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When we think of October, one of the first things that come to mind is HALLOWEEN….and, of course, pumpkin spice everything!

BUT…October is so much more.

You may have missed National Fluffernutter Day – Oct. 8, but you can still celebrate National Cheese Curd Day – Oct.15; Slap Your Annoying Worker Day – Oct. 23; National Bologna Day – Oct. 24; and National Cat Day – Oct. 29.

October 14 is one of my favorite days because it is NATIONAL DESSERT DAY. I asked OBP member restauranteurs what their favorite dessert on their menu is.  I think we should try them all!
            Aladdin’s – Tiramisu
            The Arb at Tappan Square – Molly cakes & cookies
            Bingo Chinese Restaurant –  Danta - Egg Custard Tart
            Bistro Bella Luna – Bread pudding with caramel sauce & Tiramisu
            Blue Rooster Bakehouse –  Apple Crisp, pumpkin & sweet potato cakes
            The Feve – a Chocolate Martini
            The Local –  Albino Squirrel Latte (w/whipped cream & white chocolate drizzle)
            Lupita’s Mexican Restaurant – Churros
            Oberlin Subway – Caramel Apple Cookies

October 13 is “Make a Difference Day” – a good day to “Pay it Forward."

On a more serious note, October is also:
            AIDS Awareness Month
            Breast Cancer Awareness Month
            Down Syndrome Awareness Month
            Domestic Violence Awareness Month

And now…back to HALLOWEEN.

HALLOWEEN PARADE starts at 10 a.m. at Eastwood Elementary School and ends at Langston Middle School where a variety of activities will be happening.  

DOWNTOWN TRICK-OR-TREAT is in downtown Oberlin from 12:30 to 2 p.m. 

NEIGHBORHOOD TRICK-OR-TREATING  is 6–7:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 31

PROGAM AND EVENT UPDATES:
Good Morning Oberlin
Thursday, October 14, 2021 9am
Via Zoom
Let us help you start your day off with a smile!

  • Join us to stay up-to-date about things going on in Oberlin.
  • Meet business, nonprofit, and government representatives. 
  • Hear about the great things happening all around Oberlin.

Do you know we have a new clothing store in Oberlin?

Label Shopper is open at 291 S. Main Street in the complex with CVS. The founder of the company, Peter Elitzer, will share his story and tell us about Label Shopper. He will also introduce us to the store manager and other company employees.

Can’t wait to “see” you!
OBP "Keeping you informed and in touch!"
Leadercast SHIFT has been rescheduled to April 21, 2022. We want to be able to host Leadercast the way it should be - a venue filled with participants engaged in conversation, sharing ideas and experiences - and we are optimistic that mitigation efforts to reduce COVID case numbers will be successful. We look forward to an exciting day of networking and professional development, featuring stories from area business leaders on how they shifted during these challenging times. We will keep you informed leading up to the April 2022 date.
MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Collaborative Organization Profile
Cindy Holzheimer, President/CEO
Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce (NOACC)
Tell us about your organization. The Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce is an association of 127 chambers of commerce across Northern Ohio that focuses on elevating chambers and chamber professionals through dynamic benefits and resources. One way we do this is through cost-savings solutions that chambers can offer to their members on such services as health insurance, workers compensation, energy savings, shipping savings and more. 

Tell us a little bit about you – what are your interests, passions, etc.?  I have been the president/CEO for three years and the board president for two years prior to that. My passion is helping chambers and chamber professionals realize their talents and mission so they may better serve their chamber member businesses. Helping small businesses is so important.  

When I am not at a chamber event, you can find me out in my 2010 Chevy Camaro, bright red and affectionally called Chili. I also have a passion for volunteering and have been involved with the Boy Scouts of America as a Lady Engineer most of my life. My brother is the ranger of Camps Manatoc and Butler in Peninsula.  

Why did you decide to collaborate with Oberlin Business Partnership?  OBP is a member chamber of NOACC and we in turn appreciate the opportunity to provide cost-savings solutions for the members of OBP and help them save money on their business and residential overhead expenses.

What is one piece of advice or input you would like to share with our readers? Be patient and be kind. EVERY BUSINESS is short-staffed right now and can use all our compassion and understanding.  Also, support small business by buying local. The shop owners are your neighbors and friends, let’s keep them going.  
Business Profile
Dr. Paul Alton, Optometrist
Ottica Eyecare
Contact: 440.775.2010; otticaeyecare@oberlin.net
Tell us about your business. Ottica Eyecare is an independent Eye Health and Vision Care office. I am licensed to examine an evaluate most medical eye conditions including cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, floaters, and red eyes. I can prescribe eye medications. We provide a modern, up-to-date eyewear dispensary  providing a wide range of eyewear styles for women, men, and children. We carry all the popular brands of eyewear, but more importantly, we have an optically trained staff to ensure that all eyewear fit well and that patients are pleased with our service. Personal and professional eyecare is our main goal. 
  
