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With my brother, Tim, and my dad, Tom (the honorable former Mayor of Lakewood) on graduation day. We all went through Lakewood schools. I’m an LHS graduate, former Lakewood City Academy school board member, mom to a Lincoln elementary preschooler, and current Mayor and Safety Director of Lakewood.

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Lakewood is a city with a high quality of life, positive momentum, and a history of providing its residents with the best in public assets and services. A bedrock of this value proposition has always been our Lakewood City Schools and their neighborhood-based model of education. In practice, that has always meant an excellent standard of learning set within walkable schools. This approach to education was the product of a long-term vision that has served our community extremely well for over a century. It is one of the primary reasons people choose Lakewood as their home.

Last year, the Lakewood Board of Education established an Elementary Planning Task Force to “explore the optimal use and maintenance of District facilities.” This task force has been provided seven scenarios for the future of Lakewood’s elementary schools; however, only one of those scenarios involves maintaining our tradition and core value of walkable, neighborhood-based education. The other six all suggest closing at least one and possibly even two of our neighborhood schools. For many reasons, I believe that this task force process is overly focused on shedding facilities and should instead be refocused on how to maintain our traditional approach to education in Lakewood.

For those who may not have a full history, in the early 2000s Lakewood City Schools undertook the creation of its 50 Year Committee. This plan was based in part on the assumption of a decrease in enrollment (which has come to fruition). The 50 Year Committee examined all factors and recommended an expansive overhaul of our school facilities. It called for “decommissioning” – closure in lay terms – of three elementary schools as a result: Madison, McKinley, and Taft. Other shifts in location and capacity were also undertaken. What that plan made clear was that enrollment would dip significantly in the future, and closure of these three schools was necessary to address the coming enrollment decline. As the name of the plan suggests, this plan was based on forecasting the next 50 years of our public school needs.

That planning process also coincided with Lakewood City Schools asking for and receiving an immense commitment and investment by our residents and taxpayers – the capital project that accompanied the 50 Year Committee included the complete rebuilding of half a dozen schools and vast renovations of the others.

My wife Molly and I, proud Lakewood residents, embarked on a thrilling adventure to Egypt in February and March of this year. Cairo, with its inexplicable magical and enchanting atmosphere, captivated us from the moment we arrived.

Let me paint a picture of the bustling streets of Cairo for you. Picture quirky three-wheeled tuk-tuks zipping around, motorcycles carrying not just one, but three adults, and sometimes even entire families! And let's not forget the carts pulled by horses or donkeys, loaded with fresh produce and sometimes even a family. It was a sight to behold!

In Cairo, you won't find any large grocery or drug stores. In fact, large superstores are a rarity in this region. But shopping in Cairo is a unique experience, with storekeepers who know their products inside out and are always willing to go the extra mile to help.

Now, let's dive into some of the incredible places we visited. One of our favorites was the Coptic St. Mary’s Church in the Zeitoun district. This magnificent church holds a special place in history, as it is believed to be the spot where the Holy Family sought refuge from King Herod. And in the late 60s and early 70s, an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary herself appeared on a regular basis atop the church's dome, witnessed by hundreds of thousands, including President Nasser and representatives from the Vatican. It's a testament to the contemporaneous unity between Muslims and Christians that exists in Egypt today.

Our adventures didn't stop there. We hopped on a horse and buggy for a thrilling tour of the iconic Giza Pyramids and the vast Sahara Desert. We marveled at the grandeur of the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum, attended a mesmerizing performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty Ballet” at the fabulous Cairo Opera House, and wandered through the historic and mind-boggling Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Experiencing all of this firsthand left an indelible impression on us, one that we will indeed cherish forever.

There is one more delightful detail I must share with you. Throughout our time in Egypt, we were consistently amazed by the warmth and generosity of the local people. Without any prompting, they would guide us through bustling streets and assist us with our shopping bags.

Get ready for one Hel-en of a night of fun, laughs, and a whole lot of caftans at the Mrs. Roper's Romp Bar Crawl Fundraiser to support Barton Center! 

When: Saturday, May 17 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

All proceeds from this spirited event will go toward our programming here at Barton Center, so grab your Janet, Jack, and Chrissys and get ready for a fun night out while celebrating a great cause.

Dress in your best retro Mrs. Roper and Stanley-inspired outfits (think bright-colored caftans, flowy dresses, flower print, and leisure suits) and get ready to party for a cause! 

Here’s what you can expect: We will begin our Romp at McGinty's at 1 p.m. and crawl our way down to Mahall's Pins & Needles, known as the Regal Beagle during the Romp, at 4 p.m. for raffles and fun. We will also stop at Iggy's, Lakewood Village Tavern, and more! Check back for more Romp Stops as we get closer!

Bonus: The first 50 ticket holders will receive a FREE pair of authentic Mrs. Roper's sunglasses at the event! 

Location: From Bunts to Clarence on Madison Avenue, Lakewood

Mark your calendars, grab your Helens and Stanleys, and let's make this bar crawl one to remember! 

If you have any questions or are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Allison at [email protected].

Cook Avenue block party, 2024

Block parties are part of the culture of Lakewood. Growing up in Parma where they weren’t as common, I daydreamed what it would be like to have open streets for a day, committed to neighbors having fun, however they defined it. 

o when I moved to Cook Avenue in Lakewood in 2020, I wanted to make it happen–except it was much more logistically challenging than I expected. We hadn’t had a block party on our street in more than 25 years, which meant we had to do a street survey to make sure people wanted a block party. And the survey had to show that 75 percent or more of residences said “yes.” 

We had more than 115 residences on our street–including several three-family homes. How was I going to achieve that, even if I enlisted other neighbors to help?

This is one of the many questions I want to demystify at the free workshop “How to Plan a Block Party in Lakewood,” May 6, 2025, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Public Library main branch. Because yes, I eventually figured out a solution, and we had an awesome first block party. But it took way too much time and personal energy to get it off the ground.

Block parties should remain part of the Lakewood culture (there’s evidence that communities with community gatherings like block parties have lower crime rates). This workshop aims to cement it by sharing best practices from streets like mine and providing a step-by-step guide with everything from hosting a planning meeting to enlisting city resources.

Madison Park Chalk Fest Slated for May 4

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It's been said that everyone's an artist. Here's your chance to let your creativity shine.

Friends of Madison Park proudly announces Madison Park Chalk Fest taking place Sunday, May 4, from 2 to 3:30 pm in the center of our park in partnership with the City of Lakewood. 

This free event has a singular goal: Celebrate our park and the spirit of community by filling the entire pavement area surrounding our Little Free Locker Room with chalk art.

Speaking of the Locker Room, this structure will be stocked full of free-to-use chalk for the occasion. Simply bring yourself and your artistic nature to participate. 

Complimentary light refreshments will be provided, and we’ll have music playing to set the atmosphere.

We hope to see you on May 4 (Star Wars chalk art welcome)! Rain date = May 18.

Matt Bixenstine enjoys all things Lakewood, especially walking his basset hound through Madison Park.

Join Church of the Ascension on our beautiful grounds, Saturday, May 17th from 11 am to 4 pm (table set-up 10:30 am)for a spring fun-filled day, including Bicycle Safety, Playground and Art Activities, Flea Market, and an inexpensive Grilled Lunch. Bring your children (grades 1 – 6) and their bikes to participate in a safety riding course (1-3pm), sponsored by Bike Lakewood. A bicycle inspection and simple repairs, (courtesy of Beat Cycles) are available for anyone, including adults, who brings a bike. Meet the Lakewood Police to register your bike. Bring your spring cleaning treasures to sell on our front grounds.

