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Finally an event that was shared by all (who were situated near it), free of charge, and attended by every kind of human being regardless of age, gender, color, nationality, ability, religion, clothing, whatever! All were welcome.

I didn’t hear of any protests at this event, at least no anti-eclipse ones. This in itself is a cause for celebration. Apparently we often angry peoples can, when there is a cosmic event, put aside all reference to politics and divisiveness. 

Even those who think science is a conspiracy game didn’t question whether the event would happen. They accepted the science which accurately predicted the timing of the eclipse.

Will the majesty, wonder and spirituality of the total solar eclipse soon be eclipsed by a return to our rancorous dealings with one another?

We,  just specks in the universe, should figure out how to live in peace with one another. That is why we are here.

Jean Brinich is a retired family nurse practitioner, returned to Lakewood in 2015 after a 46 year absence.

I recently shared some updates on Lakewood’s holistic approach to overall safety. In this edition, I’d like to delve deeper into Lakewood’s ongoing effort to maintain and improve our city’s status as one of the most pedestrian-friendly communities in Ohio, if not the nation. Being a truly walkable community where people value the ability to safely walk and meet their daily needs is a key quality-of-life factor and priority for our residents.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month in the U.S., which makes sense with so many more pedestrians out and about walking as weather improves, and because distracted driving is a major cause of injuries to people on foot. This month also will see Ohio’s new restrictions on drivers’ use of cellphones in full effect. With very few exceptions, anything that involves using, holding, or supporting a cellphone while driving is now illegal, and repeat violators will be subject to escalating penalties.

I encourage everyone to review this new cellphone law for drivers – you can obtain a helpful fact sheet by visiting the Ohio Department of Transportation website:

https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odot/phonesdown/resources/fact-sheet. Here in Lakewood, our officers will be enforcing this law if they observe a violation. We also have been informed that Ohio State Highway Patrol officers will have a focus on enforcing the law on state and federal routes, a number of which traverse Lakewood.

We are thrilled to share that Amy Garritano brought us some fantastic news today. Lakewood High School had yet another sweep at the speech contest sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lakewood & Rocky River, alongside the Beck Center!

Here are the winners: 1st Place: Elizabeth Schuldt - $750, 2nd Place: Sophia Lipowski - $500, 3rd Place: Ava Cuffari - $300, 4th Place: Lana Collins - $250.  We are proud to announce that Elizabeth and Sophia will be advancing to represent Lakewood High School at the District Finals on April 6th. Huge congratulations to everyone involved!  Let's continue to shine and make Lakewood proud!

The Public Safety Committee, Finance Committee and City Council met on Monday, April 15th.  

At the Public Safety meeting, Assistant Director - Planning and Development, David Baas presented the latest version of the Active Transportation Plan and accompanying Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Plan. The plan was partially developed around goals from the Community Vision such as: 

• Build and maintain infrastructure to support active lifestyles.
• Make transportation decisions that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote wellness.
• Expand the dedicated bicycle network city-wide.
• Improve and maintain the existing transportation infrastructure considering universal design, affordability, and environmental impact.
• Adopt “vision zero” goal to reduce motor-vehicle related deaths to zero.

The committee agreed to recommend the plans to the full Council for a vote.

The Finance Committee heard a presentation from Finance Director, Peter Rancatore, regarding 3 proposed pieces of legislation relevant to the collection of taxes. They outline the need and ability to collect taxes as well as receive the funds promptly from the county so they can be invested. All three were recommended to the full council.

At the City Council meeting, all recommended legislation from Public Safety and Finance was adopted.

Public Works Director, Chris Gordon presented a plan to receive a $200,000 grant from the Ohio EPA to purchase and replace 4,630 of the city’s oldest recycling toters for residents. Council approved an additional $50,000 match to complete the transaction.

Fire Chief, Tim Dunphy, presented two grants to council to receive funds from the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary. Both were adopted.

Exciting news for Garfield Middle School!

We are incredibly proud to announce that four of our talented students competed at the NEOSEF Science Fair this Spring and achieved remarkable success!

KK Saunders placed 2nd in the Physics category.

Liam Callahan placed 3rd in Health and Medicine.

Elise Moran placed 2nd in Environmental Science, also earning special awards from The American Association of Chemical Engineering, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, and The National Audubon Society.

Charlaice McDonald placed 2nd in the Earth & Space category, winning special awards from Cleveland State, ASM International, and The Naval & Marine Corp. Science Center.

Not only did they excel in their categories, but Elise and Charlaice also garnered multiple special awards for their exceptional scientific thinking.

A huge congratulations to all participants for their hard work and dedication! Your achievements truly shine as a testament to your talent and passion for science.

Mikey Klasa on April 9th.

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SOFTBALL   April 13: Rangers vs Rocky River  

Senior ace Mia Carroll-Greeves struck out 14 on her way to a complete game win over Rocky River. Sister Gaby plated the first run—Madison Comer, who doubled-- for the Rangers with a sharp single to right, and Mia drove in the other with a single to center. Senior shortstop Emily Potoczak made a diving catch of a short fly ball to preserve the lead late in the game (6th inning). The Ranger are now 5-0 in the GLC and 6-3 overall.    

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL   April 9: Rangers vs Westlake   When sophomore Cooper Russell walked off Westlake with a lightning bolt to left, he finished a dramatic comeback for the Lakewood Rangers (7-1). Cooper's heroics were only possible due to some great defense and solid pitching that kept Lakewood close until the bats came to life in the 6th. Tonight's was a deeply satisfying team win.  

Starter Logan Ellis allowed two runs (one earned) in 5 strong innings, while reliever and winning pitcher Mikey Klasa pitched two scoreless innings, including a dominating 7th. Freshman 3rd baseman Riley Verderber cut down a runner at the plate and made another fine play which held a potential run at third. Left fielder Keegan Schroeder and catcher Leo Soneson also made key defensive plays for the Rangers. Leo sparked the two run game tying rally in the 6th with a single in what was one of the best at-bats of the season, then scored the tying run on a clutch 2-strike, two run RBI single by Drew Jablonowski.  

To start the 7th, Logan Ellis blasted a long double to left center, and after Mikey and Petter Checkett reached on a walk and hit by pitch, Cooper worked the count to 3 and 2 before his full contact smash to left field.   The softball team also beat Westlake--look for that story a bit later--in what was a great night on the diamonds for the Rangers. Two community teams competed fiercely today, but happily the Purple and Gold prevailed. Kudos to Coach Graves, his staff and the entire squad. There was all kinds of lightning in the 44107 tonight. Long Live Lakewood.

April 6: 

 
SOFTBALL: Rangers vs Valley Forge
 
The diamonds were shining in Lakewood today, as players from all classes pitched the Softball and Baseball Rangers to victories. North of LHS, sophomore Ella Bower and senior Mia Carroll-Greeves pitched the Softball team to a double header sweep of Valley Forge. Mia's gem was a 5 inning perfect game.
 
BASEBALL: Rangers vs Fairview
 
South of LHS, freshman Riley Verderber and junior Peter Checkett pitched well in Lakewood Baseball's 9-3 win over Fairview. Both teams won with contributions from numerous players.

Image created digitally by Tristan Rader

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As we observe Earth Month, a time dedicated to celebrating and nurturing our planet, it's increasingly important to scrutinize the actions and policies that impact our environmental future, especially at the state level. Recent developments in Ohio paint a concerning picture of environmental policy that prioritizes fossil fuel interests over the preservation of natural resources and public health.

