25 minute read
Lake Effect
12.21 LAKE EFFECT
this month’s forecast on the people, places and things we love
A Christmas Dressed in more than 10,000 lights, the Cleveland Arcade twinkles to life, bathed in a warm glow that’s sealed with the kiss of a lakefront sky beyond
Palace its 300-foot-long glass skylight. The historic indoor shopping center, the first of its kind in America, remains the elegant gentleman it was in 1890. For the past 20 years, a team of about 20 Hyatt Regency Hotel managers have eagerly volunteered to string more than 5,000 feet of garland and 250 bows along the arcade’s 100-foot-long columns, creating the timeless charm of a classic Christmas. From shimmering symmetry to the 15-foot-tall Christmas tree in the rotunda, Hyatt general manager Todd Byrns says it may be the best indoor Cleveland holiday display. “[For] a lot of people … it reminds them of their childhood or something from their past. The building’s been here for 131 years and it’s always been a focal point in the city of Cleveland during the holidays.” // BECKY BOBAN
PUBLIC SQUARE
A Look at the Rise in Cleveland Photography
SOUNDS
How Ray Flanagan Stayed Busy in 2021
STAGES
Five Cleveland Plays To See This Month
SHOP TALK
A Gorgeous Garland To Make Yourself
Changing the Lens
If you’re anything like us, your social media feeds have been filled with vibrant images of Cleveland. We spoke to the photographers behind those images. / BY HENRY PALATTELLA /
In Gabe Wasylko’s mind, there’s a photography revolution happening in Cleveland. And he’s more than happy to be on the front lines. Wasylko’s contribution to the revolution started in 2020 when he assigned himself the goal of posting one photo a day to Twitter.
And boy did he.
Over the past year, Wasylko’s images of Cleveland’s skyline, architecture and hidden gems have filled lock screens across Northeast Ohio. In May, he used those images to help nab a job as Destination Cleveland’s social media manager. We spoke with Wasylko and two other Cleveland photographers about their favorite photos.
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1 Gabe Wasylko This photo allowed Wasylko to check something off his bucket list. “I had always wanted to capture lighting,” he says.
One day in October, just the right kind of weather hit, but he didn’t have a tripod with him. So he propped his camera on a railing, set a timer, covered his camera with his jacket to keep it dry and waited. Once lighting struck, he was amazed with the picture staring back at him.
“It was kind of a happy accident,” he says.
2 Erik Drost Drost — who typically goes out to shoot photos every weekend — took this photo at Lakewood Park at the end of January.
“I like to get my photography stuff done early in the morning, so I catch a lot of sunrises,” he says. “The lake was just starting to freeze over, and it was just a really calm morning.”
For Drost, the photo is just one part of Northeast Ohio’s dynamic landscape. “Cleveland is such a diverse place when it comes to layouts,” Drost says. “You have The Flats, which is a little grittier, and then you have University Circle, which is kind of like an arts district, and then you have the Metroparks, too.”
2 3
Wil Lindsey
Lindsey, who’s done work with Destination Cleveland along with the NFL and Playhouse Square, took this photo at sunset at Edgewater Park in October of last year. In order to add his own twist on a fairly common photo (everyone’s taken a photo of the sunset at Edgewater), he set his exposure for three minutes while also using a neutral-density filter to help the light shine through. The result is an eye-popping picture of Cleveland at dusk.
3 “I spent a lot of my childhood at Edgewater Park, so I like being able to capture its growth,” Lindsey says. “It’s so gorgeous.” While this photo focuses on Cleveland’s jaw-dropping sunsets, Lindsey equally enjoys Cleveland’s architecture. “Since Cleveland’s situated on the river you can really find a lot of cool angles throughout the area,” he says. “There are so many different ways you can mix together views of Cleveland.”
SherwinWilliams is hoping to inject new life into downtown.
