LO_11_25 Online and In Print - Happy Holidays

[Jim O'Bryan]

http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue ... sue_25.pdf

Lakewood Observer Volume 11, Issue 25 is out, making clear what we do better than any other issue. Within hours of the announcement of the Lakewood Hospital Agreement, we had the documents online and in print, reports from the council meeting, and opinions from residents there. We also have commentary by Lakewood resident, Brian Essi. I stress that today, because this is an act of love and respect from residents all over Lakewood, on all sides of the issues. Brian, and many others, have stepped up, whether you agree with them or not, it is a time of year to give thanks to all who stood up and let their voices be heard in the Lakewood Observer and on the Deck.

To my core staff, Editor In Chief for 6 years, and new mother Margaret Brinich, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Betsy Voinovich, Associate Editor-- as much as I hate being tested every issue-- I do appreciate you doing it, thank you for your support from day one. To Maggie Fraley and Troy Bratz, your efforts are the reason the LO continues its success. To all of the editors, you are so important to the process there are not enough words. To the photographers, especially Alex Belisle, thank you, your images make us all and Lakewood appear better.

Now, to the most important part of this entire project. To all who take part and whoever has taken part in the past, thank you. Together we define this project and this community. Lakewood has always been a city dedicated to education, the arts, and our ability to talk to each other. This project is the manifestation of that fact. Everyone in the city has a seat at the table, and thousands have stepped up, stood in line, grabbed the microphone, threw down their thoughts, images, illustrations, observations, comments, events, rumors, and facts, what I call "The Mosh Pit of Word Jazz," others call "the Observer." It is an act of love and respect for the community, I understand, and a tremendous show of courage, which I also understand. To stand in the light, grab the talking stick, and possibly not be accepted, approved, or agreed with can be frightening but it’s also exhilarating, as your words become part of a dialogue that makes a difference. Try it. We all have stories, knowledge, and information that needs to be shared with the entire community.

After 12 years online, and 11 in print, I hope we have proven to all of you that YOU HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE, THERE IS SPACE IN THE PAPER FOR YOU. We will not edit, we will not censor, we will not force our opinions or thoughts or biases onto what you say and post. But we might ask questions, we might ask for proof, and we might ask you to do it again, and again. It is only when people express themselves that we can understand them, and have a chance to see that there are many sides to a story and there is room to learn and grow. There might be a better way to do it. There might be a whole better way to understand all of this. Together, we build a community.

To the people who we could not exist without, the advertisers. To you I give my undying support. In what has been a very tough year on everyone, almost everyone stayed dedicated to this community project, and continued to support the most honest and unbiased project in the city of Lakewood. Advertisers support the right of Lakewood residents to be heard, residents show their appreciation with their continual support of local businesses, and our advertisers. It is a symbiotic relationship that has brought this community and the businesses and residents high dividends.

And finally, my wife, and the love of my life, Deb O'Bryan. She has been by my side for 30 years of marriage. But I have never seen her more determined or more dedicated to any of our businesses than she has been with the Lakewood Observer this year. She has grown in this project from the greatest woman I have ever known, to so much more than I could have ever dreamed when we first met. In 2016 we will get her more involved in writing, and I will become known as the moderate O'Bryan, which will be interesting as we almost agree half the time! Babe, I love you.

But to be honest, I love all of you, I love this city and what we have done together.

This holiday season, reach out to those not as fortunate. Support any group that helps those in need and spread the love.

2016 will be a year we all need to pull together... again.

PEACE LOVE

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[Alex Belisle]

Thank you, Jim for letting this newbie be a part of your vision. I hope to keep my vision refined through the critical lenses of my cameras.

[Michael Deneen]

Nice issue....thanks to all the editors, writers, and photographers that made it possible.

Chuck Greanoff's soccer article was especially nice.

[Gary Rice]

Congratulations to Jim and the Observer family, for a very successful year.

A difficult year for all of us, to be sure, with the uncertainty of the hospital situation generally, and for me personally, with the certainty of my father's passing, and so many other changes, as well. In such times, the extended Observer family, (like families should ) provides an atmosphere of comfort, challenges, and caring.

As we began to ponder that age-old end-of-year question as to whether old acquaintances should be forgot or not, I, for one, am very grateful for the many acquaintances that I've found in Lakewood, and of course, those whom I've met through the Observer.

You know who you are. Thanks.

Because....

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and whatever other holidays you might happen to celebrate.

Back to the banjo... (attached- Dad's and my photo from last Christmas)

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mike Deneen thank you for being her since the beginning and ...

Gary, greta picture of Dad! You and Bob came along not much after that.

What a long strange trip it has been, eh.



Thank you both.

I believe a party may be in order.

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[Gary Rice]

Yes Jim, it's so hard to believe that Dad had barely three weeks left to live when that photo was taken, but he wrote and played music, up to, and including his dying day.

Ah, yes...Band-on-the-road memories...

Have a few of those m'self, though thankfully, only a relative few...

The Grateful Dead often traveled, trailing a huge entourage of fans. Quite often, back in the day, the campground where we had our trailer became a temporary home for that entourage.

Memories...

Both Dad and I were professional musicians. Both of us however, long ago traded the road for the classroom, and both of us were glad that we did.

For so many of our musical friends, that road did not end well.

Let's hear it for all of those professional musicians still working out there to keep us entertained.

...and for those who are gone...Jerry, John, Jimi, Janis, Bob, and so many others...

For those wanting to see and hear a neat rendition of Auld Lang Syne, Mr. Bill Keith was an expert banjo player and an inventor of special banjo tuners that you could raise and lower pitches during a song. Bill too, recently passed away, but his performances can still be found on the 'net.

Back to the banjo...