Ohio now allows fracking in state parks and wildlife areas, a decision that has sparked significant controversy and concern among environmentalists and Ohio communities. The passage of House Bill 507 in December 2021 mandates state agencies to allow fracking on Ohio public lands, fundamentally altering the stewardship of lands that include state parks, forests, wildlife areas, historical sites, and more. Late last year, drilling operations were approved at Salt Fork State Park, Valley Run Wildlife Area, and Zepernick Wildlife Area, allowing for oil and gas development underneath these precious resources. 

These actions come amidst a backdrop of legislative decisions that have not only subsidized aging coal and nuclear plants via House Bill 6 but have also imposed restrictive laws on wind and solar energy development, effectively stifling Ohio's potential for a cleaner energy future. The juxtaposition of subsidizing outdated coal energy while imposing barriers to renewable energy, coupled with opening public lands to fracking, underscores a stark contradiction in Ohio's approach to energy and environmental policy. 

The implications of allowing fracking in public parks and promoting natural gas as a "green" energy source are multifaceted. While natural gas is often touted for its lower carbon emissions compared to coal, the environmental impacts of fracking ”such as potential water contamination, air pollution, and contribution to climate change”raise significant concerns that our leaders have completely ignored. These concerns are amplified when such activities are permitted on public lands designated for conservation and recreation.

The Ohio state legislature is directly responsible for this regressive approach to energy policy. Its decisions reflect a disregard for economic opportunity, environmental protection, and community health. 

T

Mayor George reading to LCCC Pre-K class

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As many families in our community know, Lakewood Child Care Center (LCCC) has been caring for children – from newborns to school-agers – for more than 30 years at its 1450 Belle Avenue address. Many of our Center’s earliest children are now grown adults with families of their own.

From April 8-12, LCCC celebrated the Week of the Young Child® with activities, music, art and visits from local elected officials.

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association. Established more than 50 years ago, the Week of the Young Child® is a week to spotlight public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

“The Center is grateful to call Lakewood home and appreciates the long-standing partnership with the local community,” said Holle Brambrick, director of the 5-Star “Step Up To Quality”-rated Lakewood Child Care Center. “On behalf of our staff, children, and families, I want to extend a thank you to Mayor Megan George, City Council President Sarah Kepple, and City Council Members Tom Bullock and Kyle Baker who visited the Center during the Week of the Young Child to celebrate and read a favorite book with our children.”

According to the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs, high-quality early childhood programs can yield a $4 – $9 dollar return per $1 invested. Everyone from children and parents to state and local government, taxpayers, and society at large benefit from early childhood programs.

The years of middle school are characterized by growing independence, emerging individual identity, social exploration, and CHANGE. One critical experience that kids can have to support this time of profound growth, to help them internalize compassionate thoughts and actions, and develop positive social connections is volunteering. Research supports the notion that the opportunity to serve others, and in turn to be valued within a community, is critical to youth development.

And we have just the experience! H2O Summer Service Camp has a 30-year tradition in Lakewood of enriching the lives of middle school students, providing memories that last a lifetime. We offer four sessions, which we hope accommodates scheduling around other summer plans. Each session brings together campers from across Lakewood, regardless of where they attend school. They are placed into groups of six with a counselor, and this is the foundation of their experience. The camp staff are a team of compassionate and talented leaders who dedicate their summer to providing the most fun and enriching experiences possible.

The service sites are planned to connect kids to their interests and passions, and to demonstrate how agencies across the region work to address community needs. H2O summer service partners include the Greater Cleveland Foodbank, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services, LakewoodAlive, Cove Community Center/Department of Human Services, local daycares, Lakewood Earth and Food, the Lakewood Arts Festival, and more. Plus, we host our own massive Clothing Drive and Super Sale. In addition to amazing volunteer experiences with these agencies, we also feature speakers from groups affecting positive change in our world, and a theme (to be revealed when camp starts!)

There is a new tool to help Cleveland improve the conditions of its housing stock. 

As properties change hands frequently, there are more out-of-state buyers purchasing homes to be used as rental properties. Absentee owners can easily neglect the buildings, allowing them to fall further into disrepair. To combat this, the City of Cleveland passed a set of ordinances in February, called the Residents First Legislative Package. The new ordinances will hold owners of rental and vacant properties more accountable for the maintenance of their properties.

“It’s easy to buy properties remotely if you are an out-of-town investor,” said Barbara Reitzloff, Supervising Attorney in The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland’s Housing Practice Group. “If the owner is in another city or country, they can buy properties sight-unseen and collect the rent by Cash App. They may never visit the property and try to manage it from a distance. This is bad for the tenants and for the neighborhood near those buildings.”

The new ordinances require owners of rental properties to register the property with the city. The owner must name a Local Agent in Charge (LAIC). If the owner is a person living in Cuyahoga or a neighboring county, the owner may be the LAIC. Otherwise, the LAIC must be a person who lives in Cuyahoga County. This agent is responsible for the maintenance and management of the property.

With warmer weather approaching, people often begin to wash off winter’s dirt and grime and start the spring fresh. LCAC, also known as the “food drive people” switches gears every spring to help provide cleaning supplies and hygiene items for Lakewood families in need, to help with their own “spring cleaning.”

LCAC will be hosting a Spring Cleaning Distribution on Saturday, April 20 at 9 a.m. at the Masonic Temple, located at 15300 Detroit Road in Lakewood. 

Many households need help with spring cleaning as necessary supplies can get expensive and are not covered by WIC. This drive will provide 100 recipients with the supplies they need for cleaning. 

LCAC’s board members and volunteers will sort and deliver cleaning supplies to Lakewood residences during the event. 

Volunteers of all ages are always welcome at LCAC events and there is a job for everyone to do as these much-needed cleaning supplies are sorted and then delivered to Lakewood families. 

For more information or to make a monetary donation, visit www.LCAC.info. Make sure to follow Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corporation on Facebook and/or on Instagram at @lcacfooddrives for any updates on our events.

Church of the Ascension Flea Market  

Bike Rodeo, and Lakewood Bike Registration

Partnering with Bike Lakewood and The Lakewood Police Department

Saturday, May 18th, 11 am to 5 pm, 13216 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, Ohio

216-521-8727

Are your closets full? Have your children outgrown their toys? Are there too many purses hanging in your closet? Are you ready to declutter or downsize? Are you a crafter? Are your children hankering to ride about town on their bikes?  Do you have a bike that needs to be checked for safety or needs general repairs? Do you have kids and want to join Bike Lakewood for a bike safety course?  

You need to come to Church of the Ascension from 11 am until 5 pm on Saturday May 18th. Enjoy a spring day outside on our beautiful idyllic grounds with activities for all ages. 

*Bring your treasures and crafts to sell on the large front grounds at Church of the Ascension, right on Detroit Ave., with lots of Lakewood foot traffic. Reserve your table today! Call 216-521-8727 or email secretary@ascension-lakewood.org to make your reservation. Arrive at 10:30 am to set up. A free will offering ($20 suggested) is appreciated but not required. In case of rain the sale will proceed from inside our church hall. 

Keep Lakewood Beautiful's 2024 Earth Day Cleanup takes place on Saturday, April 27.

Spring has sprung and there's no better time than now to celebrate the beauty of our planet while giving back to our community. Join Keep Lakewood Beautiful for our annual Earth Day Cleanup taking place Saturday, April 27, from 9 to 11 am at City Center Park (front of the Marc's Plaza) in Downtown Lakewood.

