The Diversity Potluck held at the Lakewood Women's Pavilion on Thursday January 21 was a wonderful event with close to 100 people attending. It was hosted by the Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission and the Lakewood High School RAD (Race And Diversity) Club. In the spirit of Martin Luther King, who frequently referred to the idea of building, "the beloved community," the event brought together Lakewood's different faiths, diverse ethnic and racial groups, gay and lesbian residents and folks of all ages to break bread together and get to know each other better.

As we wait in anticipation for a decision from the Board of Education on which elementary school will close and which two will be rebuilt as part of the final phase of the district's facilities plan, the School Board’s agenda indicated new information would be shared at this past Tuesday's meeting.

After the general meeting, Board member Matt Markling showed those in attendance two new maps of the school district. Each map is color-coded to display proposed new boundaries based on a six elementary school configuration. Each places the same relative number of students in each building and attempts to limit walking distances as much as possible.

The maps were posted on the Lakewood Observer Observation Deck by Mr. Markling the day after the meeting.  (http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum, topics - A "Phase III Maps" and PHASE 3 INFO AT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING - TONIGHT 7 PM). As Mr. Markling explained, the map representing the school district configuration if Lincoln closed, shows only two elementary schools north of Detroit. Should Lincoln close, there simply are not enough students residing north of Detroit to support more than two elementary schools in that area.

Here at the Lakewood Observer, we leave the editorializing up to the community. We want the content to come from you, so we tend to just stay behind the scenes to make sure there is a paper every two weeks. The LO is designed to be a tool of community empowerment and our goal is to help anyone in the community to get their words into print. The paper exists to serve and inform Lakewoodites about their community- a noble cause to be sure (or at least we think so). But on Thursday, January 21st, 2010, an event transpired that threatens to alter the face of media across the country, a change so enormous, I can not even begin to understate the importance of civic journalism as we attempt to preserve some semblance of our democracy. This is not just a shameless plug to entice you to share your stories with the community by writing for the paper (although, I do highly encourage you to do so). Rather, I write to argue that we have hit a serious roadblock on the path to a more just, open, truly representative political process in this country and that you hold the key to defending and overcoming the newly unleashed, legalized version of corporately funded politicians with financially driven policy agendas.

Almost half a million people annually in the U.S. undergo a procedure called Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to diagnose problems in their liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. As part of its Vision for Tomorrow strategic plan, Lakewood Hospital has invested in new, state-of-the-art direct visualization technology to enhance the ability to diagnose and treat conditions such as obstructions and stones within the biliary tract.

On the night of January 19, 2010, Council President Kevin Butler (Ward I) called the meeting of City Council to order at 7:34 P.M. The first order of business by Council was to recognize Michael Dever, for his years of service to the City as a City Council member and Council President. Dever was appointed to an unexpired Council seat in January of 2003 and re-elected by his own right in 2005. In 2006 his fellow Council members elected him Vice-President of Council and in 2008 President, a post in which he served until December of 2009.

The City of Lakewood and First Federal of Lakewood are teaming up to present an informative seminar to discuss first time home buying opportunities in Lakewood, Ohio. 

Join housing experts from the City of Lakewood and First Federal of Lakewood for a free, interactive seminar designed to help first time homebuyers understand the process involved in purchasing a home, learn about the many programs and resources available, and start planning for the future. The speakers will also be available after the presentation to offer guidance and answer individual questions.

All events are free and open to the public.

On August 25th, 2009 Matthew C. Carlson, member of the LDS Lakewood Ward Boy Scout Troop 435 and resident of the City of Lakewood, received Scouting's highest rank of Eagle Scout at this Eagle Board of Review. Matt received his Eagle Award on November 29th at the Troop's Court of Awards Ceremony.

