LakewoodAlive members are urged to take a look at the mayor-elect Ed Fitzgerald's transition website: www.onelakewood.com.

This is every resident's opportunity to get involved in a meaningful way at City Hall under the new administration. Check it out and pass it along!

One Lakewood website

The Lakewood Planning Commission will be voting on the proposed preservation ordinances at their Dec 4 meeting. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Courtroom on the first floor of City Hall.

"The purpose of this Chapter is to promote the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City by providing for the identification, protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of areas, places, buildings, structures, works of art and other objects having a special historical, community or aesthetic interest or value, so that the following objectives are reached:

(1) To maintain and enhance the distinctive and/or aesthetic character, diversity and interest of the City.
(2) To safeguard the architectural integrity of the City's designated Historic Preservation Districts (HPD) and Historic Properties (HP).
(3) To safeguard the heritage of the City by preserving places, sites, buildings and structures, which reflect elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, architectural or archaeological heritage.
(4) To seek alternatives to demolition or incompatible alterations in the HPD and to HP's before such acts are performed.
(5) To afford the widest possible scope of continuing vitality through private renewal and architectural creativity within appropriate controls and standards.

The purpose of the HPD or HP designation and determination provided for in this Chapter is to contribute to the economic, recreational, cultural and educational development of the City by:

(1) Fostering a sense of community identification and civic pride by preserving structures, and buildings, which reflect periods, events in history, notable accomplishments of the past and significant persons of the community and its region;
(2) protecting and enhancing the City's attributes for residents, prospective residents, visitors and tourists;
(3) strengthening the economy of the City;
(4) stabilizing and improving property values;
(5) facilitating the reinvestment in and revitalization of certain districts and neighborhoods;
(6) promoting use and preservation of historic sites and structures for the education and general welfare of residents of the City."

The entire ordinance can be obtained through the LakewoodAlive link below.

Preservation Ordinance

Pick up this week's edition of the Lakewood Observer for information about Madison Avenue's Holiday Hop being held this weekend in conjunction with Light Up Lakewood. Twenty shops along the length of Madison are offering special promotions and entertainment on Saturday.

At Phoenix Coffee this weekend:

Friday, December 1
6-8 pm Anthony Fanning, cello
8-10 Jessie Barnes Brazil influenced guitar

Saturday
4-6 pm Tim Askin, guitar
8-12 pm Hobo Monk featuring guest artists

Sunday
4-8pm Dana and Friends-guitars and violins- acoustic rock and roll.

At First Federal of Lakewood on Saturdays in December from 11a.m. - 1 p.m.:

Lakewood High School Chamber Choir 12/1
Beck Center Children's Choir 12/8
Lakewood Catholic Academy 12/15
Four Seasons 12/22

Led by LakewoodAlive members, Jenni Baker and Jennifer Raynor, and a vast volunteer cadre of Lakewood residents, Light Up Lakewood on Friday night will be a community event to remember! We hope this is the start of a new community tradition that will attract regional attention,showcase our city, and encourage shopping and broader investment in our downtown district.

Here is the Media Advisory that went out this morning:

LAKEWOOD HOLIDAY LIGHTING AND SANTA ARRIVAL

WHAT: Light Up Lakewood will magically transform downtown Lakewood into an old-fashioned main street featuring local entertainers, refreshments, a visit from Santa, an official holiday lighting and plenty of good cheer.

WHERE: Detroit Avenue - from Marlowe to Arthur (Lakewood Hospital to Lakewood Library, respectively)

WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Friday, November 30, 2007

* 6:00 pm: St. Edward Trash Talkers in front of Lakewood Hospital Green
* 6:15 pm: Santa arrives in Euclid Beach Rocket Car at Lakewood Hospital Green. Lakewood resident and WTAM personality Darren Toms will emcee the ceremony.
* 6:30pm: Holiday lighting at Lakewood Hospital Green.
* 6:45-8 pm: Refreshments, special activities and musical entertainment continue at Sinagra Park and Lakewood Public Library. Chorale groups from Hayes, Lincoln and McKinley elementary schools, Lakewood Catholic Academy and The Beck Center for the Arts will perform.

* Many merchants along Detroit will be open for food, shopping and special activities.

Lakewood Library will host visits with Santa and his friends, holiday crafts and holiday story time every half hour.

WHY: Light Up Lakewood is destined to become a holiday tradition for families, residents and businesses in our community. The event is a joint venture between Main Street Lakewood and LakewoodAlive. Lakewood Hospital is the Shining Star sponsor of the event.

An important element of our Main Street Lakewood philosophy involves an adaptation of the adage "dress for the job you want to have". To that end, Main Street is actively encouraging downtown businesses to put their best face streetward - especially during the holiday season. The Main Street office is walking the talk with seasonal plantings in their window boxes (at left). We are seeking funding to expand this Lakewood Blossoms program in 2008. Geiger's Clothing & Sports has long set the standard for beautiful storefronts, and Main Street is encouraging others to follow suit.

