MAMA must have been great last night!

[sharon kinsella]

Made my little contributions during the day yesterday because I couldn't go last night. Must have been a heck of a night seeing as there are no live reports on here yet and it's already 10:50 am.

Are we a little sicky this morning?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Made my little contributions during the day yesterday because I couldn't go last night. Must have been a heck of a night seeing as there are no live reports on here yet and it's already 10:50 am.

Are we a little sicky this morning?

Possibly underestimated turn out as I ran around, it was better than most expected. I know that I printed a thousand entries and some shops were running low at 1:00pm.

Justine, Ruthie and gang did a great job. Made me think of the foxes! now running the parties and businesses in this city. It is all good!

As for sicky, i will admit to running into much holiday, er ah er cheer. Yeah that is it. Madison is perfect for that off the wall stuff, fine jewelery, a dink, some tarot stuff, a drink, a haircut a nice walk, a drink, some nice second hand stores, and a drink, some bowling with drinks, a drink some coffee a play in the park and dinner.

I was shocked that the infamous table dancer from Lancer's, missed the barefoot boogie session.

Great weekend for Lakewood.

Thanks to all.


.

[sharon kinsella]

Well - the barefoot boogy dancer came home yesterday and found out that she was out of her fibromyalgia medicine - ooooohh so not a pretty picture with barometric whatever.

I will save some meds for next time - make sure there is a very sturdy table, I seem to have accumulated some mass since in the day. Also some assistance onto and off the table would be appreciated.

Pop some aspirin and go back to bed JOB.

[David Lay]

Well - the barefoot boogy dancer came home yesterday and found out that she was out of her fibromyalgia medicine - ooooohh so not a pretty picture with barometric whatever.

Not to veer off topic too much, but...

I've started reading about fibromyalgia - it's definitely debilitating when there's a flare-up.

I'm glad to see that it's finally starting to be recognized within the medical community.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Pop some aspirin and go back to bed JOB.

Being Irish I am a hair of the dog type guy. However in the spirit I hit The Coffee Pot, which is becoming so popular there was a wait. The cold air and walk smacked me to life.

Then home to pack away some stuff for winter, and drink some Phoenix Coffee from bela dubby.


.

[David Lay]

Then home to pack away some stuff for winter, and drink some Phoenix Coffee from bela dubby.

Amen. That is the nectar of the gods.

[sharon kinsella]

Thanks David - it stinks.

By the way Jim - it was Leo's Casino not Lancers and James Brown was there and I was just doing my part to help him "Get on the Good Foot".

[Jim O'Bryan]

Thanks David - it stinks.

By the way Jim - it was Leo's Casino not Lancers and James Brown was there and I was just doing my part to help him "Get on the Good Foot".

I thought you mentioned Lancer's not Leo's later to be LaCave. When such bands as the Velvet Underground, Allman Bros, Flaming Groovies played.

My mistake, Didn't remember you at Lancer's, but then you are much younger than I.


.

[sharon kinsella]

Lancers for steak Jim. LaCave was for my psychedelic moods and Leo's for the real thing.

I don't remember you either. You must have been much shorter then LOL>

[Justine Cooper]

Sorry to get off subject and back to the hop! I am sure there were not thousands out there as during the day was slower than it could have been but with Detroit doing almost the same contest on the same day that Mama had announced theirs, it could have been from that. It is so odd going to meetings to come up with events and things to help Madison because they are 100% ignored, to turn around and see groups emulating the SAME events after we plan Mama's. Strange.

As for the night, got out to Metropolitan's grand opening. Very nice staging business that homes for sale could really use right now. Nice wine from their own winery on Kelly's Island! Then off to Pop Shop for a full house and some great art and jewelry (bought a ring of course), then off to Ruthie's event which was a smashing success for the seniors! She is amazing what she does for the seniors in this town! Then off to try the new Put in Bay (new to me) bar and happy to discover an 80's rock band that was excellent and the crowd was my age group until the young ones started coming in later.

