The Observation Deck

http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/issue_pdfs/Observer_Vol_07_Issue_06.pdf


LO 07 06, March 22, 2011

First I would love to thank my core crew once again, I feel we have once again cranked
out a great read, and a real slice of life here in Lakewood. I am not saying that because I
am writing again. More later.

Everyone that knows me has to be wondering how we do it, and how they put up with me
for as long as they have. The secret is love of this project and more importantly, love for
this community. We have tremendous fun working to get this out, and every part of it
from the meetings and outreach, to working with the many new writers, to capturing the
stories, to helping the group to finally the day of production which is nothing more than a
coffee clatch, pizza party that is a blast, and God knows it is not because of me but
because the of tremendous output by Deb O'Bryan, Margaret Brinich, Betsy Voinovich,
Maggie Fraley, Mel Page and the other editors, proof readers, layers, advisory boards etc.
Once again I am humbled by your bountiful energy, and amazing amount of love brought
to this, and each edition. Thank you.

This is just a regular issue, nothing special, nothing earth-shattering to report. Behind the
scenes it has been a very rewarding couple weeks for Observers in general. We started
this to make the city better, safer and more aware, with stories, discussion on the Deck--
which has been damn good-- and sponsored Observer meeting and events.

I believe we are still on course to make a small difference and at the end of the day even
a nudge in a positive direction is better then no nudge, or worse yet, not even bothering to try.

I am always amazed at the people who have lived here from a week to a lifetime, who
learn or understand the city better. After all, to make something better a person must
learn what is working and what is not. So with snow meetings, writers' meetings,
neighborhood meetings, city hall meetings, non-profit meetings, Soul Food Dinners, LEAF
Open Houses, in the recent past and quickly arriving Old Home Fairs, Spring Flings,
Junk2Funk, Ambulance Chases, and more, we bring you the latest Observer.

Don't forget to check out the Deck now and then. Late breaking news, and the best
ongoing discussion of the city and the people, programs, civic groups and businesses at
work and at play in this town. I mean Facebook is great for mindless chatter about
needing coffee, and rainbows. It is far more fun and relevant to wade into life and get
your hands on a little, dirty plant and grow ideas, or weed out a problem, than simply
play Farmville!

With that we now share our love of Lakewood with you.

LO 07_06

Schools Name New Superintendent - Kevin Bright
Council Notes from Chris Bindel
A look into Steve Martin's 'The Underpants' at The Beck Center
Hixson's Aids Victims and Friends of Japanese Disasters - A personal story of loss
Shellie Sedlak Finding Happiness At Capitol Theater
Soul Food Recap - Raising money for those in need
"I've Drunk A Lot Of Bad KoolAid" - A look at retired Sgt. Ed Favre's Career
"Grinding It Out" - Casey Ryan's look at his DUI and the nightmare that followed
The Lakewood Chamber - "Celebrating 100 Years Of Business In Lakewood"
Lakewood students winning everything from Basketball Championships to Science Fairs
New Programs at the Rec Center
Library Events and Concerts
Lakewood Living - Paint Problems, and Old House Fair
Rhonda Loje's Vintage Lakewood
A hard look at Rockport Square by a neighbor
Lakewood Human Services by Alicia Bowen
Our Columnists Tackle - Defending the Workplace, Facing Adversity At Home and Abroad, Cheating All The
Way To The Top, and a Fist or an Embrace!
While our wacky Lakewoodites look at Nuclear Power and Alternatives
and much, much more.

Isn't it time you shared your love and insight into Lakewood with others, through the
100% Lakewood owned and operated Lakewood Observer? Together, we can make this
community better and more whole for all.

And that, my friends, is a good thing, done by great people.

peace


James C. O'Bryan
Publisher
Lakewood Observer, Inc.

Jim,

You wrote an excellent article on Ed Favre!

At our regular meeting last night, the Board of Education presented Ed with a proclamation recognizing that Ed’s extensive service to the City of Lakewood and the Lakewood City Schools has been instrumental in ensuring that all our families are provided with excellent living and educational opportunities. The Board of Education, the Treasurer, and the Superintendent of Schools went on to congratulate and thank Ed for his service to the City of Lakewood as a member of the Lakewood Police Department. We all look forward to Ed providing many years of future service to Lakewood and our families!

I also think the addition of the QR codes is great. It is a nice way to integrate the paper with the Deck.

I look forward to The Lakewood Observer holding our current elected/appointed officials and candidates accountable during the upcoming November 2011 elections:






Keep up the great work!

Matt