The Observation Deck

According to the website Detroit Avenue Chow Line, Lakewood is about to cash in on
the Cool Organic Brand Lakewood has become known for. In an empty lot it is rumored
a new restaurant is headed to bring more fabulous food to the DowntowN area, with the
help of Planning/Development and City Hall.

Is this the new home of...


Photo used with permission of the Detroit Avenue Chow Line.

Bob Evans is rumored to be closing a deal on this parcel.

Now how exciting is that!

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This is crazy, but the Detroit Avenue Chow Line Facebook page posted this same news at almost the exact same time. What a coincidence!

Valerie Molinski wrote:This is crazy, but the Detroit Avenue Chow Line Facebook page posted this same news at almost the exact same time. What a coincidence!

Valerie

It is not crazy, we have had a sharing relationship with Detroit Avenue Chow Line since they
went live. They often use our stories, and credit us, and link to us, and we to them, giving
them credit. This is far more legal and respectful than other sites that just copy or
plagiarize our community info for their paycheck and bottom line.

Did you get on the others when one blogger posted "Dog Mauling Ends Spooky Pooch Parade"
which was instantly picked up by a hyper local media source owned by AOL , in
seconds and pushed out to national media? I think not. Talk about brand builders who
care about the community!

But of course I get spanked the others commended.

PS- We are in negotiations to acquire Detroit Avenue Chow Line. Though we have been
sidelined as we have started one new county wide paper, and have 3 more communities
papers starting. Extremely busy here!

.

all I can say is "pot roast hash"

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Valerie Molinski wrote:This is crazy, but the Detroit Avenue Chow Line Facebook page posted this same news at almost the exact same time. What a coincidence!

Valerie

It is not crazy, we have had a sharing relationship with Detroit Avenue Chow Line since they
went live. They often use our stories, and credit us, and link to us, and we to them, giving
them credit. This is far more legal and respectful than other sites that just copy or
plagiarize our community info for their paycheck and bottom line.

Did you get on the others when on blogger posted "Dog Mauling Ends Spooky Pooch Parade"
which was instantly picked up by a hyper local media source owned by AOL , in
seconds and pushed out to national media? I think not.

But of course I get spanked the others commended.

PS- We are in negotiations to acquire Detroit Avenue Chow Line. Though we have been
sidelined as we have started one new county wide paper, and have 3 more communities
papers starting. Extremely busy here!

.

I'm just really having a hard time believing that they are a separate entity. I am just not buying that the people/person behind DACL is someone other than JOB. I may be wrong, but I don't think I am. Not 'spanking' anyone here... just pointing out the obvious.

Valerie Molinski wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Valerie Molinski wrote:This is crazy, but the Detroit Avenue Chow Line Facebook page posted this same news at almost the exact same time. What a coincidence!

Valerie

It is not crazy, we have had a sharing relationship with Detroit Avenue Chow Line since they
went live. They often use our stories, and credit us, and link to us, and we to them, giving
them credit. This is far more legal and respectful than other sites that just copy or
plagiarize our community info for their paycheck and bottom line.

Did you get on the others when on blogger posted "Dog Mauling Ends Spooky Pooch Parade"
which was instantly picked up by a hyper local media source owned by AOL , in
seconds and pushed out to national media? I think not.

But of course I get spanked the others commended.

PS- We are in negotiations to acquire Detroit Avenue Chow Line. Though we have been
sidelined as we have started one new county wide paper, and have 3 more communities
papers starting. Extremely busy here!

.

I'm just really having a hard time believing that they are a separate entity. I am just not buying that the people/person behind DACL is someone other than JOB. I may be wrong, but I don't think I am. Not 'spanking' anyone here... just pointing out the obvious.

Val

Had you followed this, you would know that Nadhal Eadeh was the brainchild of the
Detroit Avenue Chow Line. And he referenced it often, even in posts on the LOBC which
he was also part of. Nadhal recently took a job in Washington DC, and as such the DACL
had fallen off the map.

In an effort to keep his project going until he returns, we are negotiating to take it over,
assume some of the debt, and build it back up. Not that Nadhal was negligent, far from it.
He hated moving to Washington DC, but the money was good and he is a political junkie.

Nadhal will resurface as LO's Washington contact for senate, and congress and has been
busy meeting with our representatives.

But why let facts get in the way of a good rant.

Right?

