Fine Lifestyles Cleveland Fall 2014

FineLifestyles 2014 VOL. 2, ISSUE 3

DINING IN CHARLESTON, S.C. BOOK REVIEW: A CHAUTAUQUA MEMOIR SHOWCASING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES

CLEVELAND

DR. JOHN LIVINGSTON Lifelong Health & Wellness

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first word

FineLifestyles CLEVELAND

With Fine Lifestyles editor Patti London

W

e’re hanging on to the last warm rays of summer around here.

As we go to print, the tomatoes are still ripening, even though the pool is closed and kids are back to school.

Making the summer-to-fall transition easier is Tribe baseball. Whether they’re in the postseason race or lagging behind, watching the Cleveland Indians at play at Progressive Field reminds us of those long summer evenings.

In the spirit of celebrating Cleveland baseball, you’ll find interesting reading in this issue. We visit the Baseball Heritage Museum and the newly renovated League Park for a look at what baseball used to mean to Clevelanders. You might be surprised to know who made historic appearances on the field at East 66th and Lexington Avenue. And you might be surprised by what you can find during a visit to League Park today.

There is plenty to do as we wind up summer and start planning for the cooler season. You might want to take advantage of one of the last chances for patio dining at Felice or Bistro 83. You may need to put your home in order before the holidays, have your driveway power washed and your roof cleaned. Do you need a wine cellar or a new door and oriental rug for your home’s entryway? You can start researching your home improvement options right here. Are you feeling a bit creaky from too much recreation this summer? Dr. Livingston has the answers for that.

Take some time this fall to put yourself in order so you can remain active all year round.

finelifestylesmagazine.com Fall 2014 Volume 2 Issue 3 Publisher Marc London Associate Editor Patti London Art Direction Amber Moon (Senior), Lisa Redden (Associate) Design Natasha Burkholder, Candace Haiko Staff Writers Dylan Tussel, Mike Cabrerra, Lisa Floyd-Brown Cover Photography Vincent Gorman Photography Vincent Gorman, Aaron Leyser Advertising Consultants Marlon Tussel, Fred Rodgers, Bruce McAllister Distribution marc@finelifestylesmagazine.com Cover Photo: Dr. John Livingston

Before settling down in front of the fire to wait out what promises to be a cold and snowy Cleveland winter, use these next few months to explore your city and visit your neighborhood businesses. We’ll all enjoy the profits when we shop local and support the Cleveland economy. Happy autumn!

Fine Lifestyles Cleveland

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Marlon Tussel 216.548.6292 marlon@finelifestylesmagazine.com

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@FLScle

We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen for publication including photographs. We reserve the right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement. All contents of FineLifestyles Inc, publications are copyrighted 2014 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to FineLifestyles Inc., where copyright resides with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of FineLifestyles Inc. or its writers. The name FineLifestyles Cleveland East, its logo and material cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of FineLifestyles Inc. or the companies it represents.

The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

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ARTISTIC PHOTOGRAPHY FOR Portraits of Families • Children • Graduating Seniors • Executives Products • Architecture • Special Events • Commission work

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CONTENTS STYLE ..................................................... 8 HEALTH AND WELLNESS .................19 CALENDAR OF EVENTS................... 33

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ARTS, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ..42 SPORTS, RECREATION & TRAVEL... 52 HOUSE AND HOME ...........................58 BUSINESS ........................................... 60 WHEELS ............................................... 111

Cover Story: Dr. John Livingston......34 Dining in Charleston, S.C. ................... 38 Book Review: Clear Skies, Deep Water ...................... 51 League Park & Baseball Heritage Museum ................ 52

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SET THE MOOD

prese n tin g O U R FA L L 2 014 CO L L E C T I O N

CHESTNUT HILL HOME / 27 N FRANKLIN STREET / CHAGRIN FALLS, OH 44022 / 440.247.6858 Featuring: BARDOT SOFA in boulevard-café ($4480) $3325, JAMES CHAIR in billiard-gargoyle ($2360) $1745, MELROSE RECTANGLE COCKTAIL TABLE $1745, MELROSE SIDE TABLE $995, LOG PULL-UP TABLE in silver leaf $680, DELANO LAMP $650, ASTON MIRROR in smoked glass $795, SHIMMER RUG in parchment $1895, ANGLED CONE VASE in smoke mirror glass $38, CLEAR GLASS BALLS in assorted sizes and styles $25 to $60

Brimming WITH LOVE

FOR HATS

By Lisa Drader-Murphy, photo Jenn Gregory

BY LISA DRADER-MURPHY FASHION COLUMNIST PHOTOS GEOFFREY CREIGHTON

I

recently had the pleasure of exploring my “hat personality” with famous Milliner, Edie Orenstein. With Edie’s creative genius guiding me, I had so much fun exploring a variety of looks and styles. We narrowed the vast hat-wearing opportunities down to five different looks.

Surely every woman will find one of these to suit her lifestyle and aesthetic.

Iconic—I loved wearing this style! The Panama-style hat exudes confidence, yet the brim is wide enough to provide a hint of privacy. This style conjurs visions of the English manor house, surrounding gardens and nearby stables. It exudes taste, sophistication and elegance.

“Iconic hats and clothing connect us with our history. Collectively, personally, books, movies, world events... We attach our dreams and alter egos to stories of history.” – Edie Orenstein, Milliner Gatsby—The flapper girl of the roaring 20s is the independent, unattached, unrestricted, flamboyant woman, not having to adhere to the rules. The “cloche” that topped the sweet pin curls and finger waves of the girls of this era has been a style that has endured the test of time and to this day is the most popular selling shape in women’s hats.

It’s one of my favourite sassy silhouettes to pull off the “I’m sweet, and a little bit mischievous” look!

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Romantic—The romantic hat harkens back to an innocent time. Pure, lovely, uncomplicated, these hats are everything feminine, natural, and emotionally driven. You may don a romantic hat whenever you’re in the mood for it, not just for the garden party.

Wear this look when shielding oneself from the harshness of life.

“Romantic fashion and hats transport us to a gentler, magical place, where things are simpler.” – Edie Orenstein, Milliner Travel & Leisure—The fedora is one of the easiest styles to wear. It is casual and comfortable, yet chic with its multinational flavour. It’s pack-ability and versatility transforms day to night looks. The style is light-hearted, playful, and somewhat androgynous. I love the juxtaposition of the masculine structure adorned with feathers, flowers and ribbon.

Occasion—Some hats “rise to the occasion,” like a tuxedo or uniform. There is no mistaking that this is a special event.

Imagine horse races, weddings, bar mitzvahs, elegant luncheons, cocktails; occasion-style hats mark formal events of any sort.

“Fashion is the non-verbal language of humanity (society) past and present.

Hats are the accent, the flourish, and the poetry of that language regionally and globally.” – Edie Orenstein, Milliner “Fashion, like any language, and the use of it, is affected by culture, religion, politics, education, station, experience, personal identification of “tribe.” It all adds up to expression — personal, collective, conscious and unconscious. It says, “I belong,” “I am different,” or even “I’m trying to hide or disappear.” – Edie Orenstein, Milliner Proudly self-described as “an entrepreneur who happens to design women’s clothing,” Lisa Drader-Murphy has been the creative and driving force behind the celebrated “Turbine” label for more than 17 years, as well as the new and exclusive “Lisa Drader-Murphy” line.

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A Spa Day for Health and Sanity

By Dylan Yepez Photos Aaron Leyser

W

hether you are running a household, working a demanding career, or a superhuman who does

it all, life can be hectic. It’s easy to get bogged down by daily stresses and neverending to-do lists. For your sanity, beauty, and overall wellbeing, it’s important to find a getaway where you can relax and rejuvenate.

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“Our sanctuary is your refuge,” says Sandy Borrelli, co-owner of Bella Capelli Sanctuario in Westlake. “It’s a place to escape from the hectic and bustling daily life in a very peaceful, calm, and relaxing environment.”

Bella Capelli is an Aveda Lifestyle salon and spa that offers the full range of services in a warm, relaxing environment.

The salon, opened in 1997 by Sandy and

her business partner Serina Peck, includes an 18-chair styling arena, where their staff of experienced and educated hair technicians performs the range of cutting and coloring services. The spa, added in 2005, is a placid escape with a manicure and pedicure area, as well as four private treatment rooms where aestheticians and masso-therapists provide specialized facials, body treatments, massages, and hair-removal services.

“When somebody comes in, we’re looking to make their day,” Serina says. “We want to make every person who comes in feel welcome and change their life by making them feel beautiful.”

There’s no such thing as a basic service at Bella Capelli. Even routine haircuts are relaxing and rejuvenating experiences, as they include stress-relieving scalp massages, blow-dry styles, and makeup touchups. You’ll always leave your appointment looking and feeling your best. “When you look good, you absolutely have more confidence,” Sandy says.

“That’s one of our goals.”

From the beginning, Sandy and Serina have emphasized education and customer service above all else. Bella Capelli’s service providers are pleasant, inviting, and dedicated to the salon and spa’s mission of providing each visitor a peaceful, inspiring, and individual experience. The salon’s intern training program, in conjunction with its extensive continuing education opportunities, ensures its entire staff is thoroughly versed in the latest cutting and coloring techniques and trends.

Enter the spa area and experience an immediate sensation of calm amid soft Zen music and pacifying aromatherapy.

Bella Capelli’s facials, performed by its experienced aestheticians, are second to none. The spa offers a full lineup of facials, each with specialized benefits such as acne relief, antiaging, and exfoliation. The facials are comprehensive, beginning with an indepth consultation and skin analysis and ending with recommendations for athome skin care products and practices.

To accommodate any schedule, the facials can be performed in 30, 60, or 90 minutes. They include a relaxing foot soak, aromatherapy, and hand, arm, scalp, and foot massage. A variety of body treatments also are available, which integrate soothing aromatherapy with Aveda’s all-natural body creams for deep cleansing, exfoliation, and hydration.

“Everyone is stressed out now, and this gives you a moment during the day when you can have a little bit of calm in your life,” Serina says. “The stress-relieving factor of our salon and spa is key in taking care of yourself.”

Bella Capelli is located at 24350 Center Ridge Road in Westlake. Visit bellacapelli.com to explore the lineup of salon and spa services it offers.

You can request an appointment online or by calling Bella Capelli at 440.899.1225.

Bella Capelli 24350 Center Ridge Road Westlake 440.899.1225 bellacapelli.com

Sandy Borelli and Serina Peck FineLifestyles

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Enhance the Ambiance of Your Home with Art Glass

By Mike Cabrerra Photos courtesy Crystal Illusions

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rtistic masterpieces aren’t just for admiring in museums.

Functional glass art can be designed to enhance any room in your house — and you don’t have to leave Cleveland to find it.

“We like to use glass to create everyday surfaces such as railings, showers, and countertops,” says Bill Klausner, president of Crystal Illusions, Northeast Ohio’s premier art glass company. Functional glass art is Crystal Illusions’ specialty, and

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its artists have created countless glass fixtures for homes and businesses.

Bill began creating art glass as a hobby in his basement in Cleveland. From that same basement, he founded Crystal Illusions in 1981, which he co-owns with Tom Wozniakowski. Crystal Illusions started off doing primarily sand blasting, or etched glass. Guided by curiosity, Bill expanded both his team and his repertoire. Today, Crystal Illusions’ artists work with a range of styles of art glass,

including stained and leaded glass, fused glass, slumped glass, laminated glass, and color-coated glass.

While most of Crystal Illusions’ work is functional, this group of talented artists also does plenty of art for art’s sake. They have created large pieces to be hung above fireplaces, and have even manufactured decorative glass walls. If you want a oneof-a-kind piece of glass artwork, Crystal Illusions can help determine what would look best in your space.

From your first conversation with Bill, he will get an idea of what you’re seeking in terms of style and function. He or one of his artists will visit your home to see the décor and the area in which you’re working, and then create a drawing of your future installation. Color typically is among the final touches, and Crystal Illusions can work with any palette. Inhouse artists handle all installations.

Crystal Illusions has produced artful glass shower enclosures for more than 20 years, which now are among their bestselling pieces. Many people have found that using solid color-coated glass panels are an excellent alternative to tile. “It has a nice reflective quality and no grout lines,” Bill says. “And it’s easy to maintain.”

A solid glass countertop can add a new dimension to your kitchen, bathroom, or bar. Crystal Illusions creates clear, frosted, and colored glass counters up to two inches thick, with lighting around the edges to accentuate the counter’s unique design. Crystal Illusions also designs and manufactures a range of bathroom sinks, from contemporary trough-style sinks to more traditional round-top sinks. They can be separate from the vanity tops, or they can be designed so that one piece of brilliant, durable glass forms the entire countertop and sink.

If you’re looking for a new door, you can have one manufactured out of solid glass.

Crystal Illusions has created everything from heavy office doors made of halfinch-thick glass to barn doors that allow light to fill the room. “It adds a little light, texture, and sparkle to everything,” Bill says. “If you want to install a new shower or replace a mirror, we can do that. If you want to make an artistic statement which will leave an enthusiastic impression on your guests, we can do that too.”

Crystal Illusions’ showroom is located at 5120 Richmond Road in Bedford Heights.

Stop by or visit crystalillusions.us to learn more about how art glass can transform your home. You can reach the showroom at 216.292.9959.

RIGHT Tomasz Wozniakowski and Bill Klausner

Crystal Illusions 5120 Richmond Road, Bedford Heights 216.292.9959 crystalillus@aol.com crystalillusions.us

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Don’t Forget Your Furry Friends During the Holidays

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos Aaron Leyser

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he holidays are around the corner. If we’re lucky, we get to spend time with friends and family, either hosting visits at our home or packing up the kids and pets and traveling to them. Lori Aldrich, owner of Trendi Paws! has some good advice on making these holiday visits a pleasant experience for everyone in the family.

If the party is coming to your house, remember your pets may not be used to having more than the immediate family

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around. They may get overly excited by larger groups of visitors which could lead to jumping, barking and possible food snatching behavior. This can be embarrassing and lead to tension with others who may not be comfortable around pets in the first place.

One method of preparation for visitors is to practice some obedience exercises, reinforced with healthy treats. Trendi Paws! is not only a dog boutique but also carries its own line of all-natural treats

made in their local bakery. The obedience practice can be fun and healthy.

Another way to avoid unwanted conflict between your fur-coated family and your extended family members is to set aside a room where your pets can feel safe — away from the noise and unknown smells of the party. A simple sign on the door can instruct guests not to open it. Leaving a few familiar toys and maybe a few new ones should keep your pets calm, yet entertained, during the festivities

If you’re traveling by car during the holidays, consider keeping your pet crated during the ride. This could keep your pet from becoming a hazardous distraction, but also keep them safer in the event of an accident. A crate with a familiar blanket and a few new toys is actually a comfort to your pet during visits away from home. It can also provide a safe space during the visit when your pet may feel anxious and need a break.

Trendi Paws! is located in Westlake. If you have concerns about the impact of your holiday plans on your pets, Lori is happy to help. She can assist in the selection of healthy homemade treats for both your canine and feline family members. Trendi Paws! carries a wide selection of unique and upscale dog toys and accessories, such as seatbelt attachments, “Chewy Vuitton” beds, “iBone” and “iPawd” toys, and a doggy cabana for outdoor relaxation. If you’re looking for holiday gifts for other furry friends you might be visiting, Trendi Paws! also has a line of cotton rope toys and a variety of other

chews and doggie playthings that have fun seasonal and holiday themes.

Lori always takes a couple of her tiny poodles to the store and encourages shoppers to do the same. Take your dogs, on leashes, to Trendi Paws! and they get a homemade treat for free. They can play around, while you check out the everchanging selection of toys and clothes, much of which is made in the U.S. and all of which is dog-safe. “We have something for everyone and will do our best to find what you’re looking for, even if we don’t carry it,” Lori says. “We want to be your favorite doggy destination.”

Trendi Paws! is located at 25060 Center Ridge Road in Westlake’s King James Plaza. You can reach the shop by phone at 440.808.WOOF (9663).

BELOW Lori Aldrich, owner

Trendi Paws!

25060 Center Ridge Road, Westlake 440.808.9663

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Professional Dry Cleaning

Delivered to Your Door

By Dylan Yépez Photos Aaron Leyser

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cratch “pick up dry cleaning” off your to-do list, permanently.

London Cleaners, Northeast Ohio’s premier door-to-door drycleaning service, picks up your clothes, cleans them using state-of-the-art processes and equipment, and delivers them conveniently back to your home.

Whether you’re looking to clean a pair of slacks or preserve a one-of-a-kind wedding gown, London Cleaners can handle the job.

Alex Shvartshteyn, owner of London Cleaners, is a third-generation custom tailor who spent years making and altering garments. With a thorough

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understanding of clothing and fabrics, Alex decided to add a new dimension to his practice: preserving garments.

Thirty years ago, Alex pur-chased London Cleaners and transformed it into an exclusively door-to-door dry-cleaning ser-vice. London Cleaners can handle any type of garment care and has been recognized and certi-fied by America’s Best Cleaners for the past decade.

As Ohio’s only certified couture-level dry cleaner, London Cleaners is the company that high-end retailers trust with the cleaning, preservation, and restoration of their own garments. “It’s the understanding of the garments and the understanding of

the fabrics,” Alex explains. “I know how the garments are constructed and how the fabrics are made.”

Alex has taken every opportunity to learn more about garment care. He has traveled to Italy to tour the factories of Zegna and Brioni, and to Irvine, California, to explore St. John Knits. Through experiences such as these, Alex has gleaned firsthand knowledge of the construction and care of designer clothes. He applied this conscientiousness, which is unmatched by any other Cleveland-area dry cleaner, to develop London Cleaners’ Signature Service for all specialty garments that require extra care during the cleaning process. These

ABOVE Alex Shvartshteyn, owner

custom and designer clothes receive the same level of diligence in their cleaning as they did in their tailoring.

equipment. Then, they arrive at your front door, individually packaged on wooden hangers in breathable bags.

What many might consider extraordinary measures are standard steps in the Signature process. All garments are precisely measured prior to cleaning.

Buttons, beading, and other embellishments that might otherwise be damaged during the cleaning process are carefully removed. Hem-lines are opened and thoroughly cleaned. Each specialty garment is cleaned and finished individually, and comes out completely free of seam impressions, thanks to London Cleaners’ special European up air

“Our standards are very high,” Alex says.

“I’m proud of what we do.”