Matt is a freshman at Lakewood High School. Throughout his middle school years, Matt was in Concert, Jazz and Competition Band, and currently is a trumpet player in the Lakewood High School Marching Band- which had the honor of playing at the half time for the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas! Matt also participated in the drama club in middle school and played on local teams for soccer, basketball, football, flag-football, lacrosse and baseball. This past August, Matt tried out for and earned a place on the LHS Golf Team. 

The 2009 American Philological Association (APA) Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Pre-collegiate Level goes to Stergios Lazos, Chair of Classical and Modern Languages at St. Edward High School.

During twenty-five years of teaching Stergios Lazos ’84  has created a Latin program at one school, helped another grow from 19 students to over 100, and at St. Edward High School has increased classics offerings from four courses to twelve, including Greek. Twice the Ohio Classical Conference has chosen his program as the best in the state.

Barbara Ann (Nolan) Zubricky (47) passed away suddenly on January 13, 2010.  Barbara was the wife of Scott L., the mother of Rebecca Martin (Jason), Rachel and Joseph Zubricky, daughter of William and Rose Nolan, sister of William, Jeanne Rist and Deboroah Kuzma, and friend to many.  Barbara was a gentle, soft-spoken, loving woman.  She had been the secretary at St. James Parish in Lakewood for 18 years.  Her Liturgy was celebrated at St. James on Monday January 18, 2010 with a crowded Church and several Priests and Deacons on the Altar.  Fr. John Weigand was the Principal Celebrant and he commented on Barbara's qualities, not only as the secretary but as a loving human being.  Barb always made time for everyone before herself.  She was very opposed to the closing of St. James so she bid her final farewell on Monday.  Barb Zubricky will missed by her family and the multitude of people who knew her.    We loved you Barb and continue to love you in your new home called Heaven.

A team of Harding eighth graders ran away with first place in the Classroom of Champions academic team competition held at St. Edward High School on Jan. 20.

The competition covers a large range of topics, from geography, history, science and literature to pop culture and religion. It’s open to teams of 7th and 8th graders from Northeast Ohio schools, and consists of seven rounds of three teams, each competing to see which top three point-getters will advance to the Finals at St. Ed’s in April.

The Harding team, comprised of Hugh Campbell, Max Mulready and Eli Zettler scored 745 points, only the second team in 21 years of competition to score more than 700 points.  While there are still a number of teams yet to compete in a regional round, Harding’s team is likely to be Number 1 in the Finals. 

The Lakewood Board of Education at its Jan. 19 meeting took the first step necessary toward placing a $6.9 mill operating levy on the May 4 ballot by passing a resolution declaring it necessary to levy an additional tax and requesting the Cuyahoga County Auditor to certify district tax values and the dollar amount to be generated by the requested levy. Also at the meeting, a number of moves were announced that were geared toward improving the district’s financial outlook as best possible before the voters are asked to approve Lakewood’s first levy in eight years.

Kelsey Davis, 1999 graduate of Lakewood High School, was recently honored at a Cavs game as the Ohio Lottery Commission's "Teacher of the Month". Projected on the Jumbotron screen, Kelsey waved and said, "I love my job!"

Since receiving a B.A. from The Ohio State University, and a M.S. from University of Akron, Kelsey has moved back to Lakewood and bought a home. Although she teaches in Independence, she still gets together with some of her former Lakewood High teachers to share ideas.

Forty six years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made his "I have a dream" speech in Washington D.C. On Monday, January 18th, Lakewood students from several area high schools were invited to carry on the dream during a day of service with H2O. We volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and at sites all over Lakewood. At St. James Childcare, Ronald McDonald House and Lakewood Hospital Childcare, students cleaned and sanitized toys. Those at the Hospice of the Western Reserve made books to help patients with dementia. At the Crestmont Nursing Facility, students helped make bookmarks that were to be donated to the Lakewood Public Library. Students were a huge help at the Lakewood Public Library by sprucing up the library and alphabetizing books. At Lakewood Alive, students made Valentines cards for the soldiers overseas. After the volunteering, students went back to the Women's Pavilion for a luncheon. There we met up with Lakewood High's Race and Diversity Club, who presented a short film about Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.

