The Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) awarded their Bright Stars for 2008 on Thursday, October 30th, at their semi-annual board meeting at Pickwick and Frolic’s Hilarities 4th St Theatre.

The Bright Star from the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is Carol Leigh Mason, Independent Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics. The nomination was a result of Carol’s continuous support of the Lakewood Chamber and her active role in membership, economic development and public safety. ..

Anticipation is growing for this year’s Light Up Lakewood event. Elsewhere in this issue you will see all the wonderful plans that LakewoodAlive volunteers have made for you. It is going to be a night of fun, fun, fun!

Founded in 1907, Lakewood Hospital is a 400-bed acute care, community-oriented hospital located on Detroit Ave in the heart of Lakewood’s Main Street. A member of the Cleveland Clinic health system and leader in Northeastern Ohio’s healthcare community, Lakewood Hospital provides high quality and innovative patient care for more than 130,000 patients each year, including a large percentage of Lakewood residents...

Entrepreneur Sarah Russell-Aerni is pleased to announce the grand opening of her petite spa, Simply Esthetics, at 18401 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood's western corner on October 1,2008. After working in various locations in and around the Cleveland area, Russell-Aerni opened the initial Simply Esthetics on the near West side of Cleveland in April 2007. Following a very successful year at that location she felt the need to expand and was thrilled to find what will be her current home at the corner of Maile, on the lot adjoining the popular India Garden Restaurant...

AKEWOOD, OH – September 15, 2008: AGS Software today announced the appointment of Jerry W. Hoegner to its Board of Directors. AGS develops technology products and services for the publishing and media industries, as well as schools, communities and their city halls. AGS’ flagship product is its revolutionary NinthEstate multimedia platform, a software as service product that enables simultaneous publication of periodicals, multi-media(TV, Radio) and websites by as few as one or two people.

Cox Communications celebrates the 110 year anniversary of its parent company, Cox Enterprises, which was founded in Dayton, Ohio on August 15, 1898. Cox Communications’ parent company was founded in Ohio by former schoolteacher and reporter James M. Cox, whose ambition was to own a newspaper...

Cox Communications announced today the appointment of Daniel M. Carney to vice president of Cox Business for the Cleveland market. Carney will join the Cox Business team on September 2, 2008. Carney comes to Ohio from the Cox New England operation where he served as a senior account executive. Carney has extensive knowledge of Cox Business video, data and telephone products for the complex business environment. He brings more than six years experience as a top sales performer for Cox Business, supporting a variety of clients ranging from large Fortune 500 businesses to small start up operations...

First Federal of Lakewood and Main Street Lakewood are hosting a two-day seminar entitled, ‘Start Smart: Women and Business Connections.’ The seminar will take place on consecutive Wednesdays, Sept. 17 and Sept. 24, 4:30-7:30 p.m., at First Federal Lakewood, 14806 Detroit Ave. The program is designed to provide the knowledge, tools, and connections necessary to help women entrepreneurs succeed in their businesses...

“Less talk, more monkey,” because, “life is about having fun,” says Lynne Nagy, entrepreneur and creator of the online company Zendot3D.com. The aforementioned ape-referencing phrase is the registered tagline of the Zendot3d company and accompanies the adorable monkey logo (also registered) which graces the t-shirts that you have probably seen around town...

On Friday, August 22nd the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 52nd Annual New Teacher Luncheon at Garfield Middle School. The lunch is sponored by The Ohio Educational Credit Union, and welcomes all the new teachers at both our public and parochial schools to Lakewood...

When the Chamber of Commerce moved to their new building at 16017 Detroit Avenue, one great advantage was the opportunity to market Chamber businesses more effectively to the community...

2008 marks the 21st year that the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce has recognized a member of the community for their outstanding business leadership and civic involvement. Over those 21 years, a veritable Who’s Who of Lakewood business men and women have been honored for their contribution to the community. The Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the 2008 recipient of Lakewood’s Business Person of the Year is Mr. Jim O'Bryan...

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Hospice of the Western Reserve as its 2008 Outstanding New Member. Hospice joined the Chamber of Commerce in 2005 and has consistently been supportive to the Chamber and the community. According to Kathy Berkshire, CEO & President of the Lakewood Chamber, "Hospice and its employees contribute their time, talent and effort to make Lakewood a better place to live, work and do business..."

First Federal of Lakewood, a community bank founded in 1935, received the Community Service Leadership Award at the 12th annual Business Leadership Awards, sponsored by The Rotary Club of Cleveland and the Cleveland State University Nance College of Business Administration. Gary Fix, First Federal president, CEO and managing officer, accepted the award at a May 15, 2008 reception in Cleveland...

You can stop wondering what is going to happen with one of the empty storefronts on the eastern portion of Madison Avenue. Innovative Auto Tech has opened for business in the former Donnelly Furnace & Heating building at 13415 Madison Avenue. Innovative Auto Tech (IAT) is a new automobile customs company. Their services include anything and everything to detail and customize your car, including car audio and video, alarms, remote starting, under-car lighting, and complete detailing. If you are looking to "pimp your ride", this is the place for you...

Traveling with the family is not easy! There's planning, packing, stressing over which liquids are allowed on board, in the luggage, or on your person; getting to the airport, checking luggage and ultimately going through security. And all this with time constraints. We decided to make it a fun event and got ExpressJet Airlines to organize it for our Playdate on May 13th, 2008...

With 185 miles of sidewalks within 5.5 square miles, many consider Lakewood to be Ohio’s most walkable city. At Main Street Lakewood, we make a point to promote Lakewood’s walkability in all of our activities, ranging from the Detroit Avenue Streetscape Design to events like Walk+Roll™ Lakewood, scheduled for July 19th. Why? Because walking is not only good for our physical health, it is good for our economic health...

Saturday, May 3 marks a significant day in eco-conscious shopping as GreenSmartGifts, an earth-friendly shop, will open in Lakewood. Located at 14534 Detroit Avenue, directly across from Lakewood Hospital, the shop will promote “living green and giving green”...

As Observer readers know, Main Street Lakewood is a volunteer-based organization. From streetscape design to events like Light Up Lakewood, Band2Gether and Walk+Roll Lakewood, to working with City Hall to encourage investment in our downtown, resident volunteers make it all happen. On Thursday, April 19, four students from Lakewood High School’s freshman class came by to help collate material for Main Street Lakewood’s first-ever merchant membership drive...

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the Lakewood City Schools Community Education and Recreation Department announce the addition of antique identification to this year’s Home Show!

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is always a busy place and the past year truly reflected our mission to promote Lakewood businesses in a positive light to the community...

Pet Pastries has joined the Lakewood community and has kicked off this month with new and exciting gourmet pet pastries...

Lakewood CertifiChecks are the perfect gift for teachers, coaches, employees, friends and family. Don't forget to put Lakewood CertifiCheck gift certificates on your holiday shopping list!...

The Grand Prize winner for Lakewood Shops Main Street was Garfield Middle School 6th grade student, Mitchell Gregg...