Eat Well Lakewood

Come to this FREE event and prepare to change your eating habits, and your life! Eat Well Lakewood will be held on Saturday, February 27 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Lakewood High School, 14100 Franklin Boulevard.

The day will include chef demonstrations, mini-workshop in the kitchen, and a vendor fair featuring local restaurants and service providers offering tips on nutrition and healthy . An added benefit: you'll get to check out Lakewood High School's beautiful new culinary arts facility which serves the West Shore Career Technical program.

At 1:00 PM, Ernie Logsdon, executive chef for the Nature’s Bin, will demonstrate ways to prepare many colorful vegetable delights. Beginning at 2:00 PM, Jim Perko, executive chef for the Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Mladen Golubic will teach participants how the food you eat can enhance your health and reverse chronic diseases. At 3:00 PM, Eric Lowrey, former pastry chef and instructor, will demonstrate how to prepare a healthy meal quickly and share tips on keeping fit on a tight budget.

Click here for more information.

Listening to Lakewood Town Hall Meeting on Thursday

Mayor Ed FitzGerald and his team will be holding a town hall meeting on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Meridian, 12550 Lake Avenue. You will have the opportunity to learn about recent developments within the city, including: street repairs, quality control in parks, fiscal stability, and important initiatives including wellness, safety, housing and environmental issues for the City of Lakewood.

This is your chance to be heard and to join the Mayor and his team in building the future of Lakewood.

Wanna Buy a Cushman?

The City of Lakewood will be disposing of certain forfeited, confiscated, obsolete and
surplus items through GovDeals.com online auction service.

We've ended our usual Spring and Autumn auctions at City Hall. Now, items are added monthly as they become available throughout the year, so check back frequently to see the current items. You can inspect items before bidding (by appointment). To see a list of auction items, including the opportunity to own your very own Cushman Cart, visit here, or click on the "City Auctions" link on the onelakewood.com home page.

Email purchasing@lakewoodoh.net to schedule an appointment or for answers to any of your questions.

4th of July Festivities

10:00am
The 4th of July Parade begins at Kenneth and Lake, and ends at Lakewood Park.

7:00pm
The Lakewood Project, Lakewood High School’s Youth Rock Orchestra, will perform at the Bandstand at Lakewood Park.


9:45pm
The Fourth of July festivities will conclude with Lakewood annual fireworks extravaganza at approximately 9:45-10:00 p.m.

Madison Artwalk Second Saturdays This Summer

Artists and art lovers again will fill the sidewalks and businesses of Madison Avenue on second Saturdays starting June 13th at Noon. The ArtWalk is jointly produced by MAMA (Madison Avenue Merchants Association) and LIA (Lakewood is Art). Committee Members from these organizations worked together to give the community an opportunity to gain exposure to the various arts that is abundant in our area.

What’s new this season is that the Lakewood ArtWalk will be running second Saturdays from June to October. Visitors will have the opportunity to take in a plethora of art forms, including visual and performance from some of the most sought after artists in the area.
The Lakewood ArtWalk was designed to increase exposure for participating local artists, organizations and area businesses, as well as further establish Madison Avenue as a vibrant and evolving neighborhood with a meaningful connection to arts and culture.

This event would not be made possible without the extra help of sponsors that include Gray’s Auction House, Shamrock Restaurant & Tavern, Wobblefoot Gallery, Lakewood Observer, Nationwide Insurance of Lakewood, Hobart’s Health Foods, Connie’s Classics, Vance Music Studios, Manja and Carabel Beauty Salon.

Traditional galleries like Wobblefoot Gallery will host additional artists’, live music and a reception. The Pop Shop will have an opening reception for their new art show and an after party, next door at Mullens. Dancers will perform Ballet and Hip Hop at Silhouette Dance Studio, to belly dancers at Carabel Beauty Salon and tango dancers at El Tango Taqueria will offer points of artistic movement throughout the day. There will be some amazing musical performances at Vance Music Studios, from students of all ages.

