LAKEWOOD, OH – LakewoodAlive invites everyone to escape the winter doldrums at its “Lets Wine About Winter” wine tasting and fundraiser to be held at Rozi’s Wine House, 14900 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH on Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m in Downtown Lakewood.
Cost of tickets is $30.00 pre-sale or $35.00 at the door. Ticket information can be found at www.lakewoodalive.com.
Attendees will be invited to sample eight wines from around the world. Wines will be married with appetizers prepared on site by Matthew Auck, Executive Chef of Bon Appetit Management Company (Cleveland, OH). Chef Auck, who specializes in sustainable food service, will use high quality ingredients from local growers and producers within a 150 mile radius of Cleveland.
Three bonus tastings by Arnie Esterer from Ohio’s very own Markko Vineyards will also be available. Beck Café’s Paul Sykes (Cleveland Institute of Music) and Alex Sykes (Oberlin Conservatory of Music) will provide musical ambiance on the violin and piano.
LakewoodAlive’s own Eric Lowrey, former pastry chef, will conclude the tasting with a sweet closer.
“’Wining’ is a great way to help support LakewoodAlive’s volunteer-based Downtown Lakewood program, dedicated to the revitalization of our primary commercial district,” according to LakewoodAlive board president, Mikelann Rensel.
The event is being co-chaired by residents Chris Karel and Kristen Verciglio, and is sponsored by 107.3 The Wave and the Lakewood Observer.
LakewoodAlive is a nonprofit 501-(c)(3) economic development corporation whose mission is to improve the quality of life of residents by creating alliances with community leaders, leveraging community assets and expanding the pool of available resources in order to facilitate economic stability and growth in the City of Lakewood.
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For More Information Contact:
Shannon Strachan Marketing & Development Director LakewoodAlive 216-521-0655 sstrachan@lakewoodalive.com
Lakewood Community Progress Inc and LakewoodAlive merged in October 2008, enhancing the capacity of both organizations to protect and enhance Lakewood’s economic growth and stability. The new organization is using the LakewoodAlive name, and maintains 501-c(3) tax-exempt status.
As a result of the merger, the board has approved a new structure. LakewoodAlive will be led by an executive committee comprised of five officers plus six standing committee chairs:
LakewoodAlive Officers
President – Mikelann Ward Rensel
Vice President –Jack Gustin
Treasurer – Mary Sue McGorray
Secretary – Curt Brosky
Past President – David Shaw.
LakewoodAlive Committees
Governance – Steve Ott, Chair
Development – Jenni Baker, Chair
Finance – Mary Sue McGorray, Chair
Community Engagement – Jay Foran, Chair
Downtown Lakewood - Paula Reed, Chair
Housing – Paul Beegan, Chair.
Mary Anne Crampton remains as executive director.
LakewoodAlive will continue to focus its efforts on the revitalization of Downtown Lakewood using the volunteer-based model of the National Main Street program. On February 06, 2009, LakewoodAlive received national accreditation for its 2008 revitalization efforts.
In other news, Shannon Strachan has joined LakewoodAlive as Marketing & Development Director. As a founding member of LakewoodAlive, a Lakewood native, a graduate of Lakewood schools and a licensed attorney, Shannon brings a wealth of institutional and practical knowledge to the position.An active community volunteer for over 10 years, Shannon most recently co-chaired the Lakewood Library Foundation fundraisers, “An Evening with Garrison Keillor” and “Be the First to See the Best” gala. In 2008, for Main StreetLakewood, Shannon co-chaired Walk+Roll Lakewood. She also served on the Lakewood Schools Levy Campaign, the YMCA Fundraising Committee and for eight years served in various capacities for the Junior Women’s Club of Lakewood including president, vice president and co-chair of various fund-raising projects including the "Sitting Pretty" Bench Project. She was also a founding member of the Lakewood Toy Lending Library, established through the City of Lakewood's Division of Early Childhood. She has practiced law in the areas of general corporate, probate and estate planning.
Shannon graduated from MiamiUniversity, earning a B.S in Business/Marketing and was awarded her Juris Doctor degree from Case Western University School of Law. Shannon is a trustee of the Lakewood Public Library Foundation.
LakewoodAlive's 2008 Annual report can be viewed here.
Lakewood Community Progress Inc's IRS Form 990s for 2005, 2006, 2007 are posted on Guidestar.