Glow Up
Sherwin-Williams’ new headquarters looks to boost both the neighborhood and the employee experience. / BY ILONA WESTFALL /
The new global headquarters for Sherwin-Williams is poised to change the landscape of downtown Cleveland, balancing exterior aesthetics with a comfortable workspace for its employees. Slated for completion in late 2024, the project will add a 36-story skyscraper to the western part of Cleveland’s skyline, along with having two additional buildings that will connect to the main office skyscraper via glass-enclosed skywalks. The space will also have a four-story parking garage and two-story Public Square-facing pavilion called the Center for Excellence that will serve as a welcome center, complete with displays detailing its company history.
In 2015, it became clear the company had outgrown its space in the Landmark Office Towers in the Tower City complex, and it began planning for a new, modern headquarters. With its 155-year history in Cleveland, it was crucial to the paint company that the headquarters remain downtown.
After considering 12 downtown sites, they settled on a spot just west of Public Square. The hope is that the complex and its 3,500 employees will inject much-needed energy into an area currently relegated for parking lots.
David Brown, an architect with Pickard Chilton, the firm working on the design alongside Cleveland-based firm Vocon, cites the Devon Energy Tower in Oklahoma City as an example of a similar project that did just that. With that in mind, space was left on the north and west sides of the new Sherwin headquarters for future development.
For the physical design of the building, an “inside-out” approach was taken, prioritizing the needs of employees while taking community feedback into account. The result is a glass skyscraper that lets in plenty of light, with offices centralized in the middle.
This attention to detail extends outside. The top of the building will form a V-shape that intentionally points to Public Square on one side and the Warehouse District and lake on the other. However, it’s the public-facing pavilion that has Vocon principal Matt Heisey most excited.
COMING TOGETHER
A new 30-year
“transformative plan” to reimagine the stretch of land along the Cuyahoga River known as Collision Bend has the potential to unite downtown and the new SherwinWilliams tower with the Cuyahoga River and its many newly proposed parks and trails.
Put forth by Bedrock, the Detroitbased owner of Tower City and the land behind it along the river, the plan will take decades to execute fully but, when completed, will drastically reimagine the downtown landscape.
“If you think about Ontario Street, for example, it’s a one-sided street where you have the massive Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and you look to your west and there’s a cliff pretty much,” says Cleveland City Planning Commission director Freddy Collier Jr. “Imagine being able to walk down Ontario and be able to easily walk down to the river, rather than being at an edge where you’re greeted by a fence.”
In addition to new affordable housing, diverse businesses and bike trails, the project includes boardwalks and public gathering spaces in place of current parking lots and private property.
Gold Again Just honored as the best park system in the nation, the Cleveland Metroparks is far from done. / BY COLLEEN SMITEK /
aunched in 1917 with just 3 acres, the Cleveland Metroparks now encompasses more than 24,000 acres of nature and 300 miles of trails. And 2021 saw the completion of several major projects, including the final stretch of the Towpath Trail. This fall, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration awarded the Metroparks the “Best in Nation” gold medal, which the park also won in 2016, the last year it was eligible to do so. We checked in with Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman to see where the park system goes from here.
Q: What’s your next big idea?
A: Right now, we’re in the process of adding phase one of our pump track system* in the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights. We also have a wonderful plan for the zoo to rebuild the gorilla and orangutan habitat in the Rainforest. And we’ve added a new dome to the Rainforest designed to let more light in.
Q: Where should someone new to the parks start?
A: One of my ultimate favorite locations is the Rocky River Reservation. You can literally get lost for 17 miles of parkway, enjoying the peaceful serenity of your surroundings. Visitors can also download
West Channel Pond Trail
our new app, Find Your Path, which allows you to tailor-make your trail connections and find events.
Q: Can you share a hidden gem?
A: Mill Creek Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in Cuyahoga County. It’s one of the most breathtaking natural features the parks have to offer.
Rocky River Reservation
Wendy Park Bridge
Q: Do you have a favorite winter spot?
A: South Chagrin Reservation, all along the river, offers truly remarkable views — cedar trees with snow on them. Fresh snow in the morning is awesome.
