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| December 2011 Newsletter
December 1, 2011- Vol 27
Gratitude |
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Thank you to our December Sponsor
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December Calendar |
December 3
Light Up Lakewood
December 5 at 8:00pm
Holiday Bid & Buy Online Auction Closes
December 8 from 6-8pm
Holiday Party & Raffle Drawing
Sweetwater Landing
December 13 @ 7:30am
Leg. Task Force LCC
December 14 @ Noon
Econ. Dev. Task Force
Winking Lizard December 15 at 11am
Marketing Task Force LCC December 16 @ 11:30am
Board Meeting
LCC December 23, 26 & 30
Chamber closed for Holiday |
| Board of Directors |
2011-2012 Officers
Chairman of the Board
Diane Helbig
Seize This Day Coaching
Treasurer
Steve Clark
Clark Financial Group
Vice Chair of
Econ. Development
vacant
Vice Chair of Education
Geof Pelaia
Pelaia Media Group
Vice Chair of Legislative and Government Affairs
Nikki Farley
Fisher & Phillips LLP
Vice Chair of Marketing & Public Relations
Dan Carney
Cox Business
Vice Chair of Membership and Investor Relations
Cindy Einhouse
The Beck Center for the Arts
Immediate Past President
Terry Vincent
Brouse McDowell
Board of Directors
Deborah Brauer
First Federal of Lakewood
Steve Barry
Steve Barry Buick
Bill Craighead
Cleveland Home Title
Julie Hutchison
The Root Cafe
Ryan Krivosh
Around the Corner
Matty Lucarelli
Sweetwater Restaurant Group
Bruce McNabb
Lakewood Senior Health Campus/ O'Neill Management
Robert Metelko
Computer Systems Development Service
Geof Pelaia
Pelaia Media Group
Kevin Smith
Lakewood Hospital
Linda Thayer
West Shore Career Tech
Lisa Tomm
Hospice of the Western Reserve
Julie Warren
Erie DeSign
Ann Zabkar
CEO & President
Val Mechenbier
Office Manager |
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| From the CEO & President |
Dear Chamber Members & Friends,
The theme for this month is Gratitude.
December is a great time to take the time to count your blessings and show your appreciation. For inspiration, read the 2011 Why I Love Lakewood winning essay submitted by Miss Morgan Harper, a 4th grader at Hayes Elementary School, who is very grateful to live in the the best hometown ever!
Why I Love Lakewood
by Morgan Harper
This past summer I had the opportunity to observe my sister's Advanced English project. The assignment was to read the book, A Walk Across America, then do some walks of their own...across Lakewood. I had the chance to go with my sister on a few of her walks an I learned so many things about Lakewood that made me realize how great this city really is. So many buildings, so many unique houses all different sizes and shapes, so many shops I never knew existed. But the best part of Lakewood to me is the people. My mom described Lakewood as a melting pot. I wanted to know what that meant so I did a Google search. A melting pot is a place where people of all cultures, races and religions blend together. As I looked around Lakewood I saw so many different people. Some black, some white, some Arab-American. Being a bi-racial girl, I am proud to say I live in a community that really is a melting pot. There are so many churches with so many beliefs, so many restaurants with all different kinds of food from all over the worlds. There are so many clubs and activities that bring all these groups together, and an awesome library and great schools that support these ideas and programs. I am so proud to be a part of this community and to say that I am growing up in Lakewood.
 The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce hosts the Why I Love Lakewood 4th Grade Essay Contest each year in conjunction with Light Up Lakewood. This year we received over 130 heartwarming essays from Lakewood 4th graders. Our winner receives $100, a ride in the parade, and the opportunity to flip the switch with Santa and Buddy the Elf to LIGHT UP LAKEWOOD!
Happy Holidays!
Patty Ryan |
| December Holiday Party | |
The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce
cordially invites you to celebrate the holidays at
Sweetwater Landing at the Emerald Necklace Marina
1500 Scenic Parkway
Thursday, December 8 from 6-8 pm
Cost is $15 per person. No RSVP Required.
Sample a wide variety of delicious food provided by several area restaurants. Your first 2 drinks are complimentary.
Mingle with other chamber members, their significant others and guests as we toast in the holidays!
In keeping with our December theme of Gratitude, we will honor Matty Lucarelli as the winner of the Lakewood Chamber's 2011 NOACC Bright Star Award.
