Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How one Lakewood teacher turned orchestra into a rock-powered phenomenon
Coming up: Schools Reopen for Grades 6-12 on the Lakewood Patch calendar
Good morning Lakewood! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How one Lakewood teacher turned orchestra into a rock-powered phenomenon
- How 2026 construction will change daily life across Lakewood
- How Lakewood teens are using art to build real friendships
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Agnes M.!
Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Windy; morning snow showers, with a high of 28 and low of 22 degrees.
- Wednesday: Lake-effect snow, 1-3"; windy, temps: high: 30, low: 17. ⛄️ Brr!
- Thursday: Cloudy, flurries; very cold, with a high of 22 and low of 18 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Lakewood High School's musical visionary Beth Hankins retires (cleveland.com) — Longtime Lakewood High School orchestra director Elizabeth “Beth” Hankins has retired after more than 35 years shaping music education and founding the innovative Lakewood Project electric rock orchestra. A Lakewood resident, she credits Lakewood City Schools for supporting bold ideas and plans to share the Lakewood Project teaching model nationally while continuing to champion the community’s unique commitment to the arts. 
• Lakewood mayor says 2026 filled with ‘large-scale construction' (cleveland.com) — Major sewer upgrades, road work, and redevelopment will reshape Lakewood in 2026, from a $40 million overflow tank near the wastewater plant to the $115 million former hospital mixed-use project. Residents can also expect Bunts Road reconstruction, new Westline Apartments, and upgrades at Winterhurst Ice Arena and Madison Park, including early planning for a new Becks Pool layout.
• Lakewood High students connecting through art: A Place in the Sun (cleveland.com) — Lakewood High School’s new pARTners class is bringing general education and MILES students together to create art, build friendships, and showcase inclusive creativity through small, relationship-focused groups. The column also highlights a Beck Center fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings and calls for community submissions from Lakewood and nearby west-side suburbs.
📸 Around Lakewood
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakewood
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Schools Reopen for Grades 6-12
West Shore Career-Technical District , 14100 Franklin Boulevard , Lakewood - Schools Reopen for Grades PreK-5
West Shore Career-Technical District , 14100 Franklin Boulevard , Lakewood
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
🗓 Events Nearby
- Pickleball
Berea, OH Calendar , 451 Front Street , Berea
8:00 am - SS Water Aerobics
Berea, OH Calendar Berea, OH 44017
9:00 am - Winter Wonders (registration required)
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center , 28728 Wolf Rd , Bay Village
9:30 am - SS Yoga
Berea, OH Calendar , 451 Front Street , Berea
10:30 am - Tai Chi
Berea, OH Calendar Berea, OH 44017
11:00 am - Dia de los Reyes
Mount Zion Church , 200 Mt. Zion , Berea
12:30 pm - Unique Universe
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center , 28728 Wolf Rd , Bay Village
2:00 pm - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament
Brooklyn Branch , 7619 Memphis Ave , Brooklyn
2:00 pm - Dance
Berea, OH Calendar , 451 Front Street , Berea
4:45 pm - Fit Friends
Seven Hills Recreation Center , 7777 Summit View Dr , Seven Hills
5:00 pm
Tuesday December 30
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Lakewood PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My water bill with the city of Lakewood has doubled since the summer!
We're using less water but paying more. Is anyone else having this issue? (Nextdoor Hayes Elementary) - Anyone need a plus one to a dinner or new year's eve gig?
Been here a year now and still haven't made friends and its sad lol Iso a Drummer and a DJ for a band that has gigs coming up And a hug, somebody… (Nextdoor Gold Coast)
- Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Forklift Driver in Cleveland. Apply here.
- Amazon posted a job opening for Area Manager 2026 - Ohio (Recent and Upcoming Graduates) in Cleveland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakewood here.
🗞 Nearby News
Rocky River
- Is your child's screen affecting their sleep? The hidden cost of screens in the bedroom (cleveland.com)
Brooklyn
Ok Lakewood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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