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!
1. Please tell us your name, age, where you live, and how you make your living.
Tom Jordan, 45, Cleveland (Westpark), Community Development Director for the City of North Royalton, married to Mary Ellen Jordan (a licensed social worker and Lakewood Middle School track coach). Together we have four children, ages 4 through 9 years.
2. Describe for us the duties of a member of the County Council.
As a new entity, the most important duty is to reestablish the public trust and ensure that all of the responsibilities are executed in an open and honest manner through a new standard of ethics. The charter prescribes a wide range of responsibilities, from establishing budgets to reorganizing departments. It provides a check and balance for the new county executive to ensure that District 2 of the county is fairly represented. Most importantly, the council should try and integrate the vision of communities in collaborative efforts that reduce our tax burden.
Democratic candidates Tom Jordan and Dale Miller squared off this past Wednesday, August 4, 2010, for a debate sponsored by the Lakewood Democratic Club, the Brookpark Democratic Club, and the Democratic Clubs from Cleveland Wards 18 and 19. Jordan and Miller are vying for the Democratic nomination for the inaugural District 2 County Council seat.
Lakewood Resident Weldon Carpenter recently received the Ohio State Fair Fifty Year Club's 2010 Giant Step Award for his "substantial and significant" contributions to the fair over the years. Presently holding the office of historian for that group, Weldon has attended the Ohio State Fair for sixty consecutive years, and has exhibited numerous historic displays for the club, and for the All-Ohio State Fair Band during that time. Weldon is also an active member of the All-Ohio State Fair Alumni Band.
In 2003, Weldon was inducted into the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame.
A 1954 graduate of Ashland High School, Weldon went on to Ohio State, where he served the OSU band as Drum Major, graduating in 1959.
Though he originally trained as a teacher, Weldon has also had an avid interest in the theater and in the culinary arts. Weldon reports that he has served for many years as the historian for Cleveland's Playhouse Square, and was a part of the original group that tried to save those theaters. He also tells us that he has prepared meals for many famous people over the years, having served both Judy Garland and John Kenley, among many, many others.
The lawsuit brought by the City of Rocky River and four residents of the High Parkway neighborhood against the City of Lakewood and the users of Lakewood Dog Park on a complaint of excessive barking finally had its day in court. Actually, eight days, concluding on July 21. The Honorable Carolyn Friedland of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court will make her decision in the case following the recent bench trial – heard without a jury – after thorough review of the court transcript, statements filed by legal counsel in lieu of closing arguments and evidence presented. The court gave no indication how long the decision would take.
Judge Friedland previously dismissed the case, filed in 2007, on the grounds that Rocky River and its residents could not interfere with legitimate municipal functions of their neighbor, Lakewood. The appellate court disagreed with the application of law to this case and returned it to Judge Friedland for a determination on the facts. In the interim, the parties made multiple attempts to negotiate a settlement but were unsuccessful. By agreement of the parties, the trial proceeded solely on the issue of barking, omitting the plaintiffs’ other allegations that the park was a source of foul odors and dog biting.
At trial, Rocky River and its residents maintained that barking from the park, that is tucked away in the valley adjacent to the MetroParks, has been excessive and; therefore, constitutes a public nuisance (“an invasion of, or an unreasonable interference with, public rights which are common to all members of the general public”) and a private nuisance (“it affects the private personal property rights” of the neighboring Rocky River residents). Legal practitioners generally agree that nuisance law is not black and white; there is no bright line separating actionable behavior from benign annoyances of everyday life.
On Wednesday, August 4th, the Lakewood Democratic Club, the Brook Park Democratic Club and the Democratic clubs for Cleveland Wards 18 and 19 will host a debate between State Senator Dale Miller and Tom Jordan, candidates for County Council District 2. The debate will be held at the hall of St. Mary’s Romanian Church at 3256 Warren Road in Cleveland from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Moderated by Rosemary Palmer, the night will offer residents the rare opportunity to hear both candidates address questions from the attendees before the crucial primary in September. Stuart Garson, the new County Democratic Party Chair will make introductory remarks. The hall has a substantial amount of parking and is handicap accessible.
On Thursday, July 8th, the Beck Center hosted one of many events intended to aid in the transition to and understanding of the new County Government structure to be implemented in 2011. Over the course of the evening, a small audience of about 25 attendees listened to presentations by and discussed the work of two “County Transition Workgroups.”
Some people are bothered by the bugs that congregate from time to time on their window screens, but I have found a way to have fun with these insects. The method involves a garden spray-bottle filled with water and a little marksmanship skill.
English Nanny & Governess School of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is pleased to announce the graduation of Joshua Lavelle of Lakewood, Ohio.
Katzbach's goal is to collect 2000 pairs of new flip-flops in a variety of sizes to provide for the men, women and children in the mountains of Haiti, many of whom have only hand-me-down shoes or are barefoot.
(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 Lakewood Observer Advisory Board is currently looking for persons interested in serving on an ad hoc Citizens’ Advisory Committee. We are interested in input from all walks of the community to assist with issues concerning policy, content, and direction of the paper.
