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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. 

I am among a growing group of Bunts Road residents who oppose the multi-use path planned for my street, and I would like to set the record straight. 

Bunts Road residents received a letter dated April 25, 2024 alerting us to the project and a public meeting on May 7. The letter mentioned a “bike lane,” which is 4-6 feet wide, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. A bike lane is what is currently on Madison. 

We were shocked to find out at the May 7 meeting that the city had already created two plans for the Bunts project, both of which included a 10-foot-wide multi-use path, the same size as a standard lane for vehicle traffic. 

City officials followed the letter of the law and provided ample opportunity for public input, but they had their minds made up before we were consulted at the May 7 meeting. They gave us chances to speak but never had any intention of using our input on the multi-use path. 

Before you cry NIMBY (not in my backyard), consider these questions. 

• Why is it so bad to not want a multi-use path on a residential street? Do you want it on your street? If so, contact the city. I haven’t found a person on Bunts yet who wants this path. We will gladly shift it to your street. 
• Would you risk your life or that of your loved ones to travel on this path as cars are trying to back out and cross busy streets, or would you travel smarter and move to a calmer street?
• Would you sue if you got hit while traveling on this path? If so, there’s a personal injury attorney in Lakewood who is a champion of this path. He’s waiting for your business. 
• Should city officials, voted in office by the residents, take the advice of a small, special interest group over the people the path will actually impact? 
• Would you want me or someone else making decisions for your street without consulting those who actually live there and experience its patterns? 

I am not opposed to bicycles or lanes to accommodate them. I am opposed to dramatically altering a street at the expense of its residents.

Make your voice heard by signing our petition to stop this dangerous multi-use path from being built on Bunts. 

Members of the community and members of the Preserve Lakewood Schools group shared many different perspectives on elementary school planning at Lakewood Board of Education’s March 3 meeting. 

School Board President Nora Katzinger began the public comment section of the meeting by recapping the process through which the school district is currently considering whether to change how it structures its elementary school buildings. 

School board member Betsy Shaughnessy then provided a summary of how the superintendent chose the members of the Elementary Planning Task Force.  She stated that the superintendent and other school officials invited many people to participate, and that the members of the task force are the people who accepted the invitation. 

Longtime former school board member Linda Beebe shared her pride in the school board’s commitment to protecting the safety and rights of all students, and commended them for looking into how elementary buildings are utilized.

Lakewood native Chelsea Datavio encouraged the school board to take into consideration that Lakewood’s current elementary students have already experienced a lot of disruption in their education due to Covid, and asked the school board to consider the needs of all students, especially learners with unique abilities.

Parent Corey Bruaw shared perspectives that community members have shared with Preserve Lakewood Schools:

“The thought of moving did cross my mind when I found out that they might close Grant, so I have no doubt that other people have the same thoughts.  We need to bring in more families.”

Besa Presentation and Documentary- "Enemy of the Reich: The Noor Inayat Khan Story" (2014) 

Presented by Dr. Shrabani Basu on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

Join Dr. Shrabani Basu, author of "Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan" and principal of the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust, for an introduction of the documentary, a discussion of the life and legacy of Noor Inayat Khan, and questions and answers. Dr. Basu will be joining us live from London, England. 

Besa Film- "A Shelter Among the Clouds" (2018) Encore (screening only) 

Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

This film follows Besnik, a lonely shepherd and devoted Muslim, haunted by unfulfilled love. English subtitles. 

Meet the Author- "Sales Mastery Essentials Made Simple" by Ruth M. Farrington 

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

Ruth M. Farrington has generated over 5 billion dollars in a forty-eight-year career in retail sales. Join us for an engaging and insightful talk with the internationally recognized author of Sales Mastery Essentials Made Simple as she shares her unique journey and the powerful strategies that have led to her extraordinary success. Books will be available for sale and signing at the event. 

When it comes to your home, there’s no better time than now to take proper care of this important investment, and LakewoodAlive is here to help you every step of the way.

LakewoodAlive announces the Spring 2025 schedule for this free educational series intended for homeowners looking to sustain and improve their homes inside and out. This series is designed to help homeowners learn about home maintenance best practices, give them the confidence to tackle necessary repairs and improvements, and focus on sustainability. 

Open to all homeowners in the greater Cleveland area, not just Lakewood residents, this series is intended for:

·    Those considering a home DIY project

·    Those planning to hire a contractor

·    Those simply interested in better understanding how their home works

The Spring installment of 2025’s home education program features three workshops lead by industry experts, with a fourth to be announced. The goal of this series is helping to remove the guesswork from daunting home repairs and improvement projects, getting the work done correctly the first time, and saving your precious time and money.

Image of the original Church of the Ascension, built in 1875. (Used with permission.)

Church of the Ascension, an Episcopal Church located at 13216 Detroit Avenue, is the church with the longest history in Lakewood, continuous since 1875, according to the Lakewood Historical Society. The society’s director, Dr. Robert Shimp, will deliver a talk on Wed., March 26, titled “Church of the Ascension 150: A Rockport Township and Lakewood Retrospective.” He will discuss Rockport in 1875, Ascension and some of Lakewood’s well-known pioneers who were part of its early days, and the other churches that existed at that time. Following Stations of the Cross in the nave at 6:00 p.m., the event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the church’s Ascension Hall on the second floor, and includes supper. It is free, and the public is invited.

Following the 10:30 worship service on Sun., March 30, the Rev. Dr. Brian Wilbert will speak at noon in Ascension Hall “Of Bishops, Buildings, and the Broad Work of the Church.” The Rev. Dr. Wilbert is the Archivist of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, which was the first diocese established outside of the country’s original 13 colonies in 1817. The lecture and luncheon are free and the public is welcome.

Reservations are not required; however, a call to the church office, (216) 521-8727, would be appreciated to plan numbers for the supper and/or luncheon. For more information about Church of the Ascension and other upcoming events, please visit www.ascension-lakewood.org.

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

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.   

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. 

Pre-school Story Time 

For You and Your 2 to 5-Year-Old Pre-schooler. Children and their parents will enjoy stories, movement and songs for thirty fun filled minutes. The focus is on early literacy skills. No registration is required. 

PC Open Play floor where casual gamers do homework, play and collaborate. 

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Ethlete Lab Academy, Video Game Lounge  Announces Grand Opening to Inspire the Next Generation of Gamers 

ELA Classroom/ Party room- 12 PC private room where coding, game design, cybersecurity and more are taught

Ethlete Lab Academy (ELA), an innovative education hub designed for youth passionate about gaming, coding, and digital creativity, is thrilled to announce its grand opening on March 3rd, at 14414 Detroit Ave, on the corner of Detroit and Marlowe in Lakewood.. This milestone marks the beginning of a transformative journey to empower students aged 8-18 to harness their love for gaming and technology in a supportive and inclusive environment.

With a unique mission to bridge the gap between gaming culture and education, ELA provides classes and workshops in esports, coding, game design, and digital media. Tailored for learners at all skill levels, ELA fosters creativity, teamwork, and leadership while offering a platform for students to turn their passions into future career opportunities.