Artists and Madison Business Owners who are not yet participating are still invited to participate. For more information about the Lakewood ArtWalk series, to print an artwalk map and to find out what Lakewood is Art has up its sleeve, go to www.artwoodohio.org.

Meet Lakewood's Newest Truck!

Trucks on display will include an aerial truck, dump truck, fire truck, ambulance, police car, police motorcycle, SWAT vehicles, U.S. Postal Service Truck, MetroParks Nature Tracks Bus and...Lakewood's newest truck: the Automated Refuse Truck!

Join 3000 other people at Lakewood Park from 10am - 2pm on Saturday. Bring a canned good to support Lakewood Christian Service Center.

Quality bike and multi-purpose helmets will be available for purchase while supplies last. Lakewood Hospital will offer an “Ask A Doc” booth and The Cleveland Safe Kids Coalition will be providing car seat safety checks. The Burning River Roller Derby Girls will perform at the skate park and Spin Bike Shop of Lakewood will offer a bike repair station. There will a miniature safety town staffed by the Lakewood Recreation Department.

The event is brought to you by the City of Lakewood and Lakewood Early Childhood PTA, with additional support from Lakewood Hospital, Training by Liz, Cliff Tower’s Marathon, The Kiwanis Club of Lakewood and Donatos.

Lakewood Farmers Market to Open June 3

The Lakewood Farmer’s Market opens for its 11th season on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Kaufmann Park Parking Lot behind Drug Mart,15412 Detroit Avenue.

The Farmer’s Market offers locally grown produce along with freshly baked breads and pastries, artisans and craftspeople who help to create a festive market atmosphere for the Lakewood community. The Market will operate every Wednesday through September 30, 2009 between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 pm.

The Market is operated by the North Union Farmer’s Market in collaboration with the City of Lakewood and features vendors who grow their own produce on small, family-owned farms. Organizers expect up to 15 vendors at each Wednesday’s market.

The North Union Farmer’s Market is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1995 dedicated to supporting family farms in northeast Ohio, providing urban people access to fresh, locally grown produce and creating a wholesome family activity that builds community.

Marathon Running in Lakewood Again

After many years away, the Cleveland Marathon will be running in Lakewood again, starting May 17th, 2009. This year's path starts in downtown Cleveland at 7am. Miles six through nine travel along Edgewater and Lake in Lakewood, where you can expect to see runners most of the morning. See the route here. Come join the 11,000+ runners.

While Other Cities Lay Off Police Officers, Lakewood Increased Police Force by 15%

While other cities facing financial difficulties have been laying off police officers, the City of Lakewood is on pace to increase the number of police officers on the streets by over 15%. This is all part of a law enforcement initiative begun in 2008, which includes the establishment of neighborhood police offices in each of the city’s four wards.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the opening of the final of these four Neighborhood Police Offices throughout Lakewood on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. The new Ward 1 office is located at 17415 Detroit Avenue. This is the completion of another element of a city-wide community policing initiative which includes more park patrols, bike patrols, foot patrols, and involvement with neighborhood block clubs. Present at the opening will be Police Chief Tim Malley, Mayor Ed FitzGerald, members of the Lakewood Police Department, as well as residents active in neighborhood block clubs.

Lakewood Fitness Challenge to Begin May 6th

Mayor FitzGerald has a lofty goal for Lakewood—to become the healthiest city in Ohio. The Live Well Lakewood Wellness Challenge is a step (literally!) in that direction.

Live Well Lakewood is a volunteer organization whose mission is to promote healthy, active living in Lakewood. With the support of the city, Live Well Lakewood is offering a program to help Lakewood get healthier. This free program is made possible through the sponsorship of Discount Drug Mart, Lakewood City Schools, Lakewood Hospital, Lakewood Recreation Department and Medical Mutual of Ohio.

