Shawn
I feel your pain.
Something we ran into early on in the paper was that some food businesses did not want to be judged "best" because they might not win. Let's take Mickey at Around the Corner for example. Mickey is very civic minded, but his wings have been judge best already by the people of Lakewood for years. It would seem he has more to lose than to gain.
We tried for a pizza competition, and found the same problem. We have found a work around but it might be harder for you.
As far as businesses and the support, it is a small city, especially when it comes to businesses that can spend money. Right out of the box every fundraiser meeting I have been too starts off the same; "I know we can get money from First Federal, Geiger's, the Hospital, and Malley's..." These businesses must get 3 requests a day.
Money is very, very tight in this town. While doing 12 Shops of Christmas with MAMA there were 3 businesses that could barely afford the $10.00 it costs to get involved. Two of the businesses enjoyed a boost in sales and are around today healthier than before. One closed it's doors, and another one that was very healthy has just closed their doors.
While the feeling in Lakewood is that it is Lakewood, a trip outside of Lakewood would show the whole region is having problems. Actually the whole country is. Ken just got back from a trip to the East Coast and reports the rich are getting richer, everyone else is having a hard time. Legacy Village will see ten stores closed by June. Rumor is that Crocker Park has more than a handful ready to close the second their lease is up. It is tough times for everyone.
But I do know of one very civic minded Lakewood Business that was eager to help on your project, and after offering were never called or written back.
FWIW
Wanted: Best Wings In Lakewood
Moderator: Jim O'Bryan
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Jim O'Bryan
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Shawn Juris
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Charyn,
Good points. Staffing has been an issue that I consider to be a solid reason. The donation fatigue could be a factor as well. Getting to the core of it was what interested me. I can completely understand when a business that sponsors every event in Lakewood has to decline because the funds are tapped. The ones that have really opened my eyes were the responses such as "we don't give to community events,", "we don't see what we'll get out of it", "I've been here for 25 years and never do any of that stuff" or "if we gave to you we'd have to give to everyone. so instead we give nothing". Those are the places that I get fired up about. Those are the ones that I will not be back to again.
I think that supporting your neighborhood business is very important. But this experience has been an eye opener to what some of those businesses think about the rest of us. I want to chose those that are big supporters of the community. Lakewood needs a business base to be sure but you hear talk about how evil Walmart is, yet they at least appear to donate an awful lot. I'm not sure who the good guys and bad guys really are anymore.
Good points. Staffing has been an issue that I consider to be a solid reason. The donation fatigue could be a factor as well. Getting to the core of it was what interested me. I can completely understand when a business that sponsors every event in Lakewood has to decline because the funds are tapped. The ones that have really opened my eyes were the responses such as "we don't give to community events,", "we don't see what we'll get out of it", "I've been here for 25 years and never do any of that stuff" or "if we gave to you we'd have to give to everyone. so instead we give nothing". Those are the places that I get fired up about. Those are the ones that I will not be back to again.
I think that supporting your neighborhood business is very important. But this experience has been an eye opener to what some of those businesses think about the rest of us. I want to chose those that are big supporters of the community. Lakewood needs a business base to be sure but you hear talk about how evil Walmart is, yet they at least appear to donate an awful lot. I'm not sure who the good guys and bad guys really are anymore.
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Shawn Juris
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Jim,
Looks like we were both posting about the same time so I hadn't read yours before adding. The hesitancy to participate because of the possibility of not winning is something that we had considered as an unspoken reason. I agree that those that are new on the block have a lot more to gain from something like this.
I am curious about which business offered assistance and didn't recieve a response. I can only think of one that stepped down after we had discussed levels of sponsorship and were unable to find an equitable exchange for both parties. If there was someone that did not recieve a response please extend my apologies. I was not made aware of their interest.
Shawn
Looks like we were both posting about the same time so I hadn't read yours before adding. The hesitancy to participate because of the possibility of not winning is something that we had considered as an unspoken reason. I agree that those that are new on the block have a lot more to gain from something like this.
I am curious about which business offered assistance and didn't recieve a response. I can only think of one that stepped down after we had discussed levels of sponsorship and were unable to find an equitable exchange for both parties. If there was someone that did not recieve a response please extend my apologies. I was not made aware of their interest.
Shawn
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Jim O'Bryan
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Shawn Juris wrote:Jim,
...I am curious about which business offered assistance and didn't recieve a response. I can only think of one that stepped down after we had discussed levels of sponsorship and were unable to find an equitable exchange for both parties. If there was someone that did not recieve a response please extend my apologies. I was not made aware of their interest.
Shawn
The Lakewood Observer.
To name one.
.
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
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Shawn Juris
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Now Jim,
I wasn't aware that there was anything brought up yet. I'm more than happy to have the support. We're in the final stages of our preparation for the promotions materials and will be sure to include the Observer logo. Please let me know when and where we can discuss this further and work out the details. Based on the response so far this looks to be a fantastic way to draw a crowd.