Q: How do you envision the Metroparks in 10 years?
A: We’re really focused on helping implement the
Mill Creek Falls
Cuyahoga Greenways Plan that allows more communities to have access to trails. A great example is the Slavic Village Downtown Connector. One of the over-arching themes is how do we connect the region? Cuyahoga County is a built-out environment. Partnerships are going to be the key to allow certain corridors and connections.
*A pump track is a looped circuit of hills and berms that allows bikers and skaters to move without pedaling or pushing off.
THE NEXT GREEN THING New details unveiled for Ohio City’s proposed 23-acre Irishtown Bend Park show a 30-footwide promenade that runs along the Cuyahoga River, giant slides to whisk guests of all ages from Franklin Avenue down to the water’s edge, a two-acre lawn for events and festivals, sledding hill, playground, picnic space, an amphitheater and more. “Irishtown Bend Park is going to redefine what Clevelanders think of as their waterfront,” says Ohio City Inc. executive director Thomas McNair. “This riverfront greenspace will not only link our community to the water but will also tie together a growing network of trails that will allow you to get from Edgewater Beach to New Philadelphia.” Scheduled to open in 2026, the park is a $90-million joint project between the Cleveland Metroparks, Ohio City Inc., the Cleveland Port Authority and other partners. The project also includes the stabilization of the riverbank to protect the shipping channel. // CS
Howling Pines Farm
Medina Christmas Tree Farm
Sugar Pines Farm
Christmas Conifers
Make it a perfect Christmas with a tree from one of these
Northeast Ohio farms. / BY HAILEY OPPENLANDER /
FOR ALL HIS FAULTS, at least Clark Griswold knew the importance of finding the right Christmas tree.
But, with so many species, sizes and shapes, it can take time to find the one that speaks to you. The good news is that picking out a tree with loved ones can amp up the magic of the season. “What you’re really buying is a lifetime of memories,” says Ken Reeves, owner of Mountain Creek Tree Farm in Concord Township. Here are four local Christmas tree farms, all open by Nov. 26, to check out.
Owner Ken Reeves’ great MOUNTAIN uncle bought this 52-acre CREEK TREE farm in the 1920s, and
FARM Reeves continues the family legacy today. If this is your first trip, don’t worry — the farm has a display with the name of each tree species. Be sure to take a wagon ride and cozy up afterward with hot chocolate. “It is just such a warm feeling to know that we have been a part of tens and maybe hundreds of thousands of families’ Christmases,” Reeves says. 7185 Williams Road, Concord Twp., 440-354-8928, mountaincreektrees.com
SUGAR PINES FARMS
Four types of trees are grown at this 100-acre Chesterland farm. Bring extra holiday cheer to your home with wreaths, garland, mistletoe and ornaments. Family-friendly activities include a 10-minute wagon ride, visits from Santa and treats from Buckeye Concessions. “It’s so much more than just a tree farm,” says Jane Neubauer, who owns Sugar Pines with her husband, Fritz. “It’s where people come to make memories.” 9500 Mulberry Road, Chesterland, 440-729-1019, sugarpinesfarm.com
MEDINA CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
A professor emeritus at Cuyahoga Community College, Charles “Doc” Reicheld has had his four kids, as well as hundreds of his students, work at his Medina Christmas Tree Farm over the years. “They earn Christmas money and maybe more, and sometimes [they do it] just for the fun,” he says. “Because it’s neat to be on a Christmas tree farm in this season.” The farm animals — chickens, goats, a miniature horse and more — offer even more fun for kids, as does the free hot chocolate. “It’s really nice to see the smiles on people’s faces, and the fact that so many of them come back,” Reicheld adds. 3301 Hamilton Road, Medina, 330-723-2106, medinatrees.com
HOWLING PINES FARM
Jeff Grubich bought Howling Pines Farm in 2006 — and has been working to make the place more magical ever since with a wide selection of firs, spruces and pines. Hot chocolate and fresh coffee warm you up, while the farm’s maple syrup will make any breakfast special. As a teacher and coach at Kenston High School in Chagrin Falls, Grubich says relationships are the heart of the farm. “It’s just very family-oriented and community-based,” he says. 10480 Washington St., Chagrin Falls, 216-410-6341, howlingpinestreefarm.com
Creative Control
After a year of releasing new music monthly, musician Ray Flanagan is gaining control of himself and his art.
