When it comes to the arts in Lakewood, there really is strength in numbers.

At least that is the general idea that the members of Lakewood Is Art (LIA) believe. They feel that collaboration is the way to get things done.

“We're a small group of art-minded enthusiasts who get together to promote art events,” said Ruth Koenigsmark, one of the founding members and current head of LIA, an organization that is known to work together with other like minded groups to push for more art in the community...

Lakewood Earth and Food (or LEAF) is, in the literal sense of the word, a grass-roots organization. In fact, this year’s slogan says it all: “Planting the seeds that change a city into a community.”

And while many Lakewoodites have most likely heard the name, read something about them, or seen them march in the 4th of July parade, LEAF is actually a great deal more complex than its most publicized Community Garden project. In addition to Community Gardening, LEAF supplies affordable produce on a weekly basis, brings in vendors who sell bulk, and tries to reuse waste materials...