The Lakewood Democratic Club met earlier this summer to elect new officers and make its endorsements for the September 7 Democratic Primary for the new County Executive and County Council District 2 which includes all of Lakewoood.

On Thursday, July 15 the Lakewood Democratic Club honored Gerry Nelson, the former club secretary, and lifelong Democrat as the Lakewood Democrat of the Year. The presentation was made by club President Karolyn Isenhart and First Vice President Kyle Weigand at the club’s annual Summer Supper Steak and Veggie Roast at the Clifton Beach. Gerry Nelson is recognized as a political and social activist and a leader on the ground, where it matters, working with workers and unions, with seniors, with Democratic candidates and throughout the community in Lakewood and Northeast Ohio.

Keep Lakewood Beautiful (KLB) took being green literally this spring with many green events. First of all, a big THANK YOU to all the residents, block groups, girl scouts and community groups who participated in our Great American Cleanup in Lakewood on April 24. This annual event, sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, had many registered groups picking up trash, recyclables and yard waste in Lakewood and beautifying our public spaces.  What a great response and what a difference groups coming together can make. Again, thanks to the many who helped with this year’s clean up.

The Kiwanis Club of Lakewood is pleased to announce the ten recipients of $10,000 academic scholarships to the following Lakewood residents who are graduating with the class of 2010. Awardees were selected based upon overall academic performance, community involvement, and extra curricular activities.

Dear Citizens of Lakewood:

Lakewood resident Dr. Sheila G. Bailey, Senior Research Physicist at NASA Glenn Research Center, is the featured speaker at the League of Women Voters' public meeting series titled, Women Who Know Their Place. Her talk, "Science and Petticoats," is set for Thursday, April 8, 2010, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at Trinity Commons at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. The public is invited to attend, with free parking for attendees behind the Cathedral off Prospect Avenue.

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.

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

Lakewood resident and Attorney at Law Susan Jankite has been named "2009 G.A.L. of the Year" by the G.A.L. (Guardian ad Litem) Project of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Guardian ad Litem literally means "guardian at law." A G.A.L. is an attorney appointed by the Juvenile Court to advocate for the best interests of a child (or, in some instances, an adult) in a juvenile court proceeding. Currently there are approximatley 100 qualified G.A.L.'s who have received special training from the G.A.L. Project.

It's hard not to be a couch potato when the cold wind blows and snow makes the sidewalks of our walkable city treacherous. No excuses now, though. Thanks to the Lakewood City Schools and Rec Department, you can do your walking safely, indoors. Every Monday through Thursday that school is in session, Garfield and Harding Middle Schools are open 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. for walking in the halls. Residents just need to sign in with the security guard—kids under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. You're in control of the intensity of your workout--stay on the first floor for an easy walk, or get your heart pumping by including flights of steps in your circuit.

These days, across the nation, there is a noticeable lack of community service being done by organizations which used to have the neighborhood as a reason for their existence. Many service organizations no longer are a viable part of a city’s social core because it seems to have gone out of fashion.

Lakewood dog owners will have the chance to support their right to take their dogs into Lakewood parks on September 26 at a Hot Dog Social. The Citizens Committee to Allow Leashed Dogs in Lakewood Parks plans its first fundraiser that day from 1 to 5 p.m. at Lakewood’s newest pet store, The Furry Nation, 15800 Detroit Road (near Brockley Avenue). There’s plenty of parking in back, and plenty of interesting things to look at in the store. In addition, the Committee is planning a fun afternoon with local vendors, pet adoptions, raffles, pet photos, a bake sale and activities for the kids.

Darby is a big boy who looks tough but is just a big softy that loves to be around people and will be your shadow! He is great with other cats. Darby was brought in during the coldest days of the Lakewood winter by a kind woman who gave him shelter. PAWS was able to step in and help find him a home. He is great with other cats and loves to play, play, play! 

Darby is up to date with routine vaccinations, is altered, litter box trained and just waiting for his forever home!  Could it be yours? If interested in Dearby, please contact The Public Animal Welfare Society of Ohio (PAWS) at 440-442-PAWS or visit www.pawsohio.org.