Of course there was drama there and a fight and I discovered the police's policy is to not arrest when there is a bar fight, even though several witnesses saw a young man smash a beer bottle over another man's head. In fact, he was allowed to walk off into the night, into the community, into a car, after that. I wish I had not made the last stop. It did remind me why I don't go out much. But loved the art galleries and other openings and will stick to that venue I guess!

Jim you did an excellent job on the Holiday Hop. Thanks for everything. The businesses are lucky to have you supporting them.

[Mary Anne Crampton]

"It is so odd going to meetings to come up with events and things to help Madison because they are 100% ignored, to turn around and see groups emulating the SAME events after we plan Mama's. Strange. "

Justine, I assume this comment refers to Main Street activities. Lakewood Shops Main Street was conceived along with the Lakewood Walks Main Street event in August. We told all participants and the merchants at that time that we would be doing it again at Light Up Lakewood. These events (and others planned for 2008) were planned then to promote downtown Lakewood's walkability. The next one will likely be in February.

I would LOVE to help promote Madison activities. You are doing awesome things. The MaMa's Art Walk was put in the LakewoodAlive e-letter the day information was received, and the Holiday Hop was submitted for that eletter as soon as I read about it in the Observer. Both events were well received by the community and well-executed because of your hard work. I would enjoy brainstorming with you and others about how we can get the word out and encourage participation in future Madison events.

In the long run, good things happening anywhere in Lakewood is good for all Lakewood businesses. We need to address feelings of competition and instead stand on one another's shoulders. I look forward to talking with you about moving forward together.

Mary Anne

[Jim O'Bryan]

Two completely different events that bring the entire city together for a fun holiday weekend, filled with the holiday spirit that helped this city so much I can't even begin to say.

The apparent overlap can be laid squarely on my feet, and I apologize to both. I had seats on the LUL committee, and attended a meeting almost. Instead I spoke with Mary Anne directly when needed. I should have spent more time. As for MAMA, and the Holiday Hop, with so much going on at the Lakewood Observer, not Lakewood related, I think I made a full twenty minutes of one meeting.

I could have been more attentive.

I know after speaking with members of MAMA yesterday, there will be many improvements made for their many events in 2008. I also know that Mary Anne Crampton, and Mainstreet will move ahead off of their success as well.

This is all good for Lakewood.

I thank the foxes, I also thank their incredible crews proving to all, how good Lakewood can be when we pitch in with whatever time and effort we have.

I dig this city, but not as much as the residents.

PEACE

tis the season.


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[Justine Cooper]

"
In the long run, good things happening anywhere in Lakewood is good for all Lakewood businesses. We need to address feelings of competition and instead stand on one another's shoulders. I look forward to talking with you about moving forward together.

Mary Anne

Mary Anne,
I have NO reason to compete. Besides the fact that it has never been in my blood to be a competitive person in life, I have no reason to compete for anything that helps the city that I live in, invested in, and love. I have only been here 8 years, but this is the longest I have ever lived anywhere in my life, and I have found myself compelled in an economy that is devastating cities everywhere economically and in the housing market, to reach inside and do whatever little part I can to keep this city alive and thriving. In my home, all I can do is keep fixing it up. In the city, I have reached out to local businesses on Madison because, for some reason, they have received no attention from any group in this city. I do this for one reason:

1. I have come to know the business owners and see firsthand how they put everything into that business. I want every business in Lakewood to succeed. If we woke up tomorrow and the small businesses were gone, Lakewood would not be Lakewood. If it takes a village to raise a child, it will take a village to save the village. We all do our part when we eat in Lakewood, buy that gift in Lakewood, stop in to say hello and welcome to new businesses, and support in any way the small businesses. I don't want to live here without them. And quite frankly, our property values depend on them more than what people know.

That being said, Mama first originated the Twelve Shops of Christmas a few years back. I actually got the idea from Vermillion's Twelve Shops of Christmas. It was their first event. The chamber did a similar event soon after and imitation is a form of flattery so it did not take away from Mama. Mama did the summer walk this summer and following that was Detroit walk. I thought that was great for Detroit. I eat and shop on Detroit too.

