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Jim Mecredy understood. He got it. His Scouting leadership not only touched the lives of hundreds of youth in Lakewood over several generations, his leadership changed the youth. He fulfilled the proud mission of the Boy Scouts of America. He took youth and prepared them to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them scouting values that many of us know well. In the foundation of the scouts' lives he inserted a trustworthy brick, a loyal brick, and a helpful brick His scouts learned what "on my honor" truly means. He did this not by telling the scouts what they couldn’t do, but by allowing the scouts to experience what they could do. The painting "The Scoutmaster" by Norman Rockwell could easily have been Mr. Mecredy at a typical Troop 115 camp out - except that it was not raining.

The Lakewood Observer is looking for energetic, community conscious individuals of all ages who are interested in supporting the volunteer creation of news, views, opinions, human interest and other contributions which illuminate the many facets of culture, arts, business, education, religion, and lifestyle this diverse city has to offer...

I have always been a news junkie. And now I am also a citizen journalist. Imagine my curiosity when I learned (from a newspaper article) that there was a new museum in Washington D.C. devoted to those two passions appropriately called the Newseum.

 

I travel to our capital several times a year and each time I try to focus on one museum or historical site. Most of the museums in D.C. are under the Smithsonian umbrella and admission is free. They range from the arts and history, to junk and technology. Many of the government departments have their own museums. History buffs would probably find the National Archives the most relevant of these museums.

 

I generally enter a museum with no preconceptions and let the curator’s intentions and plan chart the path for my visit...

Cox Communications announced today it’s taking further steps to limit the spread of child pornography online by signing on to a historic agreement among cable Internet providers. Cox is one of 18 members of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) which will partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to limit the distribution of child pornography...

The streets of Narragansett, Lakewood Heights, Niagara and Riverside will hold their annual neighborhood sale this Saturday, May 17 starting at 9 a.m...

No doubt about it: If my son Augie hadn’t been killed in Iraq in 2005, I wouldn’t be running for Congress.

His death forced us to take a closer look at how the political decisions made in Washington, DC affect each of us. The Iraq war/occupation obviously is a “Made in DC” product. Ending it will also have to be decided there – with help from many Americans demanding action...

In forty-two years of life I have never cried about a Presidential election until this week. In fact I cried throughout the entire day after Barack Obama was elected president and I haven't cried from joy since my children were born. For weeks before the election I removed myself from the emotions of this election. Firstly, because I realized my emotions were too strong, and secondly, because I was so afraid to get my hopes up. I have been so disheartened and disillusioned by the disintegration of our country...

Pillars of Lakewood, the young professional arm of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, recently announced they will be hosting a 5K race and a Wing Crawl on Saturday, August 23, 2008. The two events were established with economic development and community building in mind. Funds garnered from the Green Lakewood 5K will go to support Help to Others (H2O), a service learning program for middle and high school students, to provide the bins and containers needed to implement a recycling program at Lakewood high school. Future events will extend this project to reach the elementary and middle schools...

The presidential campaign of 2008 has left me a little cold and cynical. I follow it, read about it, watched the news and debates, but MY candidates withdrew early. It seems that substance has been lost over style.

 

I’ll admit right now that I am not going to vote Republican, but I have also been quite ambivalent about my remaining Democrat choices...

Retired Lakewood Schools band, orchestra, and choir director Robert R. Rice was honored on September 21st by being asked to return to the Lakewood High School Ranger Marching Band director's podium at the Homecoming game to conduct "The Alma Mater" of Lakewood High School.

Mr. Matt Fish,

We would like to start by stating that all actions taken are intended to be respectful to you and your business. Melt has been a staple of our cuisine for some time, we do not wish to convey any dissatisfaction with Melt or its management. We hope that this exercise serves to show you our level of adoration for your business and, in particular, the Purple Parma sandwich...

Help save lives—become a Storm Spotter!

With severe weather season nearly upon us, the call is going out from the National Weather Service for trained Storm Spotters—lookouts for tornadoes, flooding and other severe weather. SKYWARN, the nationwide Storm Spotter program sponsored by the National Weather Service, holds trainings every spring.

The Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University was home to the 2008 Democratic Presidential debate last Tuesday, February 28. Issues ranging from economy, war and health care as well as other issues of national significance we covered during the debate. With my press pass in hand, amid LO photographers capturing presidential images at a rapid pace, I sought to bring LO readers clarity on our foggy economic situation...

First Federal of Lakewood donated $3,800 to the Cleveland Foodbank and $200 to Community Resource Services in Lorain County, as a result of its annual branch-wide checking account promotion. First Federal donated $5 for each checking account opened Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2007. First Federal presented the donation to the Cleveland Foodbank, March 6, 2008, at the Savings & Loan’s Lakewood headquarters...

