THANKFUL. . . We’ve heard a lot about being thankful recently. We have experienced some ‘once in a lifetime’ challenges the last couple of years, and perhaps have realized just how much we have to be thankful for despite the unforeseen interruptions in our lives. I know my family’s Thanksgiving gatherings were different this year – but better than last year, and more nostalgic. I hope you and yours were able to experience giving thanks together.

We are thankful for the businesses that survived and for the new businesses that took the leap to open before and during the pandemic. Here are nine new businesses that now call Oberlin home. *The Arb    *Bistro Bella Luna    *Doobies Smoke Shop    *Evie Lou Oberlin    *Golden Hour Acupuncture    *KidSpeak    *Label Shopper    *Steel Magnolia    *Suite One Studios

OBP is looking for people to serve on our Board of Trustees – people who believe in our mission to provide leadership, services, and advocacy to advance and promote the sustainable growth and prosperity of the Oberlin community. If you believe you, or someone you know, would be interested in helping OBP achieve our mission, please email me – [email protected] – or call me 440-503-5031 - with your interest or nomination. We will contact all interested and nominated people to share the responsibilities of a board member and confirm interest. Voting for new OBP Board members will take place in January 2022.

Downtown Oberlin kicked off the holiday shopping season with Shop Small Saturday! Although Oberlin stores had to compete with the OSU game and a messy weather forecast, they nonetheless got into the spirit with festive decorations, holiday activities, and, of course, fantastic deals for shoppers.

Santa stopped by downtown Oberlin to meet with families and get an early start on children’s wish lists. He even took time to step out and wave to passing motorists! Donations from IGA, Oberlin Rotary, and the Oberlin Fire Department added to the fun. We’d like to thank Robert Morris (owner of 29 S. Main St.) and Sam Foster of Haven Brewery (coming In 2022) for the use of the space. We’d also thank Laura Dahle for getting the space ready and Kathy Perales for donating her time. We are so fortunate to be a part of such a generous community!

Holiday Shopping Passport Contest. OBP is enticing shoppers into downtown Oberlin with our annual holiday shopping passport contest. The passports are available at participating stores, and it’s so easy to do! From now until December 24th, folks just spend money at 3 downtown businesses and get their passport initialed. Completed passports can be dropped off at Ben Franklin or Ginko Gallery. Each week we draw a winner for a $25 Oberlin gift certificate compliments of OBP.

Shop Small Saturday was only the beginning, and we’ll continue to promote our local businesses as we head into December. We never lose sight of the fact that of every dollar spent locally, more than half stays in the community. On Saturday, December 11th (the 2nd, 2nd Saturday!) there will be an Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt in downtown businesses, Bronwen Fox is bringing 6^th thru 8^th grade singers downtown to sing carols from 1 to 2 p.m. and other activities may be happening as well. Check the OBP Facebook page frequently to see what holiday specials downtown businesses are offering

Leadercast SHIFT

Tell us a little about your business or your past profession. I am an artist and freelance artist instructor with a specialty in teaching origami. I primarily teach youth from Pre-K to 8^th grade in schools and libraries, and often offer my services to after-school, and summer programs. My approach to teaching origami is to always integrate connections to other areas of academic learning and use paperfolding as a vehicle for exploring the world around us. I also produce learning materials including videos, diagram instructions, and lesson plans which all fall into a broad origami curriculum

Tell us a little bit about you – what are your interests, passions, etc.?  While I specialize in origami professionally, I have always dabbled in many different art forms, and not just other visual arts. I am also a life-long musician, with experience in piano, guitar, and drumming. Theater arts have also played a significant role in my upbringing, which I also attribute to my skills as an engaging art teacher.

Why did you volunteer to be an OBP Board of Trustees member? OBP is a phenomenal organization that does so many wonderful things for the Oberlin Community! I am continually amazed by the depth and diversity of benefits this organization provides our town on a year-round basis.

What have you learned through your board membership involvement? Serving on boards gives one an opportunity to see a birds-eye view of how an organization functions and the impact it has on its constituents. It is a fascinating and worth-while endeavor for anyone who is interested in getting more involved in a particular group or cause. At the board level, members have an opportunity to give back, provide support, and apply their leadership skills towards creating positive change and hopefully a lasting impact.

Would you encourage others to become involved as a board member, committee member, or program or event volunteer? If so, why? An organization like OBP is always in search of engaged and dedicated community members who are ready to make a difference – it certainly takes a village! Oberlin has a long history of activism and community involvement, so it’s important to continue this tradition as we move forward and continue to face the ongoing challenges of the 21^st century. Even small contributions like volunteering for an event go a long way. And if you’re really feeling a pull to serve, consider getting involved at an organizational level!

What is one piece of advice or input you would like to share with our readers? Never lose site of your passions, hopes and dreams! Follow your heart and the rest will fall into place. It’s never too late to wake up and start living!

Earlier this month, the Ohio House voted to pass HB 227. If signed into law, it will allow any gun owner who is at least 21 years old and legally allowed to possess a firearm to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Open carry in Ohio is already allowed under current law.

If business owners and others who work with the public wish to prohibit weapons and firearms in their places of business, etc., open or concealed, they must post signs on all entrances indicating such items are prohibited. There are several websites that sell such signs in a variety of sizes and formats. MyDoorSign.com and ComplianceSigns.com offer a variety of sign options.

City buildings are 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 Thursday, December 23^rd and Friday, December 24^th in observance of the Christmas holiday and Friday, December 31^st for New Year’s holiday. Emergency services and regular refuse/recycling pick-up are always available.

Downtown Snow & Ice Removal: The City of Oberlin has contracted with GoGreen Landscaping to perform snow and ice removal in the downtown business district during the upcoming winter season (November-April). GoGreen will remove snow and ice in the public right-of-way (sidewalks and crosswalks) and the Public Works Department will continue to plow and salt streets. If there are any questions or concerns related to downtown maintenance initiatives, please contact Communications Manager Diane Ramos at [email protected] or 440-775-7217.

Recycle Non-Working Holiday Lights: Drop off your non-working holiday lights, power strips and cords to be recycled anytime between December 8^th and January 10^th in the Police Department/Court lobby (85 South Main Street). The collection box is located under the bulletin board by the Police Department entrance. For more information, contact Recycling Coordinator Lori Sprosty at [email protected] or 440-935-0096.

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 [email protected].