Terri Brown, London Cleaners’ plant manager, is certified in bridal gown cleaning and preserva-tion. She inspects all specialty garments and wedding gowns upon their receipt and encourages customers to share any concerns and/ or special requests with her. She ensures that no detail is excluded from London Cleaners’ certified museum-quality wedding gown preservation process, during which sterile gloves are used

to package the gown into a specially designed preservation case. Then detailed instructions for storage are provided to the customer.

“We’ll take it from here” is the London Cleaners’ motto. From cleaning to preservation and stor-age, let the experts at London Cleaners take the guesswork out of garment care. Visit londoncleaners.com to explore the services offered, and call 800.832.1222 to get started today.

London Cleaners 800.832.1222 londoncleaners.com

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Partners To Empowerment Wellness Center provides a collaborative, personcentered environment for all who strive to achieve optimal health and wellness by providing programs and services that integrate the core components of the eight dimensions of wellness. One Stop Wellness Center for true healing and real transformation. For more information, call 216-591-1908 and inquire about the wide range of services, workshops and classes to help you develop the necessary skills and confidence to lead an empowered life today!

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A New You, Just in Time for the Holidays

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos Vincent Gorman

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he best way to present yourself is with a luminous, white smile. But a perfect set of teeth is only one part of your overall presence. Package that with some Botox, and for less than $1,000 you’ll look like a million bucks.

Macedonia Dental Health not only provides the gamut of routine, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry, but also performs facial applications of Botox and Juvederm/Restylane. “I specialize in facial aesthetics, and not many dentists can offer that,” says Dr. Todd Russell, owner of Macedonia Dental Health.

Just in time for the holidays, Macedonia Dental Health is offering its New You Package, which includes teeth whitening and Botox. At only about $900, this package provides a relatively inexpensive, nonsurgical way to gain a more youthful appearance for your family or corporate gatherings.

Botox and Juvederm/Restylane work hand-in-hand to rejuvenate your face. Over time, due to repeated muscle contractions, our faces become covered in wrinkles such as frown lines, forehead creases, and crow’s feet near the eyes. Botox allows those muscles to relax and ease

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Dr. Todd Russell

the wrinkles they create. Juvederm/ Restylane, on the other hand, fills and plumps the areas where we lose fat, particularly in the cheeks and lips.

“The results don’t last forever,” Dr. Russell says of the injections. “But for that period of time when you want a little extra help aging gracefully, this is the perfect compromise, without surgery and extreme costs.”

Many patients used to go to their dermatologists for Botox and then stop

by Macedonia Dental Health to whiten their teeth. That means scheduling more appointments and spending more time and money on the procedures that Dr. Russell provides under one roof. In fact, the entire New You Package is completed in one appointment, which will last a total of between one and two hours. “We tend to keep all the work in our office, and people love us for that,” Dr. Russell says.

Macedonia Dental Health offers the widest range and highest quality of dental services in the Cleveland area.

Dr. Russell himself is exceptionally versatile and either currently performs or has performed every service offered at his office. “I’ve done it all,” he says.

“This gives me an incredible wealth of knowledge to help guide patients through treatment options and a greater experience level to that of anyone else in the field.”

Beyond performing the full spectrum of routine dentistry, Dr. Russell stays on the cutting edge of dental cosmetics, offering teeth whitening, Lumineers (anesthesia- and drill-free veneers), bonded and porcelain fillings, Invisalign clear braces, and dental implants to replace missing teeth.

Before

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When it comes to teeth whitening, Dr. Russell has the experience and flexibility

treatments, so anyone can have a whiter, brighter smile within his or her time and financial constraints.

As the official team dentist for the Lake Erie Monsters and the Cleveland Gladiators, Dr. Russell also has extensive experience in reconstructive dentistry.

He has provided tooth implants for about 15 years, during which time he has performed more than 1,000 such procedures.

Dr. Russell works with each patient to understand his or her particular needs and then develops a treatment plan to satisfy those needs, within the patient’s budget.

Unlike many other dentists, Dr. Russell breaks down treatments into phases, which he prioritizes based on urgency and cost. “I get the most important operations done first, and at an affordable cost,” he explains. “Instead of saying you owe me $9,000 right now, I say it’ll be $9,000 but spread over more time, like two or three years. They give me goals; I give them options for how to achieve them; and we come up with a plan.”

Visit DrToddRussell.com for more information about Dr. Russell and the services he offers, including popular cosmetic procedures such as Botox and Juvederm/Restylane. Macedonia Dental Health is located at 9769 Valley View Road, conveniently by the interchange of 271 and Route 8 in Macedonia. Email macedoniadentalhealthgroup@gmail.com with any questions, and call 330.468.6670 to set up an appointment today.

to meet any patient’s needs. He has provided teeth bleaching for two decades and has a variety of options available.

Zoom Whitening, for instance, is an hour-long, in-office treatment that will whiten your teeth instantly. If you don’t have a free hour, or would like a more economical alternative, Dr. Russell has custom-made, take-home bleaching

“This is all about self-confidence,” Dr. Russell says. “Whether you’re in sales or back hitting the dating scene, your face is in the public, and this gives you that good feeling about yourself again.”

Macedonia Dental Health 9769 Valley View Road, Macedonia 330.468.6670 macedoniadentalhealthgroup@gmail. com DrToddRussell.com

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Slim. Sexy. Strong. Stretched.

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos Brad Cohn

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hen Yana Salwan opened Barre Cleveland, Northeast Ohio’s first barre studio, she vowed to keep the classes small and to lead each one herself.

Even with women all throughout the greater Cleveland area signing up online at barrecleveland.com, Yana has maintained a 20-person limit in her popular BarreFit classes and has personally ensured that her committed students see results.

In fact, three to four hours per week at Barre Cleveland in Beachwood has produced dramatic results to the health and figure of many of Yana’s students, in as little as a month.

The Barre workout draws from ballet, yoga, and Pilates, to provide a workout experience that produces results without

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wearing down your body. Barre takes the body-sculpting elements of each workout style to focus on the areas you care about most: thighs, hips, butt, abs, and arms. Slow, sustained motions immediately followed by stretches allow you to strengthen these muscles without bulking them up.

Barre provides a thorough cardio and strength workout, while avoiding the type of high-impact movements and heavy lifting that typically leads to joint and back pain. Barre is, to the contrary, restorative and actually helps you to improve your posture, strengthen your core, and bolster the overall health of your back.

The gentle, restorative nature of the barre workout makes it extremely sustainable

for women of all fitness levels, ages 18 and up. The classmates you’ll meet at Barre Cleveland will vary widely in age and experience —Yana even has current students as old as 75.

That’s because Barre Cleveland is a place where women can confidently work out with other women. The training style fosters a sense of community and familiarity among participants, so you don’t have to worry about judging glances from other women or unwanted attention from men, as is common in traditional gym settings.

This female-only boutique fitness studio will help you to sculpt your body, become slim, and feel sexy, all with the support of a strong community of women who are experiencing the same struggles in

Yana Salwan, owner

pursuit of the same goals as you. “We accommodate every fitness level in every class,” Yana assures. “It’s very inviting — all the ladies know what it feels like to be in class for the first time.”

BarreFit has become an integral part of many women’s weekly routines, so some of the most popular class times at Barre Cleveland are filling up a month in advance. All class scheduling is done online at barrecleveland.com, so go online to check out the studio, purchase a new client unlimited one month pass

for 60 percent off the normal price, and schedule all your classes.

The Barre Cleveland studio is located near the intersection of I-271 and Chagrin Boulevard, in Beachwood. “Like” BARRE Cleveland on Facebook to keep up with the activity at the studio. Call if you have any questions.

Barre Cleveland 3737 Park East Drive, Suite 209 Beachwood 216.342.4229 barrecleveland.com

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Professional & Compassionate Assistance for

Independent Living

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos Vincent Gorman & Courtesy of Home Care Assistance

T

oday’s population is living longer than ever, and increasing numbers of adults are finding themselves at a crossroads: their parents or other loved ones need additional assistance to maintain their independence, so how do they find reliable and effective elder care?

No one understands this better than Scott Michaels, who experienced this same uncertainty with his loved ones. After losing both of his parents, Scott opened Home Care Assistance in part to raise awareness of aging, health and wellness, and quality of life in older adults. Home Care Assistance is a nonmedical, inhome care company, with a mission to change the way the world ages. Scott’s passion for elder care permeates his company, as does his desire to provide unparalleled service to his clients.

“When someone calls, I think the expectation is to have someone on the other line who believes in providing value, who listens to what you’re saying, who recognizes your needs, who empathizes with you, and who understands the urgency of what you’re going through,” Scott explains. “Our focus is on providing great service, on being super responsive, and on listening to our clients. That’s part of our mission.”

The staff of caregivers whom Scott has assembled is not just a group of in-home care professionals. Each embodies the core values of Home Care Assistance, including compassion, conscientiousness, and loyalty.

ABOVE & OPPOSITE Lisa Cales, caregiver and Marilyn Matia OPPOSITE TOP LEFT & CENTER Scott Michaels

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“They should be the standard for home care services.

They are outstanding.”

-Marilyn Matia, current Home Care Assistance Client

Scott emphasizes to his caregivers the absolute necessity of caring about clients, being commit-ted to helping clients, pleasantly engaging with clients, and being reliable. He evaluates his staff’s attitude to ensure everyone has a contagiously positive and upbeat personality. “It’s not just service; it’s outstanding service,” Scott says. “My caregivers go above and beyond. I tell them to pretend they’re taking care of their own parents or children.”

Solon resident Marilyn Matia used various home-care services over the past 25 years, before finally discovering Home Care Assistance. For Marilyn, Home Care Assistance has provided integral care before, during, and after she

underwent a major surgery. “They always have someone ready to meet your needs, and they arrive on time,” Marilyn says of Home Care Assistance. “A caregiver will stay until 10 p.m. if necessary, and will come as early as 6:30 a.m. I find their flexibility a huge plus.”

Marilyn says there is no comparison between Home Care Assistance and the other home-care companies she tried.

Since switching to Home Care Assistance, Marilyn says, she always has been taken care of and it is obvious her comfort is the company’s priority. If someone new from Home Care Assistance ever stops by her home, for instance, either Scott or Stevie Hatala, client care manager, arrives personally to make a formal introduction.

“They should be the standard for home care services,” Marilyn concludes. “They are outstanding.”

Home Care Assistance is located at 33790 Bainbridge Road in Solon. Visit HomeCareAssistanceCleveland.com for more information about the resources offered to clients, their families, and the community. Email Scott or call him with any questions or to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.

Home Care Assistance 33790 Bainbridge Road, Solon 440.332.0170 smichaels@homecareassistance.com HomeCareAssistanceCleveland.com

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Com p r e h e ns i v e

Elder Care Advice

By Dylan Yépez Photos Aaron Leyser

C

aring for an aging loved one can be terrifying, and it’s not always clear where to turn for help. If an elderly member of your family is diagnosed with a chronic problem and begins to have issues performing daily functions, call the Kabb Law Firm, the first and most experienced life care planning law firm in Ohio.

“If we can reach people while they’re still in the community and have just recently been diagnosed with a major

chronic illness, we will have more time and options in terms of planning and protecting them and their assets,” explains Rachel Kabb-Effron, a secondgeneration attorney and owner of Kabb Law in Beachwood. “We get involved in the day-to-day issues to get the family member stabilized and design a plan for them that will keep them safe and not lose all their money in the process.”

Rachel grew up a natural debater. Whether it was with her family or with her school’s

debate team, Rachel always assumed the role of chief negotiator. As she grew up watching her father practice law, it became apparent the legal profession was in her future. “It was just a natural fit,” Rachel says. “I really, really do love it.”

Rachel began like most elder law attorneys, helping aging people manage their assets and get public benefits such as Medicaid. At the time, many who were transitioning into the role of caregiver of their parents called to

ABOVE Rachel Kabb, owner Kathy VanDoros and Susan Krupitzer, elder care coordinators.

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ask for help navigating their new and complex responsibilities. “I was finding myself spending a lot of time researching community resources and other areas I wasn’t immediately qualified to talk about,” Rachel recalls.

It soon became clear the parameters of traditional elder law made it difficult for Rachel to provide her clients with necessary elder care services, prompting her to hire the firm’s first nurse care coordinator in 2006. Kabb Law then evolved into Ohio’s first life care planning law firm, meaning it combines the legal expertise of elder law attorneys with the elder care knowledge of social workers to identify and address the care needs of the aging population.

“When people begin managing the care of their parents, they are concerned

about whether they’re doing the right thing, if their parents will be able to live at home, and how to pay for the care,” Rachel says. “From the first phone call, we educate them that whatever we do on the financial end, the care is the most important, in part because it determines how much money is needed.”

The elder care process is very expensive, with average nursing home costs ranging between $6,500 and $12,000 per month. So, having experienced social workers on staff to help new caregivers determine and execute the best care plans turned out to be key in Kabb Law’s life care planning. The best way to protect assets is to get the least protective care by addressing potential health issues before they become more severe. “People need to know what good

care looks like and how to advocate for their parents,” Rachel says.

Kabb Law is located at 21625 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 240 in Beachwood and a new location in Middleburg Heights, at 7081 Pearl Road. You can reach the firm at 216.991.KABB (5222) or at info@kabblaw.com. “You don’t need to go through your care issues alone,” Rachel assures. “We’re a team of people who can help you get through a really overwhelming situation.”

Kabb Law 21625 Chagrin Boulevard, suite 240 Beachwood 7081 pearl road middleburg heights 216.991KABB (5222) info@kabblaw.com

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Age Gracefully with Cardio Core Conditioning

By Mike Cabrerra Photos Vincent Gorman

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Nita Leff, Carol Kwait co-owners and Jody Trostler

F

itness can be boring. But it can be fun, too, if you take the right approach. Partners to Empowerment Wellness Center, in Beachwood, is launching its new Cardio Core Conditioning Class that uses a unique strategy to work out the areas that its title suggests.

“The concept of the class changes every week, but it’s always a high-intensity, low-impact workout focused on cardio, resistance training, and core,” explains Jody Trostler, a personal trainer and group fitness instructor who designed and leads the small class.

Jody’s Cardio Core Conditioning Class meshes with Partners to Empowerment’s overall philosophy of providing a small and intimate workout atmosphere.

Class sizes at the center are always kept to a minimum to allow students the opportunity to get personal attention from their instructors. “It really fosters a more therapeutic, rejuvenating, and welcoming experience,” says Carol Kwait, who co-owns Partners to Empowerment with Nita Leff.

Jody has worked in fitness for the past 20 years and she designed the Cardio Core Conditioning Class at Partners to Empowerment, specifically with their clientele’s needs in mind.

Additional new offerings at Partners To Empowerment this fall include: Breath and Gentle Movement for Asthma, offered as a four week series from September 20 to October 11, and Yoga for Grief and Loss. Back by popular demand is Yoga for Back Pain, starting in October and Yoga for Migraine Headaches.

The hour-long class, offered Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., always begins with a dynamic warmup and ends with stretches, sometimes incorporating some yoga. The main workout consists of a cycle of exercises, typically including cardio, strength, and abdominal work.

Jody also incorporates a lot of balance into the routines, which is vital for the baby boomer population.

Partners to Empowerment Wellness Center is a one-stop-shop for wellness.

Open just under two years, the center is fast becoming the answer for many clients managing chronic pain due to a variety of issues such as arthritis, back problems, migraine headaches and other musculoskeletal conditions. “Pain is one of the most common conditions for which people use complementary

and alternative therapies,” says Nita.

“Our center offers a variety of integrative therapies in pain management.”

Partners to Empowerment focuses on the eight dimensions of wellness: emotional, financial, social, spiritual, occupational, physical, intellectual, and environmental.

The center provides a full spectrum of services, including small group fitness, massage, psychotherapy, thai, massage, yoga, meditation, and self-defense for men, women, and children of all ages. Its programming encompasses people of all levels of fitness and experience.

Partners to Empowerment is located at 3681 South Green Road, Suite 406, in the Park Center II building right next to the post office in Beachwood. Call the center at 216.591.1908 or email info@ partners-to-empowerment.com for more information. Visit partners-toempowerment.com to learn more about the center and the exciting programming it offers.

Partners to Empowerment 3681 South Green Rd, Suite 406 216.591.1908 info@partners-to-empowerment.com partners-to-empowerment.com

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Wall Power Exquisite Design. Extremely Functional.

Exceptional Results.

By Dylan Yepez Photography by Joseph Toth Design

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Y

ou no longer need an expansive room and a five-figure budget to have a complete workout facility in your home. Fred Shafer, a Chagrin Falls-based contractor by trade, has redefined the concept of a home gym—all you need is a wall.

prefer strength training, Pilates, yoga, or a combination of workout styles, Isawall Systems does it all. “I’m a big fan of using body weight for strength training.” Fred says. “You could take anyone who uses free weights and put them on Isawall Systems instead.”

Isawall Systems is a simple and versatile workout apparatus that takes up virtually no space yet enables you to perform nearly any workout. If you have an unused 4-by-8-foot spot on any wall in your house, you have room for Isawall Systems. “Isawall Systems is a gym on a wall,” Fred says. “It’s called Isawall because it is a wall.”

Fred developed the concept for Isawall Systems with a highly experienced team of certified fitness trainers, including Roseann Zaft and Paul Owens. Roseann was teaching yoga at a fitness studio when she heard about the idea. “At first I wondered, ‘What am I going to do with this?’ ” Roseann recalls. “Then, I realized it could do everything.”

With Isawall Systems, you can perform more than 100 distinct exercises to target every major muscle group. Whether you

Isawall Systems’ intuitive smart panel design makes learning to use it effortless and gratifying. It’s perfect for everyone

because it protects against overuse and other injuries by providing assistance when you need it. “If you know basic exercises like the bicep curl, chest press, or pull-up, you can use Isawall Systems,” Roseann assures. “It’s great for people of all fitness levels, because we can use it to tailor workouts to anyone’s skills and athletic abilities.”

Paul Owens has spent more than 100 hours training people on Isawall Systems.

In his experience, “Nothing else comes close to it in terms of maximizing space and the extensive variety of exercises available on it. Isawall Systems can challenge even the most conditioned athletes through its various strength training exercises.” As an additional bonus, Paul points out, “When you are

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done with your workout, you have a nice looking unit attached to your wall as opposed to a giant machine that takes up a whole room and becomes a glorified clothes hanger.”

For the aging population, retaining flexibility and balance is paramount.

Using Isawall Systems, you can ease into stretches with perfect form. Using a balance ball, in conjunction with an inversion belt secured to the wall, you can enhance your equilibrium without the risk of falling.