The City of Cleveland Division of Water will observe National Drinking Water Week, May 3- 8, and will host an Open House at two of its water works facilities, including free public tours and other family friendly activities. The Open Houses will be held Saturday, May 8th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the following locations:
Lakewood, like so many other communities in the Greater Cleveland area, has been hard hit by job loss and the difficulties that arise during extended unemployment for individuals and especially for our families.
With winter weather temporarily abating, spring planting and fall harvest may not be too far from everyone’s minds. And now is the best time to be planning for fresh produce.
For those who don’t have the patience, time, or space to grow their own vegetables, a viable solution can be found at Covered Bridge Gardens and Peters Creek Farm. The Ashtabula County-based farms have been delivering fresh, wholesome, locally grown vegetables to each week’s LEAF Night at the Lakewood Public library since 2007. LEAF Night is a weekly community event hosted by the Lakewood Earth and Food Community and Lakewood Public Library where residents have the opportunity to access fresh, locally produced foods while experiencing local arts and culture.
The Covered Bridge Gardens / Peters Creek Farm Community Supported Agriculture program allows people to enjoy gourmet vegetables along with everyday garden varieties selected by their very own personal farmer. By subscribing for the 16-week growing season that runs from mid-June to early October, singles, couples, and families alike can experience the old-time favorite tastes of produce ranging from the typical green pepper to the juiciest of vine ripened tomatoes.
Early in the season, around week four, a customer’s package may include broccoli, sweet corn, green beans, and white turnips. By week seven, the customer can begin to enjoy yellow beans, green tomatoes, summer squash, beets and even garlic. At week twelve, there would be purple cauliflower, corn, zucchini, watermelon, and cucumbers.
The Sierra Club announced March 15 that it is endorsing Lakewood Councilman Tom Bullock for the Ohio House of Representatives. Bullock, a Democrat, is running in the 13th House District, which includes Lakewood and parts of Cleveland’s west side. Since Ohio has term limits, it is an open-seat contest with no incumbent.
LakewoodAlive, a nonpartisan economic development corporation, will host a community forum, “Count Your Assets” on Wednesday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. at Horace Mann School, 1215 West Clifton Boulevard in Lakewood. The forum, hosted by Mayor Ed Fitzgerald, will highlight three areas of current economic importance to Lakewood, including the City of Lakewood Census, which is a key factor in determining Lakewood’s level of government funding. Lakewood receives a specific category of funding because of the population size. If that level dips below 50,000 residents, funding will be changed and likely decreased.
Hungarian immigrant Theodor Kundtz came to Cleveland at age 21 to work as a cabinetmaker. He soon established his own business producing sewing machine cabinets for White Sewing Machine Co., as well as bicycle wheels, car and truck bodies and church and school interiors.
By 1910, the company employed more than 2,500 workers at its five plants in the Flats and a huge lumberyard between Clifton Boulevard and the railroad tracks, between Manor Park and Giel avenues. Many fellow Hungarian immigrants worked for Kundtz and sought inexpensive housing in Lakewood.
Sadly, tragedy struck close to midnight on May 20, 1920, when the Kundtz Lumberyard burst into flames and burned for two days, leveling an area larger than Lakewood Park. Enterprising developers jumped on the chance to create four new streets of housing on the former lumberyard site: Chase, Bunts, Hathaway and Merle.
What will happen to our Entitlement Community status if Lakewood’s population falls below 50,000? Should the final census report reveal that our population is below 50,000, Lakewood would be eligible for only one more year of full federal entitlement funding. The fund allocation would be decreased by 50% in year two and all funding would cease in year three. This change would affect Title I school funding as well as Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) used for a variety of City initiatives including park improvements, street reconstruction, commercial and vacant property revitalization, childcare scholarship assistance, services for older adults, and low interest loans. CDBG grants also support a number of important programs conducted by community organizations including the Beck Center, Lakewood Christian Service Center, Lakewood Alive, and North Coast Health Ministry.
A letter to Lakewood Board of Education members.
Everyone Counts in Lakewood: The foundation of our American democracy is dependent on fair and equitable representation in Congress. In order to achieve an accurate assessment of the number and location of the people living within the nation’s borders, the U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. The census population totals determine which states gain or lose representation in Congress. It also determines the amount of state and federal funding communities receive over the course of the decade. 2010 Census data will directly affect how more than $4 trillion is allocated to local, state and tribal governments over the next 10 years. In order for this funding allocation to be accomplished fairly and accurately, the goal of the decennial census is to count everybody, count them only once, and count them in the right place. The facts gathered in the census also help shape decisions for the rest of the decade about public health, neighborhood improvements, transportation, education, senior services and much more.
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.
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.
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).
If you or any of your family or friends received H1N1 vaccinations offered by the Board of Health in the last two months, you saw the Westshore Emergency Response Team in action. Volunteers from Lakewood and surrounding suburbs came out in mass to insure that the vaccination centers operated smoothly and efficiently. The vaccination center at Garfield Middle School on December 13th was a perfect example of the coordination between CERT, police, fire and Lakewood schools.
