Latest News

Lakewood, OH –Cornucopia, Inc., a northeast Ohio nonprofit that provides vocational training for people with disabilities and the owner/operator of Nature’s Bin, a full service natural foods market in Lakewood, announces that they have entered into the final stages of negotiations for the purchase and redevelopment of the McDonald’s building on Sloane Avenue in Lakewood.

“This is an exciting time as we add additional space to expand our training program capacity, food services and catering,” stated Scott Duennes, Executive Director of Cornucopia/Nature’s Bin. “It has always been part of our long-term vision to stay and grow in our local community.”

Nearly 20 years since the last formal Community Vision plan, various stakeholders within City Hall including City Council, Mayor Summers and the Planning Commission began preparing back in January of 2012 for the formulation of a new vision for Lakewood's future by first re-evaluating the 1993 plan.

Superintendent Jeffrey W. Patterson will present the Lakewood City Schools’ financial plan to balance the district budget at the May 21 Board of Education meeting to be held at 7 p.m. at Horace Mann Elementary School.

A new merchant association is being formed in Lakewood. The Detroit Avenue Merchants Enterprises or D.A.M.Es.  Any business from the west to the east ends of Detroit Avenue are invited to join in. Their goal is to increase exposure and sales for members while giving back to the community. One of their ideas is a monthly "Lakewood Shuffle". At each location, shoppers will receive a raffle ticket just for visiting, additional tickets available for any purchase or donation made during their visit for a monthly drawing of a prize donated by one of the participating businesses.

The inaugural event, the "Snack N' Shuffle, is being held Saturday, May 19th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., each participating D.A.M.Es. shop will have free appetizers and snacks. Rumors of chocolate covered strawberries at one of the locations...yum. The stores involved in this kick off event are: The Reiki Room, 1394 Cranford, behind Sweet Designs;  Just 4 Girls, 15612 Detroit;  A Friends Secret, 16506 Detroit;  The Designer Consignor, 17118 Detroit;  Vintage Faire Antiques, 17106 Detroit; Geppetto's / Johnny Malloys, 17103 Detroit; The Willow Room, Trinity Lutheran Church, 16400 Detroit;  and Create A Cake, 17114 Detroit Avenue. Look for the silver and gold balloons outside of each location. 

Lakewood City Council presented the University of Akron with a resolution congratulating UA on its success and thanking the University for investing in the community of Lakewood. Receiving the resolution for UA is Provost Mike Sherman. Council Vice President Mary Louise Madigan presented the resolution. Also in the picture are Lakewood City Council members Ryan Nowlin, Shawn Juris, Monique Smith, David Anderson, Tom Bullock, as well as Mayor Michael Summers, UAL Director Suzanne Metelko, UAL executive committee members Gary Fix, Lou McMahon, and Dru Siley.

Lakewood City Council presented the University of Akron with a resolution congratulating UA on its success and thanking the University for investing in the community of Lakewood. Receiving the resolution for UA is Provost Mike Sherman. Council Vice President Mary Louise Madigan presented the resolution. Also in the picture are Lakewood City Council members Ryan Nowlin, Shawn Juris, Monique Smith, David Anderson, Tom Bullock, as well as Mayor Michael Summers, UAL Director Suzanne Metelko, UAL executive committee members Gary Fix, Lou McMahon, and Dru Siley.

Council Vice President Mary Louise Madigan called the May 7, 2012 Council meeting to order at7:31 P.M. She then asked Council to excuse the absence of Council President Brian Powers, who was missing due to a family matter, and they did so.

Councilwoman Madigan (Ward IV) then asked Council to pass a resolution welcoming the University of Akron to Lakewood. She said that the University of Akron Lakewood is just the most recent of Lakewood's community treasures worth celebrating.

Monday, May 21-Saturday, August 11

Summer Reading Club
For children ages birth through twelfth grade

Feeling adventurous? Join our Summer Reading Club and read 30 books or for 30 hours over the summer. Visit the Summer Reading Club desk to collect stamps and tickets toward prize drawings.

Children's and Youth Services at Main Library and Madison Branch

Feeling adventurous? Our Summer Reading Club is your ticket to see the world! Starting on May 21st, children ages birth through fifth grade can sign up to be a part of “Around the World in 30 Books.” Sixth through twelfth graders have their own reading club, “Get Global—Read.” Kids will gather stamps and prizes as they go, and a special reward awaits those who complete thirty hours of reading (or thirty books for younger readers) by August 11th.