Call 216-521-8727 to reserve your Ascension Market Table. A free will offering ($20 suggested) is appreciated but not required. Come and enjoy the Lakewood Community, and even check out the Heirloom Plant Sale from 2 - 5 pm at the Lakewood Garden Center next door.  Enjoy a Saturday of spring fun at Church of the Ascension.  13216 Detroit Ave. Lakewood. 216-521-8727

Keira Dodd is an English teacher, a mother of two girls who attend Lakewood City Schools, and a member of the vestry at Church of the Ascension in Lakewood.

L-R: HELP Board President Peter Henry, Cuyahoga County Councilman Dale Miller, HELP President & CEO Tamara Honkala, Lakewood Mayor Meghan George and State Representative Tristan Rader.

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HELP Foundation kicked off its 60th anniversary with the grand opening of its expanded and renovated facility at 18228 Sloane Ave. in Lakewood. This $2 million project enhances Adult Day and Vocational Programs for individuals with disabilities, reinforcing HELP’s mission of empowerment and inclusion.

Founded in 1965 by two Lakewood mothers seeking support for their sons with disabilities, HELP has grown into a leading organization serving nearly 600 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Northeast Ohio. Today, HELP provides residential services, adult day support, vocational training, and employment assistance.

The Lakewood project will double the capacity of HELP’s Adult Day Program and enhance programs such as HELP Harvest, an innovative seed-to-table vocational training program. 

“This expansion represents more than just a renovation—it’s a commitment to ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to meaningful opportunities, resources, and support,” said Tamara Honkala, HELP President & CEO. “For 60 years, HELP has been dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to live with greater independence, and this project allows us to expand our reach and deepen our impact in the community.”

MILES students at Lakewood High last week enjoyed a salad bar at the Ranger Cafe to celebrate harvesting the lettuce grown in their classroom's Flex Farm hydroponic garden!
 
This first harvest was a great lesson in sustainability and the benefits of farm-to-table eating.

With future harvests, they hope to team up with the Ranger Cafe to supply fresh lettuce and maybe even sell their produce at the Lakewood Farmers Market at Madison Park! Great job, MILES gang!

The Ranger Nation Football Club (RNFC) took another major step toward revitalizing Lakewood football with the overwhelming success of its First Annual Team Trivia Showdown. The event, attended by 150+ supporters, was held on March 1st at the Screw Factory in Lakewood and featured teams of eight players each, competing in a night of fun and competition.

The winning team took home a beautiful trophy, while the last-place team received the humorous Golden Toilet Award. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the event's engaging format and community spirit.

Building From the Ground Up

Lakewood High School Head Coach Mike Polevacik (known to many as "Coach Polo") delivered an inspiring speech about the importance of investing in youth football to ensure future success. He highlighted his commitment to the program by coaching youth camps, meeting individually with youth coaches and parents, and building strong relationships to create a lasting impact. "The momentum is shifting," said Polevacik. "We're seeing more engagement at every level, and that's how we build a successful program."

Lakewood football has seen only one winning record since 2003.

Despite this challenging history, progress is evident. Coach Polevacik doubled the team's win total from year one to year two, and the 2024 season saw several school offensive records shattered. Several players signed letters of intent to play college football next season, and the Rangers return several All-Conference players from their four-win campaign, setting the stage for continued improvement.

We flew to Paris, France for a week for our son’s heart scan because the whole trip was still cheaper than the insured scan in the United States. I know, it sounds ridiculous. That’s because it is.

“Merci, madame. Au revoir!” The secretary handed me a few documents. I slipped my son’s heart images and impressions into a folder and neatly tucked it into the stroller. I made a mental note to reach out to the doctor again in a few days if I hadn’t received the English version yet. While I could understand the French description of the heart scan, I knew that our American cardiologist would appreciate a version that didn’t require him to translate.

We left the office building and walked down the charming avenue, dotted with cafes and shops, black iron flowers swirling on the residential balconies. We passed two flower shops and a small park. The metro whooshed overhead, the iconic line 6 which had an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower when you rode over the Seine river.
We walked towards Champs de Mars, the park which also led to an impressive view of the Eiffel Tower.

“Eiffel Tower now!!!” my three year old demanded, his little voice punctuated by the emotion that came with a time zone change, a complete transformation in scenery and routine, and his recent requirement to sit still on grandma’s lap for thirty minutes while his little brother received an echocardiogram.

Mezclado - ¡Sepa La Bola! / Who Knows! - self-released - 8 songs - cassette, digital

No sophomore slump for Mezclado! Perhaps I was primed to like this tape because I’ve heard them doing this material live for the past year or so, but hey, it’s a good tape regardless. “American Communion,” which starts things off here, is a good indie psych tune with a slightly menacing vibe. It’s appropriately noisy with a great chorus and lots of good guitars. Wyatt (one of the band’s three frontpeople and the one who sings this song) also takes the lead on “Record & Rewind” which kicks off the second side and shares with “American Communion” that sort of ominous mood— that’s not to say the two songs are samey, though, because they’re not, they’re just both good songs that share that vibe. “Rocket Man” is a great garage-y punk song that Joe (the next Mezclado member to step up to the mic here) really yells. I think he’s saying, “Watch out, it’s the big cheese coming!” though I am not 100 percent certain. Nico (the third Mezclado singer to appear on this tape and the one who sings the most songs) comes through on “Narcoleptico” with a punk track to rival “Fed Up” from the first album— it’s a very good track (“Muerte,” on side two, is also a good punk track). I also quite enjoyed the alt-psych jammer “Disillusion Man,” which I think is spiritual kin to the previous record’s “Sunday Dread” (perhaps it’s a similar disaffected vocal style from Nico). Something about it, as someone (hi, Nathan) pointed out at the release show, is certainly influenced by Neil Young. At the same time, it doesn’t really sound like Neil, there’s just a Neil sort of feeling (Billy Talbot would never play a bass line like that). The tape closes with two tracks that I think sort of sum up all of Mezclado’s strengths: “Spit On Me,” which is largely a slower reverb and guitar-heavy psych number (and also has an ominous atmosphere— perhaps that’s just the times), does a cool rest moment before jamming out into the coda, which then speeds up massively. Everyone knows I like songs that speed up! Finally, there’s “Ya Me Voy,” which is Mezclado at their most musically Latin, but never loses the psychedelic mood nor some of the punk aggression (and there’s lots of great guitar on this one, too). Overall, I think this album is really good. It’s a solid collection of songs and I think it captures some of their live energy slightly better than the last album. If you’re not into Mezclado yet, perhaps now is the time. Who knows! 4/5

(available on streaming platforms; maybe hit up the band for a tape?)

Are you a local-ish band? Do you have a record out? Email [email protected] or send it directly to the Observer: PO Box 770203, Lakewood, OH 44107.

Ruby Dee speaking at the March on Washington Rally next to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/ruby-dee-actress-and-activist-who-fought-for-civil-rights-and-broke-through-racial-barriers-on-broadway-in-films-and-on-tv-9535853.html

Ruby Dee, born in 1922, was a native of Cleveland, Ohio. While some may know her as a famous African American actress during the 1960s, she was also an avid social rights activist for racial equality and equal rights during the Civil Rights Movement. After receiving her education from Hunter College with a degree in Spanish and French in 1945, Ruby worked as an apprentice with the American Negro Theatre. At the age of 17, she first appeared in On Strives Row before participating in several Broadway productions. She later met her husband, Ossie Davis, in 1946, and married him in 1948. In addition to doing her own film and entertainment projects, she was often seen participating in plays, films, and television shows with him for over five decades.

During her time at the American Negro Theatre, Ruby began to realize how she was treated differently from some of her peers due to her race. She acknowledged that she may have different experiences and harder challenges in comparison to white individuals, but she never let that stop her. Even though Ruby worked to appear on film during a time of segregation in most of the United States and was treated as a second-class citizen as a Black actress, she continued to push forward. Ruby began to advocate for change in any way she knew how, emerging as a trailblazer during the civil rights movement. She marched alongside Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for equity and justice for African Americans, becoming personal friends with them both over their mutual passion for equality.

