The Lakewood Observer

Bullock to Run for Council-At-Large To Bring Proven "Problem-Solving Ambassador" Service To Neighborhoods Across City

Jesse Schmidt — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Ward 2 Councilman Tom Bullock said today he is running for Council at Large in order to serve the entire community as their “problem-solving neighborhood ambassador.”

“I love Ward 2 and I’m tremendously proud to represent it,” said Bullock. “But of course the entire City of Lakewood is wonderful, and since there is an opportunity to serve not just my immediate neighborhood, but the entire community, I am stepping forward to do so.”

Bullock said he has been interested in the opportunity to serve all neighborhoods across the city since the beginning of the year but held off on a decision to run out of respect for incumbent colleagues, until receiving recent confirmation that a retirement can be expected.

This November, Lakewood voters will choose the new occupants of all three Council at Large seats. The offices of mayor, four ward councilpersons, and municipal judge are not up for election until 2015.

"Painting Your Home: Technique and Color" Workshop To Be Held June 15

Laura Krawczyk — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

LakewoodAlive's Housing Education Series presents "Painting Your Home: Technique and Color," a presentation by Michael Fleenor of the Cleveland Restoration Society.

This program will examine different types of paint failure, highlights what to look for when hiring a painting contractor, reviews historic color schemes and provides tips on selecting and placing appropriate colors on older homes.

Join us at the University of Akron, Lakewood Campus on Saturday, June 15 at 10:30 am. This event is free and open to the public. Free parking will also be available in the rear lot.

Details on the full series are available at: www.tackk.com/LAHousingEducationSeries

The Friends Summer Book Sale Is Just In Time

Ben Burdick — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Summer is finally here! Time to hit the beach and soak up some rays… But wait. You don’t want to take that Library book to the beach do you? What if it gets wet? Or gets ice cream all over it? Or starts to smell like cocoa butter?

Once again, the Friends of Lakewood Public Library are saving the day. The volunteer group that supports so many wonderful things at Lakewood Public Library will be hosting their Summer $3.00 Bag of Books Sale on Saturday, June 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the basement of the Main Library. That’s right! You can purchase a whole bag of romances, mysteries, thrillers and more for just three dollars—and nothing is stopping you from buying more than one bag. The best part is that, once you finish up that inexpensive Grisham, you can make room in your beach tote by tossing it to a pelican or other large seabird—or donate it back to the Friends. The good times never have to stop.

LEAF Presents: Bay Branch Farm Tour

Heather Ramsey — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

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The Lakewood Earth and Food (LEAF) Community will be returning for another visit to Lakewood's own Bay Branch Farm for this month's educational event. The tour will take place on Wednesday, June 19th at 7 p.m.

Bay Branch Farm is an urban market garden in Lakewood, Ohio whose mission is to grow high-quality food in a sustainable manner, honoring the soil, the environment, and the people in our community.

Owners Eric Stoffer and Annabel Khouri began gardening in their own backyard before expanding to a vacant lot in the Birdtown neighborhood in 2009. Now they are regular participants in the Saturday Lakewood Farmer's Market and LEAF Nights and have their own version of a CSA program called A La Farm Carte, where members make a down payment in advance, then choose what they like from the crops available throughout the season.

LHS Asks Community To Join In Reading "Outliers"

Christine Gordillo — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Lakewood Reads is Lakewood High School's effort to get the whole community involved in celebrating literacy by reading a book together. All LHS students will be reading Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell, as part of their summer reading requirements. LHS is asking the community to join in.

This is the third year of Lakewood Reads and each year a different department selects the book. Peter Petto and Bob Sedlak of the Math Department explain why their department chose this book: Outliers is the story of success. Author Malcolm Gladwell takes a careful look at people who are tremendously successful in a variety of fields such as sports, music, and business. And then asks the question: Why? What do they have in common? And what is different among them? He explores a variety of possible explanations using numbers and statistics and logic in a story that is fascinating and dramatic, arousing readers' curiosity.

City Looks Into The Success Of The Parks New Operating Times

Christopher Bindel — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:14:51 EDT

The June 3, 2013 Council meeting was called to order at 7:33 P.M. by Council President Brian Powers. The first order of business was to discuss a report from the Committee of the Whole regarding the resolution to allow the city to spend $25,000 on consultant services for Lakewood Park lakefront improvements. The city has about $300,000 left over from projects it did in Lakewood Park about 10 years ago. The money was not spent due to plans that fell through and cannot be resurrected. However since the money was appropriated for the plan that can no longer happen the city held on to the money while they figured out if it could be used on other projects. It has now become clear that the money can be used on a different project, provided it is still a Lakewood Park lakefront improvement project.

State Rep. Nickie J. Antonio Presents Testimony On Equal Housing And Equal Employment Bill

Nickie Antonio — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Chair Young, Vice Chair Duffey, Ranking Member Hagan and members of the Commerce, Labor and Technology committee: I am honored to present sponsor testimony with joint sponsor Representative McGregor regarding House Bill 163, The Equal Housing and Employment Act. This legislation is the same in both language and intent to the final version of HB 176, which passed the House in the 128th General Assembly but languished in the Senate.