It’s hot, Hot, HOT! The kids are whining a lot, Lot LOT! “There’s nothing to do! We’re bored!” Take them on an adventure; bring them to the Children’s and Youth Services department of the library. Relax in the air conditioned, bright, activity room and get creative! Drop in for a different craft each week and practice some basic motor skills. Cut, color, paste, and pretend! Make an African mask one week, a Swedish kran the next week! Get creative by making pretend sushi, Venetian masks, wild ponies, and more! Visit us at our Main branch or our Madison branch, Monday through Thursday, anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. A World of Crafts starts on Monday, June 18th and ends on Thursday, July 26th. There is no need to register in advance.

Are you a Lakewood citizen who loves to read or watch movies but you’re unable to come to the library? Did you know that the Lakewood Public Library offers Homebound Delivery Service? If you can’t get to the library because of age or disability, we will deliver and pick up your library materials. You can request books (including large print), magazines, DVDs, VHS tapes, music CDs and audio books.

The Lakewood Board of Education is accepting applications for appointment to the Lakewood Public Library Board of Trustees for the seven year term commencing September 12, 2012. Additional information concerning the duties and responsibilities of Library Trustees is available at the Library’s Web site: www.lakewoodpubliclibrary.org. Interested candidates should direct a letter of interest and qualifications to the Superintendent of Schools by May 15, 2012:

From L to R: Gabriel Toledo,Edan Perry, Katherine Skourlis, Mary Skourlis, Josh Patterson, Eden Sutliff, Audrey Warren, Evan Bell, Patrick McCallum, Aidan Bohac, Lillian Germaine Not Shown: Claudia Irwin, Anna Calfee, Grace Calfee

Students in second through fourth grade wrapped up another seven week session of the Strokes of Genius program on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. Students proudly showcased their talent in an art show for family and friends. A variety of projects were displayed from watercolor paintings of birds in the spirit of John James Audubon, self-portraits in the style of Miro’, story quilts imitating the art of Faith Ringgold, chalk drawings inspired by Julian Beever, and more! Parents applauded as each participant received a special award and purple ribbon.

May 16

Lakewood Historical Society

Meet the Author: Out and About with Winsor French       by Jim Wood

The uncloseted Winsor French was one of the most faithfully read columnists in the history of Cleveland journalism. For more than forty years he covered the jazz beat and cafe society of the 1920s and 1930s and the local "Jolly Set" of the postwar years. Jim Wood, author of Out and About with Winsor French, will discuss the fabulous personal and public persona of this groundbreaking newspaperman. Books will be available for sale and signing at the event.

When Wallace Coleman performed last year at the Lakewood Public Library, I had only been told by many of his mastery and skill. Nothing prepared me for the moment Wallace took the stage. With grace and ease, as natural as a conversation with your best friend, he played a note on the harmonica. And then another, as if words from some other place that only he and I knew deep in our souls were being spoken. But then I realized everyone in the room was feeling the same sense of intimacy, and together we were all bearing witness to a world of beauty and sadness that made you aware of simple joy. Curious what the blues are really about when a true artist speaks.

Lincoln Elementary's Girls on the Run members warm up for their weekly run.
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A program called Girls on the Run is helping girls around the district learn to build strong and healthy lives physically, socially and emotionally. The Girls on the Run program, which has been around for 15 years, made its debut in the District last school year at Emerson Elementary School and Harding Middle School (where it is called Girls on Track) and this year has expanded to Garfield Middle School (in the fall) and Grant and Lincoln elementaries.

John Carroll and former Harrison student Najam Hassan works with a current Harrison student during "Boler Community Day" that Hassan helped organize.
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John Carroll senior Najam Hassan remembers fondly his years at Harrison Elementary, which were also his first years here in America as a young Pakistani immigrant with his family. “Everyone welcomed me really well, it was like being part of a family,” Hassan said. “It’s where I learned to speak the language.”

All these years later, Hassan found a way to show his gratitude to his former school and teachers who helped shape him into the successful and determined young man he has become. He brought a crew of fellow John Carroll students back to his old school to volunteer as part of the university’s “Boler Community Day” on April 27.