With this event, however, you asked "How can Madison Ave. become involved in Light UP Lakewood since it is a Detroit event?" I was thrilled to represent Madison Ave. and get them included in something. It was the first time they were asked. So I came to meetings and said "We will piggy back on Light Up Lakewood and do our Twelve Shops of Christmas contest and Holiday Hop". So yes, I was shocked to see almost the same thing going on the same day on Detroit, and yes, no mention of Madison Ave. in any of the seven full page articles on the event. I do not have a paid position in the city (nor want one). I do not own a business in the city. Therefore, this is not about me. This is about the businesses on Madison who worked to make this event possible, who work every day to provide the community with their business. I feel in the depth of my heart that they got cheated. And that saddens me beyond words. They deserve more.

I was thrilled that you were putting on a Lakewood downtown event for Christmas. I want that community for my children. There is not one reason Lakewood should not have that every year and the promotion that it got this year was wonderful and successful. You worked hard and did good for the community. But the inequity of the other half of Lakewood that is imperative to Lakewood's survival as a city is shocking and hurtful to many business owners there. There is nothing else I can say about that. It is what it is. And they will continue bonding together to help Lakewood thrive. With or without any real help or support from other groups or without any funds from the city.

This election was based on a few things, one of them being helping the small businesses. I anxiously await to see that happen. To see groups come together working with landlords to keep empty storefronts full of art, looking clean, attracting new businesses, etc. Something has to change. And in the meantime, Mama and other non-profit groups will continue to work together, free of competition, to better the whole community.

[Ruthie Koenigsmark]

I had such a wonderful weekend here in Lakewood! Both of my boys were among the Scouts involved in the Light Up Lakewood Festivities and the Holiday Hop, and then of course I organized the Sip Into the Holidays fundraiser at Local Girl in the evening. Again what a positive experience all the way around.

Many congratulations to both groups for their organizing efforts--I can certainly appreciate all the hours of hard work that when into the planning.

Mary Anne--your volunteers were so kind and professional to everyone--it took my breath away to see all the residents filling the streets for this event!

Justine--Amazing what you and your group put together--from Santa to Carolers to crafts for the kids to Art at both Wobblefoot and Pop Shop, and then of course all the store owners that hosted events. WOW!

I will say Justine that I understand your frustration about media coverage and how that can make all the difference in the world to the success of a well thought out and executed event. Perhaps we should host a discussion for anyone interested on making the most of your event in the City--there are a plethura of groups I am sure that have very limited resources and would find such a decision benefical, especially if we can find some good speakers...I will contact my friend at the Dept. of Commerce--if anyone else has ideas, please email me or share on this post : )

Congratulations to LakewoodAlive and MAMA your efforts were stellar.

Ruthie

[Justine Cooper]

Ruthie,
Thanks for the kind words for all. I too think this is the time for Lakewood to grow into what it could and should be. That in a time of a housing market decline, this will be the city where people want to go. Why? Because it is affordable, it is artsy and diverse, it is fun and REAL. Because there are enough people in the city that genuinely care about it and will transform it into the city we all want.

The Lakewood Observer, in my opinion, has been a catalyst for change in this city. They have supported EVERY SINGLE GROUP that has attempted to do good in this city. They gave FREE publicity and ads to every single group. They even paid for Santa for the Mama group as a gift. Without them, the city would not be moving in so many positive directions.

The LEAF organization put on the coolest events of the summer. I look forward to joining them next as I plan on going organic with my family and know the true value of that. Their last event this fall at the library had the best energy I have every felt at any Lakewood event. It reminded me what we are fighting for, as the children made crafts, ate healthy, and laughed.

The new schools are amazing as are the teachers and staff. I would not want to be anywhere else right now.

Last, your event Ruthie was awesome! You are a behind the scenes advocate for the Seniors in this city and I was proud to attend your event!