The Keep Lakewood Beautiful Earth Day Cleanup offers a family-friendly opportunity to clean up litter and spruce up public areas along the Detroit Avenue commercial corridor. Trash bags, vests, buckets, tongs and gloves will be provided to participants.

This year’s cleanup event also features a free tree saplings giveaway while supplies last. Fifty tree saplings (25 Eastern Redbuds and 25 American Plums) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To participate in this year’s event, simply join Keep Lakewood Beautiful on April 27. No advanced registration is necessary. Check-in will be located in the public space at the front of the Marc's Plaza near the intersection of Detroit and Cook Avenues.

Dive into summer with Bocce! Bocce! at Cove Community Center! Whether you're a seasoned pro or first-timer, join us Wednesdays for night games or Thursdays for daytime fun. Bring friends or come solo, we'll find a team for you!

For details or to sign up, call 216-529-5061 or email nancy.feighan@lakewoodoh.gov.

Let's make this summer memorable with Bocce! Bocce! at Cove!

Join us in celebrating 20 years of LakewoodAlive at all our beloved events!

Exciting News: Get ready for a year of unforgettable fun in Lakewood! LakewoodAlive—which is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year—reveals their lineup of 2024 community events, featuring five must-attend occasions spanning early summer to the holiday season. Join us and experience the unique vibrancy of Lakewood for yourself!

Family friendly, community building, and diverse, the events include the Front Porch Concert Series, Lakewood Summer Meltdown, Spooky Pooch Parade, Lakewood Chocolate Walk, and Light Up Lakewood. Each event promises something special for everyone, providing the perfect opportunity to connect with neighbors, support local businesses, and immerse yourself in the charm of our city.

First up, the Front Porch Concert Series, presented by Johnson Bentley Wealth Partners of Raymond James, kicks off on Friday, June 7. With a total of eight free shows taking place every Friday evening in June and July, the first six will take place on the front steps of the Lakewood Public Library, with the last two shows hosted at Madison Park Pavilion. Bring your family, friends, snacks, blankets, and chairs for a delightful summer evening in the fresh air.

Returning for its 16th year, Lakewood Summer Meltdown, sponsored by Melt Bar & Grilled, promises endless summer fun on Saturday, July 20. From a 5K Race to the 1 Mile Family Fun Run & Walk, a water moose, the Gary Bish Memorial Beer Garden, delicious food, live music, and the opportunity to explore downtown Lakewood, there is truly something for everyone. You won’t want to miss out on the biggest block party of the year.

Meet The Author - "The Final Witness: A Kennedy Secret Service Agent Breaks His Silence After Sixty Years " by Paul Landis 

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

Special Agent Paul Landis was standing on the running boards of the car directly behind JFK’s Cadillac on the tragic afternoon of November 22,1963. In "The Final Witness," the author tells his story, the one he could not speak about for over sixty years. Books will be available for sale. 

Presentation - Women, Guitars and Pop Music: A Short History with Diana Chittester 

Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

Diana Chittester takes listeners on a musical journey through the past century to discover the styles of influential, and often overlooked, female guitarists. 

Film Matinee - "Enchanted April" (1991)  

Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. (98 minutes) in the Main Library Auditorium 

Four British women are transformed by a quiet holiday in an Italian castle.  

The Downtown Lakewood Business Alliance is thrilled to announce the return of the Downtown Lakewood Spring Stroll on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Following the overwhelming success of last year's event, the Spring Stroll is back to offer a unique blend of culinary delights and artistic exploration, all in support of the vibrant local business community in historic Downtown Lakewood. 

"We are absolutely thrilled to bring this event back for another year,” shared Nancy Hedberg, RN, MSN, of Lakewood Family Health Center and a lead organizer for the event. “The Spring Stroll is a celebration of everything that makes Downtown Lakewood such a special place - our businesses, our artists, and our wonderfully vibrant community."

This year's Spring Stroll invites attendees to embark on a brunch crawl unlike any other, featuring an expanded lineup of local businesses each offering delectable brunch items paired with engaging arts experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to explore at least 16 stops throughout Downtown Lakewood, from beloved eateries to cultural gems like the Lakewood Public Library.

"We've crafted an event that goes beyond the traditional brunch crawl. The Spring Stroll not only entertains but also fosters a strong sense of community and mutual support among businesses and artists alike,” said Stephanie Flask, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones and a lead organizer for the event.

Just Baby 'N Me 

For You and Your Birth to 24-Month-Old Baby 

Just Baby 'N Me is a lap-sit story time ideal for babies from birth through early walkers. The focus is on rhymes, songs, finger plays and exploring short books together. Registration is required. Register for each session separately.  

 April 1- April 25, 2024 

Main Library-  

Mondays- 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.  

Wednesdays- 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.  

Thursdays-10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

Madison Branch-  

Thursdays- 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

Pre-school Story Time 

Mom & Dad were children of the Depression. Being so, finances were a primary consideration in almost all of their decisions. Even though Dad had a very good job and they were economically comfortable, this never left them.

My favorite story of their parsimony was that, until the end of their lives, they saved their mealtime paper napkins – smoothing them out, folding them carefully, and sliding them under their placemats. This was too much for My Bride and me. One of the first things we would do, upon arriving at their home in Fort Myers, was make a beeline for the breakfast table in the lanai, and then to the dinner table in the nook, reach under the placemats and THROW AWAY all those used napkins. Well, actually many times it was a paper towel scrap – because paper towels were less costly than napkins and somewhat as soft. I think you have to stretch the concept of “somewhat as soft” because the paper towel brand of choice was of the cheapest sort and very rough to my sensitive (I guess) finger touch. When I mentioned this to Dad, all he did was swipe the back of his hand across his lips and say, “You don’t got to use it long, do you.”

Now I ask you: How do you answer something like that??!!
 

Swinging through life’s challenges for 56 years, Sean Collins is a force on the Disabled Golf Tour with the US Adaptive Golf Association since 2019. Ranked 2nd in the US Senior Seated Division, he’s teed off his passion since learning from his dad as a kid.

On May 10th, one day after his 67th birthday, watch Sean knock it out of the park throwing the first pitch at the Lake Erie Crushers game!

Mark your calendars for his moves in Cleveland at the Ohio Adaptive Open in August, after his victorious run at the Michigan Adaptive Open in 2023!

Last week Seth Andregg, representing Lakewood Firefighters Local 382, presented a check for $2,908 to the Lakewood High MILES (Moving to Independent Learning for Employment & Success) unit for use for their programming needs. The money was raised from the annual Fire and Ice charity hockey game last month of the firefighters versus LHS current players and alumni. We are so grateful for our first responders' commitment to our community and students! Thank you!

On April 16th, I condemned the passage of several administrative rules that would unnecessarily ban gender reassignment surgery on minors, even though such surgeries have never taken place in Ohio.

“The passage of these rules is unnecessary, confusing and will drive away young people and businesses from our state,” said Antonio. “Ohio cannot truly be a welcoming state while we continue to stigmatize marginalized Ohioans and take away a family’s right to make their own health care decisions.”

Rules 3701-59-06 and 3701-83-60 would ban the operation of gender reassignment surgery on minors. Gender reassignment surgery has never been completed on a minor in Ohio, meaning this rule will further spread untrue and harmful beliefs about the state of gender-affirming care in Ohio.

Join the Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Council on Thursday, May 9 for the Lakewood Diversity Potluck! Attendees will bring a dish that represents their family, culture, or ethnic background, and dishes will be shared.

The event will take place from 6 to 8 PM at the Cove Community Center.

