? Lakewood Senator Fights For LGBTQ Rights + Brain Study Gets $2M

Good morning, neighbors! Carla Varner here with a fresh copy of the Lakewood Daily.

First, today’s weather:

Partly sunny. High: 72 Low: 57.

Here are the top three stories today in Lakewood:

1. Ohio State Senator Nicki J. Antonia and Equality Ohio have teamed up to push forward legislation advancing equality and protection for all minorities. Antonia, D-Lakewood, said she has always felt a heavy responsibility to fight for Ohio’s LGBTQ and minority communities. Kathryn Poe, a public policy organizer for Equality Ohio, a statewide legislative and legal nonprofit organization advocating for LGBTQ rights, said she has always been acutely aware of LGBTQ rights in Ohio and now brings the stories of her constituents to state lawmakers. (Ohio Capital Journal)
2. The State of Ohio has given the Cleveland Clinic a $2 million grant to expand their current Brain Study to look into how interventions can delay or prevent neurological diseases. The study is being expanded to include yoga, music therapy, diet, and other wellness interventions. People showing early signs of brain disease will be selected for the study. (Cleveland 19)
3. When a Lakewood High School girls leadership group, made of young women from different backgrounds and cultures, didn’t have a t-shirt or sweatshirt to represent their group for the spirit day parade, they decided to make custom hijabs that featured the school mascot. Lia Lauban, an exchange student from the Philippines and member of the group, said that since most of the girls wore hijabs, they decided to make and wear them. A grant aided the girls in getting the fabric to make the religious pieces. (Spectrum News 1)

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Today in Lakewood:

• New Parent & Lactation Support At Cove Community Center (10:00 AM)
• Public Art Advisory Board Meeting At Lakewood City Hall (6:00 PM)
• AJR – The Ok Orchestra Tour At Wolstein Center At Cleveland State University (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Don’t miss out on the latest houses to hit Lakewood’s real estate market. View pictures, prices, and specs, and then click on the link to learn more. (Lakewood Patch)
• Lakewood City’s Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF) is seeking proposals for its Racial Equity Plan. The plan will address key issues and needs within the city government. (lakewoodoh.gov)
• Have Coffee with a Cop on May 14 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at The Doughnut Pantry. Join members of the Lakewood Police Department for coffee and conversation. (lakewoodoh.gov)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• 2022 Cuyahoga County Solar Co-op Online and In Person Info Session (May 12)
• 1st Anniversary Open House (May 14)
• St. Luke School All-School Reunion (May 21)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Carla Varner