Street Walk July 17 • LEAF Every Wednesday Night Free – Take One! Please Patronize Our Advertisers! Proud Member Of The Observer Media Family Of Community Owned Newspapers & Websites Volume 6, Issue 14, July 13, 2010 Rocky River Bites Back Again Lakewood Back In Court Over The Dog Park by Jim O’Bryan This week the Lakewood Dog Park is once again under attack by a very small group of Rocky Riverites that have for years claimed that the dog park used by so many Rocky Riveri- tes, but on Lakewood property, is ruining their lifestyle. This claim might have some traction for a variety of reasons. However, the courts have already Moving the park would destroy found it to be not true. In addi- bald eagle habitat. tion a sound surveying company has now found it not true. Most recently I myself, after having a small meeting with one of the loudest proponents for moving the dog park now realize that This area that is flooded is the area some in Rocky River would there may be issues here, but the like to see us move the park to. When told about the flooding they fault is not with one of Lake- didn’t care and laughed it off. wood’s finest assets- the dog park. In fact, I found quite the For what? Well for one, a dog During our meeting north to bread before head- leave natural habitat alone, to opposite. The dog park patrons park that list 20% of its mem- Mayor Edward FitzGerald ing back down south. It is keep residents safe, and our are one of the best groups of citi- bers from Rocky River. mentioned that the city of also the exact area where the wildlife safer. To allow both zens in this city, a city that has A postcard will soon be Rocky River had offered to help Bald Eagle, first shown here in cities to get on with their lives, much better and more impor- sent to all registered dog owners move the park to a flood plain. the LO, comes and fishes for and their use of all of this tant things on which to spend of Rocky River and to all resi- I told him I have hundreds of salmon in the early spring. money for better things. their time and money. dents in the sub-development photos of that area flooded, I understand that hard “If I have any beliefs about Last month, as a resident that includes High Parkway- the and that when it does it often feelings run deep here, but it immortality, it is that almost of the area I saw a sound crew street where the four residents does so without warning. is time for Rocky River and every dog I have known will go doing something so I stopped and co-plaintiffs (plus the City of These areas are also home Lakewood to move on and to heaven, and very, very few to talk. A Rocky River resi- Rocky River) live in the lawsuit to delicate wildlife. For exam- work together to build up the people will.” dent involved in the court case threatening to close Lakewood ple, In the spring I have seen park benefiting both cities. In -- James Thurber rudely told me they were doing Dog Park. Artist Marilyn Mul- nests for Egrets that come so doing, they will be able to a sound survey and pointed ligan, a frequent dog park visitor out possible alternatives for the and owner of Puppins, a Puggle, dog park. I told him the indi- who would be very disappointed Lakewood Alum cated area floods many times a if the park closed, provided the year without warning, but he postcard’s original artwork. As became agitated and walked a resident of Rocky River, Mari- Swings For The Fences away before I could continue. lyn, outraged by the lawsuit, also So I took a couple photos and provided suggested language for by Clare Ciolli cinder block, and homemade bases and catcher’s equipment quietly went back to my house. the postcard’s message. “Please (Harding 6th grader) baseballs made of trash bags can be used.” All of the sound read- consider this unique opportu- Recently, Joe Trela came called “mecates.” After wit- Since 2009, Joe has ings made during this survey nity that you-as a Rocky River to talk to H2O – “Help to Oth- nessing the Nicaraguans involved the Hiram College were well within decibel lim- resident-have to support your ers” Summer Service Camp, passion for baseball as well as Baseball team, Baldwin Wal- its in both Rocky River and Lakewood Dog Park.” and we found out that this for- the conditions in which they lace College, Lakewood High Lakewood. In fact the dog Meanwhile here in mer Hiram College Baseball were playing, Joe had idea. School, the Cleveland Indians, barking was quieter than birds, Lakewood residents are not player is on a mission. Using what he had seen on as well as Geiger’s and a