The Observation Deck

Jay, thanks for the information. I had heard some information second or third hand and obviously misinterpreted it. Sorry about that. I will withhold anything that isn't my opinion or first hand information next time. Good to hear the real story!

Thanks!

Phil

dl meckes wrote:Phil-

Take the family to Ingenuity Fest this summer.

You gotta see this!

Absolutely! This is on the calendar already and I have a friend who is into this kind of thing coming up from Cincinnati to go with us as well. I was sad that I had to miss this event last year after hearing so much good stuff about it.

Jim, thanks for pointing out those other events! Sadly, cars don't interest me (skips a generation, I think, as my dad loved them) but I hope to visit the LO at the parade (weather and baby permitting).

Thanks!

Phil

Phil-

I am NOT a car person, but we've gone to the Kar Kulture events and had great fun. Granted, we didn't stay around as long as some might, but it was fun to see everything and everybody.

Jay

I got my information from a very well informed source, and the words I used to describe it were nearly word for word that were sent to me, late Monday afternoon. Let's just say, that the person is not a member of LakewoodAlive nor the LakewoodObserver.

If you would like to see the email, I would be happy to send it along.

I would also like to clarify, that the statement about tarnished image was not LakewoodAlive. I appreciate everything LakewoodAlive is doing to educate Lakewoodites about Economic Development. I also appreciate the time you have given me to explain not wanting to get involved with issues outside of education. As you might have noticed I have never missed a meeting and generally have glowing revues for all that take part.

LakeoodAlive has worked very hard to build their reputation, and I would have hated to see it tarnished had you been forced to read or answer questions that should have been answered by the Beck.

FWIW


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There is no reason for anyone to ever have to speculate, assume or guess about LakewoodAlive activity. Anyone may have "very good" sources, but there is only one source: LakewoodAlive officers. We are all listed on our webpage and we are all in the phone book. Please do not post or print information about LakewoodAlive activity without crosschecking with us directly....we will always be happy to provide accurate information.

Thanks.

Mary Anne Crampton wrote:There is no reason for anyone to ever have to speculate, assume or guess about LakewoodAlive activity. Anyone may have "very good" sources, but there is only one source: LakewoodAlive officers. We are all listed on our webpage and we are all in the phone book. Please do not post or print information about LakewoodAlive activity without crosschecking with us directly....we will always be happy to provide accurate information.

Thanks.

Mary Anne

It came from a very official source, in writing.

Just not a LakewoodAlive source. I have sent you the letter.

I stand by my post.

From LakewoodAlive's release:
Beck Center Update
John Farina, Director of Development at The Beck Center for the Arts, has agreed to address the audience and take questions following the Main Street forum on Wednesday night at Lakewood Hospital's Wasmer Auditorium.

We think it will be extremely valuable for Beck Center representatives to hear first hand about LCPI's exciting plans for Main Street, and similarly, it will be most valuable for our members to hear directly about issues under study at the Beck.

The other paragraph which appeared as an update to your news-release came to me from the Beck Center and has the first of the three paragraphs mentioned in the paper. The author asked me not to post it on this board. But was sent to me after I sent the Beck Center my article to read, comment, and suggest changes before it was printed. The letter author suggested 7, I think, and I made 4 of them

Jay Foran wrote:Jim, in your newspaper article regarding the Beck you indicated I would speak to the audience based on my conversation with Fred Unger. Where did you get this information? You never spoke with me or Mary Anne. I never indicated anything of the same to Mr. Unger or Mr. Walton. I was prepared to provide the summary above if anyone asked last evening....which no one did.(Bolded by Jim O'Bryan)

So while the Beck may object to the story it was read by them and approved for lack of a better word. The information on LakewoodAlive was in your news release. I think your objections might be better directed elsewhere.




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Jay, Mary Anne, Phil, Jim:

Let’s not permit a change - for whatever reason – in the Beck Center’s communication/media strategy to cast either Lakewood Alive or the Lakewood Observer into bungling light.

We must acknowledge that both LA and LO are essential volunteer platforms working very hard, in very different modes, in very fast moving times with agents from the Beck Center to obtain for Lakewood citizens a sense of the stakes and the truth. Under such conditions volunteers are likely to accept as credible representations from the Beck Center about the agents speaking at an event.

