LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Brecksville, Broadview Hts., Brooklyn Heights, Independence and Valley View

mkezdi@sunnews.com

TYLER HILL/SPECIAL TO SUN NEWS The trio that makes up the Brecksville/Broadview Heights-based Piano Key Necktie includes, from left, John Corsi, Tim Clement and Chris Corsi. The group performs Friday at the 13th annual Tri-C High School Rock Off.

Come Friday evening, three kids from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School are hoping for their ticket to The Final Exam.

No, not school finals, but the finals for the 13th annual Tri-C High School Rock Off.

Piano Key Necktie, made up of Brecksville brothers Chris and John Corsi, on guitar and bass, respectively, and Tim Clement of Broadview Heights, on drums, hit the stage Friday at the House of Blues in Cleveland.

They're not sure yet of the exact time they'll play, but the doors open at 4:30 p.m.

The group got together about six months ago with the goal of being ready for the Rock Off. Previous to that, members had been in an experimental band, which fizzled.

The Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation is offering visitors a chance to make fossil flakes.

The family oriented event will be led by naturalist John Miller at the Brecksville Nature Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Miller will cover the proper method to capture a snowflake and make a permanent "fossil" impression that can be viewed with a microscope or hand lens.

If it's snowy original flakes will be made and if not Miller will have plenty of previous flakes on hand for observation.

For more information on the drop in event call (440)526-1012. The nature center is located on Chippewa creek Drive off of the Route 82 park entrance.

MAGGIE McKINLEY/SPECIAL TO SUN NEWSBroadview Heights resident Dr. John Bertschler shows off his 2009 calendar, "Views from the Fringe."

When you flip open Broadview Heights resident Dr. John Bertschler's calendar, "Views from the Fringe," it might take a second for you to realize exactly what is so different about it.

From the outside, it appears to be an inspirational calendar full of breathtaking photographs accompanied by meaningful phrases.

Upon a closer look, you notice that messages under the photo aren't exactly what you expected. It has many of the landscapes and actions from the usual inspirational calendar, but the messages are a little skewed.

Bertschler's calendar offers his interesting look on life.

"They just have different phrases," Bertschler said.

For the whole story, see this week's edition of Sun Courier.

Joseph F. LiPuma, 89, of Brecksville died Dec. 24.

Mr. LiPuma was a retired self-employed barber of Joe's Barber Shop and had worked as a grand jury bailiff. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He was the husband of Delma (nee Giannini); father of Linda Mendise, Jimmy and Michael LiPuma and Gina Zdanowicz; grandfather of 10; great-grandfather of seven; and brother of the late Henry LiPuma, Josephine Kestner and Terese Orlando.

Services were at St. Basil the Great Church, with burial at All Saints Mausoleum. Ripepi & Sons Funeral Home, Middleburg Heights handled the arrangements.

After several months of work Eddie's Pizzeria Cerino will be open for business starting at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The pizzeria is the latest venture for Broadview Heights resident and local restaurateur Eddie Cerino and his wife Elsiha.

The 3,100 square foot full-service restaurant includes an array of pizzas, pastas, salads and appetizers as well as a full beer and wine selection.

"We've got our permits and we're ready to go," an excited Eddie Cerino said.

The new restaurant, open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, is located at 7305 Broadview Road in Seven Hills next to Aldi.

For more information call (216)236-6007 or visit pizzeriacerino.com.

NORTH ROYALTON -- Despite a rather orderly traffic jam early Monday morning at the high school, some signalization changes were made Tuesday to aid motorists in their quest to reach classes or work.

This is the first week 1,000 of the North Royalton High School students who used to ride district buses had to find their own way to school. The district, which serves a portion of Broadview Heights, cut high school busing due to the failure of a 5.9-mill levy in November.

Police Chief Paul M. Bican said Monday the re-timing of the Royal Ridge/
Ridge traffic light will permit more efficient southbound traffic. He also said school zone lights will flash earlier in the day to remind motorists that they must drive 20 mph.

"There was a steady flow of traffic from 6:30 a.m. until about 7:20. It went smoother than I expected. Everyone seemed to cooperate," said Bican, who complimented his officers as well as school employees helping in the parking lot. "It could have been worse. Traffic continued to move and we want it to keep moving. We continue to review it each day. But we won't get a miracle out of this."

A traffic pattern was established prior to winter break, with signs posted on high school property and streets alerting motorists about the new pattern into, through and out of the school.

Early this week, traffic coming from the north seemed to run into the worst snarl. At one point, vehicles were lined on Ridge Road at the high school to Wallings, a mile away.

Superintendent Randy S. Boroff said all the planning and organization "paid off." He added the afternoon pick-up process should improve after Monday's long traffic lines because the buses to pick up the students at the middle school, which is next to the high school, will arrive a bit later.

"We warned people to expect the worst, and I think all did a great job. Everyone showed patience and restraint," he said.

Andrew A. Koenig, 79, of Valley View died Dec. 21.

Mr. Koenig was a retired lineman for The Illuminating Co. and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

He was the husband of Viola P. (nee Wojtala); father of Clifford (Joyce), Russell (the late Bonnie) and Diane Tackett; grandfather of six; and great-grandfather of three.

Services were at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, with burial at All Saints Cemetery in Northfield. Ferfolia Funeral Home, Sagamore Hills handled the arrangements.