First thing ... first thing in the morning ... before my last dream fades to black ... before I pull up the shades ... before I put on my dancin' shoes ... before all that ... I feast my eyes on the best thing in Lakewood, Ohio: a beautiful studio apartment at the Westerly Senior Campus & Barton Center on Detroit Avenue ... surrounded by the best of people ... and ... seamlessly maintained by a staff that could teach the best hotel in town a thing or two.

The change of the seasons, the million events to attend, the energy of Lakewood's people, the drive to bring good and better educational opportunities to everyone who would want one (or 5 or more!), the night life, the comedy, the heart of so many who work & plan to assist our neighbors who are struggling....all these things make my day in Lakewood. Having lived here 22+ years I continue to see how so many people have the heart to welcome and bring new life and good life here.

Diversity, bike friendly, Lake Erie, walkability, Cosmic Collectibles(hee hee), community development, restaurants, the Root, community support and how about the fact that Lakewood is just special however you sum it up. It became my home 18 years ago, met my husband here and is where my son will grow up. Oh one more thing, LCA. Robin Sweeney

Cheeseburgers.

My neighbors and my family who stayed here. And lets not forget my dogs and cat...

Well I live in Downtown Lakewood, in the "heart of it all" on Belle Avenue behind Aladdin's Restaurant for 29 yrs now and in Lakewood 44 years total. So many restaurants and great bars and the Library and the free concerts in the park and on the library steps and all the new construction, both commercial and residential, and elected officials who listen and respond, and to the City and the School District who run a tight fiscal ship in difficult times and produce excellent results, the churches and civic organizations that provide help, assistance and advice for those in need of answers, and that ever present, life affirming philosophy...let's just get better. The Naysayers could be a strong and constructive force if they could just frame their message in a way that might pose possible solutions that would be helpful.

First of all, THANK YOU. I was posting dogs that were available for adoption and we no longer post them on here because 99.9% of the comments were just terrible, mean and hateful... about cute little puppies!!

I moved here in 2006 from the land of Cleveland's #1 Enemy: Pittsburgh. About once a week I look out onto the Lake and it takes my breath away. Sometimes I can't believe that something that beautiful is right at the end of my street.

That most of the big snow storms miss us.

The diversity and the restaurants. I moved here in 1991 from outside of Ohio, although I was raised on the East side of Cleveland. Have felt like this is home ever since. Thank you Brandon for sharing the renovation of your home, your garden updates and for putting this out here!

I will add one to this list: Lakewood Public Library!

Lakewood stretches its long, colorful limbs along the great lake Erie.
Lakewood holds my family's history in its hands.
Lakewood entertains, feeds us and promotes creativity.
Lakewood houses our minds, bodies and souls.

Now it's my turn.
I would have done this sooner but as I am computer-less at home I had no way of expounding the virtues of Lakewood.
First and foremost, though I was born in Ohio, I was raised on the coast of New Jersey most of my life and high school was in London, England.
When I finally had enough of NY and NJ I moved back to Ohio and settled at my parents house on West Clifton.
To me anyway, I couldn't fathom how quickly I fell in love with my new home. Not only was I back where 80% of my family came from and lived but I was in one of the most beautiful, historicaly rich, lakefront communities that I could imagine. On top of that I was surrounded by that mid-west vibe where people actually cared for one another and were happy to smile and say hello. On top of all of this, coming from the east cost, there is no such thing as traffic here. My commute to CSU each morning, which happens to be one of the most beautiful commutes to work I've ever experienced (lakefront and city skyline) takes me all of 20 minutes with traffic. In NJ, just on the fringe of NYC, it would take me 60 minutes to drive 10 miles.

I could seriously go on and on and on but it would just get annoying.

I enjoy reconnecting to history, being close to Cleveland but not too close. I enjoy seeing the lake and the view from my windows. I like a walkable city with a great deal to see. I like the art that is visible in so many ways and places. I like that there is music to hear and wonderful smells from the local restaurants. I like being a west-sider again who doesn't feel like I've lost the culture I found as an adult on the east side. I enjoy the parks and the libraries, businesses and residences. There is a great deal to enjoy about Lakewood.

Lakewood is really a beautiful city. It's a great place to raise a family and it's situated by Lake Erie. Lakewood Park is gorgeous and has a great library. I really like the fact that you can walk around at night and feel safe. Great community!

Jenny ... Look what you started here ... a goodly patch of civic pride ... I dropped you an email ... Subject line, "Tuesday PM"

The LAKEWOOD Patch, It allows us to connect with each other :)

Thanks dad....sending you an email!!!

Love, Jenny