It’s that time of year again—Mother’s Day 2022 is just around the corner. Mother’s Day is an ideal way to honor the women in your life who have helped you become the person you are today. In recent years Mother’s Day has encompassed grandmothers, women we think of as second mothers, mothers-in-law, fur moms, best friends, and even female mentors. Mother’s Day is also a great way to honor women in our world who have made a difference.

a million ways to be a good one” Jill Churchill

Broadening the definition of mother also allows for a more inclusive celebration on a day that can, for some, be a sad occasion. While everyone may not have a mother living or a good relationship with one, Mother’s Day can be transformed into a time to honor those women who have nurtured us and helped us grow, whether they gave birth to us or not.

If nothing is going well, call your grandmother: Italian Proverb

“The phrase ‘working mother’ is redundant.” Jane Sellman

Adeva Salon and Spa: A full-service Aveda Concept Salon and spa features many gift choices for mom or purchase a gift certificate for a future pampering.

All Things Great: Consignment & Vintage Clothing, Decor, Furniture, Art & Recreated Goods. 

Ben Franklin and Mindfair Books: Books, Waggoners and Taza (Mexican) Chocolates; yarn, fabric, cards.

Carlyle Shop: Geranium and Begtonia patio potts, glassware, tea cups, velvet totes, beautiful cards, etc...find an assortment of gifts here.

Evie Lou Oberlin: Jewelry, accessories, clothing - many unique choices.

FAVA: May 6^th and 7^th Ice-Dyeing Class or purchase a gift certificate at favagallery.org/classes for a variety of classes mom will enjoy

Ginko Gallery: Show your mother love with hand enameled heart earrings or a handmade glass heart necklace . Pick out a handblown glass vase to take to the Carlyle Shop for a custom made bouquet. Our beautiful greeting cards are perfect for you to write your own heartfelt message of thanks and love to your mother.

The Hope Collection: Share love for your mom and support global moms around the world by: Buying chocolate that supports an all woman-run coop in Ghana; Buying a card from Quilling Card that employs over 100 women in Vietnam; Adorning a mom with beautiful beaded jewelry made by a group of moms in Saraguro, Ecuador

Verite Glass: Buy mom an experience – a Glass Fusion Pendant making class introduces her to the art of glass fusion. Saturdays 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Willow Jewelry: Who doesn’t love diamonds! Willow also features Orfega hand-made jewelry from Spain – unique sterling silver jewelry.

And…what mom doesn’t like to be treated to a meal they don’t have to cook or clean up after! Let 1833, Lorenzo’s Pizzeria, The Feve, Aladdin’s, Bistro Bella Luna, Bingo Chinese Restaurant, or Lupita’s serve mom a delicious meal. Or if time is short because you have so many other great things planned for mom, pick up great food at The Arb or Subway, or coffee, tea and treats at Blue Rooster Bakery, Slow Train Café and The Local Coffee and Tea.

If all the choices are just too much for you….let mom make the choice. Purchase Oberlin Gift Certificates from OBP and mom can decide where to use them – most establishments in Oberlin accept them. You can PURCHASE GIFT CERTIFICATES HERE or in person at the OBP office.

Maureen Simen, Programs Manager obpevents@gmail.com 440-774-6262

Oberlin Big Parade - Saturday, May 14th. The Big Parade has returned! The theme is FEAST. This year, the parade begins at Eastwood Elementary, proceeds down College St. and ends at Tappan Square. There will be food, festivities, music, and fun afterward. To stay up-to-date, follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/oberlinbigparade

Questions? Contact them at biggest.parade@gmail.com

JUNETEENTH Oberlin 2022 - Saturday, June 18. This year's Juneteenth Celebration Festival, "Dancing and Celebrating through the Second LIne: Releasing Enslvaed Spirits to Freedom" is on Saturday, June 18th, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The celebration is located at the Undergraound Railroad Center-Station Squre - behind McDonalds on South Main Street. Find out more at HERE

Chalk Walk - Saturday, June 25th. Residents and visitors will join professional chalk artists in downtown Oberlin to create their own masterpieces. Chalk and other art materials supplied by the Oberlin Chalkwalk Committee. For more information and to stay up-to-date, follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OberlinChalkWalk

If you wish to support Chalkwalk, you can donate at Oberlin Chalkwalk GoFundMe

We have lots to share with you as spring ramps up programing and events such as The BIG PARADE - Saturday May 14; COMEDY NIGHT - Friday May 20; the first 2nd SATURDAYS IN OBERLIN for 2022 - June 11; CHALK WALK - June 25.

