News and Notes from
Janet Haar, Executive Director OBP
obp.org@gmail.com 440-503-5031

What is all the talk about leadership?

The success of any size business, company or organization depends greatly upon its leadership, though leadership styles can vary. Ideas of leadership have developed as industries, economies and consumerism have changed. If you have an interest in being a leader in the workplace or want to advance your career into leadership positions, it's helpful to know what leadership is and how you can acquire it.
Diversity of leadership is also critical because it's visible and sends a message to all workers that there are paths for anyone to advance if they're talented and work hard.

Leaders often exist in the workplace at every level. Here are 15 leadership ideas you can put into practice at your workplace, regardless of your position, title or salary: 15 LEADERSHIP IDEAS TO PRACTICE

Whether you’re leading a team or a meeting, developing and owning leadership skills will help you succeed at any stage in your career.   20 QUALITIES OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

OBP IS HOSTING A LOCAL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO NETWORK AND LEARN WITH REGIONAL LEADERS. You can experience leadership in-person and locally at Leadercast Shift on April 21, 2022, at the New Russia Township Lodge. You deserve a seat at table and to be in the room for this amazing day that will immediately impact you and your organization. Go here for more information: LEADERCAST SHIFT - APRIL 21, 2022 and here to see the line-up of speakers for the event: LEADERCAST SPEAKERS
PROGRAM AND EVENTS UPDATES
MAUREEN SIMEN, PROGRAMS MANAGER obpevents@gmail.com 440-774-6262
It’s a Treat to Shop in Oberlin: Our first annual It’s a Treat to Shop in Oberlin was a great success! Nine Oberlin businesses participated in our shop-local-and-win contest. Customers who made a purchase selected a specially wrapped chocolate from the contest display rack. The wrapped indicated if they won an Oberlin gift certificate or were encouraged to keep shopping. It was a fun and easy way for Oberlin businesses to engage with their customers.

All Roads Lead to Oberlin: OBP is collaborating with Oberlin College Admissions Office to promote downtown Oberlin businesses during the Class of ‘26 campus visits. OBP has distributed window clings with the All Roads logo, and we also negotiated a permit waiver to allow businesses to host sidewalk activities during the All Roads dates.

Leadercast Shift Registration is still open for our April 21st all-day networking and professional development event at the New Russia Township Lodge. Join us for a day of engagement and connection with leaders from all over Lorain County while hearing from renowned speakers and featured local business leaders. Learn more and register at oberlin.org.

2nd Saturdays in Oberlin: Planning has begun on 2nd Saturdays! We’ve expanded the dates to include September, and we are working hard to make this year even more exciting. As always, suggestions are welcomed!
Good Morning Oberlin (GMO) April 14, 2022, 9 a.m. via ZOOM

April GMO featured presenters are Ohio Representative Joe Miller and Gary and Renee Tollett, new owners of WOBL and WDLW Radio Stations.

We have lots to share with you as spring ramps up programing and events...such as Leadercast Shift - April 21, Comedy Night - May 20, 2nd Saturday in Oberlin - June 11, Chalk Walk - June 25...etc., etc.

We always look forward to hearing about things happening in and around Oberlin.

You can register for one or all of the meetings here:

Leadercast SHIFT - April 21, 2022. Join us to engage in conversations, share ideas and experiences, be inspired by others' journeys. The event is at the Lodge of New Russia Township from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We look forward to an exciting day of networking and professional development including stories from area business leaders on how they shifted during these challenging times.

Individual tickets are $99 which includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks. A table of 8 is $700. We have youth scholarships for youth ages 16 to 21 - call the OBP office if you are interested in having a youth attend. 440-774-6262
Everyone needs to relax and laugh one in a while – especially if it is for a good cause. Comedy Night helps to raise funds to support the work OBP | Positively Oberlin! does to advance and promote the sustainable growth and prosperity of the Oberlin community. 
 
The event is at the Lodge of New Russia Township on Friday night, May 20. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. The evening begins at 6:45 p.m. with live music for your enjoyment by Kevin Jones and Friends.The comedy show starts at 7:30 p.m. with three acts – each with a different comedian. In between acts, we will announce winners of the prize raffles and give you some time to buy more 50/50 raffle tickets.  
 
The Steel Magnlia Food Truck will be on site - buy some food and enjoy it in the lodge. Cash bar features beer, wine, and soft drinks. Free snacks are provided.  Reservations are only $25 a person or $175 for a table of eight.
 
The evening ends at 10 p.m. with the announcement of the 50/50 raffle winner!
UPDATE ON NEW BUSINESSES
LISA WHITFIELD
Owner, For Ewe
181 W College Street #23
Oberlin, OH 44074
440-732-4393 lisa@4-ewe.com


ANNOUNCING A NEW OBERLIN BUSINESS

For Ewe: An Inclusive Fiber Community is a retail yarn shop and social crafting/education space located at 181 W College Street #23 in Oberlin. We offer high quality yarns, needles, hooks, notions, and other yarn-related items at a variety of price points with the aim of serving the entire community.

