Dear Collinwood Observer Readers/Writers/Editors/Photographers:

Happy New Year.  I’m writing to let you know that The Collinwood Observer is under new, “all Collinwood” management. As you might have read in the very first paper, I grew up here and came over (from far away, that other “wood” across the river, Lakewood)  to help start the Collinwood Observer because I’m involved in working on the Lakewood Observer and I knew that a community-written paper and Collinwood would be a perfect fit.

The response of the community has been spectacular and the Collinwood Observer started filling up with articles, advice, ideas and recipes from the very first paper. We are entering 2010 with more than 200 members signed up on the Collinwood Observer website, and plans to make sure the paper expands in every way.  The Observation Deck-- a Message Board that runs 24 hours, where anybody can start a topic and get into a discussion or debate-- will be fully functioning this month, as
will the Business Listings section of the website. This section will allow advertisers and business owners to post information, pictures, menus, specials, etc. that will help them get their word out, and help readers figure out where they want to go for services, shopping and dinner.

The new Publisher is John Copic. He has been with the paper from the beginning, running the ever-expanding ad sales division, and organizing distribution for the paper. He has also been a writer from the first issue. One of the stories that has gotten the most reader response is his—the one about the tomato plant that took over his neighbor’s front yard.  You probably know John, but if you don’t, he grew up in Collinwood, attending St. Mary’s Elementary school and then St. Joes, when it was still separate from Villa Angela down the street. His family’s business was John’s Funhouse, which has moved online (for now).  John took over the casino portion of the business with Jackpot Gaming on 185th Street, which is also the headquarters of the Collinwood Observer. He has been the number one cheerleader, adviser, evangelist from day one—making sure the paper never faltered. As the publisher stepping aside, I am happy to tell you that he is assuming his rightful place as new publisher. You can reach John at johncopic@collinwoodobserver.com.

The new Editor is Cindy Barber. You probably know her as one of the owners and founders of the Beachland Ballroom on Waterloo, but before Cindy became a rock and roll impresario, she helped start the Cleveland Free Times, and served as its editor for six years. She was editor of Northern Ohio Live for a year, a columnist for the Cleveland Edition, and co-owner of the Cleveland Express, back in the late 1970s. She is bringing all of this knowledge, along with her hands-on neighborhood-building experience to the Collinwood Observer. Cindy can be reached at cindy@collinwoodobserver.com.

It has been a privilege working with all of you to help start this paper. I will be around in an advisory capacity as the project moves forward, and gets bigger and better, and more fun, representing and building more and more of Collinwood because of you.

Once again…

To write for the Collinwood Observer, go to the website, collinwoodobserver.com, click on Member Center, which is in the menu box on your left, sign in and click on “Submit new article.” That’s it. If you haven’t written, or submitted photographs for the paper yet, now’s the time…

See you in the paper.