/ BY CANDICE WILDER /
Ray Flanagan’s releases were one of our favorite parts of 2021.
LAST NOVEMBER, Ray Flanagan suddenly found himself out of work.
After being able to carry on through the spring and summer of 2020 thanks to outdoor performances, the Cleveland singer-songwriter grew more nervous as winter approached.
With newly purchased audio and studio equipment, he began learning how to record songs from his home in Lakewood. Over the past year, Flanagan has released new music every month, all of which have been singles with A-sides and B-sides, a process that’s allowed him to stretch his artistic muscles.
“It has truly changed my whole outlook on everything I do now,” he says.
On the first Friday of each month, Flanagan takes advantage of Bandcamp Friday — which gives musicians a bigger percentage of revenue — by releasing his new music on YouTube and other streaming platforms.
His creative successes have allowed him to experiment with the sounds and music he makes. So far, he has no plans of slowing down and said the project will continue into 2022.
The project has also encouraged him to collaborate with other musicians, such as his brother drummer Russ Flanagan, multi-instrumentalist David Alan Shaw and bassist Joe Dotta. These sessions, he says, have taught him everything from technical engineering and sound dynamics to the collaborative and communicative process of music recording.
“I didn’t need any crazy microphones or interfaces because it’s ultimately about learning how to use the equipment you have at your disposal and bending it to your use,” says Flanagan. “It’s also just been about learning how to communicate with other musicians and not being afraid to compromise or keep the peace for the sake of the art you’re creating.”
Of all the songs he’s recorded so far, “The Man Upstairs,” a track where Flanagan uses his voice to mimic different instruments, has done the best.
Lately, Flanagan has slowly garnered a few gigs and returned to the stage to perform in front of local crowds. But he remains grateful for the experiences he’s had over the past two years.
TOP OF THE CHART
2021 was a great year for music in Cleveland. Between venues reopening and artists finding their groove, there was plenty to bop your head to in the city. Here are our favorite releases from the year.
Among the Willows, Reverie
The band’s third album is a further maturation of a hard rock sound that begs the listener to bang their head. In a long line of Cleveland blues bands, Among the Willows is the most exciting of the modern installments.
Fuzz Aldrin, Peach Fuzz
The latest EP from Fuzz Aldrin greets listeners with the confidence and gusto of an instant rock ‘n’ roll classic. There’s a little taste of everything, as the album features funk-inspired rhythms and laid-back blues riffs.
Kahrin, Kahrin
Kahrin’s debut album is the musical equivalent of kicking your feet up and feeling the breeze. Kahrin’s year spent travelling the country comes through in the perfect combination of Midwestern twang and ocean instrumentals.
Nathan-Paul, Aquarius Lo-Fi Deezy
Picking a favorite Nathan-Paul release is sorta of like picking a favorite mood, especially when the artist has put out three EPs and multiple singles in 2021 alone. This record mixes wistful nostalgic and modern sounds.
Smith Taylor, Smith Taylor
The former guitarist of SamFox, Smith Taylor’s debut record as a solo artist doesn’t disappoint, as the seven-song tour de force album is a tangible example of Taylor’s range as both a vocalist and a musician.
’Tis the Season for Shows
There are few things better than taking in a show during the holidays. Bring back a family tradition (or make a new one) at these area performances. / BY SOPHIE GIFFIN /
THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE walking through chilly city streets with the anticipation of seeing a show. Whether it’s the music, plot or beautiful surroundings, something about the theater this time of year makes us feel like a kid again. Soak up some of that magic at these five performances this month.