Photograph by City of Lakewood

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will take place where the moon completely blocks the sun for nearly four minutes. Lakewood and a large portion of Northeast Ohio sit in the path of totality for this event, which means that we have front-row seats to one of nature’s most amazing phenomena.

Some quick reminders: Make sure that you have eclipse viewing glasses certified to ISO 12312-2 standards. Improperly viewing an eclipse can cause permanent damage to your eyes.

The timing of the eclipse for the Cleveland area is as follows:

Eclipse starts: 1:59 p.m. EDT Totality begins: 3:13 p.m. EDT.  Maximum totality: 3:15 p.m. EDT. Totality ends: 3:17 p.m. EDT Eclipse ends: 4:28 p.m. EDT. 

Lakewood City Hall and the Lakewood Municipal Court will be closed to the public beginning at 12:00 PM on Monday, April 8th.

The Lakewood Police Department will not be enforcing the rush hour parking restrictions (Monday-Friday 7:00 am-9:30 am & 4:00 pm-6:30 pm) on April 8th. Enforcement will resume on Tuesday, April 9th.

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On Wednesday, March 20, Mayor George administered the oath of office to newly-promoted Sergeant Jeffrey Roda. Congratulations, Sgt. Roda!

On March 20, 2024 the Lakewood Police Department welcomed four new officers to the team: Christopher Schilla, Nicholas Krotine, Christina Bridges, and Christopher Rafter. Congratulations to each of you and we are glad to have you serving the City of Lakewood!

1470 Warren Ave from Victoria Ave

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The Housing, Planning & Development Committee met on Monday, March 25 at 6:00 PM. Thomas Bullock - Committee Chair, Jason Shachner - Committee Member, Kyle Baker - Committee Member, Sarah Kepple - Council President, and Cindy Marx - Council Member Ward 4 attended the meeting along with Mayor Meghan George, Law Director Ernie Vargo, Director of Planning & Development Shawn Leininger and members of the community.

The first business item was Ordinance 05-2024 which the committee and council had discussed one week prior. This ordinance would allow the city to enter into an agreement with a licensed broker for the sale of multiple properties. Four individuals from the audience addressed the committee. Two speakers asked the legislators to contemplate how 16016-16024 Madison Ave might benefit the community as a senior living facility; urging the elected officials to consider all facets of future offers for the property and not simply accept the highest bid. Another commenter representing the Lakewood Child Care Center (the only current tenant of 1450 Belle Ave) expressed LCCC’s desire to expand their presence in the building and pointed out that they had already made many upgrades to the building at their own expense. LCCC is interested in buying the parcel. Committee member and councilperson Kyle Baker stated that he would abstain from commenting or voting on this ordinance as his wife, Allison Baker, serves on the LCCC board.

The Committee then voted to remove 1450 Belle Ave, 16016-16024 Madison Ave and 16021 Madison Ave from the proposed legislation as these are commercial properties while the others listed were residential. With the Belle parcel removed, Baker reentered the discussion. He then proposed that two members of council closely monitor the sales process for these properties. Shachner suggested that President Kepple and the Ward 2 representative (himself) serve in these roles. This was approved by the committee. 

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Even though it felt like winter outside, spring was in the air inside the Cove Community Center on March 24 at the 2024 Breakfast With The Bunny event.

Thank you to all of the H2O - Help To Others volunteers, City of Lakewood, Ohio - Department of Human Services staff, sponsors, and guests for your support!

As the weather begins to warm up, so does our time outside, which allows us to spend more time enjoying our many parks and walking and biking through Lakewood. As Mayor and Safety Director, I think about safety year-round, and it is especially top of mind as things warm up and more people are out and about. I am excited to provide some updates on our holistic approach to safety here in Lakewood.

I am thrilled to share that our neighborhood ambassadors are returning to our parks this spring. Launched in 2023, the Parks Ambassador Program serves our five largest parks. The ambassadors provide a level of safety in addition to our uniformed officers, who will again be adding a parks detail during the warm weather months. We are excited to continue both of these important programs to ensure our parks remain safe and inviting for all users.  

With the aim of enhancing inter-agency communication and bolstering emergency response capabilities, the City of Lakewood has secured new state-of-the-art radios for our police and fire departments, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These cutting-edge devices boast advanced features facilitating seamless communication not only within their respective departments but also with surrounding public safety agencies. This technological upgrade marks a significant improvement over previous generations, offering a suite of modern enhancements designed to optimize coordination and efficiency during critical situations, ensuring a more effective and coordinated response to emergencies. The radios are scheduled to be in the hands of Lakewood first responders this spring.

The Good: This new column will be focusing on The Lakewood Board of Education and the entire district. Let’s start with the basics: there are 5 members on the school board who are elected by our community, and they serve a 4-year term. In general, all school boards have three responsibilities: developing the annual budget to run the school system; setting school policies; and hiring and evaluating the superintendent and treasurer. The only positions that the Board itself hire are the superintendent and the treasurer. The board therefore acts as their bosses. Policy 1210 states “it is the primary duty of the Board to establish policies and that of the Superintendent to administer such policies” and policy 1310 states “The Board vests the primary responsibility for the financial affairs of the District in the Treasurer.”

When someone stands and speaks at a school board meeting they may feel frustrated or wonder why the board members do not answer their question or respond at all.  Policy 1222 explains: “The Board only speaks through its minutes.” Pretty frustrating. This column’s goal is to help all of us understand more about this organization that has a tremendous impact on our entire community.  

Take a moment and go to lakewoodcityschools.org; find the Board of Education tab. There you will find information about board members, purpose, calendars, and a Board Policies link. Reading through policies may not sound like a great way to spend an evening, but there is an amazing amount of information about the district that can be found in these policies. General public meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7pm and are also livestreamed on YouTube. Search “Brent Kallay” or go to the link on the Board tab. This is also the location to find archived board meetings, special events and concerts. 

The Better: Eclipse glasses are being supplied to every student through the Teaching and Learning Department. LHS hosted the OMEA Junior High solo and ensemble where 150 students participated, 50 from Lakewood all earning superior and excellent ratings. In 1999, one Lakewood elementary school started a jump-a-thon to raise money for "Jump Rope for The Heart.” More elementary schools have joined and to date they have raised over $100,000. Recently LHS welcomed 28 students and teachers from Germany. They stayed with Lakewood families, communicating in German and English while exploring Cleveland. 

What the Heck: Policy 7510 mandates in detail the usage and priorities of all district properties, it states: “In order to assure a close relationship between the Board of Education and the Lakewood community, it shall be the policy of the Board to grant and encourage maximum use of schools facilities as provided by law…Such use shall not interfere with the regular education programs. Category 1: Lakewood Student Groups, Category 2: Lakewood School Support Entities, Category 3: Lakewood Public Nonprofit Groups Category 4: Lakewood Private Nonprofit Groups and Category 5: Commercial Users/Non-Resident Groups."

I was around when this policy was written. It was in response to the practice of school facilities being rented out as much as possible for the rental monies. The result was that Lakewood school groups were pushed aside in favor of making money on rentals. School groups were given dates and then had those dates taken away or changed to accommodate a rental.

Just like all the facilities owned by our community and managed by the district, the Lakewood Civic Auditorium at Lakewood High School serves as a place for concerts, commencements, dance recitals, and awards ceremonies just to name a few. When it fits into the district schedule, it is rented out to mostly different community groups.

