The Observation Deck

Since this is the week for "Year in Review" and "best of" lists, I thought I'd ask Observers what they think the top Lakewood story of 2006 was.

I'll play. For me it was the Beck's decision to not only stay put in Lakewood but also partner with Cox Cable and Lakewood City Schools to create the new Arts and Communications Academy and the new Art's District. Who knows what it is or what it will look like but that was pretty big news to me.

Phil Florian wrote:I'll play. For me it was the Beck's decision to not only stay put in Lakewood but also partner with Cox Cable and Lakewood City Schools to create the new Arts and Communications Academy and the new Art's District. Who knows what it is or what it will look like but that was pretty big news to me.

Phil

I missed that one!

How about the new renaissance in Lakewood? Seven new/rebuilt restaurants and counting. Venzuntia(New York to Lakewood), India Garden(Westlake to Lakewood), The Melt(Tremont to Lakewood), La Pita Express(Cleveland to Lakewood), Manhattan Blue(Lakewood to Lakewood), The Coffee Pot(Still under a complete rebuild with new owner), Pier W ($5,000,000 rebuild) and more due to come in 2007.

While I realize none are Applebees, they all are very good, nice quality places.

Also quote of the year, "Tremont is over, it is played out, Lakewood is the new hot spot." Matt Fish owner of The Melt, ex chef of Johnny Mangos in Tremont.

Other stories, Rosewood, Cliffs, and the slowing down of Rockport.

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how about when our staff photographer's camera broke and he went without it for a month. that's a scary one

it wasn't newsworthy, but as of today it's old news since he received it fixed and ready to go!

For what it is worth, I think technically Mangos is in Ohio City, not Tremont. Tremont=overpriced to me.

What about asking the question from the Global page, too? How about most underreported story of the year? Would Ivor's fit that?

I think the Beck Center staying was pretty good. i don't recall much else.

Lakewood's Person of the Year award?: Ken Warren

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:Lakewood's Person of the Year award?: Ken Warren

That would be Lakewood's Person of a Quarter Century.


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Lakewood had lots of great stories this year:

1) Completion of the Y and their grand opening.

2) Extensive work on the Schools, Library, Rosewood, Rockport, Cleveland Clinic's Lakewood satelllite (looks gorgeous)

3) Opening of New Restaurants, my new favorite is the Melt.

4) Beck Center staying at least for now.

Lakewood always amazes me with the people they have, I meet new interesting ones every day. Ken Warren is definately a contender for the person of the quarter, but I think Jim O'Bryan may be a strong contender for the person of the year with the first full year of the Observer now complete.

Lynn Farris wrote:but I think Jim O'Bryan may be a strong contender for the person of the year with the first full year of the Observer now complete.

Lynn

Again thanks for the kind words, but this success belongs to EVERYONE who has ever participated not I.


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Top Story of 2006. AT&T promises that Lightspeed Technology will move Lakewood into the 20th century. They meant it. Proof below.