Ruby Dee was also a main organizer for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where she served as an emcee. Due to her profound relationship with Malcolm X, she was even honored with reading the eulogy at his funeral. In conjunction with her husband, she participated in some of the country’s largest political demonstrations and was associated with almost every civil rights group, including the NAACP, the Congress of Racial Equity, the Black Panthers, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

After 17 years in Lakewood, it is with great sadness that we have to announce that Nunzio’s Pizzeria on Detroit Avenue is no longer open. The lease was up for renewal and unfortunately so was the cost--so much so that it wasn’t feasible to stay in the community.

Nunzio Traina, owner, cannot thank Lakewood enough for all of the support and love from this community throughout the years. He will continue to service his loyal customers in Lakewood from his Cleveland store at 7020 Lorain Avenue as he did before moving to our town, offering pick up and delivery.

A fine business owner who had a wonderful staff here will be greatly missed.

Happy Spring Neighbors!

Recently, City Council held our strategic planning meeting to germinate the seeds that have been planted by our ongoing conversations with many of you as well as our own experiences living in the community we serve. Not surprisingly, two of the subjects most on the minds of councilmembers are ones very often shared by residents: Affordable Housing and Safe Streets.

Financial advisors recommend spending 30% or less of income on housing, but due to wage stagnation and rising rents, 49.7% of U.S. households are forced to spend more, according to the US Census Bureau. The City adopted a long-term Affordable Housing Strategy in 2019, and we must continue to take both ambitious leaps and many small, practical steps to address this nationwide crisis affecting our local community. I was proud to introduce one common sense action with Vice President Baker and Mayor George. Ordinance 15-2025, currently before Finance Committee, would increase the number of residents eligible for discounted water/sewer rates based on adjusted gross income, excluding non-taxable Social Security benefits. 

Speaking of Social Security benefits, Lakewood is fortunate to be home to a critical SSA field office, the number of which are shrinking due to President Trump’s reduction in force orders. Trump’s proposed budget also requires huge cuts to healthcare programs. Council joined with the North Shore AFL-CIO to adopt Resolution 2025-16 advocating for the protection of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and supporting the retention and fair treatment of essential federal employees who help our residents navigate their benefits. 

Council also very much shares the community’s expressed concern about multi-modal transportation–the ability of pedestrians, cyclists, and assistive mobility device users to safely share the rights of way with motorists. Last year the City adopted the Active Transportation & Safe Streets for All Plans. Since then, VP Baker and I have been working with the Administration on a Complete Streets Ordinance facilitating public engagement in multi-modal infrastructure planning. We expect to introduce the ordinance at the upcoming full council meeting on April 21st as well as an ordinance establishing a Complete and Active Streets Education & Advisory Committee which would combine the lived experiences of residents with the expertise of our professional staff at City Hall to help us all be safer together.

The Board of Education and the district are entrusted to manage the school system. With good management, there can be seven elementary schools—preserving our neighborhood schools and safeguarding them for our future. With enrollment stabilizing, classroom sizes projected to equalize starting with the 26-27 school year, little financial benefit, and an overarching lack of transparency, our question remains: Why are we still discussing closing an elementary school?

In fact, why did we even start the discussion in the first place? We have been told by the superintendent that “nothing is on fire”, “there is no emergency”, “this process isn’t taking place because of school finances” and “the passing of a new levy will need to happen regardless”. Convening a task force and asking them to review possibilities of expanding Pre-K by closing an elementary school wastes task force members’ time and brain power because it’s unclear what the impetus was in the first place. The Lakewoodites on the task force who I have spoken to are talented, intelligent, hard-working individuals. We could be using their commitment to provide support, guidance and perspective on a specific issue or problem and to figure out a better solution. Yet, with enrollment stabilizing, nothing on fire, and a wide group of supporters from new immigrants to Lakewood graduates extolling the virtues of preserving seven neighborhood schools at board meetings, it’s hard to understand why the task force has been asked to evaluate six predetermined options for closing and repurposing a school or schools. 

Speaking of the recommendation process… how does it work? This is a question that Preserve Lakewood Schools has posed to the school board and superintendent, and spent a good deal of time trying to understand. In short… there doesn’t seem to be an established process. For example, it would seem as if the three scenarios for closing multiple schools have been taken off of the table, but the task force didn’t explicitly vote on that elimination. Who interpreted the work of the task force by removing those scenarios? The consultant? Superintendent? Board of Education? Is this the process they will follow for the final recommendation? It lacks clarity and transparency. The members of the task force and community deserve a better explanation! 

 MTT Logo Option 1

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Students from Lakewood High School are putting their creativity in the driver’s seat as they take on a unique community challenge — designing logos for this year’s Meet the Trucks event.

The art class, led by Mrs. McQuay, has been hard at work creating a variety of logo concepts that capture the fun, family-friendly spirit of the event. From fire engines to bulldozers to construction equipment, each student has put their own spin on what Meet the Trucks represents in the community.

Now, it’s your turn to help steer the decision! The public is invited to view the student-designed logos and vote for their favorite. The winning design will be featured on all promotional materials and signage for the event. Voting and logo previews can be found through our website at: https://www.lecpta.com - Meet the Trucks 2025 Logo Contest. Voting will be open from today through April 30th.

Meet the Trucks has become a beloved Lakewood tradition, marking the unofficial start of summer. Organized by Lakewood’s Early Childhood PTA, the event is scheduled for Saturday, June 7th at Lakewood Park, and promises to be a day full of fun, excitement, and hands-on experiences for kids and families alike. Children will have the chance to explore and climb aboard a wide variety of trucks and vehicles, meet the people who operate them, and enjoy a wide variety of food and activities. Visit the LECPTA Facebook Page @2025 Meet the Trucks for additional event details.

Be sure to cast your vote to support local student talent and help choose the face of this year’s celebration. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for Saturday, June 7th for Meet the Trucks—a day of big wheels, big fun, and even bigger community spirit. We’ll see you there!

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The Madison Branch of Lakewood Public Library was awarded an Award of Excellence for Sensitive Rehabilitation at the 2025 Celebration of Preservation, presented by the Cleveland Restoration Society and the American Institute of Architects, Cleveland Chapter.  

Constructed in 1929 by the renowned architectural firm Walker and Weeks, the Madison Branch has been a cornerstone of the Birdtown neighborhood for nearly a century. The renovation project, led by HBM Architects of Cleveland, focused on restoring some of the Library's original design elements while modernizing the building.  

Most noticeable is the restoration of the central ceiling area, which had been covered by a drop ceiling in the 1950s. The hidden clerestory windows were reintroduced, bringing natural light and improved ventilation to the Library. On the facade, the original sconces were restored with custom replicas created for the south side of the building as well.And in order to provide three spaces in high demand, the lower level was reconfigured to include a meeting room, study room and a youth programming room. 

The Cleveland Restoration Society-American Institute of Architects, Cleveland Chapter jury, which reviewed numerous projects, praised the Madison Branch renovation for its timeless aesthetic and its capacity to meet the evolving needs of the neighborhood for years to come. The Library was one of thirteen winners recognized at the event, sharing the spotlight with other notable projects such as the Hotel Cleveland and the James A. Garfield Memorial. 

The Lakewood mansion home built between 1899 and 1903 on the north side of Lake Avenue was part of the five-acre Kundtz family estate, which stretched to Lake Erie. It included elaborate woodwork carved by Theodor Kundtz.

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Historical Society’s annual meeting at Church of the Ascension features Lakewood’s Kundtz family. John Kundtz, great-grandson of renowned carpenter, inventor, and businessman Theodor Kundtz, will be the guest speaker at the Lakewood Historical Society’s Annual Meeting on Wed., April 30 at 6:00 p.m.

