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All
Well it is time for Lakewood Observer Volume 07 Issue 16. Funny since starting this project now nearly
nine years ago I am starting to tell time by the Issue Numbers, and not the calendar. Issue 16 means we are on the backside of summer, and that we have just gone over the biggest party weekend Lakewood enjoys. The Lakewood Arts Festival Weekend, which also means Lakewood Hospital's Starry Night. And it lived up to all of the hype once again. Starry Night was fabulous, and I do not remember the Arts Festival as packed with visitors as it was this year. Good job to all that put this weekend on.
Of course in this issue we also got to cover the First Annual Lakewood Criterium, a new event to Lakewood and judging by the comments of everyone involved from the riders, to the organizing body, to the sponsors to the spectators, a real winner, and one we must make sure comes back year after year and grows. It is another Lakewood success story. Bike riders that are residents get an idea, search for the location, start to put it together with other like-minded Lakewoodites and non-Lakewoodites, and the ball is off and rolling. One year later BAM! We have a great event. Thanks to all that put this together and thank you to the City of Lakewood that was willing to take a chance on another event. To me this shows a healthy attitude at City Hall for allowing residents and businesses to put the fun in "Safe, Clean, Fun." And that is a good thing.
For me it was also the marking of other time. Having just finished launching a paper in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Cleveland, with many, many reasons a paper should never succeed, it has happened and is up and going. One of the reasons I mention it here, is when it was delivered to the Board of the Campus District, I heard disappointment from only one person. "I live in Lakewood, I wanted it to be just like the Lakewood Observer." It was pointed out that this was the very first issue and that Lakewood is deep into our 179th issue of producing a paper that was designed not for news, but to get the heart and soul of Lakewood into print and online. According to the professionals, we are kicking ass, and are already planning next year.
The other reason I mention the newest paper is in all my travels, I am always happy to get back to Lakewood. It does not matter if I am in Ohio or not. Lakewood is a wonderful place. While speaking with Ian Andrews, the new director of Lakewood Alive, I asked one of my favorite questions: "Lakewood's glass. Half empty, half full?" and he answered it exactly as I would. "Mostly full!" I think this year will continue to be interesting, but I really think 2012 will be another banner year for Lakewood, Lakewood residents, and Lakewood businesses.
Damn I love this city, and all of the people that make it Lakewood.
peace/love
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