The Observation Deck

So, what adjectives describe Lakewood and how can these be confirmed? For instance, we could say that we are the sunniest, happiest place on earth but some may justifiable ask, how and why we believe we can claim that.
In the past I've heard; progressive, walkable and diverse to name a few.

Unique, flavorful, authentic, friendly, engaged, interesting, dog friendly, architecturally diverse, historic, charming, neighborly...

real, diverse, engaged, fun, safe, acessible, artistic

neighborhoody, eclectic, unique, comfortable

authentic is a great one.

retro, nostalgic, charming, practical, optimistic, sensible, desirable....

(sustainable???)

For me, Lakewood is community-minded people.

But any self-validating premises about the Lakewood brand can mask too glibly deeper issues of stigma and shame.

There have been endless arguments on the LO Deck about "building the brand."

For purposes of deeper contemplation and discussion, then, I’m going to pitch a historically, psychologically and sociologically packed reading of the emotional background at root the current Lakewood brand.

1. Community –minded people
2. Living, investing and working together
3. With both appreciation and apprehension
4. Over eclectic cultural toolkits
5. Developing in affordable, old blue collar neighborhoods.

I’ll conclude with an observation on brand by James Twitchell, who writes in Branded Nation:

“Exploiting the connection with fire, brand became something literally burned into the hide of cows and horses to show ownership. The brand as burned image now starts a curious history because it is joined with stigma, which means “blotâ€Â￾ or “blemishâ€Â￾ and it is a signifier of inflicted shame.â€Â￾

Kenneth Warren

Musical too, and very banjo-friendly...

you can live anywhere you want, but Lakewood=Home

If you don't like Lakewood, then you don't like people.

ego maniacal, slightly self deprecating generally mellow with an edgy crust like a meringue pie.

As evidenced by this post or pretty much any other post! [/quote]

I tell everyone that we live in a small town next to a big city.

Not one word - but we have the best of both worlds it seems to me. It is the small town feel of Lakewood that I love that you know the people in your town and care about them. You are proud of the accomplishments of the citizens in your town. I never fail to mention that we are on the lake as well. That is the cherry on the town to me.

I think authentic and neigborly would also be good adjectives. Diverse and progressive would be too.

Lakewood is...

..addictive

Lakewood is - Where I grew up
- Where I raised my children
- Growing and changing
- Still trying to define itself

Our town is beautiful and the people are beutiful. We have the lake, the parks, the metro park, and a developing rainbow of citizens reaching out to understand and work with each other.

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