Tell me a little about you – what are your interests, passions, etc.  My wife, Catherine, and I live in Oberlin. We are both members of the Oberlin Golf Club and enjoy golf and many outdoor activities. We like the small-town atmosphere of Oberlin and it is nice for me to be able to live and practice Optometry in the community in which I live.

Why did you decide to open your business in Oberlin?  I have an existing practice in Lorain, Lorain Family Vision Care, that I opened in 1997. When my wife and I moved to Oberlin, we noticed that there was a lack of eyecare choices. We opened Ottica Eyecare in 2012 and wanted to also contribute to the downtown growth of Oberlin. I am proud to provide quality eye health and vision care to residents of Oberlin and am pleasantly surprised that we have patients that come from Wellington, LaGrange, and many of the surrounding communities that were underserved regarding eyecare. 

Why did you decide to be a member of OBP?  I joined OBP to be more in touch with what is going on in the Oberlin community and to see what we could contribute to its growth and stability.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with our readers?  As we all know, all healthcare is evolving and changing almost daily, and it can be very frustrating at times. I have been an Optometrist for over 30 years. All eye exams and eyecare are not the same. Please find an Optometrist that personally cares about you and your family’s vision and eye health needs.  
COWORK CORNER
REMINDER 
Opportunity to Share and Receive!
CoWork Oberlin’s Resident Business Advisor, Megan Apple, is available to offer support and advice. She can be reached at megan@avirtualcertainty.com.
Profit Joyfully Business Network for Women
A twice monthly coach-facilitated group for female entrepreneurs to provide support, networking opportunities, business coaching and advising. You can join at any time.
Register here.
CITY CORNER
City buildings are once again open to the public during normal business hours. Business may still be conducted via telephone or email, however. Please visit www.cityofoberlin.com for City contact information and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up to date information!

·       City Office Closure: City Offices will be closed on Monday, October 11th in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Emergency services and regular refuse/recycling pick-up are always available.
 
·       Halloween Parade & Trick-or-Treat: The annual Oberlin Halloween Parade will take place on Saturday, October 30th, starting at 10:00AM at Eastwood Elementary School and ending at Langston Middle School. Trick-or-Treat in Oberlin will take place Sunday, October 31st from 6:00PM-7:30PM. For more information, click HERE or contact the Oberlin Recreation Office at Recreation@CityofOberlin.com or 440-775-7254.
 
·       National Drug Take-Back Day: The Oberlin Police Department will host Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 23rd from 10AM-2PM in the Police Department lobby (85 S. Main St.).  This event provides the community with a means to safely and responsibly dispose of unused/unwanted/expired prescription medications. If you miss the event, prescription medications can also be disposed of through the self-serve drop-box available 24/7 in the Police Department lobby. For more information, contact the Oberlin Police Department at 440-774-1061 or Police@OberlinPD.com.
 
·       City Board/Commission Vacancies: The City of Oberlin is accepting applications from Oberlin residents interested in serving on City boards or commissions, for terms beginning January 1, 2022. Interested applicants may apply online HERE, or obtain a paper application from the Clerk of Council’s Office (85 S. Main Street). Applications are due by Monday, November 8, 2021 at 4:30pm. For more information, please contact Clerk of Council Belinda Anderson at 440-775-7203 or BAnderson@CityofOberlin.com.
 
·       News & Updates: The City sends bi-monthly newsletters to residents with information on City programs, services and events. These items, along with past editions of News & Updates mailers are now available online HERE.

·       City Email Updates: Keep up to date on important City announcements, including City programming and service updates, job openings, event announcements and more! Sign up today: https://bit.ly/3fwR5kc.

·       Emergency Notification System: It’s more important than ever to stay informed. Members of the local workforce are encouraged to register for the Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS). This system is used by the City of Oberlin and Lorain County to alert the community about emergency situations, such as boil alerts, power outages, street closures, weather alerts, etc. Alerts can be received via email, text message and/or voicemail. Register HERE. For more information, contact the Oberlin Fire Department at 440-774-3211 or fireinfo@cityofoberlin.com.