Lakewood Catholic Academy (LCA), a pre-K through eighth grade Catholic elementary school,  will hold enrollment Open House events on Sunday, January 31, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Wednesday, February 3, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. LCA is located at 14808 Lake Avenue in Lakewood, Ohio.

Jennifer Brunner, Ohio's Secretary of State, is the featured speaker at the League of Women Voters' First Thursdays, the League's meeting series open to the public free of charge. Titled, "A View from the Top," Brunner's talk is set for February 4, 2010, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at Trinity Commons at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. There is free parking for attendees behind the Cathedral off Prospect Avenue.

Cleveland Kickers Lakewood Academy will be the new force in soccer in Spring 2010.  A true to form academy aimed at developing student athletes from youth.  Unlike current Premier and “Academy” organizations, CKLA is geared towards training youth players in every aspect of the game, physical, mental, tactical and technical, then feeding them into the highest caliber level of play with the Cleveland Kickers. 

It may be cold outside and the playgrounds are deserted but it’s welcoming and warm at the Lakewood Family Room. Winter is a good time to remind residents of one of Lakewood’s greatest assets. Parents, caregivers and children have benefited from Lakewood Family Room for years with its many constant and ongoing offerings geared towards the needs of early childhood and those who care for them.

Our project began as all projects do, with an idea.

We are high school seniors who have been dancing at Silhouette School of Dance and Fine Arts since we were little. We decided that our wonderful studio needed a lot of tender loving care. The studio is a 6,000 square foot space that used to be a party center located at 12501 Madison above the Bi-Rite Grocery store in Birdtown. We began by thinking of all the wonderful things we could do to make the studio better. Megan and I began thinking of paint colors, new lighting, and rearranging to make everything look as a dance studio should. 

“Lets Wine About Winter” – March 6, 2010 – Save the Date!

As part of the American Heart Association's "Go Red For Women" campaign, the Lakewood "Open Your Heart Committee" is sponsoring a fundraiser entitled: "DRESS UP YOUR HEART" to help raise awareness of the #1 killer of women in the U.S.- Heart Disease. The Event will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2010 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Lakewood Presbyterian Church Hall at 14502 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood.

With so many young, trendy bars, the Waterbury Coachouse contrasts as one of those neighborhood fixtures that the regulars refer to as the Lakewood Cheers.  Owner, Hoss Ashofteh, prides himself on providing outstanding customer service in a clean, comfortable and welcoming setting. The focus is home cooking and every day has a $5.99 special. As I visited there last week (live music on Wednesdays and Fridays) I randomly asked some of the many customers for their thoughts:

Those of us who own pets share a unique experience of living with animals. I am, of course, referring to real animals here, and not your college roommate. Whether you have a cat, a dog, or in my case, birds, these lives intertwine with our own in ways sublime and wonderful.

The sidewalks clear,

no winter here;

no tricky footwork needed

on this walk through the 'Wood.

So grateful, I,

my heart breathes a sigh,

"Thank you, my neighbors,

how precious you are, how good." 

In a press conference held, Monday, January 25th, Dennis Kucinich, presented a low cost job creation initiative that will rely on incentivizing early retirement. Kucinich hopes that by presenting an appealing package using funds from the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (a.k.a. EESA, or the "bank bailout") and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), his five year plan will, in effect, create one-million open jobs.

MINISTERIAL MUSINGS

Noah had nothing on the youth of Lakewood Presbyterian Church.  It did take them the better part of a year, but they came up with a whole ark of animals to be delivered to families in need via the Heifer Project.  Each animal will raise the family’s standard of living and offspring will be given to other families, benefiting the entire community.  