“Finally! The end of camp!” Was heard several times on August 8th. All LSA travel soccer players were excited about the end of camp pool party later that day at Madison Pool. We had a great time! There was pop, pizza and (of course) swimming! The water was freezing, but we still had fun. Most of my friends came but some had other plans. We didn’t swim a lot because of the temperature .We talked about...

Slips, trips, and falls. Throughout the winter months, our safety committee is bombarded with calls from customers who did not receiving their mail daily. The first question we ask them is, "Are your steps cleared?". If they are not, carriers are instructed to avoid all hazardous conditions. These procedures will ensure the safety of the carrier. What can you do to help and ensure daily delivery? Although we know it is impossible to keep your steps clear at all times, there are certain things that you can do to help...

September 7th, 8th and 9th

The new year marks a new era for the Citizens Committee for a Lakewood Animal Shelter (CCLAS). The organization, which provides volunteer and financial support for the Lakewood Animal Shelter, has elected a new president. Lakewood resident Jennifer Deselits will serve in the role, taking over for former president Catherine Butler...

With a degree in politics and German, Greer Connor will put her negotiating skills to work as an au pair with a busy professional family in Berlin, Germany.

Phil Donahue will return to his hometown of Cleveland on Sunday, September 14, to receive Ohio Citizen Action's 2008 Howard M. Metzenbaum award. The event, which will take place at 7:00 p.m. at The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, will include a viewing of Donahue's stirring documentary Body of War and a question and answer session with Donahue.

Traveling with the family is not easy! There's planning, packing, stressing over which liquids are allowed on board, in the luggage, or on your person; getting to the airport, checking luggage and ultimately going through security. And all this with time constraints. We decided to make it a fun event and got ExpressJet Airlines to organize it for our Playdate on May 13th, 2008...

In a recent Presidential address, President Bush outlined plans to increase troop levels in Iraq, while openly threatening Iran and Syria. The plan to increase troop levels by 20,000 has received widespread criticism from the Democratic majority as well as the Republican minority.

Curves of Lakewood will be participating in the Curves Food Drive to benefit local food banks. Last year, the Curves Food Drive collected almost 11 million pounds of food for local communities all over the world. This year, Curves has set a goal to collect 15 million pounds to help even more people in need of healthy food...

I walked into Déja Vu, an eclectic shopping boutique at 14411 Detroit Avenue, a few weeks before Christmas. Since my mother's birthday is the day after the holiday, I considered it great fortune to happen upon this wonderful little shop,...

Thomas J. George has earned another term as Lakewood Mayor. During a time when Lakewood needs innovation, reform, and a mayor committed to the eventual renewal of our community, Tom George is the best choice. This conclusion is not mine alone.

Wearing white shirt, black tie, black suit and overcoat I enter the stretch limo prepared for the first run of the day. I am fortunate to be working for a good management team.

At-Large council candidate Monique Smith sees Lakewood as a kaleidoscope of opportunities and challenges, a community filled with thoughtful citizens and good neighbors. According to Smith, “sometimes [Lakewood’s] outstanding qualities are hidden by the physical decline that has become too large a part of the image of our city.”

Do you know how to “Fight Like a Girl?” After this past weekend, a lot of Lakewood residents do, thanks to Cox Communications, the Oxygen Network, Fuzion Martial Arts Center, and the Lakewood YMCA. Cox and Oxygen partnered with Fuzion Martial Arts for this powerful event for women held at the Lakewood YMCA.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is seeking reliable and civic-minded people to serve as poll workers during the November 6th General Presidential Election.

In the time it takes to read this story, the 2008 primary process will be completed. No, actually it won’t happen quite that fast, but with Iowa moving their caucuses up to January 3...

Public Air Waves for Public Use

Barack Obama’s speech at Wednesday’s town hall meeting in Berea was eloquent and bold, if slow to start. While a packed gymnasium of supporters sweated the heat and the anticipation, the senator arrived half an hour late. The crowd remained patient with surprise appearances by Governor Ted Strickland and Senator Sherrod Brown, both of whom exuberantly entered the stage and exalted their praises for the Democratic nominee. Obama then greeted the room, the crowd on its feet, and remarked, “I can tell this is a feisty crowd.” And with that understatement, a man at the back of the gym (later identified by the Cleveland Plain Dealer as John Quinn, a free-lance photographer from Parma) shouted over Obama, who had begun by speaking about energy, and demanded that he recite the Pledge of Allegiance. More gracefully than most could proceed after being so impertinently interrupted, the senator apologized for his hastiness and invited the man to join him in leading the Pledge...

This year marks the fifth anniversary of “National Wear Red Day.”