Now that the January snow is behind us, it’s time to join in the pre-spring tradition of “Wining” about winter. LakewoodAlive’s first annual fundraiser, Wine About Winter, is set for Saturday, March 7th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Come join your friends downtown at Rozi’s Wine House for a wonderful way to find warmth in the cold -- wine tasting!

The Junior Women’s Club of Lakewood is currently accepting grant applications for agencies that meet non-profit status in accordance with IRS regulations and wish to be considered beneficiaries of next year’s fundraising projects. In the past decade, JWCL has given more than $160,000 to deserving organizations including:The Barton Center, The Beck Center, Keep Lakewood Beautiful, Kids Cove, Lakewood Christian Service Center, Lakewood Family Room, Lakewood Library Foundation, Lakewood YMCA, Matthew’s Lending Library, Meals on Wheels and Project H2O. 

On Wednesday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Harrison Elementary School LakewoodAlive will be presenting the second of a two part forum series entitled Making “Cents” of Lakewood’s Finances. A panel of Lakewood city officials will present the 2008 Budget for the City of Lakewood. The presentation will include brief review of city finance challenges, the methodology for creating the current city budget, and an understanding of the goals for investing in Lakewood’s future...

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the Lakewood City Schools Community Education and Recreation Department would like to announce the schedule of speakers for this year’s Lakewood Home Show.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Home Show at Harding Middle School in Lakewood, 16601 Madison, on Saturday March 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday March 9 from 1 p.m. through 5 p.m. Offers on the back of tickets for the LAKEWOOD HOME SHOW add up to more than the admission price of $5 (parking is free and kids under 18 are free). Tickets are available now online and at the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, 14701 Detroit Road...

H2O “Help to Others” youth volunteer program has exciting news! H2O is holding a “Guitar Hero” Video Game Tournament at Lakewood High School and you’re invited. H2O’s “Guitar Hero” tournament is being held on Saturday, March 8th, in the Lakewood High School East Cafeteria from 11am – 1pm...

An organizational meeting of the “Friends of Madison Park” will be held on Saturday, March 1st at 3 p.m. in the lower level meeting room at the Madison Branch Library...

On Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Harrison Elementary School LakewoodAlive will be presenting the first of a two part forum series entitled Making “Cents” of Lakewood’s Finances...

In many of our minds the memory of prom night is one of the most significant. Seniors look forward to it all year. They remember it for a lifetime...

MEALS ON WHEELS Lakewood Meals on Wheels needs your help. Although there are many ways to help, first let me tell you about the program. Chef Jan LeBeau makes about 50 meals a day, five days a week, except on holidays...

Nearly 80 Rotarians and guests were on hand to witness the new Lakewood/Rocky River Sunrise Rotary Club receive its Charter from Rotary International. It was a beautiful evening at the Cleveland Yacht Club, and the food and fellowship were outstanding. Representatives of 11 Rotary Clubs from the North East Ohio Rotary District 6630 were represented.

Do you value a healthy, locally sustainable food source? If yes, it’s not too late to purchase a share bag through the Lakewood Earth & Food Community’s CSA initiative.

March 10, 2007, at the Lakewood Public Library

The Lakewood Earth And Food Community is looking for earth and food loving Lakewoodites. The L.E.A.F. Community is bringing people together who wish to buy local, healthy food, economize, preserve the environment and beautify the city while building a deeper sense of community. The L.E.A.F. Community is working to realize four basic initiatives; community gardening, bulk buying, soil building, and building relationships with local farmers through participation in Community Supported Agriculture (C.S.A.) programs.

While working the BikeLakewood booth at the Lakewood Community Festival earlier this fall, several people asked me about "the bill about biking that was just passed." The bill these folks were referring to is House Bill 389, also known as the "Better Bicycling in Ohio" bill. It was passed last June and takes effect on September 21st. Most of the festival attendees had read about HB 389 in a recent Plain Dealer article.

On Thursday, September 21, 2006, The Lakewood Commission on Aging (LCOA) held its Tenth Annual PastaFiesta, at the Woman's Pavilion in Lakewood Park.

LakewoodAlive, a citizens' community development and advocacy group committed to helping create informed and engaged residents, has announced its next forum, Hard Hat Area: Lakewood's Residential Building Boom.