He will discuss “The Kundtz Family in Lakewood.” The event will be held in the nave of Church of the Ascension, an Episcopal Church located at 13216 Detroit Avenue.
In addition to Ascension’s having the longest church history in Lakewood, continuous since 1875, it is one of the few whose furnishings created by the
Kundtz company remain in use. The church’s pews, pulpit, lectern, bishop’s chair, and choir stalls feature the Kundtz hand-carved artistry.

Part of a series of historical lectures celebrating Church of the Ascension’s 150th Anniversary, the event is free, and the public is invited. For more information
about Church of the Ascension and other upcoming activities, please visit www.ascension-lakewood.org.

Corky Thacker is a novelist and parishioner at Church of the Ascension, an Episcopal Church located at 13216 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood.

The mosaic art class at Cove is off to an incredible start! Local artist Martha Cliffel, a well-known Lakewood resident, is guiding participants through four creative sessions. The class is full, but we’ll keep you updated on everyone’s progress. So far, they’re doing great!

Stay tuned for more updates as these artists bring their mosaic masterpieces to life!

When a new parent or caregiver welcomes a baby, it’s a monumental life change. Whether you’re embarking on this journey alone or with a partner, the transition into parenthood can be overwhelming. Kristen Bindel, a Lakewood native and owner of Bamboo Birth, is here to help you navigate every step of the way. As a birth doula, postpartum doula, and certified lactation counselor, Kristen is dedicated to offering unwavering support, compassion, and expertise to guide you through this life-changing experience.

A Deep Connection to Lakewood

Kristen’s journey to supporting families started in the heart of her community. She began attending the Lakewood Family Room with her youngest child, now 11, where she discovered a wealth of early childhood resources and, more importantly, a sense of community. It was here that Kristen began to understand the importance of a supportive network for new families. She even brought her nanny family along to experience this nurturing environment for their children.

From Personal Experience to Professional Passion

Kristen’s path into birth work was sparked by her own childbirth experience. Feeling a lack of autonomy and compassion during her pregnancy, she realized that many families face similar struggles. This motivated her to research doulas—non-medical professionals who provide emotional and physical support before, during, and after childbirth. Her desire to offer better support for families led her to become a certified lactation counselor in 2019, broadening her ability to assist families through breastfeeding, newborn care, and postpartum challenges.

Mr. Vargas, Harding Middle School's art teacher, runs a thriving handball club. He hopes to expand the program so it is more accessible for these kids to have an outdoor space to play this summer.

Learn this easy, fun, and inexpensive game. All you need is a wall, a ball, and some friends! Classes begin on April 29th and continue through May 27th (no class on May 6th). 6:00-7:30 PM Facilitated by HMS’s art teacher, Cesar Vargas, and his handball club at Harding Middle School Gym, 16601 Madison Avenue.

Patricia is a freelance travel writer and a resident of Lakewood. Her three boys attend(ed) Lakewood City Schools: a recent LHS graduate who is at OSU, an eighth grader at HMS, and a sixth grader at GMS. She has volunteered at all the schools her children have attended and other organizations in Lakewood. Most recently, Be SMART. She aims to continue to help maintain a safe, healthy, and stable community for her family and neighbors.

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So much amazing and creative art was on display yesterday at the high school's Everybody But the Senior Art Show! From textiles to ceramics to painting and drawing, the pieces showed our competency of creative thinking is thriving among our students! Special shout out to our teachers in the Art Department for guiding these young minds.

The Lakewood Police Department is launching a new program to help residents with special needs communicate with officers during motor vehicle operator interactions. The Blue Envelope Program helps individuals on the autism spectrum or with other disabilities provide documents to officers, along with details on any communication issues they may have, especially during stressful situations.

Participants keep a copy of their driver’s license/identification, vehicle registration, and current insurance card inside the envelope, and it is to remain inside the vehicle at all times. General instructions for the officer are printed on the outside of the envelope alongside the participant’s name, emergency contact, and details about their specific needs.

“After hearing about similar programs, we reached out to San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Mahoning County Prosecutor. They were able to provide resources for us to begin building the program. We feel that this is an outstanding opportunity to do something new to help our interactions with the public,” said Officer Melissa Mazor, who serves as one of Lakewood’s Neighborhood Officers in the city’s Ward 4 region.

“This program is our most recent introduction in our ongoing effort to improve relations between police and the residents and visitors within Lakewood. As a department, we make sure that the safety of everyone involved in an interaction is the highest priority, as evidenced by our Neighborhood Policing program, our officers’ de-escalation training, and our continued proactive approach to citizen encounters,” said Police Chief Kevin Fischer.

Mayor Meghan George added, “I am excited to see the introduction of this program to Lakewood. We pride ourselves as an open and welcoming community, and I commend the Lakewood Police Department on their dedication to enhancing the safety of all our residents.”

Congratulations to four of our LHS AP Language & Composition students who received Honorable Honorable Mention in The New York Times' photo essay contest! Students Cooper Russell, Hazel Redmon and project partners Maya Trempe and Gwendolyn Hongosh had their work recognized from more than 600 submissions from across the country. 

Reading my essay at the “STOP HATE” Conference.

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STOP THE HATE 

Our world revolves around hierarchy, prejudice, and inequality. I’m not quite sure how or why it got to be like this, but now we are here in it, just sitting around watching TV shows on Netflix, waiting for it to get better. But quick news flash, that's not going to just happen. So that is why I am going to try to convince our world that we need a change, but not just for us, for transgender people whose rights are revoked and are made fun of. So in this essay, you will see how our world needs to change from rude and unjust to kind and useful.  

I first noticed this unfair treatment towards transgender people when my mom’s friend's son transitioned to a female. I still remember how supportive my whole family was that night when my mom told me what it meant when someone was trans, and ever since then, I have heard and seen people do nothing but be rude to trans people and even try to make laws about their freedom. To give substance to this, SB 14 is a law that was passed and signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott on June 2, which stopped allowing transgender minors from receiving hormone therapies and puberty blockers. It goes into effect next month. And these horrible laws have caused trans people to take their own lives because they can’t be who they are. And It took so long for my mom’s friend's daughter to be able to use her correctly gendered bathroom, that is just horrible! Now you see why we need a change, so let's make one.       

We need to be kind. Not just to transgendered people but to all of us. You see, if every day we all could say at least three kind things to people, our world would become so much better. But especially to people who transitioned their gender, if we strive to not make fun of them and just act the same, no matter what gender they are, we all would feel welcome in this world. Also if we started to write peaceful petition papers to our government saying anything along the lines of how unfair it is to trans people who are trying to get sex change surgeries and can't because they may be under 18 or how it's illegal to have that surgery where they live, we could start to make a change. Also, if we all do a little research and find out about the restrictions that trans people have, we can further understand their pain and share that with the world to make more people see the change we will and can make. So if we act on this and do what is right, our actions will inspire change. I’ll be a force for good change and not just sit around when people can’t become who they truly are. We only have one world, so let's make it a good one.  

When I retired and returned to Lakewood after many years away, I began looking for a way to volunteer and reconnect. I had time on my hands, and I felt that I had experience to share. 

I had worked as a journalist and business news publisher, then as a teacher, trainer, and coach of media entrepreneurs. So I looked up the Cleveland chapter of SCORE.org. It’s a group of volunteer business people who coach small business owners and startups. I had worked with them years earlier in Baltimore. 

I learned that I could become a volunteer mentor by taking some online courses and co-mentoring clients with veteran mentors.

Statistics show that entrepreneurs that work with SCORE mentors start businesses, create jobs and increase revenue. The work we do at SCORE makes a measurable impact on the community and - more importantly - someone’s life.

The Cleveland chapter was District Chapter of the Year in 2023; our 80 volunteers helped clients with 7,600 services – either mentoring sessions or total workshop attendees. We helped launch 501 new businesses that created 808 jobs. All the services and materials are free. 