The National Institute of Health and the American Heart Association are part of a national campaign aimed at warning women about heart disease – the #1 killer of women. The campaign has adopted the Red Dress as its symbol, serving as a red alert to convey the message that “Heart Disease Doesn’t Care What You Wear,” and to change the perception that it is only a man’s issue.

Financial professionals will tell you there are three primary sources you can look to as sources for your retirement income: employer-sponsored plan, social security benefits and personal savings. They often refer to this as the “three-legged stool.” However, these days, it’s looking more like a single legged stool. More and more, your own personal savings is becoming the most critical and controllable source of your retirement income...

I lost my little pug last winter. He was very sick and I know I did the right thing with the little guy. But, as anyone who has lost a pet knows, it is very hard.

I was moping around and so was my other dog Sara, a Boston Terrier. A friend of mine said "look, you’ve always had two dogs...why not get another rescue dog?"

On Saturday, May 17th, Lakewood Lodge #601, Free and Accepted Masons, celebrated its 100th anniversary with a Ceremony of Reconsecration at the Lakewood Masonic Temple on Detroit Avenue at Andrews...

I was nineteen when I got my first waitressing job, on a break from college and needing extra money. It was an Italian restaurant that served loyal customers and hosted weddings and banquets. Serving can be a great job for young adults. It is fast cash and great exercise running around, and it really sharpens the mind when you have to remember the decaf coffee on table 43, that the meat isn’t cooked to medium-well on table 21 and needs to be returned, that table 13 wants an entire round of new beers, that table 18 is waiting for crayons for their children, and that eight dinners are ready and must be served immediately...

Some noisy tenants have lived above me for years. A few months ago a young couple moved in next to me. They made some noise initially, which cost me some sleep, which I do not like to lose. They apologized, considerately. In their zeal to move in and be settled, I was a bit unsettled...

Normally her son would call at least once a day. He would visit her often at home and at her work. A quiet, unassuming type of guy. Shy, timid, a mild sort of fellow. But today seemed different. She had not heard from him, nor seen him. She was not too worried. He was a young man, in his mid-twenties and had a life. Maybe he got tied up in the day’s events, and was too busy to call or visit. Yet, she thought she would stop by his house and make sure all was well. It was one of those feelings that only mothers seem to posses.
She pulled in his driveway and found the garage door closed, maybe he was out. She exited her car, went to the front door and found it unlocked. Odd, he normally locked the door when not home. She opened it and called out his name. No reply. Maybe he was taking a nap? She spanned the house calling out. Still no reply. Well, maybe he forgot to lock the door when he left, but to make sure he was out she went to the inside door leading to the garage, to see if his car was in there.

The challenge is simple: Listen, review, and change. So, here goes...

How would you describe a person who, through adoption, has changed the lives of not just one, but two young men? What would possess a single 38-year-old middle school science teacher to embark on an emotional journey to fatherhood and family life?

I first met Drew Goddard in September 2007 in the midst of selling hot dogs, candy, and nachos while volunteering for the LHS Athletic Boosters in the concession stand at the Lakewood High School Football Stadium. I was struck by his kind, genuine personality and sense of humor. One week later and back behind the concession counter, Drew and I talked more about our children. I learned that he had a son Devin, who, at that time, was an 8th grader at Garfield Middle School. Devin played football and basketball and was looking forward to running middle school track in the spring. Something in Drew’s eyes sparkled as he spoke about his son. It seemed different than the typical “macho-ness” of a proud father. That evening I was introduced to Devin when he stopped up to check in with his dad. Like his father, he had a beautiful smile and warm demeanor. ..

Lakewood residents are nothing if not experts on summertime. The moment the first ray of sunshine slices through the clouds after a long winter, Lakewood-ites take to the sidewalks in shorts and flip-flops. This summer, Lakewood residents will be encouraged to hit the pavement hassle-free when two miles of Lakewood streets are blocked off for Walk & Roll Lakewood...

I’ve been having a conversation by email with Stan Siebert for some time now. Stan is a Professor of Economics at the Business School of Birmingham University, Great Britain. We’ve been discussing some of the economic problems that we see here in Lakewood and nearly identical problems that are occurring in his country. He’s made a number of insightful observations, some which sound quite bizarre at first blush but rather logical after further study...

The Lakewood Early Childhood PTA held their annual Baby Bargain Bonanza on Saturday, October 3rd at Emerson Elementary School. Doors opened at 9 am, but bargain shoppers started lining up 30 minutes earlier to hunt for extraordinary deals on gently used children’s clothing, accessories, furniture, and toys.

The descent into Baghdad was unremarkable. One hundred thirty-three of us, squeezed into the back of an Air Force C-17, sweating beneath our body armor and helmets, while we craned our necks to see what we could of Iraq from either of the two small portholes in the plane's fuselage. As the pilot banked we could catch a glimpse of trees or houses, but most of what we saw was sky. The pilot lowered the landing gear with a gasping tear and minutes later we were on the ground...