Isawall Systems can be customized to match your home décor in your choice of wood and finish. The height of the wall can also be tailored to fit the installation site. The hardware is stainless steel, which won’t rust. If you prefer to exercise outside, Isawall Systems can be made in a composite finish that can endure the elements. Isawall Systems is designed to blend beautifully and seamlessly into its surroundings while providing a workout system that utilizes every major muscle group.

Paul and Roseann both offer introductory sessions on the wall for those who want to try before they buy. Paul’s email is paulspersonaltraining@gmail.com or he can be reached at 440.465.7019.

Roseann can be reached at livefit2day@ me.com or 602.717.4771. Isawall Systems training videos are also in the works.

Isawall Systems is based in Chagrin Falls. It offers delivery and installation services across Northeast Ohio and can ship units worldwide. Isawall System’s website is isawallsystems.com. Contact Fred for more information or questions at 440.591.7854 or at isawallsystems@ gmail.com. Also, check out Isawall Systems LLC on houzz.com for photos and customer reviews.

Isawall Systems LLC Chagrin Falls 440.591.7854 isawallsystems@gmail.com isawallsystems.com

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THROUGH OCTOBER 5 Traveling the Silk Road Cleveland Museum of Natural History

events CLEVELAND

SEPT–DEC

THROUGH JANUARY 31 Common Ground: The Music Festival Experience Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum SEPTEMBER 14 Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism Progressive Field SEPTEMBER 14 One World Festival Cultural Gardens – MLK Blvd.

SEPTEMBER 20-21 Chalk Festival Cleveland Museum of Art

OCTOBER 12 Browns vs. Steelers First Energy Stadium

OCTOBER 16-19 & 23-26 Boo at the Zoo Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

OCT 24 – NOV 16 How We Got On Outcalt Theater Cleveland Playhouse NOVEMBER 4-16 Disney’s Newsies Palace Theater Playhouse Square NOVEMBER 7-9 Mr. Toad’s Mad Adventures Mackey Main Stage Beck Center for the Arts DECEMBER 5-7 Beethoven, Uchida & Fleisher Cleveland Orchestra Severance Hall DECEMBER 13 Lake Erie Monsters vs.

Rockford Icehogs Quicken Loans Arena

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COVER STORY

Health and Well-being

Runs in the Family

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos Vincent Gorman

D

r. John Livingston grew up in Rhode Island. Both his father and his paternal grandfather were local chiropractors, but early on he aspired to be a meteorologist.

Dr. Livingston spent about 10 years taking detailed weather records twice per day, every day, as his maternal grandfather had, and thought he would ultimately use this knowledge to build a career in weather.

He frequently visited his father and grandfather’s clinic to have lunch with them. “I didn’t know much about what

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they were doing, but I remember that if I got hurt — if I fell off my bike, fell down the stairs, or whatever I did to myself — my dad would say, ‘Hop up on the table and let’s see what you did here,’ and he’d fix it. My pain would go away,” Dr. Livingston says. “And that happened many times.”

Rather than having him take pills, his father and grandfather would fix his ailments and injuries through chiropractic treatments called adjustments. “I noticed that I would feel better much faster than my friends, who were taking

medications,” he says. “My dad would always adjust me instead of masking the symptoms with medicine. It sunk in that chiropractic was an effective way to eliminate the source of the problem, so I figured that instead of going to school to become a medical doctor I wanted to deal with causation and structure and how it directly related to improving function.”

Dr. Livingston decided during high school that he was going to become a chiropractor. He graduated from Dartmouth College’s biology/premed program in 1990 with an academic

citation in physics, before moving to Chicago and completing a five-year equivalency in a little over three years. He graduated summa cum laude and valedictorian of his class and received his chiropractic degree in 1993. While going through his state board exams, Dr. Livingston served as an associate professor for a year at the National College of Chiropractic, in a suburb of Chicago and performed research with the Chief of Staff, Dr. David Wickes, DC which was published in a journal – Topics in Clinical Chiropractic. He is now board certified in Rhode Island, Illinois, and Ohio.

In 1994, Dr. Livingston came to Ohio and worked as an associate doctor at the Streetsboro Chiropractic Clinic for several years. He opened Livingston Chiropractic Center in Solon in 2000, and moved his practice to its current location seven years later. At his center, Dr. Livingston takes a holistic approach to health care to treat injuries at the source.

One day at church, nearly a decade ago, Dr. Livingston met a local schoolteacher named Jeanette, a Northeast Ohio native. She was a runner, who was dealing with a hip injury and several other sports-related pains.

“She liked the idea of conservative management,” Dr. Livingston says, referring to non-surgical treatment options. “She wanted to continue running and working out, without relying on cortisone injections and pills, because a lot of doctors had her on pills for many years and they weren’t working.”

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COVER STORY

their diet so they don’t get sick as often,” Dr. Livingston says. “They look at it like their candy.”

For the past 10 years, Dr. Livingston has used nutrition as a vital component of his treatments at Livingston Chiropractic Center, as good nutrition is known not only to help prevent illness but also to foster healing. “Everyone needs nutrition — if you don’t eat well, you don’t heal well,” Dr. Livingston says. “I like to support the body as a whole, so it gets the nutrients and foundation it needs and so the tissues that have been damaged or injured may heal more quickly.”

Jan Kraft, Alice Silverstein, Colleen LaFlame

Dr. Livingston treated Jeanette using chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy, and for the first time in years she was able to exercise drug- and pain-free.

Three years later, during the summer of 2009, the two married in Cleveland.

Dr. Livingston and Jeanette moved to Chagrin Falls, and in December of 2010 they had triplets, Madison (Maddie), Maelin (Mae), and Malcolm (Mac).

“Originally, they told us we were having twins,” Dr. Livingston recalls, laughing.

“Then, doctors found a third baby on an ultrasound evaluation during Month 4, and life changed remarkably after that!”

The Livingston family grew once again in October 2012, with the addition of

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Mason. Now, it’s Dr. Livingston who helps his own kids overcome their playtime injuries. Dr. Livingston says, “They fall down, and then run up and say, ‘Daddy, this hurts… I need an adjustment.’ They come up and lie on the table and want me to work on them.”

Dr. Livingston’s work also has proved integral in graver situations. The triplets were born prematurely by 10 weeks and spent the following six weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Consistent with his practice, Dr. Livingston began incorporating whole food nutritional supplements into the triplets’ diets to help them grow and thrive. “I’ve stuck to that every day as they’ve grown, so now they’re great about getting vitamins into

Family life in Cleveland has been great for the Livingstons. They enjoy everything from the sports to the arts and the Metroparks. “You have the city where you can go and experience those things,” Dr. Livingston says. “And then you have the suburbs that are great for raising a family and just relaxing and playing with the kids.”

For the past year and a half, the triplets have gone to preschool a couple of days per week. They go two at a time, while the third one enjoys a special day, highlighted by a trip to have lunch at their dad’s chiropractic clinic.

Livingston Chiropractic Center 25111 Miles Road, Suite D 440.528.0005 drjklii@hotmail.com Livingstonchirogroup.com

Safely Alleviate Sciatic Nerve Pain

• spinal disc herniation, in which the outer layers of the disc fray or tear and result in a protrusion of the intradiscal material with pressure on the sciatic nerve roots;

Dr. John Livingston owner Livingston Chiropractic Center 25111 Miles Road, Suite D 440.528.0005 drjklii@hotmail.com www.jkldc.com

W

e address many health concerns in my office but one of the most common problems that I see daily is sciatica — an acutely painful condition that results from the inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerve that runs down the back of the leg into the calf, ankle and foot, often causing severe cramping or numbness of the toes, and spasms in the lower back and buttock.

Not only is sciatica painful, but it can also be very complex and derive from a number of causes:

• tight piriformis muscles of the buttock which compress the sciatic nerve at its emanation from the sciatic notch of the pelvis; • spinal stenosis, a congenital or acquired, degenerative narrowing of the spinal canal which physically compresses the sciatic nerve roots; • spinal degenerative disc disease/ osteoarthritis, (also known as degenerative arthritis of the spine) that results in bone spur formation that can rub against the sciatic nerve roots as they leave the spine; • postural changes related to pregnancy, which results in laxity of the ligaments of the pelvis and sacroiliac joint that can refer pain along the sciatic nerve; • along with a number of others.

The good news is that in many of these cases, I have had great success at alleviating the condition of sciatic nerve irritation with entirely conservative approaches — chiropractic treatments, physical therapy, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy, myofascial

release, and nutrition — and saved patients tens of thousands of dollars on costly and invasive injections and surgeries.

The key to the treatment is the evaluation of the condition at its earliest onset, before there are chronic or permanent manifestations of nerve root damage.

Once a spinal nerve root has become compressed or irritated, it can quickly deteriorate and degenerate within a matter of only a few weeks to cause severe, unrelenting pain from the nerve root damage itself; muscle spasms; muscular atrophy and loss of muscle mass; and resultant weakness in the leg, leading to noticeable gait changes, and instability in walking.

At its advanced stages, sciatic pain can be debilitating and cause the patient to require use of a cane, walker or wheelchair to get around, since the nerve becomes damaged beyond the body’s ability to repair it; it can even result in signs of loss of bowel or bladder control.

For more than 20 years, I have treated the condition of sciatica safely and effectively in my office through conservative management, and have helped to restore health to thousands of patients who thought that they had no other options.

Give us a call at Livingston Chiropractic Center today at 440.528.0005 to see if this treatment can help you!

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FEATURE STORY

History, Architecture and One Great Meal after Another

By Patti London Photos Marc London

C

harleston has been on our vacation radar since reading a profile of Sean Brock, executive chef at McCrady’s and owner of Husk, in The New Yorker in 2011. That’s a long time to wait for what promised to be the best meals I would ever experience. As it turned out, they were worth the wait.

We planned our exploration of Charleston and nearby historical sites around our restaurant reservations, made months in advance. On our first night in the city, we visited McCrady’s located in an 18th century brick tavern. The four-course

TOP Drayton Hall BOTTOm McCrady's

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prix fixe menu and classical table service was the perfect start to our gastronomic adventure. The menu options were high on the creativity scale, yet planned around the freshest produce brought in from the farms that day. My meal included a cucumber salad, a second course of grouper, steak with pistachio purée and lime juice, and a frozen puréed grits parfait for dessert.

After McCrady’s, we were pretty sure we’d be enjoying another wonderful meal on the second night at Husk, so we spent a lot of time on our feet that day, expending calories. We began with a

LEFT Angel Oak Tree RIGHT The Bar At Husk

tour of the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, which lays claim to being the birthplace of Reform Judaism in the United States. The congregation was formed in 1740 and moved from Orthodox to Reform through an understandable amount of conflict and legal adjudications. The building, still in use, was built in 1840 in the Greek Revival style, popular in Charleston during the rebuilding of the city following a fire. The synagogue looks much like First Baptist Church of Charleston and the Bethel Methodist Church. The existence of the congregation is a testament to the high degree of religious tolerance in the Carolina colony.

We made a quick trip to the City Market for souvenirs from the sweetgrass basket weavers and purveyors of Charleston Bloody Mary mix before lunch at Toast, another Charleston institution. The afternoon was spent just outside of town at the Drayton Hall plantation with a short side trip to John’s Island. We chose to visit Drayton Hall because it is one of the oldest homes in the country still in nearly its original condition, and an excellent example of GeorgianPalladian architecture. Construction on Drayton Hall began in 1738. It’s the only plantation on the Ashley River to remain intact after the wars which swept through her halls. The property is now cared for by the National Trust for Historic

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FEATURE STORY

Oak Tree. It almost felt like being in the presence of a mythical being, so large and so old is this Southern live oak tree. Said to be at least 400 years old by most sources, it stands more than 66 feet tall and 28 feet in circumference. Its name comes from being located on the estate of Justis and Martha Angel, but spirit-related folk tales have been told to justify the Angel Oak Tree name. It was well worth the detour to visit this symbol of Charleston.

Our second night in Charleston was set aside for Husk — the moment we’d been aniticipating for three years. My meal was beyond even my high expectations.

I started with an oyster on the half shell appetizer and ended with a cornbread strawberry cream dream of a dessert.

In between, I experienced duck confit over seasonal vegetables, cooked to perfection. The ambience was rustic, but elegant. We were especially impressed with the backlit, glass-fronted cabinet of preserves. The jars were individual works of art and a testimony to the culinary interests of Sean Brock. This Johnson & Wales graduate has a cookbook coming out in October, which will certainly be on my kitchen counter.

Charleston is an extremely walkable city, but after a larger meal at Husk, we opted for the pedicab back to the carriage house

Preservation, which runs the guided house tours every half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. on Sundays.

The National Trust is using advanced conservation practices to maintain the property in as close to its original condition as possible. Our tour included a look at the only original hand-carved plaster ceiling remaining in this country.

The tour guide discussed the lives of the enslaved persons who enabled the

Draytons to run their work-intensive rice plantation, pointing out the narrow set of spiral stairs running through the center of the house from the basement where the kitchen was located. Carrying trays of food up and down those steps would have been beyond challenging. The oldest documented African-American cemetery is also located on the Drayton Hall property, called A Sacred Place.

On the drive back to the city, we took a detour to John’s Island to see the Angel 1st Reform Synagogue

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TOP Detail at Drayton Hall LOWER RIGHT Fort Sumter

where we were staying. Hotel options are many in this town, but we searched airbnb.com for something more unique, located in the heart of the city. We were not disappointed. Conveniently, two bikes were included in our carriage house rental. Our hosts lived in the three story porch-wrapped wonder facing the street and were as welcoming as you’d imagine a Southern family would be.

We used our bikes on our last day in the city to cross town to the ferry which we took to visit Fort Sumter. The ferry ride to the island allowed us a great view of the city with its skyline of steeples. The Civil War began with the assault on Fort Sumter by Confederate troops on April 12, 1861. A U.S. National Park Service guide delivered a fact-filled tour, which gave us a sense of what a four-year siege would entail.

The ferry returned to the wharf, where we

spent some time in the South Carolina Aquarium. We love to visit aquariums in every city and each is measured against the New England Aquarium in Boston.

This aquarium measures up well and we recommend it especially for the exhibits explaining the local aquatic ecosystems.

And be sure to visit the albino alligator.

We hopped back on our bikes to get an up-close view of the neighborhoods and stopped in at two museums: the Old Slave Mart Museum and the Gibbes Museum of Art. We left each stop with a renewed respect for the history and struggles of this uniquely American community. We’d been on our feet or bicycle seats all day, so we replenished our calorie deficit at the Bar at Husk, where there were too many bourbons to choose from. We then made our last stop at FIG, Food is Good.

We haven’t eaten so well on any trip we’ve ever taken. The abundance of

low country produce and seafood in the hands of talented, creative chefs such as Sean Brock has produced a food mecca.

Luckily, there seem to be enough history and architecture lovers visiting Charleston to keep the restaurants full of diners.

FIG (Food is Good) 232 Meeting St. 843.805.5900 eatatfig.com Husk 76 Queen St. 843.577.2500 HuskRestaurant.com McCrady’s 2 Unity Alley 843.577.0025 mccradysrestaurant.com

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Real Olive Oils, Pure Culinary Pleasure

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos Vincent Gorman

N

ot all olive oil is created equally. Much of the olive oil in America labeled as Extra Virgin is, in reality, substandard olive oil.

The Olive Scene, Northeast Ohio’s specialty olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting emporium, offers the highest grade of extra virgin olive oil in the world and teaches customers how to identify fresh, quality olive oil. “Everything is set up for tasting, so you can actually taste the difference,” says Anne Eren, who co-owns The Olive Scene with Alice Wiegand and Tracy Lockhart.

Anne, Alice, and Tracy grew up cooking family recipes that incorporated a lot of

olive oil. It wasn’t until they tried fresh extra virgin olive oil in Italy, Turkey, and Tunisia, however, that they realized how flavorful olive oil should be. “When I came back from Turkey with fresh-pressed olive oil,” Anne recalls, “I was considering shipping my clothes home so I could fit more in my suitcase.”

Olives are harvested during two seasons each year: October through December in the northern hemisphere and May through July in the southern hemisphere.

Most purveyors of olive oil source only from the northern hemisphere, meaning they get only one fresh batch of olive oil per year. The Olive Scene works with an importer to source oils from both hemispheres to provide the freshest,

most nutritious olive oil year round.

“There’s no such thing as a good aged olive oil,” Anne says. “If you think of olive oil as the juice of an olive, the fresher it is, the better it is.”

The Olive Scene’s importer supervises every harvest, noting the quality of the olives, how they are harvested and transported, and other important factors that determine the quality of the oils they produce. “We’re very confident as to what happens tree to table, with every olive used in our olive oils, and the chemical profiles we provide support this” Anne says. “If your store can’t tell you that, you should go somewhere that can.”

The Olive Scene also carries fused and

L-R Owners Alice Marie Wiegand, Ann Eren, Tracy Lockhart 42

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infused oils, with flavors such as blood orange, garlic and chipotle. Alice recommends the Tuscan Herb Olive Oil. “All the flavors of Tuscany, such as sundried tomatoes, roasted garlic and herbs are infused into this remarkable oil” Alice says. “It’s very easy to be adventuresome with it — you can toss it onto your pasta and top with cheese, or drizzle over vegetables and roast them.”

The shop’s selection of imported dark and white balsamic vinegars complements its olive oils. “We provide an authentic Balsamic Vinegar Condimento.”

Tracy says. “It’s true balsamic, and it is very affordable and versatile. Anything you can do with wine in cooking, you can do with balsamic vinegar.”

The Olive Scene challenges their customers to “think outside the salad” and use olive oil and vinegar in many different ways. It’s a great way to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

The Olive Scene offers a wide selection of great gifts for all occasions. Tracy and her design team love working with customers to create custom and corporate gifts.

The Olive Scene has three shops conveniently located in Rocky River, Chagrin Falls, and Vermilion.

Visit theolivescene.com to learn more about the Olive Scene and the oils it carries. Call for more information or to schedule a private tasting.

The Olive Scene 19132 Old Detroit Road, Rocky River 440.895.9999 100 North Main Street, Chagrin Falls 440.247.7999 5512 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion 440.963.0504 theolivescene.com

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Three Unique Floors and a Patio of Dining Pleasures

By Dylan Yépez Photos Vincent Gorman

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elice Urban Café has a vibe that is at once casual, charming, hip and authentic. The earthy green turn-of-the-century house sits on the corner of Larchmere and East 126th Street, boasting a bountiful vegetable garden of heirloom tomatoes, black radishes, kales and herbs along the large corner property. An expansive patio and bar in the original backyard barn offers a cozy view of the garden and the bustling neighborhood. Inside the restaurant are three floors which include an old-style dining room with hardwood floors, a fireplace, historic Craftsman style

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wallpaper, and soft-glowing chandeliers; a contemporary second floor bar with bay windows looking out through the branches of trees and strings of lights to the street happenings below; and a third floor party room that hearkens back to a ‘60’s flower child den.