On Saturday, September 16, participants walked from Lakewood Park to Edgewater Park joining a nationwide "Walk for Peace" to raise awareness of legislation (HR 3760 and S. 1756) currently in the House and Senate to create a cabinet level US Department of Peace and Nonviolence.

Walking around Lakewood, it's hard to miss the transformation that is underway. Structures and spaces are emerging that are intended to appeal to our intellectual, physical, and social needs. In many ways, political differences of the past have engaged a community that has not allowed itself to recede into apathy. We are a proactive group of people dedicated to creating the community we want to live in. This spirit, in fact, is the driving force behind a recently formed collaborative philanthropic effort called the Cleveland Colectivo.

BikeLakewood was founded just this past June to promote Better Biking in Lakewood. I'd like to take some time to update you on our progress to date.

Lakewood Observers committed to the model of community supported agriculture (CSA), the taste of fresh gourmet vegetables, good times in Lakewood together and support for local business organized the LO Gourmet Food Security Network and held the First Harvest Soiree at bela dubby on July 13.

On Saturday June 10, Julie Wiltse spoke at the National Eminent Domain Conference titled, "Moving Forward: Winning the Battle Against Eminent Domain in a Post-Kelo World", hosted by the Castle Coalition in Arlington, Virginia. Mrs. Wiltse opened her remarks with the optimistic report that "Contrary to Mayor Cain's prediction in 2002 that Lakewood would not survive without the completion of the 151 million dollar lifestyle center on the West End or that no developer would think of doing any redevelopment in the city without the city's willingness to use its power of eminent domain, I'm happy to report that Lakewood is alive and well." She went on to detail the many development projects that Lakewood is currently doing and discussing all without the use of eminent domain. Mrs. Wiltse had been one of the homeowners and business owners whose property had been threatened by eminent domain in Lakewood.

The Rockport Lakewood Kiwanis Club is on a mission to recruit more new members to its ranks. Club members have found the most effective weapon in their arsenal is FUN. Last weekend they continued their quest by holding two social activities that drew on the interest of their members, paintball and baseball. Rumor has it that this group has also formed a kickball team that is going to be hard to beat. If you want to find out more about membership, join the club on the stage at the Winking Lizard on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.

City Year, a proud member of AmeriCorps, unites over 1,000 diverse young adults, ages 17 to 24, in 16 communities across the country for a demanding year of full-time community service, leadership development and civic engagement. This year, in Cleveland, 70 of these idealistic young leaders will make a difference in the lives of 10,000 children, providing nearly 120,000 hours of service.

The 1956 Time Capsule from the Lakewood YMCA was opened on April 5th at a luncheon event sponsored by the Winking Lizard. The Capsule was opened by Louise Fletcher, a longtime member and major donor to the 2006 campaign; Anne Palomaki, a member who attended the dedication of the Y in 1957; John McMillan, co-chairman of the 2006 Capital campaign; and Glenn Haley, CEO and President of the Cleveland YMCA.

Over 200 supporters attended the fundraiser for Lakewood Municipal Judge Patrick Carroll at Swingoes on the Lake on April 5th. Judge Carroll is campaigning for the position of Judge on the 8th District Court of Appeals in the Democratic Primary Election on May 2nd, 2006 and received the endorsement of "The Cleveland Plain Dealer".

n the summer of 2006, Lakewood offered a 7-series renovation class through the Cleveland Green Building Coalition. Having just purchased a 1910 Arts & Crafts Colonial Foursquare on Hall Avenue, I eagerly learned the ins and outs of renovating for high-energy-efficiency and low-toxicity! Our teacher Jim LaRue, former Education Director of the Housing Resource Center in Cleveland, stressed the importance of focusing on simple, cost-effective strategies. Solar energy sounds fabulous, but it can be quite costly and requires the right mix of circumstances to pay off in the end.

LakewoodAlive, a citizens' economic development advocacy group committed to helping create informed and engaged residents, has announced they will conduct a follow-up citizen survey to their most recent December 2005 survey. The online survey is available to every Lakewood citizen via their website at www.lakewoodalive.com. The nine-question survey will be conducted between March 21 and April 13, 2006. All Lakewood citizens are encouraged to complete the survey and post their comments. The survey results will be shared with city officials and published for public consumption at a later date.