The Nutcracker Wicked
A Christmas Carol at Playhouse Square:
Nov. 26 – Dec. 23 This Northeast Ohio classic, which was first produced by the Great Lakes Theater in 1989, has brought joy to nearly 800,000 people. Gerald Freedman created an adaptation of the original Charles Dickens story we’ve all heard, with this show giving the audience a deeper look into a young boy’s mind. Full of imagination, the boy pictures the events in A Christmas Carol as his family reads the story. “You leave the theater a little lighter and a little happier,” says Great Lakes Theater director of marketing communications Kacey Shapiro.
The Nutcracker at Connor Palace:
Dec. 3 – Dec. 5 We already know there’s a demand for this Holiday staple, as this year’s run had to be moved from the Hanna Theater to the larger Connor Palace. After a young girl gets a nutcracker for Christmas, the audience is transported to her dream world, where the doll becomes a prince and they begin a journey together. Tchaikovsky’s classic music invokes a Holiday spirit that’ll be with you for days. “Experience time together and experience something different,” says Gladisa Guadalupe, cofounder and artistic director of Cleveland Ballet.
Wicked at Playhouse Square: Dec. 8
– Jan. 2 The last time this Broadway staple was in Cleveland, it was 2017 and 90,000 people saw the show during its four-week run. “We’re so excited to come to Cleveland,” says actress Allison Bailey, who plays Glinda. The musical chronicles the story of two witches growing their friendship through life lessons. “There are so many scenes with Wicked that anyone 8 to 80 could identify with,” Bailey says.
Straight No Chaser at Connor Palace:
Dec. 12 With no in-person Straight No Chaser performance last year, we’re still not sure that Christmas actually happened. Luckily, the nine-man acapella group is back
A Christmas Carol
to bring holiday cheer to Northeast Ohio. For many families in the area, seeing the group is as much of an annual tradition as opening presents. “It’s just as special for the guys in the group to share that with fans,” says band member Jasper Smith.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Rocket
Mortgage Fieldhouse: Dec. 30 This group’s big break came in Cleveland in 1999, when Bill Louis of WNCX heard a song from TSO and instantly knew he was onto something great. Their first Cleveland show sold out within 30 minutes — and shows continue to sell out even today. Guitarist Joel Hoekstra summarized the TSO experience as a mix of rock and opera with the theatrics of Beethoven, the laser light shows of Pink Floyd and the pyrotechnics of a Kiss show. While the production is phenomenal, the music certainly doesn’t take second stage, as evidenced by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s three multiplatinum Christmas albums.
Shining a Light
This fall, Cleveland became the second city to hold all six pieces of the Matthew 25 Collection, which sparks awareness of the less fortunate. / BY MARGARET SKUBIK /
The Community West Foundation is hoping to spark compassion in Cleveland with its upcoming Matthew 25 Collection by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz. Cleveland joins Rome, Italy, as one of only two cities in the world to host the complete collection. The six pieces, which depict ways people can help each other, will be strategically placed around Cleveland. The foundation is hoping to have them up by the end of the year, weather permitting, and they’ll be permanent fixtures. “They truly are a visual representation of our mission,” says Community West marketing director Maria Estes. “We are so excited to share them with Cleveland.”