Ms. Bluemel's class gathers around to help split open a coconut during their study of edible plant life.

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Lakewood Schools' Gifted and Talented program, called the Discovery Program in elementary school has this as its mission statement: Our mission, through the support of the total learning community, is to serve and meet the needs of academically talented students by nurturing their affective and cognitive development. In doing so, we hope to enhance their potential for life-long learning and maximize their productive contributions to the communities in which they will live.

Lakewood's program is rare and special in that it is a self-contained group of students in a class. In these times of budget cuts, Superintendent Patterson has made it clear that he understands the communities' wish to maintain this program. In order to share what the experience is like with parents wondering about the program, several parents offer their insights:

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A sell-out crowd of 100 partygoers came out to support North Coast Health Ministry at the fourth annual Junk2Funk benefit at Local Girl Gallery on Friday, April 20, 2012. Attendees sampled appetizers and desserts donated by Lakewood restaurants and had the chance to win artwork, jewelry and other items donated by local artists and craftspeople. 

Bruno adopted from the Lakewood Animal Shelter

It’s time for an evening filled with music and comedy, pizza, appetizers, open bar drinks, and fantastic raffle baskets, all while helping our furry friends! And you can be a part of it.

The Citizens Committee for the Lakewood Animal Shelter (CCLAS) is sponsoring its eighth annual ‘Hair of the Dog’ Happy Hour and Silent Auction on Thursday, May 31st from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Avenue Tap House (18206 Detroit Ave) inLakewood. Once again, dozens of Lakewood and Cleveland-area businesses have generously donated items and services for auction, including tickets to Cleveland sporting events, live shows, restaurants, fitness centers and spa certificates, tons of pet-friendly products and much more! As always, 100% of the proceeds will benefit the animals in the community ofLakewoodand will allow us to fund our low cost spay and neuter program, fostering program, and vet care for the shelter animals in 2012!

Lakewood United Methodist Church located at 15700 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, will join with other United Methodists on May 20, 2012 in the Change the World movement.  Members all around the globe will be in service with simple acts of kindness to build community locally and to fight malaria globally.   Lakewood United Methodist Church will participate with the Lakewood Department of Aging and Lakewood Alive to go to homes around our community to help with mowing lawns, cleaning and pruning flower beds, and planting flowers. 

Photo Credit: Rhonda Loje

May is National Preservation Month and the Lakewood Historical Society is celebrating Lakewood’s architectural treasures with its 3rd annual scavenger hunt. 

The scavenger hunt of 20 architectural features, all found throughout Lakewood, will run between May 12, 2012 and May 22, 2012. The downloadable entry form and list of Lakewood supporters will be posted on the Lakewood Historical Society website www.lakewoodhistory.org on May 12, 2012. Answers will be posted on the website on May 23, 2012. There is no cost to enter the scavenger hunt.

The Lakewood Women's Club announced that it will award a scholarship to Amy Lynn Mahnke, a Lakewood High School senior, to aid in her pursuit of a higher education. Mahnke will be awarded $1500.00 in recognition of her high school accomplishments, and in hopes that she will continue to be a leader both in and out of the classroom.

Mahnke plans on studying nursing, and has been accepted at two area colleges, Ursuline College and Cuyahoga County Community College. She plans to attend Cuyahoga Community College in the fall, and transfer into the nursing program at the University of Akron. She has been studying Medical Office Management in a program offered through the West Shore Career Technical Education District, and volunteering as an administrative medical assistant with Dr. Brian K. Smith, DDS. Mahnke has been active in various school and community activities, including the Medical Office Management Club, Help to Others (H2O), Key Club and the Athletic Training Student Aides, all while maintaining grades that put her on the Distinguished Honor Roll. When not studying, participating in a club-related activity, or volunteering, Mahnke works 15-20 hours a week at a local sandwich shop.

Barton Senior Center will hold its 6th Annual Wine and Cheese fundraiser on Thursday, May 24 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Over 100 attended last year’s event and this one promises to be even bigger and better. This indoor/outdoor event will be held in Barton Center’s beautifully landscaped outdoor Courtyard and in the adjacent indoor Rotunda and Greenhouse.  Festivities will include wine, hors d’oeuvres and silent auction gift baskets filled with terrific items. 