The Equal Housing and Employment Act (“EHEA”) or HB 163, adds “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the categories of those protected by Ohio’s laws prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. Existing law defines “unlawful discriminatory practice” as discrimination on the basis of the race, color, religion, age, sex, familial status, marital status, military status, national origin, ancestry, or disability of an employee; an applicant for employment, for membership, for the purchase, lease, or financing of housing accommodations, or for credit; a person seeking access to a place of public accommodation; or any appropriate person as specified in the laws.

Events At Lakewood Public Library

Leana Donofrio-Milovan — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

June 13

Friend’s Preview Book Sale

Thursday, June 13 6p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Lakewood Public Library Friends Book Sale Room

June 13

BOOKED FOR MURDER: Queens of Crime

"The Crime at Black Dudley" by Margery Allingham
The greatest collection of crime-solving, lady detectives from yesterday and today will keep you up late, turning the pages. Unburden yourself once a month and share your sleepless ponderings with this friendly, law-abiding group of mystery lovers. Visit www.lakewoodpubliclibrary.org/bookclubs for more clues and full book descriptions.

Thursday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Library Meeting Room

Children/Youth Events At Lakewood Public Library

Eric Knapp — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Jungle Safari Puppet Show
For the whole family

Enjoy puppets, storytelling and humorous antics with a touch of magic. Free and open to the public.

Friday, June 14, at 3:00 p.m. in the Main Library Multipurpose Room.

The Learning Garden Story Time
For the whole family

Make the Learning Garden a part of your family time with stories, music, and activities about vegetables, fruits, flowers, and good things to eat!

Friday, June 14, at 10:30 a.m. in the Learning Garden right behind the Madison Branch Library.

Calling All Eagles, Arrows And Rangers! The LPL Yearbook Collection Needs Your Help!

Lisa Calfee — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

A small, happy crowd can often be found gathered around the Library’s Lakewood High School yearbook collection. And now, for the first time ever, we want to expand the collection to include St. Edward High School, St. Augustine Academy and any other Lakewood yearbooks from your glory days. But we need your help! We are asking for your donations to add to a collection that has become a treasure here at Lakewood Public Library.

Our yearbooks confirm what we know. Times have changed. Consider our first Lakewood High School yearbook from 1903. The eight graduating students are honored with elegant photographs and personal descriptions like the one describing the lovely Stella Colahan, who was by all accounts, “a quiet, unassuming maiden.” Yes, times have changed.

Jungle Safari Show With Katie Bee And Roger Dodger

Kathryn Tatnall — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

The summer solstice begins on June 21st this year, but as every parent with school age children knows summer is truly determined by the last day of school. So what are doing to entertain your children this summer? Amid the plans for swim lessons, day camp and trips to Grandma’s, why not make it a point to visit the library? Take us up on our offer of free entertainment and fun. In our line-up of crafts, movies, and registered programs we are also providing live entertainment for the whole family. Our Special Friday Performance series begins this month on the 14th with the Katie Bee and Roger Dodger Jungle Safari Show.

Kathy and Roger Divella will be performing as Katie Bee and Roger Dodger to help us use our imaginations to travel on a jungle safari. On our trip we will meet a few jungle animals. There is Vern a wild and wacky bird. Orie; a very ornery, but adorable orangutan. And last but not least, Peanut, the effervescent elephant. Katie Bee does an excellent job as the puppeteer, while Roger Dodger handles the slapstick comedy and balloon animals with ease. It is a delightful show that will have the kids rolling on the floor with laughter.

The Lakewood Library Learning Garden Story Time: For The Whole Family

Eric Knapp — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Make the Learning Garden a part of your family time with stories, finger plays, and music about vegetables on Fridays June 14, July 12, August 2, and August 23, at 10:30 a.m. This story time will replace the Family Weekend Wonders program, weather permitting, on these dates. There is no need to register in advance. The story time will be held inside the Madison Branch during inclement weather.

The Learning Garden is a garden where families can read, learn and enjoy together and is located behind the Madison Branch. This garden is a collaboration between the Lakewood Public Library, LEAF Community, and the City of Lakewood. The Learning Garden was made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and by the State Library of Ohio.

Discover Your Family With Ancestry.com, Library Edition

Susan Dunn and Andrea Fisher — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Did your ancestors arrive on the Mayflower? Was your great-grandfather a WWI hero? Unlock the story of your family’s past with one of the Library’s most popular online resources. Ancestry.com, Library Edition can make this tremendous undertaking a little easier by providing access to thousands of records that will help you fill in your family tree. Genealogist Dr. Deborah Abbott will be here on Wednesday, June 19 at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Library Learning Lab to show you the ins and outs of genealogical research using Ancestry.com, Library Edition and other online resources.