“We believe that gaming is more than just entertainment. It’s a gateway to innovation, collaboration, and limitless potential,” said Michael Newton, Co- Founder and CEO of Ethlete Lab Academy. “Our goal is to create an inclusive space where young minds can thrive, gain valuable skills, and build lifelong connections with others who share their interests.”

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My husband Frank and I moved here 23 years ago from Williamsport, PA so that I could pursue my art career at American Greetings.

We picked Lakewood because of the beautiful old homes, old town feel, it was close to work, and we knew our kids would be able to walk and ride bikes anywhere from schools to parks.

As a greeting card illustrator who was raising children, I loved sharing my art skills, teaching neighborhood kids summer projects; my door was always open. I donated work to highschool events and loved contributing at the Beck Center for kids' workshops and floral classes. Now all of our kids are adults and married, we have four grandkids (one on the way) in Lakewood and the other is close by in West Park. 

When I discovered painting, fine art became my greatest expression, especially painting outside from life; painting small greeting cards to large canvas and on the masonite surfaces my husband Frank built. Even with his full time job, he has found a wonderful way to create beautiful base platforms for me to paint on.

I sell art out of my Corporate Gallery and I'm now having a show at Bay Arts titled, "Favorite Places," which includes my gestural broadstroke landscapes, florals and paintings of some areas of Lakewood. Please stop by, see my work, and attend the opening on Friday, April 11th, 5 - 8 pm at Bay Arts. 28795 Lake Road, Bay Village, Ohio. 

Join us for a Lenten Speaker series

Lakewood Kiwanis started a community Lenten series back in 1972. This year we have sponsored three meetings with inspirational speakers from our community. The meetings will be held at St Clement’s church (Madison and Lincoln) at different times to offer all people an opportunity to attend one or more for this Lenten season. Last week we heard Father Peter Paul, Chaplain of Fairview Hospital speak. Please plan to come on one of these dates.

Mar 25th @noon, Pastor Robin Dillon, Lakewood United Methodist 

Apr 9th@5:00pm, Deacon Jack Wenzel, Cleveland Diocese 

Light food and refreshments will be served. Any questions, please call Chairman Tim Mohr, 216-941-7319

#KidsNeedKiwanis

Anna Bacho is a member of Lakewood Kiwanis.

"Losing Teeth" by Molly Keane.

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Congratulations to the Lakewood High students whose artwork earned honors in the 80th Annual Rotary/Beck Center Visual Arts Contest:

Molly Keane earned second place for her piece based on the phobia of losing teeth. Helen Fraunfelder earned an honorable mention for her self-portrait. Sebastian Shafer earned an honorable mention for his portrait photography. In addition to Molly, Helen and Sebastian, 30 other LHS students' artwork was chosen for display in the exhibition at the Beck. Congratulations to all!

As the weather begins to warm up in Northeast Ohio, we are all excited to get outside and enjoy some springtime sun and fresh air. Here in Lakewood, we are fortunate to benefit from an abundance of city parks spread across our city that encourage our residents to stay active. At City Hall, we understand that we have a duty to maintain and improve these important public assets to ensure that they continue to provide value over generations. This year, there are a number ofprojects ongoing and planned in our city parks. 

Many of you will be aware of repairs and upgrades at our larger parks and recreation assets in recent years – for example, the complete rebuilding of Foster Pool or the major investment and management changes at Winterhurst. But we also continue to place an emphasis on investing in our neighborhood parks, which are important in providing access to recreation within walking distance of our residents throughout Lakewood. This year’s focus on neighborhood parks can be found at Merl Bunts Park and Niagara Park. 

At both parks, brand new playground equipment, swing sets, and picnic tables will be installed soon. Demolition of the previous equipment is complete at both parks, and our public works staff currently is working with the contractor on final grading and excavation. New pads will be poured for the picnic tables, which will also connect them to the public sidewalks. Merle Bunts will also feature a new 10' X 15' picnic shelter, made possible by an award of $50,000 from Cuyahoga County's CDSG program. We hope to have construction done soon on these neighborhood parks to ensure they are usable as the weather warms up and more people are out and about. 

In addition to our neighborhood parks, we are also working on investments over at Madison Park. Once again with the support of Cuyahoga County dollars, our Lakewood Planning and Development Department recently completed a visionary new master plan for Madison Park that will guide usage and capital investment for our second largest city park for years to come. Investments scheduled to happen this year include the creation of a connector path through a city lot on Halstead that will add more direct pedestrian and bicycle access to the park from the Birdtown neighborhood. We will also install a new loop path through the park to encourage active walking, running, and multi-modal exercise. 

Photo taken by the LHS Journalism student James Babson.

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Lakewood High held its annual Physics Cardboard Boat Regatta last week and as always, it did not disappoint in delivering a splashing good time! The event is a fun and creative way for students to apply physics principles in real life. 

Using only uncoated cardboard and packing tape, students design and build boats to race across the school pool. Some make it....most don't....everyone has fun!

On Saturday, March 8th I and several dozen concerned Lakewood residents gathered at the corner of Summit and Detroit to protest current U.S. administration policies and to support Ukraine. In these difficult and dark times, this rally was a ray of sunshine. 40+ Lakewood residents came together to send strong messages of support and caring. We did so by letting the powers that be hear our voices, loud and clear. 

Because of the current administration's comprehensive actions of hurt and hatred, there were many signs displayed in support of many causes. We sent messages of support for the families of those federal workers being thrown out of their jobs, with little or no notice. There were messages in support of Ukraine, and its besieged people. Messages of diversity and inclusion, for protecting the environment, and to give the immigrants among us the understanding and support they need.

As Pastor Robin Dillon of Lakewood United Methodist Church noted, "As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe in the value of all people and standing up for those who are being oppressed."

There is something else equally important here that should be noted. That is, if you think you cannot make a difference, think again. This protest started with the desire of one person to 'do something.' That person asked several of his friends, who enthusiastically signed on. Then they decided on the where, the when and the what:  People walking on the street with signs displaying their messages. Those few asked their friends and family, and then it was spread via  phone calls and social media. In one week one person became 40+, with signs and shouting. The support was overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds of thumbs-up from pedestrians and drivers alike.  The honking of cars was constant. It was a joyful noise.

Exercise Science YMCA interns (front row from left): Evan Gardner, Ryan Sterling, Luke Anderson
Back row (from left): Frank Revy, Russell Oldfield

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The West Shore Career-Technical District provides hands-on learning in their 13 programs aimed toward preparing students for college and careers. Now, some West Shore students are taking their hands-on learning a step further into the real world with internships in the community.  

Five students in Dan Popio’s Exercise and Sports Science program have landed internships as wellness consultants with the Lakewood YMCA. Two of Cassie Tetorakis’ students in the Business Management program are working with the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and two are interning at Laskey Costello accounting firm and two at Stepan CPA Firm in Lakewood.

These hands-on experiences provide students with invaluable industry knowledge, professional connections, and a strong addition to their resumes. This opportunity not only prepares them for future careers but also showcases the power of career-tech education in bridging the gap between education and employment. 

YMCA interns Luke Anderson, Evan Gardner, Russell Oldfield, Frank Revy and Ryan Sterling work approximately six hours a week with duties such as leading fitness center orientations for teens, assisting with teen strength and conditioning training programs and giving 30-minute introductions to personal training. 