In 2007, Margaret Reid Mueller was nearly 80 years old when she purchased this neglected property and created Felice. She was particularly keen on this house because of the large lot of green grass that came with it. In the beginning the restaurant was only on the first floor.

The next year, Margaret, an inveterate

gardener, decided to expand the summer business by changing out the grass to a splendid, productive garden and repurposed the barn into a bar and patio.

During the summer season one can see the staff harvesting the garden to pick ingredients needed for certain dishes or cocktails. It is one of the most popular patio scenes in Cleveland.

Margaret and her team decided it was time to expand again after the success of the patio so the second and third floors of the house were remodeled. The two bedrooms on the second floor were torn out and became a bar and an ideal Happy

Hour hangout. The yoga/art studio on the third floor got a floor to ceiling coat of dark red paint and Chris Demko, a local contractor and artist, painted giant flowers all over. Austin Powers would love this room! It is an eclectic yet intimate lounge, perfect for anything like a wedding reception, a birthday party or an after-work party unwinding with friends.

ribs, Pappardelle with house made pasta and the more casual veggie or fish tacos with house made fresh flour tortillas and the inimitable Cauliflower Po’ Boy. Ms. Bouton makes a tomato jam in lieu of catsup that is absolutely addictive!

The bar enjoys creating many signature cocktails and the wine and beer selection has great depth.

Felice’s clientele is as eclectic as the house. The person sitting next to you could be a CEO, a local antique dealer, a teacher, entrepreneur, student, doctor, professor, scientist, curator, journalist or a hipster, all there to enjoy the atmosphere and, of course, the food and drink.

Felice is located at 12502 Larchmere Boulevard, in the Arts and Antique District of Cleveland. Visit feliceurbancafe.com to learn more, and call 216.791.0918 to make a reservation.

Laura Bouton, the chef at Felice Urban Café, describes her food as all fresh and house made. Some of the most popular entrees range from the sophisticated whole roasted bronzini or the bouillabaisse, to the Korean bbq

RIGHT Mellisa Cory General Manager and Devin Classin Manager Felice Urban Café 12502 Larchmere Boulevard 216.791.0918 feliceurbancafe.com

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Your Source for Fine Wine & Spirits At All Five Locations

By Mike Cabrerra Photos Aaron Leyser

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ohn Minotti opened Minotti’s Wine & Spirits in 1959, with an emphasis on customer service and community involvement. Over the decades, Minotti’s has expanded and these values have become pillars of the store’s culture. “We take care of all our customers like they’re family, whether they spend $5 or $500,” says Joe Minotti, who owns and operates Minotti’s with his brother, Pete, and brother-in-law, Bob Swanson.

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Minotti’s newest location is in Avon, in a brand-new building with a façade covered in windows, inviting in natural light and creating an open sensation. Minotti’s boasts the largest selection of wines and beers in the state, and has access to allocated and hard-to-find beverages.

Now with family-owned stores in Rocky River, Fairview, Westlake, Bay Village, and Avon, Minotti’s has earned a reputation for its unparalleled wine expertise and exceptional customer service.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect wine, craft beer, scotch, or bourbon, Minotti’s knowledgeable staff can procure it for you at state minimum price with no sin tax. “If there’s something you need, we will search high and low for it,” says Mike Sarantos, who recently returned to the company as manager of the Avon location.

The Minotti family will find what you’re looking for and teach you about it, too.

ABOVE Pete Minotti, Bob Swanson and Joe Minotti

If you were looking for a sweet wine, for instance, Joe might recommend a nice Riesling from Germany. Then he would explain how factors such as the grape varieties used and their ripeness levels manifest themselves in the overall taste and body of the wine. If you’re looking to explore new wines and craft beers, stop

by Minotti’s any Saturday for its wine and beer tastings. The Minotti family will introduce you to new favorites, and by the time you walk out the door you’ll feel like an expert yourself.

Minotti’s custom gift baskets let you share your newly discovered wines with friends and family. These baskets come with select wine and beer, as well as assorted accompaniments such as cheese, crackers, chocolate, roasted almonds, cookies, and more. You can pick from a

variety of Minotti’s signature baskets, or work with its wine experts to design your own. All you have to do is order with one day’s notice, and the basket will be ready for pickup or delivered to the recipient’s doorstep the next day.

If you’re planning a small gathering or a wedding, Minotti’s will work with you to find the perfect quantity and variety of drinks for the event. Its friendly staff will ensure the drinks are delivered promptly.

Minotti’s and the Minotti family covet their place in the greater Cleveland community, which they have held for more than half a century. “Building a bond with our customers is part of the Minotti’s culture,” Mike says. “We strive for customer satisfaction, and we like to grow our business here with the local community.”

Visit any of Minotti’s five convenient stores. Contact Joe, Pete, or Bob at any of these locations or visit minottis.com.

“Like” any of the Minotti’s locations on Facebook to keep up with their latest information and promotions.

Minotti’s Wine & Spirits 19831 Detroit Road, Rocky River 440.333.4095 20550 Lorain Road, Fairview 440.333.0057 30664 Detroit Road, Westlake 440.892.2110 27313 Wolf Road, Bay Village 440.892.4726 neWeSt LocAtion 35638 Detroit Road, Avon 440.937.1092

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Elegant Dining in a Relaxed Environment

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos Aaron Leyser

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“We want you to come in, relax, and have a good time,” says Jeremy Kavc, general manager of Bistro 83.

parties of 30 or more. You can take a seat in the bistro’s main dining area, at the indoor bar, the wine tasting room, a private dining space, or on its gorgeous outdoor patio that features table seating and high pub bar seating around the fire pit. The patio is open year-round and enclosed during the colder months, with a granite-topped gas fire pit radiating heat throughout. Neighboring establishments are closed by dinner hour, making the patio the perfect spot for a quiet, tranquil meal.

The bistro is open every day except Sunday, when it’s open exclusively to

Bistro 83 offers unique menu items, prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

hether you’re receiving family for the holidays or hosting a company party, it’s time to break away from the chains. Bistro 83 is the premier bistro and wine bar on the west side, providing a four-star dining experience in a casually sophisticated atmosphere.

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“We serve people food they haven’t seen before, so it becomes a conversation piece,” says Anthony Martorello, chef at Bistro 83. “I like to recommend our sharables menu, which lets two people share an appetizer or entrée, such as the Crab Cake Stuffed Artichokes.”

The bistro’s most popular dish is its Scallops, which Cleveland Magazine named one of the top 50 dishes in northeastern Ohio. It’s a creamy risotto with Portobello mushrooms, grape tomatoes, Amish bacon, and a red wine tomato broth, topped with four giant

BELOW Christine Cirigliano, Jeremy Kavc, general manager, Anthony Martorello, chef

pan-seared scallops. “The ingredients are definitely harvested a lot closer to the time we’ll be using them, so the flavor is fully preserved,” Anthony explains. “The flavors just explode.”

The bistro’s prix fixe menu, offered on Mondays and Tuesdays, lets diners order a glass of wine or draft beer, a soup or salad, an entrée, and a dessert for only $35.

Drink options are never in short supply.

Bistro 83 has 10 draft beers and about 35 bottled beers available, many of which are craft beers from local breweries such as the Great Lakes and Thirsty Dog brewing companies. There are about

20 wines available by the glass and 120 bottled varieties.

wine they have never tried,” Jeremy says.

“So, for $9 they can try three, then order the one they like.”

Bistro 83 regularly holds wine tastings for customers to learn about some of the options it serves. A typical wine tasting opens with a sparkling wine, then follows up with five wines and five courses.

This winter, the bistro will hold a special holiday wine tasting, where 15 to 20 wines and eight beers will be available.

Bistro 83 is located at 36033 Westminister Avenue in North Ridgeville. To make a reservation, call 440.353.2828. For events and catering, call 440.353.2829. “For us, it’s customer service first and foremost,” Jeremy assures. “If the customer wants something, we’re going to get it for them.”

In addition to beer and wine flights, Bistro 83 offers scotch, bourbon, and gin flights, which allow diners to sample three varieties of their choice. “Maybe someone is too shy to spend $10 on a

Bistro 83 36033 Westminister Avenue North Ridgevile 440.353.2828 440.353.2829 (events & catering)

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Recipe 1 egg white 1 Tbsp. water 1 lb. pistachios (no shell) 1 cup white sugar 1 tsp. salt 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon Step 1: Preheat oven to 250 F, grease baking sheet.

Bistro 83

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Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar salt and cinnamon.

Step 3: Add pistachios to the egg white; stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts and toss into the sugar mixture until coated. Spread nuts evenly onto the baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake at 250 F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Clear Skies, Deep Water A Chautauqua Memoir

by Beth Peyton

By Patti London

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eth Peyton’s recently published memoir, Clear Skies, Deep Water: A Chautauqua Memoir, allows us to tag along on her journey to discover her true home. She and her husband, Jeff, chance upon a small community on the eastern shore of Lake Chautauqua in western New York while finding their way forward with their blended family. They land in Maple Springs, New York and, for a moment, find some clarity in the chaos, just a little space to breathe. They return frequently, at first renting at a bed and breakfast, then purchasing a second home there.

Because the place provides the sanity and stability they need after a series of losses, Beth and Jeff eventually choose to make Maple Springs their permanent home.

Disclaimer: Marc and I are also frequent visitors to Maple Springs. I’ve had more than a few glasses of wine sitting on a

porch with Beth and talking books over the past few years. So, when I say Beth has captured the essence of that small lake community between the covers of her book, I know what I’m talking about.

Ostensibly a memoir, the book is largely a portrait of a community. Beth’s voice is always evident, so you’re aware the portrait is hers: the community as she has experienced it over the years, first as a renter, then a resident. As she relates each vignette, neatly contained in themed chapters, the rhythm of her storytelling has the soft pattern of waves hitting the shores of Lake Chautauqua. You can hear how quiet and close to nature it feels, living in a lakefront community.

Although she doesn’t shy away from the conflicts and foibles of the village, Beth’s descriptions are flavored with compassion.

More than a few profound insights about

the chemistry of the community are disguised in humor. The book is mercifully free of the ubiquitous sarcasm and irony.

Instead, Beth portrays her neighbors as fundamentally human and worthy of respect, even if they aren’t perfect.

These stories convey a sense of timelessness — as if the modern world has failed to impose itself on the habits of the residents and visitors. Yet, the web is where you’ll find the present day life on the lake. Beth’s blog and Facebook posts offer regular peeks at the goingson. You’ll find photos from the Labor Day picnic and spectacular sunsets, next to photos of Beth and Jeff’s new grandbaby, of course. If you’re curious, “Like” Beth’s page on Facebook, read her blog on bethpeyton.com, follow her on twitter @ beth_peyton, and check out what she’s reading on Goodreads.

It takes a brave soul to write so honestly about the joys and sorrows of one’s own life. But it takes a special kind of courage to shine that honesty on one’s neighbors.

Yet her observations of small town life are spiced with moments of awe and genuine admiration for those around her. That admiration was returned at the well-attended reading Beth had for those neighbors earlier this summer, fittingly held at the bed and breakfast where she and Jeff first stayed when they discovered Lake Chautauqua. It was just another happy moment on the lake.

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THE BASEBALL HERITAGE MUSEUM

HAS A NEW HOME

By Dylan Yépez Photos Vincent Gorman

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B

efore the Cleveland Indians, there were the Cleveland Spiders. And over the course of the Indians’ more than 100 years of existence, an array of Negro Leagues teams came and went, most notably the one-time Negro World Series-winning Cleveland Buckeyes of the 1940s. “Cleveland has a rich history in baseball. It’s always been part of our community,” says Bob Zimmer, founder of Cleveland’s one-of-a-kind Baseball Heritage Museum.

When the newly revitalized League Park reopened its doors in late August, the Baseball Heritage Museum found a new home in what used to be the park’s ticket house. “League Park, in my opinion, is the birthplace of baseball in our community,” Bob says. “This is an opportunity to see historic artifacts in a ballpark where the historic events took place.”

The museum chronicles Cleveland’s multicultural baseball history through photographs, letters, programs, uniforms, and other game-used artifacts. It displays treasures from the Negro, Women’s, Latin, Caribbean, Industrial, Barnstormer, Jewish, and Major leagues, to provide an inclusive look at the impact that baseball has had in the Cleveland community and beyond.

The museum contains a collection of radio broadcast recordings by Tom Manning, the first voice of Cleveland baseball. Tom began announcing games through a megaphone before eventually switching to radio in 1928. The Baseball Heritage Museum pulls selected recordings from the collection and plays them throughout the day, so visitors can share the experience of Cleveland baseball fans from more than half a century ago. The museum is looking to expand its radio broadcast offerings and add collections of TV broadcast, the invention that allowed fans to see the game even if they couldn’t be there.

Visitors will also find a seat from League Park from the 1920s, which is more than just a relic of the historic ballpark.

“Somebody was sitting in that seat, watching the Indians win the World Series,” Bob says. “That’s pretty cool.”

While the Baseball Heritage Museum was in its original location on East 4th Street, notable players, mainly from the Negro Leagues, would stop by nearly

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Bob, whose first business was a local art and antique gallery in the Shaker Square neighborhood, began to purchase baseball artifacts from wherever he could — auction sites, other collectors, and baseball players themselves. Bob approached the George Gund Foundation for help redeveloping a building he owned on East 4th Street, to convert that facility into a Negro League Baseball Players Association Hall of Fame.

He brought together a cross section of the local community to see what they thought of the idea, and he invited members of the U.S. National Park Service to get their input. “We discovered that we should expand the museum’s focus to the multicultural aspect of baseball and its impact on our community, not only locally but nationally and internationally,” Bob explains. “It went from being exclusively Negro Leagues Baseball to multiculturalism in baseball.”

Bob Zimmer

every month to sign autographs. Some of the more actively involved stars included Wilmer Fields, Sam Jethroe, and Dave Pope. Over the years, the museum accumulated a collection of special edition prints and posters from these events, and many fans had the opportunity to meet such inspirational baseball icons. “It’s been a really nice road,” Bob says. “The extra bonus was getting to meet not only the players but also their families and children.”

Similar to the artifacts it displays, the Baseball Heritage Museum has an interesting history. The idea for a multicultural Baseball Heritage Museum was fomented by some of the most influential players from the Negro Leagues and carried out by one of Cleveland’s most notable community activists.

It started in 1997, when Cleveland hosted the All Star Game. Bob was working at his father’s jewelry shop on East 4th Street and already had become an active member of the downtown community. “As a retailer, I was thinking of ways to draw people into my father’s

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jewelry business,” Bob recalls. “And as a community member, I wanted to do something to give back to the people who supported our jewelry business.”

Someone suggested to Bob that he speak with Wilmer, then-president of the Negro League Baseball Players Association (NLBPA). The NLBPA celebrates and promotes the contributions of the Negro Leagues players to the history of baseball and the U.S., and also provides assistance to former Negro Leagues players. “The majority of our clientele was African American,” Bob recalls, “so I saw this as an opportunity to do something fun and interesting and to give back to our supporters.”

Wilmer, a former Negro Leagues World Series-winning pitcher, agreed to participate in a one-day fireside chat and autograph session, and it was he who planted the seeds of the Baseball Heritage Museum. “After meeting with Wilmer and a few other ballplayers like Stanley Glenn and Sam Jethroe,” Bob says, “I decided that Wilmer’s idea was something to pursue.”

As a community activist, Bob played an integral role in preserving the historic buildings along East 4th Street, in part by having the street — bookended by Euclid and Prospect avenues — designated as a Cleveland Landmark District and a National Register of Historic Places District.

During the final restoration of the East 4th Street neighborhood, where the Baseball Heritage Museum originally resided, business on the street was basically stalled for two years. Fortunately, the museum found a new home at the Colonial Marketplace, where it remained until late August. Now, it can be found in the old ticket booth at the newly revitalized League Park.

“Now we’re going into League Park and into the Hough neighborhood,” Bob says.

“We’re hoping that we will be not only a great resource and home for baseball and League Park history but also part of a catalyst for the rejuvenation of the neighborhood.”

The Baseball Heritage Museum is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow the Museum on Facebook to keep up with the news and events..

The Baseball Heritage Museum Historic League Park East 66th & Lexington Avenue BaseballHeritageMuseum.org

Cleveland’s BaseBall History

— RestoRed —

By Patti London Photos Vincent Gorman

Y

et another legacy of the late councilwoman, Fannie Lewis, is the restoration of Cleveland’s historic League Park. She proposed the idea many years ago, but we are benefitting from the $6.3 million dollar project today. Once we’ve built it, baseball fans from everywhere will come.

Unlike other historic baseball fields such as Ebbets Field and Forbes Field, which experienced specific destruction dates, League Park has been allowed to slowly

decline over the decades. Bringing the Park back to life with a newly constructed field of the original dimensions allows Cleveland the unique opportunity to revive the ghosts of Cy Young and Babe Ruth and DiMaggio, among many others.

holes drilled in the outfield fences during the night. This history is told in the kind of detail only baseball fans truly appreciate in a wonderful book by Ken Krsolovic and Bryan Fritz, League Park: Historic Home of Cleveland Baseball 1891-1946.

League Park was built in 1891, when professional sports were a new phenomenon to the country. Baseball was in its infancy and history was being made with each year. It was a rough and tumble time of rowdy fans and plenty of

Krsolovic and Fritz outline the Park’s early history as a wooden grandstand structure designed by architect Walter Rice and seating 1,600 fans. At that time, Cleveland was the tenth largest city in the U.S. with a population of 261,353.

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Located at Lexington and East 66th Street, the Park was originally named National League Park, but was quickly shortened to League Park. Cleveland’s team in those days was the Spiders, so named because of its spindly limbed players.

The first game in the new park was held on May 1, 1891. Cy Young pitched against Cincinnati and the Spiders won 12-3. The crowd filled the park’s capacity of 9,000, overflowing from the stands onto the field. Only two ticket windows existed at the time, but the crowds lined up for hundreds of feet to be a part of the opening day.

Notable moments in the wooden ball park included the participation of Louis Sockalexis, a Native American player from Maine and 10 years later, in 1907, the appearance of a female pitcher, 18-year-old Alta Weiss, playing with a semi-professional team from Vermilion, Ohio. It was in honor of Louis Sockalexis that the team’s name was changed to the Indians in 1915. Baseball stars of that time period included Cleveland’s pitcher, Addie Joss, and Napoleon Lajoie, acquired from Philadelphia in 1902. Lajoie was so popular the team was named the Naps from 1903 until 1915.

