve all been there. It’s May 15, the kids have been sick off and on since spring break. Is there money in their lunch account? We still are not sure what day they have gym.  As the school year winds down, the questions mount even further and the to-do list grows. To help you with your to-do list, we asked local parents about their year-end lists and what tasks they prioritize as they prepare for summer. Summer Learning Plans Academically, a conversation with your child’s teacher still may be in order. Ask the teacher to assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses, which will inform any ..read more

Multi-step skincare routines. Expensive serums. Sephora hauls. For tweens? “Skin care is a hot topic,” says Jamie Cole, owner of Skin Deep Laser Spa in Strongsville. And social media has helped that interest grow among younger and younger ages. Dr. Siee Malik, a pediatrician and a mother of three daughters, also has seen the growing popularity of skin care both in her Akron Children’s Mayfield Heights practice and at home. To be clear, not every child is on board with the trend. Some still need encouragement to embrace the basics, but others have adopted 10-step routines that could be harmful ..read more