Ryan is eager to dig into his work at the Y and test out the skills he has been learning in class: “There is an extremely practical crossover between the two, everything we've done in Sports Exercise Science has been in preparation for a job that is in that field of work,” he said.

Laskey Costello intern Mihai Bogdan-Chindea says he puts in approximately 20 hours a week for his paid internship at the firm and is sharpening his skills learned in class like Excel and other Microsoft applications while also learning new accounting software programs such as QuickBooks, Onvio, and UltraTax. Brayden McCarthy of Rocky River High School is also interning at the CPA firm. Nathan Kopko and Steven Mattar are interning at Stepan.

Helen Fraunfelder

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Congratulations to the four Lakewood High School student artists who have been named winners for the 2025 Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition! The artwork of Anna Maurer, Helen Fraunfelder and Oceana (Iris) Krizan will hang in the public exhibition of nearly 300 art pieces. Another piece by Iris and one by Poppy Smrekar will hang in a special Cameo exhibit in the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce building.
 
In the prior Northeast Region judging for the state contest, 18 students had 29 pieces of work chosen to go through final judging. The pieces were selected from more than 1,200 regional submissions. Kudos to all on this amazing achievement!  

To assist with tax prep this season, the Division of Tax will hold extended hours (9 AM to 6 PM) on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning March 25, as well as Monday and Tuesday, Apr. 14 and 15. 

The office will also open from 9 AM to 12 PM on Saturday, April 12. 

No appointment is necessary.

For more info go to:

https://www.lakewoodoh.gov/municipal-income-tax/

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It’s open! And the tennis and bas- ketball courts next to it at Lakewood Park are too. Congratulations to California Skateparks and all the com- munity partners involved.

Above is the artist concept from California Skate Park that illustrates the proposal and their ideas. To experience the real thing, stop down and see one of skaters’ favorite skate parks in the country.

On the right is the first printed edition of the Lakewood Observer. We covered the original opening of the Skate Park. Getting it done was one of the many achievements of Mayor Meghan George’s father’s adminis- tration--something the Lakewood Observer was proud to support all the way back to our founding day.

Council Presentation to Mary Carol Warren Lucic, her daughter. Family all around.

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Dear Neighbors,

On Tuesday, March 4th longtime Lakewood resident, lifelong volunteer, activist, all-around upstanding citizen Mary Warren celebrated her 95th birthday! As a fitting way to kick off Women’s History Month, at Monday’s Council meeting, Ward 3 Councilwoman Cindy Strebig and I introduced Resolution 2025-07 which commemorates Mary Warren's 95th Birthday and her work with the League of Women Voters and the community. We were honored to be joined by many of Mary's family and friends. Mary was unable to attend as she is recovering from surgery.

Mary Warren was born March 4th 1930 in St. Paul Minnesota. While in Minnesota she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work, a remarkable feat in a time when women were definitely in the minority on college campuses. With her education, Mary was able to enjoy a 20-year career as a counselor, and later, after earning a Master’s Degree at the age of 63, became a licensed professional clinical counselor helping children and families.

She met born-and-raised Lakewoodite Joe Warren in a chance encounter at Yellowstone National Park, and after their love grew into marriage, Mary & Joe Warren began making their home on Blossom Park Ave in 1952. While also raising their children, Ms. Warren immersed herself in Lakewood civic and religious life, taking on volunteer roles with the PTA, St. Malachi Catholic Church, and the Lakewood Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland where she served as one of the Chapter’s most engaged, active, and long-standing members for over 60 years, and served as its president for multiple terms during that time.

Horace Mann first graders enjoyed a special treat last week as part of their astronomy unit as teachers Patti Cramer and Julie Harkness magically transformed a closet into an amazing planetarium! The students really enjoyed reading and learning even more about space while feeling like they were IN space. Talk about creative!

Two Hayes Elementary second graders in Ms. Perez's class shared a special presentation with their classmates about Ramadan, highlighting some of the traditions observed by their families during this important month for Muslims. They spoke about fasting, family gatherings, and acts of kindness that are part of the celebration. To help bring the traditions to life, Shahim's mother helped teach the class how to create their own lanterns — a beautiful decoration often used by Muslim families during Ramadan.

Leader Antonio speaks before a Senate Committee.

Despite massive opposition from Ohio residents, Senate Republicans passed Senate Bill 56 last week, undermining the over 2 million Ohio voters who overwhelmingly approved legal recreational marijuana use in the state in 2023. While many Republicans who supported this bill state that they want this change in the name of health and safety, that is solely a distraction from the real reason behind the legislation: to undermine Ohio voters.

Ohioans have had the freedom to use marijuana recreationally for over a year, and our recreational marijuana market has been operating without issue for more than six months. However, to defend this unnecessary change to the statute, GOP lawmakers have stated that Ohio voters did not understand what they were voting on when Issue 2 was on the ballot, insulting the intelligence of their constituents. It is disrespectful to the millions of Ohioans who advocated and voted for the legalization of adult marijuana use and is yet another example of how Ohio Republicans think they know best.

This bill does not help people within our state, it hurts them. This legislation, if enacted, would strip Ohio residents of their rights by imposing unnecessary limitations, increased taxes, and needless regulations on marijuana. Moreover, Senate Bill 56 would make smoking in public a misdemeanor, mandating that Ohioans only smoke in private residences. Are you a renter whose landlord prohibits marijuana use in your building? Under Senate Bill 56, you would not be allowed to smoke in our state. This is not what Ohioans voted for and is not what they want.

Instead of building on the success of the recreational marijuana market to benefit our state, Senate Bill 56 will move Ohio in the wrong direction, causing irreparable harm to this new part of the economy. This legislation would drive Ohio consumers to travel to other states where marijuana laws are more consumer-friendly, taking millions of dollars out of the state. No new dispensaries would be able to start business in Ohio if Senate Bill 56 passes, stunting economic growth and locking people out of the industry.

The people of Lakewood benefit from the presence of a fantastic team of first responders in our fire department who stand ready to fight fires and provide emergency paramedic care at a moment’s notice. But Chief Ryan Fairbanks and his team at Lakewood Fire Department (LFD) are equally focused on ways to prevent and limit the risk of fires and crisis medical situations. With an array of creative and cutting-edge prevention programs targeted to help Lakewood residents at all stages of life, LFD is working daily to stop emergencies before they happen.  

One great example is LFD’s Neighborhood Paramedic Program, which was launched in 2022 to help Lakewood’s most vulnerable prevent injuries and address medical issues before they escalate –  to a 911 call, an ER visit, or even an extended hospital stay. The program focuses heavily on Lakewood’s senior citizen population. In just the past year alone, our Neighborhood Paramedic Oliver Harper has performed nearly 200 home assessments to identify trip-fall hazards and then partner with LakewoodAlive to remedy them. While performing the home assessments, Neighborhood Paramedic Harper also uses the opportunity to engage with that senior to assess their overall health and wellness and develop next steps to address any needs. This is just one aspect of the program, which uses everything from education and home safety work to large scale blood pressure clinics and overall well-being and prevention to make a difference for Lakewood.