We will also draw the winning ticket for the Sony 46" HDTV, sponsored by our Holiday Bid & Buy Grand Prize Sponsor: Costco Wholesale in Avon.
Holiday 50/50 proceeds benefit Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corp. |
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November Meeting Recap
Jane Applegate speaks to Lakewood & Rocky River Chambers | |
Thank you to Cox Business for bringing both chambers Jane Applegate, a leading small business speaker for Bloomberg Television's Idea Exchange speaker series. Ms. Applegate gave great advise about how to create a brand revival strategy for 2012 by reviewing, refreshing, renewing and/or replacing your current logo and marketing materials. She also cautioned not to become too overwhelmed with all the marketing options out there; just do your research and determine which combination of email, direct mail, social media and tv/radio works best for your target market.
 | | November 2011 Luncheon |
Thank you to our co-hosts the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce and to the beautiful Westwood Country Club for their hospitality and the delicious lunch. |
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Holiday Bid & Buy Online Auction | |
ONLY 5 MORE DAYS TO SHOP!
The 3rd Annual HOLIDAY BID & BUY ONLINE AUCTION is a great way to shop at your favorite local merchants and businesses with just a click of the mouse. No parking, no crowds, no slush, no rush...NO EXCUSES! Just click the reindeer to visit the site!
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
Please refer the Holiday Bid & Buy Auction to your family and friends! It is a great way for out of town friends and relatives to buy local gift certificates & merchandise for you and your family! They click and bid and we deliver!
NEW THIS YEAR! GRAND PRIZE 46" FLAT SCREEN TV RAFFLE
SPONSORED BY COSTCO WHOLESALE!
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Economic Development Task Force
Shop Local | |
The  Economic Development Task Force reminds you to shop local this holiday season. Visit the chamber website's Shopping and Dining Guides to support fellow chamber members. Bid on items in the Holiday Bid & Buy Online Auction, then visit our donors' websites for more gift ideas and holiday hours. Remember to shop local first and KEEP THE CHEER HERE!
Want to know more about how your money spent at local businesses positively impacts the local economy? Visit The 3/50 Project at www.the350project.net
Interested in the Economic Development Task Force?
Contact Patty Ryan at pryan@lakewoodchamber.org |
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Education Task Force
UA Lakewood Open House | |
 The new Lakewood campus of the University of Akron has announced three public open houses will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 13 and 21.
Students and their families will be able to participate in tours and personal advising sessions.
The Lakewood campus is located in the Bailey Building at Detroit Avenue and Warren Road. The main entrance is at the south of the building, just off the parking lot.
For more information, call (216) 221-1141.
Interested in the Education Task Force?
Contact Patty Ryan at pryan@lakewoodchamber.org |
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Legislative Task Force
Hosting Open House for City Hall | |
The Legislative Task Force will hold a reception at the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce for all Lakewood City Council Representatives and Department Directors in January.
Nicole Farley, the Legislative Task Force Chair, hopes this reception will continue to strengthen the partnership between the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and City Hall.
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Marketing & Membership Task Force
"Joining Forces" | |
The Marketing and Membership Task Forces will be working together in the next few months to concentrate on determining our chamber value and communicating this to our membership and the business community. Whether we are working on growing our chamber or retaining our current membership, it's important that we prove that joining the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce offers a significant return on investment for business.
Interested in the Marketing & Membership Task Force?
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| Welcome November New Members |
 | | Maria Shinn |
Maria L. Shinn, LLC
14837 Detroit Ave.,#282
Lakewood, OH 44107
Phone: (216) 228-4791
Fax: (216) 228-4792
maria@shinnlawfirm.com
www.shinnlawfirm.com
Attorney
 | | Heather LaBay |
Heather LaBay
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
8333 Rockside Road, Suite 200
Cleveland, OH 44125
Phone: 216-573-4508
Toll Free: 888-290-2930
Cell: 419-376-0814
Fax: 216-573-4465
Heather.LaBay@anthem.com
www.heatherlabay-insurance.com
Insurance Agent
Master Handyman LLC
Dan Dailey
3791 E. 50th St.
Cleveland OH 44105
Phone: 216-324-1369
dailey20@hotmail.com
Construction and Home Repairs |
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