A number of bright, colorful visitors dropped by the Westerly recently. They seldom sat, preferring to dash here and there. They were Red Admiral Butterflies. Beautiful little black butterflies with a red stripe on each wing, some with little white polka dots. We seniors sure wish we had their exuberance and energy. A few have chosen to stay on with us...even stopping by to sit at our picnic table. On Saturday the 5th, another colorful visitor was seen in the bushes near the North Building of the Westerly...It was a Black and White Warbler! What a sight in his fashionable black and white feathers, he has to be seen to be believed. Redheaded Woodpeckers by the dozen were also viewed in the neighbors yard, males courting their intended girlfriends were a joy to watch.

Call the Cleveland Foodbank and apply over the phone!

The Cleveland Foodbank understands that times are tough and money is tight for many Northeast Ohioans.  In order to help, the Foodbank started a new benefit outreach program to make the application process quick and easy for over 20 programs, including SNAP (food stamps), prescription benefits, child care vouchers, WIC, medical coverage, and other assistance programs.

Don’t go it alone! Guidestone™ (transforming from Berea Children’s Home and Family Services) has been successfully providing foster care services across Northeast Ohio since 1985. Our Foster Care program offers the support you need – from experienced foster parents to our many types of services and support staff.

Ohio-based MusicMuse has launched their first Kickstarter project to help raise funds for production costs of filming instruction, as well as raising awareness of their product through marketing. Through the interactive creative fund-raising website, Kickstarter.com, MusicMuse hopes to raise $20,000 by May 5th to go directly towards creating content for their website, yourmusicmuse.com, and marketing of the site.

ON SUNDAY MAY 20, 2012 The People of Lakewood United Methodist Church and the Citizens of Lakewood Ohio are invited to join together to change lives.  We will join with other United Methodists around the globe to change the world on May 20, 2012. 

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Releases New Data Outlining Broad Impact of CAC Funds onArts and Culture Sector in Cuyahoga County

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) announced on April 9, 2012 new data outlining the broad impact of CAC funds on Cuyahoga County’s arts and culture sector.  The data is part of CAC’s Report to the Community, which was released at its annual meeting, attended by board members, staff, and members of the community, this afternoon at the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare.  A PDF of the Report to the Community is available at www.cacgrants.org/report. Here you will also find links to videos that highlight three of our cultural partners.

In collaboration with Beck Center for the Arts, art dealer and TravelArt owner Paul Sykes has commissioned another, much larger, outdoor canvas art mural by internationally acclaimed surrealist artist, Natasha Turovsky. It was installed Saturday, May 12, 2012 on the west wall of the Beck Center’s Creative Arts Therapies Building at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. The new mural, entitled “Marathon,” is the third canvas mural by Turovsky to be installed at Beck Center.

When I opened Carabel Beauty in 1969,  many of my clients were survivors of  The Great Depression.  They had thinning hair as a result of less than nutritious food and a good deal of stress. Over the years, I have witnessed the overall condition improve to the point where young women today have the thickest hair in generations. I believe the reason for this is better prenatal care and ongoing healthy habits. Unfortunately, lately I have noticed women once again losing their hair due to stress, anxiety, or grief. Widows are especially at risk because they worry and don't feel like eating the way they did when their partners were with them. Overwork or the lack of work can create the stress associated with hair loss.  Crash diets and eating disorders seem to change the texture and amount of hair also.

Plain and simple, with the evolution of the internet, we have become a global economy. This opens so many doors for all of us. It compels us to examine the way other cultures inhabit their corner of the world.

The 9th Annual Taste of Lakewood will be held on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 at The Lake Erie Building, Templar Industrial Park (aka The Screw Factory). With the new venue comes the opportunity to partner with the Screw Factory Artists, who will have their studios open during the event. With two floors of music, two floors of artists, and the Templar Motor Cars Display, this year’s Taste of Lakewood is sure to be yet another sold-out event.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce has officially announced the launch of the new and improved www.lakewoodchamber.org- with help and guidance from Mark Dubis of Lakewood (Hourglass Management Corporation).

Thursday, May 17th

Annual Scholarship Breakfast

The Clifton Club

17884 Lake Road

Registration & Networking: 7:30 a.m., Breakfast & Program: 8am

$15 members, $20 non-members

Sponsored by Virginia Marti College of Art and Design

Peter Schindler, senior program officer at Community West Foundation has been elected to the board of trustees at Cornucopia, Inc.

