The Observation Deck

Thanks but in all honesty I was one of a handful that made that walk happen. It really happened because of LIA and Ruth and Barbara. The real gold in Lakewood is the business owners. They sacrifice so much, many working other jobs to be able to keep their doors open during rough times. Some gave up big income to do this, provide this for the community. When I get to interview them for a story I know why I take the time, it is what they offer to this community that so important. And if people knew how much they all gave back, whether it be a free meal at diner to someone destitute, or donations to charity, they would be amazed. It is always the ones who have the least that seem to give the most.

The gold is the business owner like Tubal at Wobblefoot. Most of his business comes from outside of Lakewood yet he opened his doors for three art walk meetings, providing refreshments for all the people and the warmest heart you will ever find. His daughter who works for the Mission joined in and to see her with her purple hair sitting next to her conservative dad you would not think they were related, until you see her warmth and beauty shine and jump in to join her dad and others in this art walk. We need the diversity in these businesses to make Lakewood attract all types of people, so even if you don't wear Mission style clothing, they are an asset here. Jill from Bela took time from her business and two kids to organize all the bands that night. Christina from Omega took flyers out to businesses outside of Lakewood in between her two businesses. Pop shop designed flyers and LO printed them all and ran huge ads for free. Ballon Production on Madison and Waterbury gave us balloons at cost and let us prep them at their storefront which they no longer use. And many businesses showed up for late meetings, tired, but willing to work together to do what they can for this city. That is the gold and I am glad to be one of the gold diggers. Helping with the art walk was more fun than work because I love the businesses and love art and yes bought art with my last dollar that night! This is not about one art walk. This is about many people coming together to make positive changes in this city. Ruth does much more than that in this community and I would love to see people like her in places like the chamber to be honest. She helped organize the senior dinner to make money for the Seniors here! There are churches that host overnight homeless families behind the scenes, with people volunteering to stay there all night to help! There is so much going on that is good, that coming together to make it work better should be only steps away. But in this political race we forget that it will never fall on one mayor, whether it be Mayor George or Mayor Fitzgerald.

Justine

I agree with some of this and disagree with other parts.

You did more than you let on.


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A lot of this has to do with getting more individuals to take personal responsibility.

Instead of expecting everyone else to take care of crime, people are joining block watches. Litter? Tell people that you see throwing trash around to pick it up. If no one else is around pick it up yourself. Patronize local businesses. Call police if you see something questionable going on. Talk to your neighbors. Become an active part of the community. Heaven knows there is a lot going on in Lakewood to become a part of.

If you don't believe what people are saying, find out the truth, do a little research. If you can type on a computer you can find out a lot. If you can dial a phone, you can find out the rest. Actually, if you talk to people in the stores, on the street, in the park and your neighborhood you can figure out what else needs to be done and do it.

Follow the example of the people you see creating positive change and follow their example.

Get off the couch and do something!

For all of you who do so much, thank you!

In regard to Ken's post about the unruly teens making a mess on Detroit and Lincoln, I'd like to emphasize that the point that should be taken from this is that Ken got involved and maybe had some impact on these kids, as opposed to focusing on the kids and throwing up the hands and thinking all kids are punks.

I'll give two of my recent experiences with "punk" kids:

In Record Exchange, young man standing next to me talks to his peeps about his weekend adventures. Every sentence has the F-bomb used as an adjective.

After a few minutes of this, I turned to the young man and asked if he knew any descriptive words other than F******? He was speechless for a second, then sheepishly apologized for what he had said. He was embarrassed and genuinely sorry.

The two notable things about this encounter were that the youth had obviously been brought up well enough to know that he had not behaved properly in public and to be remorseful. Second, I realized that these kids use that word quite differently than we did years ago. They use it in normal speech, as an adjective, and not in the angry, aggressive way that we used it in the past. It so ubiquitous that I think the kids don't even realize its being used.

Was he a "punk?" A casual listener would have a different opinion than I did after engaging him.

My second experience was sitting in the parking lot waiting for my child to order Chipolte. Next to me was a large SUV filled with young people that I'm quite sure would be called "thugs" by the older generation. I watched as the girl threw her Burger King bag of trash right out the passenger door window! I stared at the car, deciding what and how to say that I was appalled. I met the eye of the big white shirt wearing car driver and looked aghast at the car and then down to the ground. He knew instantly what I was thinking and immediately said to the girl, "Hey, pick up that bag you threw out." She looked completely shocked and said no. He told her again to pick up her trash and she reluctantly opened the door and retrieved the trash off the ground. I don't think she was too happy about it, but I was.



Again, to the casual observer, a bunch of "punk" kids were behaving badly. However, when approached, they complied with my request and seemed genuinely aware that what happened was wrong.

Kids just don't have it all together. It doesn't mean we should write them off. We stereotype them by their clothes and demeanor and treat them like they are lesser beings.

sharon kinsella wrote:A lot of this has to do with getting more individuals to take personal responsibility.

Instead of expecting everyone else to take care of crime, people are joining block watches. Litter? Tell people that you see throwing trash around to pick it up. If no one else is around pick it up yourself. Patronize local businesses. Call police if you see something questionable going on. Talk to your neighbors. Become an active part of the community. Heaven knows there is a lot going on in Lakewood to become a part of.

If you don't believe what people are saying, find out the truth, do a little research. If you can type on a computer you can find out a lot. If you can dial a phone, you can find out the rest. Actually, if you talk to people in the stores, on the street, in the park and your neighborhood you can figure out what else needs to be done and do it.

Follow the example of the people you see creating positive change and follow their example.

Get off the couch and do something!

For all of you who do so much, thank you!

Sharon


It is that simple.

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Grace O'Malley wrote:


Kids just don't have it all together. It doesn't mean we should write them off. We stereotype them by their clothes and demeanor and treat them like they are lesser beings.

Some of that is because some adults don't have it all together Look at the role models and songs with all cuss words in it!! I cringe when my teen starts listening to one or sing one! He thinks it is OK until cringe and make him stop. The truth is I swore as a teen because I thought it made me sound tougher, or it would let out some of that teen anger. I never realized how stupid I sounded (and still do sometimes). If an adult would have said something to me, and said it in a way like you did, it would have made me think too and be embarrassed. Same with girls that dress promiscuous, they won't hear you if you tell them they look like trash, but will hear you if you tell them they don't need to dress like that to attract attention and then point out good things about them. Anyone that says role models in the media have not changed, plummeted to the toilet, is wrong. It is gross what some of the teen idols do for attention. I agree with your post Grace, many of these children just need more direction and some don't have any at home so our voice might matter. If done with respect and without judgment.

I'd like to suggest that Grace gives parenting classes to teach "the look". It's been my experience that it says more than any words and there's no arguing it once it's locked in.

By the time my dad had "the look" it was all over, there was nowhere to run or hide

Justine Cooper wrote:By the time my dad had "the look" it was all over, there was nowhere to run or hide

My grandma definitely has the look...it's scary still to this day.

I tried to give that look last night to my five year old who wouldn't quit jumping on the bed and go to bed and even said through gritted teeth some threat with the look and my husband started cracking up so I guess I don't have it down yet. My dad can still make me stop and obey with his look