This year the Civic has been rented so much that it severely limited usage by the LHS Performing Arts Department's yearly musical. Due to an overly zealous rental schedule, instead of the normal 10 plus weeks of closely monitored time for rehearsals and production, they only have 1 full week of uninterrupted time. Volunteer parents are spending many hours to catch up, and Sunday rehearsals had to be scheduled for pit and cast. Now there are reports that the district is offering overtime to maintenance staff to help get the set done, up and struck. But none of this gives back the needed rehearsal time on stage.

March 28: Rangers vs Lake Catholic
 
To win 1-0 over a strong team like Lake Catholic requires outstanding pitching and solid defense. With Logan Ellis (complete game shutout) in command on the mound and stingy defense, the Lakewood Rangers got just that today, and the result was pleasing to Ranger loyalists. Logan scattered 5 hits and stuck out 7, issued 0 walks and induced many ground balls.
 
That's where the defense comes in with infielders Riley Verderber, Cooper Russell (who scored the lone run on a Leo Soneson sacrifice fly), Brady Long and Nick Hart making several critical plays each. Peter Checkett was rock solid behind the plate. But it was right fielder Andrew Krankowski who made the play of the game. After a 7th inning leadoff double by the excellent LC pitcher, the next batter hit a short fly ball into no man's land--or so it seemed--in shallow right center. Andrew raced in and made a sliding one handed grab, stifling what could have been a back breaking rally. Logan retired the last two batters on strikes, and the Rangers walked off the field with a 3-0 record in this young season.

This was a very satisfying win for Lakewood, who has had spirited battles for the last two seasons (each team wining a one-run game), the Cougars winning last year. The Lakewood Rangers are young, always play hard and are all from 44107.
 
Long Live Lakewood.

Renowned magician Mark Paskell will perform in Lakewood on June 8.

Las Vegas magic is coming to Lakewood on June 8, when Mark Paskell takes the stage at Lakewood Catholic Academy for the Centering Space Magical Journey Gala fundraiser.

Paskell turned professional at the age of 15, and by age 20, was working in Las Vegas. Later he expanded his repertoire to include entertaining both private and corporate clients, such as Steven Spielberg, John Travolta and many Fortune 500 clients, at a variety of private events.

“Mark is an amazing magician and entertainer,” said Betsy Nero, director at Centering Space. “We are so thrilled that he offered to perform at this benefit for us. He has been an inspiration and has provided a lot of encouragement and support in the planning process.”

The fundraiser, which takes place on June 8 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live music, silent and live auctions, a 50/50 raffle and a performance by Paskell on the LCA stage. All the proceeds will go directly to ensuring the continued ministry of Centering Space to the people of Northeast Ohio.

Located on the shores of Lake Erie next to Lakewood Park, Centering Space is a peaceful and inclusive space where people are invited to attend regular prayer hours each week or select from a wide variety of programs throughout the year.

As those who overwinter here,
I fill the feeders in my yard
For hungry birds who wander far
And those companioning near

That they and those together flock
In browns and grays and muted tones
With colorful and foreign stocks
Behind this row of modest homes.

All day I watch for one or two,
Quick of wing and bright of hue
Who flash of yellow, orange, blue
Red, or green in passing through

And as they land or as they fly
In local or exotic guise,
I watch for something bold and new
As my neighbors watch there too.

APRIL  

ARIES: It’s all about the Ram. The Sun has landed in your house of personality. The Solar Eclipse brings changes into your life; it will be the catalyst that paves the way for a new you.

TAURUS: The Bull's got something hidden up its sleeve; the Solar Eclipse will shine the light on that, & then you'll have to come out of hiding. No more staying in the Bull Pen for you.

GEMINI: This month, the Twins have double the pleasure or double the trouble; it's up to you to see how you roll with it. The eclipse is shaking up your world of friendships & organizations.

CANCER: The Crab is making some bold moves in the career sector. The eclipse makes you examine what stays and what has to go. You've got too many irons in the pot; scale back.

LEO: The Solar Eclipse has the Lion/Lioness looking into foreign affairs; maybe you're thinking it's time to get out of the Jungle & spend time somewhere on a sandy beach sipping a pina colada.

VIRGO: Virgo, the Solar Eclipse is shining on transformation. It's time to examine the deeper issues. The Sun may shine on the outside, but you’ll need to delve much further down.

Lakewood Public Cinema Documentary- Eclipse Over America

Presented by Rita Chahda

Sunday, April 7, 2024 
2:00 p.m. (60 minutes) 
Main Library Auditorium

Join us for a special visit by Lakewood High School science teacher, Rita Chahda, as she gives us an informative overview of the April 8th eclipse, the first total solar eclipse visible over Lakewood since 1806, followed with a screening of Nova’s Eclipse Over America. The film documents the events surrounding the August 21, 2017, path of totality for both scientists and the public, while explaining the significance of this once in a lifetime phenomenon. Free eclipse glasses will be available after the documentary while supplies last.

Film- Casablanca (1942)  

Presented by Terry Meehan

Saturday April 13, 2024  

6:00 p.m. (102 minutes)  

Main Library Auditorium  

Filmed and set during World War II, Casablanca focuses on an American expatriate (Humphrey Bogart) who must choose between his love for a woman (Ingrid Bergman) and helping her resistance-leader husband (Paul Henreid) to escape from Vichy-controlled Casablanca. Particularly memorable is the "duel of the anthems" between the German officers and the patrons of Rick’s Café.  

Healthy Lakewood Foundation will accept applications for its Community Grants funding process from April 8 through May 10, 2024. Community Grants support organizational programming, projects and initiatives that seek to address critical needs, build community connections, address disparities, and improve the quality of our public and living spaces, with a priority on:

• Food insecurity and access to affordable high-quality food.
• Social and community support networks as safeguards against stress and discrimination.
• Access to early childhood education programs and services.
• Affordable and safe housing, access to transportation, and safety in and access to public spaces within Lakewood.

Additionally, specific populations in Lakewood are prioritized in this funding, including children and youth, low-income older adults, single-parent heads of households, and immigrants and refugees.

Grant funding ranges between $10,000 - $40,000.

Non-profits and fiscally sponsored organizations are encouraged to review the application process and guidelines on HLF’s website at https://healthylakewoodfoundation.org/community-grants/

Birth & Beyond

This in-person class is designed to help you prepare for the journey of pregnancy, birth and beyond. Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your family, our knowledgeable Birth and Postpartum Doula and Lactation Counselor, Kristen Bindel will provide valuable information and support to guide you through this exciting time. This is a FREE birth class funded by a grant from the Healthy Lakewood Foundation. The 3 part class will be offered throughout the year with the first session taking place on April 10, April 24, and May 8 from 5-7:30 PM at the Lakewood Family Room in Cove Community Center. Registration is required. Call 216-529-5018 or email Jessica.parker@lakewoodoh.net for more information.

Newborn & Infant Support

Once your baby has arrived you are bound to have questions. We feel that all mothers should be supported with grace and understanding during this first vulnerable year. Come as you are and find expert support and guidance as well as friendships that can last a lifetime. This drop in group is just that. Come when you can, no need to register. Kristen Bindel, Doula and Lactation Counselor, facilitates this group for all new parents and their babies every Wednesday morning from 10 am to Noon.

Morning Drop In Play

The Lakewood Family Room is the perfect place to let your child play in a cozy, friendly, safe environment while you meet your neighbors! Grab a cup of coffee while your little one plays with blocks, trucks, dolls, puzzles, and more. No registration is required. Tuesday mornings are for reserved for those 3 and under while Thursdays are for babies to big kids (0-5)! Doors open 9 to 11 AM.