Our surveys show 86% of our clients would recommend our services to their friends, and 55% of those clients in business reported increased revenues. 

The other SCORE volunteers have such impressive executive experience that I am constantly learning. And then working with the clients as we try to solve problems together again offers opportunities to learn. And you’re never too old to learn. 

Greetings All! 

Lakewood Black Caucus (LBC) met on March 15th for a Snack & Chat with guest speaker LaToya Smith, a co-founder of DNA Rising. By the time she finished speaking, the space was buzzing with the kind of energy you experience when someone has blown the roof off! What felt most significant to me is that she helped folks see that the issue of temporary housing for homeless people is not just about providing a place to rest their weary bones out of a sense of compassion, but it’s also about tough love. 

They understand that not everyone knows how to keep a house clean so as to avoid those pesky little rodents. Not everyone knows how to balance a checkbook and shop within their means, and last, but not least, not everyone understands the need for self-care especially a Mom who has a ton of responsibility to deal with. And so, DNA Rising has had to help people learn how to do some of the things that many of us take for granted. 

We’ll have another Snack & Chat before the end of the year on a topic of general interest to the community, and I hope you will join us. 

LBC meets on the third Saturday each month from 1-4:00 pm at Lakewood Presbyterian Church. When it’s a community event, everyone is invited, and that means white folks and People of Color. When it’s a Black Room Saturday, those gatherings are specifically for People of Color. Our next community event will be “Juneteenth” on Thursday, June 19th. 

Over the next couple of months, third Saturdays are dedicated to Black Room gatherings (April 19th and May 17th). This is our time to come together to nourish our souls so that we can continue to thrive in the community by offering educational programs, entertainment, and activities that engender relationship building and camaraderie with our neighbors. 

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Over the last 8 months, Lakewood’s school board has been considering whether or not to close one or even two of our neighborhood elementary schools - some of our community’s most precious assets. We at Preserve Lakewood Schools remain very concerned about the lack of consideration for Lakewood’s broader community’s input in this conversation.

In November '13, an overwhelming majority of Lakewood voters approved a bond issue to fund the rebuilding of the same 3 schools that the board may now vote to close. It will take Lakewood taxpayers until 2043 to repay the nearly $43 million left on that bond.  

Yet, the district has presented the community, in the form of the invitation-only Task Force which meets behind closed doors, with information that a drastic change has to be made - closing one or even two of our neighborhood elementary schools. They have provided little data or reasoning to justify making this drastic change.

Unfortunately, the district began this process using and sharing outdated enrollment projections that were from '22, and shared that outdated information with the task force at its early meetings, as well as with the public at the community meetings held in Fall '24.  

Since then, the district completed an updated enrollment study, which was released in February '25.

The district now projects that Lakewood will only lose 66 K-5 students over the next 10 years - that’s only 9 fewer students per elementary school. The district’s own projections show a steady elementary population moving forward over the next 10 years. This could easily be recouped with renewed marketing efforts.

In a March 11, 2025 letter to the House Finance Committee regarding House Bill 96, Lakewood Schools CFO Kent Zeman wrote, “Lakewood CSD is a guarantee district with stable enrollment. Our enrollment over the last four years has remained constant at 4,200 students.”

Book Club- "All We Can Save: Truth, Courage and Solutions for the Climate Crisis" edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson & Katharine K. Wilkinson 

Facilitated by Dr. Mike Skladany 

Join the discussion Mondays: April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, June 2, June 9, 2025  

6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

Meet The Author- "Where is the Number 2?" By Thomas Adams 

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

On Tuesday, December 7th, 1909, the railroad car ferry Marquette & Bessemer No. 2 left Conneaut, sailing into a brutal winter storm from which no one would return. The subsequent search, which has been going on these last one hundred years, has never located the sunken vessel. 

Documentary- "if i scratch, if i write" (1982) Presented by Alexander Benedict 

Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

Over half a century in the wake of his publishing activities in Cleveland, the legend and critical acclaim of d.a. levy continues to grow. Alexander Benedict presents the definitive documentary of the artist. Free republications of levy's work will be available for all. 

Family Weekend Wonders 

Drop in to the Library's special weekend story time. Family Weekend Wonders Drop-In Story Time is offered every weekend throughout the year and features a different theme each week followed by a craft. No registration is required. 

Main Library- Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.  

Madison Branch- Fridays at 10:30 a.m. 

Just Baby 'N Me 

For You and Your Birth to 24-Month-Old Baby 

Just Baby 'N Me is a lap-sit story time ideal for babies from birth through early walkers. No registration is required.   

Main Library-  

Mondays- 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.  

Wednesdays- 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.  

Thursdays-10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

Madison Branch-  

Thursdays- 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

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The mosaic art class at Cove is off to an incredible start! Local artist Martha Cliffel, a well-known Lakewood resident, is guiding participants through four creative sessions. The class is full, but we'll keep you updated on everyone's progress. So far, they’re doing great!
 
Stay tuned for more updates as these artists bring their mosaic masterpieces to life!

Mr. Cesar Vargas & Emmet Barley in the Bronx playing handball.

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Mr. Cesar Vargas,  a twenty-five-year resident of Lakewood, has been the art teacher at Harding Middle School for seven years. He and his wife raised three boys here and taught art for eighteen years. 

As many of you have heard, on the morning of Monday, March 24, 2025, a collision occurred at the intersection of Madison and Hilliard when a car struck a bicyclist with two children in an attached trailer. All of us are relieved and thankful that no one involved sustained severe injuries. The operator of the car was cited for Failure to Yield Right of Way and told officers that sunglare caused the driver to not see the cyclist.

This unfortunate incident serves as yet another reminder that drivers must be cautious and pay attention – especially in a dense, walkable city like Lakewood where so many get around on foot and cycle. Late last year, a pedestrian was killed near the same intersection in a felony vehicular homicide case, and many have naturally expressed concern as to how we can enhance safety for walkers and cyclists in the area. The City of Lakewood is focused on this effort and on making streets across our community as safe as possible.

The City of Lakewood consistently reviews data from traffic collisions to investigate any trends and determine if problem areas demand additional enforcement focus or possible infrastructure improvements. While the intersection of Madison and Hilliard does not rise to the top of the list of intersections where traffic collisions occur in Lakewood, the City believes that this area warrants addition focus given the two incidents that have occurred over the past six months.

As an initial measure, the City will be marking the four crosswalks that span Madison and Hilliard with high-visibility striping. Additionally, green paint will be placed in all bike lanes as they approach this intersection. Bollards will also be installed at key sections of bike lanes as they approach the intersection. These measures are designed to draw the attention of motorists to bicycle and pedestrian traffic and cause them to slow down and to more clearly separate modes of travel. The City will implement these measures as soon as weather conditions allow and materials/contractors are available.

I have written two prior Observer articles covering the many issues that call the process surrounding, and the data provided to the Elementary Planning Task Force into question. The one issue that has been in the news lately is capacity. The administration claims schools are being under-utilized and has presented capacity numbers to back up that claim. But what do those numbers mean, exactly?

The capacity percentages initially shared by the district are a function of state defined maximum student capacity per square foot. They are NOT a reflection of how the schools are being functionally used. The takeaway: Lakewood Schools have class sizes well below the State Maximum. For example, my daughter’s first grade classroom at Lincoln with 18 students, is – according to the state of Ohio – at 72% capacity. The current overall capacity for Lincoln is listed at 71%. Rather than a problem, this seems to be a really great selling point to prospective parents.

