Beer Engine Sneak Peak

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:46 am

Jim
I would like to think that community response did have an impact, but before they opened the owner and manager did say they had already decided to change the sign to reflect their warm and inviting place. Of course some of the comments that went beyond the sign were hurtful to them, but they have a big following from other areas that will also help Lakewood's economy so hopefully only good reviews now. Now if we can get an art and beer hop going like Tremont by May once a month, that would be ideal. Since they are not all in walking distance like Tremont, is there any way to organize some transport to take people all around to participating galleries and artsy pubs and coffee shops?

As for the food, they do have some other menu items that are not burgers AND for the vegetarians, you can substitute for a veggie burger! I will say they are a bit higher than other burgers ($9), but I am guessing that is because of what is on it. I am not a beer drinker but tasting different beers with peach and orange flavors may have changed my mind.

And, they will have a small patio in the spring.

Disclaimer: I sold no ads, anything I say is just an opinion.

dl meckes · Post by **dl meckes** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:04 am

We've got the domain name for the artwalk waiting!

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:08 am

ooh can we get a bus going too??? safe driving. If the city can't do that, what about a private little bus. I would think people would pay a few bucks to be taken around to those places, like a circulating airport mini-bus?

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:15 pm

Justine Cooper wrote:Jim
I would like to think that community response did have an impact, but before they opened the owner and manager did say they had already decided to change the sign to reflect their warm and inviting place.

Justine

Thanks for the correction.

I merely spoke with the father, not the owner. It would seem that your table had the inside track on much of this as you were talking with the owner.

In the end, let's leave it at, they are good members of this community, and we are thankful they have decided to invest in the city they live in.

.

dl meckes · Post by **dl meckes** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:32 pm

Justine Cooper wrote:ooh can we get a bus going too??? safe driving. If the city can't do that, what about a private little bus. I would think people would pay a few bucks to be taken around to those places, like a circulating airport mini-bus?

I think we have enough to visit in Lakewood that the artwalk could highlight different parts of the city.

At one point, we had a number of places in the West End, including bars, who were willing to hang art and participate in an artwalk.

I've participated in the ArtSpace/Cleveland tour (trolly), Sparx in the City (self directed) and the Tremont ArtWalt (self directed). ArtSpace goes to some pretty far-flung live/work studios, to transportation is necessary, but it's JMO that we could do a different section of Lakewood each month, save gas & use our feet. That way, if we want to spend a lot of time at the Beer Engine, for instance, we could.

Nobody gets left behind or has to hurry.

What we need is someone to step up and take on the organization. The bars/galleries/businesses need to know when people would be coming, who would provide, hang and remove art, whether they need to have special food, etc.

Since I don't have the time to do it myself, however, I certainly wouldn't stop somebody else's ideas about transportation or organization or whatever!

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:39 pm

Well you may have to start another thread. But until then, are you STRICTLY for an Art Walk, or would you consider supporting it as art as the focus but making it all about the cool, unique, and one of a kind places (read-not corporate) in Lakewood?

While everyone wonders how to attract more businesses in Lakewood, I think the answer could be as simple as getting something together to bring Lakewoodites out of their homes at least one night a month and to stay in this community AND to bring in groups from other communities. I look in the Friday magazine and other places regularly to see what is going on. I don't go out much because I don't see a lot that interests me more than a good book. However, if I saw areas that had some kind of hookup to many cool businesses that are open late and I knew others would be beebopping around (so of course I would feel safer) then I would put my book down. Yes I would walk too. But since we have businesses on both ends of Lakewood, I vote for some trolly or something. I could venture to guess that other people thinking about opening a new business would consider Lakewood for the affordable rent and for the people it brought in for such a regular event and what could spring from it.

It doesn't have to be all about art, in my opinion. It can be about a group of ladies where one wants to come get a tarot card reading, one wants to hit the cool new vintage shop, one might want beer, one coffee and some wi-fi, and one may want art. So they hit them all and everyone is happy. And it wakes up the city a little. And we keep businesses open here. And money in the city. Then they tell two friends, and they tell two friends...And hubby can sit drinking beer while his wife shops a little...I vote for a board starting with business owners. I am sure JOB would give his LO support....

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:49 pm

Justine Cooper wrote:I am sure JOB would give his LO support....

Justine

You know me and it would seem you understand this project better than most.

Let's rock.

The Observer project was design to put a little umph behind ideas and movements. The Observer has been looking for other things to sponsor and work with. The Car show, concerts in the park, Library Gala, Starry Night, Arts Fest, now this.