Homeless Jesus at St. Malachi Parish
The most famous piece of the collection, this first came to Cleveland as a replica in 2008. Within 20 minutes of being installed next to St. Barnabas church in Bay Village, the police were called because someone mistook it for a homeless person. 2459 Washington Ave., Cleveland
When I was Sick at Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital
This statue represents the many ways illness affects people, including mental health, addiction and disability. It depicts a blanketed Jesus, who’s covering his face and lying on a bed. 1730 W. 25th St., Cleveland
When I Was in Prison at Bridge CLE
This statue portrays the loneliness of people who are incarcerated, focusing specifically on the struggles they face as they re-enter society. The depiction of arms reaching out of prison bars ties in with Bridge CLE’s mission to build relationships between people. 3389 Fulton Road, Cleveland
When I Was a Stranger at Refugee Response on the campus of Urban Community School
This piece calls on the viewer to understand the difficulty immigrants face. It shows a hooded Jesus sitting alone next to six open seats, inviting community from nearby strangers. 4909 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
When I Was Naked at Malachi House
This statue illustrates the vulnerability of the poor and those who live without basic needs. This vulnerability is seen in the statue, as Jesus sits with his head bowed. “For the past 20 years, Malachi House has always been a hub for helping the poor and homeless,” Estes says.” 2810 Clinton Ave., Cleveland
When I Was Hungry and Thirsty at Old Stone Church
This part of the collection calls us to care for the homeless through a bronze Jesus sitting on the concrete with an empty bowl in front of him to convey the hopelessness and desperation of those who are starving. 91 Public Square, Cleveland
Handmade Holiday
Get crafty this season by making something personal. / BY ARBELA CAPAS /
LESLIE HUFFMAN, A MOM AND DIY-LOVER, started making handmade wreaths and garlands out of her home in Avon during the peak of the pandemic. Now, one year later, her Etsy shop, PeanutPieDesign, features unique seasonally themed decor she makes using mostly felt and glue. She gives us a quick step-by-step guide for creating this festive holiday garland. “It’s just very fun,” says Huffman. “It’s very therapeutic, as well. That’s actually why I started it originally.”
STEP 1: GATHER MATERIALS
➺ Here’s what you’ll need: Ten 9-by-12-inch sheets of green felt, fabric shears, a hot glue gun and red beads or felt balls.
STEP 2: FOLD AND CUT
➺ First, take each sheet of felt, fold it in half lengthwise and cut along the fold. Then, cut about 1-2-inch tear-drop shaped pieces, which will serve as your leaves. To get the perfect rounded shape, just cut in a half-circle with a pointed tip. In the end, each piece of cut felt should give you about five leaves and you should have 20-24 leaves for every 12 inches of your base.
STEP 3: CREATE YOUR BASE
➺ Cut four 12-inch strips of felt, each an inch wide and glue together end-to-end to make the base of the 48-inch garland.
STEP 4: ATTACH AND EMBELLISH
➺ To create a more leaf-like shape, take each felt leaf, pinch ends together at the base, add a drop of hot glue and hold for about 10 seconds. Then, add a leaf on each side of your felt base every inch or so. Finally, add several red beads or felt balls to the garland as a finishing touch. In total, you should have close to 100 leaves on the garland.
THREE PLACES TO MAKE HOLIDAY CRAFTS
Give the gift of making something by hand with these local workshops and classes. // AC
1 December Perfume Workshop at Yates Perfumes — Dec. 4
Melissa Hale, owner of Yates Perfumes, walks you through combining different scents such as amber, sandalwood and others to make two 5-milliliter bottles of your own concoction. “My biggest tip would be to keep it simple,” Hale says. $35. 13000 Athens Ave., Studio C288, Lakewood, 216-937-9650, yatesperfumes.com
2 Kids’ Gingerbread House Class at Cool Beans Cafe — Dec. 19 & 20
Perfect for kids and candy lovers, this class at Cool Beans Cafe will set you up with the gingerbread cookie base for your house, allowing little ones to go wild decorating with various colorful candies, frostings and treats. The best part? You don’t have to worry about any mess afterwards. $30. 103 W. Liberty St., Medina, 330-723-7174, facebook.com/coolbeanscafe
3 Gnome Workshop at Stitches & Stowaways — Dec. 3 & 8
These funky, long-bearded gnomes look great under the tree, on a fireplace mantel or as a fun, handmade gift. Participants choose the fabric and materials, the gnomes’ comically large hats and added embellishments. Plus, a little sign for them to hold. $35. 4183 W. Streetsboro Road, Richfield, 216-2157165, facebook.com/stitchesstowaways
