A new optimism for Lakewood

[Jim O'Bryan]

Today I headed down to Caribou Coffee to meet with the Grulichs. Upon entering a strange place for me, (I am more of a Phoenix guy) I had the chance to speak with many people involved in all aspects of life here in Lakewood.

Nate Kelly, Ryan Patrick Demro, Ruthie Koenigsmark, Matty Markling, Betsey, Mary Louis Madigan, and others. Everyone was smiling, everyone happy 2008 was over and a new year beginning.

The optimism in the air was staggering, refreshing and almost addictive. There was so much going on and the openness was also refreshing. People jumping from table to table, conversation to conversation with no problems. It was as if, Lakewood had a large table with seats for everyone.

I hope we have turned the corner, and will move forward.

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[jennifer scott]

Matty?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Matty?

Sorry, that is what we call him at Lodge meetings.

Matt Markling.


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[Gary Rice]

Not at MY Lodge....

[sharon kinsella]

I want a lodge. A sweat lodge with raised beds.

Maybe we could put it in the old Giant Eagle building right next to the skating rink.

[Gary Rice]

In the Native American tradition, I do not seem to recall that sweat lodges come with bed and breakfasts.

Oh well, it's Lakewood.

Anything's possible, in fact even PROBABLE around here.

[Charlie Page]

Today I headed down to Caribou Coffee to meet with the Grulichs. Upon entering a strange place for me, (I am more of a Phoenix guy) I had the chance to speak with many people involved in all aspects of life here in Lakewood.

Nate Kelly, Ryan Patrick Demro, Ruthie Koenigsmark, Matty Markling, Betsey, Mary Louis Madigan, and others. Everyone was smiling, everyone happy 2008 was over and a new year beginning.

The optimism in the air was staggering, refreshing and almost addictive. There was so much going on and the openness was also refreshing. People jumping from table to table, conversation to conversation with no problems. It was as if, Lakewood had a large table with seats for everyone.

I hope we have turned the corner, and will move forward.

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I'm more of a Phoenix guy myself too.

Sounds like you walked in on one of those backroom meetings (a little sarcasm to start off the new year)

I don't want to pry into your conversations, but since you mentioned it, is there anything the people at the Deck table might be interested in hearing?

[Jim O'Bryan]

I don't want to pry into your conversations, but since you mentioned it, is there anything the people at the Deck table might be interested in hearing?

The short story.

Grulichs, gutter guards, she can post the link.
Nate Kelly and I have problems with shale in our gutters, so does her dad.

Matthew Markling - asked if I had heard anything from the board about applicants, I mentioned I was told the hold up was with one applicant, but later today.

Ruthie Koenigsmark - Seems like her exchange student from Germany likes Winterhurst nearly as much as her son. Who is alas growing up. Also interesting talk as a "famous sculptor" from the west coast has been cruising for something to do and stumbled on the Lakewood Is Art site, and has plans for a "major installation" that I would admit, will put Lakewood on the art map internationally, not just because of the piece and installation but for our rich art history. (probably said too much)

Ryan Patrick Demro/Mary Louise Madigan, Ryan is around for a week, and we promised to do lunch. Mary Louise Madigan, "who is young enough to be my granddaughter in West Virgina," mentioned in 2009, we should have lunch as well. To which Ryan pointed out, "do you really think it is that hard to get Jim to a lunch?" She also asked about a field trip, which is much harder to schedule. After the bullet holes in Steve Davis' car...(not in Lakewood)!

Ellen was working on hospital stuff, Betsey was reading the paper, drinking water, and waiting for her husband(?) The micro Marklings went by with mom.

Albanians deep in dominoes.

That would be about it.

Charlie, meetings in public places, are not by nature clandestine or secretive. It is only when someone tries so hard to change the subject, deny or ignore, that they take on secretive, clandestine, almost Dr. Evil tones. Hence, the fear and cynicism from residents and readers.

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PS- Sorry Ruthie, but this has the potential to be bigger than the Schrekingost, this is BIG stuff. Congratulations for LIA!!!! Hope the city is ready for a real art installation!




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[Charlie Page]

Did you see my little note of sarcasm?

The LIA news is good to hear.

Sorry to hear about your shale problems. In addition to gutter guards, you might want to inspect the roof and have the broken ones replaced.

[Jim O'Bryan]

The LIA news is good to hear.

Sorry to hear about your shale problems. In addition to gutter guards, you might want to inspect the roof and have the broken ones replaced.

Charlie

The shale is from the cliff not the roof! While many including the old mayor/state rep Madeline Cain thought the erosion on the cliff was water, it is actually wind.

With no real foliage or ground cover by our homes, the wind puts about ten pounds a shale each winter/summer in our gutters. On a windy day it sounds like hail on the house.

As for Lakewood Is Art, it is great news, but it is also great news that LIA and the good work of many is being tracked all over this country.

Now we shall see what develops. I'll never forget at BP America, they paid for the Oldenberg Free Stamp, only to throw it in a warehouse for years. Finally after two lawsuits the artist won, the city ended up with the stamp. It was to sit in front of the building on a "brick stamp pad." and you would have never been able to read FREE. where it sits now was designed to make it look like it had been thrown away by BP and landed in Freedom Park. Which in fact it was after Oldernberg had been paid twice for it.

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