num- planes, cars, coughing, radios, so cool. They see this as yet Speaking about a recent his trip, Joe had the inspiration ber of other local organizations. and almost even the wind! another attack, another dog- study abroad trip to Nica- for “Up 2Bat for Nicaragua.” If you have any gen- With this new evidence fight that simply does not have ragua, the second poorest His organization is dedicated tly used baseball or softball at hand, why would one or to be the black hole for funds country in South America, to collecting new or gently equipment that you would like a small handful of people that it has become. he told the camp about how used baseball supplies that to donate to Up 2Bat for Nica- be allowed to bring a case to Last week I stopped by baseball is their favorite sport. can be sent to Nicaragua in ragua, you can bring the items court again and again forcing the mayor’s office where we While working in one of the an effort to provide these kids to the Lakewood High School both cities that generally get discussed the matter at hand. local schools, Joe was invited ample equipment to play their L-Room Monday-Friday from along fight with each other, He told me that the City has to play baseball with the kids. favorite sport. The United 9am-4pm, and H2O’s Summer spend nearly $100,000 in legal no intention of walking away “I wasn’t expecting a States Air Force’s Humanitar- Service Camp will pass them fees and studies, and generally from this dog fight. That he fancy, brand new stadium, but ian Aid program has pledged along. You can also bring the make everyone around the area realizes more and more every- I was not expecting this.” to ship all of the items to their items to Geiger’s in Lakewood. miserable? In a combined pop- day what pets and dogs mean Joe found that they were intended location. Remember, any gen- ulation of nearly 85,000 people, to the residents of Lakewood. using a total of three baseball “Anything from gloves, tly used equipment will be 22 get to throw money away? This city loves animals. gloves, bases made of crushed bats, balls to hats, jerseys, accepted! Page 2 The Lakewood Observer July 13, 2010 Calendar Page This calendar presents various public Lakewood events and notices for the next two weeks (excluding Lakewood Pub- lic Library sponsored events found separately on the Lakewood Library page). Calendar items can be submitted at our website at www.lakewoodobserver.com on the Home Page. Whereas this printed calendar listing is limited to non-profit events relevant to Lakewood, our website calendar welcomes all Lakewood events! Compiled by Mel Page Wednesday, July 14 Wednesday, July 21 Wednesday North Union Farmer’s Market Wednesday North Union Farmers Market 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Kaufmann Park Parking Lot behind Drug Mart, 15412 Detroit 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Kaufmann Park Parking Lot. Thursday, July 15 LEAF Night 5:30 to 8:00 PM, Lakewood Main Library Porch Grace Presbyterian Rummage Sale - Runs through Saturday. 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Grace Presbyterian Church, corner of Hilliard $ Madison Profiling Islam: Faith under surveillance Huge selection! Electronics, furniture, housewares, tools, clothing, sports, toys, books 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Max Wohl Civil Liberties Center, 4506 Chester Ave., Cleveland and more! Free donuts and coffee. What does a terrorist look like? Unfortunately, in post 9/11 America, many in govern- ment and the media portray “terrorist” and “Muslim” as interchangeable identities. As a LEAF Third Thursday’s Speaker Series - On Beekeeping 6:00 PM, Mahall’s 20 Lanes, 13200 Madison Ave. result, Muslims are often targets of racial, ethnic and religious profiling. Join Julia Shear- See Page 18 for story. son, executive director for the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland), for a discussion of religious profiling, national security, and Friday, July 16 religious freedom. This is the fourth in the 2010 Brown Bag Lecture Series. To RSVP or YMCA Olympic Swim Clinic for more information, call (216) 472-2220 or email [email protected]. 1:00 - 3:00 PM, Lakewood Family YMCA, 16915 Detroit Ave. Thursday, July 22 The goal of this program is to help swimmers improve the technical aspects of each Introductory Lakewood Block Club Meeting stroke. Freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke will be covered. This program 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Main Lakewood Public Library Auditorium at 15425 Detroit Ave.