The Junior Women's Club of Lakewood ("JWCL") is currently accepting grant applications. Each year JWCL solicits grant applications from non-profit organizations serving the Lakewood community. The recipients chosen by JWCL in April, 2010 will receive proceeds from JWCL's fundraising events held next year. JWCL has supported many local non-profits over the past decade, giving more than $165,000 to past recipients including Project H2O, The Barton Center, The Beck Center, Kids' Cove, Lakewood Christian Service Center, Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corporation, Lakewood Library Foundation, Matthew's Lending Library and Meals on Wheels.

I was always a big fan of comic books, and I lived for the Saturday morning cartoon superheroes. Back before all the cable stations fulfilled every kids desire for 24 hour, 7 day a week access to animated action, suspense and thrilling feats of bravery and heroism, I would look forward to my once weekly chance to see my own personal heroes take action. Thirty years later, that sense of wonder and awe was re-awakened, as this past weekend, I not only got to see a person fight the good fight I got to spend time with them in person.

Disposing of trash is not cheap or easy, despite how it seems from the average citizen's experience; casually tossing that bag of trash into the bin is just the beginning. A landfill will be its home for a long, long time - plastic bottles, for example, may not even begin to decompose for up to 1,000 years - and it may leach dangerous chemicals into the land and water nearby. Though recycling is only one part of waste reduction (following reducing and reusing), it is a vital one, and is very easy to do, with the wide variety of items accepted curbside in Lakewood as well as in the new public recycling bins across the city.

There is a simple, affordable solution to the out of control population of stray animals in this country.  Spaying and neutering pets is not only the responsible thing to do, but also can help with behavioral and health issues throughout the life of the animal.  Owners who choose not to have their pets spayed or neutered, for whatever reason, are directly responsible for the millions of euthanized animals in this country every year.  Some pet owners may claim that the cost is too much, which should have been noted before considering owning a cat or dog, but even that is not a good excuse due to the numerous low cost possibilities listed later in this article.  Millions of lives could be saved each year if owners would spay and neuter before allowing their pets to roam and breed at will.  Of the roughly 600 cats the Lakewood Animal Shelter and Warden see each year, only about 200 have the chance to be adopted.  The 400 left behind must be euthanized due to illness, overcrowding, or inability to find foster homes until they can be adopted.  Whole litters of animals that would make wonderful pets are never given the opportunity due to the sheer volume that shelters have to deal with.  To know that these deaths could be 100% preventable makes it even more distressing.  The Lakewood Animal Shelter, along with many other groups, offers a spay/neuter discount when adopting from their facility.  Not only would new owners be helping an animal in need by adopting, but also getting a discount on the procedure.  There are many low cost options even in the Lakewood area, which can be found on the Lakewood Animal Shelter website at: http://www.cclas.info/Spay.html .   Also for the entire state of Ohio, visiting http://www.spayohio.org/search/, or calling 1-877-644-OHIO (6446), gives every owner no excuse to not do the right thing.  When choosing to bring home that new puppy or kitten, please consider the possibility that two out of three animals you look at may never get a home, and make the responsible decision to not contribute to those numbers.

In May 2009, the City of Lakewood chose the Oldest Stone House at Lakewood Park as the first property to be designated a Lakewood Landmark. This honor followed a period of extensive research into the history of the Oldest Stone House - also called the Honam/Hotchkiss House - by Lakewood Historical Society staff and volunteers. The Honam/Hotchkiss House is both historically and architecturally significant. The evolution of the house and its related property reflect the changing settlement and development patterns found throughout Lakewood (formerly Rockport Township).

At the Jan. 4 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent P. Joseph Madak outlined for Board members the reasoning behind the district’s recommendation of a new operating levy of 6.9 mills (or $17.61 per $100,000 house value) for the May 4 election. Following is correspondence from Superintendent Madak to the Board as he prepared to bring for the Board’s consideration the case for a levy: 

In recent years, our community has seen the results of its commitment to education. Our academic quality has consistently improved, and now our schools are rated “Excellent” by the State. Phases I and II of our facilities improvement plan have been on-time and on-budget, giving us new, better school buildings. These achievements are the direct result of this community’s investment in education. 