.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Val

Had you followed this, you would know that Nadhal Eadeh was the brainchild of the
Detroit Avenue Chow Line. And he referenced it often, even in posts on the LOBC which
he was also part of. Nadhal recently took a job in Washington DC, and as such the DACL
had fallen off the map.

In an effort to keep his project going until he returns, we are negotiating to take it over,
assume some of the debt, and build it back up. Not that Nadhal was negligent, far from it.
He hated moving to Washington DC, but the money was good and he is a political junkie.

Nadhal will resurface as LO's Washington contact for senate, and congress and has been
busy meeting with our representatives.

But why let facts get in the way of a good rant.

Right?

.

Not ranting at all, Jim. I guess it is quite amazing that he heard about the Bob Evans and updated the page from DC in such a timely fashion and then it appeared here moments later.

You seem to be stepping around the obvious here... that you are the one publishing to the page now, and perhaps, before now. That's all I am saying. I'd just like a little honesty instead of the "this isn't me!" schtick. It's like when the Bush administration people kept quoting each other as proof of WMDs or something....

I like chain restaurants because they have pictures on the menus.

I talk to or correspond with Nadhal via email nearly everyday and he is very well aware of all-things-Lakewood. He loves this city ... and he cares deeply about its well-being, especially Lakewood's youth. His passion and drive led me to get involved with Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee. He and I have spent countless hours on the Kauffman Park courts talking about exercise, good nutrition, and the future we pave for kids in Lakewood. I assure you, Nadhal keeps his finger on the pulse of Our City from all those miles away. Can't wait until he comes "home."

Val

I would think that the Detroit Avenue Chow Line has many volunteers. The Observer has had
thousands of writers and volunteers. Which is one of the things that separate us from the other
singular bloggers publishing news as "big nameless corporations representing the city."

At the same time I am very proud of the fact that we that is the Observers started and assisted
many of the great organizations in Lakewood. LEAF, Bike Lakewood, MAMA, Uptown, and yes we
have helped with the Detroit Avenue Chow Line with both support and stories. But to claim to be
the publisher or owner, or even manager of these many great groups would make me an
egomaniac of even larger proportions than some accuse me of being.

Again I find it amusing that you are so set on this, as opposed to the other "nameless" media
websites in town that actual do work for and are controlled by the two bloggers acting like groups.

I have RSS feed, and a working/sharing relationship with DACL. We respect each others
intellectual property, and coverage. Again compare this to others that basically sit on the
Observer while sitting at a coffee shop ready to rewrite whatever is posted instantly on their site
as "news they dug up." I have a hilarious letter from one, promising they would show me what
plagiarism is over this coming year, while the other laughs in a letter to me about using 23
names on different sites to attack the city and the LO.

For the record, I see the Lakewood Observer as the voice of the community, not Jim O'Bryan so
what they are admitting to is stealing from the city and the residents who have taken the time
to share ideas and stories.

But again, I am the bad boy, lets look deeper into the Detroit Avenue Chow Line forget the others.
Why I am wrong for respecting the work and intellectual property of others? When you question
all equally you will be more believable in you interest of the DACL and LO.

PS - in every other site in Lakewood this thread would have been edited, killed and buried.
Here at the LO I see it as a legitimate conversation between Lakewoodites.

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Peter Grossetti wrote:I talk to or correspond with Nadhal via email nearly everyday and he is very well aware of all-things-Lakewood. He loves this city ... and he cares deeply about its well-being, especially Lakewood's youth. His passion and drive led me to get involved with Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee. He and I have spent countless hours on the Kauffman Park courts talking about exercise, good nutrition, and the future we pave for kids in Lakewood. I assure you, Nadhal keeps his finger on the pulse of Our City from all those miles away. Can't wait until he comes "home."

That's fine. I've met him a couple of times, and he seems like a great guy. I am not throwing shade in any way towards him. And I glad he is still invested in the city of Lakewood. I am glad that there are people like him in Lakewood that are making changes in a positive way, as there are too many negative voices in this city.

Jim, this has nothing to do with your straw man discussion of intellectual property or what 'those other blogs do.' I'm talking about right here and now. I'm not set on anything. I just find it comical that DACL has the same sort of biting negativity that you seem to possess in order to "celebrate" things like the Dollar Store or a Bob Evans. That's all. Just looking for a little honesty here that I am not going to find, apparently. I find the pretension that these updates are the work of someone else and not you, well... hard to swallow.

