The Observation Deck

Good Friends in Lakewood Land...

As those swallows start returning to Capistrano, so too does the maple sap start runnin', the pancakes start a' flappin', and the fish start to frying.

(Oh yeah! Just saw my Robin buddy in the yard for the first time yesterday! Hope he can outrun or outfly them thar coyotes! )

I'll let others talk about those scrumptious pancake breakfasts that go with all that fresh maple syrup.

My post right now simply deals with fishy stuff. (Perhaps like a few other posts on the 'Deck just might from time to time? )

Anyway, a number of local Lakewood churches, as well as Lakewood's Masonic Temple, are having their Lenten fish eating events, beginning today, yes TODAY dear readers!

For those of you who've never been to a Masonic Temple, Lakewood's century-old building at 15300 Detroit Ave. is an amazing place. Plenty of parking around back, and the entrance is right there too. Should be plenty of fish, good conversation, and yes, I'll be dropping by, as well, with a little music; including the banjo and my musical saw. Never heard one of those? They are a legendary blast from the past from the live theater days. Even though those old theaters are rapidly becoming rubble, you can still catch my act! Other entertainers, like the equally legendary Mark "Shane" Phillips and his one-man-band plan to be at some of these events, along with other cool cats on other weeks.

You might even talk me into giving you a tour of the Temple, if you come down.

Some of my friends even have "fish fry friends" who go to a different fish fry every week. Sounds like a great habit to get into!

Back to the banjo...

Something has been smelling fishy for a long time here in Lakewood. Especially when you drive by city hall!

Back to the banjo...

!

Fish fry season is a wonderful opportunity to support St. James parish.
Even if you're not a member (or not even Catholic), St. James is a great Lakewood institution that could use your support.
Those folks fought to bring that church back from the dead, so please stop by on Fridays at 5pm for some yummy food.

Amen.

Back to the banjo.

Our Lady of Angels has a fish fry this year as well.

Lori Allen _ wrote:Something has been smelling fishy for a long time here in Lakewood. Especially when you drive by city hall!

In every thread?

Howdy again, Dear Lakewood Friends:

Thought I'd better bring this thread forward in order to remind all of you about those fish fry events going on this evening around town.

I'll be back at the Lakewood Masonic Temple with some of my musical friends. I'll also be available for a tour of the Temple, if anyone would be so inclined to wish to explore that amazing place.

Hoping to see you this evening. I think that they start serving around 4-4:30. I'll be there a little after 5. They also have fish sandwiches, mac and cheese, desserts, etc...

Back to the banjo!

I can now recommend the Masonic Temple fish fry. Very satisfying. (Serving until 8:30 this evening.)

Mr. Rice and Mark "Shane" Phillips had people up and dancing, while I was there. Not kidding.

Good Evening Matt,

Thank you so much for coming to the fish fry, and thanks for your kind words, as well!

The Temple intends to have one more fry next week on Good Friday. Not sure about the music, if any, for next week, but the fish should be frying.

If anyone would be curious about Lakewood's historic Masonic Temple building, free tours are available on fish fry nights. It is a fascinating place.

Back to the banjo...

Dan Alaimo wrote:

Lori Allen _ wrote:Something has been smelling fishy for a long time here in Lakewood. Especially when you drive by city hall!

In every thread?

Yes, in every thread! It's where all threads go to die. She is The number one content provider for the deck and the number one participant on the deck. I am surprised that it took Lori so long to swoop in and Lord over this thread.

Tons of reasonable people would participate on the deck if it wasn't for Lori.

Ask yourself this question. How many people avoid commenting on the deck BECAUSE Lori takes over every single thread and kills it with non sense like Lord Lakewood.

She turned a "Fish fry" thread into a "lord Lakewood " thread. Insane.

St James and St Luke's have great fish fry's.

I too, was rather amazed that Lori brought her olfactory opinion regarding City Hall to this thread, of all places.

(I also have wondered, quite frankly, whether the passionate efforts of a number of posters trying to effect change in Lakewood might be doing more harm than good to Lakewood's image at times?)

Public perception is everything of course, and in many ways, I'm sure that most Lakewoodites continue to believe that Lakewood is a wonderful place to live. I think that we all need to be cautious that we not allow ourselves to let our published opinions regarding City Hall give the perception to others that we think that Lakewood as a whole, is a terrible place to live.

But, that point made...

Doesn't responding to anyone here with whom we differ not simply re-publish, and therefore dignify and amplify whatever remarks we might not agree with? We do not always have to respond in writing to someone else's post. (thereby potentially prompting and promoting even further written confrontations)

Look, I do get it. Sometimes we may not always agree with other posters, and sometimes people who are very assertive with their postings might drive us to distraction, but I for one, am willing to put up with it, because we all have a wonderful right to free speech.

Even here on my little old fish fry thread.

I think that it's important to remember that we (including, I believe, Lori, Patrick, and the rest of our 'Deckers) likely have something VERY important in common, whether we admit it or not:

We may disagree on the particulars, but we ALL are VERY concerned about Lakewood, and we ARE NOT afraid to speak out about it, let the chips fall where they may.

Or in this case, fish and chips?

Back to the thread, and the banjo...

(By the way, some places will not be offering a fish fry on Good Friday, so plan to call ahead for confirmation before you go out)