The Observation Deck

Download here:
http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue_pdfs/Observer_Vol_10_Issue_22.pdf

Let me preface this with, as we went to press I learned of another Lakewoodite that has
been taken from us due to a Heroin overdose. The 32-year-old female was found dead on
friends couch where she had spent the night.

32-years-old! Middle of Lakewood, but could have been from anywhere.

The battle continues.

The letter from before the death...

Another issue of the Lakewood Observer, finished. Whew. Only 3 more before the end of the year, just amazing how time flies. Major kudos to Senior Editor Margaret Brinich and Editor Betsy Voinovich who worked very hard for the County Executive Ed Fitzgerald, and Governor John Kasich print debate. This one went up to the very print deadline. Both delivered on one of the rare together appearances in print.

I was thinking back, and over the past two weeks in an off transitional month, there was so much going on in Lakewood events were literally crossing over each other with seeing people two or three times in a week or even a day at different events.

The streets and the homes are alive with decorations for the season. Scarecrows up and down Madison Avenue, much like home decorations, some of them stunning in idea and presentation, others err agh not as stunning, but still the effort was made.

A story I have told many times but bears repeating. Nearly 8 years ago, I was driving around with Stephen Davis looking an documenting Christmas/Holiday lighting around the city. It ranged from unbelievable displays like the hubcap tree, to let’s just say not as special displays. One that came to mind was a house with a red blanket over the second floor window, and a green one over the first. From lights perfectoy displayed, to a single string thrown on the corner bush. No matter what, we came to realize is any effort to make the street nicer, or the holiday better should be appreciated and honored. Lakewood knows how to have fun.

It was back then we coined, “Lakewood, the Paris of Cleveland’s Inner Ring Suburbs.” Years before Cleveland claimed to be “The Paris of the Midwest” which would make Lakewood, “The Paris of the Paris of the Midwest’s Inner Ring Suburbs” which is just so esoteric, why not?

No matter, Lakewood the community is just a blast to live in, walk in, bike in, drive in, be in. It is a tremendous city to call home. When you add in the restaurants, bars and entertainment it only gets better.

peace


.

Unfortunately my story about the Lakewood/Midview game and Senior Night activities was too late to print.

I hope it will be posted soon as an "online exclusive".

Hey Mike here’s my post about the Lakewood / Midview football game since you choose to reserve yours for print. Mine is available right here. It was the first Lakewood HS game I have been to for quite a while though I am no stranger to football. I don’t have kids who go to HS here but it was something to do a couple of Friday’s ago.….

First things first it cost me $6 to get in. Despite that my family pays nearly $10,000 a year in property taxes largely in support of Lakewood schools. Why the heck is that?

Street parking a half mile away, that’s OK. I need the exercise. I get it.

The facility is nice enough but it would be better if some aisle handrails were put up for the old timers. The men’s room near the press box was a dirty sh1thole. One would think for all the public money they would be clean. The turf looks middle-aged.

As for the team? I spent three quarters there and I don’t remember one Lakewood completed pass. How can you win a football game without a passing game? I left after three quarters but I think Lakewood put some points in Q4 mop up time. I don’t know how a city our size (reasonably large) can be so continually unsuccessful but I don’t care that much.

Maybe schools should focus on education and not on sports. Something to think abut Mike. Radical thinking, Haven't seen any posts about their chemistry department....

That's an interesting perspective.

Allow me to address a few of your concerns:

*If they let everyone in for free, conservatives would complain that the games are a government handout and part of an entitlement culture. The ticket fee allows attendees the pride of knowing they are not "takers".

*As mentioned, the walk from your parking spot is good exercise. I think we can agree that homes should not be bulldozed to provide parking for stadium events.

*By all accounts the facility is among the very best in the area. As documented by Paul, just this week the OSU marching band selected it for use. St. Ed has been playing home games there since 1984..they would not settle for a substandard facility. During my day, the school "moved" its games there from Baldwin Wallace, a college facility. The OHSAA also frequently uses the site for playoff games.

*Most high school teams do not have very strong passing games. It is not like the major college and NFL games we see on TV. Playbooks tend to pretty simple, especially for Lakewood, which has a new coach.
When I was at St. Edward they only threw the ball in extreme emergencies (i.e. when we getting beat by the "old" St. Joes).

*Lakewood's team is not good, but I don't rip on high school kids in the paper. They are doing their best, and the community likes reading the stories. We get a lot of good feedback for our sports stories.

*There is lots of other coverage of Lakewood Schools in the paper, including stories on academic achievement. If you're particularly interested in the Chemistry Department, you are certainly invited to submit an article.

Tim Liston wrote:Hey Mike here’s my post about the Lakewood / Midview football game since you choose to reserve yours for print. Mine is available right here. It was the first Lakewood HS game I have been to for quite a while though I am no stranger to football. I don’t have kids who go to HS here but it was something to do a couple of Friday’s ago.….

First things first it cost me $6 to get in. Despite that my family pays nearly $10,000 a year in property taxes largely in support of Lakewood schools. Why the heck is that?

Street parking a half mile away, that’s OK. I need the exercise. I get it.

The facility is nice enough but it would be better if some aisle handrails were put up for the old timers. The men’s room near the press box was a dirty sh1thole. One would think for all the public money they would be clean. The turf looks middle-aged.

This little gem hasn't failed me yet at a football game. It's portable and almost guarantees that you'll be able to find an area within the stadium that satisfies the ambiance that you require. Cleanliness? It's totally up to you how clean you want your throne to be...almost like you never left the house!



The portable toilet experience may make the $6.00 feel like a worthwhile donation.



This product endorsement has been brought to you by:
Taking You Higher

Taking the constipation out of sports!




Scott Meeson

***Our football team is full of hardworking kids and coaches, attempting to better themselves each and every week. I think that can be said for every team within Lakewood City School District. The extracurricular activities play a part in the education process/experience. IMHO

Hilliard Davidson won the state championship almost completely on the ground in 2006: Running back Bo Delande finished with 236 yards on 47 carries and all the touchdowns in a 36-35 win over Mentor. You play to your strength, or the lesser weakness.

Lakewood Stadium is just fine overall. And Coach Ribar is in his first year, doing what he can with what he inherited. It will get better.

Tim Liston wrote:
As for the team? I spent three quarters there and I don’t remember one Lakewood completed pass. How can you win a football game without a passing game? I left after three quarters but I think Lakewood put some points in Q4 mop up time. I don’t know how a city our size (reasonably large) can be so continually unsuccessful but I don’t care that much.

Please remember that football is pay to play and demands a great investment in time on the part of athletes. When I was a principal, I encountered many students who would have loved to play football or other sports; however, they felt it was more important to work in order to help support the family income or earn money for college. Roughly 46% of our students' families are at or below the poverty level; consequently, for many, participation in sports is a luxury they cannot afford.