The Wellness Challenge involves teams of four encouraging each other to practice healthy eating, to get moving, and to explore Lakewood on foot or bicycle. Participants can sign up with three friends or make new friends by joining a team. Every week between May 6 and July 8, there will be a meeting at Lakewood City Hall where participants will get tips on healthy eating from the OSU Extension Service, a sampler of wellness programs from a variety of Lakewood providers and free giveaways including a t-shirt.

The first session which will take place on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 between 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM will include a free wellness evaluation comprised of a blood pressure reading, glucose and cholesterol screening, strength and flexibility measurement and height, weight and waist/hip ratio. The remaining sessions will take place on Wednesday, May 13, Tuesdays, May 19 & 26 and Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1 and July 8 from
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Lakewood City Hall.

The last session on July 8 will include a re-evaluation so participants will be able to assess their progress on the path to maximum wellness. Those who complete the challenge will be recognized at the Lakewood Alive & Well Street Walk on July 18th. Prizes will be awarded to the male, female, and team who make the most progress toward better health.

The Wellness Challenge is open to anyone 12 and up who lives or works in Lakewood.

Participants may sign up in person at the Lakewood Home Improvement Expo at Harding Middle School on April 25 or at the Lakewood Hospital Ambulance Chase at Lakewood Park on May 3rd. Participants may also e-mail info@livewelllakewood.org or call (216) 529-7695. When you call or e-mail, please indicate what time between 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM you would like your evaluation appointment to begin on May 6th.

Build a better body—and mind—and have fun doing it! Teams Unite May 6, 2009. Be There!

Keep Lakewood Beautiful - Spring Cleanup April 25th

Join Lakewood residents to clean up litter, rake old leaves and generally spruce up every street, parking lot and park in Lakewood:

Saturday, April 25, 2009
9:00 til noon

All you have to do is:

1) Decide where you want to cleanup.

2) Register online at KeepLakewoodBeautiful@gmail.com. Leave your name, address and phone number and indicate where you would like to clean up. You can recruit a group and register as a group. If you need ideas call Bonnie Sikes at 226-7364.

3) Pick up FREE trash and lawnbags at Green Smart Gifts at 14534 Detroit Avenue starting Monday 4/13. Bags will also be available at the Lakewood Park Women’s pavilion at 9:00am on the day of the cleanup.

4) Go out and clean up your area on Saturday 4/25/09.

Lakewood Arts Festival and a $4,000 College Scholarship

The Lakewood Arts Festival will be here before you know it. On the first weekend of August (8.1.2009 this year), local and national artists will fill Detroit Avenue in downtown Lakewood. Thousands of visitors and about 160 artists will attend our annual event, which has been a Lakewood staple for more than 30 years.

Also, this year the Lakewood Arts Festival is offering a $4,000 college scholarship to one high school student, who lives in Lakewood, and plans to major in art when they attend a four year college in the fall. The deadline is April 10^th, 2009.

The Lakewood Arts Festival is offering a $4,000 college scholarship to one graduating high school student. The student must legally reside in Lakewood and be enrolled in a four-year college or art school in the fall of 2009. The student must also plan to major in art.

For questions and applications please call Kathy Heidelberg at (216) 221-4281 or visit www.lakewoodartsfest.org.

Pictures courtesy Lakewood Arts Fest

CPR Classes

The Lakewood Start-A-Heart Committee is offering Heartsaver AED/CPR Courses. Courses will be offered from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Fire Station #1, 14601 Madison Avenue on the following dates:

• Wednesday, April 8, 2009
• Wednesday, May 13, 2009
• Wednesday, September 9, 2009
• Wednesday, October 14, 2009
• Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Heartsaver AED Course teaches the basic techniques of adult CPR and how to use an AED. Students also learn about using barrier devices in CPR and giving first aid for choking. The course teaches how to recognize the signs of four major emergencies: heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest and foreign-body airway obstruction. The scope of this course does not include infant (0-12 months) CPR technique..