For the first time in many years, The Coral Company has decorated Marc's Plaza with the help of Lakewood's own Dan Brennan. Dan also designed the lighting for the hospital green - the focus of Friday's lighting ceremony.

Main Street has worked closely with the City on the installation of new banners, and to upgrade the lighting in Sinagra Park this holiday season - with Light Up Lakewood volunteers playing a significant role.

Contact MainStreet Lakewood

We were sorry to learn today that the Party Station's lease has not been renewed, and is moving to Westlake's Stein Mart Plaza on January 1. City and Main Street representatives contacted management several weeks ago when we learned that the 15000 building might be sold. We were hoping to keep this business in Lakewood.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that a restaurant chain has plans to develop this space. We will keep LakewoodAlive members advised.

A deep bow of gratitude to LakewoodAlive's Jonathan Morgan for his outstanding website design and content work for Light Up Lakewood. Supported by KC McKenna, LakewoodAlive's home page has never looked better. Be sure to check out the link to Light Up Lakewood!

Light Up Lakewood

As a LakewoodAlive member, you are encouraged to participate in Friday's festivities and to "Shop Main Street" this weekend. This activity is fun, free, good for your health (if you walk) and our local economy (if you buy something). PLUS you can win great prizes including gift certificates from popular downtown businesses and a Rozi's Great Lakes gift basket!

We don't want to spoil all the surprises, but we thought LakewoodAlive members would be interested in some of the background activity surrounding Light Up Lakewood:

Met with Lakewood Hospital crew about decorations, lighting and sound for the hospital green. Lights will go on at Hospital at 6:30p.m on November 30th. It will be beautiful!

The Coral Company is putting up 12 large lighted wreaths around Marc's Plaza. Wonderful addition to downtown lighting!

The City will be hanging banners, snowflakes, and lighting trees at Sinagra Park.

Lakewood Center, LLC (INA Bldg and Lakewood Center Bldg) has expressed its intention to light sidewalk trees in front of its buildings.

Lakewood Center North also intends to add to its Detroit Ave streetscape with extra lighting.

Santa is confirmed for an appearance in Lakewood that night. After the lighting at the Hospital green he will head to Library in style for pictures.

Nonprofits will be selling hot chocolate, cider, etc. on Detroit

Detroit Avenue merchants will be open, many with special promotions, entertainment, etc.

St. Edward Trash Talkers, LCA Performance Band and Chorale, Beck Center ensemble and various Lakewood school groups will be performing on Detroit before and after the lighting ceremony.

Lighting Ceremony will be MC'd by Lakewood resident, Darren Toms of WTAM.

Chamber is coordinating a "Why I love Lakewood" essay contest with 4th grade residents. Winner will help light hospital green.

Check the website regularly for updates!

www.lightuplakewood.com

The City of Lakewood has installed the first of six bike hitches in front of Rep. Kucinich's office. These bollards fit over parking meter poles available as a result of the city-wide parking meter upgrade program.

Thanks to bicycling advocate and LakewoodAlive member, Tim Liston, for bringing this solution and this pilot program to the City's and Main Street Lakewood.

Celebrating Lakewood's walkability and unique stores,Lakewood Shops Main Street will take place Nov 30, Dec. 1 and 2. More than 20 merchants are participating.

Walkers and shoppers will visit downtown merchants and have their visit noted on forms that will be available on the Light Up Lakewood website and in the Lakewood Observer. All participants will be eligible to win over $450 in Main Street gift certificates, a basket from Rozi's and Lakewood CertifiCheck gift certificates.

LakewoodAlive members are urged to pick up a copy this week's issue of the Lakewood Observer for background information on the city's role in the potential development of Kauffman Park.

Please note: The rendering on the front page was created by urban planning consultants, City Architecture, to reflect the comments of Lakewood residents made during the three public meetings on the Detroit Avenue Streetscape Design concept.

Did you ever wonder how this community work e.g., two websites, Light Up Lakewood planning, CertifiCheck information distribution, forum planning, etc. get's done? All of LakewoodAlive's work and much of Main Streeet Lakewood's activity is carried out by community volunteers.

The picture at left is Kelly Jablonowski at a recent Light Up Lakewood committee meeting - she's a multi-tasker! We have other volunteers who are not available for meetings during the day who help with mailings, data entry and serve on committees that meet at night.

Would you like to get involved? We need volunteers to help with jobs before, after and during the Light Up Lakewood festivities on November 30th from 6 p.m.-8 p.m..

Main Street Lakewood could use website design help, graphic art assistance and help with processing applications for federal and state funding.

If you would like to meet other civic-minded neighbors and can lend a hand or expertise in any of these areas, please contact Main Street Lakewood at 521- 0655 or macrampton@lcpi.org.

Cleats - Lakewood, a sports-themed restaurant and bar is NOW OPEN in the First Federal Lakewood building in the former Crazy Rita's space.