Cornucopia, Inc. operates Nature’s Bin, a full-service natural and organic foods market located in Lakewood, Ohio. This natural foods market serves as a training site for a unique and successful program that provides vocational training leading to employment for people with disabilities.

Schindler will serve a three-year term and assist in community outreach for Cornucopia. In addition, he will communicate with members of the business community and civic organizations regarding Cornucopia’s mission to help people with disabilities develop their skills, confidence and workplace potential.

Pension Lump Sum or Income Payments:  Which to take?      Every day many retirees are making a life-changing choice between taking their retirement pension in a lump sum or monthly payments over their lifetimes.   The decision appears as if it would be as simple as comparing the lump sum dollar amount and the monthly payment that your employer is offering you.  Generally, when you only look at the numbers, the monthly payments can stand out.  Unfortunately, those numbers are not written in stone.  According to the Associated press article, “AMR’s American Will Freeze Pensions, Not Kill Them,” American Airlines will be freezing pensions to their retirees, citing an under-funded pension fund (http://news.yahoo.com/amrs-american-freeze-pensions-not-kill-them-165352729.html, March 2012).  Now they are declaring bankruptcy to perhaps threaten retirees into negotiations to reduce the amount the company would pay retirees during retirement.   This practice is happening more frequently.  Just find a retiree from US Steel who is being paid their pension from the US Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.  Their actual payments are much less than was expected.   The slightest possibility of your pension being underfunded,  whether you work for a private enterprise or a collective group such as STRS, PERS, or other pension organizations, should be an important factor when choosing between  lump sum, partial lump sum, and the highest monthly benefit.  Here are a few more items that should be considered as you make your decision:

Bill Toole, who has lived in Lakewood for a long time, knew he could get his longtime friend Dan Malley involved in a project that he has been working with. You see, Bill was watching those commercials on T.V. with Trace Adkins, the country singer. The commercials depicted our young soldiers returning home...blind, maimed, burned, missing limbs, or otherwise scarred for life. They also detailed the statistics of just how many were committing suicide. It was just to much for Bill to bear without getting involved. The commercials were asking for a $19 monthly commitment, which was not within his budget, so Bill contacted the Wounded Warrior Project with the suggestion of a one time donation of $15. He felt this was within most peoples means and would encourage more people to get involved. They agreed. The Wounded Warrior Projects mission is: To honor and empower wounded warriors. Thier purpose is to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.  To learn more visit: www.woundedwarriorproject.org

In Part One, I identified that bacteria can build up inside a brass or woodwind instrument and that over time, breathing in the bacteria can lead to health issues. Let’s look at preventative maintenance that will keep the instrument in good playing condition and help players to avoid health problems.

Everyone knows that braces help people achieve beautiful smiles, but did you know that there are some significant health benefits to having straighter teeth as well? Crowded teeth are harder to properly keep clean,  and swollen, red and irritated gums are often the result. Research has linked the periodontal disease that develops from plaque and bacterial buildup around misaligned teeth to other systemic health issues such as heart disease, stroke and even elevated stress levels. Misaligned teeth and/or jaws are also a significant factor in other oral problems, such as increased wear on tooth enamel from grinding and clenching, as well as TMJ and jaw pain. 

I have lived in Lakewood for 31years and, in the interests of disclosure, have been a Lakewood teacher since 1999. I wish to take issue with some of the assertions and arguments in Mr. Greg Calleri’s recent article “Do We Really Need a 2013 School Levy?” I do not intend to address all his points; others are more competent to address remaining issues.

Pilgrim Congregational (Tremont) United Church of Christ Pastor and Doctor John Tamilio III, otherwise known in the Cleveland area and on the Eastern Seaboard as "JT3," is one of those people who strive to confront our world as it is, and in that confrontation dares to try to effect change for the better. If you read the Lakewood Observer regularly, you know that Pastor John and his family are Lakewood residents, and that his religion column has often graced these pages.
 
The track record for those wanting to change our world "for the better" has not been very good. In the Christian tradition, that kind of affirmative, non-violent, and loving change has often been met with ridicule, rejection, and even three nails and a cross on that ubiquitous hill called Calvary. 