These accomplishments have also occurred at the same time that the district has significantly cut its budget. Between 2004 and 2009, we cut more than $5 million. In the spring of 2009, our schools cut an additional $1.3 mil and in the fall of 2009, our schools cut an additional $1.6 mil.  During this same time, our schools lost $1.2 mil in property tax revenue and $1 mil in state funding.

 

The Lakewood Senior Center, 16024 Madison will replace the Lakewood Main Library as the AARP Tax-Aide Site. The Tax-Aide program is staffed by volunteers who assist taxpayers free of charge with low and moderate income with special attention to those age 60 and older. Last year these volunteers electronically filed over 500 tax returns.

Tax help is by appointment Monday and Tuesday afternoons from February 1 through April 15. To make an appointment please call 216-521-1515. The volunteers do taxes elsewhere in Lakewood at the library’s Madison Branch, phone 216-228-7428 and at Barton Center, phone 216-221-3400.

The City of Lakewood, in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, will host a Census Job Fair on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM in the Lakewood City Hall Auditorium, 12650 Detroit Avenue. 

At a press conference on December 17th, 2009, Mayor Ed FitzGerald announced his candidacy for the newly formed position of County Executive for Cuyahoga County. With his family beside him, FitzGerald spoke of the problems of the past saying, "At precisely the time when we needed our county government to be at its best, it's most dynamic, it's most innovative, it's most effective, it has been paralyzed by the worst public corruption scandal in our county's history." The tone turned to the promise of the future, as he continued, "As County Executive, I will use this combined experience in law enforcement and as a chief executive to overhaul county government and restore the people's confidence that county government can be operated with integrity, will provide the services it must to those in need, and act as a catalyst so that the economy of Cuyahoga County embraces the shift to the new economic growth sectors in medicine, biotechnology, clean and green energy, and arts and culture."

Headquarters for the Ed FitzGerald County Executive 2010 campaign can be found at 1836 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113, near the West Side Market.

Lakewood Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital, has received a $1 million donation from The Harold C. Schott Foundation to expand and improve neurological and geriatric services focused on brain health. “We are overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the generous gift from The Harold C. Schott Foundation,” said Jack Gustin, president of Lakewood Hospital. “Because of their unwavering commitment to the health and wellness in our community, we will now have additional opportunities to enhance the excellent care already provided through our neurological and geriatric services.” The expansion is part of Lakewood Hospital’s Vision for Tomorrow plan to meet the evolving needs of the community and to improve the patient experience. The plan places a particular focus on enhancing and integrating the hospital’s SeniorCare Services and Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute at Lakewood Hospital. The H. C. S. Foundation gift will allow the hospital to increase its capacity to serve seniors in the community and to provide specialized education and resources about brain health for patients and their families. The contribution ultimately will allow Lakewood Hospital to expand services focused on the health and well-being of caregivers, who often bear a tremendous emotional and psychological burden. “Lakewood Hospital has been offering care to the community for more than 100 years, and it is our hope that with this donation they will continue to provide excellent care to the community for many years to come,” said Betty Jane Mulcahy, trustee, H. C. S. Foundation. “The hospital’s Vision for Tomorrow is a great investment in the community, and we are very supportive of it.”

Tuesday, December 22, 2009: Cleveland Clinic officials announced today that Janice Murphy, R.N. B.S.N., M.S.N, FACHE, has been named President of Lakewood Hospital and will continue as President of Fairview Hospital, effective January 1, 2010.

Since 2007, Murphy has led Fairview Hospital. In her new dual role, she will be responsible for the oversight and operations of both Lakewood and Fairview Hospitals. Prior to assuming the role of President at Fairview Hospital, Murphy served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Fairview Hospital. In her extensive experience at Fairview Hospital, she has served as Chief Nursing Officer and Executive over Patient Care Services, as well as Associate Vice President of Nursing/Operations. Murphy began her career at Fairview Hospital in 1978 as a bedside nurse in Oncology.