OCTOBER 8, 2008 COMMUNITY MEETING SUMMARY

Community Signage Survey Results

Lakewood's first-ever Spooky Pooch Parade brought out nearly 200 dogs to celebrate Halloween in style!
THANK YOU to all the volunteers, especially co-chairs Rhonda Loje, Katy Davis and Debbie Baker who created the concept, organized the team and promoted this LakewoodAlive event that brought hundreds of people to Downtown Lakewood on Saturday, October 18th.

We can't wait to see you next year on October 17, 2009!

Look for more photos in the galleries found at the Lakewood Observer

LakewoodAlive volunteers, aided by assistant Planning Director, Dru Siley, are working to create a set of design guidelines for the downtown district. These guidelines will be used to communicate with property owners what the community is looking for in terms of how the downtown area will look as areas are redeveloped.

On October 2, the community came together at the Lakewood Library Auditorium to give input to Studio Graphique about the image we want Downtown Lakewood to project. Participants answered the question: If Lakewood were a person, what words would you use to describe it? We also noted words that describe what Lakewood aspires to be. Participants also "voted" on what they liked (or didn't) about signage and logos used in other cities as researched by Studio Graphique.

A new logo for the downtown district will be introduced before the end of the year.

HALLOWEEN IN LAKEWOOD IS GOING
TO THE DOGS!

LAKEWOOD, OH – Join the fun on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. as Main Street Lakewood presents the Spooky Pooch Parade, an event that’s sure to become a Halloween tradition for Northeast Ohio dog lovers and their families.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes dressed in their finest Halloween fashions will strut their stuff down the heart of Lakewood’s business district on Detroit Avenue. Celebrity judges include Channel 19 news women Denise Dufala and Dawn Kendrick. Sandra Philipson, noted local author of the children’s series “Max and Annie,” will also award prizes for dogs and kids in a number of categories including most creative, most original and best float.

All registered participants will receive a goody bag filled with doggie treats and toys and all participants will be entered in a drawing to win free dog food for a year and two handmade dog houses, both courtesy of local Lakewood businesses.

Registration check-in begins at 1 p.m. at the St. Charles Green (behind the parking garage at 1360 Belle Ave.) with the parade set to step off at 2 p.m. The parade route begins at Lakewood Hospital and marches west down Detroit Avenue to the Arthur Avenue Extension (next to Discount Drug Mart at 15412 Detroit Ave.) Following the parade the raffle will be held, costume prizes awarded, children’s activities, vendors and nonprofits booths with dog-related goods and services will be available as well. Participants include the Cleveland Clinic Therapy Dogs and North Coast Dogs, which will be giving an obedience demonstration.

Registration costs $10 per dog, $15 the day of the parade. Proceeds from the parade will benefit the Lakewood Animal Shelter, the Lakewood Dog Park and parade organizer Main Street Lakewood.

Pre-register online at www.mainstreetlakewood.org. Registration forms can also be downloaded or found at the Lakewood Public Library.