Baseball was attracting larger and larger crowds, justifying larger stadiums such as Philadelphia’s Shibe Field, built in 1909 to hold a crowd of 30,000. Also built that year was the 25,000-seat Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Rebuilt in 1910, League Park boasted a brick exterior with arches and steel girders and concrete. This is the structure still standing today. The new park had a seating capacity of 19,200 plus standing room for another 2,000 fans. New dugouts and clubhouse facilities were state-of-the-art and the visitors’ clubhouse

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saw a series of historic moments in Negro League history which took place at League Park. The Cleveland Red Sox first played in League Park in 1931. It wasn’t easy to sustain a team year after year, but even when Cleveland didn’t have a team in the Negro League, plenty of action took place on the field at League Park during exhibition games and post-season play.

One momentous occasion took place July 27, 1931 between the white House of David team and the winningly famous Homestead Grays. While the splendid left-handed pitching of Willie Foster was a spectacle, the portable lighting system brought by the House of David team made the first night game at League Park historic. The Homestead Grays won, 10-0 in front of a crowd of 4,000.

Between the years 1941 and 1950 the Cleveland Buckeyes had much success, winning the Negro American League pennant with stars such as Sam Jethroe, Willie Grace and Quincy Trouppe. In 1948, a teenaged outfielder, playing for the Birmingham Black Barons, appeared at League Park. His name was Willie Mays.

The Negro League did not survive the integration of baseball. By the time Satchel Paige signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1948, the opportunities many players had been waiting for made it impossible to maintain the League. Yet that era can be celebrated at the Baseball Heritage Museum, now located at League Park. Among so many other memorable games, one still stands out. On July 16, 1941, Joe DiMaggio came to League Park with the red-hot New York Yankees. It was on this day that he extended his hitting streak to 56 games, an all-time record. His streak ended the following night at Cleveland Municipal stadium in front of a crowd of 67,468. was allegedly the first in the country. Nine ticket counters reduced the waiting time for the anticipated crowds. The cost of this elaborate rebuild was $300,000.

and Tris Speaker, traded to Cleveland from the Boston Red Sox for two players and a whopping $55,000, the largest sum paid for a player up to that time.

Opening day of the new stadium was April 21, 1910. In typical Cleveland fashion, it had snowed on the 18th of April. A 43-year-old Cy Young again pitched for the Cleveland Naps, this time against Detroit’s team, which included Ty Cobb. Cleveland lost 5-0. Stars of the new stadium included Shoeless Joe Jackson

1920 was a momentous year for Cleveland baseball. Krsolovic and Fritz devote a chapter of their book to the pennant race, which makes for suspenseful reading.

The great baseball history, League Park, was just published last year. Yet it lacks one final chapter which began on August 23 of this year with the re-opening of League Park. To much fanfare and for many nostalgic baseball fans, the Park has been restored and revived. Follow League Park on Facebook to learn of the games and events taking place there now. Make plans to visit one Saturday and appreciate the rich history of Cleveland.

The years after World War I, continuing beyond the racial integration of baseball,

league Park east 66th & lexington avenue

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The Most Comfort for Your Canines

By Mike Cabrerra Photos Aaron Leyser

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ogs never should be crated when there’s a kingdom waiting for them to rule. K-9 Kingdom is the only facility around Cleveland that provides 100 percent kennel-free boarding — it’s the perfect place for your dogs to play while you’re at work, or to vacation while you’re away.

“We staff 24/7, so our dogs always have human contact,” says Kelli Coleman, an avid dog lover and owner of K-9 Kingdom in Richmond Heights. “They’re never alone. We never leave the building. That’s key.”

Kelli opened K-9 Kingdom in 2003 as a doggy daycare and purveyor of Kelli’s own

mouth-watering homemade dog treats.

Today, K-9 Kingdom is the area’s only fullservice doggy haven, providing daycare, kennel-free boarding, grooming, training, high-quality dog food, and fresh-baked treats.

Going away overnight can be stressful when your furry family members are waiting for you at home. Have the dog sitters spent time with the dogs? Have they walked them? Are they treating them well? Are the dogs lonely?

outdoor space. The homey interior features an area similar to a living room, complete with a recliner and TV. The facility’s rubber floor provides cushioning for dogs and helps them avoid joint issues that commonly result from extended play on harder surfaces such as concrete.

You never have to be concerned when your dogs are on vacation at K-9 Kingdom. During their stay, dogs have free rein of the expansive 2,500-squarefoot indoor area and 1,400-square-foot ABOVE & OPPOSITE BOTTOM Kellli Coleman

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Throughout the summer, K-9 Kingdom has pools and misting fans set up for the dogs to chill out and splash around.

The doors are open all the time, so the dogs can move freely inside and outside whenever they please. There’s an area designated for large dogs and another for small dogs, each with its own outdoor access.

At night, cots and comfy beds are set up for the dogs, who are free to sleep wherever they choose. The canine enthusiasts who work at K-9 Kingdom even spend the night in the same room as the dogs, so the pups can rest assured a loving companion is nearby. “If they’re left in a strange place alone, they tend to have anxiety,” Kelli says, noting that industry standard is to cage dogs at night. “Some get nervous; some chew on their paws; and on occasion, some can get sick.”

Boarding costs only $35 per day, with daycare included, and additional dogs stay at a discounted rate. K-9 Kingdom offers a free half-day trial to make sure everybody is social and gets along well. To play or stay at K-9 Kingdom, dogs must be social, and all dogs older than seven months must be spayed or neutered.

“Dogs mean everything. They’re part of my family,” Kelli says. “It’s truly unconditional love.”

Visit k-9kingdom.com to learn more about the facility, and stop by in person at 26700 Highland Road, just east of Richmond Road, in Richmond Heights.

Call 440.442.0876 for more infor-mation or to make a reservation for your dog’s next vacation.

K-9 Kingdom 26700 Highland Road Richmond Heights 440.442.0876 k-9kingdom.com

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Bringing Architectural Design to Greater Cleveland

By Dylan Yepez Photos Vincent Gorman & Courtesy of J. Hershey Architecture

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any architects specialize in specific styles of homes. But for John Hershey, it’s all about the details. “I’ve designed homes for clients anywhere from very traditional, European styles to modern, clean lines,” says John, owner of J. Hershey Architecture in Chagrin Falls. “My focus really is working with clients who are interested in the highest level of detail and finishes.”

John took an early interest in architecture, working throughout high school and college with a variety of construction, development, and architectural firms. After graduating from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1989, John spent many years as an associate at a Chicago-area firm that specialized in high-end custom homes.

In 2009, John started J. Hershey Architecture as a full-service architectural design and consulting firm specializing in high-caliber home details and finishes. His original office is in Libertyville, an affluent town on the north shore of Chicago, and at the beginning of this year he opened his second office in Chagrin Falls. “This area has a lot of similarities to Chicago’s Northshore,” John says, adding that Chagrin Falls is very reminiscent of Libertyville. “I’m looking to become more involved in the local community, meet people, and establish roots in the area.”

J. Hershey Architecture has completed a number of residential projects, including renovations in older homes with historical architecture. John

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ABOVE John Hershey

has the knowledge and experience to manage the challenges presented in remodeling older homes. “Our current clients don’t come to us for a certain style of architecture,” John says. “It’s really the level of detail and quality that they’re interested in, whether it’s a new home from the ground up or a renovation of an existing home.”

For those considering a construction or renovation project, consulting with J. Hershey Architecture is an ideal starting point. This team can provide unbiased feedback about what ideas will and will not work, and how much they will cost.

“We have an expert understanding of construction costs, so we can work within a variety of budgets to guide a homeowner in the right direction with their project.”

BEFORE AFTER

J. Hershey Architecture can either work in a project-management capacity with your preferred contractor, or they can assist with having the design bid out, including helping you negotiate the construction costs. “From a financial aspect, we may offer our clients the highest value by being in the bidding process where we can save them tens of thousands of dollars,” John says. “Those savings come not only from negotiating, but also from the fact that we make sure the contractors have included all the details that could otherwise cause costly change orders during the process.”

If you’re considering a construction or remodeling project, John recommends having an in-home consultation so that he can ascertain what you are trying to accomplish and what your needs are, and then go over any zoning restrictions on your property. He can provide an estimate of the total project cost before even starting the design.

J. Hershey Architecture is located at 147 Bell Street, Suite 302, in Chagrin Falls.

Visit jhersheyarchitecture.com for more information, and call 440.394.8242 to schedule a consultation today.

J. Hershey Architecture 147 Bell Street, Suite 302 Chagrin Falls 440.394.8242 jhersheyarchitecture.com

AFTER

BEFORE

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Insulation for Maximum Energy Efficiency

By Mike Cabrerra Photos Aaron Leyser

M

y favorite part of winter is the exorbitant monthly gas bill,” says nobody, ever.

If you want to save on your very next heating bill, proper home insulation is key. The savings and benefits are immediate, notable, and lasting.

“

Energy Masters (formerly known as Northcoast Energy Masters) has provided reliable and pro-fessional insulation services across Northeast Ohio since 1983. This local company has developed a specialized process to identify exactly where your home is losing energy. During this compre-hensive home energy audit, its technicians review the house for all

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forms of energy wasters and then present cost-effective solutions tailored to the specific needs of your home.

Some deficiencies may be more obvious, such as drafty windows and doors. Others, however, require a closer look. Whether there are bypasses in wall cavities, poor attic ventilation, humidity issues, or old, insufficient, or otherwise ineffective insulation in your home, Energy Masters has the tools and expertise to locate, identify, and rectify your home’s energy wasters.

“It’s not glamorous, but it’s important to do it right,” says Ray Sabin, owner of Energy Masters.

Ray has a background in home remodeling and specializes in all aspects of insulation, from win-dows and doors to air sealing and cellulose insulation.

Ray took over Energy Masters from its founder, George Minello, who continues to work closely with Ray at the company.

When these two show up to a job, they treat every home as if it were their own and every client as if he or she were part of their family.

Energy Masters recommends and typically utilizes blow-in cellulose, which, when properly in-stalled by a trained contractor, is guaranteed not to lose its R Value for as long as you live in your home.

Ray Sabin, owner

Which type of insulation...

Has the highest R-value per inch?

Blocks more air infiltration?

Keeps your home warmer in the winter?

Keeps your home warmer in the summer?

Is better for the environment?

Is more fire-resistant Has no associated health risks?

Will save you money?

This environmentally friendly insulation is made from recycled newsprint and other wood fibers. It is a very effective insulator and, moreover, is safe and nonflammable because it is treat-ed with fungicide and fire retardant.

It’s important to double-check your home’s existing insulation, especially if you notice drafts, fluctuating temperatures, or abnormally high energy bills during the winter or summer. Certain types of insulation may settle and become ineffective over time. Homes that are not properly in-sulated can continuously lose heat, especially through their attics.

That’s why proper attic insula-tion is a key component in regulating the temperature inside the home and in reducing energy consumption. “We don’t just go into the attic and insulate it,” Ray explains. “First we find any holes and crevices, and we seal them. We check for proper intake/ outtake ventilation, and if it’s wrong then we correct it.”

Cellulose

Fiberglass

        Proper attic ventilation protects against moisture and heat buildup, which can lead to increased energy costs and even more expensive structural damage to the home. The experienced techni-cians at Energy Masters are equipped to install durable, solar-powered, roof-mount exhaust fans that will keep the entire attic ventilated with fresh air from outside.

“Ventilation and insulation go hand in hand,” Ray says. “Together, they’re very effective if done right.”

For more information about home insulation, visit northcoastenergymasters. com or email Ray at huddsabin@gmail. com. Call 440.439.8250 to schedule your own custom home energy audit and get your home ready for winter today.

Energy Masters 440.439.8250 huddsabin@gmail.com northcoastenergymasters.com

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The Perfect Time to Install a Fence

By Dylan Yepez Photos courtesy Fine Lifestyles

I

t is a common misconception that summer is the only time to put up a fence. In fact, fall and winter are great times to put up a new fence because “we have minimal impact on your garden and we will have your fence ready before springtime,” explains Dave Schwalm, owner of Truline Fence, Inc. Dave and his expert crews work year round. “We can easily fence off your garden or farm to keep animals out before your plants start growing again.”

Dave, a Shaker Heights native, has worked in the trade since 1977. In 1989, Dave started Truline Fence, Inc. as a reliable purveyor and servicer of fences and decks, both residential and commercial.

Twenty-five years later, Dave continues to personally handle every facet of the business, from initial consultations to fence and deck installations and maintenance. “I vowed to stay small, give personal service, and make sure I’m on every jobsite so everything is done perfectly,” Dave says.

Truline Fence supplies, installs, and repairs the full spectrum of fencing materials, such as chain-link, split rail, ornamental aluminum, ornamental iron, and ornamental vinyl, as well as power and non-power estate gates. Dave can even install custom-built cantilever roller gates and aluminum slide-track gates equipped with electronic gate operators.

Whether you need to keep things in, keep things out, or block the view of unsightly lots, Dave can build a fence for it.

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For instance, with an elegant hardwood or ornamental iron fence around your backyard, letting your dog out to run around and take care of business is as easy as opening the back door. Walking your dog is the responsible thing to do, of course. But if last winter taught us anything, it’s that sometimes it’s just too cold to bundle up and trudge around the icy, snow-covered block with your pooch.

When it comes to decks, Dave can work atop any terrain and build anything from a set of back steps to an entire deck with a handicap ramp. Dave builds decks of all sorts of timber, from composite materials to cedar and high-end hardwoods. He uses custom hidden fasteners to hold the deck together without relying on unsightly screws and nails, giving all of his decks a seamless finish.

If you like your deck but it’s a little worn down, Dave can give it a thorough update to keep it structurally sound, functional, and beautiful. He can repair, rebuild, expand, and reduce existing decks, and he recycles all old wood and metals, never putting any recyclables into a landfill.

Three- to five-year workmanship guarantees are standard on Truline Fence installations — so if anything goes wrong, Dave will be back to fix it.

Truline Fence serves all of northern Ohio.

Dave handles jobs both residentially and commercially, at sites such as farms, factories, and scrap yards. Give Dave a call at 440.479.8342 for an appointment, and he will come out to give you a free, fair, and honest estimate.

When you call, be sure to ask about the winter discounts. No job is too big or too small for Truline Fence.

Truline Fence 440.479.8342 Dave Schwalm, owner

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We Can Save Your Home

From Electrocuting Itself

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos Vincent Gorman and courtesy Clover Electric

W

hen you think about surge protection for your home, you probably never think the source of the damaging electric surges are coming from inside your home. It’s true. The average home might experience hundreds of these damaging electrical surges every day. Where are they coming from? It’s all of your appliances, computers and electronics.

These electrical surges, or fluctuations in voltage, can wear down and damage all of the electronics in your home.

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Picture this. Your refrigerator and microwave are both using power from the same circuit. When the microwave is turned on it sends a dip in power along the circuit to the refrigerator. After the dip in power, comes a surge in power.

This fluctuation in power to the appliance is where the problem occurs. Electrical fluctuations affect the sensitive circuit boards in today’s modern appliances.

Plus, very sensitive electronics such as computers, televisions, and audio equipment can be particularly susceptible if proper measures aren’t taken to eliminate the problem.

The damage caused by these minor power fluctuations is instantaneous, and may not show up right away. Mike Talty, second generation electrician at Clover Electric says, “Hundreds of these power fluctuations happen every day between appliances and electronics. You think everything is fine, then one day your microwave stops working because the circuit board is fried.”

The solution?

Clover Electric recommends a surge protection outlet for the complete protection of valuable appliances and electronics. A surge

protection outlet blocks the dangerous fluctuations in power, and protects components from failing. It looks like a regular outlet, but behind the cover plate is an appliance and electronics lifesaver.

What about power strips? “Good question”, says Joe Talty, owner of Clover Electric. “Power strips offer a false sense of security. Most have a breaker that can trip the circuit, but usually by the time this happens the damage is done.” This solution is a surge protection power strip from Clover Electric. “We offer a high quality power strip that can save you the headache and expense of repairing or replacing valuable electronics and computers.”

For complete protection of your home, Clover recommends a whole home surge protection device. A whole home surge protection unit will divert damaging electrical surges from coming in to your home, sending them safely in to a ground

wire. Installation is easy, and the benefits are immeasurable.

Surge protection is a complicated thing, but Clover Electrical can make it easy.

Clover Electric has been part of the Northeast Ohio community for more than 30 years. It provides electrical installations and repairs for both residential and commercial customers.

They are so confident of their work that they offer a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Customers can rest assured any electrical project in their home will be handled with care and expertise.

Visit CloverElectric.com to learn more about protecting your valuable electronics, appliances and computers.

Installation, and total protection, is just a phone call away at 440.543.1153.

Clover Electric 440.543.1153 cloverelectric.com BELOW LEFT Jill Talty BELOW RIGHT Mike Talty

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O

ne of the most influential community activists in preserving Cleveland’s historic properties and districts has expanded into the world of new development and construction.

Bob Zimmer, with more than 25 years of experience as a real estate agent, is striving to revitalize the University Circle neighborhood with University Place Townhomes, the only new construction for sale in the area. “Doing this newconstruction project is really a change in pace for me,” says Bob, whose focus until now has been restoration of historic properties. “I’m quite excited for the opportunity basically to take a blank canvass and create a new neighborhood.”

The townhomes are located in the heart of a flourishing, walkable community, full of restaurants and world-renowned art, cultural, medical, and educational institutions. This new-construction project is an extension of Bob’s lifelong work to preserve Cleveland’s history and promote the livability of this wonderful city.

Blending

new ConstruCtion with a Passion for Cleveland

By Dylan Yépez Photos Aaron Leyser

Bob grew up in Shaker Heights and was raised with a deep commitment to the Cleveland community. He currently serves on Shaker Heights’ Neighborhood Revitalization Committee and works with the Cleveland Indians Diversity Council, but his community involvement began more than 40 years ago, when he opened his first retail business in the Shaker Square neighborhood. This business was Green Mansion, an art and antique gallery focused on providing local artists a venue to show their work. “Wherever I end up working or doing business, I like to get active in the community,” Bob says.

“It’s important for me to be able to give back to the community.”

In 1979, Bob began managing his father’s jewelry store on East 4th Street. While there, Bob established the East 4th Street Local Development Corporation, now known as the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation. Through grassroots organizing and advocacy, this nonprofit saved the East 4th Street neighborhood from certain demolition, allowing for the area to develop into the thriving pedestrian district that it is today.