On the other end of the age spectrum is our Car Seat Fit Stop Program, which is geared towards residents with young children who need help ensuring that their car seats are properly installed and meet all safety requirements. Our firefighter paramedics involved in the program each receive extensive additional training to provide the program. This low-cost, high benefit program has proven immensely popular with Lakewood residents since its relaunch in 2022, helping hundreds of families protect our communities youngest and most vulnerable members. Our firefighter paramedics also use these interactions as ways to inform families of LFD’s other prevention programs.

Zorro

Meet Zorro, a one-year-old Domestic Shorthair! He's a gentle and independent boy who enjoys affection and playing with his spring toy. Though a bit reserved at first, Zorro quickly warms up and loves napping alongside his human friends. He's also comfortable with other cats and doesn't mind being picked up. Zorro would make a loving and easygoing companion!

Visit Zorro, 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.

This message is shared by the Citizens Committee for Lakewood’s Animals and Shelter (CCLAS). CCLAS is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization committed to safeguarding and enhancing the lives of Lakewood’s companion animals. We provide financial assistance and other resources to the Lakewood Animal Shelter for the quality care of abandoned, orphaned, sick and injured animals. In addition, we promote adoptions and advocate for animal welfare through community outreach and education. We treat animals with empathy, kindness, and respect and recognize that they can experience pain, suffering, and other emotions. Learn more at cclas.org.

Preserve Lakewood Schools is hosting a community information meeting on Sunday, March 16, from 5 -6 pm at Lakewood Public Library in the multi-purpose room. This meeting is open to all: parents from all schools, residents, business owners, etc. Learn the basics about the school district’s Elementary School Task Force planning process, ask questions, and learn how you can get involved. Come join us!

Preserve Lakewood. Save our Neighborhood Schools is a dedicated community project in Lakewood, Ohio, committed to preventing the closure/repurposing of elementary schools by the Lakewood City School District. Find more information at: https://www.preservelakewoodschools.org

Lakewood Parks Coalition to Host 'How to Start a Park Group' Workshop on March 27

Looking to get involved in your local community? Want to inspire a greater sense of connection, improve safety, and contribute to the vibrancy of your city?

It all starts in our neighborhood parks.

The Lakewood Parks Coalition is pleased to announce a free workshop "How to Start a Park Group" taking place Thursday, March 27 from 7 to 8:30pm at the Madison Branch of Lakewood Public Library, 13229 Madison Avenue.

Attendees will gain insights on:

• Best practices for establishing a group
• How to sustain community involvement
• Resources for, and benefits of, park stewardship

Community members are encouraged to attend and ask questions.

The event will be moderated by Tim Dewald, Friends of Merl Bunts Park, and will feature a discussion and Q&A. Panelists include:

It all starts in our neighborhood parks.

The Lakewood Parks Coalition is pleased to announce a free workshop "How to Start a Park Group" taking place Thursday, March 27 from 7 to 8:30pm at the Madison Branch of Lakewood Public Library, 13229 Madison Avenue.

Attendees will gain insights on:

• Best practices for establishing a group
• How to sustain community involvement
• Resources for, and benefits of, park stewardship

Community members are encouraged to attend and ask questions.

The event will be moderated by Tim Dewald, Friends of Merl Bunts Park, and will feature a discussion and Q&A. Panelists include:

Calling Lakewood residents: We need your help in growing our city’s tree canopy. The Lakewood Tree Giveaway Program returns with 200 free trees available this spring, and YOU are eligible to receive a beautiful, native tree for planting at your home.

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The Lakewood High School Academic Challenge team has been on a roll lately. Some highlights from the team:

Team captain Shannon Katzenberger recently was selected to participate in the 2025 Individual Player National Championship Tournament, presented by the National Academic Quiz Tournaments organization. Shannon will head to Chicago in April to represent Lakewood and compete against other top quiz bowl participants from across the country!

Shannon was joined by team members Nicholas Graham, Mae Mohar and Domenico Sgambellone Feb. 15 to compete in the Solon Comet Clash Tournament, where they finished 10th of 20 teams.

Nicholas, Domenico and Alesseo Matera traveled to the News 5 Cleveland studios on Feb. 18 to tape the station's Nordson Academic Challenge show. You'll have to tune in on April 19 to see how the team fared against North Royalton and West Holmes.

ARIES: The Sun is behind the scenes for the Ram this St. Patty’s Day, but Jupiter, the bringer of good fortune, sits in your local community; visit your local Irish pub, & order a pint of Guinness.

TAURUS: The Bull has the Luck of the Irish; Jupiter’s landed in your house of finances, bringing you a Pot of Gold; come out of the Bullpen, share the wealth with the lads & cailini.

GEMINI: The Twins are blessed with the Sun shining on your career. However, leave the office early and bring the whole gang. It’s time to paddy this brew-ti-ful St. Patty’s Day. Cheers!

CANCER: The Sun is shining on the Crab’s 9th house of legal affairs, bringing you a bit of the Luck of the Irish, while Jupiter is working behind the scenes; keep that four-leaf clover close by.

LEO: The Lion/Lioness has a bit o’ luck coming to his/her Jungle from other’s resources, invite the rest of the Jungle from over the rainbow to share in the celebration, bring on the bagpipes.

VIRGO: The Sun is beaming its rays in Virgo's house of relationships, both business & personal, whether it’s at the office or walking in the parade. Wear your Kiss Me I’m Irish shirt.

You are invited to join us for a community gathering to learn how the plight of homelessness is being addressed by DNA RISING, a non-profit Black owned and operated organization seeking to house veterans and single mothers rising out of homelessness. DNA RISING provides safe, renovated bridge housing and they are an essential component to building a healthy and happy life which is the “Foundation of Home.” 

LaToya Smith, one of three founding partners of DNA RISING and a Vice President at Fifth Third Bank, will speak at the March 15th gathering to tell her story of personal triumph as a young woman raised up in Cleveland’s inner city. She is a graduate of Shaw High School and Cleveland State University. Be inspired by her journey and her passion for bridging the gap in housing for veterans and single mothers. 

In this casual, laid-back environment, attendees will also be encouraged to tell their own stories of overcoming life challenges or the stories of their ancestors and loved ones. Telling our stories is the bedrock of African American culture to help keep our foundation strong. 

Come join us for light snacks, cookies, and sweet potato pie. Bring your favorite non-alcoholic beverage.  

Lakewood Black Caucus is a Black grassroots organization dedicated to the mental health and well-being of our Black community, while also providing all citizens of Lakewood with stimulating educational programs for the betterment of our entire community. 

Lakewood City School District is currently considering repurposing (closing) one or even two of our neighborhood elementary schools. The Superintendent has convened an Elementary Planning Task Force, which has met since August 2024, to study this issue and make a recommendation. The Task Force consists of residents, community leaders, all five school board members, and many employees of Lakewood City Schools, and its meetings are closed to the public.

I was able to connect with a member of the Task Force, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, to shed some light on what it is like inside these closed meetings. For reference, FutureThink is the Columbus-based consulting firm engaged by Lakewood City Schools to create possible scenarios on how to utilize the current seven elementary schools in Lakewood.

