http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue_pdfs/Observer_Vol_10_Issue_17.pdf
Summer is officially flying by! Actually the entire year is. Only 8 more issues of the paper this year! Kind of staggering when you think back to issue 10-01, talking about many of the things that make Lakewood fun in the winter, and those pesky resolutions. If it makes it any better I am probably at about 15% completion for my list of things I will change for the better. Oh well, there is still 8 issues, and who knows, maybe miracles are possible.
August, especially the first half, is magical in Lakewood. Two of Lakewood’s biggest events and certainly biggest draws to Lakewood, the Art Festival and the Car Kulture Show happen. It normally would have been the time for the Criterium, but alas the hard work of that crew was bumped for the Gay Games 9. I hope the City of Lakewood works extra hard to rebuild that bridge and brings the Criterium back. For a truly amazing summer.
This year the Car Kulture was also moved for the Gay Games, and through the handwork of Jerry Koenigsmark, and the Mayor’s office he was able to retain a date close to the original. Jerry, like many organizers, works endlessly to get the schedule and date right so that we get a maximum number of entrants which brings an optimum number of spectators. Over the course of the winter many great ideas surfaced as to how to make the event bigger, as more and more national groups sent in requesting information. In the end Jerry was lucky to grab the old footprint. And even though it rained in the morning, that never stopped the cars, and by noon the bright blue skies brought tens of thousand of spectators who were loving the cars, the music, the food and Madison Avenue, all leaving with a great idea of what this city is all about. Citizens making the party happen.
We were forced to cover for some arrangements made with the bands for Saturday, who were supposed to play on the original Car Kulture date that was moved for the Gay Games, and the Phantasy Entertainment Complex and NTB stepped up, and showed the value of a full weekend of events from one side of town to the other: People rocking the right side of Lakewood, according to the map, and having a great time in an area some Lakewoodites think is not the best.
For the record, there was hardcore metal at the Concert Club, the now infamous DJ Parker at Now That’s Class, and a good crowd of rock-and-rollers all on the street near each other at the same time. No one robbed, no one raped, no one shot, no cars stolen. Actually as I bounced around the clubs, it seemed like the right side of Lakewood was the coolest spot in town. Again, thanks to all, especially the City of Lakewood and Lakewood Police.
So now we head into back-to-school and fall, and to be honest, I am looking forward to a couple of nice quiet weekends before the fall parties start.
Party on Lakewood, Damn I love this city and the people in it.
peace
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