Just Baby 'N Me 

For You and Your Birth to 24-Month-Old Baby 

Just Baby 'N Me is a lap-sit story time ideal for babies from birth through early walkers. The focus is on rhymes, songs, finger plays and exploring short books together. Registration is required. Register for each session separately.  

April 1- April 25, 2024 

Main Library-  

Mondays- 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.  

Wednesdays- 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.  

Thursdays-10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

Madison Branch-  

Thursdays- 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

Pre-school Story Time 

For You and Your 2 to 5-Year-Old Pre-schooler. This pre-school story time is ideal for walkers, new talkers, and learning early literacy skills. You and your toddler and preschoolers will enjoy short books, songs and rhymes. The focus is on skills with your participation as a model. No registration is required. 

Flags representing the country of origin for LHS Boys Soccer players, a tradition started by Dr. Amy Daso, is the highlight of the home opener every year.

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It only takes reading a few of Dr. G’s Lakewood High School athletic recaps to see how high school sports bring us together as a community and fill us with Ranger pride.

According to Kristian Hila, LHS ’10 “The greatest strength of the LHS Boys Soccer program is our beautiful mix of cultures and life experiences that come together and create lifelong friendships and a shared love for our game and the Lakewood soccer family.”  

Current and future athletes pour their hearts into the soccer program. You might see them on their way to conditioning at 6:00 am year-round or playing at the Madison Park Futsal courts late into the night. Behind the scenes there are hours spent studying – sometimes learning English for the first time or helping teammates master chemistry and algebra. Some players work part-time to help their family pay for rent and food. Others spend hours volunteering in the community.

While differences in finances are not an insurmountable hurdle within Lakewood, they play a big part in shutting down opportunities for some of our talented athletes to play high-level club soccer. This type of training exposes players to intense competition, puts them in front of college recruiters offering scholarship opportunities, and helps them realize their fullest potential. 

Over the years, many in the community have been quietly helping make higher-level soccer training more accessible by paying for soccer cleats/uniforms, purchasing meals, or springing for extra hotel rooms. Now, with the encouragement of former LHS alumni and parent groups, the G.O.A.L.S. program has been launched. Granting Opportunity and Access for Lakewood Soccer (G.O.A.L.S.) is raising funds to provide high-level soccer training and equipment for boys from refugee and low-income families.Key to the program is creating a sense of belonging and support by removing income level as a barrier.

For me this is a personal story. Like many LHS soccer players, I came to Lakewood as an immigrant. I was 7 years old, from a single parent home and did not speak a word of English. The Lakewood soccer community was welcoming and generous. Families in our community found ways for boys like me to play for LSA and later Lakewood United. We had rides, and uniforms, and a safe, fun place to make friends and feel at home.  

Waking up at 5:30 every day for training as an LHS soccer player was intense, exhausting and an amazing environment for building great habits, learning to make good decisions, and building the best friendships.  

When I am not studying for my accelerated BSN degree you can see me on the sidelines as a Lakewood United and Lakewood City Futsal coach, and in the stands for LHS games with fellow alumni and lifelong friends cheering on each new generation of Rangers. I am grateful to be able to give back to the community that did so much for me.

I hope you will consider making a contribution either directly to G.O.A.L.S. or by enjoying a delicious, healthy meal for dine-in or take-out on April 11, 2024 at the Lakewood Aladdin’s Eatery, 14536 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107. On that day, 10% of all proceeds will go directly to support G.O.A.L.S.

How much longer will the world allow Israel to act with absolute impunity? On countless occasions since the escalating attacks on innocent Palestinian civilians, the Biden Administration has been reported to “warn” Israel, and “pressure” Netanyahu and “push” the IDF to act in accordance with international humanitarian law. It has been six months. Six months of watching massive airstrikes, absolute destruction, depraved military operations and death - so much death in Palestine. Now, we are watching as those that survived the relentless bombings, die of forced starvation because Israel will not allow sufficient aid into Gaza.

It is long past time for the United States to halt the financial, military and political cover we’ve given Israel’s genocidal campaign. Even after the ICJ’s ruling, objections from international humanitarian organizations, and warnings from the Biden Administration, Israel has rejected any calls for restraint and doubled down on their intent to massacre Palestinian civilians. Currently, the IDF is poised to launch an invasion of Rafah, the southernmost point of the Gaza strip where 1.5M forcibly displaced refugees are sheltering. 

To be in lockstep with Netanyahu’s authoritarian regime is unconscionable; to hold Gaza and the world hostage by refusing international ceasefire resolutions is absolutely evil. Not only does the U.S. look incredibly foolish on the world stage, but also utterly hypocritical and breath-takingly callous. 

As a nation, we will face consequences for aiding and abetting a genocide. Whether it’s Trump in November, or a geopolitical conflict in the near future or judgment day when we meet our proverbial maker, America needs to take accountability and course correct or else this will be the beginning of the end of our role as a leader of the free world. No short-term foreign policy goals are worth that. 

Spring precipitation data is critical to track the impacts of rainfall on Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s two major wet-weather programs: Project Clean Lake (our work to reduce Lake Erie combined sewer overflow pollution by 4 billion gallons a year) and the Regional Stormwater Management Program (which addresses intercommunity stream challenges like erosion, flooding, water quality and debris maintenance). For more information on either of these programs, please visit our website, neorsd.org.

Large-scale rain events across Northeast Ohio and NEORSD’s member communities are increasing. The spring season will likely bring increased rainfall and an increase in the sewer district’s efforts to address problems related to stormwater runoff from hard surfaces. The Regional Stormwater Management Program is funded by a fee on your NEORSD bill. The fees are calculated based on the amount of impervious surface area on your property, such as rooftops, driveways and patios.

Property owners have options to make changes or improvements to their properties to reduce the amount of runoff affecting local streams and storm sewers. Actions like disconnecting downspouts, installing rain barrels, or planting rain gardens are some of the ways property owners can better control runoff on their property. On-site stormwater management helps protect water quality and reduce flooding and erosion. For more information, please visit neorsd.org/fee-credit, where you can fill out any applicable applications.

Questions? Contact us (216) 881-8247 or tweet us @neorsd.

The last several years have been full of news about skyrocketing food costs. Even through these inflationary times, West Shore Meals On Wheels managed for the last 12 years to hold meal pricing steady at $8 per day ($4 per cold lunch and $4 per hot dinner).

Beginning January 1, 2024, the Executive Board voted to REDUCE daily meal pricing to $7 per day ($3 for cold lunch and $4 for hot dinner).

This benefit to our recipients would not be possible without the efforts of our Fairview Park and Rocky River Kitchen head cooks, who work tirelessly to control food costs. Our volunteers donate their time and expertise to prepare and deliver delicious meals every day, and our corporate and individual donors continually provide food and funds to help our organization thrive for residents of Fairview Park, Lakewood and Rocky River.

For more information on becoming a West Shore Meals On Wheels recipient, or to inquire about volunteering or donating, please contact the West Shore Meals on Wheels website at www.WestShoreMOW.org or call each individual kitchen. The Rocky River-Lakewood kitchen can be reached at 440-333-6298. The Fairview Park kitchen phone number is 440-331-3842. 

John Becker is retired from a career in fresh food manufacturing. He is now a volunteer for West Shore Meals On Wheels. 

Hang this by dead batteries.

Dispose of these

dead batteries, 

our enemies now, 

and memories

of some foul disease

in the RIGHT PLACE

at the RIGHT TIME

or POW!!

suffer the penalties

of our crime. 