The scenarios presented at the first Task Force meeting on August 28, 2024, are as follows:

1) Reinvent Lincoln (repurpose/close Lincoln to create a standalone building to house all of Lakewood's Pre-K students), and modify current school boundaries

2) Reinvent Roosevelt (repurpose/close Roosevelt to create a standalone building to house all of Lakewood's Pre-K students), and modify current school boundaries

In 2023, the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Cuyahoga DD) established the Leadership Council, appointing five individuals with developmental disabilities who are also receiving services from Cuyahoga DD. The Council's purpose is to gain the perspectives of people with DD who are compelled and willing to share their voices and advocacy to benefit their community.

The Leadership Council was also established, in part, to prepare for a new law in Ohio. The new rule requires that at least one seat be reserved on every County Board of DD for an individual with a developmental disability. Until now, board members have been parents, caregivers or family members of those with disabilities.

Beginning at the February Board meeting, a person with a developmental disability will have a role on the Cuyahoga DD Board. It's a seat at the table and a groundbreaking moment for the DD community.

"I think it is important for someone served by Cuyahoga DD to sit on the board, especially when what is being discussed has a direct effect on them and the other individuals being served." says Sara Steimle who has served as Secretary on Leadership Council since the beginning.

Her first term with Leadership Council, however, will be cut short as she moves on to a bigger role. On January 28th, Cuyahoga County Council voted unanimously to appoint Steimle as a Board Member, making her the very first person with a developmental disability to serve in this role at Cuyahoga DD.

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.   

Main Library-  

Mondays- 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.  

Get ready to dive into the weird, wild, and wonderfully unexplained with Science w/ Dan! We're introducing a fun new way to explore fringe science topics like Bigfoot, Shapeshifters, and UFOs (now known as UAPs—Unidentified Aerial Phenomena).
 
Join us for upcoming sessions on Fridays at 10 AM:

March 7th: Hot takes on the latest science headlines.
March 21st: A deep dive into a fascinating new pseudo-science topic.

Last week, Erin and Amber from Rep. Shontel Brown’s team joined us at Cove Community Center to share valuable insights on federal benefits. They're committed to supporting our community every three months, so be sure to mark your calendars for May 28, August 20, and November 12. Together, we’re strengthening our community with knowledge and action!

James has been with the City of Lakewood for 13 years, starting as a custodian and working his way up to Maintenance at Cove Community Center. Before that, he spent 10 years with Lakewood City Schools.

What James loves most about working at Cove is the positive atmosphere and the people. He thrives in environments filled with support and camaraderie, especially among staff, seniors, families, and the community. James is the go-to person for maintenance, custodial duties, and groundskeeping, ensuring everything runs smoothly each day. If something needs fixing, cleaning, or moving, James is the one to handle it. He’s also a team player, always ready to pitch in, particularly during busy times like the Fourth of July. After the fireworks, James works with a team through the night to clean up Lakewood Park and prepare it for the next day.

While James is always ready to lend a hand at Cove, he also shares his talents beyond work. In addition to his maintenance duties, he’s well-known for his cooking skills, especially his expertise on the grill. With a true passion for BBQ, he creates mouthwatering sauces, ranging from classic to sweet and spicy. He also brews world-class coffee that’s earned him quite a following among local coffee lovers. You can try to join his coffee club (if it ever becomes a thing) but be warned—you might need to wait in line!

In addition to his BBQ and coffee, James also makes a killer Pico de Gallo salsa, packed with fresh ingredients and a fiery mix of peppers. His secret recipe has earned him a reputation, with fans coming back for more—or scrambling for milk if they can’t handle the heat!

James’ talents don’t stop at cooking, he’s always been a handy person. When he was in 7th grade, he built a homemade security system for his science fair project. With help from his dad, he created a working system with a control box, receiver, keypad, and detectors. His project won the Science Fair’s Superior Award, and he was even interviewed by Fox 8 News!

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Photography by Bill Jacubec

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This Winter with all the snow and ice,it is important to feed and supply water for our beautifull birds.    

Senior Zayna Muntaser

Congratulation to senior Zayna Muntaser for qualifying for the Girls State Wrestling Championships next weekend in Columbus!

Zayna earned her state spot by finishing as runner-up in her weight class at the District Tournament this past weekend.

This will be Zayna's third straight trip to state! So impressive! We wish Zayna the best of luck!

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Last week I received a call from a couple residents about the Bunts Road Rehab Project. Their main concern seemed to be that because of the frequency of driveway crossings on Bunts--which is a densely populated residential street--a bike lane would be dangerous to bikers, walkers and residents. I then had a chance to speak with Mayor Meghan George, and Ward 1 Councilman, and Council VP Kyle Baker. Both described aspects of the project. Both told me to go read what is on the website to better understand it. So I did, here it is:

From the city’s website:

In 2026, a rehabilitation of Bunts Road (CR-232) is planned to begin, stretching from Lakewood Heights Boulevard to Clifton Boulevard (US-6). This project will be funded by NOACA (Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) funds), the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City of Lakewood.

Project Description

The City of Lakewood is working to make travel easier and safer on Bunts Road for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Improvements would address the deteriorated pavement/ curbs/sidewalks, long pedestrian crossing distances, Clean Water Lakewood, and Consent Decree sewer improvement requirements, aging watermain infrastructure, surface drainage, street lighting, bicycle lanes, aging signage, and other appurtenances.

One of the things that makes Lakewood special is the vitalityof our city. Even in the middle of February, you can find residents out and about patronizing local Lakewood shops and restaurants and staying active on city streets and parks. The dynamic nature of our city is no surprise given Lakewood’s large population and our rare level of density in Ohio. Maintaining Lakewood’s population is an important goal for our city, and one important way to do so is through strategic housing development.

Lakewood remains one of the densest cities between New York and Chicago, with over 50,000 residents in less than 7 square miles, and we are also one of Ohio’s 20 most populous municipalities. That 50,000 number is important for Lakewood’s bottom line because key federal dollars become more readily available at this threshold – community development block grants (CDBG). That federal funding is used for essential services, like keeping our streets in shape. In 2020, Lakewood had a major win by keeping our census population above that key 50,000 threshold which ensured our greater access to CDBG funds. Beyond CDBG, our city departments consistently seek outside dollars from other federal, state and local grants and Lakewood’s total population and density are key factors that make us competitive.

This past Tuesday, students in Mr. Lewis' Financial Literacy class at LHS enjoyed a visit from First Federal Lakewood Assistant Vice President Eliseo Cruz-Garcia, who talked to the students about the basics of banking, budgeting and credit.

As part of his work as a community development officer for the bank, Mr. Cruz Garcia travels around sharing financial literacy skills for adults and students. Valuable skills for our students to learn before heading out into the world!

A full house learns about plans to change the definition of neighborhood schools in Lakewood.

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More than 70 Lakewood residents recently had the opportunity to learn more about Lakewood City School District’s consideration of whether to make changes to how it delivers elementary education in Lakewood, which may result in the repurposing or closure of one or even two of Lakewood’s neighborhood elementary schools.

Preserve Lakewood Schools held a community information meeting on February 11, at Grant Elementary School, hosted by Grant Elementary PTA. Residents were able to learn more about the planning efforts being undertaken this school year by the Lakewood superintendent’s Elementary Planning Task Force, and understand how the repurposing or closure of any elementary school could affect not only families with young children, but also the entire Lakewood community.