Lakewood resident, Margaret Manor Butler, chronicled the names of many of Lakewood’s streets in her book, “Romance in Lakewood Streets,” published in 1962.

According to the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, Mrs. Butler, born March 1, 1898, was native to Cleveland and was educated at Smith College. She and her husband Clyde moved to Lakewood in the 1920s. The Encyclopedia further states that during the gas rationing implemented by the government during World War II, Butler, along with her sons, began to stroll the streets of Lakewood. She noted and researched the names of many of Lakewood’s streets and included them in her book.

Home sellers do everything they can to make their house look as beautiful as possible, but appealing to home buyers’ other senses can be just as important, especially when it comes to the sense of smell.

The concept of family-focused yoga is simple: It takes a village to raise a child, and part of raising a child includes village members of all ages engaging in healthy, happy activities. Finding time for family, fun, exercise, and relaxation in this day and age is challenging. Two new programs starting soon at Lakewood’s newest yoga studio, Pink Lotus Yoga, help with this challenge by rolling family time, exercise, and relaxation into one: Prenatal Yoga begins May 19th and Village (Family) Yoga begins June 21st.

Change of Management for Humankind

(why women should lead)

Structure determines behavior.  The biological human structure will influence personality, attitude, thus behavior.  Simply put: what you look like and what physical things you can do will influence who you are.  Three examples: If a male is an agile Mesomorph attending high school he will probably play football.  If a person can run the hundred in less than 10 seconds they will probably be on a track team.  Sitting in the front seat on the left hand side of a car going 60 MPH determines a different behavior than being in the back seat. 

Donna Witmer, the co-owner of Green Smart Gifts, shows off a mirror made from salvaged wood from the demolished building that housed the Westwood Dry Cleaners on Detroit Avenue.

Green Smart Gifts is a Lakewood family-owned and operated business offering products and options that are good for the giver, good for the receiver and good for the Earth.

In May of 2010 when two school teachers and Lakewood residents, Shawn and Donna Witmer, decided to purchase GreenSmartGifts from its "birth mom" Mary Evans. “We decided we would take the hand of this toddler, who had been nurtured so lovingly and passionately for its first two years of life, to its next level.” As adoptive parents the journey has been an exciting learning experience. For the first year of new ownership, Kathy Dorsey Matuszewski, Donna’s sister, managed the store with all the creativity and commitment the Witmers were looking for. When Kathy moved away Donna decided to take an early retirement to devote her full and undivided attention to “all things green”. We see as our role to connect our customer's sense of identity and self to the core values of GreenSmartGifts. Those core values of sustainability, renewability, locally produced and organic can be found in the products they have to offer.

Robin Sweeney just loves old stuff. She enjoys hunting for treasures at flea markets in need of some refreshing or re-purposing, then she breathes new life into them. Her store, Cosmic Collectibles, seems like the artfully arranged attic of your hip great-aunt. Ranging in size from large furniture pieces to a tiny squirrel curio, Sweeney ’s frenetic assortment of styles and cool stuff reflects her views that you can’t have just one style and that using old items in new ways is the “ultimate recycle.”

The 4th annual Lakewood Old House Fair will be this Saturday, May 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Harding Middle School. Whether you rent or own, large or small, this show is designed for Lakewood residents to be a one-stop shop to help care for and enjoy your living spaces. This local event is put on by Lakewood residents, businesses, and nonprofits with a mission to positively and proactively serve the needs of Lakewood’s older housing. There will be fifty local businesses and nonprofit exhibitors who are experienced and knowledgeable in their trades. Because many of the exhibitors are Lakewood residents themselves they have a deep respect for the unique needs and quality of older homes.

I ran into Sam Willsey just after finishing up a day of work recently, and, as always, was able to get into a great conversation about bikes. Sam is a three-year rider who cruises around on either his Schwinn Cutter SS, or his Trek 1000 road bike. You'd probably recognize him as the guy who wears his u-lock around his neck (I was dying to ask why, but decided to leave that one a mystery), topped off with a helmet (although he admits being a 99.9% of the time helmet wearer).