Have you heard the news? Mailboxes everywhere may soon be filled with checks from the US Treasury. Yes, you have won the lottery, George W. Bush/US Congress style. The concept is simple – we can purchase our way out of an economic slowdown and make the people in Washington look good. Only our elected officials in DC could spend time coming up with this plan, as they center most of their time on whether Roger Clemens should be sworn in before he testifies...

In the last few years all of us have noticed that the world is becoming smaller. I remember at a young age feeling that the corners of the globe were mystical and ancient, majestic and intriguing, remote and very far away. But recently I have found evidence to the contrary.

It has long been rumored that many of the old houses in Lakewood are home to spirits and ghosts of time gone by. But there is one house in Lakewood whose third floor is home to a whole host of monsters… Oops! Make that Munsters. That’s right, Munsters, as in ‘The Munsters’ television show of the 1960’s. Herman, Lily, Marilyn, Grandpa, Eddie and even Woof Woof have taken up residence in the attic of Ian Memmer’s home. For over ten years, Ian has collected memorabilia from that classic 60’s sitcom. Hailed as having one of the largest collections of Munsters memorabilia, Ian continues to build up his collection through toy and memorabilia shows and antique stores throughout the country...

As a Lakewood citizen who circulates this wonderful city by foot as much as by car, I am hardly impressed by the level (or lack thereof) of courtesy demonstrated by many drivers...

We have, right here in our own city, a somewhat hidden treasure. She has never wavered in her belief in herself and others. She stands out for me as someone who truly believes in paying it forward. I think you’ll find her story interesting and so, I’d like to shed some light on Litha Macon, owner of Roman Ricci Salon...

(Tahlequah, OK)--Dante Sutera of Lakewood, Ohio, was awarded a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Northeastern State University ROTC Spring 2010 Commissioning Ceremony on May 14 in the University Center Morgan Room.

Sutera received the oath from Lt. Col. David Madden. His mother, Karen Sutera, pinned the gold bars to his uniform and Sgt. 1st Class James Grimes rendered the first salute.

Sutera will attend Officer Basic at Fort Rucker, Ala., and enter the Army's aviation branch. He graduates from NSU with a bachelor's degree in Homeland Security.

The ethnic, moral and religious tradition in which a person is brought up is one key to making sense of Lakewood’s political culture. Daniel Elazar, Director of the Center for the Study of Federalism at Temple University and Professor of Political Science at Temple and at Bar Ilan University in Israel, has developed a theory of foundational cultures that can provide Lakewood Observers with keen insights concerning both the city’s orientation toward government, past, present and future, as well as the big picture challenges of living intelligently and respectfully with one another in a diverse 21st century urban community.

SAFTEY TIP: With spring here already, it is easy to get caught up in the atmosphere of warm sunny days. We let the kids out, the pets run and everyone is out planting, walking, playing, and driving about. Along with all these good things can come some dangers if precautions are not taken. For example, pets and children need to be watched and prevented from straying into the street where motorists, includiing postal delivery vehicles, are traveling...

UGIVE.org is thrilled to announce its expansion from its home office in Cincinnati to the Greater Cleveland area this month! UGIVE is a free website connecting high school students with area nonprofit organizations for meaningful volunteer opportunities. After just 2 years of existence, UGIVE has already generated over 75,000 service hours from 11,000 student volunteers!

Cottage of Flowers owners and professional partiers John and Tina Russell celebrated the Summer Solstice with friends, family and neighbors on Sunday, June 21st, hosting a Solstice party at their Lakewood residence. In the spirit of the solstice, partiers were challenged to reconstruct Stone Hedge. While the building project was tinted with classic American competitive cheer, Tina Russell and others speculated that the ancient builders of Stone Hedge lacked the proper calibration of mead and imagination necessary to evoke individual artistic expression on each stone arch. The evocative powers of mead on partier creativity are evidenced in the diversity of each stone arch. Note to the reader: the "stones" in the above image are cardboard boxes painted gray. Rumor has it that these boxes were lifted by pagan Boxcutters (the modern, backyard equivalent of the ancient Stonecutters) from local flower shops.

"Hi, this is Katie."declared the voice on my answering machine.

Katie who? I wondered. Katie from a campaign or a credit card company or one of the countless other solicitors who squeak through the loopholes in the Do-Not-Call registry?

Katie went on to explain,"I must have pulled up behind you at the ATM machine and when it wouldn't take my card, I noticed the screen was asking if I wanted another transaction. I hit the 'no' button and your card popped out! Since your car was nowhere in sight, I called 411 and they gave me your phone number."