Dr. Abbott comes with a vast amount of experience as a genealogist. In addition to being the former president of the Cleveland African-American Genealogical Society, she is an adjunct faculty member at the Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research at Samford University in Alabama. Abbott has presented lectures at many genealogical societies, libraries, schools, and churches throughout Ohio and surrounding states. We asked her to share a little about herself and her studies.

Dig Into Crafts

Philistine Ayad — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Some of the crafts Summer Readers can make when they come into the Library

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Hey all of you Summer Readers! Escape the heat and come to the Lakewood Library for an hour of self-guided craft time fun. Create a Cicada to commemorate the return of the magicada to Ohio. Make garden markers for the garden you planted in the spring. Cut, color, paste, and pretend to be a garden gnome. Stop in at the Main Branch or Madison Branch anytime, June 10 - August 1st, Monday through Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. No registration is needed.

District Sees Number Of Admin Changes

Christine Gordillo — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Lakewood City Schools is in the middle of a number of major personnel changes due to retirements and professional advancements.

Lakewood High School Principal Bill Wagner will be leaving his position after 10 successful years to become the district’s director of Human Resources, beginning August 1. Wagner accomplished much during his decade at the helm of LHS including being named Ohio Principal of the Year by the Ohio Association of Secondary School Principals and leading the school to Excellent ratings from the state of Ohio the last seven of eight years.

First Federal Helps LHS With Financial Literacy Program

Christine Gordillo — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

A partnership between First Federal of Lakewood, EverFi and Lakewood High School has helped the schools’ seniors become financially literate and First Federal and EverFi representatives were at LHS in the classroom recently to recognize the students’ new-found financial knowledge.

First Federal has generously signed on to sponsor the EverFi Financial Literacy web-based program for Lakewood City Schools at a cost of $12,000 over the next three years. The sponsorship enables LHS to bring the interactive financial management program to our students at no cost to the district.

“We as a bank knew it was important to bring financial literacy to students because they are future customers and it’s important to educate our students about this topic,” said First Federal Lakewood branch manager Heidi Finiff.

The Legacy Of Johnny Appleseed

Emily Brown, AP U.S. History student at Lakewood High School — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Editor’s Note: Johnny Appleseed will be one of five living history presentations that will be part of Ohio Chautauqua 2013: When Ohio Was the Western Frontier, set for June 25-29 at Lakewood Park. You can hear more about Johnny’s story on Saturday, June 29 at 7 p.m. under the big red and white tent at Lakewood Park. To find out more about the entire slate of Chautauqua events, visit lakewoodhistory.org.

One of Ohio’s most famous legends is Johnny Appleseed’s story. Johnny Appleseed was in fact a real man, whose true name was John Chapman. The story of this farmer who fueled the apple industries of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana is quite similar to the popular folklore.

Born in 1774 in Massachusetts, John Chapman was the son of Nathaniel Chapman, who was both a farmer and Revolutionary soldier. As a young man, Nathaniel apprenticed John to a local orchard where he absorbed all of his knowledge about apples. When he turned 18, he left Massachusetts for the west side of Pennsylvania.

Lakewood Council Of PTAs Celebrates The Year

Christina McCallum — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Lakewood Council of PTAs celebrated its mission, “Every Child, One Voice,” and the end of the 2012-13 school year Thursday, May 23, when it recognized scholarship and award winners and installed officers for the 2013-14 school year.

The Council of PTAs is made up of members of eight school PTA units in Lakewood plus Lakewood Early Childhood PTA. The Council is part of District 11 in the state of Ohio, under the Ohio PTA umbrella organization. The Lakewood Council promotes communication, leadership development and coordinates efforts of the Lakewood PTAs and it provides individual groups with support and assistance as needed. Additionally, it recognizes the excellence achieved by Lakewood City Schools and students through the cooperation of Parents, Teachers and Associated staff in a variety of ways.

Lakewood Project Celebrates 10 Years At Civic

Randy Varcho — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Alumni members Julian Ellins (l.) and Renee Blackburn of The Lakewood Project acknowledge audience applause during a Tenth Anniversary Concert held May 25 at the Civic Auditorium. Past and current members of the celebrated Lakwood High School rock orchestra performed onstage together for the one-night only event under the direction of LHS music educator Beth Hankins.

School District Trains For Early Identification Of Mental Illness

Mark Moran — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:51:02 EDT

Lakewood City School District wants its staff—and parents of students—to be able to recognize the early warning signs of mental illness in students and refer students for professional help when appropriate.

The school district partnered with Recovery Resources, a Cleveland-based, nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization, to offer two five-hour training sessions in April to school counselors at the city’s public and charter schools aimed at alerting them to the kinds of behaviors that may indicate a child is at risk for mental illness. The training program, held at Hayes Elementary, focused on myths and facts about mental illness, how to distinguish early warning signs of trouble from typical adolescent behavior, and when it is appropriate to refer a student for psychiatric or other professional treatment.