The poet is a computer programmer, living in the city.

The ciity is discussing the sale of 1450 Belle Ave. 

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Lakewood City Hall hosted three meetings on Monday, March 18, 2024. The Public Safety Committee, Housing, Planning, & Development Committee as well as Lakewood City Council met at 6:00, 6:45 and 7:30 respectively.

The Public Safety Committee heard presentations from and asked questions of Law Director Ernie Vargo and Chief Prosecutor Myriam Miranda regarding changes to Section 513.01 of the Codified Ordinances as it pertains to Adult-Use Marijuana. Director Vargo explained that a group in the Law Department has been meeting to work on this section and expects to have a final draft prepared for Council to review in 4 - 6 weeks. Ms. Miranda assured the committee and members of the public that police officers would be trained and given updated protocols as Lakewood adapts to the legalization of Adult-Use Marijuana. 

The Housing, Planning, & Development Committee discussed a number of city-owned properties that the city is looking to sell by partnering with a licensed real estate broker. The committee failed to send this action item along to council for approval because of Committee Chair Thomas Bullock’s apprehension around selling the property at 1450 Belle Ave. The brick building across Belle from the pit that used to be Lakewood Hospital has housed offices of the Cleveland Clinic as well as the Lakewood Child Care Center. The Chairman seemed truly troubled by the prospect of selling the parcel as he reminisced aloud about negotiations to procure it during the closing of the hospital. Bullock was under the impression that collecting rent from tenants there was a source of income for Lakewood and did not want to agree to part with the building if it was adding to the bottom line. Director of Planning & Development Shawn Leininger stated that the city is spending “hundreds of thousands of dollars” to maintain the building and that it is a risk for the city citing the condition of the edifice. Leininger also cited insurance cost as a point against keeping the property in the city’s real estate portfolio. This agenda item was deferred and will be revisited the next time the committee meets.

Lakewood’s parks and greenspaces are rightly treasured and highly used by our residents. The City of Lakewood is always working to ensure that these jewels are consistently maintained. We also regularly evaluate how the parks are used, what updates are needed, and opportunities for improvements based on resident priorities and needs. This year, our Planning and Development Department is once again working through community input and engagement on potential updates to multiple parks.

At Lakewood Park, we are working through development of a Waterfront Access Plan that aspires to increase public access and exposure to our city’s greatest natural asset – Lake Erie. Outreach has been ongoing for months, and the City and our design team from SmithGroup recently hosted an open house that drew dozens to offer feedback on renderings of the proposed plans. The recommendations include exciting ideas to achieve the goal of building the connection between the people of Lakewood and our Great Lake. You can see the concepts here: https://www.lakewoodoh.gov/lakewood-park-waterfront-access-feasibility-study/. The City is excited about the potential to achieve this plan and will continue to refine it as we explore how to fund the recommendations.

Join us Saturday, March 23 at Winterhurst from 4pm to 7pmfor a fun filled community event to support the special education students in Lakewood High School’s MILES Unit!

Watch our very own Lakewood Fire Department face off in a thrilling hockey game vs. the Lakewood High School hockey program!

Tickets are $5 and are available for pregame purchase at www.lakewoodfirefighters.com or at the door on game night (cash only). Doors open at 4:00pm with puck drop at 5. Kids under 5 are free!!

Concessions will be available along with a 50/50 raffle, $5 sideboards and $1 Chuck-a-puck with awesome prize packs from local donors!!

Emily’s newspaper hobby is a true example of employing all of our Vision of a Lakewood competencies! 

The newspaper sprung from Emily’s interests in business, writing, reading and entrepreneurship. She printed her first issue as a fourth-grader and aimed for a weekly schedule but soon found that those deadlines came too quickly so The Sparkle Times is now a biweekly.

The publication is a terrific blend of articles on pop culture, current events both nationally and globally - a recent issue turned a focus on Ukraine - polls, a craft how-to, and yes/no debates on hot topics such as should self-driving cars replace regular ones.

Not only is Emily a publisher, but she’s a boss as well. She currently has four student-employees that she recruited from placing a hiring ad in one of her issues. Each person earns about a quarter per article. Emily said she definitely feels the pressure when the printing deadline looms, but she said it’s also when she is able to just crank it out the best.

When she sees that new issue of The Sparkle Times is when Emily says she can finally take a breath and admire her and her team’s work. “It feels like you’ve really accomplished something,” Emily said.

The weather this past week in Ohio has done just about everything.

Warm and sunny, beautiful early Spring days to violent hail-producing thunderstorms with torrential downpours. Unfortunately, it also saw eight tornadoes destroying homes, barns, and most importantly life. Three people lost their lives in Indian Lake in Logan County when an EF2 tornado swept through in the night with winds of 136 mph. Over 20 people were hospitalized with various injuries. 

Jim and I drove down to Plymouth on the edge of Crawford/Richland Counties to see how much damage had happened there. We found a destructive trail through farmland that was over ten miles long. We saw debris scattered over pristine fields that are ready to be planted. Metal roofing from barns and out buildings was strewn and twisted everywhere, up in the trees that were still standing and all over the countryside. The shearing off of trunks from mature trees was unbelievable. Most trees were twisted beyond saving.

We met Casey and his father-in-law who lost everything. The house was gone. Their barn was gone. The doublewide that was parked out back was found on the neighbor's property tossed over a tall natural tree/brush barrier. It was smashed, twisted and a total loss. The front porch of their home was all that was left. The good news is that there were no fatalities in Plymouth. Everyone there was okay, including their livestock. The father and son-in-law were not there that evening. They were just grateful to be alive and safe. "Everything can be replaced, we have our family, that's all that matters," he said.

The Cove Community Center was the most festive place in town on the morning of Fri March 15th.! The St. Patrick's Day celebration featured Irish music, Pat Slife on the bagpipes, and a pizza lunch. Thanks to our seniors and staff for dressing up and getting into the holiday spirit!

Lincoln fourth and fifth grade Jump Rope Club members performed for students, parents and staff for the school's Kids Heart Challenge celebration of the end of the two-week campaign. The Kids Heart Challenge focuses on whole body well-being, helping students improve their own health and better their character while raising life-saving donations for the American Heart Association to help kids with special hearts. Students raised $10,830 for AHA this year, boosting the school's total to $135,749 since 1999! Kudos to the students and to PE teacher Nicole Anderson for such great spirit and big hearts!

Despite the important work nonprofits and community organizations do in the communities they serve, many are lacking the modern technology tools needed to perform their missions to the fullest. To bridge this technology gap, Cox Communications today announced it has awarded grants to nonprofit groups committed to investing in technology equipment for the betterment of its patrons and mission. In Ohio, the company awarded a $10,000 “boost” to Lakewood City Schools.  

This marks the seventh year of the Cox Communications Tech Boosts program, and the goal remains the same: to help nonprofits invest in technology equipment and services that enrich the lives of community members while fulfilling their missions to the fullest.

This technology grant is awarded to organizations which reinforce intellectual prosperity and are committed to improving humanity. The nonprofit must demonstrate how the organization will positively impact one of four categories with its Tech Boost award. These include: Environment and Conservation; Health; Early Childhood Education; and Empowering Families and Individuals for Success.

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Kudos to Shannon Katzenberger, Rowan Brown, Yasmine Elhachdani and Academic Challenge Advisors Autumn Sabin and Jason Saksa. (Note--LHS actually had 590 but still beat Mayfield with 420 and River handily). These students are hard working, engaged learners, and those of us that have had them in class are very fortunate. Long Live Lakewood.