“We are here because we love Lakewood’s schools, because we value our neighborhood schools, and because we want all of Lakewood’s residents to know that the school district may make major changes to how it delivers elementary school education, including closing one or even two of our neighborhood elementary schools,” said Preserve Lakewood Schools member and parent Jennifer Schlosser.  

“We want to share information about this process, and encourage all Lakewood residents to get involved in the process, whether that’s sharing their perspective at a school board meeting, talking to their friends and neighbors about it, or contacting their school board members and superintendent with how these changes would impact their family,” Schlosser added.

The Frans - The Frans - self-released - 12 songs - LP, CD, digital

When I reviewed The Frans’ first single a while back, I expressed some doubts that they could possibly have much more material left to work with as a public transit-themed band. Well, I guess they proved me wrong. That song, “Ride The Bus,” is on here (in what I believe is a rerecorded version), accompanied by eleven other songs that do at least have some kind of mention of public transit. “Ride The Bus,” it must be said, for all its ridiculousness, does rock— it is a good punk tune. There are several other good garage tunes about buses and the people who ride them— “Eight Bus Bry” and “3 Man” are about some rather unpleasant sounding characters, “Subway Sally” has the great line “you got my brain criss-crossed, looks like an MTA map,” and the country-tinged blues song “Smoking On A BRT” has some very funny moments, like the abrupt declaration that “all the women and children hate jazz” or when someone says the seemingly innocuous phrase “smoke ‘em if you got ‘em” and this really sets the singer off. Two of my favorites were only tangentially related to transit— the pop-garage of “Bird Passing Through” and the total punk rocker “Rail City Gun,” which decries bureaucracy, gentrification, and cities getting further to the right. It rules, it must be said. “West 5th 108th” has some dissonant alt-rock guitar work, T. Rex definitely influenced “Bus Of Elysium,” and “The Ballad Of Jane Jacobs” did get me to read Jane Jacobs’ Wikipedia page which I guess makes it a success. Musically speaking, there’s nothing super revelatory here, but they’re pretty good at the I-IV-V garage sound as well as both the softer moments and more punk tracks. And hey, maybe most importantly, it’s a lot of fun to listen to. 3.5/5

(thefrans.bandcamp.com)

Sammy

Meet Sammy! Unfortunately, this senior cat's owner recently passed away and he's now looking for a new forever home. 

Sammy is a lovable 12-year-old Domestic Shorthair. He thrives on affection and loves a good back scratch. Sammy's the perfect little lap cat and enjoys a good cuddle. This little guy does require a specific diet of gastrointestinal cat food due to some previous health concerns, so CCLAS will provide a case of Hill's Prescription Diet food to his future adopter. Sammy is such a joy and would bring so much happiness to a home!

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Wow, what an unforgettable morning! The talented instructors of Lakewood Music Academy came together to form the LMA Jazz Ensemble, and we were all in for a treat! From the moment they kicked off with "Mister Magic" by Grover Washington, Jr., to the smooth sounds of "Misty" and "The Way You Look Tonight," toes were tapping, and hearts were full.

A special shoutout to the incredible musicians:

• Eric Fairfax (bandleader, saxophone & flute)
• David Holmberg (piano)
• Terrell Moss (drums)
• Mason Juka (bass)
• Fred Clark (guitar)

It wasn’t just the music that made this morning special. Rachelle Farren (GM, Lakewood Music Academy) and Salane Schultz (accordion & piano instructor) spread the love with flowers tied in musical notes for every audience member.

And when they played "Take the A-Train," everyone jumped up to dance! What a vibe!

Presentation- Cleveland Civil Rights Trail 

Presented by Margaret Lann from the Cleveland Restoration Society 

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Main Library Auditorium 

Join Margaret Lann as she explores the local sites where history was made along the Cleveland Civil Rights Trail, a project of the Cleveland Restoration Society where she serves as the Director of Preservation Services. 

Besa Film- "A Shelter Among the Clouds" (2018)  

Presented by Dr. Christopher Kinley on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. 

Main Library Auditorium 

Join Dr. Kinley after the Albanian film and explore Albania- a small, beautiful and mountainous country in Europe- and celebrate its multi-religious people. 

Besa Film- "A Shelter Among the Clouds" (2018) Encore (screening only) 

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium 

Film- "Ruby Gentry" (1952)  

Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. (82 minutes) Main Library Auditorium 

Sign and share the petition to stop a shared-use path from being built on Bunts. 

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Residents on Bunts Road have launched a petition drive to stop the creation of a shared-used path on Bunts. The path is currently included in the Bunts Road Rehabilitation plan that will begin in 2026.

A shared-use path, also known as multi-modal or multi-use, is intended to be used by all people. Those on bicycles, skateboards, motorized bicycles, scooters, etc. will need to share this path with people of all ages walking pets, pushing strollers, running, or using mobility assistance devices such as walkers, canes and wheelchairs.

Why You Should Care

• The path will create a dangerous situation for all who use Bunts. Bicyclists tend to travel very fast when using them and studies show there is a high rate of collisions between vehicles and bicycles where these paths are located.

• This path is an unnecessary use of taxpayer funds. The city’s traffic studies revealed that bicycle traffic on Bunts currently only accounts for between 0.2% and 0.3% of all traffic on Bunts, depending on the intersection surveyed. Why attract more?

• The Ohio Department of Transportation’s guidelines on multi-modal paths notes; “Paths can function along highways for short sections, or for longer sections where there are few street and/or driveway crossings.”

The west side of Bunts has 116 driveways, entrances to businesses or streets to cross, so bicycles pass in front of traffic every few seconds. This puts all involved at risk.

Further, a January 2025 report by the Ohio Department of Transportation notes: “Path widths less than 11 ft. in width do not provide space for people to travel side-by-side and be passed by other users approaching from the opposite direction without increasing the potential for conflicts.” 

How You Can Help

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.   

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. 

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.   

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. 

Chuck and Terri Postel.

Chuck and Terri Postel, longtime Lakewood residents, have been dedicated volunteers for many years, quietly changing lives in their community. Their journey with Cove began in 2021 after they saw a post from the Division of Aging seeking help to deliver meals to seniors during the pandemic. What started as a simple act of kindness has grown into a meaningful commitment, deepening their connection to the community and further solidifying their role as pillars of support at Cove.

A Small World, Full of Big Stories

Chuck and Terri’s work goes beyond delivering meals; it’s about building connections. Many of the seniors they serve have fascinating stories to share, some having spent their entire lives in Lakewood, raising families and witnessing events that shaped the community. For Chuck, it was especially meaningful to reconnect with a man who had been his boss during high school, decades ago. Their reunion wasn’t just about delivering food; it was about rekindling a friendship and reminiscing about old times, especially sports. Chuck made sure this gentleman was the last stop on his route so they could spend more time catching up.

More Than Meals: A Community Bond

Chuck and Terri’s involvement with Cove Community Center goes beyond meal delivery. They’ve embraced its programs, including the À La Cart cooking demos, and Terri even worked as a sous chef at a Senior Chefs event. For them, Cove is a hub for growth and connection. They encourage others to explore the center’s offerings, from programs for little ones to activities for seniors.