The cost for the class is $20.00. It must be paid in advance and is non-refundable. To register to take one of the monthly HeartSaver AED/CPR courses, contact Cheryl Behm at Lakewood Hospital at (216) 227-2481. Books are also available to purchase prior to or at the class for $12 each.

Earth Hour Event

H2O – Help to Others Youth Volunteer Program is hosting an Eco-Friendly Event at Lakewood Park on March 28th (8:00-9:30 pm). The event is designed to show support for Earth Hour’s global effort and to encourage people to adopt green habits that will reduce the carbon footprint on our planet. From 8- 8:30 pm, attendees will be able to browse through displays provided by businesses, and organizations. High school members of H2O will demonstrate the correct way to recycle curbside in Lakewood. At 8:30 pm when the lights go out in the Women’s Pavilion, there will be outdoor attractions to encourage movement, imagination and fun.

Scheduled activities will include:

• Telescopic stargazing
• Acoustic guitar music
• Firelight storytelling
• Glow in the dark Frisbee fun
• A luminary walk
• A recycling scavenger hunt

H2O student volunteers are encouraging everyone to join Earth Hour’s world wide event by dedicating just one hour to darkening our city and changing the efforts of global warming. TURN OUT…TAKE ACTION and be sure to check out the awesome events that are happening around the globe on March 28th at www.earthhour.org. Register your family on the Earth Hour website today! For more information contact: Nora Steele, H2O Assistant Coordinator, (216) 529-4173

Mayor FitzGerald to Deliver State of the City Address

Mayor Edward FitzGerald will present the 2009 State of the City address on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Beck Center Armory (behind Beck Center), 1437 Wayne Avenue. This public is welcome to attend.

Mayor FitzGerald is serving his first term as Mayor of the City of Lakewood. His State of City Address will focus of the City's successes and achievements during 2008 and the opportunities and challenges in the year 2009 and beyond.

This event is sponsored by the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, LakewoodAlive, Lakewood Observer, Kiwanis Club of Lakewood and Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Club.

The Government Might Owe YOU Money

If you:

-earned under $38,646 and have more than one qualifying child ($41,646 if married filing jointly), or

-earned under $33,995 and have one qualifying child. ($36,995 if married filing jointly), or

-earned under $12,880 and have no qualifying child. ($15,880 if married filing jointly), then

Attend the free Earned Income Tax Credit Clinics where trained volunteers will help you at no charge. All returns are filed electronically and refunds are sent to you in as little as 10 business days!

Step 1:

Choose any of the following dates:

January 31; February 7 or 21,

March 7, 14, 21 or 28; April 4

Choose an appointment: 10am, 11am, 12pm, or 1pm

Step 2:

To schedule your appointment, call the Lakewood Public Library

at 216-226-8275, ext. 127

(Registration begins Friday, January 2, 2009)

Step 3:

Attend your appointment at the

Lakewood Public Library Learning Lab, 15425 Detroit Avenue

DON’T FORGET TO BRING

• ¨ Social Security cards (or photocopies) for you, your spouse & dependents
• ¨ Last year’s tax return (if available)
• ¨ Any W2s, 1099s and receipts of deductible expenses (if filing Schedule A)
• ¨ Your spouse, if married and filing jointly (for signing forms)
• ¨ Your bank account and routing information, if you are applying for direct deposit
• ¨ Notice of Economic Stimulus payment amount or Economic Stimulus amount received in 2008
• ¨ Any paperwork from the City of Lakewood tax department (if filing Lakewood income tax)

Lakewood Tax Clinics are brought to you by the Lakewood Initiative for Financial Education (L.I.F.E.), Internal Revenue Service, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), the City of Lakewood, and the Lakewood Public Library.

Veterans Day Memorial Dedication

Via the Plain Dealer...

Veterans Day