In addition to products from well-known companies, we offer products from independently owned small businesses operated by folks under-represented in the crafting community. We also offer organic, recycled, environmentally conscious, and local products whenever possible.

All are welcome, from the "yarn curious" to the most experienced needle artist. For Ewe is the place for everyone.
MARIKATE WORKMAN
Golden Hour Acupuncture
13 S. Main St. 2nd Floor
Contact Information: 440-935-6287


Golden Hour Acupuncture is in the process of moving to 13 South Main Street - 2nd Floor (The John Cole building). Marikate is hoping to be open in her new location sometime in May. The new location will have 4 treatment rooms and she will have space to sell retail products. Stay tuned for information on her Grand Reopening ceremony!
LINDA SLOCUM
23 Eric Nord Way Suite 1
KidSpeak is fast approaching its one-year anniversary. Grand Opening celebrations were held in July of 2022. Although I have been a Speech-Language Pathologist for over 20 years, I am new to business ownership. THANK YOU to my community of support - including OBP - for all that you have done to support me in this business venture!
 
As business owners we provide valuable services to our community. I certainly knew before setting up shop there was a need for professional speech and language services. But what a learning experience this has been! KidSpeak has grown quickly: Every week I provide 30-35 individual therapy appointments to children ranging in age from 1 to 12 years old. I offer several special group programs as well.
 
Families travel from throughout Lorain, Erie, and Cuyahoga County to KidSpeak for speech and language therapy services. There are simply not enough Speech-Language Pathologists in our area and only a small percentage of them accept Medicaid managed health plans. Why does this matter? Medicaid recipients in Ohio cannot pay out-of-pocket for covered speech-language therapy services and must receive treatment from an in -network provider.
 
You may or may not be aware that the poverty rate in Oberlin is nearing 30% with closer to 65% of students enrolled in Oberlin Elementary School qualifying for free and reduced lunch. Though it may not make the best business sense because Medicaid provides notoriously low reimbursement rates, I am proud to be able to help fill the gap for those seeking accessible and affordable speech and language therapy services in our community. KidSpeak brings me great joy!
CITY CORNER
Sustainable Home Landscaping & Seed Giveaway: Join Ohio Prairie Nursery Outreach Specialist Barb Holtz to learn about the importance of sustainable home landscaping and gardening. The program will take place on Tuesday, April 12th at 7pm in the Oberlin Public Library Community Room. There will also be a free native pollinator plant giveaway for all attendees! This program is co-sponsored by the City of Oberlin and the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. For more information, contact Oberlin Sustainability Coordinator Linda Arbogast at 440-775-7257 or LArbogast@CityofOberlin.com.
 
2022 Earth Day 5K Run: The Oberlin Recreation Office is excited to announce the return of the annual Earth Day 5K Run. The 5K Run is open to runners of all ages and will take place Saturday, April 16th beginning at 10:00am in Tappan Square. There is a $20 fee for registrations before April 14th and a $25 fee for registrations the day of the race. For more information and to register, visit www.CityofOberlin.com or contact the Recreation Office at 440-775-7254 or Recreation@CityofOberlin.com.
 
The Easter Bunny is Coming to Town! The Easter Bunny will ride through town with Oberlin Police Officers and Firefighters on Saturday, April 9th beginning at 10:00am.  Come outside to wave to the Easter Bunny and get a treat! If the Easter Bunny isn’t riding through your neighborhood, you can come to the west and south sides of Tappan Square to see the parade. Visit www.OberlinKids.org/Events or www.CityofOberlin.com/EasterBunny for more information, including the parade route.
 
Plastic Bag Swap: In celebration of Earth Day, ditch single-use plastic bags at the City of Oberlin’s Plastic Bag Swap on Friday, April 22nd from 3:30pm-5:30pm at Oberlin IGA. Bring 3 or more plastic shopping bags to the event and we’ll swap it out for a FREE reusable bag! For more information, contact Oberlin Recycling Coordinator Lori Sprosty at 440-935-0096 or Recycling@CityofOberlin.com.
 
National Drug Take-Back Day: The Oberlin Police Department will host Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 30th 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 anytime 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.

Safety Town Registration
This is a FREE Opportunity for children to Learn Behaviors that Promote Safety
Applications: Available at the Oberlin Police Department and Oberlin Elementary School and online at www.OberlinPD.com
Registration deadline: Friday, May 27, 2022
Eligibility: Children who will enter KINDERGARTEN this fall
Dates: Session 1: June 20th – June 24th    Session 2: June 27th – July 1st 
Class Times are mornings 10:00am-12:00 noon OR afternoons 1:00pm-3:00pm
Location: Oberlin Elementary School 210 N. Park Street, Oberlin
Instructor: Patrolman Billie Neadham,School Resource Officer, Oberlin Police Dept.
Questions: Dispatcher Gwen Goul, Oberlin Police Department 440-774-1061 or ggoul@oberlinpd.co