http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue_pdfs/Observer_Vol_10_Issue_13.pdf
All
Just finished our 2260th issue, hard to believe that 9 years ago, on July 4th, we launched the print version of this project. So many memories, so many stories, so many great conversations.
I suppose the best aspect of the Observer project is what has come through from the Observations made by this community, as we came together to express ourselves on the Observation Deck, in the newspaper, on the editorial and advisory boards-- the collective weight of our words, comments, ideas, visions, historical references, humanity, soul, anger, love, passion, deep thought, deep beauty and respect for the community we all love.
So many people think of the Lakewood Observer as just a "newspaper" or that crazy "Observation Deck," but the fact is that the project is so much more. Ten years down the road, with other projects successfully up and running in other communities richer and poorer than Lakewood, we can see that this project is best when used over decades, as we can now go back through our records for a deeper look at the history of the health of this community.
One of the problems in the past (and even more now) was that so many media outlets came and went. Even the mighty Plain Dealer has gone through massive records purges and image dumps. Other media has come and gone.
Ten years ago we thought that the only way for a community to keep track of itself was for the community to maintain the narrative and the history themselves--ourselves. And through all of these documents we can better assess not just the health of this community, but the levels and abilities of City Hall, the schools, the libraries, the non-profits and our neighborhoods.
While it has been a great ten years, the next ten will be even better. Enough of that for now, next issue is celebrating ten years!
This issue celebrates FOOD, and dining in Lakewood.
Like we hope you do with food, drink and dining in Lakewood, please enjoy it.
Damn I love this community!
(edited by Jim O'Bryan, after Mike Deneen's comments)
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