The Observation Deck

During the winter months, the grey days, when the snow is blowing, and a bad movie seems to be better than going out, why couldn't we create many new events? In the summer we have the benefit of the great outdoors, but if we can use some of our great indoor facilities, from the pools in LHS, to whatever, (we'll work the legalities out later) we could have some great things going on consistently, all through the cold months, inside our city. Something for adults, and for kids.
Why not emulate or adapt some of the summer events, but turn them indoors? Why not create NEW and EXCITING events. Why should we think inside the box?
I might be able to get my band, of any size needed, 2 to 20 pieces, to do some things too.
(shameless plug, but our free music to download at www.markproject.com/markandkaren.html

Some crazy suggestions: A rib-roast/ contest. A "Taste of Lakewood", representing many of the food establishments. A Best Pizza event/contest.
The world's largest _______ whatever. Let's enjoy!


Any ideas?


Mark Allan (Crnolatas)
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"A society or group of people exist soley in it's ability to maintain an atmosphere of peace and civility. It's failure is directly relative to the degree of the lack of these conditions".

Mark-

Take a look at this site http://www.rtoddking.com/chinawin2005_hb_if.htm and dream along with me...

Wow dl,

Ok, everyone , take a look at that URL. Now, what are WE going to do

Mark Allan (Crnolatas)
_______________________
"A society or group of people exist soley in it's ability to maintain an atmosphere of peace and civility. It's failure is directly relative to the degree of the lack of these conditions".

Pretty Cool

We may not be able to go that crazy, but we could do something like this with lights somewhere, right?

Too bad it's probably too close to the December holidays, we could have something like that at one of the parks, Madison maybe? (Away from the blowing wind off Lake Erie) A winter festival celebrating the many different cultural holidays that are celebrated in December. Could be a good way to promote cultural diversity. Kind of like the festival in Madison Park this summer...

I would agree, it's probably too late to get it done before the holidays, but after Jan 1, there are still a few months of "blahs". Maybe some sort of event, as you suggest, at Madison Park could be put together for a time after the 1st.

I'm also wondering what other things on a lesser magnitude, could be put together, celebrating our city.

Mark Allan (Crnolatas)
_______________________
"A society or group of people exist soley in it's ability to maintain an atmosphere of peace and civility. It's failure is directly relative to the degree of the lack of these conditions".

How about a big christmas tree in the middle of town, kind of like they have in New York.

OR

We could have a fun outdoor event at Lakewood Park called the "ANNUAL LAKEWOOD SNOWBALL FEST!"

think about it-
your very own and only chance to beam city council members with snowballs for fun!

kidding kidding, but a big snowball fight or something outdoors would be fun, plus it would get people outside at least for one evening.

Then there's always a "back to the 60's, 70's or 80's" dance that could be held at any school really. There's lots of opportunities to bring the community together!

OK, here's the plan we have been working on.

Lakewood "Observes" the New Year

On the roof(4th floor) of the Observer building is a flag pole. On the other side of the street is a small park. We were thinking of getting a mirrored ball, and would lower it down the flag pole at Midnight, with the city partying in the park on the other side of the street.

With the sign on First Federal it would be JUST LIKE New York. Well maybe not just like, but close enough for people who can pretend.

Who wants to help?

Other ideas...

Kaufman Sled Park Also Kaufman park could be turned into a real nice sled run. long and not to fast. From the gate all the way down and around the ball diamond to the right of little links, and spilling out into the outfield.

Winter Rally The Lakewood Motoring Society has yet to run the Rally, what about a winter rally? This would take about 10 people to help put on. We could finish at Lakewood Park for a nice party at the Woman's Pavilion, Kaufman Sled Park, or a bar/restaurant? See the best of Lakewood in the winter.

