Lakewood WOW!

Vince Frantz · Post by **Vince Frantz** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:30 pm

This link was sent to me by a friend...

30 Rock apparently had a Cleveland themed episode and they have really made a big deal out of it.

http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/cleveland_map/

I think it is interesting to see how people view Cleveland from outside. The parts they highlight are a cross between what locals revere and what is simply known from the outside in a pop-culture sense.

Watch this clip:

http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/video/#mea=92846

Coming from Toledo - we know what we liked about the city. We also knew what was generally "known" about the city. An inside view of Toledo was made of family, memories, high school sports, bars, clubs, parks, a zoo etc. But from the outside it was Mud Hens, Jamie Farr and Tony Packos.

My question is - what do you think that Lakewood would be exemplified by some guy in Columbus? What parts of Lakewood or what aspects of Lakewood have made it into (probably a statewide) consciousness?

And let's skip for now anything relating to schools/walking community/front porch community/etc. These aspects are not unique to Lakewood. What are some defining aspects that some outsiders would make a song about? And be honest - don't attach some pro/con framework to it.

Kenneth Warren · Post by **Kenneth Warren** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:08 pm

Vince:

For some, itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s bars and babes. For others itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s more than the Gold Coast, with that old W that once stood on the Winton Place, standing for weird, as a Lakewood Policeman once let me know.

More broadly, I would say thereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s the geography of Lakewood Ã¢â‚¬â€œ the densely packed housing nestled in nature - trees informed by the scent of the Lake. Join that to the budget economy and churning sociology.

Lakewood nurtures an understated conscious, hip, indie pulse atop the small town built environment and early 20th century city of homes mystique. While there is the North Sonoma line of upscale Republican moderation that contributes mightily to LakewoodÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s civic ecology, the Lakewood vibe flows more widely from the low overhead DIY cultures that prefer a measure of slack, that resist the heavy forces of competition, strive-drive and keeping up with the JonesÃ¢â‚¬â„¢.

In the pot of LakewoodÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s small town conceit, an anomic (leave me alone) Ã¢â‚¬Ëœtude stews to make a heady boho/butch/immigrant/punk/psychiatric/working class fusion that both charms and frightens homies on the North Sonoma line.

The balance of these forces is for me what makes Lakewood so enjoyable and interesting.

Kenneth Warren

Vince Frantz · Post by **Vince Frantz** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:46 am

When I tell people I live in Lakewood it is interesting to hear what they think of it. I have had friends in Cincinnati refer to it as cool and hip.

In 2000 I was looking for a photographer for our wedding which was being held in Toledo. I called a photographer based in Sandusky and when i told him I was in Lakewood but getting married in Toledo he asked "Lakewood? Are you marrying a man or a woman?". Needless to say he didn't get our business.

For people that have only visited lakewood over the past 20 years, I wonder what overall impressions and takeaways have traditionally been collected. I can only really relate to people that have lived here.

In that Cleveland clip, it is funny to hear the Higby's reference as a artifact of Cleveland's past that is supported and reinforced by A Christmas Story. Even if you have never been to Cleveland you could have heard about Higby's.

As this relates to the branding issue, should the efforts go towards attracting people to move here or simply to come and spend money?

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:51 am

Vince Frantz wrote: In 2000 I was looking for a photographer for our wedding which was being held in Toledo. I called a photographer based in Sandusky and when i told him I was in Lakewood but getting married in Toledo he asked "Lakewood? Are you marrying a man or a woman?". Needless to say he didn't get our business.

Little does that photographer know, some of the area's best photographers either live in or are from Lakewood...Paul Tepley, Rami Daud, Walter Novak and Ivor come to mind...

dl meckes · Post by **dl meckes** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:00 am

I hear about the antique (and other "cool") shops and all of the places to eat.

You could hear my jaw drop when my Cleveland Heights sister told me that Three Birds is one of her favorite restaurants.

People also talk about the skate park and the gliders at Lakewood Park.

And the 4th of July parade.

While I'm not supposed to mention the library, it's a very popular topic of discussion, and the new building has been getting rave reviews. It was a bold move to build something grand.

The architecture of the city, both commercial corridors and neighborhoods, gets favorable mentions.

