The Observation Deck

Thank you, Ken, for the description of the meeting. It sounds like Thursday night was a special one in the community on many levels.

You wrote: "I had fun with the company in process. I think others did as well. These are the intangibles of community life and personal encounter that I love about Lakewood, which is the point you seemed to be getting at. My point about time was simply to be respectful of others in their efforts to manage a scarce resource, and to focus on primes."

Thank you again! This is exactly what I was getting at - it helps also to have the feedback from you to show that my point was being communicated in spite of the short comings of virtual discussion. And I understand your point as well - being respectful of others time management efforts!

Ellen Malonis wrote:...I see the Observation Deck as sort of a "virtual Third Place". A real bricks and mortar, flesh and blood place can be easily extrapolated from what goes on here.

Ken Warren wrote: "...time is a precious resource and that people need to feel that something actual and tangible will emerge from the effort".

Ken Warren wrote:With this meeting, the concert you mentioned, a hundred plus at the Christian Service event, and an incredible Lakewood Observer gathering at bella duby, with Kate Parker and David Boron getting to meet Stephen Calhoun, I'd say Thursday was quite a night for many of us in Lakewood.

Ellen

I agree that the Observer is Lakewood's virtual 3rd place, but it also is a very real 3rd place as proven last week at the Bela gathering. And I have to say that the experiment is working better than the advisory board could ever hope. After the library meeting many came to the Bela gathering. Still energized over the good night at the library. Highlighted as Ken points out with David Boron, That Kate Parker Gal, Todd Shapiro, Richard Barker, Calhoun, Schroeder, Butler, Carroll, Ed Favre, Bill Call and others who agree/disagree greatly on the board sharing a cup of joe or glass of beer and continuing the discussion about life, Lakewood, politics, and? Throughout the night much laughter could be heard, and I believe a good time was had by all.

After meeting in the virtual world, and showing respect, it then went to the kitchen tables of Bela and the Brand grew. It gave me much hope for the future of Lakewood.


.

Jim, very cool...I hope to make one of these gatherings soon!

Ellen--

I've posted my recap of the meeting in a new thread.

Thank you for your kind comments, and for reading more about third places. Your insight that the Deck is a virtual 3rd place is dead on.

One of the things that I love about spreading the vision about ParkPlace, is how people quickly adopt it and make it their own as you did, "I can envision the Chamber Choir or a Strings Ensemble performing at Our Gathering Place". I can also envision students performing at ParkPlace. In my mind, that is exactly what will make it special.

Thank you too for the reminder to enjoy the journey. I am often guilty of pushing through full speed with little regard for the process. I feel the process we've begun regarding ParkPlace is a healthy one that will reap good benefits for our community.