The Observation Deck

Accepting an award on behalf of all Observers from Cornucopis/Natures Bin, for
"Distinguished Media Award for recognition of The Lakewood Observer's commitment to
providing a voice for organizations in the City of Lakewood and for the positive impact that
it has had on Cornucopia & Nature's Bin." From left to right; President, Board of Trustees,
Cornucopia, Debra O'Bryan, CEO/President Lakewood Observer, Inc. Jim O'Bryan, Publisher.
Photo by Thomas Mulready, Cool Cleveland, http://coolcleveland.com


Thank you Nature's Bin & Cornucopia Inc. From All Of Us

This afternoon I had the pleasure of accepting a "Distinguished Media Award" for recognition of The Lakewood Observer's commitment to providing a voice for organizations in the City of Lakewood and for the positive impact that it has had on Cornucopia & Nature's Bin. On behalf of every member of the Lakewood Observer family from a lurker like me,who prefers to stay behind the scenes, to our advertisers, partners, our hard working editor in chief Margaret Brinich, sales manager Maggie Fraley, our delivery crew and all of the volunteer editors, writers, illustrators, photographers and most of all our readers. This is your award because it never would have been possible without all of you.

When we started the Lakewood Observer with close friends over 8 years ago, I never thought it would grow and help so many people and non-profits as it has. To date the Lakewood Observer has in one avenue or another gotten over 10,000 people to take an active part in the simple idea of letting people, non-profits, businesses schools and city hall have a voice they can count on. Not controlled by outside bias, but but the love and pride one has in their community.

To be included in Cornucopia's annual meeting with such recognition, humbles me. I am honored to be part of such a terrific, positive project that helps so many. Thank you Scott, Bob, Mary, Josie and all the new friends I made today. Continued success in all you do.

Debra O'Bryan
CEO, President, Lakewood Observer, Inc.

Love the Bin!

Good job Deb.

Deb-- thanks for so eloquently expressing and explaining our "labors" in the setting of what is quintessentially the spirit of Lakewood and the Lakewood Observer project---The Bin.
Stan

Very proud of Deb, the city of Lakewood, Nature's Bin and the people they service.

First I want to speak of Nature's Bin/Cornucopia. This is what Lakewood business is all
about, in so many ways. I don't shop there, Deb does. But it has still reached out and
touched my life, and made the city and neighborhood better in more ways than I can count.

I met Deb, my wife next to the Bin on Madison Avenue, 30 years ago. She would be
sitting with one or two of the workers with special skills, and she would say, talking to
them, feeding them, making friends with many. When people hear Nature's Bin, they
think healthy food, but it is so much more. Many of the people that come to them with
special talents, end up going on o have wonderful lives productive lives with the skills they
learned through their time at Nature's Bin.

They are the original, "healthy food store" in Lakewood, you know "organic food."
Way before Doc Hebens! It was announced today the launch of a new capital program for
expansion to enlarge their prepared food side of the business. This means that Lakewood
has another business that is more than happy to put down roots and grow as much as
the neighborhood and community will let them.

Which reminds me, that while the choices for good organic food has grown, and the large
national, and multi-national "healthy food" stores are popping everywhere. Remember
the people that are local, and do it for much more than a bottom line, or a imaginary cool
point. Shop local, shop Natures Bin/LEAF.

Back on subject.

I want to make sure we mention Steve Davis, and Kenneth Warren founders
and still involved though Ken from afar.

Heidi Hilty, DL Meckes, Jeff Endress, from the very first days

Added to the board, Debra O'Bryan, Steve Ott, Dan Ott, Vince Frantz, Lauren Fine,
then Margaret Brinich, Betsy Voinovich

Editorial Board - Thealexa Becker, Nicole Boose, Vincent O’Keefe, Heather Ramsey,
Casey Ryan, Betsy Voinovich, Kenneth Warren, Daniel Slife

Webmasters - Jim DeVito, Dan Ott

And all of the writers, photographers, illustrators and volunteers that have made this
their project and their gift to the city of Lakewood.

Together, we are making a difference.

.