March 2: Lakewood Rangers vs Hudson Explorers

To beat a tough and physical Hudson squad, the Lakewood Rangers needed to play with peak level effort and mental toughness. They did just that, and after 32 tense minutes, behind a great team effort and some clutch plays, the Rangers prevailed in the OHSAA Sectional Final 58-55.

Lakewood held a small lead most of the way, but when the Explorers finally took the lead late in the 3rd quarter, junior guard Luke Vannucci (13 points) cooly hit a transition 3 pointer from the top of the key--perhaps the most important basket of the game-- halting Hudson's momentum and calming their increasingly engaged fans. From there, junior guard Lucas Seguine used his superb ball handling skills to score 6 of his game high 16 points in the decisive fourth quarter. Great team defense on the last two Hudson possessions meant a win for Lakewood and a welcome reprieve from a nail-biting overtime period.   

The three senior starters, in their last game at the East Gym, played strong at both ends. Jack Gowan (11 points) cashed in three 3 pointers, had two steals, and helped stake the Rangers to an early lead. Dominic Peck (6 points) scored 4 critical points late, each time pushing the Lakewood lead to 3 points. Senior Drew Jablonowski was vintage Drew, fiercely battling for rebounds against the much larger Hudson squad, finishing strong at the rim (14 points), and, most of all, setting a tone--and standard--of intensity that lifts the whole team.

Presentation - "Stories from a NASA Photographer" 

Presented by Marv Smith 

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. 

Main Library Auditorium 

Marv Smith served as the Lead Photographer at NASA Glenn Research Center for thirty-seven years until his retirement in 2023. Join us as he shares one hundred of his NASA photos, along with the intriguing stories behind them. The result is a visual history of this landmark institution. Free eclipse glasses will be available after the program while supplies last. 

Documentary - "Eclipse Over America" 

Sunday, April 7, 2024  

2:00 p.m. (60 minutes) 

Main Library Auditorium 

The April 8, 2024 eclipse will be the first total solar eclipse visible over Lakewood since 1806, putting us directly in what is known as the ‘path of totality.’ Prepare for the celestial spectacle with Nova's Eclipse Over America. The film documents the events surrounding the August 21, 2017, path of totality for both scientists and the public, while explaining the significance of this once in a lifetime phenomenon. Free eclipse glasses will be available after the documentary while supplies last. 

The Lakewood Women’s Club (LWC) Annual Spring Fundraiser -- Women Honoring Women will be held, once again, at Vosh/Georgetown on April 11th at 6pm serving appetizers and drinks with the cost of admission. This event helps fund our scholarship program that each year awards a female Lakewood resident who is pursuing a higher education. This year our scholarship will be in honor of the late Patty Ryan, past President  & CEO of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. The evening will be a celebration designed to recognize the wonderful accomplishments of Lakewood women in business, non-profits, policies, schools and all walks of Lakewood life! 

The Thrift Store Fashion Show will showcase models focused on reusing and recycling previously owned clothing. Today thrifting is more than just an affordable practice; it's a form of self-expression. With a wide range of one-of-a-kind items, you are able to find unique pieces that reflect your own style. I speak from personal experience and have been enjoying the hunt for spectacular items for more than 30+ years! 

We look forward to seeing you soon! Please purchase your tickets today and join us!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-honoring-women-2024-tickets-809731036327

A heartfelt thank you to these participating stores:

Tia Winfield, Co-Owner - Value World (Lakewood)

"We are honored to contribute to the Lakewood Women's Club annual fundraiser, 'Women Honoring Women,' particularly with this year's theme of a Thrift Store Fashion Show.  It's a joy to unite with fellow Lakewood women business owners and community leaders in celebrating the remarkable achievements of our local women while also supporting the dreams of future generations through scholarships. We are thrilled that this year's runway will showcase an array of thrifted treasures, not only adding a unique flair to the event but also symbolizing a commitment to sustainability and fostering opportunities for women within our local community."  

During my pregnancy, two friends suggested the Lakewood Family Room's Wednesday parent group for lactation and newborn support. I joined shortly after my daughter's birth, finding immense support and friendship. Battling postpartum depression, I found solace and camaraderie with fellow parents, realizing I wasn't alone. As my daughter grows, the Family Room remains our haven for play and connection. I'm grateful to Ms. Jess, Cove Community Center staff, and volunteers for making us feel like part of the family.

Megan and Lily

Grab your bathing suits, towels, baskets and goggles for Lakewood Recreation’s annual Underwater Egg Hunt. This year’s event will be held Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Lakewood High School Pool beginning at 9:30am. 

Children are split up into age groups for the hunt. All children ages 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult in the pool; no separate registration fee is required for the adults accompanying younger children. Eggs can be redeemed for prizes after the hunt.

Don’t be fooled by the name; not all the eggs sink. Approximately half of the eggs float at the surface. The other eggs are spread out on the pool bottom, varying in depth from 3.5 feet deep to 9 feet deep. There are a variety of activities in the pool for the children to participate in when not diving for eggs. There are pool toys out for the little ones, and, always a favorite, the high dive for the older kiddos.

Pre-register and save - $8 registration available only through March 28. Registration is available online at recreation.lakewoodcityschools.org.

We look forward to seeing everyone for this year’s hunt.

“It’s like looking up the skirt of the Catholic Church,” my sister remarked as we flipped through the catalog where you could buy: Mass. From the communion wafers—the body of Christ—to the Crown of Thorns, all of it: for sale. 

I went to church every Sunday for eighteen years of my life. As a kid, I distanced myself from most of what was said on the altar by using sign language to have conversations with my sister, or lip-syncing what priests recited weekly.

As a teen, I pinpointed why I tuned out. How the words from the altar didn’t embody the fullness of things we could be talking about: The complexity of this messy, human experience and finding meaning, compassion, and love amidst it all. Nor speak to me as a woman—not reflected in leadership, rights not championed.

And so sign language turned to Sundays driving around and getting donuts—not forgetting to grab the flyer from St. Malachi’s or St. Luke’s to prove I’d gone to church.

But there were moments when they had me: Listening to a homily by Father Hritz at St. Malachi’s where he told a story, spoke from the heart. From the voice of love.

And too late I’d learn that was what the whole thing was about—what Jesus himself embodied—before power obstructed the view and led the Church to dangle the keys to proving one’s worthiness through strict rule-following to build power to hold itself together. Instead of softening, evolving to continually channel the voice of compassion and love. The voice of Jesus.

Keep Lakewood Beautiful to Host 'Pop Up, Pick Up, Pour Up' Cleanup Event On March 27

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Keep Lakewood Beautiful is pleased to announce its first ‘Pop Up, Pick Up, Pour Up’ event of 2024. Join our volunteer-led group on Wednesday, March 27, at 6 pm at the northwest corner of Madison Avenue and Warren Road to do good, have fun, and make friends.

Pop Up - Meet at the northwest corner of Madison Avenue and Warren Road near University Hospitals Urgent Care (14800 Madison Ave) at 6 pm. Bags, vests, gloves, and litter tongs will be provided.

Pick Up - Help us to pick up litter and beautify the public spaces and commercial corridors along Madison and Warren.

Pour Up - Afterwards, around 7, we'll head to Red Rose Cafe to pour up a drink (pay as you go) in celebration of a job well done.

Visit our Facebook event to learn more. This event will be postponed in the event of inclement weather.

We hope you can join us to beautify our community!