Valerie Molinski wrote:

Peter Grossetti wrote:I talk to or correspond with Nadhal via email nearly everyday and he is very well aware of all-things-Lakewood. He loves this city ... and he cares deeply about its well-being, especially Lakewood's youth. His passion and drive led me to get involved with Lakewood Outdoor Basketball Committee. He and I have spent countless hours on the Kauffman Park courts talking about exercise, good nutrition, and the future we pave for kids in Lakewood. I assure you, Nadhal keeps his finger on the pulse of Our City from all those miles away. Can't wait until he comes "home."

That's fine. I've met him a couple of times, and he seems like a great guy. I am not throwing shade in any way towards him. And I glad he is still invested in the city of Lakewood.

Jim, this has nothing to do with your straw man discussion of intellectual property or what 'those other blogs do.' I'm talking about right here and now. I'm not set on anything. I just find it comical that DACL has the same sort of biting negativity that you seem to possess in order to "celebrate" things like the Dollar Store or a Bob Evans. That's all. Just looking for a little honesty here that I am not going to find, apparently. I find the pretension that these updates are the work of someone else and not you, well... hard to swallow.

Valerie

I saw the DACL post as just posting a rumor, I brought it to the Deck with biting humor. At the
same time I see you at the DACL hoping they go out of business, and someone else takes it over.
I think it is just wrong for anyone in Lakewood to hope that any Lakewood business fails, at it
looks bad for Lakewood.

Nadhal was very set against Dollar General, I too had my doubts about the placement or need
for so many "dollar stores" in one city. But early on I found out that Dollar General is probably
the best community partner a city could have and have often stated that. Likewise Nadhal and
others in Lakewood disliked Quaker Steak and Lube, I have never said a bad thing about them,
though I do question what the city has given up on Detroit, and how much government dollars
have been spent on private businesses. Something I have always questioned from day one, and
I would say as the actual publisher of the Lakewood Observer we should be looking into. After all I
do not have the same ties to city hall as other bloggers do, so someone should ask the tough
questions instead of being City Hall's fluffers, don't you think?

You are confusing the discussion of comments as many as mine I believe. When Quaker Steak
and Lube opened I sat down with the owner of the company and talked. He had read everything
I had written and thought it was mostly positive, with the exceptions that they do not sanction
on the corporate level wet t-shirt contests and I apologized to him and cleared it up on the Deck.

Stop the hype, stop spreading the hype. I am the most pro-Lakewood human you will ever meet.
Right now today and tomorrow I am driving around three different business owners on my own
dime to show them locations for their businesses. I have assured each that though I will probably
never frequent their businesses, I want to make sure they get a good location in a place that suits
them. On the flip-side they mentioned the city was happy they were looking here but were not
willing to help find locations.

I am not saint, but I am not Satan either.

.

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Jim O'Bryan wrote:
Valerie

I saw the DACL post as just posting a rumor, I brought it to the Deck with biting humor. At the
same time I see you at the DACL hoping they go out of business, and someone else takes it over.
I think it is just wrong for anyone in Lakewood to hope that any Lakewood business fails, at it
looks bad for Lakewood.

Incorrect. I was NOT over there on the FB page "hoping they go out of business." What I said was, and I quote, "If you are unhappy, don't eat there and we'll get another local place to take it over when it closes.. see also: Cozumel." And that was as response to those who are upset at its future presence on Detroit. Let the market work... if you do not like a business, do not frequent it. Vote with your wallet. Simple as that.

Seriously, it must be exhausting to feel the incessant need to twist words for your own favor. You are a master. This is why I rarely post on here anymore. And my most recent posts have shown me once again that it's like banging your head against the wall. Same result everytime and I just end up with a monster headache. There are so few people posting to this site anymore because I think, like me, they've realized you only want to hear what you want to hear... which is your own voice and your own opinions. Blathering on and steering every conversation how you would like, with half truths and innuendo. Tiring.

Valerie Molinski wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:
Valerie

I saw the DACL post as just posting a rumor, I brought it to the Deck with biting humor. At the
same time I see you at the DACL hoping they go out of business, and someone else takes it over.
I think it is just wrong for anyone in Lakewood to hope that any Lakewood business fails, at it
looks bad for Lakewood.

Incorrect. I was NOT over there on the FB page "hoping they go out of business." What I said was, and I quote, "If you are unhappy, don't eat there and we'll get another local place to take it over when it closes.. see also: Cozumel." And that was as response to those who are upset at its future presence on Detroit. Let the market work... if you do not like a business, do not frequent it. Vote with your wallet. Simple as that.