The Lakewood Observer is an open source platform that operates through a hermeneutics of trust. The active and timely the participation of all informed agents, as burdensome as that might seem, will yield the highest levels of knowledge and more veracious representations of truth about the city.

Partnerships and relationships in open source civic space present wild cards and create untested predicaments.

Here we stand together in one.

I stand as an advisor to both Lakewood Alive and the Lakewood Observer, with admiration, respect and trust for the people differently involved in each platform along the bumpy road to raising the affectual, human, intellectual and material capital in the city at a time of significant change.

It is clear to me that Jim’s intention was to move into print a late-breaking shift in the Beck Center speaker, based on information received from the Beck Center. It was a simple who/what/when/where matter supplied by the Beck Center.

Looking at this through Jim's eyes, I'd say time was of the essence; the margin for error and stakes seemingly were not great. Double checking with Lakewood Alive, while a sound recommendation on the face of things, was likely more than he could handle in time’s crunch. He took a risk, made a judgment call based on the information supplied by the Beck Center. It’s difficult to say, moreover, whether or not the communication loop was working fast enough from the Beck Center to Lakewood Alive to permit a timely double-check.

I can't fault his level of care under these conditions. Nor can I personnally assure the quality that comes from the double check.

Yet I understand the frustration of Jay and Mary Anne. There is no cause to question the integrity and performance of Lakewood Alive in this event. And to suggest that Lakewood Alive pulled the plug on the Beck Center shows us how message and spin and get out of hand.

The collective intelligence and self-correcting powers of the LO Observation Deck become more valuable in these instances of confusion. Burdensome too. But these are the obligation we must bear as civic agents in times like these. Ultimately, it is through these burdens and commitment to truth and graciousness along the bumpy road of civic discourse that Lakewood is distinguishing itself from other places.

Even if our burdens with Lakewood Alive and the Lakewood Observer we build the supra-brand for Lakewood.

Please bear one another’s burdens in hope and good humor.

Kenneth Warren

Kenneth Warren wrote:Yet I understand the frustration of Jay and Mary Anne. There is no cause to question the integrity and performance of Lakewood Alive in this event. And to suggest that Lakewood Alive pulled the plug on the Beck Center shows us how message and spin and get out of hand.Kenneth Warren

Ken

This is a misreading of some of my poorly written posts. Jay and I have talked. It was not LA's tarnished image, it was the Beck Center's. It was not LakewoodAlive stopping the presentation, it was the Beck Center back pedalling as fast as possible.

To me the silence from the Beck Center is deafening.


FWIW

Over reaction to Beck Center leaving the fair city of Lakewood, maybe, but then again since the city and it citizens subsidized skating, spot renovation consultants, high school sports, or the necessity of a liquor licenses for profitability, what is more important then art? That is the question. Lakewood had best decided as a community what is important to the City culturally. The lack of a good newspaper, not a social event planner, which strikes controversy and motivates the current stagnate political and community leadership groups into motion to determine, define and implement what the citizens of this City want.

I am most certain that I don’t know the answer, but when a city has sixty-eight or more bars within its city limits I’m not sure the citizens themselves know. Obviously in Lakewood the liquor license would increase attendance.

I am convinced that what ever is done will not be done with monies due to a school system that is over funded for the results they achieve year after year. It seems strange a school system would argue over performance test that requires a curriculum so students will learn the basics of education before they graduate.

Back on the subject: Beck Center leaving Lakewood, perhaps it best they move to a city were its citizens will be more supportive to it’s needs as a cultural center. Unless the community is evolved the City throwing money at a problem, a historical Lakewood remedy, will only render the same results as Lakewood School District, mediocrity.

Richard Baker wrote:Back on the subject: Beck Center leaving Lakewood, perhaps it best they move to a city were its citizens will be more supportive to it’s needs as a cultural center. Unless the community is evolved the City throwing money at a problem, a historical Lakewood remedy, will only render the same results as Lakewood School District, mediocrity.

Dick


Spoken like a true wash-a-shore.

You better be with us on the 4th.