If profits go to charity, the Lakewood Library Art Foundation, Cinderella's Closest or LakewoodCares let me know what you need from us.

peace/...

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:52 pm

I've gone to the Tremont Art Walk a couple of times, and both times I wondered, why don't we have something like that in Lakewood? We have plenty of artists here, and plenty of art to go around.

Like Justine said, it doesn't have to be just art, either.

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:37 pm

You are right, while many of us love art, some don't, and some love looking but not buying! We have too many one of a kind places here and this could help keep the businesses alive and keep some money in the city and bring new business owners here.

If they are bee bopping around they could go grab a wrap from La Pita or coffee from Bela. Maybe one of the umpeenth karate studios would offer a free demonstration or a free class to someone who brings their child to drop off while they go shop. When I go to Tremont, I always hit the second hand shop, it is not just about art for me. And for many. The possibilities are endless and I am sure we could have a half dozen businesses signed up by tomorrow.

As for profits, Jim, the profits would all go into Lakewood.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:42 pm

I'm all for it. Count me in for whenever or whomever starts the discussion!

DougHuntingdon · Post by **DougHuntingdon** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:46 pm

I see one of the karate studios on Detroit has closed...perhaps a business opportunity for someone out there who wants to reopen one in the same spot.

If Lakewood has an art walk, I hope it is in July or at least August. Any other time of the year could be too cold for most people (not me).

Doug

dl meckes · Post by **dl meckes** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:50 pm

I think there's room for both kinds of walks. Or perhaps they should be combined. Sounds like fun to cover a 3-5 block area on Detroit or Madison.

We need an organizer.

I'm sitting on artwalklakewood.com and lakewoodartwalk.com.

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:09 pm

I think monthly from spring to fall. i am guessing a business owner may want to be in charge? i can talk to some. some are dying to work with other businesses. retail can be hard, especially with no parking and bad weather. i think a mix of different businesses can bring in a lot of people. add some live music to a couple places and you may never want to leave the island (oops I mean Lakewood).

Kenneth Warren · Post by **Kenneth Warren** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:03 pm

In considering all the artists, musicians and performers working out of their home/studios in Lakewood, the city of homes, it might make sense to create different kinds of art/culture neighborhood walks that can veer into the indie commericial areas Justine mentioned.

Feature an all-inclusive call (consider scanning MySpace pages for leads) for indie artists and musicians working out of their homes and organize a series of evenings of hospitality performances in certain neighborhoods, with perhaps walkers bringing some small tokens for free-will offerings.

Kenneth Warren

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:06 pm

Just a musing of personal opinion.

Ken is right! Let's support our Lakewood arts!

It is in my humble opinion, that we have not always been very kind to poets, artists, and musicians in this country.

Or perhaps we have been...at least to some of them.

We build these great centers for the "Arts". We collect thousands of dollars. We.........

At some point a child picks up a paintbrush, a violin, a scrap of paper and pencil, a camera...
and creates....

Usually, in school, if these children can fit these avocations into already log-jammed academic days, they persevere; and achieve a measure of success and recognition.

After school, the real fun starts. The artists realize that people who will pay for their services may often be few, and far between.

Sure, the roadhouses, coffee shops and small galleries beckon, and are often seen as an entryway towards recognition- under the hot lights.

And they can be..

Sometimes, success can be achieved, and compromises with the commercial world achieved.

And sometimes, not.

In the commercial world, the artist might receive but a part...some would say perhaps, an infinitesimal part, of the benefits of their own labors, in exchange for... material wealth? Perhaps some. Recognition? Perhaps some.

Except at the end, the artist leaves the world as he or she came in anyway; caskets not having luggage racks.

Therein lies the dilemma.

Stay obscure, yet independent?

Or be famously recognized; yet perhaps in some way, commercialized.

Let's hear it for the inspired, but often unrecognized talents of the world!

A Haiku: (by me)

Dreams

For money,
Do the dreams
Of artists...die?

Or, in virtual Iambic Pentameter: (again by me)

Honor

Still life, amid the distant, sleeping shore,
Lakewood casts its spell forevermore.
And in the casting, Truth would seem to tell,
For Poets, now and ever, all is well!
And recognition, fleeting on the breeze,
Compares to what? Bare mention, if you please.
Until one day, all honor heaps upon the Poets' heads,
Which, all too often, finds the Poets dead.

I guess I'm supposed to add- for both selections; copyright 2007 Gary R. Rice all rights reserved

Let's give due credit to Lakewood's poets, musicians, artists, photographers, philosophers and dreamers, while they are still alive and well! They add so much to the Pulse of our City.