Seriously, it must be exhausting to feel the incessant need to twist words for your own favor. You are a master. This is why I rarely post on here anymore. And my most recent posts have shown me once again that it's like banging your head against the wall. Same result everytime and I just end up with a monster headache. There are so few people posting to this site anymore because I think, like me, they've realized you only want to hear what you want to hear... which is your own voice and your own opinions. Blathering on and steering every conversation how you would like, with half truths and innuendo. Tiring.

Wow. I guess this is the time for someone to step in and say, Why don't you guys get a room?


Val,

Leave the site out of it please. I realize people use it for spats when each of them REALLY RUBS THE OTHER ONE THE WRONG WAY-- But sometimes!

Sometimes! People rub each other the right way and magic happens on here. People share, get to know each other, they get together and build things and change things.

Sometimes there is a lot of activity, sometimes a lot is going on, sometimes not much. But when discussion is needed to sort things out-- this area has been a vital resource to me. I have learned a lot and been very pleased that there was an uncensored place to go where we can actually talk.

None of the other sites require real names, even though they make a feeble attempt to ask. The one not being mentioned is OWNED BY AOL, AND SO HAS TO FOLLOW ITS RULES. ANY MONEY MADE BY THAT SITE, GOES TO AOL (you know, not Lakewood) AS THEY USE OUR NEWS, AND OUR ADVERTISERS TO PAY AOL, NOT LAKEWOOD.

And AOL doesn't want you to use your own name, there will be less traffic that way they think. More effort, more accountability, who needs that? They want you to look at the ads. Thus you get "Dog mauled at Spooky Pooch" will bring so much more traffic, than, "On a street near Spooky Pooch, where people were getting ready, a dog was attacked."

Or you get "Police search for missing child" instead of "Child goes to friends house without calling mother" --- When the news was REPORTED, the child was no longer missing. Everyone come to the site, Hits Hits Hits! WHAT CHILD? A LAKEWOOD CHILD? WHOSE CHILD? It's repulsive. No matter what else, that site has to get hits and make money or it's bye bye. And thus can't really serve Lakewood.

Jim has a BIG MOUTH. So do you. So great, you guys are entertaining and what's a lot more important, both of you get people to think, when you aren't going after each others' throats and sometimes even then.

I love it when I see your name because in my opinion you are tough and smart. And Jim is fabulous.

Betsy Voinovich

Betsy Voinovich wrote:
Wow. I guess this is the time for someone to step in and say, Why don't you guys get a room?

Betsy

From everything I know of Val, she is happily married, and I am very happily married. I do agree
that Val is smart and tough, and as I have often said goes out of her way to keep me in check.

Val

Sorry about the confusion, but in the midst of the attacks here about me and the DACL, and other
things, you might understand how I read it that you were hoping it would go out of business like
IHOP for someone else to come in. I personally cannot even think of those options.

But what I find even more troubling is some of your other attacks. Many people stay away because
quite honestly their ideas do not hold water or they are hiding something. I was vilified for years
by LakewoodAlive and members because I asked where the money went for the first Spooky Pooch
Parade, and it was never answered. Oh they attacked me, Councliman Juris demanded my books
which were opened for him though he never showed, but to this day LakewoodAlive was never
able to explain what happened to that money. So they went on the attack. To be honest I hate to
even bring that up as the new regime at LakewoodAlive are bright positive talented individuals
that need help and deserve help. But you brought it up. At no point did I ever use my position of
publisher to keep them out of the paper, in fact we've partnered with them on many projects and
always put them on the front page when it's warranted. To this day they will trash the Observer and
me as negative, which simply isn't true.

So while the hype is the perception the reasons are not true. While I admit to misreading your
comment, I also was eager and glad to see your response. I made no personal attacks while some
of your posts did get me down in the gutter, so be it, sticks and stones may break my bones but
honest conversations can only make me wiser.

Negative, you are wrong. Trashing Lakewood, I leave that to others.

Question motives, ideas, and things going on? You bet.

Well off to launch another Observer project. While many love the idea, and the project, everyone
seems to love the Deck, and they always ask, "What do you have against Shawn Juris buying pants?"

PS - I started this thread as a positive note on Bob Evans while questioning the city on
squandering our "cool" factor. No negativity. Now look at your posts.

peace/out

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peace