Bob began to represent buyers and sellers of residential properties as well as small, unique commercial buildings

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loan when purchasing any of these properties, which range from $260,000 to $420,000. “When I was a kid, I was always enthralled by what was happening in the city of Cleveland,” Bob recalls.

“Now, University Circle is the cultural center of the region, and I believe it is one of the best, if not the best, walkable neighborhoods in the city.”

Bob & Sam Zimmer

about 13 years ago. He has been with Keller Williams since the company was comprised of fewer than 50 agents. (Today, it has well more than a thousand.) “My original focus was on historic property restoration, so I always had my eye on historic landmark homes and buildings that could be restored,” Bob says. “To create a new energy out of old space, while preserving its original character, was always a passion of mine.”

The University Place Townhomes project gives homebuyers a unique opportunity to take advantage of the city’s 15-year residential property tax abatement for new construction. People may also be eligible for a $30,000 forgivable

Sam Zimmer has recently joined his father in the real estate industry as an agent. He’s excited about the resurgence of Cleveland. Sam recognizes the economic potential for his generation to remain here, or return from cities where the cost of living is exorbitant. The father and son realty team looks forward to helping the next generation find the perfect living spaces in Cleveland.

To learn more, visit bobzimmer.net or email him at rzimmer@kw.com. For more information on the University Place Townhomes project, call 216.406.5729.

Bob Zimmer 216.406.5729 rzimmer@kw.com bobzimmer.net

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Where Home Furnishing Meets High Style

By Dylan Yepez Photos Vincent Gorman and courtesy Chestnut Hill Home

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M

itchell Gold + Bob Williams has returned to Ohio, and it’s right here in Cleveland. The internationally renowned line of home furnishings is now available at Chestnut Hill Home by Janna Lutz Interiors, in the heart of Chagrin Falls.

The Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams line is carried at only the finest of home furnishing stores, so it’s suiting that Chestnut Hill Home is the only place in Ohio where you can find it. Janna Lutz started Janna Lutz Interiors 25 years ago, offering comprehensive home design services encompassing furniture, drapery, and other home décor. Chestnut Hill Home was opened six years ago to expand on the Janna Lutz Interiors product line in a showroom setting. Over the past two and a half decades, Janna has expanded her services to cover the full spectrum of interior design and decorating, from custom kitchen and bathroom design to space planning in new construction and home additions. Chestnut Hill Home covers all of Northeast Ohio and can even help you decorate your out-ofstate vacation homes.

The aesthetic of Chestnut Hill Home can best be described as simple and sophisticated. Upon entering the 5,000-square-foot showroom, you will feel as if you’ve walked into the home of your dreams. Classic home furnishings are artfully arranged with accessories, tableware, bedding, and artwork.

Everything on the floor is available, with many more options to be explored in the catalogues of furniture.

A selection of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams home furnishings is now on display. The entire line, however, is available through Chestnut Hill Home and the opportunities for personalization are endless. You can choose from any of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’ 340 fabric and leather styles to customize any of its upholstered furnishings. The line is aesthetically versatile and has options for a wide range of budgets. “All of their fabrics are beautiful, but there is a very broad price range between the lower end and higher end,” Janna explains. “You can get a very sophisticated look with a less expensive fabric—or, you can go for super luxury.”

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams takes elements of classic furniture style and modernizes it by changing certain details—maybe by using an unconventional fabric, or perhaps applying a contemporary color palette to an otherwise traditional piece. The simple elegance of the line makes it easy to integrate individual pieces into your home’s existing décor. As Janna says, “It’s a sophisticated mix of furniture, with classic style and an updated application.”

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’ elegant aesthetic is a reflection of the company’s ethical business practices. At its stateof-the-art factory in North Carolina, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams have always ensured that its employees work in a comfortable, healthy environment with air conditioning, onsite childcare, a gym, a health clinic, affordable gourmet food options, and other necessary amenities. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams also upholds environmentally responsible business practices, using green production techniques, packaging, and materials.

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When it comes to decorating your home, the possibilities are innumerable. It can be an enjoyable experience, but at times overwhelming. Chestnut Hill Home can help you along the design process as much or as little as you prefer. Its visionary designers will make sure you cover all the bases, including oft-overlooked details such as window treatments and lighting, both decorative and functional.

Window treatments, for example, are integral to the overall aesthetic of your home. The thought of going over budget or maybe ending up with unsightly drapery, though, keeps many from fulfilling this design necessity. At Chestnut Hill Home, you can peruse Janna’s look book to see more than 100 styles of window treatments. Once Janna gets an idea of your personal style and existing home décor, she can help you narrow the options down to a few appropriate styles and suggest fabrics that would complement your space.

“We have everything from simple, functional designs to high-end custom drapery, and sometimes in a single house you would need that full spectrum,” Janna says. “We have thousands of fabric samples here, from dozens of fabric manufacturers.”

If you’re planning to remodel your existing space, Chestnut Hill Home can act as the general contractor, handling every step of the process. Or, its designers can work closely with your architect to plan your newly constructed home or addition. If you’re looking to downsize and aren’t sure how to arrange your furniture in a smaller space, that’s Janna’s specialty.

“We tailor our services to each customer, based on their needs and the scale of the project,” Janna explains. “We make sure the homeowners are very much part of the process, so their home ends up expressing their personal style.”

Chestnut Hill Home is located at 27 North Franklin Street in Chagrin Falls.

You can reach the store by phone at 440.247.6858. “No job is too small or too large,” Janna assures. “We will follow through to the last doorknob.”

,

L-R Diana Morrow, Janna Lutz, Alison Kohn

Chestnut Hill Home 27 North Franklin Street Chagrin Falls 440.247.6858

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Your Go-To STore for

EvEry Door

By Mike Cabrerra Photos Vincent Gorman and courtesy Action Door

L

ooking to spruce up your home?

Simply replacing your front entry and garage doors can give new life to your home’s façade.

Action Door has been Northeast Ohio’s most trusted name in garage doors for more than 45 years. What many don’t know, though, is that this third-generation family-owned company also supplies and installs the finest locally crafted front entry and garage entry doors, through its partnership with ProVia. Based in Sugarcreek, Ohio, ProVia is family owned and manufactures several lines of fiberglass and steel entry doors that are as functional as they are aesthetic. These locally made entry doors are exceedingly durable, secure, and energy efficient. You can order them in custom sizes and finishes, and most are available as single or double doors.

“We always like to provide products and materials that are made right here in Ohio,” says Dino Mastantuono, owner of Action Door. “Our main line of garage doors, as well as our front entry and garage entry doors, are made only about an hour away.”

When considering your new garage door or entry door, appearance matters. The ProVia entry doors and Wayne-Dalton garage doors supplied by Action Door come in a variety of styles, colors, and finishes. There are a number of window styles available, including sidelites with the entry doors. Action Door also offers

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ABOVE Samantha Mastantuono and Joe Lorello

“Why buy doors from anybody else but a door company?” Dino says. “Our specialty is installing garage and entry doors—we could install your new front entry and garage doors on the same day, with the same crew.”

With 70 trucks on the road daily and a 24-hour service department that runs 365 days per year, Action Door is the largest and most reliable garage and entry door company in Northeast Ohio.

a wide range of innovative garage door accessories for optimal convenience and safety. “We supply a huge selection of front entry and garage entry doors,” Dino says. “We can stop by your home and give you a free estimate, along with a brochure with all the different types of selections available.”

Action Door supplies only first-rate doors that look and function beautifully.

Knowing that a door will function only if properly installed, Action Door

thoroughly trains all technicians in garage and entry door installation.

As an accredited door dealer through the Institute of Door Dealer Education and Accreditation (IDEA), Action Door guarantees only the highest quality of garage and entry door installation, service, and maintenance. They never send a subcontractor to do a specialist’s job, so when you call Action Door to install your new doors, you know an Action Door employee will show up to do the job right.

Visit action-door.com for more information on Action Door’s lines of garage and entry doors, as well as the services it offers. Email joe@actiondoor.com with questions. Call 216.739.

DOOR (3667) for more information or to schedule a free in-home estimate on a new garage door, garage entry door, or front entry door today.

Action Door 201 east Granger road Brooklyn Heights 216.739.Door (3667) dan@action-door.com action-door.com

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Plumbing Fixture Maintenance

for Water Conservation

By Mike Cabrerra Photos Vincent Gorman

E

veryone has experienced it: the toilet that clicks on at night, the faucet that drips slowly and steadily all day long. These may seem like minor annoyances, but if left unaddressed they can become major problems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says a running toilet can go through as much as 200 gallons of water in a single day, while a dripping faucet can waste thousands of gallons of water per year.

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“It’s important to pay attention to leaks, even if they seem small,” says Mike Kobella, plumbing operations manager at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, a full-service plumbing and HVAC company that has serviced Northeast Ohio for more than four decades. “They won’t go away on their own; they’ll only get worse.”

includes a comprehensive yearly inspection of all your plumbing fixtures, as well as a 14-point precision tune-up of your water heater. “We go through and inspect everything to prevent failures from happening,” Mike says. “It’s much more convenient than catching the problem after there’s a failure.”

With the Ben Franklin Society maintenance program, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can catch small leaks before they become big problems. Membership

The seals used in toilet tanks are made of rubber, which chlorine in the water supply breaks down over time. Once the seal fails, the toilet will run continuously, in

ABOVE LEFT Leona & Dennis Kratochvil ABOVE RIGHT Mike Kobella

an attempt to keep its tank full. “They’re all going to fail at some point,” Mike says.

“It’s not a matter of if they’ll fail, but rather when they’ll fail.”

A very common cause of faucet leaks, on the other hand, is high water pressure in the house. Just because the pressure wasn’t high last year doesn’t mean it won’t be this year. As a city expands and buildings are constructed farther away from the water towers, the city has to increase the water pressure to pump water to the outer limits. “They might be putting 150 pounds of pressure in the system,” Mike says. “Once it goes into the house, it’s up to the homeowner to restrict that down to 80 pounds or less.”

Many homeowners are unaware of the changing water pressure in their homes, and they don’t realize it needs to be checked. “Before they know it, their hot water tank relief valve is tripping and

they don’t know why,” Mike says. “When the heater expands and you add that to 150 pounds of city pressure coming in, it stresses the metal of the tank and can cause a lot of issues.”

For homes with septic systems, leaky plumbing fixtures can cause even more problems, as treating a continuous stream of water puts extra strain on the system.

To learn more about how you can conserve your home’s water, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing at 440.543.1151. Visit debordinc.com for more information on the company’s services and maintenance programs. “We’re borrowing this land from our children,” Mike says. “Water isn’t a renewable resource, so it’s up to us to be diligent and save where we can.”

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing 12043 Mayfield Road, Chardon 440.543.1151 debordinc.com

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A Lifetime of Expertise in Oriental Rugs

By Mike Cabrerra Photos Aaron Leyser

R

oy Gonsenhauser had a passion for fine, handmade rugs. He spent more than half a century traveling the world to learn not only about the production and trade of rugs, but also about the people and cultures that produced them. For more than two decades, Roy shared his favorite art form with the Cleveland community through his local store, the Oriental Rug Warehouse.

Roy died on March 1, at age 70, and is survived by his wife of 43 years, Rachel

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Gonsenhauser, and his children, Eve Maidenberg and Iahn Gonsenhauser.

Left with Roy’s extensive collection of artistic, handmade area rugs of all sizes, the Oriental Rug Warehouse is offering storewide discounts of up to 65 percent off. “I cannot do Roy’s experience and expertise justice,” says Rachel, who is the director of admissions of a day school in Pepper Pike. “I cannot assume to give this business the expertise it deserves, so I have to sell his collection.”

Roy began working with oriental rugs in the early 1960s, under his father’s tutelage in Cape Town, South Africa. Impassioned, Roy pursued an apprenticeship, during which he traveled to study the wholesale markets in London, Frankfurt, and Zurich.

He then visited Tehran, to learn about the production of rugs. He accompanied buyers to major rug producers, learning every aspect of rugs, from spinning and weaving to dyeing and washing. “He never wanted to just be shown,” Rachel recalls. “He wanted to know how to do it.”

RIGHT Roy Gonsenhauser

During that transformative experience, Roy gained an intimate understanding of and appreciation for oriental rugs. He returned to South Africa and traveled the Cape of Good Hope (or simply “the Cape,” as he called it), selling fine rugs to wealthy wine farmers.

Roy’s cultural and artistic curiosity transcended rugs. He always had a deep interest in the regions he visited and in the cultures of their people. During his travels along the Cape, Roy met several artists and, intrigued by their stories, began a collection of South African paintings. In 1975, he and Rachel mounted a pair of motorcycles and traveled from London all the way to southern Iran and back, giving Roy another opportunity to refine his conversational Farsi. “He really understood the culture of these rugweaving people,” Rachel says. “Wherever it was, he was able to talk to the weavers of these rugs.”

Through his decades of traveling to major rug-producing areas, Roy developed an expertise that is unmatched by anyone else in the Cleveland area. He used to say that you could show him any handmade rug and he would tell you, within 50 miles, where it was made. In reality, though, he was much more accurate than he let on.

“Roy would see a rug, point to it, and tell you a story of where it came from,” Rachel says. “What and whom they represented were so important to him.”

Roy, who also wrote extensively on rugs, hand selected each piece at Oriental Rug Warehouse and imported 98 percent of them directly from the makers. “He always saw each rug as a piece of art,” Rachel says. “He never forgot a rug.”

The Oriental Rug Warehouse is easily accessible from all parts of Cleveland.

It is located at 4925 Pointe Parkway, just off Miles Road, between Green and

Richmond, opposite Lowe’s. Highways 271, 480, and 422 are close by. You can reach the store at 216.464.2430 and visit it online at finerugs.com.

The Oriental Rug Warehouse 4925 Pointe Parkway 216.464.2430 finerugs.com

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COUNTER

5

Intuitive

Styles to Tune Into

By Courtney Tait

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T

he countertops you choose for your kitchen and bathroom can set the tone for the entire space, evoking an elegant, cool or relaxed feel the moment you step into the room. From on-trend concrete to classic granite, a myriad of options are available that make a décor statement. Find inspiration with the low-down on these five styles, and you’ll be on your way to an intuitive choice.

ConCrete The size, shape, texture and edge style can vary greatly with concrete, enabling you to customize the look to suit your kitchen or bathroom style. If you want a more stylized effect, color and chips of glass and stone can be added to the concrete when it’s poured.

The quality that makes concrete suitable for roads is also what makes it excellent for counters: it’s extremely durable. Heat and scratch resistant, concrete will also withstand spills if sealed properly. Want high shine on your counters? Opt for a smooth, glossy finish. (This will also make your counter easy to clean.)

SoapStone Natural, sleek and heat-resistant, soapstone blends well with almost any décor, offering an attractive option for those who like a rich, dark countertop. While multiple pieces are required to make up a counter beyond seven feet (which creates seams), the material is popular for being low-maintenance and easy to clean.

Soapstone darkens over time, and is known — and loved — for developing character as it ages. Variation can be seen in the veining of soapstone slabs, with some piece featuring dense quartz veins, and others showing little veining at all.

ButCher BloCk Warm and sturdy, butcher block is an affordable counter option that gives your kitchen a welcoming, natural look. While it is sometimes used in bathrooms, over time excessive dampness can lead to discoloration, making it better suited to spaces not directly next to the sink.

Butcher block can be made from almost any wood, and if you avoid cutting on it directly, is easily maintained by re-oiling it

every few months. Any nicks or burns can be sanded out, and the soft surface makes it easy on the ears, with no clanking from glassware or ceramics.

Granite The go-to choice for countertops over the last decade, granite has an upscale look that appeals to both discerning homeowners and interior designers. Available in over 20 shades, it’s easy to find one that will complement your flooring and cabinets. A natural material, granite is heat and scratch resistant, but also porous, which makes proper sealing and maintenance essential to prevent stains. Due to its high price tag and the rise of other materials, granite’s popularity is waning, but if you like the look of luxury, it may be the choice for you.

Quartz Considered one of the most durable options for countertops, quartz offers a high-end feel that’s also lowmaintenance. The engineered material is primarily made of ground quartz, with polyester resins added for binding and pigments for color. Available in a range of slabs with beautiful, natural-looking patterns, this non-porous option doesn’t require sealing, and comes with a range of finishes from polished to sandblasted.

When deciding what kind of counters are ideal for your home, consider the style that will complement the color palette and other finishings of the room, and how much maintenance you’re willing to provide to keep it looking its best. Finding a balance between the right look and your lifestyle will ensure you end up with surfaces you love.

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Store Your Wine Collection

Where it Can Age Best

By Mike Cabrerra Photos courtesy Wine Cellar Technologies

F

ine wine always tastes better 10 years down the line — if stored in the proper atmosphere, that is. Wine cellars are specialized, sophisticated rooms that elegantly display wine collections, while maintaining the ideal climate for that wine to age.

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Wine Cellar Technologies provides homeowners across Northeast Ohio the opportunity to create elegant wine cellars inside their own homes. Born from a local, full-service construction company, the Chagrin Falls-based firm can handle everything from custom racking to

designing and constructing luxurious wine cellars — its specialty.

“Wine cellars are very fun to work with,” says Rob Myers, owner of Wine Cellar Technologies. “They always turn out beautiful.”

Wine Cellar Technologies works within homeowners’ budgets to design cellars that fit their needs as well as their homes’ aesthetics. Its design experts will visit your home to help you determine the best location for a new wine cellar, and then they’ll handle the project every step of the way. “The fact that we have a general contracting company means we can build the entire room,” Rob says. “That makes it easier, because we’re one company that does it all.”

While having a parent construction company allows Wine Cellar Technologies to handle every aspect of the design and building process, its specialization in wine cellars gives its technicians the knowledge and experience necessary to build robust wine cellars that look and function beautifully.

Its specialized craftsmen know, for example, that the sustained humidity necessary inside wine cellars makes it imperative to use only woods that are naturally resistant to rotting. They use redwood most often, and also work with mahogany and walnut, depending on homeowner taste. They also have thorough knowledge of the many ways to arrange racking systems, as well as the benefits and limitations of each style, so they can tailor the system to your wine storage needs.

Wine Cellar Technologies can design and install unique stone flooring and countertops to complement the hardwood

racks. It can create an indirect lighting scheme to illuminate the displayed bottles from below, creating a calm glow throughout the cellar. Then, its experienced trim carpenters can bring the cellar to life with any wooden adornment you can imagine, such as elegant trim details, built up crowns, and custom finishing.