The original capacity numbers that were presented to the task force were artificially deflated – they included the square footage of rooms like STEM and Music that do not have permanent classes attributed to them. They also based the CHAMPS and Rise & Stars classrooms on the state max capacity, rather than the actual capacity of those modified special needs rooms which are actually 8 and 10, respectively. Updated capacity numbers were shared with the task force on February 19 that counted actual classrooms, excluded STEM, Art, Library, Gym and Music rooms as well as administrative space, and assumed a max class size of 22 students per classroom.

The updated capacity numbers paint a much brighter picture – the elementary schools are at an overall capacity of 68%, and none of the schools fall below 60% capacity. The updated enrollment projections are also much more promising, showing an expected decline to only 66% overall capacity in the next 10 years. That’s only one less student per classroom, on average. The fact that enrollment is leveling off, and projections continue to improve makes a strong case for maintaining all seven elementary schools at this time. There is nothing lost by waiting, and if projections are rerun in 3-5 years they may improve further.

Big things are happening!

Construction is underway for our brand-new Welding Building! This state-of-the-art facility will provide our students with advanced equipment and hands-on learning opportunities to prepare them for in-demand careers.

Stay tuned as we build a brighter future in Career Tech!

In Lakewood, our schools have always been the heart of our community. We pride ourselves on the fact that, on any given school day, our sidewalks are occupied by parents walking their children to their neighborhood schools.

As members of the Board of Education, working with Superintendent Niedzwiecki, Treasurer Zeman, and other District leaders, our job is to preserve what is best about our schools and pursue excellence in the education of our students. At the same time, we need to be aware of potential challenges to the things we hold dear.

Meet The Author: "Brotherhood" by Mia Jas 

Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

Brotherhood is an uplifting story of loyalty amongst African American young men. Books will be available for sale and signing at the event. 

Barbara Steffek-Hill Five-Star Matinee: "Dinner At Eight" (1933) 

Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

The hours leading up to a lavish New York society dinner party reveal the hopes and heartaches of an all-star cast featuring Jean Harlow. 

Book Club: "All We Can Save: Truth, Courage and Solutions for the Climate Crisis" edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson & Katharine K. Wilkinson 

Facilitated by Dr. Mike Skladany 

Join the discussion Mondays: April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, June 2, June 9, 2025  

6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

Presentation - "Kurt Cobain: A Cultural, Historical Portrait" Presented by Dr. Mike Skladany on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the  

There has been much back-and-forth discourse on the topic of potentially repurposing (closing) 1 or 2 of Lakewood’s elementary schools. In the messaging of the Lakewood City School District (LCSD), the term “fiscal responsibility” has been repeatedly used in their reasoning for considering closures. This is presumably to try to best position themselves for upcoming levy support and show the community that they are being good stewards of their funds. I believe it to be well-intentioned, but omits too many community-held values.

In Community Conversations in fall 2024, the district presentations included crystal clear statements that this exercise to potentially repurpose (close) schools is not financially driven. Presentation slides showed that closing one elementary school would save $500,000 which is roughly 0.6% of the annual operating budget. That’s right, we are considering uprooting some of our youngest students and eroding the walkability of Lakewood over fractional savings. This, to me, is not demonstrating fiscal responsibility, but rather the exact opposite - not recognizing what is valued. It is alarming that in recent closed Task Force meetings, Treasurer Zeman has reportedly increased the estimated savings to $1 million for closing a school. Are we spitting off figures in the dark? How were these figures not carefully calculated BEFORE we started considering closing schools and surveying the community about it? Fiscal responsibility means accurate numbers and an awareness of how these figures transfer to community impact.

LHS Track & Field Alumni Legends Dave Mills & Michelle Sikes to attend 45th Annual Ranger Relays!

Friday, April 11th will mark the 45th running of the Lakewood High School Track & Field RANGER RELAYS!

This proves to be a very speical event with the addition of LHS Hall of Fame Alumni Captains Dave Mills & Michelle Sikes.

Dave Mills (LHS '58), "...winning the OHSSA state title in the 440-yd. dash as a sophomore in 1956 and defending his title as a junior, also finishing second in the 100 and 220-yd dash that year. Then, as a senior in 1958, he turned in one of the most memorable performances in Ohio state meet annuals, winding up an undefeated scholastic career in the 440 by running the fastest schoolboy time (46.5 sec.) ever recorded in he U.S. and capturing the 100 and 220 titles to pace Lakewood to the state crown."
(Source, Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame)

Michelle Sikes (LHS '03), "...qualified for the State Cross Country meet four years in a row. During those four years, her star continued to rise as just a few of her stats indicate. She was OHSAA 3200 meter State Champion in 2000, OHSAA Div. 1 Cross Country Champion (17:48) in 2001 and OHSAA Div. 1 3200 meter State Champion (10:49) in 2002. As a Ranger, Michelle earned All-American honors in outdoor and indoor track and cross country, as well as eight varsity letters between cross country and track."
(Source, Lakewood City Schools)

Dave & Michelle will be recognized at Lakewood High School Stadium at 5:15pm on Friday, April 11th!

All Lakewoodites are encoraged to attend!

Sacred Hour Wellness Spa, a renowned Cleveland staple since 2004, will open its new 10,000-square-foot Lakewood location on April 26, 2025. Located just 1,000 feet east of its current site, the new spa located at 17514 Detroit Avenue, is designed to be a premier wellness destination in the area.

The new space will feature a range of state-of-the-art amenities, making it one of the largest spas in the region. Guests can enjoy 11 dedicated treatment rooms, a custom 20-person Dry Sauna, cold plunges, a Korean Scrub Suite, a Salt Therapy Lounge, and a Nail Studio. The spa’s social lounge will include a bar, while private men’s and women’s locker rooms offer a seamless experience of comfort and convenience. An outdoor oasis adjacent to the bar provides a tranquil escape, further enhancing the overall experience. There is also a expansive top-floor Recovery Suite offering a private, luxurious retreat with an advanced sauna, cold plunge, Moen Smart Shower, private dressing area, and a comfortable lounge, providing an ideal environment for relaxation and rejuvenation for guests who want to spa but also want privacy.

In partnership with Cleveland Vegan, Sacred Hour Spa will offer fresh Grab n’ Go options, juices, cocktails daily, and and a catering menu for larger events. Whether for a quick refreshment or an intimate gathering, guests will have access to high-quality food and beverages to complement their visit.

ARIES: It’s your time to shine Ram, & there’s no better place than to do it in your local community. If there’s an Easter Egg hunt in town, you’ll be the first one there.

TAURUS: The Bull prefers to stay in his Bull Pen this Easter, counting his Golden eggs, because Jupiter, benefic of the Zodiac, is in the Bull’s house of finances, share the chocolate.

GEMINI: The Twins are planning to invite the whole gang this Easter, the more the merrier, whatever group you belong to is about to have some fun, double the pleasure, hippity-hop.

CANCER: The Crab’s career is getting its share of golden rays this Easter, & the goodies are coming from behind the scenes, thank the lucky rabbit’s foot & share the glory.

LEO: The Lion/Lioness is thinking of celebrating Easter overseas this year, bringing along a couple of its friends from the Jungle. Go right ahead, someone will man the throne while you’re gone.

VIRGO: Virgos, you’re about to get a payday from other people’s resources, maybe the fat income tax refund has arrived, you’re also getting bonuses from the career field, thanks to Jupiter.

Lucky

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Meet Lucky! He's a charming 2-year-old boy seeking a loving forever home. Lucky is a very loud purrer, a sign of his happiness! He loves to curl his paws when he's lying down comfortably (it's very cute!). He's a true treasure and deserves to spend his life with a family that adores him.

Meet Teddy! He's an adorable 4-year-old boy who enjoys being petted, especially a good chin scratch. Teddy likes following his humans around and is always seeking affection! He's quite handsome! Just take a look at his stunning eyes—they're simply irresistible!

Visit Lucky, Teddy, and the other animals at the Lakewood Animal Shelter located at 1299 Metropark Drive, just past the Dog Park. Contact the shelter at (216) 529-5020.

