"Catching the Light in Lakewood"

Marguerite Harkness · Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:46 am

Alex, it's GOOD that you're getting good at mowing the lawn. Years ago we had a neighbor who was moving out, and a friend of hers came from NYC to help her move. He borrowed our electric-with-a-cord lawn mower, ran over the cord and cut it in half while mowing her lawn. Consider your accomplishments! And your flower pics are beautiful!
SPECIAL kudos for that great shot of The Lakewood Project, those kids were fabulous!
Marguerite

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:50 am

How interesting! I also cut the cord when mowing my church lawn years ago in NYC. LOL

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 7:01 am

Ever make a mistake that turned out for the good? I just remembered an instance at the 4th of July parade when I approached a group of young ladies holding tinsel pom-poms and I addressed them as LHS cheerleaders.

"We're NOT cheerleaders! We're Rangerettes!"

"Oops, I'm sorry. Let's get a nice group shot anyway."

And they obliged smilingly and here's the result:

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 8:12 am

7/10/15

My, oh my! What have I stepped into when I moved to Lakewood? After all the political chicanery I witnessed in NYC working for the paper, I thought I was moving into a bucolic little utopia. Boy, was I wrong! I decided that I was going to find out for myself what all the hullabaloo here in Lakewood was all about. So, I read the papers and read as much of the Observer Deck as I could, attended City Council meetings and spoke with various people on both sides of the issue including some with neutral/undecided opinions.

As a neutral "observer" only recently here for just 6 months, here are a few things I noticed:

1) there is a subtle undercurrent of racism here (more overt in NYC)
2) there is a relatively large "underclass" of impoverished citizens who ride the #26 bus and the rapid transit going both east and west (but this is the same way back in NYC)
3) there is a subtle atmosphere of elitism among people who are part of or associated with city government (also same as NYC)
4) there are many gracious, kind and friendly people here (much more personal here than in NYC, since as one of my friends told me, "You're in a real neighborhood now, Alex")
5) there seems to be 2 Lakewoods, more so along North/South lines and less in the east/west direction as the Wards are set up (but once again, Manhattan is where all the money is)
6) there is much easier access to everything here in Lakewood compared to NYC
7) there is a much friendlier BMV than the DMV in NY

there is a much lower cost of living here, especially with real estate but good paying jobs are harder to find
9) there is a rich and fecund classical music community here for such a small place
10) there is a wonderful art museum in Cleveland that's nearly on the par with the MET in NYC
11) there is a much more civil and friendlier law enforcement element here than NYC
12) there is a library here that is "nonpareil"! (look it up, LOL)
13) there is a significant sewage/drainage problem here
14) there is more noise from sirens and trains than in NYC (maybe because I'm at ground level now?)
15) there is nicer vegetation all around my new house but I had a better view from my terrace in NYC

More thoughts to come. I'm staying away from the hospital issue due to the present level of contentiousness.

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:16 pm

Did my 1st shoot of a concert on the front porch of the Lakewood Library - the series is put on by "Lakewood Alive". I had a blast! Afro-Cuban jazz and really nice, interesting, cool musicians who were very accommodating when I interacted with them.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... ch-concert

m buckley · Post by **m buckley** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:46 pm

Alex, I'm bummed I missed that. Nighttown often books Chuchito Valdes. Keep an eye out.

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 7:33 am

Here's some press guy trying to catch the light in Lakewood shooting some skateboarders on Detroit Ave. during Summer Meltdown put on by Lakewood Alive.

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 9:29 pm

7/13/15

Had a great experience making a young man and his family very happy at his letter of intent signing to play at a college in Kansas. Sie Doe Jr. played defensive end for LHS 2011 - 2012. After I met him and his friend at the 4th of July festivities at Lakewood Park with his friend J.J. Bennett, JJ asked if I would shoot the event and I answered in the affirmative.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... ing-at-lhs

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Tue Jul 14, 2015 7:57 pm

There's too much contentiousness in this beautiful little city.

I said in my comments to the City Council: "Please don't let people or institutions with money and/or influence write the script for the future of Lakewood."

I love this little city, my new home.

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Wed Jul 15, 2015 7:59 am

Do you like B & W's? (black and white) photos. I think they give a nice artistic flair to photos.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... lisle/b-ws

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 10:43 am

Ever wonder how Monet would see Lakewood? Maybe Summer Meltdown would look like this?

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 2:18 pm

7/17/15

Wow - Lakewood sure is a great place to live! I just made friends with Brian Pedaci who is the Operations Director for Cleveland Shakespeare Festival who has give me full access to their production of "Merchant of Venice" in Lakewood Park on July 25 at 7 p.m. More cool pics for the Observer!

Stan Austin · Post by **Stan Austin** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 2:56 pm

Alex--- here's a suggestion--- a lot of us theater neophytes are always dazzled by the final performance but really don't have a clue as to the , literally, behind the curtains preparations. Maybe you could help out while still knowing that the audience will still be dazzled!
Stan Austin

Alex Belisle · Post by **Alex Belisle** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 3:14 pm

Stan Austin wrote:Alex--- here's a suggestion--- a lot of us theater neophytes are always dazzled by the final performance but really don't have a clue as to the , literally, behind the curtains preparations. Maybe you could help out while still knowing that the audience will still be dazzled!
Stan Austin

Are you a mind reader? This is exactly what I hope to do in addition to performance photos. When I was in England last year at the Shakespeare Repertory Theatre I picked up this signed edition of "The Half" by Simon Annand ( http://www.simonannand.com/the-half/ )

Take a look at his photos!

Stan Austin · Post by **Stan Austin** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 3:31 pm

Alex-- great! sort of like I had in mind. I have a nephew who graduated from the Tisch School at NYU. Maybe some interviews like a pre game. Where's their head at? Are they psyched?
Like I said, don't want to take away from the mystery of the performance.
Stan

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