Painesville, OH

So when is freedom of speech to free? The free communication of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious of the rights of man. Every citizen may, accordingly, speak, write, and print with freedom.

So where do we draw the line? Who are you or I to say what others speak, write, and print? I wrote a blog the other day A Feel Good Story ......Turned Tragic it was about a local young Marine that was killed in Afghanistan. It was my right to print it he was fighting for my right to do this he gave his life for me to do it.

This morning I'm reading the paper again and I come across another article on the young man (Lance Cpl. David Raymond Baker) But this was not so much about him but about a church. Radical church to protest at Baker funeral needless to say I clicked on it and read it...go ahead click it read it....

I was blown away by what the article or should I say trash said (the church said)....This so called church is going to protest at this young mans funeral...WHY?

This is what they said.... To explain its protest at the funerals of troops, Westboro writes in its news release: "These soldiers are dying for the homosexual and other sins of America. God is now America's enemy, and God Himself is fighting against America."

So this church is planing a protest at one of our young... (and I mean young he was only 22 years old)...at his funeral.. They are going to protest I ask WHY? They should be there thanking his family and friends for his service....

If you ask me this is to much freedom of speech... yes I said to much freedom... I say Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka Kansas stay the hell away from these people and mind your own business. Let them lay to rest this young man who died fighting for your freedom. He is thier son, brother, grandson, cousin he is thier family and they deserve to morn without you running your mouth and protesting.

I am not the only one who thinks this....read some of the comments under the article....

peace everyone zane

Last week I was out working in the garage and I'm listening to the radio and the DJ starts telling the story of a local mom who didn't have the money to fly to California to see her son. He was coming home from his 1st tour in Afghanistan.

The next thing you know people started calling the radio station (WKKY in Geneva) and donating money for a plane ticket for this Marine mom to fly out to Camp Pendleton in California to see him. Within hours radio listeners and local business's donated enough money for Laurie Lewkoski to go see her son Marine Lance Cpl. David Baker.

The local Radio Station and the people of the community stepped right up to help a local family out. The community gave so much the DJ said ok we don't need no more we have enough to get her to her son.

This was a real feel good story....That was until I was listing to the radio this morning taking my son Matt to school and I hear of a local Marine killed by a IED (improvised explosive device). When I returned home I turned on my computer to see who it was.

With a heavy heart and great sadness I found the article and learned that it was in fact Marine Lance Cpl. David Raymond Baker 22 Painesville Ohio. He was killed Tuesday by an IED in the Helmand Province of South Afghanistan.

So now instead of a joy-full family reunion for a mom and her son Mrs Lewkoski will be laying to rest a local hero her son.

Please remember all of our son's , daughters, moms, dads, uncles, aunts, cousins, family and friends that serve in the armed forces. Even if you don't agree with why they are there and what they are doing, They still have family and friends that do. They deserve your support and prayers.

Thank you David and family for your sacrifices and for giving me my freedom to write this....peace zane

Injured Marine Fund if you would like to give

Free Appraisal Fair
November 1, 2008
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
PUBLIC WELCOME!

An "Antiques Road Show"-type appraisal fair will be held at the *Uri Seeley House located at 969 Riverside Drive in Painesville Township, Ohio. The event is cosponsored by the Cleveland Auction Company and is open to the public If you know someone who would enjoy this event, please feel free to pass on this information

*This gorgeous home was built in 1819 and is currently on the market.

Taste of Painesville
5pm to 10pm, September 4th
Downtown Painesville

Come experience the largest end-of-summer block party in Lake County. Main Street will be rockin' this Thursday for The 9th Annual Taste of Painesville.

Free Parking - Free Admission - Free Music

Jam to live music from The Castaways as you sample delicious food from a dozen local restaurants. Painesville Community Improvement Corporation will be selling beer and other beverages. There will also be a corn hole tournament with cash prizes. Details below.

RESTAURANTS
Flavors on the Square
Roberto's Restaurant
The Storm Cellar Sports Bar
Bistro 70
Rider's Inn 1812
El Señor's Taquería
Chester's Legacy Tavern
Jimmy's Restaurant
Your Vine or Mine Wine Bistro
Wojtila's Puritan Bakery
Java Express
Pap's Kettle Korn

CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT

Team Names must be entered at Registration. Registration begins at 5 pm near the band stage. Teams consist of 2 players, cost $20 per team or $30 the day of the event. Single Elimination, Cash Prize for 1st and 2nd Place. For pre-registration call Kathleen Roberti or Cathy Bieterman at 440-392-5795.

http://www.downtownpainesville.org/

Find local treasures, shop for great finds and seek out amazing bargains at Painesville's annual community garage sale!

Christine Howlett of Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer (http://www.christinehowlett.com) and Jan Urbanick of Artful Hands Studio (http://www.artfulhands.com) are co-chairing the Great Community Garage Sale in Painesville, Ohio on Saturday, June 21, 2008. This event will be held from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and is sponsored by the Downtown Painesville Organization (http://www.downtownpainesville.org).

Participation in the garage sale is open to residents of the 44077 zip code, or employees of city/county government offices, employees/owners of city businesses, Painesville school system, churches, and civic and youth groups. Sale locations may be at residences, or tables may be set up in the parking lot of Job and Family Services, located at 177 Main Street in downtown Painesville. Shoppers from all over the area are invited to come and shop!

For information, please call Chris at 440-812-4001, or Jan at 440-392-2787.

Registration forms and instructions are available at Artful Hands, 170 Main Street, or online at www.DowntownPainesville.org.