The Kent State University Photo-Illustration program welcomes you to the 1st annual senior showcase. Mint Condition features photographic works from Ellen Brinich, Heather Campbell, Katherine Case, Devin Casper, Spenser Dickerson, Sam Hedrick, and Kristen Swartz.  Kent State 2011 alumni have also been invited to display select pieces from their current portfolios. It will be held at the William Rupnik gallery in Cleveland, Ohio from May 4th-13th.  The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Kent State University’s Photo Illustration program is designed for students interested in careers in studio and illustrative commercial photography.  Photo Illustrators are intermediaries between clients and their audiences, acting as interpreters and messengers in photographic form for commerce, industry, and culture at large.  

Class members work on their keyboarding skills at a recent Monday evening class.
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Imagine raising a child in our tech-dependent world without the benefit of a computer or the skills to use one. Sounds challenging, no? Two Garfield Middle School staff members have helped bring a program to their school that will help eliminate this problem for 14 Garfield parents who not only will be able to help themselves at the end of the program, but help their children as well.

Council President Brian Powers called the April 16, 2012 Council meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. The first order of business was a Committee of the Whole report regarding an ordinance that would extend the moratorium on Internet and sweepstakes gaming cafes. After some discussion in the Committee, all the Council members agreed to recommend passage. Council proceeded to pass the ordinance.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the ninth annual Taste of Lakewood will be held on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012. This gala event, highlighting many of Lakewood’s outstanding restaurants and food purveyors, will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Erie Building, Templar Industrial Park (commonly known as The Screw Factory), 13000 Athens Avenue in Lakewood.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease, known also as Lou Gehrig ’s disease. This devastating disease affects about 5,600 people in the US each year – that is 15 new cases a day!  The month of May is designated as ALS Awareness Month. Research for this horrific disease continues to need to be funded until a cure is found. Once your world has been affected by this disease, it is never the same.

As a tribute to an incredible woman’s life, ‘Lil MaryAnns Cupcake Campaign for ALS Research was developed. MaryAnn Pappalardo lost her battle with ALS on January 5, 2010. As a vibrant member of her community, MaryAnn served as a member as well as an executive board member of numerous social, cultural, philanthropic, business, and church related organizations in her community. Through her leadership and involvement in these organizations countless others were helped, fed, loved, and befriended.

Charles Debelak

Lakewood resident, Charles Debelak, led Birchwood School’s math team to a victory for a second consecutive year at the prestigious MathCounts State Competition in Columbus. His students Clive Chan and Kavya Ravichandran placed first and fourth individually and will be among the four students to represent our state at the national competition. As the coach of Ohio’s top finisher, Debelak, has the honor and the responsibility of coaching the four-student team.

The Lakewood High School Jazz Band performs for the event
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Hundreds of Lakewood's volunteers were honored by Lakewood's Department of Human Services at the city's 35th annual special recognition celebration at Brennans Banquet Center on Thursday, April 26th. These dedicated volunteers help our city in virtually every arena of service, from providing community meals to working with the Office on Aging. They also provide early childhood assistance, youth assistance, health and wellness activities, and animal shelter assistance--as well as many other kinds of service to our community.

Volunteer Services Supervisor Barry Wemyss smoothly moderated the stellar celebration, with keynote remarks offered by Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers, who also presented the service awards. Other city officials in attendance included two members of City Council, David Anderson and Shawn Juris. Senior Center Manager Dee-Dee MacNamee-Gold and Lakewood's Director of Human Services, Dorothy Buckon, helped to coordinate the event, with Cross Point Church Pastor Todd Calaway providing the invocation. Memorable big band jazz entertainment was provided by the Lakewood High School Jazz Band, under the inspiring direction of Brian Maskow, while volunteers from Lakewood's Gold Coast Follies expertly danced the morning away.

Persons interested in participating in Lakewood's outstanding volunteer traditions are invited to call Barry Wemyss at Lakewood's Senior Center West at 216-521-1515.

Remember the Northeast Blackout of 2003? No lights, refrigeration, gas pumps or computers, jammed cell phone lines – until the towers fail, along with weakening water pumps. In an extended power outage there would eventually be no way besides radio to communicate across town or across the region. We hope and pray this or a more serious scenario never occurs just like we hope not to be in a traffic accident. But we buy insurance for motor vehicle accidents anyway, don’t we? Should we not then establish communication insurance for our families, businesses, government assistance, and supply chains? If you are a CB radio or Ham radio operator, please consider becoming part of a civilian team of communicators that will be ready to serve the community when needed.