Lakewood Animal Shelter hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed on Sundays.

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Lincoln Elementary students wrapped up their annual Kids Heart Challenge fundraising campaign for the American Heart Association with an exciting celebration! 
 
The Jump Rope Club put on an incredible heart-healthy show, wowing everyone with their amazing jumping skills!
 
After the performance, the big moment arrived—the reveal of the total funds raised: $8,897 for heart health! 

To top it all off, the leading student fundraisers got a special reward—throwing a shaving cream pie at their favorite staff member! 
 
What a fun way to celebrate an incredible effort for an important cause!

Last Wednesday, 26 LHS students, accompanied by representatives from the League of Women Voters, traveled to the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus to meet with state representatives and observe the Ohio General Assembly in action.

Special thanks to the League of Women Voters and Senate Leader Nickie Antonio for generously providing transportation and meals for our students. Their support made this invaluable learning experience possible.

This trip was part of a year-long collaboration between the League of Women Voters and the LHS Social Studies Department, focused on the theme of Women in Politics. Through this partnership, students have engaged in meaningful discussions and hands-on experiences that highlight the vital role of women in government.

When Tony Vazquez first passed by Cove, he had no idea it would soon become an integral part of his life. Now a proud member, Tony’s story is one of transformation, connection, and joy.

A Lakewood resident for the past 15 years, Tony has led a full and diverse life. For 12 years, he worked as a general practice attorney in Cleveland. Afterward, he spent four years in ministry in Lorain before transitioning to teaching Spanish for 13 years at Cleveland Public Schools (now known as the Cleveland Municipal School District). His classroom was a bustling environment with an average of 30 students, and he thrived on helping them learn. After years of serving others in various roles, Tony retired and found a new home at Cove—an experience that’s been truly life-changing for him.

A Serendipitous Visit to Cove

One fateful day, as Tony was driving past Cove, he was struck by the transformation of the building. Curious about what the space had to offer; he stopped in to learn more. It didn’t take long before he signed up, eager to join a community that seemed to prioritize fellowship, fun, and health. Initially, Tony was a little hesitant about participating in activities. He came for the food and fellowship, but as time went on, he couldn’t help but get more involved.

Congratulations to Harding sixth-grader Adeline Chalker on being selected as a middle school finalist for the annual Maltz Museum of Jewish History's Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out essay contest. Essay winners will be announced April 3. Stop the Hate also includes a Youth Sing Out songwriting contest, and Harding's sixth-grade morning class choir earned runner-up with their song "Listen to Our Words." This year, 4,419 students from more than 160 Northeast Ohio schools participated in the Stop the Hate contest and workshops. 

Congratulations to our varsity winter sports Rangers who were named to their respective sport’s Cleveland West All-Conference teams! The Rangers were led by five 1st Team honorees, including three Player of the Year and one Coach of the Year awards!

All-Conference Selections:

Basketball: First Team - Ariana Hueter, Lucas Seguine, Luke Vannucci;
Second Team - Elizabeth Doup, Charleigh Doxley, Riley Verderber;
Honorable Mention - Luke Bonvissuto, Ava Cuffari, Addison Garrett, Brady Long 

Bowling: Honorable Mention - Anajd Dajlanaj, Hailey Ellis

Diving: Second Team - Rian Fetting;
Honorable Mention – JP McManamon, Riley Stallbaum, Drew Wallen 

Hockey: First Team - Ronan Johnson, Tyler Volcansek;
Second Team - Gavin Beisel, Ryan Sterling;
Honorable Mention - Camden Fegely

Swimming: Second Team - Henna Memaj, Piper McElfresh, Ava Watts (400 free relay), Riley Swift (400 free relay, 500 free);
Honorable Mention - Shane Lindsay (200 free relay), Grace Lowmiller (100 backstroke), Henna Memaj (50 free, 100 butterfly, 200 free relay), Graham McAlvey (400 free relay, 100 butterfly, 100 backstroke), Piper McElfresh (200 free relay), Mia Resto (100 breaststroke), Caden Sandoval (200 & 400 free relay, 50 & 100 free), Gavin Stimac (200 & 400 free relay, 50 free), Riley Swift (50 free, 100 butterfly, 200 free relay), Ava Watts (200 free relay, 100 & 200 free), Daniel Azgrebin (200 & 400 free relay), 

Join us on Thursday, April 3, at 6:30-7:30 p.m. to learn more information about the potential repurposing (closing) of one or even two of Lakewood’s neighborhood elementary schools.

RSVP Here:  https://forms.gle/VEGzTmFMg7m8uTt38 to receive the Zoom link emailed to you the day before the event.

Hosted by Preserve Lakewood Schools, a community coalition dedicated to preventing the repurposing (closure) of elementary schools by Lakewood City Schools. The school board is currently considering whether or not to repurpose (close) up to two elementary schools (Grant, Lincoln, Roosevelt), and will vote as soon as late May 2025.

This zoom meeting is open to all: parents from all schools, residents, business owners, etc.
- Learn the basics of the issue
- Learn how this issue impacts all of Lakewood, not just the three schools being considered for closure (Grant, Lincoln, and Roosevelt)
- Ask questions
- Learn how you can get involved

All are welcome

Find more information at: https://www.preservelakewoodschools.org

Monica Bruaw is a mother of three and a lifetime Ranger.

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You and all your friends are invited to Bike Lakewood's April Social Ride!  The Bike Lakewood Social Ride is a monthly group ride sponsored by Bike Lakewood, a local chapter of Bike Cleveland, northeast Ohio's bicycling advocacy non-profit, so you know it's good.  You don't need to be a member of Bike Lakewood or Bike Cleveland to come and ride. All are welcome!

This Social Ride will take place on Wednesday, April 9th at 6:00pm and begin at the Madison Park Pavilion.  Riders usually assemble from 5:30 to 5:45pm.  Come and partake the joyous vibe and camaraderie!  If you're interested but haven't been in a bicycle group ride before, it may seem a bit daunting.  It seemed that way to me on my first group ride, but you meet so many kind and supportive and helpful souls that soon you're at ease, flowing with the pack.  There is a waiver to sign, but there is no fee, and helmets are encouraged as are lights and high visibility apparel.  In addition, helming the ride from stem to stern are Bike Lakewood's LCIs or League (of American Bicyclists) Cycling Instructors, riders with lots of experience and training. 

The Social Ride route is an easy meander through the friendly confines of Ohio’s bike capital for 6 to 8 miles ending up at Uptown Lakewood’s premier neighborhood bar,  Doc Lanky’s, at 15609 Madison Avenue.  This is a “no-drop” ride, meaning no one gets left behind whether due to a flat tire, leg cramp or anything. 

Cleveland weather during springtime is contentious at best, so if the Social Ride is cancelled due to storms the ride date will be moved ahead by one week.  Lakewood cyclists are a hardy bunch so if the weather is merely a cool drizzle, please remain stoic and dress the part and come ride anyway! 

Here is the slate for the remainder of Bike Lakewood’s 2025 Social Ride schedule:

• Wednesday,  April 9th,  6:00pm

•  

“Versatile and focused” were the two words that emerged as Lakewood Head Baseball Coach Grant Graves (LHS ‘11) described his 2025 Ranger squad, hoping to build on the stellar 19-5 2024 campaign. Having won the GLC-West championship last year, competing for the CWC title is among the goals this year—along with consistently playing their team-first brand of baseball. They have the players and the attitude to do just that

Multiple returning starters/letter winners anchor this year's team. Seniors Logan Ellis and Leo Soneson, both Mount Union commits, will lead the pitching staff, catch, and play corner infield spots. Sophomore Riley Verderber and junior Nick Hart will also pitch/play infield, and in Nick’s case, perhaps spend some time in the outfield. Junior Cooper Russell will lead off and play the all-important shortstop position, while senior Brady Long returns at 2nd base. Senior Ronan Johnson will continue to pull outfield duty, while senior Peter Checkett will pitch and play outfield.