When it comes to debt, combine a strong offense (grab a mortgage or refinance) with a powerhouse defense (beat back rising credit card rates and fees). Mortgage rates are at historic lows – 5% for 30-year fixed – and home buyers will be able to capitalize on a special tax credit until July. So early 2010 will be a great time to refinance a mortgage or apply for a new home loan. But credit card issuers will continue to turn the screws on customers in 2010, raising rates and hiking or inventing fees. Because the new credit card law taking effect in February will restrict lenders from punishing riskier customers many good-citizen cardholders will be forced to pay more in interest.
Lakewood author John Tidyman hesitates when asked to describe his new book, “Gimme Rewrite, Sweetheart: Tales from the Last Glory Days of Cleveland Newspapers (Gray & Co., Publishers, 254 pp., $24.95).”
“The book is many things,” he said. “Maybe first it’s an informal, oral history of Cleveland newspapering in the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. It’s both eulogy and celebration. Also, Gimme Rewrite is a collection of first-person stories from the people who reported, photographed, and edited at the Cleveland Press and the Plain Dealer.”
And what stories these men and women tell!
A chimpanzee answering the City Desk phone at the Press and then typing. A Plain Dealer chief police reporter promising to beat the tar out of a Cleveland police detective who had threatened one of his reporters. Big Jaw Jackson and Johnny Pot, two fictional characters brought to life by a bored but creative Plain Dealer police reporter. A Press columnist fired for drinking whose next job was selling toilet seat covers in the basement of May’s Department Store. A Plain Dealer sportswriter landing the first punch on Sudden Sam McDowell’s jaw.
The school buildings of Lakewood reflect the changing population of our community over more than 175 years. The demands of the changing demographics of the community led to a building boom in the 1910s and 1920s and to the current restructuring. Throughout Lakewood’s history, the community has always had the best interests of its students in mind when making construction decisions.
Everyone, from college students to senior citizens, is likely to need the purchasing power that a solid credit record conveys. And if you're married, but all credit is in your spouse's name, you definitely should establish your own credit history.
As the mother of a 6-month-old daughter and as an estate-planning attorney, this is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. It is also a topic abouth which I am questioned frequently by friends and acquaintances who also have, or are expecting, children. I have heard many bashful confessions that estate planning is something people have thought about doing or know they need to do, but haven’t gotten around to doing. Others believe that they are too young and healthy for anything to happen to them. Some say they cannot afford the expense or the time required, some think they do not have enough property to make it worthwhile, and some are just uncomfortable thinking about and planning for death. While planning for the possibility of your death, incompetence, or disability may be considered akin to getting a root canal (or worse), it is also something that, once completed, can bring peace of mind.
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.”
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.
In a perfect world, people could live harmoniously with one another, the weather would be beautiful day after day, and every community would have a park dedicated to the play and exercise of man’s best friend. Fortunately, the city of Lakewood can boast that it does have such a park, which is used year-round by residents of Lakewood, Rocky River, and many other surrounding communities.
Field Commander Lakewood High School Marching Band - Lakewood High School Graduate Class of 1987 - Senior Master Sergeant Jerald Carlton, U.S. Air Force Retired July 24, 2009
On Friday evening, July 31, Lakewood Hospital will host its fourth annual Starry Night, a patron benefit presented by Signature Sponsor, Regency Construction Services, Inc. The event will be held under the starlit tents on Belle Avenue from 7 to 11 p.m. A VIP Reception will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. for those purchasing tickets at sponsorship levels and will include participative activities. Proceeds from Starry Night will benefit two worthwhile causes – Lakewood Hospital Diabetes and Endocrine Center and the Lakewood Arts Festival Scholarship Fund. Each year, Starry Night shines a little brighter with this year’s event featuring music from The Bottom Line Band with dancing under the stars, gourmet cuisine, and live and silent auctions of local artists’ interpretations of the theme, Summer Nights…Under the Stars. New this year will feature a wine cork raffle for the opportunity to win a delicious and unique bottle of wine or other fabulous packages. News Anchor and Senior Health Correspondent Monica Robins of WKYC-TV3 will emcee the event. “Once again, I am looking forward to Starry Night,” said Jack Gustin, President of Lakewood Hospital. “Having an opportunity to spend a summer evening with friends and colleagues, all while raising money for two important causes, makes Starry Night the premier event to attend this summer,” continued Gustin.
Join Puma Yoga as it celebrates its one-year anniversary on Saturday, August 8: all classes will be FREE that day to say thank-you to those who already practice at the studio and to encourage those who are interested in checking the studio out to stop by for a class or two! During the celebration, enjoy complimentary healthy snacks, enter drawings to win prizes, and much more!
My new life in America began in 1997. Walking all over Lakewood with my sister and her son became our only entertainment. We came from Tirana, the capital city of Albania, where nearly all the people walked or rode bicycles. The streets were always crowded and everyone was well dressed even for a trip to the grocery store. However, my walks in Lakewood, Ohio became a cultural shock experience.