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Jim,

Something about the forest and the trees I suppose. Love to join you Jim, but I will be evolved in a Corinthian sport, off the shores of Lakewood at the helm of "R" sailboat called “Lovely Ladyâ€Â￾.

Perhaps you can join us some Sunday, let me know.

Dick

Richard Baker wrote:Jim,

Something about the forest and the trees I suppose. Love to join you Jim, but I will be evolved in a Corinthian sport, off the shores of Lakewood at the helm of "R" sailboat called “Lovely Ladyâ€Â￾.

Perhaps you can join us some Sunday, let me know.

Dick

Dick

There are a couple of us Observers that would die to get on that "R" boat. That is so cool. Ron who used to own Wing's Hobby Shop had an "R" boat down at the yacht club. What is the history on this one?

The only thing I really miss from the 26th floor of my Gold Coast place is the sailboat races on Sunday morning. Send me a picture, or bring one to the bar, then call me and tell me which bar.

You will be missed.



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There are a lot of good thoughts here on he Beck Center and related questions, especially in Ken's realpolitik. Perhaps wen I've assimilated it all I can off er some idea also. In the meantime, one question that may be totally unrealistic and contrary-to-fact, but at least worth mentioning:

re the so-called Westwood Theater Building (it will always be the Hilliard Square in the memory and in my heart): With the rebuilding of the Harding-Madison School property, might it be possible to carve out a parking area there that could serve the theater, at least in the evenings? It would be a longer-than-usual walk to the theater, of course, but a shuttle-van or -bus might be used to transport the patrons.

Gordon Brumm wrote:re the so-called Westwood Theater Building (it will always be the Hilliard Square in the memory and in my heart): With the rebuilding of the Harding-Madison School property, might it be possible to carve out a parking area there that could serve the theater, at least in the evenings? It would be a longer-than-usual walk to the theater, of course, but a shuttle-van or -bus might be used to transport the patrons.

Gordon

I have known three groups that have shown an interest in the Westwood Art Theater. It all comes down to parking and unrealistic demands by the owner of the building. the last group I know of that wanted to bring it back, was the stereo guys that rented there. They got so frustrated they moved out and set-up shop next to Scents and Accents on Madison. At one point I had heard the city itself was looking to do something.

When I was in there last year there was a lot of water damage and a flat roof that needed fixing. I had some interest, as I have always wanted to find another theater to rehab after doing the Homestead 20+ years ago. unless we can tear down the Silver Coast, it will never be feasible. The Silver Coast was built on the Westwood's parking lot. Having spoken with everyone involved in this property I can honestly say the only way the Silver Coast will sell is through Eminent Domain. While ED on the Westend was pure abuse of power and ED laws, I am not so sure the Silver Coast would be. But ED is the third rail in Lakewood and rightfully so.

I think a better location would be McKinley School. A ton of room for theater, parking, and art galleries. The rooms could eaisly be turned into art lofts and studios to support the arts. The rooms in old Mckinley would be great for the money making classes that keep the Beck afloat. A small "art college" would really be kick ass for the area.

FWIW

I can't agree more about the McKinley thing. As I spend time exploring the West End with friends, I realize that this is probably the most promising area of Lakewood.

For all my skepticism about Mr Liston's lifestyle, this is one area where I ca n truly see being able to keep the car in the garage on weekends. I am seriously looking at finding a suitable place there.

There is already a good mx of not only "destination" places (ATC, 3 Birds) but also basic services.

Housing along Sloane is varied, in good condition, yet still affordable.

Plus (sorry bout this) Lakewood's west end can seamlessly segue into Rocky River's happening EAST end. A little prettification of the bridge, maybe even a shutttle service, and I can see a fabulous zone. An arts center at McKinley could serve nicely as the eastern anchor of that zone (with the new Beachcliff as the western anchor)

This way, Lakewood wouldn't only be relying on Lakewood to thrive. We could actually get a little help from our neighbors.

The only question, natch, is money. The schools can't be expected to just give McKinley away. As a typical Ohio district fighting to make ends meet, they may not even make much of a deal off fair market value, which could be several milliion easily.

If we can't find the money to renovate the Beck, where will money for McKinley?