Haynes Nursery School is excited to announce its rebrand to Haynes Preschool, marking an important evolution in its mission to provide a nurturing, child-centered early education experience. This transformation underscores the school’s commitment to continuing its role as a vital partner in the educational journey of young learners while embracing new opportunities for growth and development.

Haynes Nursery School, located in Lakewood Congregational Church at 1375 West Clifton Lakewood, OH 44107, was established in 1966 by Marjorie Haynes, LCC’s Sunday School Superintendent. It has long been a trusted institution in the community, offering a secular, play-based preschool program that emphasizes the physical, social, intellectual, and emotional growth of each child. With a refreshed name and an exciting new focus, the school remains dedicated to providing a positive introduction to each student’s academic career.

“We’ve rebranded as Haynes Preschool to reflect our strong commitment to early childhood education, while continuing to offer a nurturing environment that prioritizes the individual child’s needs,” said Shannon Lubas, Director of Haynes Preschool. “We view our role as both caregivers and educators, guiding children to explore, learn, and grow in a setting that fosters curiosity and creativity.”

Left to right: Christina McCallum, Jim "JP" Ptacek, Ami Rizek, Maureen Koopman, Michael Daso

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LakewoodAlive is excited to announce Jim “JP” Ptacek as the 2025 Founders Award recipient, and fellow community members Michael Daso, Christina McCallum, Ami Rizek, and Maureen Koopman, as the 2025 Community Leader Award honorees to be recognized during Loving Lakewood: Tuned In For Community, sponsored by Cleveland Property Management, on Saturday, February 22.

Each member of this honoree group has made a long-lasting impact on Lakewood as a community and/or LakewoodAlive. The Founders Award--recognizing one special honoree annually--celebrates an individual who exemplifies the vision of LakewoodAlive’s founding members to foster and sustain vibrant and welcoming neighborhoods. Represented by dedicated Lakewoodites, Community Leader Awardees are members of our community who are avid volunteers and champions of progress who deserve to be recognized.

Jim "JP" Ptacek is the principal/owner of Larsen Architects in Lakewood, Ohio. He’s worked in Lakewood since starting as an intern over 30 years ago and has been a proud Lakewoodite for nearly 20 years. “JP” (as most people know him) has been committed to local projects that help create community. He is a respected member of the architectural community and a valued contributor to the fabric of Lakewood. Having previously served on our Board of Directors, his is still a frequent LakewoodAlive volunteer.

Michael Daso is a financial planner who works primarily with professionals, small business owners and retirees. He lives in Lakewood and enjoys giving back to his community through volunteering. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, previously served on the Board of LakewoodAlive and was Chair of the Board at both the Lakewood Historical Society and the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. He is also currently chair of the Endowment Committee at his church (Lakewood Congregational Church), and last year raised money for LakewoodAlive while walking every street in Lakewood from A to Z.

Christina McCallum is a life-long West Sider and 30+ year Lakewood resident. Most of her career has been spent in the nonprofit/public sectors, including Cleveland cultural and healthcare organizations, Lakewood City Schools, and Lakewood Municipal Court. A self-proclaimed "chronic volunteer", she serves on the Board of Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corporation, is the lead volunteer for LakewoodAlive’s Blossoms program, and an occasional helper for the Collective Arts Network. 

Members of the Preserve Lakewood Schools group attended the Lakewood City School Board meeting on February 3rd. Four individuals spoke during the public comment period, presenting a unified request for the board to halt the Elementary Task Force Planning and shift focus to the 2026 Operating Levy issue. Each speaker had 3 minutes to address the board and shared their concerns.

Caity Solomon raised concerns about how the timing of the planning process has damaged trust in its outcome. She pointed out that the task force was formed after an outside consultant proposed seven scenarios, community surveys followed community conversations, and the decision to rule out the four corner schools as potential closures or repurposed schools led to disengagement from parents at those schools. Solomon also asked for information on when the traffic study would be available, when data on walkers vs. drivers would be collected, and where input from urban planning experts was. She ended by urging the board to pause the planning and focus on the upcoming levy.

Kelly Moyer also asked for a halt to the process until more data is gathered, emphasizing the need to harness the creativity of Lakewood residents to collaborate. Moyer explained that families move to Lakewood for its walkable schools, but the proposed scenarios would place the majority of students outside the ideal 0.87-mile walking range, which could increase traffic congestion as more parents would need to drive. Moyer pointed out the potential long-term negative effects on students, including social and emotional issues, lower test scores, higher absenteeism, and reduced graduation rates. She suggested using the available time wisely to implement changes that would have the least impact on students.

History was made tonight in the East Gym. With a great team effort the Lakewood Ranger Boys earned the first ever Cleveland West Conference Title with a hard fought 61-52 win over Rocky River. Senior guard Lucas Seguine, the clear choice for Conference Player of the Year, scored 15 points, dished out 6 assists, and added 4 steals and 5 rebounds in what has become a typical all-around, high level game for him. Sophomore Riley Verderber led all scorers with 17 points, dominating inside against a very physical Pirate squad. There was no backing down in Riley and the Rangers.

Riley and Lucas were stellar, but it took much more to defeat the second place River team that was looking to avenge an earlier lopsided loss at their place. When the Rangers needed a rebound or a basket to break the Pirate momentum, it was senior Luke Bonvisutto (holding the trophy) who came through with 12 points and one of his best games in the Purple and Gold. Senior Luke Vannucci--the leading 3-point shooter in Lakewood history-- scored all 7 of his points in the second half, helping the Rangers extend what had been a mere 2 point halftime lead. Brady Long scored five, but his hustle plays led to many opportunities for teammates. Nathan Bruwer scored three and was a bothersome defense presence. Though they did not score, Aidan Smith and Mo Abuzahriyeh rebounded and played with energy.

The Rangers are 11-1 in the CWC and 14-4 overall. It was fitting that they defeated the rival Pirates, always a tough opponent, at home in front of our enthusiastic student section, the Pep Band, Cheer Squad and other Ranger loyalists. Congratulations to Coach Cammock, his staff, and the entire team--they are now enshrined in Lakewood Basketball History--a richly earned status. The Lakewood Ranger are, and have always been, one team, from one town, that plays hard from tip to final buzzer. Long Live Lakewood.

On February 3rd, a group of Bunts Road residents attended the Lakewood City Council meeting to provide coordinated public comment in opposition to the multi-use path feature of the Bunts Road Rehabilitation Project. The Bunts Road project is one of the largest public works projects the city will undertake in the near future. The plan includes replacing all storm and sanitary piping under the road. As a result, they will also replace curbs, road surface, and sidewalks. The underground utility work is expected to disturb tree roots near the road resulting in removal of many mature trees. There is no plan to alter property lines.

The new road design features narrowed traffic-calmed lanes with brick-paved parking on the east side of the road north of Franklin and south of Madison. Next to Lakewood Stadium, parking will switch to the west side of Bunts causing a chicane effect to calm motor traffic in this busy corridor. The brick-paved parking will reduce impermeable surfaces and storm water runoff. A two-way multi-use path is planned for the west side of the road extending from Lakewood Heights Boulevard to Clifton Boulevard, satisfying a 2015 Lakewood Active Living Task Force recommendation for a safe north-south bike route connector. The city will maintain the path, not residents. An alternate proposal features a sidewalk with a painted bike lane in the road that would have more impermeable surfaces, result in the removal of a similar number of trees, and have the same estimated total cost as the current plan. Final drawings are due in October 2025.