“Aesthetically, it can be one of the most beautiful rooms in your house,” Rob says.

“And it gets to be really fun to go down there and pick out the bottle you want, knowing that everything’s aged for a while.”

Wine Cellar Technologies also has the resources and expertise to design and install a specialized climate-control system for your cellar, which will ensure a consistently cool, humid atmosphere for your wine to age well. When designing the space, Wine Cellar Technologies uses 3D design software, which allows you to see exactly how the finished space will look.

Wine Cellar Technologies serves the greater Cleveland, Akron, and Canton area. Visit winecellartech.com or email rob@winecellartech.com for more information. Call 440.708.2424 to set up a free consultation and find out how you can enjoy your home —iand wine n to the fullest.

Wine Cellar Technologies 440.708.2424 winecellartech.com rob@winecellartech.com

Rob Myers, owner

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Consistent Care Will Keep Your

Furnace Functioning Efficiently

By Dylan Yepez Photos courtesy Smylie One

C

leveland winters are frigid, but your home is toasty — unless your furnace breaks down.

To keep your heating system running efficiently and effectively, yearly maintenance is a must.

“People have become very accustomed to changing the oil in their cars, and they understand that if they change their oil regularly then their cars will last longer and have fewer breakdowns,” says Steve Smylie, co-owner of Smylie One Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing. “If you maintain your heating system yearly, you’ll find that your equipment runs more efficiently, that it has a longer life expectancy, and

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that your home will maintain a more comfortable climate.”

Smylie One is a full-service heating, cooling, and plumbing company led by a group of professionals who have served the Northeast Ohio community for more than 30 years. The Smylie family itself, now in its third generation in the HVAC industry, has provided trustworthy services to the area for more than half a century and takes pride in getting the job done right. “It all starts with our culture,” Steve says. “We like to take a customer who calls for the first time and then earn their business every time we come out.”

Many homeowners are unaware their heating systems are running poorly and how much money is being wasted in the process. It not only costs more in energy bills but also can cause further damage to the system that could necessitate costly repairs and even replacement of the furnace. “It can seem like the system is working, but really it’s doing damage to itself,” Steve explains, adding that the problem can be as simple as a dirty filter that needs to be changed.

To ensure every inspection its technicians perform is completed thoroughly and correctly, Smylie One developed the Pro-Max Tune-up & Safety Inspection.

ABOVE L-R Rick Coates, Steven Smylie and Gary Rosen

This system is a comprehensive list, in which all Smylie One technicians are trained, that the technicians follow when performing furnace tune-ups and inspections. “We’re not in it for the short term,” Steve says. “We want to do a very complete and comprehensive tune-up, and we want to make sure when we’re finished the client’s equipment is working as efficiently as possible.”

Steve’s passion for heating and cooling systems comes from his father, William,

who worked in the industry since before Steve was born. “I started working with my dad when I was four years old, just handing him the wrenches and other tools,” Steve recalls. “It really was part of my upbringing.”

This passion has led Steve always to hold his company to the highest of standards. Smylie One is a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, and all of its technicians are certified through North American Technician Excellence (NATE),

meaning that Smylie One is qualified to work on any and all heating systems.

Visit smylieone.com for more information, and call 440.449.HEAT (4328) to set up your mainte-nance appointment today.

Ask how Smylie One’s partnership plan can get you faster responses and better prices on all of Smylie One’s services.

Smylie One 440.449.HEAT (4328) smylieone.com

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FINALLY, Garage Flooring That Lasts

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos Courtesy Garage Finisher

Many people have tried to paint their garage floor with store-bought kits or hired a professional to install epoxy flooring only to have a peeling mess a couple years or even months later. After 20 years as an owner of a large painting company, Mario FX Salwan set out to find a better solution.

He did just that, with technology invented by Bayer Material Sciences called Polyaspartic.

P

olyaspartic is a higher-grade version of a Polyurea coating similar to what is used as a spray-on bedliner for pick-up trucks,” explains Mario. “The difference is Polyaspartic can be rolled on and has improved properties including being harder, non-yellowing and non-peeling

“

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due to hot tires from a car, truck or plane.” Using decades of installation experience, Mario worked with a chemist to formulate this resin into the perfect garage and commercial flooring system named the Forever Floor and installed

by Garage Finisher around the Cleveland area. Mario also sells this revolutionary

coating system to other professional flooring installers throughout the United States and Canada who are amazed at how great their floors now look, how easy they are to clean and how long they last. The Polyaspartic resin can be applied down to negative 30 degrees and dries in one hour. Due to this innovation,

BEFORE

Mario F.X. Salwan, owner

Garage Finisher can install floors year round in residential garages, car dealerships and commercial buildings. “The installation process involves hundreds of steps and a lot of equipment, but the floor of a normal two-car garage can be installed in one day and you can drive on the floor the next day,” says Mario.

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All the items in your garage are removed by Garage Finisher’s crew and put in a Garage Finisher storage trailer on your driveway while the work is being completed, so you don’t have to lift a finger. Then, Garage Finisher uses concrete grinding equipment connected to specialized vacuums to remove the top layer of your concrete, including any coatings, oil, dirt and contaminants. A two-part liquid Polyurea filler that dries in eight minutes is used to fill all the cracks, pitting and control joints, effectively providing a seamless floor so there is no place for dirt to hide. Garage Finisher applies five separate layers of flooring to your garage floor, each layer drying in one hour. The result is a decorative, non-porous flooring system that is easy to clean and unfazed by hot tires, salt, oil, gasoline and household chemicals.

Garage Finisher is so confident in its floor, that after they put away all your belongings, the company provides you with a Lifetime Warranty. All you need to do to maintain the Forever Floor is hose it down and dry it with the complimentary Garage Finisher squeegee, no additional sealing or expense is needed.

Once the floor is looking perfect, you may want additional services for your garage like painting, cabinets, slatwall or accessories — all of which Garage Finisher can provide.

Watch their Garage Makeover video online at garagefinisher.com and request a free estimate on their website or you can call their office at 216.831.4500.

Garage Finisher 4530 Renaissance Pkwy Warrensville Heights, OH 216.831.4500 garagefinisher.com

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Accentuate Your Home’s Architecture

with Superb Landscaping

By Dylan Yepez Photos Aaron Leyser and courtesy Connelly Gardens

S

ome landscape designers may tell you that your garden is an extension of your home. Yet, so many of them construct outdoor spaces whose aesthetics are completely detached from the houses’ architecture.

As Dan Connelly, a second-generation landscaping contractor and owner of Connelly Gardens, puts it, “Too many landscape contractors take whatever newfangled materials are out there and apply them to everyone’s spaces. The architecture, the style, and the materials that are used in the house should be extended to the outdoor space.”

Dan, the principle designer who describes himself as detail oriented, began working with his father, Ed Connelly, a

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distinguished Cleveland-area landscape contractor. Before the age of 30, Dan had already begun to win national awards for his designs. “We are very, very fussy about workmanship and quality,” Dan says, adding he even goes so far as to rotate each plant to find which angle looks best before planting it, because “every plant has multiple faces, and some are better than others.”

Connelly Gardens handles a range of projects as a residential design-build contractor, such as plantings, arbors, decks, lighting, patios, driveways, and outdoor kitchens. A considerable amount of its work is in upscale suburbs surrounding Cleveland, where incorporating the houses’ original materials and architectural styles isn’t always an easy task.

Connelly Gardens prefers to analyze the exterior architecture and find the best materials to complement. Dan often uses natural materials such as sandstone, bluestone, clay or sand mold bricks and limestone to complement the original architectural features of the home. These natural materials are becoming obsolete due to newer man-made materials, but Dan prefers them for their warmth and natural enhancement value. Dan believes the right material, whether man-made or natural, should complement the home for long-lasting value to the property.

Although Dan uses an abundance of natural materials, he also incorporates the newer products such as composite wood, concrete precast pavers, and plain concrete into homes that fit those needs.

Connelly Gardens can create a cohesive

outdoor living space even for the most unique home.

Dan designs every garden as if it were his own, evaluating comfort factors such as sunlight, location within the yard, accessibility from the house, and proximity to the neighbors. He prides himself on his ability to handle large projects as well as small ones.

Beyond designing and creating clean, functional, and timeless gardens, Dan says his job as a landscape contractor is to educate homeowners. Many times, for example, people like a variety of styles and want to incorporate all or many of them into a single space. Dan gets an idea of what the homeowners are looking for in general terms, then shows them how to take these ideas and create a clean, cohesive, functional design. “That’s not to say a garden can’t be fun or have a few whimsical features,” Dan says. “They just have to fit and flow. Form and function first is the key to good design.”

BEFORE

Connelly Gardens is based in Avon Lake and serves all of Northeast Ohio.

BELOW Dan Connelly

Connelly Gardens, Inc. 440.356.4040 Connellyscapes.com

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With a Little Care, Extend the Life of Your Concrete Surfaces

By Dylan Yepez Photos Aaron Leyser and courtesy Perfect Power Wash

W

ith Northeast Ohio’s fluctuating weather and harsh winters, those ubiquitous hairline cracks in your concrete driveway and patio may seem inevitable. A simple biennial process, however, can protect your concrete surfaces and keep them looking their best through many a winter vortex.

Sealing all your external concrete surfaces is an integral yet oftenoverlooked part of preparing your home for winter. Perfect Power Wash, Northeast Ohio’s full-service power washing and restoration company, can ensure your concrete driveway,

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patio, and walkway are protected from seasonal damage this winter.

The experienced technicians at Perfect Power Wash always show up uniformed, with top-notch equipment to handle all of your home’s exterior cleaning and restoration needs. They use a topgrade detergent and specialized surface cleaning unit to thoroughly and evenly clean all concrete surfaces. After rinsing off the detergent, they apply a sealer to protect the concrete from contaminants such as water and salt.

“Concrete is porous, so when it rains or snows, that concrete will absorb the water. The water will freeze and

thaw, causing cracks in the surface,” explains Michael Palubiak, owner of Perfect Power Wash, which specializes in cleaning and restoring concrete, roofs, siding, gutters, and decks.

“The sealer goes into the pores of the concrete to block water, salt, and other contaminants from penetrating.”

Biennial power washing and sealing are a must, regardless of the age and condition of the concrete surfaces. That way your concrete will always be protected from the contaminants that cause cracking and, worse, structural failure.

Once a driveway, patio, or walkway has been neglected for long enough, those

Michael Palubiak, owner

hairline cracks will turn into wider gaps in the concrete surface. Replacing these surfaces can cost tens of thousands of dollars, significantly more than routine washing and sealing.

If your concrete paths are visibly dirty and even deteriorating, the benefits of a thorough power wash and seal will be immediate and astounding. The deep cleaning will rid the surface of the builtup gunk, and although the seal won’t repair damage that’s already done, it will protect against further damage. Sealing also keeps concrete looking new by helping to prevent dirt and debris from staining its surface.

Michael likens installing a concrete driveway and neglecting its maintenance to purchasing a new car and never washing it. “This is something you want to maintain,” Michael says. “Whether it’s your car or your driveway, you want it to look nice and have longevity.”

Call Perfect Power Wash at 440.856.3400 to ensure your home’s exterior maintains its beauty and function. You can ask for a free quote over the phone, and mention this article to get your front walkway power washed for free when you have your driveway washed and sealed.

Visit Perfect Power Wash online at perfectpowerwash.com to learn more about the services offered.

AFTER

BEFORE

Perfect Power Wash 440.856.3400 perfectpowerwash.com

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It’s Time to Fall in Love Again...

With Your Home

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos Vincent Gorman and Aaron Leyser

W

hen deciding on flooring, there’s only one name you need to know: Calvetta.

The Calvetta Brothers Floor Show has provided quality, trustworthy flooring and home-renovation services throughout the Cleveland area for nearly 15 years, and the Calvetta family has done so for even longer.

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The Calvetta Brothers — Lance, Jason, and Austin — are a team of secondgeneration flooring experts and owners of Calvetta Brothers in Bedford Heights.

They first specialized in flooring before expanding their expertise to include the gamut of home remodeling services.

Calvetta Brothers now has three divisions: flooring, maintenance, and construction.

Whether you want to install new floors or restore your existing ones, the Calvetta Brothers will do the job correctly, professionally, and to your liking. There is a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee on all flooring work, and this company honors it. “If you’re not happy, we’ll make you happy,” Austin assures. “If it means we’re ripping out all your newly installed

carpeting and replacing it with a different style, that’s what we’ll do.”

When the Calvetta Brothers take charge of a project, they handle every facet, from design to execution. The company has an array of flooring options, including hardwood, bamboo, carpet, ceramic tile, linoleum, and more. If you want hardwood, they have solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, recycled wood flooring, environmentally friendly wood flooring, and wide plank flooring. They offer a variety of species, such as birch, cherry, chestnut, hickory, pine, teak, and many others, including exotics. You can even choose the planks’ color, grain, and width.

The Calvetta Brothers also custom stain on site, offering both oil- and waterbased finishes. Because they do the staining on site, they can match the color to the baseboards without having to remove the baseboards and transport them to their workshop. “We can really make any color you would like,” Austin says. “We mix most stains right on the job so the customer can approve it. We will do it until the customer is happy with the color.”

If this sounds overwhelming—it’s not.

The Calvetta Brothers’ in-house interior decorator makes the process simple and easy for homeowners. All you will see are beautiful flooring options that fit seamlessly with your home’s design.

The Calvetta Brothers’ maintenance crew is as versatile as its flooring team.

It handles everything to keep your existing flooring in great shape, including hardwood refinishing, carpet cleaning, and tile and grout cleaning and sealing.

When the maintenance team shows up to clean or refinish your floors, its technicians exceed industry service standards and handle the job, from start to finish, to your satisfaction. They particularly take pride in their hardwood refinishing service.

You don’t have to lift a finger, as the Calvetta Brothers’ maintenance team will carefully move all furniture, perform repairs on existing hardwood floors, sand, stain, and put the furniture back in place afterward. “Most other companies just want to sand and stain,” Austin says. “They won’t do repairs or move any furniture.”

Refinishing your hardwood floors can be a dusty process. That’s why the Calvetta Brothers’ maintenance technicians use dustless machines, which drastically reduce the amount of fine debris created from the job. They even work nights and

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weekends to ensure their availability will coincide conveniently with the schedules of even the busiest of homeowners. “A lot of people come to us because we can get them onto our schedule fast,” says Caryn Calvetta, who runs the maintenance division. “We have more men, and our schedule is more flexible.”

Beyond being excellent craftsmen, the Calvetta Brothers’ technicians are trustworthy professionals, whom you can trust in your home and around your family. They have known and worked with the Calvetta family for many years, and they will show up in a Calvetta Brothers truck, wearing Calvetta Brothers uniforms.

Calvetta Brothers is located in Bedford, with additional showrooms in Macedonia and Mentor. You can call them or visit their website for more information and photos of the Calvetta Brothers’ work.

Calvetta Brothers 23760 Miles Road Bedford Hts. 216.662.5550 calvettabrothers.com L-R The Calvetta brothers; Jason, Lance and Austin Calvetta

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Master Craftsman for Your

ArChiteCturAl ClAssiC

By Mike Cabrerra Photos Aaron Leyser

C

leveland’s original suburbs are characterized by their homes’ classic architecture and robust construction. If you’re looking to build an addition or repair and restore your home’s chimneys, façade, entryway steps, mortar joints (tuck-pointing), or any other exterior feature, you want to ensure that the work meshes seamlessly with your house’s architecture.

In other words, you need a contractor who has not only the knowledge and experience to work with brick and

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stone structures, but also a passion for preserving their classic aesthetic.

Anthony Di Francesco descends from a long line of masons and bricklayers. He is a third-generation masonry craftsman, who has worked in the trade since his youth and strives to continue the vision and precision of his predecessors. Fifteen years ago, Anthony revived Di Francesco & Sons, the full-service masonry contractor that his father began many decades ago.

Di Francesco & Sons can handle any

job involving brick and stonework, and Anthony sees to it that every job is done right. “Back in the day when they built all these homes, they had companies like mine,” Anthony says. “I don’t have a big crew. I don’t have a middleman. If you’re dealing with me, you’re dealing with me, and you’ll see me on the job every day.”

Matching the master craftsmanship that went into building the houses in suburbs such as Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, and University Heights is no easy task. But, for Anthony, the fun is in

BEFORE

BEFORE

the challenge. “You need to crawl inside the builder’s head and make sure the work looks like it’s always been there,” Anthony says. “We’re going to use brick, stone, cedar beams — this is going to look the way it needs to look.”

Anthony starts every job by making a list of needs, wants, and costs. He is a no-pressure contractor who emphasizes, above all else, that additions and remodels should be well thought-out so you’re happy with the living environment you create. “If you’ve got to wait a year to put away the money to get everything you want out of a project, do it,” Anthony says. “If a contractor promises to lower the price without reducing the scope of the project, he’s not going to take away from his own earnings.

He’ll find ways to cut corners that you can’t see. I can’t emphasize that enough.”

Unfinished basements are sufficient for

storage and laundry, but not much else. In many cases, they can be remodeled to add significant living area to your home. “I’ve seen a lot of basements around Shaker and Cleveland Heights that are empty but could really be one killer playroom or private room if reconfigured,” Anthony says. “I love remodeled basements because you can do so much with them, and they keep down the wear and tear in the main rooms.”

Di Francesco & Sons is based in Richmond Heights. Email Anthony at adefo6@ yahoo.com with any questions, and call 216.691.6317 to discuss bringing your home into the 21st century while preserving its 20th century charm.

Di Francesco & Sons 216.691.6317 adefo6@yahoo.com

Anthony Di Francesco, owner FineLifestyles

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Consolidate and Simplify Your Home’s Technology

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos courtesy K+ Integration Systems

O

ur homes are hardwired with a lot of technology, and that technology becomes more advanced every year. Yet, we still hang on to the notion that we can control these increasingly complex systems using the same basic toggle switch developed in the 19th century.

K+ Integration Systems can bridge the evolutionary gap between your home’s technology and the devices you use to control it.

simplify the technological controls in your home or business. It can centralize the technology throughout your entire home or business, or you can do an individual room, such as a media room, that typically has more complicated systems to control. “This type of technology exists, and it’s nothing to be scared of,” says John Hannibal, sales specialist at K+. “It’s very simple and actually makes it easier to use the technology that’s being built into houses.”

Based in Chagrin Falls, K+ works with Crestron equipment to consolidate and

If you already have a centralized control system in your home and are in need of

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repairs or upgrades to the equipment, K+ has you covered.