I wasn't aware that there was anything brought up yet. I'm more than happy to have the support. We're in the final stages of our preparation for the promotions materials and will be sure to include the Observer logo. Please let me know when and where we can discuss this further and work out the details. Based on the response so far this looks to be a fantastic way to draw a crowd.
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Jim O'Bryan
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Kenneth Warren
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Shawn/Jim:
I am hearing great things about Shawn’s commitment and contributions to youth and the city, especially through his inspirational impact on people involved in the Youth Master Plan Process.
The collaboration between the two of you is another critical brick in the Yellow Brick Road. Leverage whatever LO agents you can bring into the mix.
With Chef Geoff in the house, you might offer Chicken Wing tutorials for clueless proprietors, reluctant to step up.
With dollars tight we know outta the box it’s tough to fire up exchange circuits between local merchants and Lakewood homies. But press onward together we must through all the momentary discouragements in the face of alienation and apathy, slurping the Lakewood Kool Aid that washes down the suicidal heat glopped onto our chicken wings.
By the way, I stopped in Around the Corner the other night for wings with my son. I told Mickey that a Lakewood Observer thread on Chicken Wings had made me hungry.
Have you been unable to get Around the Corner to participate?
Kenneth Warren
I am hearing great things about Shawn’s commitment and contributions to youth and the city, especially through his inspirational impact on people involved in the Youth Master Plan Process.
The collaboration between the two of you is another critical brick in the Yellow Brick Road. Leverage whatever LO agents you can bring into the mix.
With Chef Geoff in the house, you might offer Chicken Wing tutorials for clueless proprietors, reluctant to step up.
With dollars tight we know outta the box it’s tough to fire up exchange circuits between local merchants and Lakewood homies. But press onward together we must through all the momentary discouragements in the face of alienation and apathy, slurping the Lakewood Kool Aid that washes down the suicidal heat glopped onto our chicken wings.
By the way, I stopped in Around the Corner the other night for wings with my son. I told Mickey that a Lakewood Observer thread on Chicken Wings had made me hungry.
Have you been unable to get Around the Corner to participate?
Kenneth Warren
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David Lay
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If Chef Geoff does a piece on wing recipes, I have a really good one that uses Tuong Ot Sriracha (also known as Red Rooster) sauce...
New Website/Blog: dlayphoto.com
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Jeff Endress
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Jim O'Bryan
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Jeff Endress wrote:If Chef Geoff does a piece on wing recipes, I have a really good one that uses Tuong Ot Sriracha (also known as Red Rooster) sauce
Look for just such an article in time to help promote Shawn's Wing competition...
Jeff
Jeff
Let's be careful. We know that every paper in town borrows story ideas from us. Think of the horror if every paper in town wrote articles to help Shawn's Wing Competition. Oh the horror.
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Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
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Shawn Juris
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Thanks for all the support shown so far on this forum. This event has shaped up to be a great opportunity to visit Lakewood Park. In addition to the competition for the "Best Wings in Lakewood", we are also now opening registration for a co-ed softball tournament, a co-ed volleyball tournament, finalized the details of incorporating the skate park into the day's festivities, and planning a variety of games and activities for kids of all ages.
The 3 bands have all confirmed and will include; a local high school band, Elephants in the Living Room, longtime favorite of the Lakewood scene, Jim Tigue and Marysa, and playing his first show to follow his CD release party the night before at the House of Blues, Chris Allen.
Finally, I'm pleased to announce this year's contestants include: Harry Buffalo, Lakewood Village, Crazy Rita's, Carlucci's, the Kenilworth, Cronie's, McCarthy's and Pug Mahone's. Your vote will count to determine the People's Choice awards in both categories (Buffalo & Flavored) and will help to determine the "Best Wings in Lakewood". Our judge's panel is almost complete, but if you have a nomination for someone who has gone above and beyond to support Lakewood's youth programs, please let me know.
The 3 bands have all confirmed and will include; a local high school band, Elephants in the Living Room, longtime favorite of the Lakewood scene, Jim Tigue and Marysa, and playing his first show to follow his CD release party the night before at the House of Blues, Chris Allen.
Finally, I'm pleased to announce this year's contestants include: Harry Buffalo, Lakewood Village, Crazy Rita's, Carlucci's, the Kenilworth, Cronie's, McCarthy's and Pug Mahone's. Your vote will count to determine the People's Choice awards in both categories (Buffalo & Flavored) and will help to determine the "Best Wings in Lakewood". Our judge's panel is almost complete, but if you have a nomination for someone who has gone above and beyond to support Lakewood's youth programs, please let me know.
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Ivor Karabatkovic
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Count me in, guys. I'm sure photographs will be needed for this event.. I would love to spend a day in Lakewood Park with music and sports and festivities going on. When is the date of the event?
"Hey Kiddo....this topic is much more important than your football photos, so deal with it." - Mike Deneen
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Shawn Juris
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Shawn Juris
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