And/OR

Snowball Shooting Contest down at Lakewood Park. Teams try to shoot a 6" snowball the farthest, this could be in conjunction with a cross country ski race at Lakewood Park complete with Chili contest.

and/or

Chili Golf- Strongsville has been having a winter golf contest for charities for decades and it is very successful at raising money. You sign up and get Chili, and 9 holes of golf. The golf is with a plastic ball and one club. Greens are astro turf. It sounds funky but real golfers will do anything to swing clubs in January.

and/or

Winter Driving instruction. Hire some driving instructors from Mid-ohio sports car course to come up and teach winter driving skills. This is always great fun as they teach you to spin your car then control the spin. These instructors are fun, and have a real history in racing, F1, Indy, NASCAR, etc.

and/or

Ice Fishing championship at the Lagoons.

and/or

Pub Ski - We go to Geiger's and rent cross country skis and do a pub crawl on skis.

and/or The Home Inprovement Show at the Masonic Temple

and/or Concerts at the Civic with discounts for residents

and/or Coffee Bar Walk

and/or Store Flood. where one store preferable new is highlighted and the residents are incourage to flood the store on one day and check it out. The store is encourage to serve refreshments. A great way to welcome new businesses or save some older ones that are having trouble. Kind of an Amishesque party.

or bring back one of my favorite of all time. The Christmas Tree Bonfire. This happened every year in January after the city gathered all the trees. Citizens would go down to Lakewood Park where the very dry Christmas Trees would be stacked up and lit. Hot Chocolate and coffee made the night very special for everyone.

Well that's off the top of my head, and the Lakewood Observer would get behind any of these or other ideas that make the city fun.

That should get us through to spring.


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or


Fondue parties are always fun in the winter.

Maybe I overstated and scared off some in this thread so I scaled back my ideas.



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The Chef Geoff Lakewood Observer Chili Challenge:
I can see it all now, just as clearly as if it were tomorrow!

Lakewood Park Women's pavilion,

Outdoor bonfire with winter related competitions (weather permitting).
Largest snowman
Best snow fort
Figure skating demo on the Lakewood Park rink by Heiss-Jenkins' latest protegee
Pick-up Hokey game between Observer staff and the Free Times

Steaming hot bowls of REAL chili (not that watered down stuff they serve with spaghetti) Habaneros, chipotles, anchos and Jalapenos...

Amateurs and professionals. Meat and vegan divisions.

Free tagamet and Rolaids.

Hopefully chili doesn't evoke the same vitriolic and provocative egomaniacs as did pizza. After all, unlike Texas, we're civilized here.

Speaking of pizza.....will there ever be the storied pizza bake off? I know KW has been practicing and I hear SD is working on a flax and millet gluten free crust.

Jeff

Many communities do a "First Night" event.

Here's some info: http://www.firstnightsc.com/.

Don't know if I'm hungry or what, but Jeff your Chili Cook Off sounds great!

When do we start?

Chef Geoff

In an effort to get this going. A. Graphic Solution will put up prizes for every category you can come up with. I also know that many advertisers in the Lakewood Observer will kick in.

The Lakewood Motoring Society is ready to stage the rally the same day with a start and end at the contest.

As for the pizza, you know they all went running for cover when the Chef Geoff threw down the challenge. Ken's legendary quest for the perfect New York style pie, much like Brigadoon vanished for another 100 years. Lucky for Lakewoodites the nearest NY style pie is about 800 miles away.

Steve's quest for the perfect flax pizza has netted the family nothing more than hundreds of biodegradable trivets. There is a rumor that the twins have been chained to the kitchen table and ordered to paint them in time for the holiday season of giving. People that have looked in and seen the kitchen, report it is even worse than the 1,000 Mexican children that were forced to pose and paint those quaint little painting of Mexican kids with big eyes in the 60s. Certainly this story will pop up in the Observer.

Cecil Yates, Lakewood's famed capitalist and architect of urban sprawl has said we can use the stone ovens at Panninis. Most if not all pizza shops are in, and Stan has offered to taste and judge every bite.

So all we need is an organizer.


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