Katie Ashwill will be presenting information on "What businesses can do to make their business more accessible to people with disabilities and older adults in the community?"

Priya Banerjee will tell us all about this year's BIG PARADE - happening on May 14.

Amanda Manahan will tell us all about CHALK WALK 2022.

What an inspiring day! Thanks to our sponsors - Buckeye Bank, Pradnya Martz, Rotary Club of Oberlin, First American Title Insurance, Rosen-Jones Photography, OBP and Agon Leadership presented an exciting day of engagement and inspiration.

In addition to the national speakers who helped us understand the important attributes of leadership, we presented four videos featuring local businesses that shifted or pivoted to be sustainable during the 'Covid years.' We heard from Rob Lando from AgriNomix in Oberlin; Judy Recknagle from The Mermaid's Tale in Amherst; Jevon Terance from Jevon Terance Fashions in Lorain; Emily Showalter & Tom Demaline from Willoway Nurseries in Avon; and Shontae Jackson from Steel Magnolia Restaurant and Food Truck from Oberlin.

Attendees overwhelmingly listed the event as Very Satisfactory or #1 on a scale of #1 to #5.

We will be sharing information about Leadercast - The One Thing which we will present in the fall of 2022.

Ohio will hold its first primary on Tuesday, May 3rd. State and countywide candidates, as well as judges and a congressional seat are on the ballot. In addition, there is a county levy and several communities have issues on the ballot. To learn more about what’s on the ballot, go to the Lorain County Board of Elections website: https://www.voteloraincountyohio.gov/

(440) 775-7217 • dramos@cityofoberlin.com 

Please visit www.cityofoberlin.com/coronavirus for how to contact City offices, and information on services, state of Ohio orders/advisories, assistance options, etc. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up to date information!

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Office Closure: City Offices will be closed on Monday, May 30^th in observance of Memorial Day. Emergency services and regular refuse/recycling pick-up are always available. 

·        Downtown Landscaping: The City will implement a new landscaping program for the downtown planting beds this year, and continue to install hanging flower baskets. The new landscaping program will involve professional landscapers removing existing plants, amending the soil, mitigating the root systems from the trees, planting new flowers in both the spring and fall seasons and mulching the beds. Additional maintenance like watering, weeding and fertilizing will also take place throughout the growing seasons. Any previous sponsors of the planting beds are encouraged to remove any plants they would like to keep before the landscapers begin work later in May.

·        LGBTQ+ Lorain County SafeZone Training: This training (available virtually or in-person) provides an opportunity for downtown businesses and organizations to learn about LGBTQ+ identities, gender & sexuality, and examine prejudice, assumptions, and privilege. The training also provides a better awareness and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and how to be an effective ally. The training also serves as a safe place to ask questions and get resources for further education. Businesses that complete the training will receive a decal that could be placed in the entrance of the business to indicate that your business is an LGBTQ+ SafeZone. Any businesses interested in this training, may contact Communications Manager Diane Ramos (dramos@cityofoberlin.com or 440-775-7217) and the City will organize the sessions.

·        Oberlin Police Department Security Checks: Patrol Officers conduct periodic after-hour security checks of businesses/organizations to ensure security of the property. If there are any issues, such as unlocked doors, property damage, etc., the Police Department will contact the appropriate person on-file for your business. Please contact the Police Department (440-774-1061 or Police@OberlinPD.com) to make sure your contact information is up to date.

·        Oberlin Police Department Workplace Training: Oberlin Police Department personnel offer security inspections at local businesses/organizations upon request to offer advice on ways to make your organization more secure. The Police Department also offers a range of educational presentations to local workplaces, with such topics as crime prevention, active threat training, K-9 presentations, etc. Individualized presentations can also be developed for your workplace. If you are interested in arranging a security inspection or training, please contact Lt. Mike McCloskey at 440-774-1061 or Police@OberlinPD.com.

·        Commercial Composting Program: The City has partnered with Barnes Nursery to offer food waste collection services to commercial businesses with a good potential for food scrap recovery. All participating businesses will start with a site visit from Barnes Composting to estimate their compost bin requirements and interested businesses will then be selected for participation based on their desire and ability to recycling food scraps and compostable serving ware. The program is a no-charge service for the first 12 months. Carts will be placed at the businesses to collect the food scraps and Barnes will transport the food scraps to their facility in Huron, Ohio to be composted. The finished compost will be distributed to interested residents and businesses for gardening use. To learn more and get started, contact Bob Schanz at Barnes Nursery at 419-357-6768 or bschanz@barnesnursery.com.