Parents face many decisions (so many decisions!) about the care and safety of their children, from before they were born until adulthood. Those decisions become more complicated as the child moves toward independence; parents need to set guidelines and boundaries and trust that their child has the judgment to face any challenges that may arise. It’s been suggested that parenting should come with a manual. There’s nothing quite so definitive, but there is information and support available to aid in decision-making. One great way to think through the decisions around emerging independence is to attend H2O HOME ALONE.

HOME ALONE is a safety and independence workshop available to Lakewood youth ages 9—12 and their adult caregiver. High school leaders design engaging presentations that are informative and memorable. The younger children rotate through Cove Community Center to learn about topics including First Aid, Routines and Decision Making, Emergencies (including calling 911), Internet Safety, and Street Smarts/Tricky People. The goal is to teach facts about safety and to build sound decision-making skills. As the young attendees rotate through topics, the parents/caregivers hear from safety professionals who share updated research on topics such as home fire safety, internet use, home security, and first aid. The first responders who present are from our community; it’s a great opportunity to connect with them.

HOME ALONE is offered twice this year: Tuesday, February 25th and Monday, March 10th. The workshops are hosted at Cove Community Center from 6:00 PM – 8:40 PM. Additional information and registration are available on the City of Lakewood website: lakewoodoh.gov/h2o. Enrollment is limited for effective small-group learning, so claim your spot soon!

Happy Valentine’s Day Neighbors!

This edition’s column is full of updates that are more practical than romantic, but are part of our continual work for the city we all love.

On February 3rd, City Council passed a Resolution to designate February 2025 as Black History Month in the City of Lakewood by celebrating African-American culture and paying tribute to the contributions of African-Americans to our community, region, state and country. 

Council also adopted a Resolution accepting $157,800 through the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) Energized Community (NEC) Grant Program which provides funding for energy efficiency and infrastructure projects to reduce energy consumption. The City can use these funds for a variety of projects supporting our Climate Action Plan including electric vehicles, traffic signal upgrades, energy efficient windows and appliances, electrical upgrades, tree canopy restoration, LED lighting upgrades, insulation and more. These funds are awarded in part based on the number of NOPEC customers in the city, so some of our dollars as energy consumers are now able to be reinvested toward our Climate goals. We anticipate further discussion of how the NOPEC NEC funds will be used at an upcoming Public Works & Sustainability Committee meeting.

Prior to the Regular council meeting on Feb 3rd, Committee of the Whole met at 6:30 to learn from the Administration about findings of a space study conducted at City Hall and the Annex across the street. Some of the high level challenges discussed were the need to expand the female police locker room to accommodate increasing numbers of female officers as well as ADA compliance, customer experience, and department efficiency. This is the beginning of a conversation, and I invite you to watch the video on the council website to learn more.

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A small group of family, friends, and neighbors came together to honor lifelong Lakewood resident Stan Austin at the home of Holly Gigante. Stan embodied what a true civic-minded individual is. His love of Lakewood was apparent in everything he did, from campaigning for the first ambulances in Lakewood to the creation of C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team), along with his passion for working on his home. He dedicated most of his adult life to local politics and mentored many who chose to run for office. His warmth and kindness touched all who met him and his indelible laugh will continue to resonate. State Rep Tristan Rader presented Stan’s brother with a memorial proclamation from the State House, and former State Rep/Senator/Lakewood Councilman and long-time Stan friend Michael Skindell did a beautiful eulogy.

14900 Detroit over the years.

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AGS and the Lakewood Observer have had an office at 14900 Detroit Ave for almost 30 years. The Detroit Cook Building in Lakewood Ohio started life as a Young’s Furniture Store, then a F.W. Woolworth’s, then Rozi’s Wine Shop and State Liquor Store, to finally, Rozi’s Wine House.

It’s an odd building as it is built on an incline and the Mezzanine level is wedge shaped. This creates the need for a 23’ gap between the first floor and the second floor. In 1924 the third elevator in Lakewood was installed and instantly people started to stop the elevator between the first and second floor, to sign their names and leave cute messages  like “Double CHECK their FACTS!” and “For A Good Time...” Today there are over 100 years of graffiti! You can see the decades go by, as at first there are street names, then 4 digit phone numbers give way to letters and numbers, then numbers with area codes. An amazing look back.

Layers and layers of graffiti reveal each message turning into and over the others. Until a hillbilly Jackson Pollock emerges. Much like the “Herb Score Ball,” if you look closely, you can see history in all of the writing.

About ten years ago, I had tried to capture it, but it was in a format of little use to anyone. You couldn’t read it, or appreciate techniques, color, messages, etc.

A month ago I was told that the elevator was being upgraded and gutted, and the graffiti will be painted over, and or enclosed in the new machinery.

In the last issue of the Observer I outlined what, in my mind, are the main issues with the proposed elementary school closures. But the one big question that remains is: Why are we even discussing closing a school in the first place?

On the agenda of the first task force meeting, the purpose of the task force was discussed. It states:

“As educational leaders, we are responsible for caring for, protecting, and maintaining our facilities and buildings. Additionally, we have the responsibility to periodically review the use of our facilities and the role each facility plays in helping us achieve our mission in financially responsible and sustainable ways, as well as providing the greatest opportunities for our students’ growth.

The purpose of the Elementary Planning Task Force is to provide informed guidance and strategic recommendations to the superintendent on optimizing the use of district facilities, particularly where there is excess capacity.”

The charts showing capacity in the schools, however, reveal that elementary school capacity is the highest of all of the buildings.

So why are we talking about closing some of the most used buildings in the district? And whether at full, or partial capacity, as long as the community supports neighborhood schools and are willing to fund them, what is the significance of a building at 70% vs 85% capacity?

This has never been mentioned in the community meetings.

The purpose statement goes on to say:

“The Task Force will assist in analyzing scenarios for utilizing Lakewood’s elementary schools; evaluating the financial, educational, and logistical impacts of potential changes; and developing opportunities to engage the community.”

A consulting firm was hired before the Task Force convened, to put together suggested scenarios for building utilization. In a world where 99%+ of school districts are consolidated, this consulting firm recommended that Lakewood City Schools… should consolidate. The August 28, 2024 Task Force Meeting presentation lists the scenarios as:

1 – Reinvent Lincoln

2 – Reinvent Roosevelt

3 – Reinvent Grant

4 – Reinvent Grant & Roosevelt

5 – Reinvent Lincoln & Roosevelt

6 – Reinvent Lincoln & Grant

7 – Modify current boundaries

In the community meetings the scenarios were boiled down to three basic options: close one school to use for expanded pre-k OR do that plus close another school for “community education and recreation programming,” OR… redraw the district maps.

We were not told where the proposals for expanded pre-k or community space came from, or even given a clear definition of what the community building would be used for, yet it appears to form the basis of the need to close up to two schools.