“We want to compete 9-1, to have strong hitting through the whole lineup—offering no breaks for opposing pitchers--and putting forth consistently effective pitching,” Coach Graves said, pointing to the depth of talent and especially the hard work his team has put in during the off season. Graves credits senior leadership and Strength and Conditioning Coach Jimmy Gajewski (LHS ’10) with helping to transform a highly skilled squad into an even stronger, quicker group. These players have really gone after it in the weight room.

Family Weekend Wonders 

Looking for weekend entertainment for the whole family? Look no further! Drop in to the Library's special weekend story time. Your whole family will enjoy these programs full of enthusiastic stories, engaging activities, entertaining music and clever crafts. Family Weekend Wonders Drop-In Story Time is offered every weekend throughout the year and features a different theme each week to keep things engaging. No registration is required. 

Main Library- Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.  

Madison Branch- Fridays at 10:30 a.m. 

Just Baby 'N Me 

For You and Your Birth to 24-Month-Old Baby 

Just Baby 'N Me is a lap-sit story time ideal for babies from birth through early walkers. The focus is on rhymes, songs, finger plays and exploring short books together. No registration is required.   

Have you received strange text messages from someone claiming to be the IRS? Or seen ads for tax preparers making promises that are too good to be true? Beware! Tax season is here, but so is tax scam season. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland has a few suggestions to help you avoid being a victim of a tax scam.

“The typical scams involve either identity theft or attempts to intercept refunds,” said Patrick Miller, Staff Attorney in Legal Aid’s Economic Justice Practice Group. “These scams include somebody who's advertising that they are a tax preparer on social media. For instance, you may be used to getting a certain amount, but they will promise you that they can get you a larger return. The fraudulent tax preparer will prepare the tax return and claim credits that the taxpayer is not entitled to.”

If the IRS catches the errors in the filing, the taxpayer will be audited and must explain why they have claimed credits they are not entitled to. At this point, the refund is gone because the fraudulent tax preparer might have had the refund automatically deposited into their own bank account.

“Scammers may not do anything nefarious with the actual return itself but use the information that they're getting from taxpayers to prepare fraudulent returns in the future, beating the real taxpayer to the punch,” said Patrick. “The IRS is mandated to accept the first filing. The scammer will file the fraudulent return with a taxpayer's personal information, get the refund and then when the real taxpayer files their actual return, they end up getting rejected by the IRS because there's already a filed return.” 

Baby Bargain Bonanza Resale Event - April 12th

The Lakewood Early Childhood PTA is a network of parents and caregivers in the Lakewood area seeking experiences and connections for our young children in an effort to provide them with an amazing childhood.

Six concerned residents from Preserve Lakewood Schools met with school district officials on March 11, to share their recommendations for how the school district should move forward with its elementary school plan to provide long-term excellence and stability for Lakewood’s schools.

Over the last three months, Preserve Lakewood Schools has engaged with thousands of Lakewood families, residents and business owners, gathering feedback about how residents feel the school district should move forward with providing elementary school services.

Lakewood’s school board is currently considering whether or not to repurpose one or even two of Lakewood’s neighborhood elementary schools (Grant, Lincoln, and Roosevelt are being considered), and may vote on the issue as soon as late May 2025.

In the meeting, Preserve Lakewood Schools met with School Board President Nora Katzenberger and School Board Member Lisa Dopman, as well as school superintendent Maggie Niedzwiecki and treasurer Kent Zeman.  

Preserve Lakewood Schools’ Recommendations to the School Board: 

1. Prioritize safety and walkability.

2. Conduct a traffic and safety study.

3. Provide a safety analysis to accompany each of the seven scenarios under consideration.

4. Make Elementary Planning Task Force meetings open to the public.

5. Make a resolution that provides clear parameters on considering closures only under dire circumstances, with benchmarks outlined.

6. Vote for a scenario that:

1. Keeps all seven of Lakewood’s current elementary schools

2. Redraws the boundary lines for elementary schools to keep all schools at 60% enrollment or higher

3. Limits the number of crossings of main roads and railroad tracks

4. Keeps as many students as possible within one mile of walking distance of their home school, and when a student is further than one mile, the family should have the option to choose a closer school, or one with a safer commute.

5.  

The Lakewood Civil Service Commission is conducting an examination for Entry-Level Patrol Officer through the National Testing Network. 

The deadline to complete the examination and submit required documents is 4:00 PM on May 14, 2025. More information can be found at https://www.lakewoodoh.gov/accordions/police-job-postings.

To view the Lakewood Police Department employment listing, visit https://ow.ly/pZs550V6uFr.

 Join our team:

 Starting base salary: $76,170 (including bonuses); $92,765 after four years.

 Permanent (non-rotating) 12-hour shifts with 3-day weekends every other week.

 Paid Police Academy Training and OPOTC certification while receiving full salary and benefits.

 Full police academy tuition reimbursement is available for graduates with last 12 months.

 Extensive training and specialization opportunities. 

The celebration kicked off with Pat Slife playing lively Irish tunes on the bagpipes, setting the
perfect mood for the day. Even some little ones from the Family Room enjoyed listening to the
music! The food was delicious, with Colcannon (Irish mashed potatoes) and Irish soda bread
stealing the show – total crowd-pleasers!

On March 12th, a great group gathered at Cove for a drum circle. This improvised art form lets
everyone contribute to a shared rhythm, sparking creativity and self-expression. There’s no set
song—just pure, spontaneous music.

Sue moved with her husband to Lakewood over 40 years ago for a nursing job and raised her five children
here, all graduates of Lakewood City Schools. Despite offers from other hospitals, Sue chose to stay in
Lakewood for its schools, history, architecture, and community. Her husband, Jay, also worked at Lakewood
Hospital.

H2O is getting ready to invite spring into Cove Community Center! The annual Breakfast with the
Bunny event is Saturday, April 12th and will feature a pancake breakfast, photos with the bunny,
and a beautiful assortment of raffle baskets that guests can purchase chances to win. This
event is a wonderful showcase for the program, as it is run by high school volunteers serving
food, selling raffle tickets, and helping in the kitchen.

Members of the public including Harding Pride Club, Colors+ Youth Center, and more celebrate the passage of Resolution 2025-10 recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2025.

Dear Neighbors,

On Tuesday, with support of a standing room only crowd, City Council unanimously passed Resolution 2025-10 declaring March 31, 2025 Transgender Day of Visibility in Lakewood. I was proud to join Councilmembers Cindy Strebig and Cindy Marx in co-sponsoring this resolution to celebrate the lives and contributions of transgender people, while also drawing attention to the difficulties faced by our transgender neighbors. 

Transgender Day of Visibility was created in 2010 by trans advocate Rachel Crandall to create a day where people could celebrate the lives of transgender people, while still acknowledging that not every trans person can or wants to be visible due to the fear of violence and discrimination. Last year alone there were 479 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills introduced across state legislatures according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Here in Ohio, the Republican supermajority passed HB68, which among other things, banned the recognized gender-affirming medical standard of puberty blockers for youth. However, in some other positive news on Tuesday, the 10th District Court of Appeals overturned that part of Ohio HB 68 and ruled that it violated the Health Care Freedom Amendment in the Ohio Constitution.

Despite the numerous systemic and interpersonal obstacles, at least one million Americans are transgender and have bravely overcome significant hardships to live their authentic lives. Trans people have made countless contributions to the betterment of our society, often working at the frontlines of the social justice and human rights movements. In fact, the courage and persistence of trans activists of color Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson was foundational to the Stonewall uprising, the birth of Pride, and the fight for the rights and respect of all LGBTQIA+ people.