Everybody seems to know someone who lives in Lakewood.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:04 am

Three Birds is definitely an excellent restaurant. The food is amazing, and the service is great as well.

I love going to the Library. I've been to quite a few libraries, and the system we have is definitely top notch. I am impressed with the looks of the new building so far.

It's a great time to live in Lakewood.

Jeff Endress · Post by **Jeff Endress** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:05 am

And....as reported in the Restaurant Row n this morning's PD, although Nikko's will be closing, it looks like we're getting another restaurant with real possibilities...

Gerald "JR" Dugas, a 27-year-old Macedonia real estate investor is converting Niko's, plus a neighboring space, to Bar2, with a warm, trendy Tremontish restaurant on one side and a cool "downtown" nightclub on the other.

Dugas, who is leasing the spaces, recruited Akron chef John Cafarelli (formerly of Clearview Inn Steak & Chop House in Bath Township) to run the restaurant, which will feature a full wine and martini selection and a menu heavy on presentation.

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/ ... xml&coll=2

Looking forward to this.

Jeff

Mike Deneen · Post by **Mike Deneen** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:19 pm

Graffiti and Urinals!

All kidding aside, around the region I'm pretty sure Lakewood is still synonymous with "gay".

There is still the urban legend from the 80s that "Trivial Pursuit" had a question claiming Lakewood was the gayest city in the country.

Jeff Endress · Post by **Jeff Endress** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:34 pm

Mike

It isn't an urban legend. The question involved the 2nd highest gay population, after San Francisco..

Jeff

Mike Deneen · Post by **Mike Deneen** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:38 pm

I learn something new everyday here on the deck.

Does anyone actually have the card? I smell a LO story!

Jeff Endress · Post by **Jeff Endress** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:49 pm

I'll check. Pretty sure I still have the original game.

Joe Ott · Post by **Joe Ott** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:19 pm

David Lay wrote:I love going to the Library.

I do too. It's a great resource for a lot of things. However, they are really really lacking in woodworking books! And I have a heck of a time finding particular music CD's! That can be a real challenge.

Jeff Endress wrote: It isn't an urban legend. The question involved the 2nd highest gay population, after San Francisco..

Didn't it have something to do with the highest or second highest per capita or something? I dunno.

Joe

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:26 pm

Joe Ott wrote: I do too. It's a great resource for a lot of things. However, they are really really lacking in woodworking books! And I have a heck of a time finding particular music CD's! That can be a real challenge.

Really? I find CDs there all the time from bands that I like, but wouldn't expect to find in a library...they're on smaller 'indie' labels.

Jeff Endress · Post by **Jeff Endress** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:42 pm

I do too. It's a great resource for a lot of things. However, they are really really lacking in woodworking books! And I have a heck of a time finding particular music CD's! That can be a real challenge

Joe:

Because we knew that the construction would be force us to be pretty cramped (especially during phase two to begin shortly), we intentionally held down our usual purchases. As it is, we're going to be putting quite a bit in storage during phase two.

The completed project anticipates materials acquisition to bring the shelves back to what all have come to expect. As a woodworking expert, if you have a suggestion for titles, let us know.

Jeff

Joe Ott · Post by **Joe Ott** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:10 pm

Jeff Endress wrote: Joe:

Because we knew that the construction would be force us to be pretty cramped (especially during phase two to begin shortly), ...

I know. I realize what is going on. Like I said, I think the library is a great resource. I was just amazed I could not find a Rolling Stones CD nor a James Gang CD. That's all. Plus, you never know where a CD will be. Sometimes I find a Dylan CD in 'Popular' and sometimes 'Rock'.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. We use the library a lot.

The day I made that post I had just gotten home from trying to find a couple CD's. I couldn't find any, plus I had to go and tell one of Lakewood's finest ghetto brothers to turn his cd player down because it was too loud especially for inside a library. I could hear it plane as day 15 or so feet away - he was using earbuds!. The Lakewood (of duty?) cop that was standing closer to him than me didn't tell him so I did.

Jeff Endress wrote: As a woodworking expert, if you have a suggestion for titles, let us know.
Jeff

Anything from Taunton/Fine Woodworking. They are considered the best.
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Store/

Joe