The principal owner of K+ comes from a high-end construction background and formed K+ as a reliable, service-oriented purveyor of the latest and highest-quality home technology. K+ can make it easy to control your home’s technology by using a simple, intuitive interface on either your smartphone or wall-mounted touch panel.

“It really does make using your house a lot easier,” John says. “Using this system, you can control the lighting, shades, thermostats — anything that has electric on/off.”

ABOVE John Hannibal, sales specialist and Art Davidson, chief technician

K+ can install the system in newconstruction houses or can retrofit it to older homes. For those who want to try it before making a big leap, you can try it in a single room and then augment it, if and when the need arises. “Many homeowners are worried they’re taking a simple, 49-cent switch and making it complicated,” John says. “If you have four or five ways to turn on lights in a room, this consolidates those controls into one centralized switch. We put it all on one touch screen, so you don’t have to remember which switch operates what.”

The system can integrate security systems, cameras, and estate gates, improving their functionality and the overall safety of the home. You can view all of your home-security cameras from the centralized touch panel and be aware of what is happening in and around your house at all times. “If someone walks up to the gate, they hit a call button that brings up an image of them on the TV screen or on the touch panel,” John explains. “You can see who is at the gate, communicate with them, and open the gate if it’s someone you want to let in.”

If you travel or leave your home for any amount of time, the K+ system can be programmed to keep your house’s lights and other technologies functioning as if you were home.

K+ serves the greater Cleveland, Akron, and Canton area. Visit k-integration.com or email jhannibal@k-integration.com for more information. Call 440.724.0558 to make your home’s technology work for you. “What we are ensuring,” John says, “is that we are controlling the technology, rather than allowing the technology to control us.”

K+ Integration Systems Chagrin Falls 440.724.0558 john@k-integration.com k-integration.com

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Don’t Allow Algae to Ruin Your Roof

By Lisa Floyd-Brown Photos courtesy Inside/Out Construction

W

hether it’s in Lake Erie or on top of your roof, algae is harmful. The difference is that you, as a homeowner, have the resources to remedy the latter situation. “Algae is a living organism, and it feeds on roofs,” explains Dan Horvat, one of Northeast Ohio’s original specialists in rooftop algae and fungus removal and long-term treatments to keep roofs protected. “We exterminate the algae and then provide treatments on roofs that have been affected by algae.”

Certain species of airborne, limestoneeating algae are attaching themselves to roofs across Northeast Ohio. They thrive on the north side of roofs, where the sun is less intense and there is plenty

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of moisture. To the naked eye, these organisms look like dark, dirty streaks running down the roof. Although they appear to be innocuously ugly, they actually are eating away at the rooftops, causing them to deteriorate quite rapidly.

If left unaddressed, these parasites will necessitate a costly roof replacement.

With more than three decades of experience in the roofing industry, Dan and his team at Inside/Out Construction, a full-service residential and commercial roofing contractor, can ensure that your roof is free of harmful organisms and ready to weather another Cleveland winter.

Dan started off working for a local contractor and consulting directly

with suppliers of roofing products to learn correct and innovative roofing techniques. When Dan realized his employer was cutting corners on the job and expecting that he do the same, he separated himself and created Inside/Out Construction as an honest, conscientious roofing contractor.

“Inside/Out denotes that our work comes from the inside, our conscience, and manifests itself in the quality of the service we deliver,” Dan explains.

Inside/Out Construction specializes in existing roof construction and other exterior work, such as algae removal and treatment. Over the years, Dan has been so proactive in his roofing education that customers and suppliers have referred to

him as the smart roofer. “They comment that we are one of the best companies out there,” Dan says. “They see the products that we inquire about. They see the seminars that we go to.”

By maintaining a small, familiar team of roofers, actively continuing the company’s professional education, and personally supervising every job, Dan ensures the quality and integrity of all of his company’s work. Every consultation he conducts is thorough and two-sided, so the clients understand any problems with their roof and the options they have to resolve those issues. “We discuss a comprehensive set of options so they can make an informed decision, and then we work within the parameters of their decision,” Dan says. “I’ll stay with a homeowner for longer than your average contractor. It may not be profitable for us, but we ensure that the homeowner is covered for the long run.”

BEFORE

Call Inside/Out Construction at 216.253.5482 to have Dan visit your home and ensure that your roof is structurally sound going into the colder months. For more information, you can email Dan at danielhorvat123@gmail.com.

Inside/Out Construction 216.253.5482 danielhorvat123@gmail.com Dan Horvat, owner

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Additional limitations apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. ©2014 HunterDouglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of HunterDouglas. * Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 9/16/14 –12/16/14 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter.

104 FineLifestyles CLEVELAND Additional limitations apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. ©2014 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas.

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Building Responsive Websites

Wesley Willis owner XCom Ohio, LLC. 330.541.1683 wesley@xcomohio.com xcomohio.com

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hances are if you’re a business owner, you have an outdated and outmoded website.

Technology is changing so rapidly that business owners who don’t evolve will go extinct. “But I updated my website a little over a year ago,” is a common refrain that I hear. I should know because I’ve been designing and coding websites for the last 20 years.

So many businesses are complacent about their websites and fail to capitalize on their website’s full income generating potential. Not only do business owners not keep up with evolving technologies, but many are still sporting blogs which they haven’t updated for months or years. If you’re not going to update your

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blog at least every month, you don’t need one. Potential customers can really be turned off with stale content and lack of website functionality.

Further, if you don’t have a mobile website or don’t know why responsive websites are important, you’re really missing the boat. A responsive website is one built to load correctly on computers, tablets and even smart phones. Not only do the search engines really like to see this, but it makes it easy for potential and existing customers to navigate the site no matter what device they are using. Another key aspect that business owners often overlook is an overall marketing strategy for their website. This is especially important in today’s competitive marketplace. While online sales are growing by leaps and bounds, so are the number of companies offering their products on the web. Simply having a web presence is not enough to move product.

This is really where my degree in business marketing from the University of Akron comes into play. I can help my customers develop a marketing plan and offer suggestions on how to get there. There

aren’t many web designers that offer this service. I also like to focus on the fundamentals with my customers. You’d be surprised at how many businesses don’t consider the importance of attractive photos. Photos really sell a website. Trying to sell products with blurry, grainy photos is not going to impress anyone or help you sell your product.

Probably the most important service that XCom Ohio, LLC offers is web analysis.

The web is so complex and changes so frequently that it’s impossible for most business owners to stay on top of it. I started offering a health checkup for my customer’s websites a few years ago and it has been really popular. I examine all the aspects of the site and compare them with current standards and trends. Once the analysis is complete, I write up the results in an easy-to-read format. Customers then know where their weaknesses are and how they can improve their website.

You can call XCom Ohio at 330.541.1683 and I will be happy to help you get a website health checkup or to answer any of your web questions.

Social Media at Your Fingertips

Having a social media presence for your business is the next marketing movement.

Businesses are joining the social media revolution at a fast pace. According to Forbes, one study suggested that as many as 90 percent of American small businesses are on social media today, and 74 percent perceive social networking as valuable — if not more valuable — than networking in-person.

Simone Cameron The Annek Group 216.310.9504 simone@annekgroup.com annekgroup.com

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hen was the last time someone asked you if you had a website? These days, people assume your business is online and they presumably ask for your web address. To say that your business is not online says a lot about you and your business. It says your business is not current and not interested in having a web presence. Both can have negative impressions on potential customers.

So how can businesses tap into the power of social media?

1. Get Employees on Board! A great way to open your social media activity to a broader audience is to encourage employee engagement. When employees actively “like”, “share” and comment on posts coming from their employer’s social media platforms, it exposes your brand and messaging to a much wider, and typically more, engaged audience.

2. Outsource Your Social Media Efforts to an Experienced Third Party Manager.

As we’ve seen above, more businesses are recognizing the potential that tapping into social media can present to their brand. However, business owners find it difficult to dedicate manpower to the time-consuming task of managing their online presence.

Often, business owners fall into the trap of having a college student do their social media posts. But when that student goes back to school, there is no longer any consistency in brand messaging and scheduling.

Interns generally do not effectively manage a brand’s reputation and presence online. It’s not because they are not willing, but they often lack the experience and knowledge to do it successfully. Anyone can post a message on social media, but it takes an experienced social media manager to effectively and strategically manage your brand and engage with your audience online.

3. Have a Strategy and Stick to it!

Without a strategy, you could be wasting your efforts. In addition to developing a strategy, schedule your posts through an online portal such as Hootsuite. Scheduling your social media posts will help to ensure you consistently and systematically get your message across.

So, why should businesses embrace social media?

According to a recent survey, 92 percent of consumers trust online recommendations from their friends. Just because you may not have considered the importance of social media, doesn’t mean people aren’t looking for your products and services there. The reality is, the more you’re on social media, consistently and strategically, the more you open up your brand to being seen by an audience whom you may not otherwise reach. Social media puts your products or services on your customers’ screens! So get on board and tap into the power of social media.

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Understand the benefits of permanent life insurance

Jeremy Soditch Agent New York Life 216.288.0983 6000 Lombardo Center, Suite 300, Seven Hills jsoditch@ft.newyorklife.com

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ermanent life insurance can provide you and your family with longstanding benefits that ultimately provide a greater sense of protection and financial security.

Here’s an overview of the ways that a permanent life insurance policy can be a valuable option for you and your family.

While the primary purpose of life insurance is to protect loved ones in the event of your death, permanent life insurance offers other financial benefits that may be extremely helpful with everyday expenses. One of the larger financial perks of purchasing a permanent life insurance policy is the cash value accumulation component, which guarantees1 cash value accumulation

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on a tax-deferred basis. This cash accumulation is often referred to as a “living benefit” since it is a benefit you can enjoy during your lifetime. As long as your premiums are paid, the cash value that builds in your policy accumulates on a tax-deferred basis and can be borrowed against2 generally income tax-free. That money can be accessed via policy loans for virtually anything, such as funding a child’s college education, supplementing your retirement income as the life insurance needs decrease, or even ensuring the continuation of a personal business you’ve worked hard to build.

Moreover, some permanent life insurance policies may be eligible for dividends3 which may be used to help pay premiums or purchase additional insurance.

Stay Safe and SecUre. Unlike permanent life insurance, which is in place for your entire life, term life insurance generally provides a tax-free death benefit for a specific length of time.

When the term expires, so does your protection. While you may be able to renew it, your health may have changed and the rates may be higher. While term insurance may initially offer more affordable premiums, permanent life insurance provides a lifetime of protection

and value. Your premium stays the same regardless of your age or health conditions, and the policy is more likely to be in force when your family needs it most. now iS the time.

It’s always a good time to protect your family. But it’s even more important to make sure they’re protected when other assets can’t be counted on. That’s why permanent life insurance is so valuable—its cash value is guaranteed to accumulate each year, regardless of the economic environment.

This educational, third-party article is provided as a courtesy by Jeremy Soditch, Agent, New York Life Insurance Company. To learn more about the information or topics discussed, please contact him at 216.288.0983.

Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuer.

1

The cash value in a permanent life policy is accessed through policy loans, which accrue interest at the current rate and decrease the available death benefit and cash value.

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3 Dividends are based on the policy’s applicable dividend scale, which is neither guaranteed nor an estimate of future results.

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Know when it’s time to put yourself on top of your to-do list.

Together let’s create a retirement plan that can help you continue all the good in your life.

Jeremy J. Soditch, LUTCF Agent New York Life Insurance Company 6000 Lombardo Ctr. Suite 300 Seven Hills, Oh. 44131 (216) 520-7832 jsoditch@ft.newyorklife.com

Registered Representative offering investments through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency.

Life Insurance. Retirement. Investments.

KEEP

GOOD

GOING

SMRU496908(Exp.01/11/2015) © 2013 New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Attentiveness in the Age of Electronics considered disrespectful to disregard the person with whom one is having a face-to-face conversation to take cell phone calls or read text messages. As this continues, the people who are close by start feeling less and less important. This could be true especially for businesses that attempt to save costs by lessening face-to-face interactions and substituting those interactions with teleconferencing, webinars, and electronic communication.

DAVID B. RUST President Coaching Solutions Chagrin Falls 440.591.5111 david@coachingsolutions.com coachingsolutions.com

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ne of the greatest problems businesspeople struggle with is a lack of strategic focus on the task before them. This ranges from surfing the Internet while talking with an employee to texting while talking at the dinner table to playing a videogame while on a webinar. This is prevalent in the business world where people haven’t found time to prioritize their to-do lists. Frequently, they’re trying to accomplish two items at once while being unsuccessful at each. Many professionals have bought into the myth that multi-tasking is effective.

There is a temptation for businesspeople to consider the person or key strategic item in front of them as being dull in comparison with the potentially exciting person/message/image that is embedded in their electronic device. Yet it can be

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I recommend you use the following three-point plan to overcome problems with concentration.

1. Believe in single-tasking The first step in focusing is to believe that single-tasking has merit and that multi-tasking doesn’t work. Review the academic research and gain a complete belief in the fact that multi-tasking does not work and that multi-taskers actually do both activities poorly (see Frontline Series).1 If you wrongly believe that your relationships and your work are positively affected by multi-tasking, then you’ll never be able to overcome this problem.

Altering your belief system is essential to overcoming the plague of multi-tasking.

2. Commit to concentrate fully on each single task/interaction The next step is making a commitment to concentrate fully on each single task/ interaction with an open mind and a clear purpose. With this commitment, you then have the liberty to focus 100 percent on the person or activity in front of you.

Being distracted by the person/activity/ event on the screen is a problem for many professionals.2 Turn off devices when you’re engaged with someone or doing

strategic items. Mixing work and play is a common problem among professionals who bring work home and home issues to work. One strategy some of my clients use is to write out key business items before leaving work and key personal items before leaving home so that they can concentrate on each area of their lives at the appropriate time.

3. Engage all your faculties Your next step is to engage so that you’re contributing to the success of the interaction. Show more interest in the people or task in front of you so that they’re more interesting than the “digital distraction.” Some strategies for increased focus include the following: • Demonstrate your interest so that people know you’re “totally with them.” Take notes, make eye contact, think about what they are saying, and act on their comments.

• Reflect on how the person or activity impacts your goals. By understanding a person’s importance to your goals, you’ll hopefully have more motivation to be engaged with him or her.

• Keep your focus times short (typically 30-45 minutes). Incorporate regular intervals of unstructured time to relax and daydream. Relaxation strengthens your ability to focus during your productive time and fosters creativity.

Nicholas Carr, “Does the Internet Make You Dumber?” The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones, 5 June 2010. Web, 30 Jun. 2011.

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2 Nicholas Carr, “Does the Internet Make You Dumber?” The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones, 5 June 2010. Web, 30 Jun. 2011.

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The New Amphibious Vehicles:

L uxurious Fu n and ExcitE mE n t

By Rebecca Henderson Photos courtesy WaterCar

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American inventor, Oliver Evans, developed the first known self-propelled amphibious vehicle called the Orukter Amphibolos in 1805 — although it’s since been disputed whether it successfully travelled over land and water under its own steam.

Fast-forward more than 200 years and there’s not much to be disputed now.

Amphibious bicycles, ATVs, cars, buses, trucks, military vehicles and hovercrafts can be seen cruising through deserts, gliding over lakes and sometimes even submerging under water.

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hen you think of amphibious vehicles like, for example, hovercrafts, The Jetsons theme song may play in the back of your mind alongside a futuristic blinking sound. However, while George Jetson’s amphibious vehicle can fly through space, the ones currently being developed and used are a little more down to earth.

One of the most successful forays into the development of amphibious vehicles is California-based WaterCar, which established itself as a company to watch in 1999 for developing and marketing amphibious vehicles. “Growing up in southern California I was always involved in this kind of industry,” says WaterCar founder, Dave March. “We looked at the Second World War amphibious vehicles, which were real slow and realized we could do something better. We saw an opportunity.”

For March, what started out as a personal challenge to build the world’s fastest amphibious vehicle, turned into a successful and exciting career. “We weren’t really sure whether people would be interested in what we were doing,” says March. “No one has been very successful in the past, but once we started, people were really receptive to it.”

March says when they began developing their first model, millionaires from around the world continuously approached WaterCar looking to purchase their own amphibious vehicle. March has even taken a deposit from the Prince of Dubai. “We became overwhelmed by the reception,” he says. “We were doing it more for fun than anything else.”

However, March stresses that attaining a level of reliability and maintainability that was consistent with WaterCar’s standards and those of its prospective buyers was of the utmost priority. “Our team was adamant that we wouldn’t sell a product that we wouldn’t purchase ourselves,” says March.

After 14 years filled with successes and failures, it was in 2013 that the amphibious model, Panther, achieved the quality, reliability and maintainability March was looking for. “Each Panther is a custom-built vehicle,” says March.

In January 2010, March broke the Guinness amphibious speed record with WaterCar’s Python model. “I was driving,” recalls March, “and I was both excited and concerned because no one had ever gone that fast. We used a tremendous amount of caution.” March says the Python model reached speeds from 150 to 200 mph and looking back, he says, “I eventually became comfortable with the high speeds because once you get out there, it’s really cool. I can’t express what it’s like every time you drive one of these models.”

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WaterCar broke new ground when it came to developing amphibious vehicles.

It boasts a dozen different models that can go off-road, above water and even cruise down the highway. Models like the Turnkey Minus, which is a Panther package and includes everything you need to cover for land and water, is one of those vehicles. According to WaterCar’s website, all one has to supply is a new, rebuilt or a used Honda 3.5 or 3.7 V-TEC Engine and a 091 VW bus Transmission, along with your choice of custom paint and design. March says companies often reach out to WaterCar to market their brands in a unique way to pique consumers’ interest. “It’s definitely unusual, but it’s a great marketing piece of interest.”

While the military has used amphibious vehicles for years, it’s become more of a fun and exciting luxury novelty for those closer to a large mass of water. “Our models can keep up with other boats in the water,” says March. “You can even go water-skiing.” WaterCar’s Python model (a price tag of $200,000) used to break the Guinness record, reaches speeds of up to 60 mph in the water with a Dominator Jet and Corvette engine.

March says he was surprised by the various ways clients used their models.

“It’s been used in many ways we hadn’t even envisioned,” he says. “It’s very convenient for people who have an island and use it to travel to and from, as well as on land.”

Many clients also carry the models on their yachts when they encounter ports with restricted access. For those looking into purchasing an amphibious vehicle, the Panther is currently offered in three states of completion: Rolling Chassis, Turnkey Minus and Complete Custom.

However, please note, the Complete Custom version may be a challenge or impossible to license and register for street use in some states or provinces.

Visit watercar.fountainvalleybodyworks. com/ for more information.

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