Minimize stress and maximize space when downsizing: Talk of the Towns

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio — You probably know my favorite resale store, Transitional Design, for the beautiful store in Broadview Heights and its online auctions. But did you know that Transitional Design has a services, design and moving division as well?

Families appreciate having peace of mind knowing that Transitional Design Services can help their loved ones before, during and after the move into their new home. From pre-move preparation and packing to moving and settling in, Transitional Design move managers can do it all.

Home clean-outs are Transitional Design’s most requested client service. Often, the seniors that are being helped have been accumulating items in their home for 20, 30, 40, 50 or even 60 years.

Here in the Midwest, we have basements, garages, attics, sheds … all of which can be filled with treasures that have been saved over the years. The task of cleaning everything out so the home can be sold can be completely overwhelming.

The Transitional Design staff categorizes these items into what can be consigned, what is being retained and what needs to be donated, recycled or disposed of, then removes the items according to the category.

In the design department, Janet, who is a certified re-designer, is incredibly talented at helping clients’ new homes mirror the look of their current residences to make them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings, which are often times quite a downsize.

Janet and Miriam also offer design and floor planning for those who need help in getting their home ready to go on the market, as well as design assistance in their new homes.

Transitional Design recently assisted a customer who was downsizing from her home in Twinsburg and moving to a retirement community. Janet came in and did her “magic.” She settled her client in by unpacking boxes and putting things away for her, hung pictures and arranged furniture and décor so that it was just right.

The happy customer said, “Not a day goes by that I haven’t told someone how wonderful Transitional Design’s service was from downsizing to the big move.”

If you need help in moving, packing, decluttering or room design, go to www.transitionaldesign.net for more information. And don’t forget to stop by the resale shop and online auctions for great deals.

Friend of education: North Royalton City Schools recognized Kim Ponting, PTA president at North Royalton Elementary School, as the 2021-22 Friend of Education at the April 11 Board of Education meeting.

This annual award goes to a person or persons who significantly contribute to North Royalton City Schools, help inspire and empower students, and dedicate themselves to making North Royalton and Broadview Heights great places.

Throughout the 2021-22 school year, North Royalton Elementary School has faced a multitude of “new” challenges — new building, new learning spaces, new teammates, new schedule, new reading series and the not-so-new ongoing COVID-19 challenges.

Every step of the way, the district has been supported by the PTA, as they have been ready and willing to step up at a moment’s notice to provide funding to support any new endeavors.

As the challenges of COVID-19 started to subside, the schools received numerous requests from teachers about the availability of parent volunteers to help with various tasks at the new building. It only takes one phone call or email to request that assistance, and numerous names have filled up the Sign Up Genius ready and willing to answer the call.

“When faced with the daunting task of photographing 1,450 elementary students in one day for School Picture Day, it was the collaboration with our PTA leadership that made it possible by securing enough volunteers to make sure everything ran smoothly,” said Principal Kirk Pavelich.

During the long month of March when the morale of the staff needed a boost, all it took was a partnership with the PTA to deliver the Cleveland Cookie Dough truck to the front of the building, where every single member of staff was able to enjoy a cookie dough or ice cream treat.

“Kim has been able to merge the ideas of the parent volunteers from Albion, Royal View and Valley Vista Elementary into a new cohesive unit,” said Superintendent Mike Laub. “We are thankful for her support and volunteerism during this pivotal year for our elementary school.”

Greene Acres: Greene Acres Community Garden’s general meeting will take place April 30 at Broadview Heights City Hall, 9543 Broadview Road, second floor. Email Noreen Butano [email protected] for more information.

Volunteers needed: Volunteers are needed to help install smoke alarms for local families throughout Northern Ohio, where Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to more than 860 home fires in the current fiscal year — since July 1, 2021.

The Sound the Alarm smoke alarm installation and home fire safety events in Northern Ohio are part of a national Red Cross initiative in May to install 50,000 free smoke alarms with partners in more than 50 at-risk communities across the country.

“Sound the Alarm is a meaningful way to be a part of a larger movement while directly helping local families,” said Tim O’Toole, regional disaster officer in Northern Ohio.

“In just one day, you could help save a neighbor’s life by installing smoke alarms — which can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.”

People can register now at SoundTheAlarm.org/noh to install free smoke alarms and share fire safety information with residents during a local event on these dates and locations:

· May 12, Cleveland (Collinwood), noon to 3:30 p.m.

· May 13, Garfield Heights, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

· May 14, Cleveland (Old Brooklyn), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers may participate in Red Cross events if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19 as long as they wear a mask. Masks are required if requested by a homeowner, and masks will be provided at each event.

Because of generous donations, all services are free and available for people in need. Can’t join the event? Help by donating to the Red Cross at SoundTheAlarm.org to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires, which account for most of the U.S. disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes.

Residents in Northern Ohio who need assistance can visit soundthealarm.org/noh to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation during these Red Cross Sound the Alarm events.

During the home visits, Red Cross volunteers and partners will also share information on the causes of home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan.

This Sound the Alarm event is a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save 1,243 lives since launching in October 2014. As part of the campaign in Northern Ohio, the Red Cross and local partners have installed more than 77,000 free smoke alarms and made more than 25,000 households safer.

Let the Brecksville, Broadview Heights and North Royalton communities know what is going on with your organization, church, school, business or family. Email me at [email protected].

Read more from the Sun Star Courier.